Agriculture

Research

Barley’s NAC Genes Pave the Way for Salt Stress Resilience — Evolution and Breeding Strategies Revealed by Pan-Genome Analysis

Pan-genome analysis of 20 barley lines uncovers the evolution, diversity, and expression patterns of NAC genes, highlighting their potential in breeding salt- and drought-tolerant crops for future food security.
Research

Spray in 10 Minutes to Reach Plant Cells: Amino‑Acid Transporter Nanoparticles Reinvent Delivery

Asp‑decorated nanoparticles use AAP1/LHT1 and clathrin‑dependent endocytosis to reach plant cytosol in 10 minutes; ABA works at ultra‑low doses.
Research

The Secret Behind Seed Size Lies in a “Valve”! — Discovery of a New Mechanism Where Fertilization Pulls the Plug and Nutrients Rush In

A newly discovered nutrient valve opens after fertilization, flooding seeds with nutrients and controlling their size. Learn how this mechanism could boost crop yield.
Research

Bamboo × Environmental Remediation = A New Potential for Green Infrastructure

Discover how Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) can remove toxic lead from contaminated soils. This fast-growing plant offers a sustainable bioremediation strategy with applications in urban greening, agriculture, and environmental restoration.
Research

Accelerating Plant Growth with Electricity: The Promise of Next-Generation Agriculture through “eSoil”

eSoil technology uses gentle electric stimulation to accelerate plant growth and nitrogen metabolism—paving the way for sustainable urban agriculture.
Research

How Different Are Japanese and Global Soybeans? Surprising Insights from Genomic Analysis and the Latest Findings in Soybean Breeding.

A new Nature Genetics study reveals major genomic differences between Japanese and global soybean varieties. Discover how structural variants in key genes like PDH1 and GmFT2b affect pod shattering, flowering time, and seed size—reshaping the path to next-generation crop breeding.
Research

The Crisis of Crop Diversity Due to Climate Change – What is the Future of Agriculture in Low-Latitude Regions?

Climate change is endangering crop diversity and agricultural livelihoods in low-latitude regions. This article explores the risks, including food insecurity and genetic erosion, and outlines essential adaptation strategies.
Research

The Future of AI-Driven Plant Breeding: The Era of “Simulation Breeding” Begins.

Discover how cutting-edge AI technologies like GNN and GAN are enabling simulation-based plant breeding to create climate-resilient crops. A new frontier in agriculture is on the horizon.
Research

Grape Breeding is Like Managing an Inheritance: The Hidden Impacts of Crossbreeding, Selfing, and Clonal Propagation

How do crossbreeding, self-fertilization, and clonal propagation shape the grapevine genome? This article explores surprising findings from Pinot Noir and reveals new strategies for plant breeding—explained through an engaging inheritance analogy.
Research

Look for the gene that produces the “prop root,” a special root that supports the grass plant!

Prop roots, found in crops like maize and rice, play a critical role in anchoring plants and enhancing nutrient uptake. Recent studies have identified key genes that regulate their formation, offering new possibilities for developing lodging-resistant and drought-tolerant crops. Learn how this discovery could transform sustainable agriculture.