b'change that. Theyve developed a sensor that detects diseaseUnited States billions of dollars annually in fertilizer costs while and can be used to inhibit the rot from growing and spreading.also benefiting the environment. The research comes out of the lab of Eduardo Blumwald, a distinguished professor of plant sciences, who has found a new pathway for cereals to capture On September 1, 2022, the research project GeneBEconthe nitrogen they need to grow. The discovery could also help the funded by the European Union was launched. The Universityenvironment by reducing nitrogen pollution, which can lead to of Bayreuth is taking part with its Food Law research group ledcontaminated water resources, increased greenhouse gas emis-by Prof. Dr. Kai Purnhagen. A network of 18 universities andsions and human health issues. The study was published in the research institutions from 11 countries will explore the inno- journal Plant Biotechnology.vation potential of gene editing and related biotechnological methods by research and development from different disciplines. The project will be funded for three years with a total of 5.5A study from Iowa State University surveyed 2,000 U.S. residents million euros, of which the University of Bayreuth will receiveto gauge public acceptance of gene-edited foods. Participants around 100,000 euros. GeneBEcon addresses the opportunitiesshared whether they would consume or purposefully avoid for a sustainable bioeconomy in Europe, in particular for a cli- gene-edited foods, allowing researchers to understand factors mate-friendly and resource-efficient agriculture. The acronymthat impacted their decisions. The study found that a persons stands for Gene editing for a sustainable BioEconomy. likelihood of consuming or avoiding GE foods is driven by their values and the level of trust they have in the government, indus-try and environmental groups. The study revealed that people Rothamsteds 400-hectare site in Harpenden, Hertfordshirewho view science and technology as the favorable option to solve became the latest site to join a network of innovation cen- societys problems are more willing to consume raw or processed tres and demonstration farms which include some of the UKsGE foods. These consumers trust government food regulators leading research establishments and most progressive farmers.and the agriculture biotechnology industry and do not hold The move further strengthens Rothamsteds strategic partner- strong beliefs on how food should be produced. This pool of ship with LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) whichpeople tends to be younger with a higher level of education and aims to accelerate the scientific knowledge exchange aroundgreater household incomes, according to the release.more sustainable, regenerative farming systems. Working with farmers, the food industry, scientists, environmentalists, teach-ers, young people, and consumers, LEAF are looking at newWhen temperatures get too high, humans are not the only ones ways to deliver productivity and prosperity among our farmers,who feel the burn. Heat stress takes a massive toll on the enrich the environment and engage young people and societyplants people depend on for food and resources as well. Certain in a valuable and meaningful way. plant defenses are not equipped to handle high temperatures, making them more vulnerable to pathogens and insect pests.Model results for areas of Europe and North America, asso-A new study of long-term data from a Hertfordshire pasture sug- ciated with the severe heat waves in Chicago in 1995 and Paris gests that spring hay yields in southern England have alreadyin 2003, show that future heat waves in these areas will become been reduced by more than a third due to changes to ourmore intense, more frequent and longer lasting in the second climate and further declines are forecast as global heating accel- half of the 21st century, shared a study from the American erates. The analysis by Rothamsted Research and the UniversityAssociation for the Advancement of Science.of Reading was published in the Journal of the Royal SocietyImpacts of plant pests and diseases have been felt across Interface. This research has revealed that yields of animalthe world, with a loss of up to 40% of crop production globally, fodder from grassland have fallen by around 35% over the lastaccording to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. This century. The data were collected between 1902 and 2016 fromcosts the global economy over $220 billion each year.the Park Grass long-term experiment at Rothamsteds main site in Harpenden, Hertfordshire. The study forecasts that climate change will reduce spring hay yield by a further 20-50% betweenAmid the invasion of Ukraine, global wheat supply has taken 2020 and 2080.a dive. Julys World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) from the USDA reports U.S. wheat exports are pro-jected at 800 million bushels, down from 2021. Meanwhile, the Scientists from The Australian National University (ANU) andFAOs forecast for global cereal production was raised by 7 mil-James Cook University (JCU) have identified an exquisite nat- lion tons in July from June and is estimated at 2.8 million tons ural mechanism that helps plants limit their water loss withglobally. Unfortunately, that number is down.6% short of the little effect on carbon dioxide (CO ) intakean essential processworld output in 2021.2for photosynthesis, plant growth and crop yield.The discovery, led by Dr Chin Wong from ANU, is expected to help agricultural scientists and plant breeders develop more water-efficient crops.Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, together Study co-author Dr Diego Marquez from ANU said the findingswith collaborators from Peking University, found that gene edit-will have significant implications for the agricultural industrying of an APETALA2/ethylene responsive factor (AP2/ERF) and could lead to more resilient crops that are capable of with- transcription factor, DUO1, could significantly improve wheat standing extreme weather events, including drought. grain yield.The discovery of this gene provides superior allelic vari-ation for improving wheat yields and has positive implications Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have foundfor addressing the food security crisis, said Scott Boden, an a way to reduce the amount of nitrogen fertilizers neededinternationally renowned wheat researcher at the University of to grow cereal crops. The discovery could save farmers in theAdelaide, Australia.64IEUROPEAN SEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COM'