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Swaziland approves importation and environmental release of Bt cotton

Keywords: cotton Swaziland Environment Authority (SEA) has granted two landmark approvals for importation of Bt cotton seed and environmental release of the crop making the Kingdom of eSwatini the latest African country to adopt Bt cotton. In accordance with Biosafety Act, SEA granted approval to the Swaziland Cotton Board (SCB) to import 3,000 kilogrammes of… Continue reading Swaziland approves importation and environmental release of Bt cotton

Adaptable seeds, an answer to food shortage

Keywords: seed “Farmers have to produce 70 percent more food by 2050 to feed the global population,” according to the UN. To meet this startling prediction, scientific and accurate breeding programmes are being executed to create more adaptable F1 hybrid seeds. These seeds will generate productive harvests to sustain global needs. “Heat, disease, moisture and… Continue reading Adaptable seeds, an answer to food shortage

Tomatoes grown under red light taste better

Keywords: tomato When tomatoes get partially far red interlighting instead of red/blue LED light, the production remains the same, but the taste score is higher due to the combination of a higher refraction value and increased ‘bite’. These preliminary results come from a lighting trial at Vereijken nurseries in Beek en Donk. The trial took… Continue reading Tomatoes grown under red light taste better

India: Demand for cotton seeds in Punjab down 20-30% from year ago, say companies

Keywords: cotton Cotton season in Punjab is off to a sluggish start, with seed companies reporting low demand for BT cotton seeds, the variety that accounts for most of the cotton grown in the country. Seed companies say farmers are shifting to other crops, especially paddy and maize, in which they see higher returns. Accordingly,… Continue reading India: Demand for cotton seeds in Punjab down 20-30% from year ago, say companies

Chinese scientists generate a high-quality wheat A genome sequence

Keywords: wheat Triticum urartu, the progenitor of wheat A subgenome (Image by IGDB) Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), feeding more than 35% human population and providing about 20% of calories and proteins consumed by humans, is a globally important crop due to its enhanced adaptability to a wide range of climates and improved grain quality… Continue reading Chinese scientists generate a high-quality wheat A genome sequence

Plants can use underground communication to find out when neighbors are stressed

Keywords: plant Graphical illustration of above ground interactions between neighboring plants by light touch and their effect on below-ground communication. Credit: Elhakeem et al (2018)  Corn seedlings that grow close together give off underground signals that impact the growth of nearby plants, reports a study published May 2, 2018 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE… Continue reading Plants can use underground communication to find out when neighbors are stressed

New squash, melon and pumpkin varieties developed at the University of New Hampshire now available

Keywords: Fruits and Vegetables Gardeners preparing to plant their fruits and vegetables have a number of new summer squash, melon and pumpkins options that were developed at the NH Agricultural Experiment Station at the University of New Hampshire by a researcher who represents the longest continuous squash and pumpkin breeding program in North America. Milan, a… Continue reading New squash, melon and pumpkin varieties developed at the University of New Hampshire now available

Scientists reveal that a MAPK signaling pathway controls grain size in rice

Keywords: rice Rice is an important cereal crop worldwide, and grain size is a key factor determining grain yield in rice. Several genes regulating grain size have been identified in rice. However, the genetic and molecular mechanisms that set grain size remain largely unknown in rice. Recently, researchers from LI Yunhai’s group in the Institute… Continue reading Scientists reveal that a MAPK signaling pathway controls grain size in rice

Vegetable Heterosis Technology Seminar Held

From May 3rd to May 5th, the “Thirteenth Five-Year” National Key R&D Program “Heterologous Hybrid Techniques and Hybrid Production of Strong Advantage” was organized in collaboration with the Vegetable Industry Alliance to hold mid-term variety exhibitions and discussions in Shouguang City and Weinan City, Shandong Province. meeting. The meeting summed up the overall progress of… Continue reading Vegetable Heterosis Technology Seminar Held

India: Seed shortage may not impact soyabean area

Keywords: soyabean The shortage of certified soyabean seeds is unlikely to have any impact on the coming kharif acreages, as farmers buoyed by higher prices for the oilseed are expected to expand area under the crop in the major producing States such as Madhya Pradesh and Maharasthra using their own seeds. The Agriculture Ministry, at… Continue reading India: Seed shortage may not impact soyabean area