A new report highlights opportunities for Dutch-Ukrainian collaboration in agriculture, focusing on novel crop cultivation and supply chain development. Dutch expertise in precision farming, soil analysis, and post-harvest solutions could help modernize Ukrainian agriculture despite challenges from
Researchers at Japan’s RIKEN CSRS discovered SCORE, an ancient plant immune receptor that detects cold-shock proteins in bacteria, fungi, and insects. The study reveals potential to engineer crops and trees with enhanced disease resistance using synthetic SCORE receptors.The post Game-changing Biote
A UK research project emphasizes the need for climate-resilient potato varieties to protect Britain’s staple crop. Professor Ian Toth of the National Potato Innovation Centre warns that urgent action is required as rising temperatures threaten yields, despite ongoing development of heat- and drought
Salk Institute researchers have discovered that plants boost their immune systems after experiencing drought, revealing genetic strategies to develop hardier, more resilient crops. This finding highlights how plants prioritize survival over growth when recovering from water stress.The post All DRII-
The European Research Council (ERC) awarded Starting Grants to three University of Cologne researchers—Dr. Sabina Hillebrandt, Dr. Isabel Saur, and Prof. Dr. Johannes Wohlfart—providing up to €1.5 million each over five years to support innovative early-career research in humanities, life sciences,
Federico Vittorio Pisani has joined Euroseeds as Manager of Development Cooperation and Genetic Resources, bringing extensive experience in bridging policy, innovation, and international collaboration.The post Federico Vittorio Pisani Joins Euroseeds as Manager Development Cooperation and Genetic Re
A meta-analysis shows that protecting biodiversity in agriculture works best when land-sharing and land-sparing strategies are combined. Context-specific, integrated approaches outperform one-size-fits-all methods, balancing food production with conservationThe post Farming Strategies to Protect Bio
The European Parliament’s COMAGRI committee voted to define hemp to include flowers, supporting the EU’s first “whole-plant” approach for production and marketing. This move, backed by the European Industrial Hemp Association, advances sustainable hemp farming within EU regulations.The post European
A new phenotyping robot is transforming plant science with its adjustable wheel track, precision sensor gimbal, and advanced multi-sensor fusion. It allows faster, more accurate measurement of plant traits, supporting breakthroughs in crop improvement and sustainable agriculture.The post Smarter Rob
An international team led by the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences has identified sustainable farming practices for maize (corn) that maintain high yields while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The study offers strategies to lower environmental impact and promote
Rich in protein, vitamins and minerals, quinoa is valued worldwide as a healthy food. Its greatest strength lies in its adaptability: the crop tolerates cold, heat and drought, making it […]The post Quinoa Research Project Aims to Bring Superfood to German Fields appeared first on Seed World.
Fescue is a versatile grass valued for livestock grazing and increasingly used on professional sports fields, where it’s starting to replace ryegrass. Modern breeding has produced varieties that are durable, drought-tolerant, and resistant to disease—while also improving yield, digestibility, and pa
Yasmine Ambrogio joins Euroseeds as Manager of Research Projects and Policy, bringing expertise in food law, sustainability, and regulatory frameworks. She will help integrate legal insights into seed research, enhance Horizon Europe project engagement, and bridge science with policy, supporting inn
The PGRO has confirmed the first-ever detection of pea bruchid in a UK commercial pea crop, found in Cambridgeshire. Common in northern France, the pest appears to have completed its life cycle in the UK this spring due to unusually warm, dry conditions. Larvae develop inside pea grains, and adult b
Seeds have long been recognised as a cornerstone of agricultural development and global food security. Today, many development actors focus on community-based seed systems in the Global South, shifting from earlier efforts to strengthen formal seed systems. While challenges remain in improving acces
Euroseeds launches the first NextGen Forum on 22 October 2025 in Edinburgh, connecting Master’s, PhD students, and postdocs with seed industry leaders to explore careers in agriculture, plant breeding, and genetics. Applications open June–September 2025 via the Euroseeds Congress website.The post Eu
The 2025 Euroseeds Congress in Edinburgh is a timely reminder of Scotland’s rich plant breeding heritage. Few organisations showcase this better than The James Hutton Institute, where researchers in Dundee and Aberdeen advance crops that matter locally and globally—from preserving potato diversity i
A journey across Ukraine’s fields revealed hidden soil problems — and surprising fixes — to ensure its future as the world's breadbasketThe post How Cover Crops Could Change Everything for Ukraine’s Fields appeared first on Seed World.
From 23 to 25 September 2025, Seed Meets Technology will be held in Seed Valley, the Netherlands. The event provides a forum for developments in seed and coating technology, breeding support, sustainable […]The post Seed Meets Technology 2025: Innovation and Career Opportunities appeared first on S
Seed World Europe spoke with Branislava Popov about her new role at Euroseeds, tackling seed marketing and certification challenges across EU Member States, and what inspired her career in seeds and variety registration.The post Branislava Popov to Drive Variety Registration and Seed Marketing at Eu
The Agroecology Fund saw a dramatic surge in fundraising in 2024. A year later, it’s worth examining how this activist group has allocated its new funds—and what I found went beyond a simple list of grantees to something far more troubling.The post Tracking the Agroecology Fund appeared first on See
Scientists at the National Potato Innovation Centre (NPIC) have introduced two new potato varieties in Kenya, now listed on the National Variety List. This effort was a collaboration with the University of St Andrews, IITA, CIP, icipe, KEPHIS, and Seeds2B to strengthen potato production and support
With climate change and more frequent extreme weather, global yields of crops like maize, rice, and soybeans could drop 12–20% by the end of the century. Researchers are exploring ways to boost yields and develop more resilient varieties. A recent study in Life shows that analyzing the genetics of w
Over the holidays, I finished re-reading Richard Dawkins’ The Selfish Gene, a book that reshaped our understanding of evolution. Nearly 50 years after its 1976 publication, its insights remain relevant—not just for biology, but also for behaviour, cooperation, and inheritance. Dawkins’ concept of “s
