AI consultant Robert Newcombe urges farmers to challenge tradition and use artificial intelligence to rethink farm operations. Drawing on his dairy farm background, he says AI works best for reducing administrative drudgery, improving efficiency, and freeing staff for higher-value tasks. While cauti
Geir Pollestad, Norwegian MP and former agriculture minister, has nominated the Svalbard Global Seed Vault for the Nobel Peace Prize, together with NordGen, FAO, Crop Trust, and CGIAR. He argued that food security is essential for peace amid climate change and conflict. The nomination highlights see
Illegal seed reproduction is quietly distorting Europe’s vegetable seed markets. New data from the Anti-Infringement Bureau (AIB) reveals where infringement occurs, why reporting has risen 86%, and how training and intelligence are improving detection. By targeting high-risk crops and markets, colle
Europe is edging closer to a major milestone on New Genomic Techniques. In this Seed World Europe discussion, Petar Madjarac and Marcel Bruins explain where EU NGT regulation stands and why the next political decisions could be decisive for the future of plant breeding.The post Let’s Talk: A Critica
A 70-year long-term experiment shows that nutrient imbalances in soil—especially potassium deficiency combined with nitrogen fertilization—can severely disrupt mycorrhizal symbiosis, the vital partnership between plants and beneficial fungi. The study, led by researchers at the University of Vienna
Biological seed treatments are rapidly advancing across global agriculture, driven by innovation, regulatory shifts and growing farmer demand for improved crop performance. Industry leaders from BASF, Bayer, Corteva and Incotec examine market growth, technical challenges, regulatory harmonization an
Scientists at Rothamsted and Clemson University have unified fragmented research to show that extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) acts as a genomic “shock absorber” in plants. Their review demonstrates that eccDNA amplifies genes, buffers stress and accelerates adaptation beyond chromosomal limit
Part 2 explores Hidde Boersma’s techno-optimistic vision for sustainable agriculture, highlighting WePlanet, ecomodernism, CRISPR, land sparing and high-yield farming. It examines how storytelling, film and culture reshape debates on biotechnology and the seed sector. The article argues that abundan
EuroBlight’s first 2025 potato season results show Europe’s late blight population remains dominated by the aggressive EU36 genotype, while EU43 and EU46 strains continue shifting regionally. More than 1,200 samples were genotyped, revealing rising diversity in northern and eastern Europe. Adjusted
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault marked its first 2026 deposit, securing 7,864 seed samples from 10 genebanks across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. First-time contributions came from Guatemala and Niger, alongside the vault’s first-ever olive seeds. The deposit brings the total conserved crop
This article examines how climate-driven famine and uninspected grain trade helped spread the Black Death, drawing parallels to today’s risks from illegal and counterfeit seeds. It highlights how uncertified seed trade bypasses biosecurity, inspection and traceability, threatening agriculture, farme
New research from Rothamsted Research suggests heatwaves during wheat flowering may soon pose a bigger threat to yields than drought. Using climate projections and the Sirius wheat model, researchers found drought impacts at flowering may ease slightly, while heat stress damage rises sharply. By 205
Euroseeds is launching the InnovAction Stage 2026—calling visionary start-ups and public–private partnerships to showcase game-changing seed sector innovations. Under “From Kernel to Code,” applicants can submit solutions in seed treatment, sustainable packaging, labelling, traceability, and digital
Aberystwyth University researchers report new Miscanthus traits that could boost soil carbon storage, helping climate change mitigation. Published in Frontiers in Plant Science, the study analysed leaves, roots, and rhizomes from 11 varieties. Results suggest woody rhizomes can push carbon deeper in
A new Nature Genetics study led by Boyce Thompson Institute’s Zhangjun Fei reveals that large DNA “structural variants” play a major role in cucumber evolution and breeding. Using a graph-based pangenome built from 39 high-quality genomes, researchers identified nearly 172,000 variants affecting tra
The Crop Trust has launched Securing Our Seeds (SOS), a USD 2 million Google.org-backed initiative to modernize global crop diversity conservation. The project will digitize genebanks using GRIN-Global software, integrate data with the Genesys portal, and strengthen digital skills. SOS will also exp
EU-funded UNTWIST research shows camelina (Camelina sativa) could help climate-proof agriculture as heatwaves and droughts intensify. Scientists tested 54 camelina lines across controlled environments and European field trials, finding wide variation in stress responses despite limited genetic diver
African farmers are central to regional and global food security. The Syngenta Seedcare Institute in Brits, South Africa, develops locally tailored seed treatment solutions to improve crop emergence, soil health and sustainable yields. By combining global innovation with African expertise, the insti
Satellite data reveal rising CO₂ has significantly boosted crop yields, especially wheat, more than many EU climate models acknowledge. An NBER study links real-world CO₂ variation to higher maize, soybean and wheat productivity. Ignoring CO₂ fertilisation may overstate climate damage, misguide EU p
University of Adelaide researchers, partnering with Carlsberg Research Laboratory, mapped a key barley MAPK enzyme–substrate complex that regulates seed dormancy. Published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, the work clarifies how MKK3 activates downstream MAPK signaling and helps e
Euroseeds’ updated position paper calls on the EU to secure dedicated plant breeding research funding under FP10 and the European Competitiveness Fund to strengthen sustainable agriculture, the bioeconomy and EU competitiveness. The seed sector reinvests up to 20% of turnover in R&D, yet public supp
Ahead of the EU Leaders’ Retreat on 12 February, 40 agri-food organisations urge EU institutions to put agriculture and food at the heart of Europe’s competitiveness strategy. The €1 trillion EU agri-food value chain underpins food security, resilience and jobs, but faces rising regulatory complexit
This column explains the long-term nature of EU agricultural policymaking and the essential role of EU associations such as Euroseeds. It highlights stakeholder engagement since the Common Agricultural Policy, the growing power of the European Parliament, and multi-year legislative timelines, using
The John Innes Centre has secured UK government funding for four DEFRA-backed projects advancing precision breeding, including gene-edited disease-resistant crops, vitamin D–enriched tomatoes, and dandelions for sustainable rubber. Enabled by the UK Precision Breeding Act, the initiatives aim to boo
