Improved Crop Varieties Highlight Value of Long-Term Research

Seed World Staff on 11/06/2026

Long-term agricultural research investment is essential to developing improved crop varieties and delivering practical benefits for farmers. A new UK report highlights Aberystwyth University's forage breeding work while examining how sustained funding, industry partnerships and farmer-focused resear

Does Modern Plant Breeding Reduce Flavour and Diversity?

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 11/05/2026

Does modern plant breeding threaten flavour and crop diversity? From colourful vegetables and Basmati rice to disease-resistant apples and potatoes, scientific evidence challenges common assumptions about breeding and highlights its role in expanding culinary choice, improving food quality and prese

China and the Netherlands Discuss Plant Breeders’ Rights, AI and Robotics

Seed World Staff on 11/05/2026

Plant breeders' rights, artificial intelligence and robotics were central to discussions between Chinese and Dutch industry representatives at the Kunming International Flower Expo. Experts explored how stronger variety protection, international cooperation and advanced cultivation technologies coul

Breeding Against the Clock

Michelle Cornu - Global Brand & Communications Lead, Limagrain Field Seeds on 11/03/2026

Genome editing is expanding the plant breeder's toolbox as European farmers face increasing climate, disease and pest pressures. With a new EU regulatory framework in place, Limagrain sees opportunities to accelerate the development of resilient, high-performing crop varieties.The post Breeding Agai

Breeding for a Climate That Won’t Hold Still: What Every Seed Professional Needs to Understand

Enid Perez-Lara on 11/02/2026

Climate-resilient varieties are only as reliable as the environments in which they're tested. As Europe's climate changes faster than traditional breeding cycles can respond, plant breeders must rethink field trials, incorporate envirotyping and use better climate data to predict future performance.

Euroseeds 2026: Key Highlights from Valencia Congress

Seed World Staff on 11/02/2026

Euroseeds 2026 brought the international seed community to Valencia, Spain, for discussions on NGTs, PRM reform, plant variety rights and innovation. Watch the video recap highlighting key conversations, emerging technologies and industry connections from this year's Congress.The post Euroseeds 2026

Scientists Target Photosynthesis Efficiency for Better Crops

Seed World Staff on 10/30/2026

Researchers at Sweden's KTH Royal Institute of Technology have identified Rubisco enzyme mutations that could improve photosynthesis efficiency by reducing unwanted oxygen reactions. The findings offer new possibilities for crop improvement, although further testing is needed to determine whether th

Svalbard Seed Vault Prize to Protect At-Risk Collections

Seed World Staff on 10/29/2026

Svalbard Seed Vault partners will direct €50,000 from the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award toward protecting vulnerable seed collections. The funding will help genebanks safeguard crop diversity and preserve valuable genetic resources for future plant breeding and global food security.The post Svalba

3 Game Changers: InnovAction Winners Announced

Seed World Staff on 10/29/2026

PEWAS Innovative Chemistry claimed the top prize at the Euroseeds 2026 InnovAction Stage in Valencia, Spain, for its Aquaholder seed coating technology. SeedForward and Ensemo earned runner-up honours for innovations supporting crop establishment and seed performance.The post 3 Game Changers: InnovA

Euroseeds Congress 2026: What Will We Take Home from Valencia?

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 10/28/2026

As Euroseeds Congress 2026 draws to a close in Valencia, the conversations point to challenges and opportunities that extend far beyond the event. From seed sector resilience and InnovAction finalists to the NextGen Forum, the focus turns to translating promising ideas into practical progress for pl

Live at Euroseeds: What’s Ahead for Vylor?

Seed World Staff on 10/27/2026

Vylor is entering a new chapter as an independent seed and genetics company. At Euroseeds 2026, Jean-Philippe Riffat discusses its ambitions for gene editing, hybrid wheat and industry partnerships, and how Vylor plans to compete and collaborate across the seed sector.The post Live at Euroseeds: Wha

Alexander Döring on Breeding Better Protein for Feed

Seed World Staff on 10/27/2026

Alexander Döring, Secretary General of FEFAC, explains how plant breeding can better meet the nutritional needs of Europe's animal feed sector. Speaking at the Euroseeds Congress 2026, he highlights protein digestibility, amino acid composition, anti-nutritional factors and crop resilience.The post

Euroseeds Congress 2026: Different Challenges, One Common Question

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 10/27/2026

At Euroseeds Congress 2026, two very different discussions revealed a shared challenge for Europe's seed sector. From patent transparency and access to new genomic techniques to policy contradictions affecting oil and fibre crops, the question remains whether Europe is making innovation easier or ha

Is Keeping Up With Technology Taking Too Much Time From Plant Breeding?

Seed World Staff on 10/26/2026

Plant breeding technology is advancing rapidly, but keeping up with AI, genomic data and new tools can strain breeding programs. Gene-G co-founder and CEO Dagan Mor explains how specialized technology partners can help seed companies make better breeding decisions without adding complexity.The post

Seed World Europe is Live From Euroseeds

Seed World Staff on 10/26/2026

The post Seed World Europe is Live From Euroseeds appeared first on Seed World.

When Competitors Become Partners: Inside Vylor’s Commercial Shift

Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations on 10/26/2026

Vylor is preparing to redraw its competitive boundaries as it becomes a standalone seed company. Southern Europe Commercial Unit Leader André Negreiros discusses new opportunities for licensing, partnerships, crop expansion and innovation, and why former competitors could become future collaborators

Malin Nilsson on Sweden’s Seed Sector and Its Strengths

Seed World Staff on 10/26/2026

Swedish Seed Trade Association Secretary General Malin Nilsson discusses collaboration, innovation and her priorities for the country’s seed industry.Sweden’s seed sector may be relatively small, but its high use of certified seed, constructive regulatory relationships and openness to innovation off

Uruguay and Europe: Strengthening Seed Sector Cooperation and Innovation

Seed World Staff on 10/26/2026

The Uruguay seed sector is seeking closer cooperation with European breeders as discussions around New Genomic Techniques, market access and intellectual property evolve. URUPOV Executive Director Diego Risso explains what both regions can learn from each other, particularly about plant breeders' ri

Breeding for Automation

Partner Content on 10/26/2026

Vegetable harvesting automation is transforming how breeders develop crops for the future. Rijk Zwaan explains how genetics, artificial intelligence and collaboration with machinery developers are helping create vegetable varieties suited to automated harvesting while maintaining crop quality, produ

Euroseeds Congress 2026: Beyond the Official Programme

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 10/26/2026

At Euroseeds Congress 2026 in Valencia, the conversations between sessions can be just as valuable as the official programme. From InnovAction Stage pitches to video interviews and informal meetings, Seed World Europe explores the people, ideas and relationships that make the Congress special.The po

Antonio Villarroel on Spain’s Plant Breeding Future

Seed World Staff on 10/23/2026

Ahead of Euroseeds 2026 in Valencia, ANOVE Director General Antonio Villarroel discusses how Spain's plant breeding sector is responding to climate pressures, rising research costs and regulatory challenges, and what its experience means for innovation across Europe.The post Antonio Villarroel on Sp

More Genetics, More Markets: Agri Obtentions Looks Beyond France

Francois Cuvelier, Agri Obtentions Export Sales Director on 10/23/2026

Agri Obtentions is looking beyond France for its next stage of growth, opening new European opportunities for seed companies to access its field-crop genetics through local partnerships.The post More Genetics, More Markets: Agri Obtentions Looks Beyond France appeared first on Seed World.New opportu

Seed Treatment in Europe: Regulation and Innovation

Seed World Staff on 10/22/2026

Seed treatment regulations are creating challenges for European seed companies serving international markets. Euroseeds' Amalia Kafka discusses the risk of production shifting outside the EU, the need for pragmatic legislation and emerging innovations in biologicals, biostimulants and seed-applied t

Sorghum Could Help European Farming Adapt to Climate Change

Seed World Staff on 10/22/2026

Sorghum could become an increasingly important crop in European agriculture as climate change alters growing conditions. New research from INRAE projects higher sorghum yields and expanded suitable growing areas, highlighting its potential to replace maize in livestock feed and reduce pressure on wa