Crop Biotech Update

Gene Editing of Rapeseed Provides Resistance to Fungal Pathogens

December 14, 2023

Scientists used CRISPR to boost the resistance of rapeseed against fungal pathogens. The study also provided insights into the mechanisms of plant resistance to fungal pathogens.

Rapeseed (Brassica napus) is one of the major sources of edible oil in the world. However, its production is continuously affected by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, which causes stem rot disease (SRD), and Botrytis cinera, which causes grey mold disease (GMD).

Rapeseed is predicted to contain resistance genes against the pathogens, and the researchers decided to maximize those. They utilized CRISPR-Cas9 to knock out the BnaA05.RLK902 gene in the rapeseed. The results showed that the gene editing of the target gene enhanced the resistance of rapeseed against SRD and GMD without affecting the plant's growth and development.

For more information, read the journal article on Plant Biotechnology.


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