Population suppression is an effective way to control insect pests and disease vectors that cause significant damage to crops and spread contagious diseases to plants, animals, and humans. A recent study available in the Bulletin of Entomological Research explores the advantages and limitations of using gene drive mechanisms for this purpose.

Field trials held in Guangxi province in China significantly conferred drought tolerance in a sugarcane variety developed by Guangxi University. Results of the trials showed enhanced water retention capacity as well as reduced member damage without compromising the sugarcane's growth, among others. Tripidium arundinaceum dehydration-responsive element-binding transcription factor (TaDREB2B) behind the drought-responsible RD29A promoter was introduced to the commercial sugarcane variety FN95-1702.

The United Kingdom Government's Precision Breeding (Gene Editing) Bill passed its third reading in the House of Commons on October 31, 2022, and has been introduced to the House of Lords for debate. The Bill was first introduced into Parliament on May 25, 2022, to cut red tape and support the development of innovative tech to grow more resistant, more nutritious, and more productive crops.

Last month, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a regulatory status review about the genetically modified purple tomato. "The tomato was modified to alter its color and enhance its nutritional quality," the USDA wrote. The statement also indicated that the GM tomato is unlikely to pose an increased plant pest risk compared to other cultivated tomatoes. An article from Cosmos explored the idea of having the GM tomato in Australia.

A study involving participants from the United States, Germany, and Japan sought to understand how different biotechnology regulations impact public perceptions in the three countries in order to gain insight into how the underlying political culture affects their attitudes. A total of 2,667 respondents from the US, 2,383 from Germany, and 2,193 from Japan participated in the survey to statistically examine how different information provision affect their perceptions on the risks and benefits towards gene-edited food crops

During the 147th meeting of India's Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) held on October 18, 2022, chaired by Shri Naresh Pal Gangwar, Additional Additional Secretary of MoEF&CC, the Committee recommended the environmental release of genetically modified (GM) mustard in the country.

GM Crops & Food published three peer-reviewed and open-access papers about the economic and environmental impacts of genetically modified (GM) crops from 1996 to 2020. These research articles are authored by Graham Brookes, agricultural economist and director of PG Economics. The first paper tackles the global environmental impact of GM crops with pesticide use change.

Experts at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) are working with partners to drive self-sufficiency in poultry feed and achieve more sustainable maize systems in Nepal thanks to the Nepal Seed and Fertilizer (NSAF) project. About 3,000 metric tons (t) of poultry feed is used in Nepal every day, with maize making up about half of feed ingredients. The Feed Association of Nepal estimates that more than 80% of maize for animal feed requirements are met through imports, which costs around $100 million a year. Maize imports are estimated to exceed $130 million in 2022.

Abiotic stresses such as droughts and floods significantly constrain rice production in Bangladesh. One of the most significant recurring challenges to rice productivity in the rainfed lowlands of Southeast and South Asia is flash floods that lead to the submergence of plants for more than ten days. In Bangladesh, major setbacks to the realization of potential yield are abiotic stresses such as flooding (50%), drought (20%), and salinity (30%).

A total of 81 scientists and breeders (30 from 21 public organizations and 51 from 26 private organizations) visited ICRISAT’s fields – rich in crop diversity - to select material for hybrid pearl millet development. ​Pearl millet traits being increasingly sought include improved taste, longer flour shelf life, greater drought, and disease tolerance and forage varieties with higher protein and digestibility qualities.