Gene Editing Leads to Rice Sheath Blight Resistance and Yield Increase

Researchers from Shenyang Agricultural University and partners in China reported precise editing of Dense and Erect Panicle 1 (DEP1) gene to confer rice sheath blight resistance and yield production in japonica rice. The findings are published in the Plant Biotechnology Journal.

The main objectives of crop breeding are to improve production and boost disease resistance. However, building both traits may lead to a ″trade-off″ effect, wherein there is antagonistic regulation of the two traits. In the research team's previous study, rice mutants missing the DEP1 gene showed improved resistance to sheath blight. In their latest study, dep1 mutants exhibited reduced rice yield. Truncated DEP1 led to ShB resistance and yield increase in japonica rice.

The researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 to develop a full-length deletion mutant of DEP1, named dep1, and a truncated version, dep1-cys. When exposed to Rhizoctonia solani, the dep1-cys mutant showed stronger ShB resistance than the dep1 mutant. Furthermore, dep1-cys exhibited increased yield, while, dep1 had reduced yield.

The results of the study show that precise genome editing of DEP1 could enhance both ShB resistance and yield simultaneously.