Scientists at The James Hutton Institute and partner universities have discovered how the destructive crop pathogen Phytophthora infestans disables plant immune systems. Published in Nature Communications, the study reveals that AA7 oxidase enzymes help the microbe silence plant alarm signals. Disab
An international research team has produced the first complete eggplant pan-genome and pan-phenome, published in Nature Communications. By analysing 3,400 varieties and 368 key accessions, scientists traced eggplant’s origins to India and Southeast Asia and identified thousands of gene–trait associa
Canada is in a race against time to safeguard one of our most precious resources: waterThe post We Assumed Water Was Endless. Scientists Say That Era is Over appeared first on Seed World.
Researchers from TUM and IPK have identified genetic and root-growth traits that help Arabidopsis thaliana tolerate boron deficiency, a growing challenge under climate change. By analysing 185 datasets, they found seven boron-efficient ecotypes with enhanced lateral root growth and key genomic regio
Scientists at Rothamsted Research uncovered saponarin, a natural flavonoid in ancestral einkorn wheat (Triticum monococcum) that powerfully deters the destructive English grain aphid. Published in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the study shows this innate resistance could reduce pestici
An international team led by Germany’s Leibniz Institute has mapped the complete oat pangenome, compiling genetic data from 30 varieties to unlock traits for nutrition, sustainability, and climate resilience. Featuring ETH Zurich’s study of the historic Swiss ‘Hative des Alpes’ oat, the research off
A global study by INRAE and China Agricultural University analyzed over 3,600 field trials and found that crop rotation boosts yields and farm revenue by 20% compared to monocultures. Rotations with legumes improve nutrition and stability, increasing protein, energy, and micronutrients. The findings
The FAO and EU, together with global partners, have opened Ukraine’s new Duplicate Centre for Plant Genetic Resources, securing 51,000 seed samples relocated after the Kharkiv gene bank attack. The state-of-the-art facility strengthens long-term preservation, research, and international cooperation,
Researchers at Aarhus University have discovered a molecular mechanism that could enable cereal crops like wheat and maize to fix nitrogen naturally, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers. By altering two amino acids in a plant receptor, the team reprogrammed plants to form symbiotic relationsh
Naktuinbouw’s symposium, “To Divide Is to Multiply,” gathered breeding experts to explore how DNA technologies can enhance DUS testing and breeding efficiency. Speakers from CropXR, Dümmen Orange, CPVO, and Naktuinbouw emphasized collaboration, data sharing, and legal clarity as key to innovation. T
Project Opportunity has completed its first CRISPR-Cas field trials in Sweden and Denmark, developing starch potatoes with improved resistance to late blight. The 12-partner European consortium is advancing sustainable potato breeding and preparing for expanded 2026 trials. The initiative showcases
Researchers from the South China Botanical Garden discovered a rare allele, PC08Ins, that boosts soybean seed protein content but was lost during domestication. Found through GWAS and published in PNAS, the gene enhances abscisic acid levels, increasing storage proteins. Reintroducing PC08Ins into m
At the Belém Climate Summit, FAO urged greater climate finance for agrifood systems, calling the current funding gap a “lost opportunity” for a sector that can cut one-third of global emissions. Ahead of COP30, FAO promoted integrated fire management, resilient food systems, and science-based agrifo
A collaboration between Rothamsted Research, Bosch, Chafer Machinery, and Xarvio has developed an AI-powered precision spraying system to combat black-grass in UK farms. Using camera-equipped sprayers, it identifies and targets weed-infested zones, cutting herbicide use and costs. Funded by DEFRA an
A large-scale study of over 500 rye plants reveals that nutrient deficiency reduces genetic recombination during meiosis. Conducted at Martin Luther University’s “Eternal Rye Cultivation” site, researchers found recombination is governed by many small genetic regions, not one master switch. These in
A study in Environmental Research Letters reveals that Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI), a proposed climate intervention, may not protect crops like coffee, cacao, and wine grapes from climate change. While SAI cools global temperatures, it fails to stabilize rainfall and humidity—key factors f
The Russian invasion of Ukraine is depleting vital soil nutrients, threatening its role as Europe’s breadbasket. A UK–Ukraine–Netherlands study found more nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are removed than replaced, due to fertilizer shortages and soil damage. Experts urge integrated nutrient mana
A new report from The James Hutton Institute and SRUC explores the potential for growing oilseed cover crops in Scotland to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Commissioned by the Scottish Government, the review identifies camelina as the most promising crop due to its high oil content and low
The International Seed Federation (ISF) is leading global efforts to make seeds central to climate action. As agriculture adapts to climate change, ISF unites seed companies worldwide to drive innovation, resilience, and sustainability. Through plant breeding, seeds help farmers boost yields, conser
Scientists from the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) are partnering with farmers in the Cambridgeshire Fens to trial rice and other crops on rewetted peat soils. The project aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions, restore degraded peatlands, and sustain food production. Trials include nine co
Scientists from TUM, Helmholtz Munich, and IPK have decoded the pan-genome of 33 oat lines, revealing the full genetic diversity of one of the world’s most nutritious grains. Published in Nature, the research provides a foundation for breeding climate-resilient, high-yield oat varieties capable of w
Carrot breeding is evolving to meet modern challenges — from climate resilience and disease resistance to colour diversity and consumer appeal. Today’s breeders combine advanced genetics, grower collaboration, and sustainable practices to deliver carrots that perform under pressure and delight in ev
New research from the University of Warwick and Cranfield University shows that genetic selection could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from crops, especially rice. Published in Frontiers in Agronomy, the study found that rice variety choice can influence methane emissions more than fe
Scientists have discovered how Phytophthora infestans — the pathogen behind the Irish potato famine — evades plant immune defenses, offering a path to stronger crops. Researchers from the University of York, The James Hutton Institute, and Université Libre de Bruxelles identified enzymes called AA7
