Researchers from the University of Georgia (UGA) used CRISPR gene-editing to make poplar trees flower within months instead of seven to 10 years. This breakthrough may help speed up breeding trees with improved traits such as cold or drought tolerance. The findings are published in New Phytologist. “Previous methods for inducing early flowers in poplars were inconsistent and labor intensive. This is a major barrier to research,” said CJ Tsai, professor and eminent scholar with the Georgia Research Alliance.

CRISPR-Cas systems have diverse proteins and functions that help protect themselves against foreign invaders. This defense is based on a common mechanism, a CRISPR ribonucleic acid (crRNA), a "guide RNA" that helps detect regions of a foreign genome, such as the DNA of a virus, for targeted cleavage. The CRISPR-associated (Cas) nuclease directed by a crRNA can cut its target like a pair of scissors, a strategy of nature that humans have harnessed in many technologies.

Even if U.S. consumers are reluctant to gene-edited foods, they are most concerned about the taste of foods. This is according to a survey conducted by Washington State University published in PLOS One journal. Over 2,800 U.S. consumers were asked about their acceptance of gene-edited table grapes, even if there is no such product yet on the market.

Chinese scientists developed a new tool to unravel fungal genomes to help identify medically valuable compounds. The Multiplex Base-Editing (MBE) platform not only reduced their research timeline by 80%, but it also generated at least five fungal compounds that have not been documented before. According to reports, this is the first time the MBE was used to identify fungal genomes for medically valuable compounds.

Researchers from the Guangdong Academy of Sciences, China, and partners reported that sulfur alleviates mercury toxicity in rice. Their findings are published in the Journal of Environmental Sciences.Mercury contamination has caused a global concern because of its effects on human health when consumed through rice. Sulfur is vital for plant growth and may decrease mercury accumulation in rice grains.

For the first time, scientists document a domestication-selected DNA damage repair mechanism along with its corresponding elite modules involving chilling stress in rice. The findings are potentially valuable for molecular breeding research to develop chill-tolerant traits for crops. Using an approach that combined population genetics, genomics, and cell and evolutionary biology, experts from the Chinese Academy of Sciences conducted a data-merging genome-wide association studies based on multidimensional scaling

Experts from the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine reviewed the general principles of plant protection against pathogens and the role of iron and antimicrobial peptide metabolism in plant immunity. The review paper is released in Transgenic Research. Crops are prone to many diseases due to pathogens like viruses, bacteria, and fungi. The article shows the antibacterial, fungicidal, and antiviral action principles of lactoferrin, a mammalian secretory glycoprotein, and lactoferrin peptides and their role in protecting plants from phytopathogens.

The landmark framework supports global biodiversity with four goals and 23 targets for 2030. It also includes a pledge to protect 30 percent of the Earth's lands, oceans, coastal areas and inland waters, to repurpose US$500 billion in annual government subsidies reserved for incentives instead of triggering harm for biodiversity goals, and to create a Special Trust Fund called Global Environment Facility which will be used to support the implementation of the framework.

FAO News: In January 2022 FAO and IAAS (International Association of Students in Agricultural and Related Sciences), in collaboration with YPARD (Young Professionals for Agricultural Development) launched the Youth for Green and Climate-Resilient Agriculture Programme (YCRA) to support and promote youth-led projects. The initiative aims to contibute to capacity development, to give visibility to youth active in the agriculture sectors and to support the transfer of skills between generations.

First up, we’d like to introduce you to IFAD’s new President, Alvaro Lario, who tells us about his plans for the agency. Then, the Associate Vice-President of the External Relations and Governance Department, Satu Santala, gives us an overview of the upcoming funding cycle and an insight into the Global Donor Platform for Rural Development. We revisit conversations we conducted earlier this year with donors to hear about the issues that matter the most to them.