Written by Charis Cook One of the important ways that plant scientists are working to improve the lives of malnourished people in developing countries is through the development of staple crops that improve human nutrition. The most successful of these…
Read More Orange sweet potato champions biofortified foods in Africa
A few weeks ago, the new student union at UW-Madison announced that they would be accepting contributions for a time capsule. To be assembled and sealed for the first birthday of the Union South's grand opening, it would remain sealed…
Ladies and gentlemen, here is the latest in my series of Pollination Methods videos that I make as part of my thesis project. While carrots and beets are not closely related, they share similar life cycles, pollination methods, and even…
Do you like Honeycrisp apples, and have you ever wondered what it takes to breed delicious fruits like that? Well in April, UW-Madison was paid a visit by Jim Luby from the University of Minnesota, the apple (and wine grape)…
While at the 2011 Maize Genetics Conference, the Biofortified Executive Editorial Team (Hey that spells BEET), aka Anastasia and I, talked about many of the awesome things that have made it onto the blog, and things that have not yet…
Did you hear the news this week about the new hottest pepper in the world* - the Infinity pepper? Want to try your hand at breeding something better? Well just in time, I have the next video in my pollination…
Roundup Ready sugar beets have been back in the news due to the decision by Judge White to revoke approval. As I understand it, the USDA conduced an Environmental Assessment for Roundup Ready sugar beets but did not conduct an Environmental…
This is part II of a three-part series on Orgenic Backlash. How is the organic sector handling the argument in favor of integrating of genetically engineered crops into organic agricultural systems? Previously, I showed how Jim Riddle's 10 reasons why…
Read More Ten bad reasons why GE is incompatible with Organic
This is part I of a three-part series on Orgenic* Backlash. How is the organic sector handling the argument in favor of integrating of genetically engineered crops into organic agricultural systems? When I read the news a few weeks ago…
Read More Why plant breeding is incompatible with Organic Agriculture
I'm back from my trip to Thailand safe and sound, a little prematurely tan on my neck (for Wisconsin), and big smile on my face. One of my favorite days of the year is the first of April, trickery in…
