The Svalbard Global Seed Vault received thousands of seed samples from 21 institutions in October 2026, including Ukraine's national genebank, six CGIAR research centres and a first-time contributor from Italy. The deposits strengthen global efforts to safeguard crop genetic diversity for future bre
A new study finds that European agricultural competitiveness is under pressure as crop production growth trails major global markets. The research highlights climate-related losses, regulatory barriers and slower access to seed technologies and agricultural innovations as challenges for European far
Wild peanut breeding has a remarkable global legacy. Researchers traced disease resistance from a single wild peanut collected in Bolivia in 1959 into 251 peanut lines and cultivars across 30 countries, revealing the enduring value of crop genetic diversity, pre-breeding and international seed excha
With 95% of UK P. biglobosus isolates resistant to two SDHI fungicides in laboratory tests, the discovery puts renewed focus on genetics, surveillance and fungicide stewardship working together to protect oilseed rape yields.Scientists have confirmed the world’s first cases of resistance to SDHI fun
The HelEx project is crossing wild sunflower material from arid regions into European breeding lines to develop drought tolerant sunflower varieties. Researchers are also targeting pollinator appeal and higher protein content for future markets.The post The Traits Sunflower Breeders Need May Already
Researchers identified the lily moth sex pheromone by starting with insect scent receptors rather than the pheromone itself. The AI-supported approach could help speed pheromone discovery for emerging and invasive crop pests.The post Could AI Speed Up Pheromone Discovery for Emerging Crop Pests? app
Niab will lead a three-year wheat pre-breeding project funded by BBSRC to move promising traits into elite European winter wheat backgrounds. The work will involve commercial breeders and international IWYP hubs across the UK, Europe, Mexico and the United States.The post Great Wheat Traits Are Bein
Research from the Boyce Thompson Institute shows how wild tomato relatives may help breeders recover flavour and nutritional traits without sacrificing yield, fruit size or shelf life. The study maps regulatory switches tied to tomato fruit quality.The post The Flavour Tomato Breeders Lost May Still
Plant breeding IP is becoming central to Europe’s seed innovation debate. This article explains how plant breeders’ rights, patents, licensing platforms and transparency tools can support both investment incentives and practical access to breeding material.The post Seed Sector 2045: Why Plant Breedi
A University of Córdoba review found GLU-B1 diversity in wheat was overstated, with many recorded alleles duplicated or triplicated. The team has built a verified germplasm collection to help breeders study gluten quality and end-use traits.The post What If Half the Wheat Diversity in the Catalogue
Vylor seed genetics enters Europe with established brands, breeding programs and global R&D scale. Its leadership sees future growth coming from gene editing, new crops and a larger role as a genetics, technology and licensing partner for other seed companies.The post Vylor Is Open for Business: Wha
Euroseeds is urging EU policymakers to keep organic breeding rules focused on variety performance, warning that additional breeding-process requirements could raise costs, reduce genetic access and limit farmers’ variety choice.The post Euroseeds Urges Focus on Variety Performance in Organic Breedin
Leonardo Costa outlines Corteva SAT priorities in EMEA, including new seed treatment products, customer partnerships, sustainability, resistance management and the team behind the business during a period of major company change.The post Leonardo Costa on Corteva’s Seed Applied Technologies (SAT) Ne
Eight companies and research organizations are advancing AI crop breeding through predictive genomics, crop modeling, gene editing and automated marker analysis. Public researchers are also testing approaches that could shape the next generation of breeding programs.The post 8 AI Players to Watch in
Smallholder farmers could help meet rising global food demand while restoring soils and strengthening rural livelihoods, a new book argues. Whole Earth Farming proposes helping 240 million farming families adopt regenerative agriculture and agroforestry.The post Could 240 Million Smallholders Feed t
Wheat heat stress causes the greatest yield losses when heat waves strike before flowering, field experiments show. However, early exposure may also prime wheat to better withstand a second heat wave later in the growing season.The post Early Heat Hurts Wheat Most but Could Build Resilience appeared
European protein crops are the focus of a new €5.5 million Horizon Europe project aimed at reducing reliance on imported livestock feed. PROCEED will connect growers, processors and livestock farmers to develop viable local routes from grain and forage legumes to feed.The post Why Is Europe Still Im
Deeper-rooted soybeans are being tested to determine whether they can improve drought resilience and store more carbon underground. Field trials will also examine yields, nutrient capture and the potential trade-offs of changing soybean root systems.The post The Next Soybean Breakthrough May Be Unde
Precision pollination research led by the James Hutton Institute and AgriSound will use in-field sensors and artificial intelligence to monitor pollinator activity across fruit crops. The project aims to help growers identify pollination gaps and support fruit breeding for improved yield and quality
Seed size research has identified a peptide signal that helps coordinate communication between the embryo and endosperm during seed development. Early crop proof-of-concept work suggests boosting the pathway could support larger seeds.The post Seed Size Signal Could Support Bigger Crop Seeds appeare
Crop side streams from rapeseed, legumes and potatoes could become new foods for human consumption through the VASCO research project. Wageningen researchers will explore protein extraction, fermentation and supply chain barriers to bring products closer to market.The post Crop Side Streams Could Be
The seed sector of 2045 may be shaped less by size alone and more by layered innovation networks. Consolidation, specialist breeders, start-ups, public-private partnerships, IP frameworks and technology platforms could all influence how new varieties reach farmers.The post Seed Sector 2045: The Futu
G&E maize varieties could help increase global maize production while reducing reactive nitrogen losses, according to new research. The study maps priority genomic regions and highlights the need to combine yield, stress tolerance and nutrient efficiency traits at scale.The post 18% More Maize, 27%
Sunshine tomato, a precision-bred crop enriched with pro-vitamin D3, has passed a key regulatory milestone in England. Researchers say the biofortified tomato could support public health while moving closer to commercial sale.The post One Tomato. Two Eggs’ Worth of Vitamin D? appeared first on Seed
