The “First Symposium on Crop Evolutionary Ecology” (arguably a better term than “Darwinian agriculture”) featured exciting talks by researchers studying the implications of natural selection for crop genetic improvement. This great series of talks is now available on YouTube.

I spoke remotely, exploring the potential for development of crops that specialize in what each does best. Could lower-protein maize with C4 photosynthesis meet our calorie needs with very little nitrogen fertilizer, while lower-oil soybeans redirect resources into nitrogen fixation to meet our protein needs?

I hope to attend the follow-up meeting in Switzerland in 2026.