The Next Breeding Breakthrough Could Come From a Variety Nobody Uses Anymore
Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations on 06/10/2026

The Next Breeding Breakthrough Could Come From a Variety Nobody Uses Anymore

Stefan Schmitz, Executive Director of the Crop Trust, makes the case that gene banks and crop genetic diversity — including wild relatives and forgotten varieties — are a foundational resource for the next generation of plant breeding innovation.The post The Next Breeding Breakthrough Could Come Fro

M Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations
Crop Microbiome Study Shows Plants Select Microbes
Seed World Staff on 06/10/2026

Crop Microbiome Study Shows Plants Select Microbes

A new crop microbiome study shows that crop species, rather than soil type, primarily determines the beneficial functions provided by root-associated microbes. Researchers say the findings could support microbial inoculants and microbiome-assisted breeding for sustainable agriculture.The post Crop M

S Seed World Staff
Euroseeds Raises EUDR Concerns for Soybean Seeds
Seed World Staff on 06/10/2026

Euroseeds Raises EUDR Concerns for Soybean Seeds

Euroseeds is calling on the European Commission to exempt certified soybean seeds for sowing from the EU Deforestation Regulation. The organization says their inclusion would burden the seed sector without advancing the Regulation’s environmental objectives.The post Euroseeds Raises EUDR Concerns fo

S Seed World Staff
Agri-Food Sector Seeks Strategic Role in EU Fund
Seed World Staff on 06/10/2026

Agri-Food Sector Seeks Strategic Role in EU Fund

The agri-food sector is urging EU policymakers to recognise agriculture, aquaculture and food systems as strategic areas within the future European Competitiveness Fund and Horizon Europe. Signatories say dedicated research and innovation funding is essential for resilience, sustainability and compe

S Seed World Staff
Organic Farming Could Help Crops Resist Drought
Seed World Staff on 06/09/2026

Organic Farming Could Help Crops Resist Drought

Organic farming may help crops resist drought by enriching beneficial soil bacteria linked to plant resilience.The post Organic Farming Could Help Crops Resist Drought appeared first on Seed World.Long-term organic management may enrich beneficial soil bacteria that help plants cope with drought str

S Seed World Staff
Data Abundance Is Reshaping Plant Breeding
Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations on 06/08/2026

Data Abundance Is Reshaping Plant Breeding

Enid Perez-Lara explains how data abundance is changing plant breeding, from integration challenges to better decision-making.The post Data Abundance Is Reshaping Plant Breeding appeared first on Seed World.For decades, plant breeders faced a simple challenge: collecting enough data. Today, many bre

M Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations
Why the Seed Sector Is Raising the Bar on Social Rights
Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations on 06/08/2026

Why the Seed Sector Is Raising the Bar on Social Rights

In an interview with Ben Rivoire of the International Seed Federation, Seed World explores whether labor rights and ethical practices could become a major accountability issue for companies across the global seed value chain.The post Why the Seed Sector Is Raising the Bar on Social Rights appeared

M Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations
New Seed Development Map Could Improve Crop Yield
Seed World Staff on 06/04/2026

New Seed Development Map Could Improve Crop Yield

A new seed development map from Whitehead Institute could help researchers study crop yield, nutrient storage and resilience.The post New Seed Development Map Could Improve Crop Yield appeared first on Seed World.A new gene expression atlas could help researchers better understand how seeds develop,

S Seed World Staff
New Pipeline Targets Fungicide Discovery in Wheat
Seed World Staff on 06/04/2026

New Pipeline Targets Fungicide Discovery in Wheat

A Rothamsted Research pipeline aims to speed fungicide discovery for Septoria tritici blotch by screening microbial compounds.The post New Pipeline Targets Fungicide Discovery in Wheat appeared first on Seed World.Researchers aim to speed up the search for new antifungal compounds as wheat pathogens

S Seed World Staff
How Soil Fungi Could Help Crops Need Less Fertilizer
Seed World Staff on 06/03/2026

How Soil Fungi Could Help Crops Need Less Fertilizer

Soil fungi could help crops improve nutrient uptake and reduce fertilizer needs by maintaining beneficial root partnerships.The post How Soil Fungi Could Help Crops Need Less Fertilizer appeared first on Seed World.Researchers at Whitehead Institute have created a detailed map of seed development th

S Seed World Staff
European Agri-Food Coalition Backs NGT Compromise
Seed World Staff on 06/02/2026

European Agri-Food Coalition Backs NGT Compromise

A Push for Practical NGT RulesA coalition of 34 European agri-food value chain organisations is calling on Members of the European Parliament to support the adoption of the trilogue compromise text on plants produced by certain New Genomic Techniques (NGTs), without introducing further amendments.Th

S Seed World Staff
GridScore NEXT Speeds Up Plant Breeding Research
Seed World Staff on 06/02/2026

GridScore NEXT Speeds Up Plant Breeding Research

GridScore NEXT helps crop researchers collect cleaner field data, reduce phenotyping errors and accelerate plant breeding.The post GridScore NEXT Speeds Up Plant Breeding Research appeared first on Seed World.An international team of researchers, led by The James Hutton Institute, has unveiled a pow

S Seed World Staff
Ukraine’s New GM Traceability Law Takes Shape
Seed World Staff on 06/01/2026

Ukraine’s New GM Traceability Law Takes Shape

Ukraine’s GM traceability law will align seed, crop and product rules with EU standards ahead of its August 2026 rollout.The post Ukraine’s New GM Traceability Law Takes Shape appeared first on Seed World.Ukraine is bringing its legislation into line with EU standards by consolidating relevant direc

S Seed World Staff
ISTA 2026: Seed Testing’s Biggest Annual Event is Heading to Calgary
Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations on 05/29/2026

ISTA 2026: Seed Testing’s Biggest Annual Event is Heading to Calgary

From June 22–25, ISTA 2026 will bring together seed testing professionals, technical experts, regulators, and industry leaders from around the world to discuss the issues shaping global seed movement, market access, harmonization, and emerging technologies in seed testing. In the interview above, In

M Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations
3D-Printed Technology Sheds Light on Fungal Highways in Wheat Crops
Seed World Staff on 05/29/2026

3D-Printed Technology Sheds Light on Fungal Highways in Wheat Crops

Researchers developed low-cost 3D-printed devices to study bacterial movement along fungal “highways” in soil and plants. Created by Rothamsted Research and collaborators, the scalable platform reveals how fungal networks transport bacteria under varying conditions, improving understanding of microb

S Seed World Staff
European Commission Proposes Fertiliser Action Plan for Farmers
Seed World Staff on 05/28/2026

European Commission Proposes Fertiliser Action Plan for Farmers

The European Commission has proposed a fertiliser action plan to support farmers, boost domestic production and improve Europe’s food security.The post European Commission Proposes Fertiliser Action Plan for Farmers appeared first on Seed World.Farmers across Europe are facing growing pressure from

S Seed World Staff
Euroseeds 2026 Preview: Policy, Innovation & Global Stakes
Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations on 05/28/2026

Euroseeds 2026 Preview: Policy, Innovation & Global Stakes

Euroseeds Congress 2026 in Valencia will spotlight EU policy, innovation, global seed regions and the future of the industry.The post Euroseeds 2026 Preview: Policy, Innovation & Global Stakes appeared first on Seed World.With major seed sector events competing for attention in 2026, what makes Euro

M Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations
Why Plant Breeding Persistence Matters in Seeds
Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 05/27/2026

Why Plant Breeding Persistence Matters in Seeds

Plant breeding requires patience, discipline and long-term learning to develop better varieties and stronger seed sector leadership.The post Why Plant Breeding Persistence Matters in Seeds appeared first on Seed World.From developing new varieties to building stronger companies, real progress often

M Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director
AI Model Predicts Tomato Virus Severity With 100% Accuracy
Seed World Staff on 05/27/2026

AI Model Predicts Tomato Virus Severity With 100% Accuracy

DeepTYLCV, developed at Sungkyunkwan University, uses artificial intelligence and viral genome sequence data to predict tomato yellow leaf curl virus virulence. Published in Plant Communications, the model identifies mild and severe TYLCV strains before field symptoms appear, supporting early diseas

S Seed World Staff
They Went on Vacation and Bought a Seed Company?! | The Fusion Seed Story
Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations on 05/26/2026

They Went on Vacation and Bought a Seed Company?! | The Fusion Seed Story

While on vacation in Hawaii, Chad and Sherry Goldsmith made a life-changing decision to buy a seed company. That leap became Fusion Seeds.The post They Went on Vacation and Bought a Seed Company?! | The Fusion Seed Story appeared first on Seed World.Chad and Sherry Goldsmith reveal how a life-changi

M Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations
New Discovery Reveals How Crops Detect Stress and Disease
Seed World Staff on 05/26/2026

New Discovery Reveals How Crops Detect Stress and Disease

Researchers in Japan have discovered a copper-dependent hydrogen peroxide sensing system in plants, reshaping understanding of crop stress signaling and immunity. Published in Nature Communications, the study shows CARD1/HPCA1 detects H₂O₂ through metal-based redox chemistry, offering new insights f

S Seed World Staff
WSC26: The Race for Faster Seed Innovation is Driving Companies to Chile
Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations on 05/25/2026

WSC26: The Race for Faster Seed Innovation is Driving Companies to Chile

In today’s seed sector, speed is a critical competitive advantage. Chile is increasingly positioning itself as a key facilitator in that race.At World Seed Congress 2026 in Lisbon, ANPROS Executive Director, Mario Schindler, and Executive Manager, Basilio Rojas, spoke about why international seed co

M Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations
Michael Keller Honoured with Global Unity Award in Lisbon
Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations on 05/25/2026

Michael Keller Honoured with Global Unity Award in Lisbon

Michael Keller, Secretary General of the International Seed Federation, received Seed World Group’s 2025 Global Unity Award at World Seed Congress in Lisbon. The award recognizes Keller’s leadership, collaboration, and global influence in connecting seed associations, companies, policymakers, and fo

M Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations
WSC26: Seed’s Future Depends on Food System Thinking
Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations on 05/25/2026

WSC26: Seed’s Future Depends on Food System Thinking

World Seed Congress 2026 in Lisbon highlighted the seed sector’s growing role in global food systems. ISF Value Chain Coordination Group Chair Eduard Fito discusses sustainability, regulation, innovation, public trust, food security, and the need for stronger collaboration across agriculture, policy

M Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations