New research led by Vilnius University found that millet adoption helped Bronze Age communities in Central Europe expand farming onto drier, poorer soils. The findings suggest the crop spread locally rather than through large-scale migration.The post Millet Adoption Expanded Bronze Age Farmland appe
Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem identified a salt stress germination system that helps seeds retain potassium while limiting sodium buildup. The finding could support future work on crop establishment in saline soils.The post Salt Stress Germination System Identified in Seeds appea
Technical University of Munich researchers have identified a hormone-controlled mechanism that regulates the trade-off between plant growth and crop disease resistance. The finding could help future breeding programs develop resilient, high-yielding varieties.The post Plant Hormones Reveal Crop Dise
Plant ETP connects researchers, breeders, farmers and seed sector stakeholders to align priorities for European plant breeding innovation. Its work spans NGT implementation, future EU research funding, COLiBRI, climate resilience, skills development and communication across Europe’s plant innovation
Researchers have identified a molecular mechanism that could support crop heat stress resilience by keeping stomata open during high temperatures. The discovery offers new insight into plant cooling, heat resilience and future crop improvement.The post Molecular Switch Helps Crops Handle Heat Stress
Europe has strong plant breeding talent, public research and seed systems, but plant breeding innovation depends on more than ambition. NGT regulation, PRM reform, research funding, intellectual property and policy coherence will shape whether new varieties reach farmers fast enough.The post Seed Se
The Wolfson Foundation is investing £1.6 million in plant research facilities at the John Innes Centre and The Sainsbury Laboratory. The funding will support LED lighting for a new glasshouse, insectary and horticultural research facility in Norwich.The post Wolfson Foundation Funds Plant Research F
A new high quality rye reference genome reveals far greater diversity in a chromosome region already used to improve disease resistance, stress tolerance and yield in wheat.Rye shares a long evolutionary history with barley and wheat, but its development as a major crop began considerably later.Whil
New research shows that severe water scarcity across major wheat-growing regions is closely linked to global wheat prices, with climate models suggesting that worsening compound droughts could create major risks for markets, food systems and consumers.The post Three Degrees Warmer, Three Times the W
New research from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem suggests that an early-morning “golden hour” in stomatal activity could help breeders identify drought resilient tomatoes that combine strong yields, recovery after drought and improved water-use efficiency.The post Tomatoes Have a ‘Golden Hour’.
A new global research partnership, GAIN-RT, will combine artificial intelligence, genomics, gene editing and field research to accelerate the development of climate resilient potatoes and other root and tuber crops for farmers facing climate change, pests and disease.The post Can AI Help Plant Breed
Tomato gene SlbHLH70 helped plants survive drought and recover after rewatering by coordinating hormone signalling, stress responses and root development. The findings could give breeders a new target for developing more drought-resilient crop varieties.The post Tomato Gene Could Improve Crop Drough
Crop traits for disease resistance, yield and climate resilience may become easier for breeders to access after researchers identified three genes that suppress recombination in chromosome regions where useful genetic variation has often remained out of reach.The post Gene Discovery Could Unlock Hid
Researchers are investigating how fungal pathogens recognise plant surfaces, opening the door to crop-protection strategies that disrupt infection before it begins.The waxy surface of a crop leaf could hold the key to preventing fungal disease before infection takes hold, according to new research f
Crop impacts on biodiversity loss and natural carbon storage are highly concentrated, according to new global mapping that links environmental pressure to specific crops, livestock products and regions where targeted action could deliver the largest gains.The post Crop Impacts Concentrated on One-Th
Maize sugar transporters ZmSWEET6a and ZmSWEET6b play key roles in pollen-wall formation and anther cell balance, according to new research that could support development of male-sterile lines for more efficient hybrid seed production.The post Maize Sugar Transporters Point to Male-Sterile Lines app
Harper Adams University researchers are identifying drought-resilient vegetables by screening lettuce, brassica, coriander, carrot and onion varieties for stress-tolerance traits. The work could help breeders develop crops better suited to extreme heat and limited water.The post UK Researchers Targe
New research from the University of Göttingen finds that sugar beet drought stress can alter crop physiology and pest pressure. Moderate drought made leaves more favourable to beet leaf miner larvae, while severe drought restricted both plant and pest development.The post Sugar Beet Drought Stress C
A global meta-analysis of 149 field studies found that crop diversity can increase natural enemies of agricultural pests and improve plant performance. The findings highlight how more diverse farming systems may reduce reliance on chemical pest control.The post Crop Diversity Strengthens Natural Pes
EFSA’s GMO Panel concluded that RF3 Canola Quality B. juncea is as safe and nutritionally equivalent as conventional counterparts. BASF’s application seeks EU authorization for food, feed, import and processing uses, but not cultivation.The post RF3 Canola Quality B. juncea Deemed Safe by EFSA appea
Cover crops are emerging as a practical link between regenerative agriculture and the seed sector. As farmers focus more on soil health, rotations and input efficiency, seed companies may find new opportunities in locally adapted genetics, mixtures and agronomic support.The post Seed Sector 2045: Co
Research on Xylella fastidiosa is advancing resistant olive cultivars, biological control, insect vector management and surveillance. Findings presented in Italy could support improved disease management and olive production recovery in affected regions.The post Xylella Research Advances Disease Con
University of Bonn researchers found that soil degradation is significantly reducing crop yields worldwide. Reversing human-caused degradation could increase production enough to feed approximately 70 million more people.The post Global Soil Degradation Is Cutting Crop Yields appeared first on Seed
KAUST researchers have developed a gene insertion method that precisely adds large genetic sequences into plant genomes without first breaking DNA. The technique, demonstrated in rice and tobacco, could support more complex crop traits and plant-based biomanufacturing.The post New Gene Insertion Met
