Gregor Mendel’s iconic pea plant experiments laid the groundwork for modern genetics. Now, 160 years later, an international team of researchers has combined genomics, bioinformatics, and genetics to map the diversity of a globally significant pea collection. Their work sheds new light on the trait
Funded by Sofiprotéol, the TEMPO project (short for Sunflower’s adaptation to new environments with low TEMPerature and Oxygen level) brings together five partners, including three breeding companies — SOLTIS, RAGT, and MAS SEEDS. The project’s goal is to support the expansion of sunflower cultivati
The James Hutton Institute has received £100,000 from the Novo Nordisk Foundation for a three-year project, led by the Innovation Centre for Organic Agriculture in Denmark, in collaboration with Nordic Genebank (NordGen) and Aarhus University.The project aims to identify oat varieties that are nutri
There are a variety of definitions of science: as a methodology, a tool, a process of discovery… Since the time of Copernicus, scientists have always challenged their own theories and paradigms, while provoking religious and political dogmas.Today we are living in provocative times, but the pressure
Subtle differences in the molecular structure of a beetle sex pheromone may offer a new tool for protecting stored legume crops from the destructive dried bean beetle (Acanthoscelides obtectus), according to a new study.This beetle poses a significant threat to Phaseolus beans — a group that include
The Nordic agricultural sector faces challenges like short growing seasons, unpredictable weather, and emerging pests and diseases. Developing new plant varieties to tackle these issues requires time and resources, which is why public and private sectors in the Nordic Region collaborate through the
Scientists have made a key breakthrough in understanding how epigenetic variation can be used to improve crop breeding.Like genetic variation, epigenetic variation can be inherited and influence traits across generations — but without altering the underlying DNA sequence. Instead, it involves modifi
Last month, the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Groups for Scotch Whisky and Science and Technology visited The James Hutton Institute to explore the needs, opportunities, and challenges facing Scotland’s whisky industry, and the scientific research aimed at addressing them.Scottish whisky, worth
A new report from the British Ecological Society combines the insights of over 40 academics, practitioners, and farmers across the UK to evaluate the evidence that regenerative agriculture practices can deliver positive outcomes, such as enhancing soil health, boosting biodiversity, and reducing env
Researchers at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) have developed new RNA-based active agents that effectively protect plants from Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), one of the most widespread and destructive viruses in agriculture and horticulture. These agents work by enhancing the plant’s i
A new study published in Science by a team of scientists from five continents, led by KAUST Associate Professor Brande Wulff, reveals a previously unknown molecular event that triggers the immune response to a major wheat disease. The discovery offers new strategies for engineering wheat with enhanc
Plants are able to modify their root hydraulics to maintain water status and strategically use soil water, according to a new study published today. When soils are drying, plants can decrease water use from topsoil whilst boosting uptake at greater depths. Conversely, when topsoil is rewetted, the
Scientists have successfully mapped the genome of Aegilops mutica, a wild relative of wheat, revealing its genetic diversity and potential for improving breeding programs.Researchers at the University of Nottingham created a chromosome-level, haplotype-resolved genome sequence of Aegilops mutica. Th
Professor Jonathan Jones, Group Leader at The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL), has been named a 2025 Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture “for groundbreaking discoveries in the immune system and disease resistance in plants.” He shares the prestigious award with Professors Jeffery L. Dangl and Brian J. Sta
In a recent trio of studies, a team led by CSIC researcher Ana I. Caño-Delgado at CRAG has made remarkable strides in understanding the molecular mechanisms behind sorghum’s resilience and improving its breeding. Sorghum, the world’s fifth most cultivated cereal, plays a vital role in arid and semi-
A team of plant physiologists, led by Dr. Guillaume Née and Prof. Iris Finkemeier at the University of Münster, has uncovered the molecular basis behind the balance between seed dormancy and stress resistance. The timing of seed germination is crucial for a plant’s survival, determining its growth p
Scientists at The James Hutton Institute are making significant progress toward developing a spray that could “silence” genes responsible for Fusarium head blight, a disease affecting various cereal crops. This disease, which has been increasing in both frequency and severity in recent years, is cau
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
