Improved nitrogen management could reduce energy-related carbon emissions on English farms by up to 13%, according to Rothamsted Research. The study highlights the role of fertiliser production in agriculture’s carbon footprint and explores how green ammonia could support further emissions reduction
A new study finds that European agricultural competitiveness is under pressure as crop production growth trails major global markets. The research highlights climate-related losses, regulatory barriers and slower access to seed technologies and agricultural innovations as challenges for European far
Wild peanut breeding has a remarkable global legacy. Researchers traced disease resistance from a single wild peanut collected in Bolivia in 1959 into 251 peanut lines and cultivars across 30 countries, revealing the enduring value of crop genetic diversity, pre-breeding and international seed excha
With 95% of UK P. biglobosus isolates resistant to two SDHI fungicides in laboratory tests, the discovery puts renewed focus on genetics, surveillance and fungicide stewardship working together to protect oilseed rape yields.Scientists have confirmed the world’s first cases of resistance to SDHI fun
The HelEx project is crossing wild sunflower material from arid regions into European breeding lines to develop drought tolerant sunflower varieties. Researchers are also targeting pollinator appeal and higher protein content for future markets.The post The Traits Sunflower Breeders Need May Already
Researchers identified the lily moth sex pheromone by starting with insect scent receptors rather than the pheromone itself. The AI-supported approach could help speed pheromone discovery for emerging and invasive crop pests.The post Could AI Speed Up Pheromone Discovery for Emerging Crop Pests? app
Niab will lead a three-year wheat pre-breeding project funded by BBSRC to move promising traits into elite European winter wheat backgrounds. The work will involve commercial breeders and international IWYP hubs across the UK, Europe, Mexico and the United States.The post Great Wheat Traits Are Bein
Research from the Boyce Thompson Institute shows how wild tomato relatives may help breeders recover flavour and nutritional traits without sacrificing yield, fruit size or shelf life. The study maps regulatory switches tied to tomato fruit quality.The post The Flavour Tomato Breeders Lost May Still
A University of Córdoba review found GLU-B1 diversity in wheat was overstated, with many recorded alleles duplicated or triplicated. The team has built a verified germplasm collection to help breeders study gluten quality and end-use traits.The post What If Half the Wheat Diversity in the Catalogue
Wheat heat stress causes the greatest yield losses when heat waves strike before flowering, field experiments show. However, early exposure may also prime wheat to better withstand a second heat wave later in the growing season.The post Early Heat Hurts Wheat Most but Could Build Resilience appeared
Deeper-rooted soybeans are being tested to determine whether they can improve drought resilience and store more carbon underground. Field trials will also examine yields, nutrient capture and the potential trade-offs of changing soybean root systems.The post The Next Soybean Breakthrough May Be Unde
Precision pollination research led by the James Hutton Institute and AgriSound will use in-field sensors and artificial intelligence to monitor pollinator activity across fruit crops. The project aims to help growers identify pollination gaps and support fruit breeding for improved yield and quality
Seed size research has identified a peptide signal that helps coordinate communication between the embryo and endosperm during seed development. Early crop proof-of-concept work suggests boosting the pathway could support larger seeds.The post Seed Size Signal Could Support Bigger Crop Seeds appeare
Crop side streams from rapeseed, legumes and potatoes could become new foods for human consumption through the VASCO research project. Wageningen researchers will explore protein extraction, fermentation and supply chain barriers to bring products closer to market.The post Crop Side Streams Could Be
G&E maize varieties could help increase global maize production while reducing reactive nitrogen losses, according to new research. The study maps priority genomic regions and highlights the need to combine yield, stress tolerance and nutrient efficiency traits at scale.The post 18% More Maize, 27%
Sunshine tomato, a precision-bred crop enriched with pro-vitamin D3, has passed a key regulatory milestone in England. Researchers say the biofortified tomato could support public health while moving closer to commercial sale.The post One Tomato. Two Eggs’ Worth of Vitamin D? appeared first on Seed
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
