China Reveals Mechanism Behind Gene-Edited Wheat Varieties Resistant to Diseases Without Affecting Yield.
In a study published in the journal Nature on February 10, scientists from the Institute of Developmental Biology and the Institute of Microbiology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences shared how they utilized gene editing technology to create mutant wheat varieties resistant to powdery mildew.
Powdery mildew is one of the major diseases affecting wheat. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, this disease impacts approximately 6.67 million hectares of wheat annually in the country, causing severe yield reductions of up to 40%.
The pathogen typically infects crops through their sensitive genes. Mutations in such genes can provide disease resistance to wheat, but they often lead to undesirable effects.
A farmer inspects a wheat field in Anhui Province, China on May 24, 2021. (Photo: IC)
In 2014, the research team from the Institute of Developmental Biology and the Institute of Microbiology developed a wheat variety resistant to powdery mildew by editing one of the sensitive genes known as mildew resistance locus O (MLO), but this resulted in reduced yields, smaller spikes, and early senescence of the plants.
After years of research, they finally discovered a MLO mutation named Tamlo-R32 that could maintain disease resistance while achieving growth and yield comparable to standard wheat varieties.
The researchers employed precise gene editing methods to incorporate the advantages of the Tamlo-R32 mutation into major wheat varieties widely grown in China, creating new strains capable of resisting powdery mildew without compromising yield.
Compared to traditional breeding methods, gene editing can significantly shorten the breeding process, showcasing impressive application potential in modern agricultural production, emphasized Qiu Jinlong, one of the lead authors of the study.
