News & Events

Low-temperature stress poses a significant challenge to the growth and yield of rice seedlings. Although quantitative trait loci (QTLs) have been mapped and underlying genes for cold tolerance identified, breeding efforts remain constrained by the lack of precise molecular markers. In this study, we analyzed 529 accessions from the 3K Rice Genomic Diversity Panel to investigate genetic variations in OsCTS11, a known negative regulator of cold tolerance in rice seedlings. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis identified three critical LD blocks (BLOCK1-3) within OsCTS11, each containing four distinct haplotypes.

Researchers from China have successfully developed glyphosate-resistant tumorous stem mustard, the crop used to produce Chinese pickled mustard, by modifying two key genes in Brassica juncea to create lines that can survive common herbicides without affecting plant growth. The research team introduced targeted amino acid substitutions in two EPSPS genes and identified the triple-mutant BjuA010725TIAVPS that displayed exceptional glyphosate resistance.

ICRISAT’s short-duration sorghum variety, SAMSORG 52, is transforming farming in northern Nigeria by addressing insecurity, strengthening productivity, and improving nutrition. Sorghum is more than a crop in northern Nigeria – it is a lifeline. Millions of households depend on it daily for food, livestock feed, income, and cultural practices. But in recent years, farmers have faced unprecedented challenges. Insecurity from banditry and insurgency has made cultivating tall sorghum risky, while drought and erratic rainfall continue to reduce yields.

Black pepper (Piper nigrum L.), a crop of the genus Piper, is an important spice that has both economic and ecological significance. It is widely regarded as the "King of Spices" because of its pungency, attributed to the presence of piperine. BAHD acyl transferase, the crucial enzyme involved in the final step in piperine biosynthesis was the focus of our study and the aim was to identify the candidate isoform involved in biosynthesis of piperine. Reference genome-based analysis of black pepper identified six BAHD-AT isoforms and mapping of these sequences revealed that the isoforms were situated on six distinct chromosomes.

COGEM, the Netherlands' advisory committee on genetic modification, has issued a positive opinion on the renewal of authorization for the import and processing of genetically modified (GM) soybean MON87708 x MON89788. The GM soybean is a stacked-event variety engineered to resist herbicides intended for use in both food and animal feed. The committee's advice, published under reference CGM/251124-02, signals continued regulatory support for the trade and consumption of the modified crop.

In this study, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and its partners show how breeders can develop groundnut varieties with fresh seed dormancy—a natural “built-in wait time” that prevents pre-harvest sprouting and protects both yield and quality. This trait offers a powerful safeguard against the severe financial losses farmers face when early rains trigger sprouting.

Rice blast (Magnaporthe oryzae) is one of the most devastating disease in rice. There is an urgent need to find effective and environmentally friendly chemicals for the prevention and control of rice blast. In this study, we evaluated the antifungal activities of five plant-derived essential oils: black pepper essential oil, perilla essential oil, thyme essential oil, peony essential oil, and rosemary essential oil, against M. oryzae. Specifically, thyme essential oil exhibited an excellent antifungal activity at a concentration of 1 μL/mL.

Researchers at the Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) have made a breakthrough in understanding what makes strawberries smell and taste appealing. In a study published in Horticulture Research, scientists successfully identified the FvHI gene as a key molecular regulator that controls the fresh, characteristic fragrance of the fruit. This gene acts as a switch, modulating the balance of aromatic compounds that consumers associate with a high-quality strawberry, paving the way for targeted breeding programs to improve fruit flavor.

On this UN World Soil Day, we are reminded that healthy soils are not only the foundation of life in rural drylands but are equally essential to the health and resilience of our cities. This year’s theme, ‘Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities,’ highlights a simple yet powerful reality that the condition of rural soils shapes the water we drink, the food we eat, and the green spaces that make cities livable. Even the most urban communities depend on the soils that sustain both smallholder farms and the broader food systems on which we all depend.

Potato is an important vegetatively propagated, starch-rich tuber crop. High amylose potatoes containing more resistant starch offer healthier food alternatives. However, the resistant starch content is low in most cultivated potato varieties. In this study, targeted mutation of the starch branching enzyme2 (SBE2.1 & SBE2.2 isoforms) had been done in the commercially significant potato cultivar, Kufri Chipsona-I using Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9 system)

Researchers from the State University of Londrina (Universidade Estadual de Londrina) and partners in Brazil used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to inactivate the Le1 gene in soybean to improve grain digestibility for animal feed. The study sought to reduce lectin activity by targeting this gene in the soybean cultivar BRS 537 to limit nutrient absorption in monogastric animals.

RAIZ addresses one of today’s most urgent challenges. With over 1 billion hectares of agricultural land already degraded, food security, biodiversity, and climate stability for more than 3 billion people are under threat. The RAIZ accelerator will unite governments and investors behind a shared goal: restoring the world’s farmland to strengthen food security, tackle climate breakdown, and protect biodiversity.