Month: March 2018

Keywords: potato The Colorado potato beetle is considered a major economic pest of potato. Photo: John Morrison, AAFCNew potato varieties that are naturally resistant to Colorado potato beetle could be on the market in five years, according to Helen Tai, a potato breeder at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Potato Research Centre in Fredericton. Tai is… Continue reading Beetle-resistant potato varieties

Reports about a possible increase in taxes on agrochemicals has left the Brazilian agricultural sector worried. The fear is linked with the Unconstitutionality Direct Action (Adin No. 5,553), which would result in the removal of benefits and fiscal exemptions conceded to the chemical industry. Vice-President of the Brazilian Association of Cotton Growers (Abrapa) Júlio Cézar… Continue reading Brazil: agriculture sector worries increase in taxes on agrochemicals

Brazilian sugar mills looking to grow the world’s first variety of genetically modified (GM) sugarcane have planted an initial area of 400 hectares (988 acres), according to the research firm behind the project.Developed by Centro de Tecnologia Canavieira (CTC) with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) genes that make it resistant to the cane borer, around 100 mills… Continue reading Brazil sugar mills start genetically-modified cane plantation

“People always ask whether there is a special supply channel for the products of the Ministry of Agriculture canteen. In fact, what we eat is just like everyone’s in the market.” On the afternoon of March 3, at the Great Hall of the People East Gate inside the central hall north of the first session… Continue reading Food safety regulation should adhere to the “no tolerance”

Keywords: pea Scientists are injecting genes into pea plants to speed up introducing better disease resistance and improving the nutrition of this pulse crop within the next five years. Adding valuable genes from wild pea varieties from Africa and Asia is set to bring improved resistance to the potentially devastating disease downy mildew, with fungicide… Continue reading Gene injection set to bring big benefits to pea crops

Keywords: rice Researchers from Cornell and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service announced today they are releasing a nutritious red rice cultivar that should appeal to people interested in alternative grains. The new rice, called Scarlett, is whole-grain rice and has a nutty, rich flavor. It is also packed with nutrients: The… Continue reading Cornell University and USDA/ARS release a nutritious red rice cultivar for the U.S.

Thailand’s Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, recently proposed a Draft Bill on the Plant Variety Protection (No. 2) (Draft PVP Bill) and released it for public hearing. The Draft PVP Bill aims to amend the Plant Variety Protection Act B.E. 2542 (1999) (PVP Act) so that Thai law is in compliance with the International… Continue reading Draft Bill provides updates to protection of new plant varieties in Thailand

Keywords: wheat Eduard Akhunov, K-State professor of wheat genetics and pathology, looks at wheat spikes in the university’s greenhouse. Kansas State University researchers say their work to improve genes in wheat varieties using a gene-editing technology is another positive step toward global food security. “Food security and the food supply is one of the main… Continue reading Kansas State University researchers using gene-editing technology to improve wheat