Clemson University Researchers Develop High-Yield, High-Quality Fiber Gene-Edited Cotton

Jacob Johnson, a Clemson University master's student, is contributing to the future of cotton farming through his involvement in the research project, "Building Better Cotton: Gene Editing to Improve Oil, Protein and Fiber Quality in Upland Cotton." Led by plant geneticist Christopher Saski, the initiative is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) and Cotton Incorporated.

The team is using the gene editing tool CRISPR-Cas12a to develop a dual-purpose Upland cotton variety. This new variety will have the high yield of Upland cotton along with the high-quality fiber of Pima cotton. It will also have enhanced seed traits and resistance to Fusarium wilt (FOV4), a destructive disease. This research aims to create a more economically and environmentally sustainable crop for cotton farmers.

As the gene editing project progresses, the researchers hope their work will lead to the release of novel cotton germplasm that benefits breeders, farmers, and the broader agricultural community.

For more details, read the news release in Clemson News.