Researchers from the University of Adelaide revealed that modifications in molecular pathways controlled by a gene involved in flowering could boost yields in wheat. Their findings are discussed in the Current Biology journal. The gene, Photoperiod-1 (Ppd-1), are regularly harnessed by breeders to make sure wheat plants flower and set grain early to avoid harsh summer conditions. However, this technique leads to fewer florets and spikelets, thus impacting yield.

A multinational group of researchers discovered a fern that has the largest genome on Earth. Their findings provide new opportunities for studying how genomic gigantism has evolved. Vascular plants attract the interest of researchers due to their exceptional genome size diversity. Present data indicate that large genomes are constrained throughout the eukaryotes, but the biological limitations to genome size expansion have yet to be determined.

ASCA7 targets to equip Asian scientists, regulators, and other stakeholders with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of agri-biotech. The program focuses on three key areas: agri-biotech applications, policy environment, and biotech communication. This comprehensive approach empowers participants to contribute towards implementation of science-based regulations that support the commercialization and trade of agri-biotech products.

In April, Paris-based start-up Neoplants started selling Neo Px in the United States. It is the first bioengineered air purifier developed through synthetic biology, and a nature-based solution to fight indoor air pollution known as Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs. Neo Px is up to 30x more efficient at air purifying compared to regular houseplants.Neo Px is designed to fight against the most prevalent, harmful, and difficult-to-target indoor air VOCs, including Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylene (BTEX).

All of us involved in agri-food systems are grappling with a difficult task: to ramp up global food supplies while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.It is no secret that last year was the hottest on record, with temperatures exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius over a 12-month period for the first time. We are precariously close to breaching temperature levels outlined in the Paris Agreement.

On the occasion of his trip to Geneva for the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) and the Conference on AI for Good, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu signed Memorandum of Understandings with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

Eaten by over one billion people, the potato is the third most available food crop globally – after rice and wheat, making it a crucial staple. And today for the first time, it was celebrated with its very own International Day, as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and partners highlighted the potato’s significance and called for more investments to tap into its full potential.

In a concerted effort to advance agricultural biotechnology in Africa, IITA, the University of California-Davis, and the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) recently organized two pivotal workshops on biotechnology in Kenya from 8 to 10 May and Zambia from 13 to 15 May. IITA Director for Eastern Africa Hub and Biotechnology Leader Leena Tripathi stated, “Biotechnology holds the key to sustainable agriculture in Africa,

A study published in the Plant Biotechnology Journal shows that the genome editing of NPR3 confers potato resistance to Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso), a bacterium associated with zebra chip disease. The significant economic losses caused by the disease necessitate alternative approaches to develop resistance to the disease.

The Philippine Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) released a Certificate of Non-coverage from JDC No. 01 s.2021 for gene-edited high GABA Silician Rouge Tomato developed by Japan-based Sanatech Seed Co., LTD. High GABA tomato was first released by Sanatech in Japan in 2021. It was developed using CRISPR-Cas9 technology to contain high levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an amino acid that helps lower blood pressure. The gene-edited tomato has four to five times more GABA than conventional tomato varieties.