News & Events

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

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.

The invasive fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda and other lepidopteran migratory pests significantly threaten maize production in tropical Asia, a key year-round breeding region and source of spring or summer migrants across the broader Asian region. The strategic deployment of genetically modified maize expressing pyramided Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins offers a promising approach for managing multiple pests and delaying resistance evolution in this region. This study evaluated the insecticidal efficacy of Bt maize (LP026-2 event, Cry1Ab + Cry2Ab + Cry1Fa) against six major lepidopteran pests:

An environmental risk assessment published in GM Crops & Food revealed that the genetically modified (GM) maize event DP-Ø51291-2 (DP51291), which produces the IPD072Aa protein to control corn rootworms, does not pose significant harm to non-target organisms in agricultural environments. The risk assessment examined potential exposure levels and possible hazards to a wide range of species, including pollinators, soil organisms, aquatic life, predators, parasitoids, birds, and mammals.

Forests are at the heart of COP30 discussions in the Brazilian Amazon city of Belém. But less is said about how forests provide a vital support system for agriculture. Promoting synergies between the two is therefore essential for sustainable agrifood system transformation in the face of climate change, according to a report released today at the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil.

Maize event DP-Ø51291–2 expresses the protein, IPD072Aa, which is derived from Pseudomonas chlororaphis, encoded by the ipd072Aa gene, to provide corn rootworm control. An environmental risk assessment was conducted for DP-Ø51291–2 maize which characterized potential exposure and hazard of the IPD072Aa protein to non-target organisms (NTOs). To estimate potential exposure to the IPD072Aa protein, worst-case estimated environmental concentrations (EECs) and refined EECs, where applicable, were calculated.

An international research team has published the most comprehensive genetic map ever assembled for the eggplant, a discovery poised to revolutionize breeding efforts for the popular vegetable. The collaboration, which includes researchers from INRAE, successfully compiled the pangenome (the complete set of all genes) and panphenome (the entire collection of agronomic traits) for the eggplant species.

Sustainable and resilient agrifood systems are essential for achieving the Paris Agreement targets on climate change while ensuring food security and nutrition for present and future generations. This was the overarching message delivered by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil. During the 10-21 November conference, FAO emphasized that science-based agrifood solutions can play a pivotal role in reducing emissions, enhancing carbon sequestration, restoring ecosystems, and strengthening resilience.

Macroautophagy (hereafter autophagy) is essential for cells to respond to nutrient deficiency by delivering cytosolic contents to vacuoles for degradation via the formation of a multilayer organelle named an autophagosome. A set of autophagy-related (ATG) regulators are recruited to the phagophore assembly site for phagophore initiation, including its expansion and closure, and subsequent delivery into the vacuole. However, it remains elusive how the phagophore assembly is regulated under different stress conditions. Here, we described an uncharacterized Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) ERC (ELKS/Rab6-interacting/CAST)

Ecuadorian scientists are pioneering a biotechnological solution to fight Fusarium wilt, one of the world's most destructive plant diseases that poses a persistent threat to the global banana industry. As the world's largest banana exporter, Ecuador is directly in the path of the aggressive Tropical Race 4 (Foc TR4) variant of the fungus, which colonizes banana roots, cuts off the supply of water and nutrients, and eventually kills the plant. Because Foc TR4 can persist in soil for decades, traditional methods like fungicides and quarantine have proven ineffective.

Launched at UNFCCC COP30 in Belém, 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. CGIAR supports RAIZ as a technical partner. 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.