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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March 4, 2026
In This Week’s Issue:
News
New Breeding Technologies
• University of Missouri Discovers Protein that Regulates Root Growth
• Researchers Identify Gene Influencing Flowering Time and Salt Sensitivity in Soybeans
• A Compact Solution for Precision Agriculture
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NEWS
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New Breeding Technologies
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI DISCOVERS PROTEIN THAT REGULATES ROOT GROWTH
Scientists at the University of Missouri have identified a key protein, SRFR1, that controls root length in plants, using artificial intelligence (AI) and genetic modification to uncover and enhance its function. The findings of the study, published in The Plant Cell, could help develop crop varieties that are better suited to drought conditions.
The researchers found that SRFR1 forms tiny gel-like structures, known as condensates, that naturally help control the root growth of plants. Using AI tools, the team identified specific amino acids responsible for forming bonds between SRFS1 molecules. The team then genetically modified these amino acids to enhance the protein's ability to form condensates, resulting in plants with significantly longer roots than wild-type plants.
Microscopy confirmed that the GM plants formed more condensates in root cells. The findings suggest that enhancing SRFR1 could help scientists develop crops with root systems better adapted to drought stress. “In times of drought, plants need longer roots to reach deeper into the soil in search of water or nutrients. Now that we have learned what this protein does, we can manipulate it to help plants thrive in various environments,” said Walter Gassmann, Director of the Bond Life Sciences Center and Professor in the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources.
For more information, read the article from the University of Missouri.
Researchers from Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Chinese Academy of Sciences have discovered that the GmAP1 gene in soybean plays a key role in delaying flowering and increasing sensitivity to salt stress. The study shows that editing this gene could help develop soybean varieties that mature earlier and tolerate challenging saline environments.
The study revealed that overexpression delayed flowering by suppressing flowering-related genes, such as CONSTANS (CO) and FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), while increasing FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) activity. The study also found that salt stress strongly induced GmAP1 expression, leading to chlorophyll degradation and reduced photosynthetic rates in overexpressing plants.
In vivo and in vitro biochemical assays confirm that GmAP1 breaks down the Rubisco large subunit (rbcL), which is linked to reduced photosynthesis and delayed flowering in overexpressing plants under salt stress. The researchers concluded that GmAP1 coordinates photosynthetic energy supply and reproductive transition in soybean.
For more information, read the study from Plant Physiology and Biochemistry.
Researchers from the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) and the Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI) have developed a "pint-sized" gene editor that overcomes the size limitations of traditional CRISPR-Cas9. This engineered enzyme, derived from "jumping genes," allows for highly efficient and heritable plant gene editing via a simple viral delivery system, bypassing the need for complex and highly regulated genetic modification.
The breakthrough centers on an enzyme called TnpB, which is significantly smaller than the standard Cas9 protein. Because of its compact size, TnpB can be easily packaged into plant viruses, which act as "couriers" to deliver the editing machinery into cells. Unlike previous methods that required a permanent insertion of foreign DNA into the plant's genome—triggering strict GMO regulations—this new approach enables "transgene-free" editing. In tests on tobacco plants, the team achieved an impressive editing efficiency of up to 90%, with the new traits being passed down to nearly all offspring.
This innovation could fundamentally change the speed and accessibility of precision breeding. By simplifying the delivery process, the technology allows researchers to develop resilient, high-yielding crops more quickly and at a lower cost. The team is now working to adapt this system for essential food crops like tomatoes and peppers, offering a powerful tool to help global agriculture adapt to the challenges of climate change and food security.
For more details, read the news articles on the UC Davis and IGI websites.