CROP BIOTECH UPDATE
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A weekly summary of world developments in agri-biotech for developing countries, produced by the Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology, International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications SEAsiaCenter (ISAAA)
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July 15, 2026
In This Week’s Issue:
News
New Breeding Technologies
• Gene Editing Improves Rice Resistance to Yellow Mottle Virus
• Experts Call for Stronger Farmer Education on Gene-Edited Crops
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NEWS
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New Breeding Technologies
GENE EDITING IMPROVES RICE RESISTANCE TO YELLOW MOTTLE VIRUS
Researchers from the Plant Health Institute of Montpellier (PHIM) in France and Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola (UFyMA) in Argentina have identified a promising gene editing strategy to protect rice from rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV), one of the most destructive viral diseases affecting rice production in Africa. The researchers recommend this approach for developing durable virus-resistant rice varieties.
The team used CRISPR-Cas9 to generate knockout (KO) mutations in eIFiso4G1 and insertion-deletion (indel) variants. Complete gene KO provided high resistance to RYMV, and no resistance-breaking virus strains emerged during the study. However, these plants showed slight reductions in terms of growth. In contrast, several rice lines carrying targeted indel mutations achieved similarly high resistance without affecting plant development.
The researchers concluded that precise editing of eIFiso4G1 offers the best balance between disease resistance and crop performance. They recommend using targeted CRISPR-induced indel mutations to develop durable RYMV-resistant rice varieties, providing an alternative to naturally occurring resistance genes that are difficult to introduce into widely cultivated rice.
For more information, read the study from Peer Community Journal.
Experts from the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission are recommending stronger farmer education and peer-led outreach to encourage the adoption of gene-edited crops in the United Kingdom. The authors suggest that improving communication through trusted farmer networks and extension programs could help address remaining concerns and support wider uptake.
The paper identified three groups of farmers: eager adopters, wary adopters, and hesitant adopters. While eager adopters favored fewer restrictions, wary adopters supported gene-edited crops alongside risk assessments, traceability, and labeling. Hesitant adopters were less willing to adopt the technology and relied more on neighboring farmers than on researchers or technology providers for information. Across all groups, research institutions were the most trusted source of information, while social and mass media were the least trusted.
Based on a survey of 200 arable farmers in England, the study found broad support for gene-edited crops, with most respondents willing to adopt the technology. The researchers recommend expanding agricultural extension programs with gene-editing training, on-farm demonstrations, first-adoption initiatives, and group learning activities to encourage wider adoption. They also emphasize the use of trusted farmer networks, digital platforms, and social media to improve public understanding and build confidence in gene-edited crops.
For more information, read the study from Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy.