Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series on corn breeding in the European seed sector. As explained in Part 1 of this series, corn (also known widely as maize) is a critical global crop with diverse food, feed and industrial uses. Indeed, its importance is expected to grow as the global popu
Ukraine, known as one of the world’s key breadbaskets, boasts a rich diversity of agricultural plants. However, the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 dealt a significant blow to its national genebank system, which safeguards thousands of unique plant varieties. For the first time, a comprehensive
Member companies share their impression about CropLife International. Why It Matters: CropLife International (CLI) represents the world’s leading R&D companies – BASF, Bayer, Corteva Agriscience, FMC, Sumitomo Chemical, and Syngenta – who are actively working to address some of our world’s biggest c
WHY IT MATTERSCropLife International is the global voice and leading advocate for the plant science industry. The organization aims to champion innovative technologies that help farmers grow more food on less land and in a sustainable way. Representing six of the world’s leading multinational R&D co
Cheese producers were cheesed off. People were just not eating enough veal. Slaughterhouses were running short of calf stomachs and the cheese industry was feeling the pinch. There was not enough rennet to meet the demands of cheese lovers around the world.Rennet is critical to the cheese-making pro
The Borlaug Global Rust Initiative (BGRI) and the European and Mediterranean Cereal Rust Foundation (EMCRF) have announced a new partnership to strengthen global efforts against cereal diseases. This collaboration aims to improve food security by fostering research, sharing knowledge, and developing
Seventeen European Technology Platforms (ETPs) have released a Joint Statement addressing the European Commission, calling on “the European Commission to reaffirm their support for the strategic role of ETPs in the next EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation succeeding Horizon Europe (FP
In Europe, rice is produced in eight EU Member States (IT, ES, EL, PT, FR, BG, RO, HU), with Italy representing 50% and Spain 30% of EU rice area and production. But the crop is suffering more and more from a nasty fungus: rice blast (Pyricularia oryzae). It evolves rapidly and has gained resistance
The kick-off meeting for the Horizon Europe IPMorama project took place in Dublin, Ireland, on Oct. 3-4, 2024, hosted by Teagasc | Agriculture and Food Development. This four-year project, valued at €5 million, unites 17 partners from 10 European countries, aiming to enhance variety-centric Integrat
Each time when we’re approaching the print date of a new issue of Seed World Europe, the question arises as to what topic I should write my Editorial column about. I have come to learn that in Europe, with its many legislative proposals, regulatory roadblocks, deviations and policy hiccups, there is
Researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) have identified a new gene that regulates plants’ sensitivity to threats such as fungi and drought. By eliminating this gene, known as Parakletos (meaning “helper”), plants exhibit increased resilience, potentially reducing the nee
When different varieties of a plant species are crossbred, their hybrid offspring often exhibit greater vigor and faster growth than the parent plants. However, this effect typically fades in subsequent generations. New methods now allow scientists to retain these beneficial traits in hybrid plants
Launched in October 2023, the BELIS innovation project aims to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of European legume breeding. Its key objectives include developing cost-effective breeding tools, improving the economic and regulatory landscape for legume breeding, and facilitating effici
New research that could increase the natural resistance of wheat to a devastating fungal disease has begun at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh.The research will examine why some wheat varieties are more resistant than others to this disease, according to a press release. Dr Angela Feechan, a plan
What does the future of plant breeding look like? Marcel Bruins, Editorial Director of Seed World Europe, sits down with Erez Atzmon, Vice President of Business Development at Phenome Networks, to discuss their Next Generation Platform and how it’s revolutionizing data management for breeders and va
The Crop Innovation Centre (CIC), officially opened by UK Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray MP and Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney MSP, is located at The James Hutton Institute in Invergowrie. It aims to futureproof crop production and enhance food security for the UK and beyond.The
As we prepare for for our Semi-Annual Meeting on Nov. 15 and 18, I think it’s important to highlight the theme, “Pressing for Progress.” We’ve been talking about it for a long time, but this year feels different. It’s not just about discussing ideas; it’s about seeking feedback, acting, and addressi
European regulations are now allowing new types of plant reproductive material to be marketed for organic agriculture, characterized by their high diversity, which poses challenges for DUS (Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability) testing. Victor Nelaton, a trainee at GEVES from March to August 2024
The Polish Parliament has extended the exemptions to the provisions of the 2006 Feed Act, allowing the continued use of genetically modified (GM) feed ingredients until January 1, 2030. Poland is a significant importer of soybean meal, including GM meal, with annual imports totaling $1.5 billion, ac
Asked to pinpoint the top two skills young plant breeders need, the consensus is clear as far as Corteva’s Global Talent Development Lead Klaus Koehler is concerned. He sat down with Seed World at the recent meeting of the National Association for Plant Breeding (NAPB) in St. Louis, MO.“Tenacity mig
How can seed certification revolutionize agriculture in Africa? Marcel Bruins interviews Aurelia Nicault, Programme Officer from the Trade and Agriculture Directorate at OECD, to discuss an exciting new project aimed at boosting Africa’s capacity for seed certification. With the support of the G7 co
Switzerland faces a significant demand for new, robust plant varieties with stable yields to promote sustainable agriculture, particularly in light of challenges such as climate change and emerging plant diseases. To enhance plant breeding and foster innovation in the country, organizations includin
Researchers from the University of Nottingham are part of a team awarded £2.2 million to trial a precision-bred wheat variety that could lead to more sustainable farming systems. The team is involved in the PROBITY project—A Platform to Rate Organisms Bred for Improved Traits and Yield—led by the Br
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault has welcomed a new deposit of over 30,000 seed samples from 23 depositors representing 21 countries, including seven international genebanks. This is the largest number of contributors since 2020, when a record 35 genebanks made contributions, highlighting the growing
