Multiplex Genome Editing Improves Agronomic Traits of Salt-tolerant Rice SR86

Researchers from South China Agricultural University reported the successful application of multiplex genome editing to improve the agronomic traits in salt-tolerant rice. Their findings are published in the Journal of Integrative Plant Biology.

Soil salinization is considered one of the major challenges in crop production. As global warming causes loss of water in soils, it contributes to making soils saltier. Thus, developing salt-tolerant crops is a durable strategy to address the challenge of soil salinization.

Sea Rice 86 (SR86) is an elite salt-tolerant rice variety developed from ancient indica rice. However, SR86 is not widely adopted because it has several wild traits, including tallness and strong photoperiod sensitivity. This challenge led the research team to improve the rice variety using CRISPR-Cas9 multiplex genome editing technology, high-throughput sequencing, crossing, and progeny selection. They edited 13 genes responsible for 10 traits in SR86 to develop an improved SR86M line.

Analyses of SR86M showed that nine genes led to changes in seven traits, including improvements of plant architecture, plant height, and photoperiod sensitivity decreased, grain number, grain length, fragrance, and nitrogen utilization efficiency increased. The improved traits of SR86M made it similar to modern cultivated rice with elite salt tolerance, indicating suitability for potential cultivation in saline soils.

Read more findings in the Journal of Integrative Plant Biology.