ISF awarded ANPROS Executive Director Mario Schindler Lifetime Honorary Membership for his outstanding contributions to the global seed industry. The rare honor, granted to only 20 people since 1996, recognizes Schindler’s leadership in innovation, regulation, plant breeding, intellectual property a
New research from ISTA shows that plants use two parallel cAMP signaling pathways to manage normal cell functions and stress responses. The discovery could help scientists better understand plant resilience and support future crop development for changing climates.The post Scientists Decode Crop Str
The International Seed Federation (ISF) has launched new voluntary guidelines to help seed companies, growers, and suppliers strengthen social rights and ethical practices in seed production. Released at the ISF World Seed Congress 2026, the guidance covers labor rights, health and safety, responsib
At World Seed Congress, industry and government leaders explain why seed innovation in Canada is making the country a faster, more competitive destination.For years, Canada has offered international seed companies something highly valuable: stability.Strong research institutions, a trusted regulator
Spanish court rulings warn horticulture companies that unauthorized propagation and sale of protected plant varieties can lead to criminal liability. Cases involving tomato grafting in Almería and onion seed extraction in Valencia reinforce breeder rights, highlighting the legal, economic and phytos
JIC and CIMMYT are advancing wheat research through molecular breeding, disease surveillance and rapid diagnostics, linking discovery science with farmer-focused delivery to develop more resilient, nutritious wheat varieties.The post CIMMYT and John Innes Centre Partnership Advances Wheat Research a
Share a quick insight for a chance to win €10,000 in free advertising at World Seed Congress.The post Win €10,000 in Free Advertising at World Seed Congress appeared first on Seed World.Seed World is on the ground this week at ISF World Seed Congress in Lisbon, Portugal, joining seed sector leaders
Lorena Basso prepares to lead ISF with a focus on innovation, regulatory clarity and stronger collaboration across the global seed sector.The post Lorena Basso Steps Up in the Global Seed Sector appeared first on Seed World.Agriculture’s biggest challenges don’t start in the field. They start with s
Tunisian researchers sequenced the complete genomes of Mahmoudi and Chili durum wheat landraces, uncovering valuable traits for drought tolerance, disease resistance and climate resilience. The genomic data, available through OpenDurumGPT on Zenodo, supports global wheat breeding efforts while prese
AI, CRISPR, genomic prediction and speed breeding are transforming plant breeding at unprecedented speed. Wageningen University’s Richard Harrison says Europe’s seed sector faces a defining moment as New Genomic Techniques reshape regulation, investment and innovation access. Faster breeding tools,
Pairwise CEO Tom Adams says gene editing’s next opportunity may come from crops where the benefits are easy for consumers and growers to see.The post Where Gene Editing in Agriculture Meets Consumer Value appeared first on Seed World.As investment has long centered on corn and soy, one company is wo
From global seed trade to next-generation leadership, the 2026 ISF World Seed Congress arrives in a city built for international connection. Lisbon sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, a gateway city that has connected continents for centuries. It’s a fitting stage for the 2026 ISF World Seed Con
Researchers identified a novel Fusarium Head Blight resistance locus in Elymus repens, a wild wheat relative, and successfully transferred it into cultivated wheat. The new locus, Fhb.Er-1StL, reduced diseased spikelets by up to 69% in greenhouse trials and 60% in field trials, offering a valuable n
Scientists have developed a comprehensive watermelon super-pangenome integrating 138 wild and cultivated genomes, revealing genetic variants linked to sweetness, flesh colour, and disease resistance. Published in Nature Genetics, the research provides a powerful new resource for genomics-assisted br
Euroseeds is recruiting a Manager Communications to join its Brussels-based team and support strategic communication, digital engagement and EU advocacy for the European seed sector. The role includes media relations, stakeholder outreach and event coordination. Candidates with experience in communi
Rothamsted Research and University of Oxford spin-out SugaROx has secured £2.5 million from The Mosaic Company to advance precision crop biostimulants. The Series A investment will support field trials, regulatory work, commercial scale-up, and development of SugaROx’s T6P-based platform, designed t
Researchers used genome editing to alter flavonoid production in red-leaf lettuce, removing red pigmentation while increasing beneficial compounds such as quercetin. The modified lettuce maintained normal growth, highlighting a potential crop breeding strategy for developing functional lettuce varie
New University of Bristol research published in Nature finds that pollinator decline threatens crop production, human nutrition and farm incomes. Studying smallholder farms in Nepal, researchers found pollinators support 44% of farming income and more than 20% of key vitamin intake, highlighting the
Representatives from eight leading Nordic research institutions gathered at the University of Helsinki in late March to officially launch NordPheno, the Nordic Research Infrastructure Hub for Digital Plant Phenotyping.The five-year NordForsk-funded network (2026–2030) brings together partners from F
Five European Technology Platforms and nine agri-food organisations are urging EU policymakers to recognise agriculture, aquaculture and food systems as strategic priorities in the European Competitiveness Fund and Horizon Europe. The groups call for dedicated agri-food research funding, stronger st
Thirty-one agri-food organisations are urging MEPs to adopt the EU Regulation on new genomic techniques without amendments. According to a Euroseeds press release, the compromise text would support innovation, sustainability, competitiveness and resilience in European agriculture while distinguishin
A new report by Leaps by Bayer, Boston Consulting Group and Ipsos UK examines public trust in agricultural innovation, including new genomic techniques and cultivated meat. Based on interviews in China, Germany and the United States, and a 2025 survey of more than 13,000 people across 13 countries,
University College Dublin researchers identified a genetic sex switch in cannabis that may also control sex in hops. The study, published in New Phytologist, found key genes on the X chromosome that influence male, female and monoecious development, offering potential benefits for cannabis and hop b
New research finds maize under simultaneous root and leaf pest attack releases distinct root chemicals that strongly attract wireworms. Scientists recreated the cue as a synthetic blend, effective in lab, semi-field and field tests. The discovery highlights the rhizosphere’s role in crop protection
