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Future of Pakistan’s economy linked to cotton

A two-day Sino-Pak international conference on “Innovation in Cotton Breeding and Biotechnology” commenced at the Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture (MNSUA) on Monday. Delegates from China, Malaysia, Turkey and Iran along with national agri scientists are attending the conference held under the auspices of Institute of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology in collaboration with Biotechnology… Continue reading Future of Pakistan’s economy linked to cotton

95% of China’s Soybean Imports in October 2018 came from Brazil

Data concerning China’s soybean imports during the month of October continue to show that China is relying on Brazil for almost all of its soybean imports. Customs officials in China reported that during the month of October, China imported 6.53 million tons of soybeans from Brazil compared to 3.38 million tons for October of 2017.… Continue reading 95% of China’s Soybean Imports in October 2018 came from Brazil

A rice revolution is underway in Asia

In advances reminiscent of the “Green Revolution” of four decades ago, agricultural scientists have quietly made important breakthroughs in the cultivation of Asia’s prime staple food, developing so-called “scuba rice” that survives long periods of flooding and an alkaline-resistant “sea rice” farmers are already growing along China’s northern coast. With an eye to an uncertain… Continue reading A rice revolution is underway in Asia

Switching of consumption potatoes for seed potatoes proven

Earlier this month Breeders Trust revealed a major fraud, concerning the switching of at least 200 tons of potatoes meant for consumption, to seed potatoes. Seed Company Mts. H. te Luttelgeest (the Netherlands) was caught red-handed when adding the yield from a lot of consumption potatoes to a lot of seed potatoes. Breeders Trust had… Continue reading Switching of consumption potatoes for seed potatoes proven

Demand for fresh Australian vegetables continues to rise

The value and volume of fresh Australian vegetable exports have increased in 2017/18, following strong trading conditions in key export markets in Asia and the Middle East, increased demand for Australian-grown vegetables in the region and increased activities and investment in securing the exporting capabilities of the industry’s growers. The value of fresh Australian vegetable… Continue reading Demand for fresh Australian vegetables continues to rise

Russia: Production of niche greenhouse vegetables could double by 2023

According to projections by the Russia National Horticultural and Vegetable Association, by 2023-2024, production of niche-market greenhouse vegetables (peppers, aubergine, squash, and others) and salad greens is likely to double. Meanwhile, the segment of premium tomatoes and cucumbers is likely to be fully satisfied by domestic production already by 2020, said Kirill Lashin, the organisation’s… Continue reading Russia: Production of niche greenhouse vegetables could double by 2023

Newly discovered gene mutation can produce drought-resistant crops without growth defects

A new study published on 8 November in Nature Communications has demonstrated that modifying the signalling of the plant steroids, known as brassinosteroids, in only the vascular tissue of plants can effectively increase drought resistance without sacrificing growth. Decreases in rainfall and abnormally high temperatures across northern and eastern Europe have led to huge losses in cereals… Continue reading Newly discovered gene mutation can produce drought-resistant crops without growth defects

Breeding corn for water-use efficiency may have just gotten easier

Water-use efficiency measurements traditionally require specialized equipment, shown here, and are time consuming. Tony Studer’s method speeds up the process significantly. – Credit: Photo courtesy of Tony Studer, University of Illinois. With approximately 80 percent of our nation’s water supply going towards agriculture, it’s fair to say it takes a lot of water to grow… Continue reading Breeding corn for water-use efficiency may have just gotten easier

Ultra-low gossypol seed long time coming, long road ahead

If the Ultra-Low Gossypol Cotton (ULGC) variety recently developed by a Texas A&M AgriLife plant biologist is adopted by a commercial seed company, growers may one day see a return on their multi-year Cotton Incorporated investment, and ginning operations could one day be storing ULGC cottonseed in seed houses like this one. Texas A&M AgriLife… Continue reading Ultra-low gossypol seed long time coming, long road ahead

Improved method to identify salt tolerant crops

Soil salinity is affecting large areas in the world and millions of farmers are faced with decreasing yields and many are even forced to migrate. Dutch scientists (Prof Dr. Gerrit van Straten (Wageningen University), Prof. Dr. Peter van Bodegom (Leiden University), Prof. Dr. Jelte Rozema (VU University Amsterdam), Dr. Arjen de Vos (Salt Farm Texel)… Continue reading Improved method to identify salt tolerant crops