The UK has approved its first precision-bred potato, moving PiperPlus closer to market. The disease-resistant Maris Piper was developed to combat late blight, Potato Virus Y and Potato Leafroll Virus while reducing reliance on fungicides and insecticides.The post UK Approves First Precision-Bred Pot
Austria has begun construction of a new AGES research station in Großnondorf to evaluate climate-resilient crops under dry conditions. The site will support variety testing, drought stress research and climate-adapted plant breeding.The post Austria Builds Research Station for Climate-Resilient Crop
Scottish farmers and growers are being urged to prepare for water scarcity as climate change brings longer and more frequent dry periods. CREW says drought could affect river flows twice as often by 2050, creating new risks for crops, livestock and water supplies.The post Scottish Farmers Urged to P
A new review examines how biochar may help protect soil health in continuously cropped solanaceous vegetables, including tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and potatoes. Researchers say biochar may improve soil structure, support beneficial microbes and reduce disease pressure.The post Biochar May Protect
Low-input farming is becoming a strategic priority for European seed companies as farmers face tighter input constraints, reduced plant protection options and rising biodiversity expectations. The shift is increasing demand for varieties with nutrient-use efficiency, durable resistance and stronger
International study maps more than 66,000 structural variants linked to yield, nutrition, insect resistance and other breeding priorities.Researchers have developed the world’s first graph-based pan-genome for mung bean, uncovering previously hidden genetic variation that could accelerate developmen
HARVEST will bring together more than 60 participants from 19 countries to make agricultural data AI-ready for crop breeding, research and farm decision-making. The European initiative will use barley as a model crop to improve data integration and climate resilience.The post HARVEST Aims to Make Ag
The Netherlands Plant Eco-phenotyping Centre will receive €5.4 million for a five-year upgrade of its crop phenotyping facility, adding advanced imaging, drones, AI tools and field research capacity to support crop resilience and sustainable food production.The post Netherlands Invests in Crop Pheno
Hutton Scientific Services has launched a potato virus testing service for the 2026 seed potato campaign, following SASA’s withdrawal from commercial testing. The service will screen for PVY and PLRV to support seed certification, marketing and crop management decisions.The post Hutton Launches Pota
Euroseeds has named 10 finalists for the Euroseeds InnovAction Stage at its 2026 Congress in Valencia. The selected companies will present seed treatment, enhancement, biological input and crop resilience technologies to the European and international seed community.The post Euroseeds Names 2026 Inn
Nordic Melons is testing 12 heritage melon varieties to determine whether historic genetics can support locally grown, commercially viable production. The NordGen project aims to revive regional cultivation knowledge while supporting sustainability, food security and premium local markets.The post N
Wheat salt tolerance could be improved by selecting for potassium retention, lower sodium accumulation and proline content. Researchers say these traits are linked to stronger grain yield under sodic stress.The post Wheat Salt Tolerance Traits Could Improve Yields appeared first on Seed World.Resear
Tufts University researchers have developed battery-free plant sensors that attach to leaves and stems to monitor water loss, growth and crop stress. The technology could help farmers detect water shortages, salt stress or other problems before visible symptoms appear.The post Plant Sensors Could De
Barley genes identified by International Barley Hub researchers help control protective surface traits linked to environmental stress protection and grain quality. The findings could support future work on drought tolerance and grain skinning in malting barley.The post Barley Genes Linked to Stress
Soybean seed quality could decline under combined climate stress from elevated CO₂, heat and drought, according to an AI-supported study. Researchers found potential yield gains but lower starch and protein levels in seeds.The post Climate Stress May Lower Soybean Seed Quality appeared first on Seed
Plant genomes contain regulatory patterns that help control traits such as flowering time, disease resistance and heat stress response. IPK researchers used deep learning to predict how transcription factors bind to DNA and influence gene activity.The post AI Model Maps Hidden Grammar of Plant Genom
Pollinator loss could pose a serious risk to European crop production, food security and agricultural resilience. EU-funded researchers say stronger pollinator stewardship is needed across farming, land use, pesticide regulation and policy.The post Europe Warned Pollinator Loss Threatens Crops appea
Crop nutrition is becoming a growing concern as climate change affects both food production and the nutritional value of major crops. Ghent University researchers say future crop improvement must address yield, nutrition and climate resilience together.The post Climate Change Threatens Crop Nutritio
EU pesticide reform proposals could reduce oversight of active substances and weaken safety safeguards, according to researchers from 27 European institutions. The scientists say efficiency gains should not come at the expense of biodiversity, human health or sustainable crop protection.The post Sci
A genome editing milestone in the U.K. seed sector, low-asparagine wheat has received precision-bred status and will move toward food and feed evaluation for potential use in reducing acrylamide formation.The post Low-Asparagine Wheat Gains U.K. Precision-Bred Status appeared first on Seed World.The
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
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
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
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
