In Bangladesh’s coastal districts, millions of people depend on a network of polders, embankments, canals, and sluice gates to protect their homes, farms, and livelihoods. These structures, built in the 1960s, cover over 1.2 million hectares and are crucial for agriculture, fisheries, and rural life. Yet, many canals have silted up, sluice gates are damaged, and water levels fluctuate unpredictably, leaving farmers struggling to manage crops and water.

Lateral branching is a critical agronomic trait in cucumber that directly influences plant architecture and crop yield. Therefore, understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying this trait is essential for effective cucumber breeding. Here, we identified a branchless mutant, designated mbl (mutant-branchless), exhibiting extremely determinate growth of lateral branch. Using BSA-seq analysis with four DNA bulk pools derived from an F2 population crossing between mbl and a normal lateral branching variety, EC1, we mapped distinct loci associated with the lateral branch development.

A new study has confirmed that Bt maize containing three insect-resistant proteins (Cry1Ab, Cry2Ab, and Cry1Fa) is highly effective against fall armyworm and other major lepidopteran pests in tropical Asia. These pests pose a significant threat to maize production in a region that serves as a year-round breeding zone and a source of seasonal pest migration across Asia. The researchers evaluated the Bt maize event LP026-2 by measuring toxin levels in different plant parts and conducting bioassays on six key pests. Laboratory tests showed more than 90% mortality against all targeted pests in leaf and kernel assays within five days