CRISPR Improves Plant Height and Yield-related Traits in Rice

Researchers from the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Republic of Korea reported the successful use of CRISPR gene editing to improve rice plant height and other yield-related characteristics. Their findings are published in Nature Scientific Reports.

Extreme weather patterns affect rice maturation, leading to lodging and reduced yield. For instance, the rice variety Samkwang, cultivated in Korea, is prone to lodging because of its plant height. Thus, the researchers used CRISPR to conserve this variety's elite genetic background and improve its lodging tolerance. They developed the SMXL4-edited line (smxl4) with reduced culm length and stable growth. Compared with Samkwang, the smxl4 plants exhibited decreased plant height, internode length, panicle length, grain number per panicle, and grain weight, while panicle number per plant increased.

Based on the findings, SMXL4 is involved in rice growth and development and can be used in breeding lodging-tolerant rice cultivars.

Read more findings from Nature Scientific Reports.