Superior field performance of waxy corn engineered using CRISPR-Cas9.

Gao, Huirong; Gadlage, Mark J; Lafitte, H Renee; Lenderts, Brian; Yang, Meizhu; Schroder, Megan; Farrell, Jeffry; Snopek, Kay et al. · Nat Biotechnol · 2020

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

We created waxy corn hybrids by CRISPR-Cas9 editing of a waxy allele in 12 elite inbred maize lines, a process that was more than a year faster than conventional trait introgression using backcrossing and marker-assisted selection. Field trials at 25 locations showed that CRISPR-waxy hybrids were agronomically superior to introgressed hybrids, producing on average 5.5 bushels per acre higher yield.

Medical subject headings