Scientists Use CRISPR to Develop Ideal Plant Architecture Traits in Rice

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University researchers reported the application of CRISPR gene editing in rice to improve plant architecture traits. The study is published in Plant Molecular Biology Reporter.

Imparting the ideal plant architecture trait in rice is one of the most important strategies to improve crop yield. This trait is characterized by increased plant height, improved panicle morphology, and enhanced grain yield. The genes that control this trait are IPA1 and SPL14, which are negatively regulated by miR529 and miR156. Modifications of the miR529/miR156 binding site on IPA1 eliminate the silencing effect of miR529 and miR156, leading to improved expression of the IPA1 gene. This was shown in the study through precise editing of the miR529/miR156-IPA1 regulatory module using the CRISPR-Cas9 system.

One of the 9 ipa1 mutants had an in-frame deletion in the miR529 binding site and showed IPA traits such as improved plant height and panicle branching, reduced tiller number, and stronger culm characteristics compared to the wild type. Those with frame-shift mutations and disruptions in miR529 and miR156 binding sites exhibited shorter plant height with profuse tillering. However, the grain yield was found to have decreased in all ipa1 mutants. Thus, further research is necessary to fine-tune the IPA1 gene expression.

Read the research article for more findings.