Crops

Gene Edited Citrus Breakthrough Offers Hope for Struggling US Growers

A new step forward in agricultural science could bring relief to citrus growers globally 

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has approved CarriCea T1, a gene edited citrus rootstock developed to help trees defend themselves against citrus greening disease. This decision comes at a crucial time for an industry that has faced heavy losses over the past twenty years.

Citrus greening remains one of the most serious threats to citrus farming in the country. The disease has had a deep impact, particularly in Florida, where orange production has dropped to levels not seen in decades. Growers have struggled to keep orchards productive as the infection spreads, making the need for new solutions more urgent than ever.

CarriCea T1 offers a different approach to tackling the problem. Instead of relying on traditional methods, it works by making precise changes to the plant’s own genetic structure. These edits help disrupt how the bacteria behind citrus greening interacts with the tree. Unlike other genetic technologies, it does not involve adding foreign DNA, and officials have confirmed that the fruit produced remains no different from that grown using standard rootstock.

One of the key benefits of this innovation is its potential to cut down the use of chemical sprays. By strengthening the tree’s natural defence system, growers may not need to depend as heavily on pesticides. This could reduce chemical exposure in orchards and support more sustainable farming practices over time.

Before granting approval, the EPA carried out a detailed safety review. This included assessing dietary risks and examining any residues linked to the product. The agency concluded that CarriCea T1 meets established standards for both human health and environmental safety.

The approval reflects a wider push to encourage innovation in farming while maintaining strong safeguards. For citrus growers, it brings renewed hope of protecting crops, improving yields, and securing the future of the industry in a changing agricultural landscape.

FAO Chief urges faster global action on One Health Agenda (Image credit: FAO)

At a key global meeting in Lyon, Qu Dongyu, Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization, called for stronger and faster efforts to advance the One Health agenda.

Speaking at the fourth annual executive meeting of the Quadripartite partnership, he warned that gaps in capacity and a lack of stable funding are still slowing real progress.

The Quadripartite brings together the Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization, and World Organisation for Animal Health. This alliance aims to improve cooperation across sectors to better protect the health of people, animals, plants, and the environment. At its core is the One Health approach, which encourages collaboration across disciplines to address shared challenges such as disease, food safety, and environmental risks.

During his opening remarks, Qu recognised the progress made in recent years, especially in strengthening cooperation and advancing the Joint Plan of Action. Still, he made it clear that progress has not been equal everywhere and that more must be done to turn plans into real change on the ground.

"This meeting is not only about taking stock - it is about accelerating action," Qu said. "We need to expand and scale One Health implementation at country and community level. We need to work collectively, bringing together our individual comparative advantages, in line with our connected yet distinct mandates."

He also highlighted the need to strengthen knowledge sharing and build stronger evidence to show the value of One Health investments. According to him, improving governance, encouraging scientific collaboration, and building stronger communities of practice will be essential for long term success.

As the FAO prepares to pass leadership of the partnership to the World Health Organization, Qu outlined key priorities for the future. These include scaling up action at country level, securing sustainable investment, and raising political awareness to keep One Health high on the global agenda.

He concluded by thanking partner organisations for their continued cooperation and reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to building more resilient and sustainable food systems worldwide.

NEC and Fager collaborated to support low emission farming in Thailand

A new partnership between NEC Corporation and Fager is set to reshape how farming is approached in Thailand.

The collaboration focuses on reducing emissions while helping farmers maintain strong productivity and improve their income.

At the heart of this effort is a shared vision to make agriculture more sustainable without placing extra pressure on farmers. NEC brings its expertise in digital technology, while Fager contributes practical knowledge and direct engagement with farming communities. Together, they aim to support growers in adopting methods that cut greenhouse gas emissions but still deliver reliable yields.

One of the main tools in this initiative is precision farming technology. NEC’s fertiliser management system plays a key role by helping farmers apply the right amount of fertiliser based on the needs of each field. This reduces unnecessary use, lowers emissions, and helps farmers manage costs more effectively. It also adds stability to daily farming operations by making decisions more data driven and accurate.

The project also introduces an opportunity for farmers to benefit financially through carbon credits. By following low emission practices, farmers can generate measurable reductions in emissions. These reductions can then be converted into carbon credits, offering an additional and meaningful source of income. This approach helps turn sustainability into a practical advantage rather than an added burden.

Fager will work closely with farmers to guide them through these changes, ensuring that new practices are easy to adopt and maintain. At the same time, NEC’s technology will track progress and measure results clearly. This ensures that emission reductions are properly verified, creating a reliable system for carbon credit generation.

The initiative also supports Thailand’s wider climate ambitions, where agriculture plays an important role in reducing national emissions. By combining innovation, financial incentives, and on ground support, this partnership offers a realistic path towards more responsible farming. It also opens the door for similar models to be introduced in other regions in the future.

South Korea introduces striking new prickly pear cactus varieties

Researchers in South Korea have introduced two eye catching varieties of the prickly pear cactus, marking a fresh step in the country’s plant breeding efforts.

Developed by the Gyeonggi do Agricultural Research and Extension Services, the new varieties named ‘Dual Label’ and ‘Gold Label’ are set to enter the market this year.

The prickly pear cactus, originally from the tropical rainforests of Brazil, is known for its ability to grow on trees or rocks and for blooming even during the winter season. This makes it especially appealing as an ornamental plant.

The newly developed ‘Dual Label’ variety stands out for its unique flower pattern. Each bloom displays three colours at once, with pink on the outer edges of the petals, yellow in the middle, and white at the centre. This striking contrast sets it apart from traditional single coloured varieties and is expected to attract strong interest from buyers looking for something different.

Meanwhile, ‘Gold Label’ offers a more subtle but equally appealing look. Its flowers carry a soft golden shade with a balanced and uniform shape. Trials carried out on farms have shown that this variety performs consistently, with stable colouring and reliable blooming. These qualities make it well suited for indoor decoration and as a thoughtful gift option.

Both varieties are expected to support the growth of locally developed plants in a market that has long depended on imports. By introducing home grown options, researchers hope to strengthen the domestic industry and offer more choices to consumers.

The development of these varieties is the result of several years of focused work. The research team has spent between five and ten years selecting genetic materials and studying flower colour and shape to better match market demand. This careful approach has helped create plants that are not only attractive but also commercially viable.

Jung Yun-kyung, Director of the Cactus and Succulent Research Institute at the Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services, said, “We will continue to develop varieties suited to domestic cultivation conditions and strengthen data-driven breeding to lead the development of new floral varieties.”