European researchers led by Frédérique Pelsy from the French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), France conducted a study to identify the cause of clonal polymorphism resulting to berry color variation in grapevine. Color variation in berries results in loss of anthocyanin, a red pigment found abundant in grapevine

Washington State University scientists have discovered the regions in the genetic code of prickly lettuce, which are linked to rubber production. Their findings could be used to develop improved varieties which can provide raw material for producing rubber. Prickly lettuce is a common weed and a wild relative and ancestor of cultivated lettuce.

The 2014 paddy season is virtually concluded. Although the dreaded effects of an El Niño weather event failed to materialize so far, the campaign was marred by various climatic setbacks, which were mostly behind an anticipated 0.5 percent contraction in 2014 world paddy production to 741.3 million tonnes (494.4 million tonnes, milled basis), 3.3 million tonnes less than anticipated last December.

Dekalb Vietnam has launched the first integrated knowledge transfer field in the southern province of Dong Nai to introduce genetically modified (GM) corn seeds to farmers. The project aims to give Vietnamese farmers a chance to grow corn using seeds with weed management and insect protection traits for the first time in their lives.

Dr. Norman Warthmann, plant geneticist from The Australian National University (ANU), has called for the United Nations (UN) to guarantee free and open access to plant DNA sequences to enable scientists to continue working on sustainably intensifying world food production. He said that food security depends on acceleration in plant breeding, which could be threatened by private companies restricting access to genomic information

Quang Binh, home of the biggest cave in the world, Son Doong, is offering visitors treks, caving tours and a race. Visitors are invited to join the Tu Lan Adventure Race, which will be held from April 28 to May 1 and give them a chance to race through the caves. The Tu Lan system is similar to Son Doong, though a bit smaller. According to Oxalis Adventure Tours, the only company providing trips to Son Doong and Tu Lan, the race would raise funds for schools hit by a flood in 2010 in the nearby Tan Hoa commune.

7 April 2015, Rome -- Geothermal energy, the flow of heat energy radiating from the earth’s core, provides unique opportunities for cost efficient, sustainable food production and processing in developing countries, says a new report published by FAO today.

FAO 2 April, 2015, Abidjan , Cote d'Ivoire - High-level authorities from 15 countries pledged on Thursday to collaborate on a global plan to wipe out forever the devasting animal disease known as ‘Peste des petits ruminants' by 2030, a lethal plague for goats and sheep and the scourge of rural households in vast swathes of the developing world.

Around 100 farmers from different towns in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines, as well as local agriculture officers, faculty, students, and staff of the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) were enlightened on the science, safety, and potential benefits of the fruit and shoot borer resistant Bt eggplant developed by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) during the Public Dialogue on Bt Eggplant held on March 27, 2015 at CBSUA, Pili, Camarines Sur.

Photosynthesis is an important physiological process in plants due to its food production ability. A study by University of Illinois and CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai, suggested that photosynthesis can play a key role in increasing the yield potential of a plant. Hence, improving a plant's photosynthetic efficiency can be a potential strategy in meeting the global food demand.