Scientists working on a new generation of genetically modified crops have sent an open letter to anti-GM protesters pleading with them not to destroy “years of work” by attacking their research plots.

"P.T.E.R.O.D.A.C.T.Y.L?" Even as someone who gets paid to write words, that one nearly stung me. The spelling bee, the US educational staple made famous by 2002 documentary, Spellbound, is now available to test British wordsmiths' spelling abilities.

The spring wheat now growing in a small field in Hertfordshire is mind-boggling stuff. More than 20 years in the making, the crop shares some of its DNA with the peppermint plant. The result is a chemical copy of the pheromone that aphids use to warn each other of danger.

Glencore, the world's largest commodities trader, has agreed to buy Canada's largest grain handler in a C$6.1bn (£3.9bn) deal that will shake up an industry which should flourish as global demand for food surges.

The commodities giant Glencore is set to weigh in on the takeover battle for Viterra, Canada's largest grain handler, with a joint bid with two local companies, Richardson International and Agrium.

Free and open access to research, both past and present, is vital to solving global issues

The world is in the grip of a commodity price revolution. Tom Bawden explains why scarce resources are going through the roof

1. Hale and Hearty

£8.99 (454g), hollandandbarrett.com

Anyone on a gluten-, wheat- or dairy-free diet can enjoy this indulgent award-winner.

Salomon Kalou has told Chelsea he wants a guarantee of more game time before he signs a new contract at Stamford Bridge.

Corn prices fell sharply yesterday on news that US farmers had planted near record quantities of the staple.

Shares in Premier Foods plunged 22 per cent to 19.02p yesterday after the company that owns Hovis and Mr Kipling warned on profits.

Agriculture is the backbone of the Afghan economy. It accounts for 80 per cent of jobs - many of them seasonal - and involves over 55 per cent of households. It contributes to more than one third of the country's GDP.