Researchers from the Biotechnology Research Institute of the Chinese Academy
of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), in collaboration with Anhui Agricultural
University and South China Agricultural University, have developed a
gene-editing technique to reduce corn plant height, enabling the creation of
compact, high-density varieties resistant to lodging.



In a paper published in the Plant Biotechnology Journal, the research team
focused on modifying the Brachytic2 (Br2) gene through targeted gene
editing. They designed a knockout vector for the Br2 gene and identified
seven transgenic lines with distinct mutations in corn inbred varieties. The
experiments showed that all hybrid offspring derived from crosses with elite
inbred lines produced dwarf progeny. The team developed a haploid
inducer-mediated genome editing system, enabling the conversion of edited
haploid plants into stable double-haploid lines within two generations.
Three elite inbred lines treated with the system showed significant
reductions in plant height.



[onlinelibrary.wiley.com]