Europe: AI-assisted international press reviewPress review

Innovative Crops Combatting Drought: Sorghum and Pistachios Lead the Way

In response to increasingly frequent drought episodes, French farmers are turning to innovative crops such as sorghum and pistachios. These plantations, suited to extreme climatic conditions, allow for diversification of farms and reduce risks associated with dependence on traditional crops. Initiatives are multiplying, but they require patience and investment to ensure sustainable production.

Kekkilä-BVB and Arevo Adapt Crop Nutrition Innovation for Nordic Gardens

European growing media specialist Kekkilä-BVB partners with Swedish AgTech Arevo to integrate its plant nutrition technology, Arginex, into gardening products for Nordic and Baltic countries. Already utilized in agriculture and forestry, this arginine and phosphorus-based formulation aims to enhance nutrient use efficiency and minimize leaching.

Terres Inovia and UniLaSalle Strengthen Their Partnership in Agritech Training

The partnership between Terres Inovia and UniLaSalle, initiated in June 2025, is being reinforced with an increase in interventions focused on agroecology and agricultural machinery, aimed at enhancing the skills of sector stakeholders. Experts from the technical institute are leading continuing education modules, thereby broadening the dissemination of technical recommendations and elevating the quality of the teachings provided.

Lidea Launches Seed Coating to Reduce Nitrogen Inputs

European seed company Lidea has introduced Nitro Boost, a seed coating developed in collaboration with Agronutrition by DSG that combines biofertilization and biostimulation. Targeted primarily at corn and cereals, this solution integrates bacteria capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen, a biostimulant, and a zinc and manganese complex. According to the seed company, it could reduce mineral fertilizer applications by 20 to 40 nitrogen units per hectare. Over 33 trial sites from 2022 to 2025, Lidea reports yield gains of up to 4.1 q/ha under water stress conditions.

Poland Leverages NGTs to Accelerate Wheat and Sugar Beet Breeding

Four plant breeding companies from Krajowa Grupa Spożywcza are partnering with the University of Silesia to test innovative genomic techniques. This three-year pilot project aims to assess the effectiveness of NGTs in developing new winter wheat and sugar beet varieties, while enhancing local expertise and reducing reliance on foreign technologies.

Research in Denmark: Towards Better Assessment of Biopesticides

A new research center, ENSAFE, funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, will study the environmental risks of next-generation biopesticides, particularly those based on RNA and peptides. Researchers will seek to measure their effects on non-target organisms and their fate in the environment, aiming to develop assessment methods suited to these new technologies and to inform their regulation.

Erik Poelman Appointed Chair of Agricultural Systems Ecology at Wageningen University

Wageningen University has appointed Erik Poelman as the new chair of Agricultural Systems Ecology, effective September 1. The researcher will lead the chair dedicated to the ecology of agricultural systems, focusing on plant-insect interactions, mixed cropping systems, and sustainable pest management. He will also coordinate the CropMix program, which emphasizes sustainable agriculture through mixed cropping systems.

Wheat and Barley: INRAE Investigates Gene History for Climate Adaptation

Researchers from INRAE, Clermont Auvergne University, and CNRS have analyzed 1,420 modern varieties of wheat and barley, as well as ancient wheats dating back 5,000 years, to trace the history of genes related to adaptation. A hundred common variants have been identified, opening new avenues for variety selection in the face of climate change.

Update on Equipment to Reduce Spray Drift in Agriculture

The French Association for Adjuvants has updated its list of equipment designed to reduce the spray drift of phytosanitary products, specifying reduction levels ranging from 66% to 95%. This update specifically targets low crops, viticulture, and arboriculture, emphasizing the importance of using approved equipment to benefit from regulatory adaptations of Non-Treated Zones. Approved adjuvants also play a complementary role in optimizing spraying.

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