The Brazilian plant improvement company Tropical Melhoramento e Genética (TMG) is to invest R$ 1 million (approximately $180 million) in its research and development activities over the next 10 years, according to reports. The investments will go towards various projects and initiatives, including studies on gene-editing of soybeans for rust resistance and improved productivity, and the development of cotton varieties with resistance to cotton boll weevil (Anthonomous grandis).

In June 2021, TMG entered into a research and development partnership with PlantArcBio to produce cotton varieties resistant to cotton boll weevil using RNAi technology (see AgbioNews Jun 24, 2021).