Researchers developed an engineered sewage sludge biochar paired with Bacillus velezensis that boosts cabbage growth by improving nitrogen uptake and soil microbial activity. The biofertilizer increased plant biomass by up to 40%, while enhancing root colonization and soil health. This sustainable a
Researchers from Skoltech, CIMMYT, Italy’s Research Center for Cereal and Industrial Crops, and global partners developed new durum wheat lines with improved freezing tolerance and strong gluten quality for premium pasta. Published in Frontiers in Plant Science, the study uses genomic selection and
AI-powered imaging and high-throughput phenotyping are changing how crop breeders collect and analyze field data. From drones and robots to massive image datasets, new tools are helping breeders evaluate traits faster, reduce human bias and improve selection accuracy across environments.The post How
Researchers discovered a new plant immune defense in wheat, where the WAI3 protein forms an eight-part resistosome that triggers calcium flow and activates disease resistance. Published in Cell, the study shows this mechanism also exists in Arabidopsis, suggesting a conserved immune strategy across
A new Demos report, backed by McCain Foods, says sustainable farming could strengthen the UK food system, raise farm profits, cut fertiliser imports and unlock billions in economic value by 2035. With public support growing, the report urges government action to help farmers adopt regenerative pract
A Johns Hopkins study found that crops irrigated with treated wastewater, including tomatoes, carrots, and lettuce, tend to accumulate psychoactive pharmaceutical residues mainly in their leaves. Published in Environmental Science & Technology, the research improves understanding of how these compou
Banana Xanthomonas Wilt (BXW) is devastating banana crops across Africa, threatening food security for over 70 million people. With no cure and limited breeding options, scientists are turning to biotechnology. Genetic engineering and genome editing have produced resistant bananas, offering hope. Ho
A global study has mapped plant pathogen hotspots and found that healthier, more diverse soils can naturally suppress disease. Published in Nature Communications, the research also warns that climate change could expand the range of major bacterial plant pathogens. The findings offer a foundation fo
A new review of global health data and decades of scientific research found no consistent evidence that GMO consumption is linked to major human health problems. Researchers in South Korea found no causal association between GMOs and cancer, allergies, reproductive disorders, or chronic disease, con
Faba bean, an ancient high-protein crop and sustainable European soy alternative, may soon become more frost-resilient. Researchers improved the faba bean reference genome and identified a single gene locus linked to winter hardiness, frost tolerance, and yield stability. The discovery could speed b
A 70-year long-term experiment shows that nutrient imbalances in soil—especially potassium deficiency combined with nitrogen fertilization—can severely disrupt mycorrhizal symbiosis, the vital partnership between plants and beneficial fungi. The study, led by researchers at the University of Vienna
Scientists at Rothamsted and Clemson University have unified fragmented research to show that extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) acts as a genomic “shock absorber” in plants. Their review demonstrates that eccDNA amplifies genes, buffers stress and accelerates adaptation beyond chromosomal limit
EuroBlight’s first 2025 potato season results show Europe’s late blight population remains dominated by the aggressive EU36 genotype, while EU43 and EU46 strains continue shifting regionally. More than 1,200 samples were genotyped, revealing rising diversity in northern and eastern Europe. Adjusted
New research from Rothamsted Research suggests heatwaves during wheat flowering may soon pose a bigger threat to yields than drought. Using climate projections and the Sirius wheat model, researchers found drought impacts at flowering may ease slightly, while heat stress damage rises sharply. By 205
Aberystwyth University researchers report new Miscanthus traits that could boost soil carbon storage, helping climate change mitigation. Published in Frontiers in Plant Science, the study analysed leaves, roots, and rhizomes from 11 varieties. Results suggest woody rhizomes can push carbon deeper in
A new Nature Genetics study led by Boyce Thompson Institute’s Zhangjun Fei reveals that large DNA “structural variants” play a major role in cucumber evolution and breeding. Using a graph-based pangenome built from 39 high-quality genomes, researchers identified nearly 172,000 variants affecting tra
EU-funded UNTWIST research shows camelina (Camelina sativa) could help climate-proof agriculture as heatwaves and droughts intensify. Scientists tested 54 camelina lines across controlled environments and European field trials, finding wide variation in stress responses despite limited genetic diver
University of Adelaide researchers, partnering with Carlsberg Research Laboratory, mapped a key barley MAPK enzyme–substrate complex that regulates seed dormancy. Published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, the work clarifies how MKK3 activates downstream MAPK signaling and helps e
The John Innes Centre has secured UK government funding for four DEFRA-backed projects advancing precision breeding, including gene-edited disease-resistant crops, vitamin D–enriched tomatoes, and dandelions for sustainable rubber. Enabled by the UK Precision Breeding Act, the initiatives aim to boo
Researchers at Wageningen University & Research are testing circular fertilizers made from wastewater, including treated human urine, as low-emission alternatives to inorganic fertilizer. Early trials show urine nitrogen can be up to 25% more efficiently absorbed by crops. The research aims to cut g
Modern watermelon breeding has evolved from boosting yield and sweetness to optimizing the entire value chain. Driven by seedless demand, fresh-cut growth, and quality-focused European markets, breeders now balance flavor, texture, shelf life, transport resilience, and convenience. In this Seed Worl
Scientists at The James Hutton Institute have identified HvST1, a “Sticky Telomeres 1” gene that boosts genetic recombination in barley. Mutations reduced chromosome ‘stickiness’ during meiosis, unlocking genome regions and giving breeders more flexibility to combine traits like drought and disease
University of Zurich scientists uncovered how wheat powdery mildew can bypass genetic resistance without losing its key effector AvrPm4. The fungus deploys a second effector that masks AvrPm4 from the Pm4 resistance protein, yet this suppressor is itself detectable by another wheat resistance gene.
The Sainsbury Laboratory has secured $2 million from Google.org’s $20 million AI for Science Fund to launch Bifrost, led by Professor Sophien Kamoun. Using DeepMind’s AlphaFold3, Bifrost will predict plant immune receptor–pathogen interactions from genome sequences to speed breeding of disease-resis
