Plant Breeding for Climate Change – Carbon Sequestration
“Six years ago, all the professors in plant biology at the Salk Institute decided we wanted to work on climate change because we thought that was the biggest problem that we currently face,” Wolfgang Busch, executive director of Harnessing Plants Initiative at the Salk Institute of Biological Studies in La Jolla, California, says. “We obviously knew that plants are great at capturing carbon dioxide from the air through the process of photosynthesis and we started to think [about] what we could change in plants to make them better at storing more of this captured carbon dioxide for longer.”
ASTA’s Andy LaVigne to Open Seeds Canada’s Annual Meeting in Edmonton
Editor’s Note: Registration is still open for the the Seeds Canada annual meeting! Register via the Seeds Canada website. Seeds Canada’s annual meeting in Edmonton, Alta., taking place July 8-10 […]
Glenn Logan is Helping Pave the Path for Future Seed Leaders as CSGA’s Incoming President
I’ve always believed in the importance of being a good listener. “We have two ears and one mouth for a reason — to listen twice as much as we speak.” Sage […]
Laser Beams and 3-D Printing Improving Crops
Modern plant breeding is now a data-driven endeavor, harnessing machine learning algorithms and advanced imaging technology to select desirable traits. “Plant phenotyping,” the science of gathering precise information and measurements on plants, has seen significant advancements in recent years.
NC State Introduces AI Crop Analysis Tools
North Carolina State University’s N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative (PSI) introduced a robot named BenchBot 3.0 that will be tied to PSI’s newly acquired supercomputer, the NVIDIA Grace Hopper 200, according to a NCSU news release. Together, the two tools will deliver enhanced AI-based data-collection and data analysis for agricultural applications.
ISTA International Rules for Seed Testing are Pivotal to Global Seed Quality
The International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) International Rules for Seed Testing includes 19 Chapters describing principles and definitions in detail. The Rules are designed for many agricultural crops, flowers, trees, shrubs, medical and herbage species.
NAPB Announces 2024 Scholarship Recipients
As it prepares for its annual meeting next month (register by July 1 for a discounted rate), the National Association of Plant Breeders (NAPB) has announced the recipients of its […]
Hope From an Unexpected Source in the Global Race to Stop Wheat Blast
When seeking resistance to diseases it is common to search among varieties or old landraces from regions where the disease originated. As wheat blast is a disease of humid sub-tropical regions, efforts to control the disease have focused on finding resistance genes among wheat varieties adapted to warmer climates.
ISTA: How the Work Gets Done
The principal objective of ISTA Technical Committees (TCOMs) is to develop, standardise and validate methods for sampling and testing seed quality, using the best scientific knowledge available.
Corn of the Future
University of Washington researchers combined climate projections with plant models to determine what combination of traits might be best adapted to future climates, according to a release. The study used projections of weather and climate across the U.S. projected to 2050 and 2100 alongside a model that simulates corn’s growth to find the mix of traits that will produce the highest, most reliable yield under future conditions across the country.
Hear About Innovations Like Speed Breeding at AgSmart
New scientific innovations that bring new seed varieties to the market faster will be the topic of an important panel discussion at AgSmart in Olds on July 30. The panel A […]
Bayer and Solynta are Bringing True Potato Seed to Smallholder Markets
Agreement focuses on commercialization and distribution of disease-free, high-quality starting material to smallholder farmers in Kenya and India, the companies said. Bayer and Solynta have reached an agreement to collaborate […]
NIAB Chief Urges Next Government to Prioritize Implementing Rules for Precision Breeding in Agriculture
Speaking at a Westminster Forum event titled ‘Next steps for gene edited foods in England’ on June 17, NIAB chief executive Professor Mario Caccamo outlined that following 10 months of scrutiny and debate, both Houses of Parliament approved the Precision Breeding Act in March 2023. This legislation establishes a framework for expediting and streamlining the regulation of precision breeding techniques, including CRISPR gene editing, in agriculture.
USDA Updates Climate Adaptation Plan to Bolster Resilience Nationwide
The White House Council on Environmental Quality and the Office of Management and Budget, are working to better integrate climate risk across their mission, operations and asset management.
ISTA: A Century of Progress in Seed Quality Assurance
Founded in 1924 in Cambridge, England, the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) is inextricably linked with the history of seed testing. Today, Member Laboratories and Sampling Entities, Personal Members and Associate Members represent over 80 countries worldwide.
Study Reveals Stable Soil Moisture Variability
A multi-institutional study led by University of Illinois and Agroecosystem Sustainability Center (ASC) scientists concluded that, although soil moisture varies significantly both within a single field and from field to field due to varying soil properties and different management practices, soil moisture distribution relative to the field average remains consistent across time within each field.
Dan Foor Activated as New ASTA Chair
Dan Foor, senior vice president of distribution at DLF North America, is the new chair of the American Seed Trade Association’s (ASTA) board of directors. In a gavel-passing ceremony at ASTA’s Leadership Summit in Nashville, Dave Armstrong, concluded his one-year term and shared thanks and personal reflections in his final address.
Register for our Next Webinar to Find out What’s New in the Battle Against Pests and Disease
François Eudes says AAFC’s Role in Plant Science is Evolving, and it has Everything to do with Technology
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s scientific capacity today is not less than it was prior to 2000, François Eudes says. What’s really changed is the speed of technology. François Eudes wears […]
How to Become an Effective CEO of Your Career
We sat down with Jovan Djordjevic, director of education at UC Davis’ Seed Biotechnology Center (SBC) and co-founder of Murray River Seeds, to talk about why continuing education is worth the investment, no matter what part of the seed value chain you call home.
The New Normal: Managing Agricultural Inputs Amidst Market Volatility
Over the past three years, the global economic landscape has been marked by unprecedented levels of disruption. When it comes to risk mitigation strategies, it’s crucial to understand the scale of these disruptions.
La Nueva Normalidad: El Manejo de Insumos Agrícolas ante la Volatilidad de los Mercados
En los últimos tres años, el panorama económico mundial ha estado marcado por unos niveles de disrupción sin precedentes. En cuanto a las estrategias para mitigar riesgos, es crucial comprender la magnitud de estas disrupciones.
ISTA: A Brief History of Seed Testing
Frederich Nobbe published his famous Handbook of Seed Science and the motto of the meeting held in Hamburg that year was “uniformity in seed testing”. This later became the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) logo.
Maizex Seeds is Retiring the Elite Seeds Brand
Maizex Seeds has announced its forage and cereal varieties will now be marketed under the Maizex brand, following a similar rebranding of its soybeans line last year. This move brings […]
Pivotar como un profesional
Después de una reunión anual, varias reuniones de seguimiento, algunas decisiones difíciles y una puesta en marcha a gran escala a principios de año, el reciente informe sobre las perspectivas de los consumidores ha trastocado su planteamiento para obtener los resultados anuales esperados. Estos nuevos datos supondrán un cambio en el gasto de recursos y un replanteamiento de las prioridades de los proyectos del año en curso.
You Won’t Want to Miss Cambridge!
The International Seed Testing Association is in the final planning stages of its Centennial Annual Meeting, coming up July 1-5 in Cambridge, UK. Mark your calendar to be part of the celebration and the goal setting as ISTA steps into its second century.
National Perspective: Peru: Asociación Peruana de Semillas (APESEMILLAS)
The association has 20 members, including seed producers, researchers, exporters and importers from all over the country, representing 87.2% of seed imports and 65.2% of seed exports. In addition, APESemillas is in the process of including small seed producers in its representation, so that they can have a space to communicate their different needs and problems, consolidating APESemillas as a key player in both the national and international seed market.
Perspectiva Nacional: Perú: Asociación Peruana de Semillas (APESEMILLAS)
La asociación cuenta con 20 miembros, incluyendo productores, investigadores, exportadores e importadores de semillas de todo el país; representando en participación un 87.2% de las importaciones y un 65.2% de las exportaciones de semillas. Además, están en proceso de incluir a su representatividad a pequeños productores de semillas, con el objetivo de que puedan tener un espacio para trasladar sus diferentes necesidades y problemáticas, consolidando a APES como un actor clave tanto en el mercado nacional e internacional de semillas.
Historic Wheat Collection Reveals Untapped Diversity
An international study, published in Nature, has revealed that at least 60% of the genetic diversity found in a historic collection of wheat is unused providing an unprecedented opportunity to improve modern wheat and sustainably feed a growing global population.
Perspectiva Nacional: Uruguay
Rodolfo Fonseca: Gerente General, Asociación Nacional de Productores de Semillas (ANAPROSE) SW: ¿Cómo describirías a ANAPROSE? ANAPROSE, la Asociación Nacional de Productores de Semillas de Uruguay, fundada en 1964 y con […]
National Perspective: Uruguay
Rodolfo Fonseca: General Manager – ANAPROSE SW: Can you describe ANAPROSE? Fonseca: ANAPROSE, Uruguay’s National Seed Producers Association founded in 1964 and a legal entity since 1992, brings together 17 seed-producing […]
National Perspective: Chile: Asociación Nacional de Productores de Semillas (ANPROS)
Schindler: ANPROS invests its energy in supporting three main priorities: developing and accessing better seed varieties, maintaining Chile’s leadership and image as a leading contra-season producer in the southern hemisphere, and advancing in matters of sustainability.
Perspectiva Nacional Chile: Asociación Nacional de Productores de Semillas (ANPROS)
Schindler: ANPROS invierte energía en apoyar tres prioridades principales: desarrollar y acceder a mejores variedades de semillas, mantener el liderazgo de Chile y nuestra imagen como productor de contraestación en el hemisferio sur, y avanzar en materias de sustentabilidad.
Alberta Crop Diagnostic Days to be Featured at AgSmart Next Month
An exciting new event is set to further enhance the experience offered at the annual AgSmart event taking place in Olds, Alta. next month. The Alberta Crop Diagnostic Day will take place […]
ASTA Recognizes Seed Industry Pioneers
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) honored industry pioneers at the 2024 ASTA Leadership Summit in Nashville, Tennessee. The honorees were recognized in the categories of Heritage, Distinguished Service, Lifetime Honorary Member and Excellence in Science.
You are Myth Taken: Fake News is All Around Us
I used to think that fake news, news that is deliberately false, misleading, or biased, was something recent and inextricably linked to the internet. I couldn’t have been more wrong. False rumors and inaccurate reporting have been with us for as long as there have been people to create and spread them. Long before the arrival of social media, in fact right since the invention of the printing press, fake news has been a part of media history. But it was the development and widespread use of the internet that greatly increased the ability for literally anyone to write and quickly spread misleading content all over the world at the push of a button.