Precise replacement of an existing allele in commercial cultivars with an
elite allele is a major goal in crop breeding. A single nucleotide
polymorphism in NRT1.1B gene between japonica and indica rice varieties is
responsible for the improved nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in rice (Oryza
sativa).

A team of researchers from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences used
the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology to replace the japonica NRT1.1B
allele with an indica allele. The developed CRISPR-edited rice lines
exhibited improved NUE. Furthermore, no additional selection pressure was
needed to develop these improved rice lines.

The study showed the feasibility of replacing a gene with elite alleles,
allowing more approaches to improve agriculturally important traits.

[onlinelibrary.wiley.com]