Rapid and Directional Improvement of Elite Rice Variety via Combination of Genomics and Multiplex Genome Editing

Abstract

High yield and superior quality are the main goals pursued by breeders for crop improvement. However, both of them are complex agronomic traits controlled by multiple genes, so the simultaneous improvement of these traits via sexual recombination is time-consuming and direction-uncontrolled. In this study, to solve this dilemma, we introduced the comparative genomic analysis based multiplex genome editing system (CG-MGE), a method for rapid and directional improvement of multiple traits. Application of this method, association analysis between genotypes and phenotypes was carried out to mine excellent alleles; subsequently, the rare excellent alleles of Gn1a, GW2, TGW3, and Chalk5 were simultaneously created by multiplex genome editing and successfully improved the plant architecture, grain yield, and quality of a widely cultivated elite rice variety. Overall, this study provides a method for rapid and directional improvement of crops, and the application of the CG-MGE will be helpful to accelerate rational design breeding.

基因组编辑技术在水稻产量和品质改良中的应用及展望

“…Gann等人 [79] 利用CRISPR/Cas9技 术对Chalk5的启动子区的"GATA"元件进行编辑, 创制 了多个Chalk5表达下调的新等位基因, 随着Chalk5表 达下调, 焦磷酸积累增多, 垩白在正常温度下和高温下 都明显减少. Liu等人 [80] 利用CRISPR/Cas9技术在优质 Huang等人 [83]…”

SMS2, a Novel Allele of OsINV3, Regulates Grain Size in Rice

“…The polymerization of the long-grain allele gs10 with GW5 could improve the appearance quality of rice [31]. The polymerization of gs3, gl3.1, gw5, and GW7 could significantly improve the appearance quality of rice [32]. Additionally, the gs3, GS5, gw5, and GL7 alleles could be aggregated to form Guangdong high-quality varieties with an excellent appearance quality [33].…”