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BULLETIN 1
Digital Innovations Take Center Stage in the Global Fight Against Red Palm Weevil
Launch of Workstream 3 – Digital Innovations under the Consortium for Red Palm Weevil Control at ICRISAT, Hyderabad
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ICRISAT DECEMBER 26 2025
ICRISAT hosted the launch of Workstream 3 – Digital Innovations under the Consortium for Red Palm Weevil Control (C4RPWC) at its headquarters in Hyderabad, marking a major push toward predictive, digital-first prevention of one of the destructive date palm pests, red palm weevil. Supported by The Presidential Court of the UAE and The Gates Foundation, the three-year global program brings together leading institutions to strengthen early detection and early warning systems and addressing critical gaps in Red Palm Weevil (RPW) management.
Led by ICARDA (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas), C4RPWC is structured around five workstreams: 1-Innovative bio-based solutions, 2-Biotechnological innovations, 3-Digital innovations, 4-Good Agricultural Practices/GAP innovations, and 5-Driving adoption and scale-up. The Hyderabad event specifically marked the start of Workstream 3, focused on building and validating digital monitoring and early warning tools that can detect the infestation.
The workstream brings together experts from ICRISAT and ICARDA and CGIAR’s Digital Transformation Accelerator, in collaboration with Prof Christian Nansen, Professor, University of California, Davis, and Founder, Spectral Analytix, to reframe RPW management with a special focus on prediction.
Reinforcing the urgency, ElShafie Hamadttu, Red Palm Weevil (RPW) expert, ICARDA, joined the event virtually and underscored the need to detect infestation before damage becomes irreversible. Dr Debi Sahoo, digital agriculture expert, ICRISAT, presented a multi-stage digital methodology to track infestation progression from early, symptom-free stages, sparking multidisciplinary discussions spanning entomology, epidemiology, socioeconomics, indigenous knowledge, and farmer-centered design.
Connecting the initiative to CGIAR’s broader agenda, Mr Ram Dhulipala, Interim Director, CGIAR Digital Transformation Accelerator, linked the workstream to CGIAR’s 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy, emphasizing how digital systems can integrate data streams, accelerate access, and improve delivery at scale.
Over the next three years (2026–2028), partners will move from algorithms to field trials and from pilots to scalable platforms, combining in-situ sensors, UAVs, satellite imagery, weather data, and analytical models to generate actionable early warnings. The goal is to develop a field-usable, affordable package of practices and tools to prevent and manage RPW infestation—protecting palms, livelihoods, and ecosystems.
See https://pressroom.icrisat.org/digital-innovations-take-center-stage-in-the-global-fight-against-red-palm-weevil
Led by ICARDA (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas), C4RPWC is structured around five workstreams: 1-Innovative bio-based solutions, 2-Biotechnological innovations, 3-Digital innovations, 4-Good Agricultural Practices/GAP innovations, and 5-Driving adoption and scale-up. The Hyderabad event specifically marked the start of Workstream 3, focused on building and validating digital monitoring and early warning tools that can detect the infestation.
The workstream brings together experts from ICRISAT and ICARDA and CGIAR’s Digital Transformation Accelerator, in collaboration with Prof Christian Nansen, Professor, University of California, Davis, and Founder, Spectral Analytix, to reframe RPW management with a special focus on prediction.
Reinforcing the urgency, ElShafie Hamadttu, Red Palm Weevil (RPW) expert, ICARDA, joined the event virtually and underscored the need to detect infestation before damage becomes irreversible. Dr Debi Sahoo, digital agriculture expert, ICRISAT, presented a multi-stage digital methodology to track infestation progression from early, symptom-free stages, sparking multidisciplinary discussions spanning entomology, epidemiology, socioeconomics, indigenous knowledge, and farmer-centered design.
Connecting the initiative to CGIAR’s broader agenda, Mr Ram Dhulipala, Interim Director, CGIAR Digital Transformation Accelerator, linked the workstream to CGIAR’s 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy, emphasizing how digital systems can integrate data streams, accelerate access, and improve delivery at scale.
Over the next three years (2026–2028), partners will move from algorithms to field trials and from pilots to scalable platforms, combining in-situ sensors, UAVs, satellite imagery, weather data, and analytical models to generate actionable early warnings. The goal is to develop a field-usable, affordable package of practices and tools to prevent and manage RPW infestation—protecting palms, livelihoods, and ecosystems.
See https://pressroom.icrisat.org/digital-innovations-take-center-stage-in-the-global-fight-against-red-palm-weevil
BULLETIN 2
ISAAA Inc. and DA Biotech Program Release Fifth Issue of Double Helix Magazine
By Janine Cyren Escasura and Clement Dionglay
December 17, 2025
December 17, 2025
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Double Helix, the Philippines’ first agricultural biotechnology (agbiotech) magazine for senior high school (SHS) students, now has its fifth issue, focusing on biotech products for consumers. Developed by ISAAA Inc., through the Know the Science project with the Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries Biotechnology Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA Biotech Program), this eight-page magazine is filled with illustrated stories, infographics, and activities to promote knowledge and enhance scientific literacy among young people.
In 2022, the maiden issue of the Double Helix magazine was released. The maiden issue explains how crops are genetically engineered using two widely used methods: gene gun and Agrobacterium tumefaciens. This issue also features genetically modified (GM) crops in the Philippines, namely Bt/HT corn, Malusog Rice (also known as Golden Rice), and Bt eggplant. It also contains infographics on the top biotech crops grown across the globe. This issue also features testimonies from Filipino farmers on how planting biotech corn has improved their quality of life.
In the following year, the second issue of Double Helix was released, focusing on gene/genome editing. This issue explains how gene editing works and features two gene editing tools: CRISPR and TALENs. This issue includes current gene editing R&D initiatives in the country, written by Dr. Reynante L. Ordonio, Career Scientist I from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice). An article in the magazine also presents the genome-edited products in the market, including CalynoTM High Oleic Soybean Oil, Sicilian Rouge High GABA tomato, “Madai” red sea bream, and the pufferfish “torafugu.”
In 2024, the third issue of Double Helix was published, featuring animal biotechnology. The magazine presents livestock innovations in the Philippine pipeline, written by Dr. Marvin A Villanueva, Scientist I and Chief of the Philippine Carabao Center’s Livestock Biotechnology Center. It also features commercially approved GM and gene-edited animals already available in the market, including Aedes-friendly mosquitoes. The issue also presents an article on AquAdvantage Salmon that was written by Dr. Casiano Choresca, Jr., Scientist I and Center Chief of the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute.
In the same year, the fourth issue of Double Helix was published, discussing the role of biotechnology amidst the challenges of climate change. The magazine contains a backgrounder on climate change written by Dr. Jaime A. Manalo IV, the Head of the Socioeconomics Division of PhilRice. A two-page spread on improved crops for climate change was written by Dr. Gabriel O. Romero, Executive Director of the Philippine Seed Industry Association, Inc. Dr. Ernelea P. Cao, a Professor Emeritus of the Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, also wrote an article on improved animals for climate change. The magazine includes a one-page infographic on the contributions of biotech crops to food security, sustainability, and climate change solutions.
In 2025, the fifth issue of Double Helix is released, discussing how biotech crops can help address food security challenges and reduce food waste. New products of biotechnology for consumers were featured in the magazine, including the bioengineered pothos, golden lettuce, QCAV-4 banana, and the Yelloway One banana. The magazine also contains an article about cultivated chicken and products of molecular farming, such as real cow milk proteins (casein) made from potatoes, soybeans with pork proteins, pea with beef proteins, and meaty corn. The magazine presents an article featuring reduced-browning products, written by Dr. Gabriel O. Romero, a Consultant at the UK-based NorthHill Group. An infographic on the frequently asked questions (FAQs) on biotechnology was also featured in this issue.
The pages of Double Helix contain links to resources for further reading and QR codes for information materials published on the ISAAA Inc. website. The Double Helix magazine is free to use and download. Interested high schools can get in touch with the ISAAA Inc. team if they want to use the magazine in their instruction.
See https://www.isaaa.org/blog/entry/default.asp?BlogDate=12/17/2025
In 2022, the maiden issue of the Double Helix magazine was released. The maiden issue explains how crops are genetically engineered using two widely used methods: gene gun and Agrobacterium tumefaciens. This issue also features genetically modified (GM) crops in the Philippines, namely Bt/HT corn, Malusog Rice (also known as Golden Rice), and Bt eggplant. It also contains infographics on the top biotech crops grown across the globe. This issue also features testimonies from Filipino farmers on how planting biotech corn has improved their quality of life.
In the following year, the second issue of Double Helix was released, focusing on gene/genome editing. This issue explains how gene editing works and features two gene editing tools: CRISPR and TALENs. This issue includes current gene editing R&D initiatives in the country, written by Dr. Reynante L. Ordonio, Career Scientist I from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice). An article in the magazine also presents the genome-edited products in the market, including CalynoTM High Oleic Soybean Oil, Sicilian Rouge High GABA tomato, “Madai” red sea bream, and the pufferfish “torafugu.”
In 2024, the third issue of Double Helix was published, featuring animal biotechnology. The magazine presents livestock innovations in the Philippine pipeline, written by Dr. Marvin A Villanueva, Scientist I and Chief of the Philippine Carabao Center’s Livestock Biotechnology Center. It also features commercially approved GM and gene-edited animals already available in the market, including Aedes-friendly mosquitoes. The issue also presents an article on AquAdvantage Salmon that was written by Dr. Casiano Choresca, Jr., Scientist I and Center Chief of the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute.
In the same year, the fourth issue of Double Helix was published, discussing the role of biotechnology amidst the challenges of climate change. The magazine contains a backgrounder on climate change written by Dr. Jaime A. Manalo IV, the Head of the Socioeconomics Division of PhilRice. A two-page spread on improved crops for climate change was written by Dr. Gabriel O. Romero, Executive Director of the Philippine Seed Industry Association, Inc. Dr. Ernelea P. Cao, a Professor Emeritus of the Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, also wrote an article on improved animals for climate change. The magazine includes a one-page infographic on the contributions of biotech crops to food security, sustainability, and climate change solutions.
In 2025, the fifth issue of Double Helix is released, discussing how biotech crops can help address food security challenges and reduce food waste. New products of biotechnology for consumers were featured in the magazine, including the bioengineered pothos, golden lettuce, QCAV-4 banana, and the Yelloway One banana. The magazine also contains an article about cultivated chicken and products of molecular farming, such as real cow milk proteins (casein) made from potatoes, soybeans with pork proteins, pea with beef proteins, and meaty corn. The magazine presents an article featuring reduced-browning products, written by Dr. Gabriel O. Romero, a Consultant at the UK-based NorthHill Group. An infographic on the frequently asked questions (FAQs) on biotechnology was also featured in this issue.
The pages of Double Helix contain links to resources for further reading and QR codes for information materials published on the ISAAA Inc. website. The Double Helix magazine is free to use and download. Interested high schools can get in touch with the ISAAA Inc. team if they want to use the magazine in their instruction.
See https://www.isaaa.org/blog/entry/default.asp?BlogDate=12/17/2025
SCIENTIFIC NEWS
A major qualitative trait locus increases antioxidant activity in testaless peanut seeds
Xing Zhao, Yurong Li, Xiaodong Tang, Sijie Liu, Qiao Su, Pengju Hu, Xinxin Jin, Yahui Song, Jin Wang & Yongqing Yang
Theoretical and Applied Genetics; December 26 2025; vol. 139; article 19
Xing Zhao, Yurong Li, Xiaodong Tang, Sijie Liu, Qiao Su, Pengju Hu, Xinxin Jin, Yahui Song, Jin Wang & Yongqing Yang
Theoretical and Applied Genetics; December 26 2025; vol. 139; article 19
Key message
Arachis hypogaea High Antioxidant Activity gene 1 (AhHAA1), likely encoding an anthocyanidin reductase, enhances nutritional quality of testaless peanut seeds.
Arachis hypogaea High Antioxidant Activity gene 1 (AhHAA1), likely encoding an anthocyanidin reductase, enhances nutritional quality of testaless peanut seeds.
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Abstract
Improving the antioxidant activity of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) seeds is critical for extending their shelf life and enhancing their nutritional quality. Mining of genetic resources to identify loci associated with antioxidant activity could facilitate the breeding of new cultivars with high antioxidant activity in seeds. Here, we developed a population of advanced recombinant inbred lines containing 175 F5:6 families derived from the parents ‘JiHua 11’ (JH11) and ‘JiHuaTian 1’ (JHT1). We constructed a high-resolution genetic map covering 2870.3 cM, with an average length of 143.5 cM per linkage group, using 1108 polymorphic single-nucleotide polymorphisms to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with antioxidant activity and the contents of antioxidant components. The major QTL qIAA_A03_2 made the greatest contribution to standing genetic variation (53.75%). We mapped qIAA_A03_2 to a physical interval of approximately 80 kb on chromosome A03. Analysis of whole-genome variation between parents uncovered a strong candidate gene encoding an anthocyanin reductase, designated Arachis hypogaea High Antioxidant Activity 1 (AhHAA1). Analysis of the genotypes and phenotypes of near-inbred lines with high and low antioxidant levels as well as 50 peanut accessions suggested that AhHAA1 increases the antioxidant activity of processed testaless seeds, primarily by affecting the contents of antioxidant component_3 (AC3) and AC4. Our results provide insights into the genetic regulation of antioxidant activity in peanut seeds that can survive testa removal during processing. In addition, the polymorphic markers linked to AhHAA1 could facilitate the selection of germplasm and the breeding of peanuts with high nutritional quality via marker-assisted selection.
See https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00122-025-05123-3
