Underutilised crops are the focus of a new UK-wide research and innovation network designed to strengthen crop diversity, food resilience and local value chains by connecting researchers, farmers, plant breeders, food businesses and policymakers.The post Underutilised Crops Network to Boost UK Food
GMO Directive reform is needed to align Europe’s seed approval system with the new NGT regulation, according to David Zaruk, who argues that the EU should move from process-based regulation to a product-focused framework.The post After the NGT Regulation, Time to Rationalise the GMO Directive appear
EU NGT regulation creates a faster route for some gene-edited plants, but strict Category 1 limits, including the 20-nucleotide threshold, may leave valuable plant breeding innovation outside the gate.The post EU NGT Regulation: Why the 20-Nucleotide Threshold Could Limit Plant Breeding Innovation a
A new AI-supported study suggests climate change could increase soybean production while reducing soybean seed quality. Researchers found that higher CO₂, heat and drought may lower starch and protein content, raising questions for feed value, crop breeding and food security.The post Climate Change
Behind every FIFA World Cup match is a seed story. Stacy Bonos of Rutgers and Matthew Duncan of DLF explain the breeding, research and turf science behind World Cup pitches.The post From Seed to Stadium: In Pursuit of the Perfect World Cup Pitch appeared first on Seed World.Fans will see players, go
Seed Sector 2045 is a new editorial series exploring the trends shaping plant breeding and the seed sector over the next two decades, from climate adaptation and gene editing to AI, regulation, public trust and new business models.The post Seed Sector 2045: Future of Plant Breeding in Europe appeare
A rare alignment of climate indicators could point to a historic super El Niño with major implications for global crops, seed production and agricultural markets.The post Super El Niño Potential in 2026-2027 Could Rival Historic 1877-1878 Event appeared first on Seed World.A rare alignment of climat
The James Hutton Institute has joined PhenomUK, a £35 million UKRI-backed programme designed to strengthen national crop phenotyping capacity. The six-year initiative will support resilient crop development through advanced imaging, automation, controlled environments and field-based evaluation.The
The British Society of Plant Breeders is marking 60 years of supporting plant breeding in the UK, celebrating advances in crop improvement, industry collaboration and the role of innovation in strengthening agriculture and food security.The post BSPB Celebrates 60 Years of Plant Breeding Progress ap
New research shows that virus-induced gene editing using potyviruses could help scientists deliver CRISPR guide molecules into plants. The approach may expand crop genome editing tools for tomato, tobacco and other species that are difficult to modify.The post Plant Viruses Advance Virus-Induced Gen
A sorghum wax gene discovery is helping researchers understand how the BM-SZ gene controls the crop’s protective wax layer. The findings may support future breeding for drought-tolerant sorghum and other resilient crops.The post Sorghum Wax Gene Could Aid Drought-Tolerant Crops appeared first on See
WTO agriculture leader Edwini Kessie discusses trade fragmentation, food security and why international collaboration remains essential for seed innovation.The post Why the Seed Industry Has a Stake in the Future of Global Trade appeared first on Seed World.WTO agriculture leader Edwini Kessie expla
A new EU seed legislation framework aims to modernise plant reproductive material rules while maintaining core quality, variety registration and market access principles. Euroseeds says the agreement balances flexibility for specific operators and markets with oversight in the Common Market.The post
New research shows how plant immune receptors can evolve through molecular mimicry, opening a potential path to more durable disease resistance in cereal crops. Scientists have found new evidence showing how plant immune receptors can evolve to recognize disease threats by mimicking the targets that
Young professionals are entering the seed sector at a time of rapid change. Mario González Azcárate of NGIN discusses how the next generation can help shape leadership, innovation and the future of agriculture.The post Young Professionals and Influence in the Seed Sector appeared first on Seed World
Salk Institute researchers have identified a plant-specific DNA repair protein called YAF9B that helps protect growth tissues after DNA damage. The discovery may support future advances in crop resilience, stress tolerance and more precise genome editing.The post Plant DNA Repair Discovery Could Hel
Chinese researchers have identified a teosinte gene that could help breeders raise maize protein levels in modern corn. The discovery may support development of higher-protein maize varieties without reducing grain yield.The post Wild Maize Gene Could Help Boost Maize Protein appeared first on Seed
Seed priming with methyl jasmonate, a natural plant defense molecule, may help crops resist insect and mite damage without slowing growth. The findings point to a potential tool for more sustainable crop protection.The post Seed Priming Boosts Crop Resistance to Pests appeared first on Seed World.Se
The Svalbard Seed Vault has surpassed 1.4 million seed samples after receiving 15,387 new deposits from 11 genebanks during its second opening of 2026, including first-time contributions from Burkina Faso and Niger.The post Svalbard Seed Vault Surpasses 1.4M Seed Samples appeared first on Seed World
A coalition of 30 European agri-food value chain organisations welcomes the NGT Regulation, calling it a major milestone for plant breeding innovation, sustainability and food security across Europe.The post EU Agri-Food Coalition Welcomes NGT Regulation appeared first on Seed World.New framework ma
On-farm experimentation is expanding agronomic research beyond controlled plots and into working fields. Takashi Tanaka’s review explores how advanced analytics, machine learning and farmer-generated data can improve decisions while avoiding misleading conclusions.The post On-Farm Experimentation Tu
ISTA 2026 will bring seed testing professionals, regulators and industry leaders to Calgary to discuss global seed movement, accreditation, AI and emerging technologies. ISTA President Ernest Young shares the key conversations shaping the meeting.The post What’s Next for Global Seed Testing? Three C
Seed technology often performs well in trials but faces new challenges on the farm. Emilhano Lima of Syngenta explains how field validation, grower collaboration and implementation support help turn innovation into measurable results.The post From Seed Innovation to Grower ROI: Closing the On-Farm G
COMENVI voted in favour of the trilogue compromise on New Genomic Techniques, bringing the EU closer to a framework for innovative plant breeding. Euroseeds says the agreement could support farmers, breeders, food security and sustainability.The post EU Committee Vote Advances New Genomic Techniques
