The workshop “Bridging Fundamental Research and Applied Wheat Breeding – Improving Yield, Climate Resilience, and Resource Use Efficiency in Wheat” brought top scientists to the JKI in Berlin-Dahlem.The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) has established a strong foundation for
Researchers studying the globally significant fungal pathogen Fusarium graminearum, the leading cause of Fusarium Head Blight in small-grain cereals, have found that the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) plays a key role in the infection’s spread. Known for contaminating wheat grain and posing risks to
Scientists at Rothamsted have developed a novel mathematical model for seed germination. The new tool is derived from field data and marks a significant improvement in accuracy over previous models. Germination models use water and temperature as the main drivers of seed activity. Currently these ar
Septoria tritici blotch (STB), caused by Zymoseptoria tritici, is a major foliar disease affecting wheat. Since the early 2000s, genetic studies have identified 23 resistance genes (Stb genes) and numerous resistance QTLs in bread wheat. However, research on elite French varieties has been limited,
Researchers have successfully decoded the structure of a barley protein that provides immunity against a common fungal disease. Understanding these structures could lead to more effective crop protection strategies against diseases in the future.Mildew is a prevalent yeast disease affecting barley i
A new study published in Nature Genetics presents research from The James Hutton Institute on crop plant genetics.Hutton scientists at the International Barley Hub (IBH) who have been leading a 48-strong international consortium have found that different strains have very different patterns of switc
A study from Vilnius University — a public research university, which is the first and largest university in Lithuania —is highlighting the resilience and ingenuity of ancient agricultural systems, showcasing the dynamic relationship between environmental challenges and human innovation. Through the
A research team led by plant virus expert Dr. Björn Krenz from the Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH in Braunschweig, Germany, has examined chickpeas grown in Germany for plant virus infections. For the first time, they have confirmed that this nutrien
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has officially approved water lentils, or duckweed, for production and consumption as fresh vegetables in the EU. This approval follows nearly a decade of research by Wageningen University & Research (WUR). To ensure the safety, health benefits, and sustaina
Recent scientific studies reveal that three-quarters of insect populations have vanished over the past 30 years. To address this decline, scientists from 13 countries have teamed up under the AGRI4POL project, aiming to take a different approach. Instead of focusing solely on environmental managemen
A recently published study has made significant advancements in the automated detection of internal seed defects using artificial intelligence combined with 2D X-ray imaging. This innovative approach employs advanced deep learning models to analyze 2D X-ray images with remarkable accuracy and time e
Genomic advances reveal how similar weeds can dominate wheat fields that are geographically separated by over 5,000 milesTwo newly sequenced Alopecurus genomes, blackgrass and orange/shortawn foxtail, represent important advancements for plant breeders working to manage these challenging agricultura
A pioneering study published in the INFORMS Journal of Transportation Science sheds light on the profound and widespread impact of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on global food security. The research underscores the pressing need to tackle disruptions in the transportation of Ukrainian grai
According to Euroseeds, recent months have brought major advancements in global gene-editing regulations. Here’s a top 5 roundup of key developments shaping the future of plant breeding!EU Advances with NGT ProposalIn February 2024, the European Parliament voted in favor of the European Commission’s
Seed World Europe wishes you happy holidays. And while you’re having a great time with your families and friends over the holidays, there may be moments, you’d like to take a break and escape with a bit of good reading. Check out our daily postings of content from the past year.Started in 2023, Crop
Scientists at the James Hutton Institute, world leaders in agricultural ecology research, seek farmers to participate in trials to measure legume-related benefits following easy-to-use monitoring methods.The project aims to provide evidence for the ecosystem benefits of legume crops – such as peas,
Naktuinbouw Laboratories has enhanced the dilution plating test for detecting Xanthomonas pathogens responsible for ‘bacterial spot’ in tomato, pepper, and eggplant seeds. Following dilution plating, all suspect colonies undergo confirmation using an improved real-time PCR assay. The updated markers
Researchers from the United States and Germany have identified a peptide that makes barley, grown in the U.S.’s key barley-producing region, more vulnerable to leaf blotch disease. The fungus responsible for the disease uses this peptide to activate an immune receptor in the plant, causing affected
Bayer’s Crop Science division has partnered with the Cambridge-based plant science organization Niab to launch a series of groundbreaking research projects. These initiatives will focus on harnessing genetic diversity in wheat, controlling flowering in strawberries, exploring root symbiosis in wheat
A £5.9M study led by The James Hutton Institute and partners will uncover how pathogens cause crop diseases like potato blight. Pests and diseases threaten approximately 25% of global food production annually. This 5-year project aims to tackle an invisible war threatening global food production.Thi
A cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) model capable of deciphering the sequences and structural patterns that form the genetic “language” of plants has been introduced by a research collaboration.PlantRNA-FM, considered the first AI model of its kind, has been developed through a collaboration
Agroecology and sustainable intensification, two key fields in agricultural sustainability, have extensive research but seldom acknowledge their limitations or engage with each other. This gap may slow progress in the field. A research group from SLU has analyzed both approaches from an interdiscipl
Adding wheat bran to bread boosts its nutritional value but often results in a dense, less appealing texture. New research from SLU is set to change that by modifying the fiber structure, improving the quality of bread made with wheat bran extracts.Wheat is one of the world’s most important crops, w
The impacts of climate change, such as failed harvests, are becoming increasingly evident. Addressing these challenges requires diverse strategies, including enhancing plant resilience. An international research team, led by scientists at VIB-UGent, has uncovered the mechanisms regulating the openin
