News & Events

The introduction of landrace-derived material into modern breeding programs can only succeed if it performs satisfactorily for yield and other key agronomic traits. In this study, we explored the prospects of rapid cycling genomic selection in maize (Zea mays L.) to accelerate pre-breeding of landraces in comparison with recurrent phenotypic selection. We performed three cycles of genomic selection for testcross performance.

Researchers from Kunming University of Science and Technology and Northwest A&F University in China have identified a key gene module in grapevine that boosts resistance to Erysiphe necator, the fungal pathogen responsible for powdery mildew. They found that the interaction between two genes, VqMAPK3 and VqERF1B, plays a crucial role in activating defense-related genes that help the plant fight infection.

COP30 in Belém leaves behind a complex political atmosphere, shaped by global divisions and even the unexpected drama of a fire in the venue. As the dust settles and initial assessments appear, one central question remains: a decade after the Paris Agreement, was this COP any different? Inside negotiation rooms, several high-profile issues were ultimately excluded from the final decision texts. Yet, beyond the formal negotiations, the COP witnessed meaningful advances for nature, land restoration, and implementation.

Genomic integrity is constantly challenged by transcription/replication conflicts, a major source of replication stress and instability across all life forms. While extensive studies have elucidated mechanisms for resolving transcription/replication conflicts in animals, yeast, and prokaryotes, their counterparts in plants remain largely unexplored. Through a forward genetic screen, we identified LUMINIDEPENDENS (LD), previously known for its role in regulating the flowering repressor FLC, as a key factor in mitigating replication stress in plants.

The Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA GMO Panel) has released the results of the scientific risk assessment for the renewal application for drought tolerant genetically modified (GM) maize MON 87460. The application, submitted by Bayer CropScience, covers the continued authorization of the maize MON 87460 for food and feed uses within the European Union, excluding cultivation.

The seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) will take place from 8–12 December 2025, at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi The seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) will take place from 8–12 December 2025, at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi, after a week of negotiations at the seventh session of the Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR) (OECPR).

Due to their high carbohydrate content, the storage roots of cassava are an important food source for hundreds of millions of people worldwide. In contrast to the woody stems of the plant, the xylem of the storage roots produces mainly starch-rich storage parenchyma cells and only few tracheary elements and almost no fibers. Despite these obvious differences, both stems and storage roots are formed by a vascular cambium. To find more insights into the differences in the regulation of cell division and differentiation in stems and storage roots,

Salt stress poses a significant threat to global agricultural productivity, impacting over 6% of the world's land and challenging crop cultivation. Apple trees are vulnerable to high salt concentrations, which hinder their growth and degrade fruit quality. To address this challenge, researchers looked at the hormonal and genetic pathways that govern how apples respond to saline environments. A new study published in Horticulture Research by researchers from Shandong Agricultural University has identified that the transcription factor MdWRKY9 is a key player in boosting apple's resilience. The study reveals that MdWRKY9 interacts with the jasmonic acid (JA) signaling pathway, a plant hormone known to enhance salt tolerance,

Director-General QU Dongyu opened the Third Global Working Conference (GWC) of FAO Representatives on Monday by calling on participants to adopt a proactive, agile, and forward-looking approach to ensure FAO’s strategies, programmes, and technical support remain aligned with the evolving needs of its Members. Held from 8 to 10 December in Cairo and hosted by the Government of Egypt, the 3rd GWC facilitates direct dialogue between the Director-General, FAO Representatives, Core Leaders, and Senior Managers.

Inbred lines of Citrullus amarus, a wild relative of cultivated watermelon, are widely used as rootstocks to control soil-borne diseases for watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) production. The most commonly used watermelon rootstock, ‘Carolina strongback’ (Syngenta, Basel, Switzerland) flowers weeks later than commercial watermelon cultivars, which delays the onset of female flowering (DFF) of the scion, leading to an undesirable delay in fruit maturity and harvesting. Understanding the genetics of DFF in a C. amarus population will facilitate the development of rootstocks with the early flowering habits preferred for commercial production.

Goldenberry, a small, tart-sweet fruit described as a cross between a pineapple and a mango, is increasingly popular in U.S. markets for its flavor and superfood nutritional profile. However, the plant's naturally wild and unruly growth habit has made it impractical for large-scale commercial farming. This challenge has kept the highly nutritious crop, native to the Andes region of South America, trapped between its wild origins and its commercial potential, even as global demand continues to rise.

The European Council and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on a comprehensive regulatory framework for New Genomic Techniques (NGTs), marking a significant modernization of the EU's agrifood rules. The regulation aims to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of European food systems by embracing precision-breeding methods. Proponents view this agreement as a crucial step toward developing climate-resilient crops, reducing the reliance on chemical inputs, and securing food security within the bloc.