News & Events

In plants, the induction of systemic defenses is essential for sustaining structural and physiological homeostasis during repeated attacks by various pests and pathogens. Plant hormones regulate numerous systemic responses; however, relatively little is known about their role in the expression of systemic induced resistance (SIR) against necrotrophic fungi, particularly in trees. Based on an established pathosystem comprised of Austrian pine and Diplodia pinea

Modernizing cassava breeding programs (CBPs) is critical to increase genetic gain, close the yield gap, and ensure food availability, accessibility, and affordability to support livelihood transformation and economic development in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The CBP at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, a pioneer in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) improvement in SSA, has undergone modernization.

Bangladesh’s newly appointed Agriculture Minister, His Excellency Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid, has signaled a strong push toward a more nutritious, climate-resilient rice, as he met with a delegation from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to reinforce and expand a long-standing partnership on rice research and innovation.

Rice production underpins food security but relies heavily on nitrogen (N) fertilization, much of which is lost as gaseous emissions. Dinitrogen (N2) represents the largest N loss, yet its sources remain poorly constrained because biological dinitrogen (N2) fluxes are difficult to quantify against the atmospheric background. Here, we apply an in situ 15N tracing–membrane inlet mass spectrometry (15N–MIMS) technique to simultaneously measure N2, ammonia (NH3),

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple food for nearly half of the world’s population, making it vital for food security and economic stability. Currently, severe climate change poses serious threats to rice production, as both abiotic and biotic stresses cause significant yield losses. To meet these challenges, developing innovative strategies to create resilient rice varieties is crucial. CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing has become a transformative technology for precise, rapid, and transgene-free improvement of complex stress tolerance traits in rice.

The 2026 ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development Follow-Up (FfD Forum), a key mechanism of the Financing for Development process, will be held on 20-24 April 2026. The Forum will continue the momentum established at the landmark Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, held in June 2025 in Seville, Spain, and play a pivotal role in mobilizing engagement and driving concrete actions under the Seville Commitment.

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN), caused by Heterodera glycines Ichinohe, is the most destructive pathogen affecting soybean production in North America. Overreliance on plant introduction (PI) 88788 as a resistance source in commercial soybean cultivars has led to SCN field populations shifting toward virulence against this resistance source. Modern Chinese soybean cultivars have emerged as potential sources of both known and novel SCN resistance genes.

Tomatoes are extremely important plants that are cultivated worldwide, with various varieties grown in different regions. The traits required can vary depending on the region and intended use. Parthenocarpy, a trait that confers numerous advantages, reduces the labor required for pollination and minimizes the incidence of poor fruit set owing to temperature fluctuations. Mutations in SlIAA9 induce parthenocarpy in tomatoes,

In a recent opinion piece published by Agri-Pulse, CGIAR’s Executive Managing Director, Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, highlighted how investment in agricultural research delivers tangible economic and security benefits both globally and within the United States.She emphasized that enabling farmers worldwide to maintain productivity through geopolitical shocks is not a matter of aid, but one of strategic self-interest. CGIAR’s research, including improved wheat varieties, has strengthened production across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East while also enhancing disease resistance in crops that underpin U.S. export markets.

Epicuticular wax crystals are synthesized and secreted by the epidermal cells of aerial tissues in terrestrial plants and are transported to the outer surface, where they crystallize on the cuticle. The absence of these wax crystals conferred a glossy phenotype to plant leaves, which is beneficial for enhancing the commercial quality of leafy vegetables. Fourteen glossy leaf mutants were isolated from an EMS-mutagenized doubled haploid line ‘FT’ of Chinese cabbage

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the world’s most widely cultivated and consumed vegetables, and its fruits are highly valued for its vibrant color, culinary versatility, and nutritional benefits (Yu et al. 2025). China leads global tomato production, with an output of approximately 70 million tons in 2023, contributing to a worldwide yield exceeding 192 million tons (FAO 2025). Fragrance significantly enhances the sensory appeal and flavor quality of food, thereby influencing the consumption and market price of agricultural products

In a powerful demonstration of scientific collaboration, the Director General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) led a high-level delegation to the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) main research station in Mbé, reinforcing the partnership between these sister CGIAR centers. As food sovereignty emerges as Africa's defining challenge, AfricaRice and IITA are taking their collaboration to new heights—placing science at the heart of their strategy to transform agricultural challenges into engines of sustainable economic growth.