CRISPR Improves Alkalinity Tolerance in Rice

Researchers from Heilongjiang Academy of Sciences in China searched for sources of alkalinity tolerance in rice using CRISPR gene editing. Their findings are published in Frontiers of Plant Science.

Salinity and alkalinity stress are major problems in rice production. The damage caused by alkaline stress is more detrimental to plant growth than that caused by salt stress. To date, researchers have found only a few genes involved in alkalinity tolerance. Thus, the research team used QTL-seq resequencing technology and a high-density linkage map to explore other possible sources of alkalinity tolerance in rice.

The gene OsAld-Y, involved in chloroplast development, was edited using CRISPR-Cas9. The results showed that the gene can also improve alkalinity tolerance during the seedling stage. Furthermore, OsAld-Y can also be used to find other proteins that interact with its function.

Find more results in Frontiers in Plant Science.