Summary
Agricultural biotechnology harnesses the tools of molecular biology, genetics and microbiology to develop crops and farming systems that are more productive, resilient and sustainable. Central approaches encompass the introduction of defined genes into plants for pest or herbicide resistance, precision editing of native genes to enhance yield and stress tolerance, and the modulation of plant–microbe interactions to improve nutrient uptake. Modern crop improvement integrates transgenic and gene-editing platforms with marker-assisted selection, speeding the assembly of complex traits such as drought resilience, nutrient use efficiency and enhanced nutritional profiles. Parallel advances in microbial biotechnology yield biofertilisers, biopesticides and probiotic feed supplements that reduce reliance on synthetic agrochemicals. By blending genome-wide knowledge, targeted genetic modification and tailored microbial consortia, agricultural biotechnology aims to secure food supplies, mitigate environmental impacts and adapt production to emerging challenges including climate change and land degradation.
Research from Nature Portfolio
Long-term field trials of insect-resistant rice expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) protein have demonstrated stable yields over eight seasons without detectable accumulation of the Bt toxin in paddy soils or adverse shifts in key microbial biomass and enzyme activities. These findings provide robust evidence for the environmental compatibility of Bt rice cultivation under repeated deployment. In a complementary advance in fruit crops, century-scale analysis of cultivated strawberry lines has quantified dramatic genetic gains achieved through targeted breeding. Introduction of perpetual-flowering alleles has driven up to a four-fold increase in yield, fruit firmness and berry count, revealing how focused molecular selection can underpin a modern “Green Revolution” in horticulture.
Topic trend for the past 5 years
The graph below shows the article count in Nature Index journals for agricultural biotechnology.
* The ‘Current Index’ represents data for a 12-month rolling window, the current window is 1 May 2025 - 30 April 2026.
Technical terms
Transgenic: An organism whose genome contains and expresses one or more genes introduced from another species.
Gene editing: Precise alteration of native DNA sequences in situ, often using programmable nucleases such as CRISPR/Cas systems.
Marker-assisted selection (MAS): A breeding strategy that uses molecular markers linked to desirable genes or quantitative trait loci to accelerate genetic improvement.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF): Soil-dwelling fungi that form symbiotic associations with plant roots, enhancing nutrient uptake—especially phosphorus—in exchange for plant-derived carbon.
Rhizosphere: The narrow zone of soil surrounding plant roots, characterised by intense microbial activity influenced by root exudates.
Somaclonal variation: Genetic and epigenetic diversity arising spontaneously in plant cells or tissues cultured in vitro, which can be harnessed for novel trait discovery.
Notable articles in agricultural biotechnology
- In vivo genome editing using Staphylococcus aureus Cas9. Nature (2015).
- Dynamic Imaging of Genomic Loci in Living Human Cells by an Optimized CRISPR/Cas System. Cell (2013).
- Optimized sgRNA design to maximize activity and minimize off-target effects of CRISPR-Cas9. Nature Biotechnology (2016).
- High-Resolution CRISPR Screens Reveal Fitness Genes and Genotype-Specific Cancer Liabilities. Cell (2015).
- Ablation of CaMKIIδ oxidation by CRISPR-Cas9 base editing as a therapy for cardiac disease. Science (2023).
About these summaries
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Research
Position of Agricultural Biotechnology in Nature Index by Count
Leading institutions
| Institution | Count | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) | 82 | 23.4 |
| Harvard University | 40 | 14.72 |
| Peking University (PKU) | 30 | 9.2 |
| Stanford University | 22 | 8.24 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 29 | 8.02 |
| Wuhan University (WHU) | 11 | 7.61 |
| University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) | 38 | 7.49 |
| Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) | 12 | 7.37 |
| University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) | 19 | 6.67 |
| Imperial College London (ICL) | 9 | 5.74 |
Leading countries/territories
| Countries/territories | Count | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | 279 | 259.8 |
| United States of America (USA) | 224 | 179.13 |
| Germany | 35 | 20.09 |
| United Kingdom (UK) | 38 | 19.05 |
| Japan | 21 | 11.57 |
| Switzerland | 20 | 11.4 |
| South Korea | 17 | 10.84 |
| France | 20 | 9.92 |
| Australia | 15 | 8.18 |
| Canada | 9 | 6.11 |
Collaboration
Top 5 leading collaborators in Agricultural Biotechnology
Collaborating institutions
Note: Hover over the bars to view details about each institution's Share.
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