About 40 percent of apples are wasted globally, largely due to superficial bruising from physical impact, not spoilage. Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc. (OSF), the company behind Arctic^® apples, hopes to reduce that number. These fruits have been genetically modified not to brown when bruised from jostling or when exposed flesh comes into contact with air. In consumer research, the company found that the majority of apple eaters find browning to be a deterrent to consumption. But when told about Arctic^® apples, 62 percent of consumers said they would be likely to buy it. That’s why a small team of orchardists and scientists created the world’s first biotech, non-browning apples. Neal Carter, OSF president and founder, tells us more. Continue reading…

Source: CropLife International

Five videos from the UN Food and Agricultural Organization show the magnitude of global food loss and waste. Check it all out at CropLife International’s post (Click here).

Like bacteria with antibiotics, weeds naturally develop resistance to herbicides over time. In fact, about 250 weed species have evolved to resist 160 different herbicides, according to the International Survey of Herbicide-Resistant Weeds. These herbicide-resistant weeds have been reported in 86 crops in 66 countries. Continue reading…

The majority of weeds are invasive, outcompeting crops for nutrients, sunlight, space and water. Each weed can produce an average of 72,000 seeds, which can germinate in soil for up to 40 years!