How Plant ETP Supports Plant Breeding Innovation

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 09/07/2026

Plant ETP connects researchers, breeders, farmers and seed sector stakeholders to align priorities for European plant breeding innovation. Its work spans NGT implementation, future EU research funding, COLiBRI, climate resilience, skills development and communication across Europe’s plant innovation

Molecular Switch Helps Crops Handle Heat Stress

Seed World Staff on 09/03/2026

Researchers have identified a molecular mechanism that could support crop heat stress resilience by keeping stomata open during high temperatures. The discovery offers new insight into plant cooling, heat resilience and future crop improvement.The post Molecular Switch Helps Crops Handle Heat Stress

Seed Sector 2045: Is Europe Competitive for Plant Breeding Innovation?

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 09/03/2026

Europe has strong plant breeding talent, public research and seed systems, but plant breeding innovation depends on more than ambition. NGT regulation, PRM reform, research funding, intellectual property and policy coherence will shape whether new varieties reach farmers fast enough.The post Seed Se

Wolfson Foundation Funds Plant Research Facilities

Seed World Staff on 09/02/2026

The Wolfson Foundation is investing £1.6 million in plant research facilities at the John Innes Centre and The Sainsbury Laboratory. The funding will support LED lighting for a new glasshouse, insectary and horticultural research facility in Norwich.The post Wolfson Foundation Funds Plant Research F

EU PPWR: What Seed Companies Need to Do Now

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 09/01/2026

The EU PPWR now applies to packaging used across the seed sector. Seed companies and exporters need to understand their roles, EPR duties, recyclability rules, recycled content requirements and possible future reuse obligations for seed bags and other formats.The post EU PPWR: What Seed Companies Ne

One Rye Chromosome Has Already Changed Wheat. What Else Is Hiding There?

Seed World Staff on 08/28/2026

A new high quality rye reference genome reveals far greater diversity in a chromosome region already used to improve disease resistance, stress tolerance and yield in wheat.Rye shares a long evolutionary history with barley and wheat, but its development as a major crop began considerably later.Whil

Three Degrees Warmer, Three Times the Wheat Price?

Seed World Staff on 08/27/2026

New research shows that severe water scarcity across major wheat-growing regions is closely linked to global wheat prices, with climate models suggesting that worsening compound droughts could create major risks for markets, food systems and consumers.The post Three Degrees Warmer, Three Times the W

Plant Varieties, A Heritage to be Protected

Franco Brazzabeni – Seed World Columnist on 08/27/2026

“Innovation in agriculture depends on Plant Breeders’ Rights.” This was stated by Anthony Parker, the new president of UPOV, the Geneva-based intergovernmental organization that promotes the protection of plant varieties for the benefit of society.Innovation in the plant sector is essential for the

AI and Sales: Why Garbage in Still Means Garbage Out

Shawn Brook - Seed World Group President on 08/27/2026

AI and sales can create real opportunity, but only when organizations have reliable CRM data, clear sales processes and strong human expertise. Shawn Brook argues that AI will not fix weak systems. It will amplify whatever foundation already exists.The post AI and Sales: Why Garbage in Still Means G

Tomatoes Have a ‘Golden Hour’. Could Breeders Use It?

Seed World Staff on 08/26/2026

New research from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem suggests that an early-morning “golden hour” in stomatal activity could help breeders identify drought resilient tomatoes that combine strong yields, recovery after drought and improved water-use efficiency.The post Tomatoes Have a ‘Golden Hour’.

Can AI Help Plant Breeders Outrun Climate Change?

Seed World Staff on 08/25/2026

A new global research partnership, GAIN-RT, will combine artificial intelligence, genomics, gene editing and field research to accelerate the development of climate resilient potatoes and other root and tuber crops for farmers facing climate change, pests and disease.The post Can AI Help Plant Breed

Tomato Gene Could Improve Crop Drought Recovery

Seed World Staff on 08/21/2026

Tomato gene SlbHLH70 helped plants survive drought and recover after rewatering by coordinating hormone signalling, stress responses and root development. The findings could give breeders a new target for developing more drought-resilient crop varieties.The post Tomato Gene Could Improve Crop Drough

Seed Sector 2045: Why Public Trust Matters for Plant Breeding Innovation

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 08/21/2026

Plant breeding innovation in Europe depends on more than science and regulation. As NGTs move closer to approval, public trust, social licence, transparency and misinformation are becoming strategic issues for the seed sector.The post Seed Sector 2045: Why Public Trust Matters for Plant Breeding Inn

Gene Discovery Could Unlock Hidden Crop Traits

Seed World Staff on 08/20/2026

Crop traits for disease resistance, yield and climate resilience may become easier for breeders to access after researchers identified three genes that suppress recombination in chromosome regions where useful genetic variation has often remained out of reach.The post Gene Discovery Could Unlock Hid

Leaf Wax Signals Could Help Fight Crop Disease

Seed World Staff on 08/19/2026

Researchers are investigating how fungal pathogens recognise plant surfaces, opening the door to crop-protection strategies that disrupt infection before it begins.The waxy surface of a crop leaf could hold the key to preventing fungal disease before infection takes hold, according to new research f

Malin Nilsson Takes the Lead at Sweden’s SVUF

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 08/19/2026

Malin Nilsson reflects on taking over as secretary general of SVUF, the distinctive needs of Sweden’s seed sector, and the European policy issues shaping plant breeding, farm saved seed and variety protection.The post Malin Nilsson Takes the Lead at Sweden’s SVUF appeared first on Seed World.From fa

Built on Trust, Ready to Grow

Partner Content on 08/18/2026

SATEC Equipment’s new managing director Robin Kleinwort is carrying forward the company’s customer-first culture while focusing on intentional growth, expanded global partnerships and continued innovation in seed coating, pelleting and treatment systems.The post Built on Trust, Ready to Grow appeare

Crop Impacts Concentrated on One-Third of Farmland

Seed World Staff on 08/17/2026

Crop impacts on biodiversity loss and natural carbon storage are highly concentrated, according to new global mapping that links environmental pressure to specific crops, livestock products and regions where targeted action could deliver the largest gains.The post Crop Impacts Concentrated on One-Th

Maize Sugar Transporters Point to Male-Sterile Lines

Seed World Staff on 08/17/2026

Maize sugar transporters ZmSWEET6a and ZmSWEET6b play key roles in pollen-wall formation and anther cell balance, according to new research that could support development of male-sterile lines for more efficient hybrid seed production.The post Maize Sugar Transporters Point to Male-Sterile Lines app

UK Researchers Target Drought-Resilient Vegetables

Seed World Staff on 08/17/2026

Harper Adams University researchers are identifying drought-resilient vegetables by screening lettuce, brassica, coriander, carrot and onion varieties for stress-tolerance traits. The work could help breeders develop crops better suited to extreme heat and limited water.The post UK Researchers Targe

Sugar Beet Drought Stress Can Increase Pest Damage

Seed World Staff on 08/14/2026

New research from the University of Göttingen finds that sugar beet drought stress can alter crop physiology and pest pressure. Moderate drought made leaves more favourable to beet leaf miner larvae, while severe drought restricted both plant and pest development.The post Sugar Beet Drought Stress C

China EDV System Begins With First 10 Crops

Seed World Staff on 08/13/2026

China EDV system implementation has begun with MARA publishing the country’s first agricultural plant EDV catalogue. The framework covers 10 crops and includes determination guidelines, crop-specific thresholds and recommended testing institutions.The post China EDV System Begins With First 10 Crops

EU Seed Trade Looks to New Global Agreements

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 08/13/2026

EU seed trade could benefit from recent EU trade agreements with Mercosur, Australia, India, Indonesia and Mexico. For plant breeders and seed companies, the real impact will depend on phytosanitary rules, customs procedures, IP protection and practical implementation.The post EU Seed Trade Looks to

Crop Diversity Strengthens Natural Pest Control

Seed World Staff on 08/12/2026

A global meta-analysis of 149 field studies found that crop diversity can increase natural enemies of agricultural pests and improve plant performance. The findings highlight how more diverse farming systems may reduce reliance on chemical pest control.The post Crop Diversity Strengthens Natural Pes