Genome-editing techniques are promising tools in plant breeding. To facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of the use of genome editing, EU-SAGE developed an interactive, publicly accessible online database of genome-edited crop plants as described in peer-reviewed scientific publications.
The aim of the database is to inform interested stakeholder communities in a transparent manner about the latest evidence about the use of genome editing in crop plants. Different elements including the plant species, traits, techniques, and applications can be filtered in this database.
Regarding the methodology, a literature search in the bibliographic databases and web pages of governmental agencies was conducted using predefined queries in English. Identifying research articles in other languages was not possible due to language barriers. Patents were not screened.
Peer-reviewed articles were screened for relevance and were included in the database based on pre-defined criteria. The main criterium is that the research article should describe a research study of any crop plant in which a trait has been introduced that is relevant from an agricultural and/or food/feed perspective. The database does neither give information on the stage of development of the crop plant, nor on the existence of the intention to develop the described crop plants to be marketed.
This database will be regularly updated. Please contact us via the following webpage in case you would like to inform us about a new scientific study of crops developed for market-oriented agricultural production as a result of genome editing

Plant

Displaying 90 results

Traits related to biotic stress tolerance

Fungal resistance: Enhanced resistance to the pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.
(Sun et al., 2018)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Yangzhou University, China
Viral resistance: increased resistance to infection with the potato virus Y (PVY) and tolerance to salt and osmotic stress. PVY is one of the most economically important potato pathogens
(Makhotenko et al., 2019)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Russia Moscow State University, Russia
Doka Gene Technologies Ltd, USA
Viral resistance: Reduced viral load and symptoms after bean yellow dwarf virus (BeYDV) infection.
(Baltes et al., 2015)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of Minnesota
The Ohio State University, USA
Institute of Biophysics ASCR, Czech Republic
Fungal resistance: contribute to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum resistance.
(Zhang et al., 2022)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Huazhong Agricultural University, China
Broad-spectrum resistance against multiple Potato virus Y (PVY)-strains.
( Noureen et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Constituent College of Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS)
University Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (UIBB), Pakistan
Oilseed rape mutant with non-abscising floral organs. Clerotinia stem rot (SSR), caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a detrimental fungal disease for oilseed rape. Petal infection is crucial to the prevalence of SSR in oilseed rape. Oilseed rape varieties with abscission-defective floral organs were predicted to be less susceptible to Sclerotinia infection and to have a longer flowering period to enhance tourism income.
( Wu et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Yangzhou University, China
Viral resistance: reduced viral accumulation and amelioration of virus-induced symptoms by Potato Virus Y.
(Lucioli et al., 2022)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
ENEA
Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), Italy
National Agricultural Research and Innovation Centre, Hungary
Viral resistance: Resistance to Potato Virus Y (PVY), one of the most devastating viral pathogens causing substantial harvest losses.
(Zhan et al., 2019)

CRISPR/Cas
Hubei University
Huazhong Agricultural University, China
Max‐Planck‐Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Germany
Fungal resistance: increased resistance to Phytophthora infestans, causing late blight disease, the most serious disease of potato crops worldwide. The pathogen can infect the leaves, stems and tubers of potato plants. An unprotected field can be completely destroyed in several days.
(Kieu et al., 2021)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden
University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Fungal resistance: reduced susceptibility to Verticillium longisporum, a pathogen causing Verticillium stem striping. No fungicide treatments are currently available to control this disease.
(Pröbsting et al., 2020)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel
Institut für Zuckerrübenforschung
NPZ Innovation GmbH, Germany
Viral resistance: resistance to Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV). Delayed or reduced accumulation of viral DNA and abolished or attenuated symptoms of infection.
(Ali et al., 2015)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia
Viral resistance: increased resistance to chickpea chlorotic dwarf virus (CpCDV).
(Malik et al., 2023)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of the Punjab
University of Gujrat, Pakistan
Washington State University, USA
Visual detection of Alternaria solani, the causal agent of early blight in potato, which poses a persistant threat to potato production worldwide. The platform is specific, sensitive and suitable for high-throughput detection.
( Guo et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Jilin University
Jilin Agricultural University
Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, China
Viral resistance: Resistance against potato leaf roll virus, potato virus Y, potato virus X and potato virus S, which have been recognized as the major potato viruses.
(Zhan et al., 2023)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Hubei University
Huazhong Agricultural University
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Visual detection of brassica yellows virus (BrYV), an economically important virus on cruciferous species. This assay allows for convenient, portable, rapid, low-cost, highly sensitive and specific detection and has great potential for on-site monitoring of BrYV.
( Xu et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Guizhou University, China
Fungal resistance: Improved resistance against Phytophtora without affecting potato growth and development.
(Bi et al., 2023)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
China Agricultural University
South China Agricultural University
Shanghai Normal University
Nanjing Agricultural University, China
Resistance against a protist pathogen: stable resistance against clubroot disease. Clubroot disease is caused by the protist Plasmodiophora brassicae Woronin and can result in a 10-15% yield loss in Brassica species as well as related crops.
(Hu et al., 2023)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Saskatoon Research and Development Centre, Canada
Viral resistance: highly efficient resistance to a broad spectrum of geminiviruses. Geminiviruses severely damage economically important crops worldwide.
(Li et al., 2023)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Guangxi University
Zhejiang University, China
Fungal resistance: Reduced susceptibility to Verticillium longisporum, fungal pathogen that causes stem striping in Brassica napus and leads to huge yield losses.
(Ye et al., 2024)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel
Institut für Zuckerrübenforschung
Hohenlieth-Hof, NPZ Innovation GmbH, Germany
Aswan University, Egypt
Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, China
Fungal and bacterial resistance: Increased resistance to late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans, common scab, and the early blight pathogen Alternaria solani.
(Karlsson et al., 2024)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden
Bacterial resistance: Enhanced resistance against Candidatus Liberibacter spp., which causes significant economic losses globally.
(Ramasamy et al., 2024)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Texas A&
M AgriLife Research and Extension Center
Texas A&
M University
Texas A&
M AgriLife, USA

Traits related to abiotic stress tolerance

Increased tolerance to drought trough reducing water loss. Tuber development.
( Gonzales et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands
Centro Nacional de Biotecnología – CSIC
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Spain
Enhanced drought tolerance
( Wu et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Huazhong Agricultural University, China
Increased tolerance to cold stress.
( Teper-Bamnolker et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
The Volcani Institute
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Danziger Innovations Limited, Israel
Reduction in cadmium accumulation. Cadmium is a heavy metal, harmful for human health.
( Yao et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Sichuan University
Science and Technology Innovation Center of Sichuan Modern Seed Industry Group, China
Improved drought tolerance.
( Linghu et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Hybrid Rapeseed Research Center of Shaanxi Province
Northwest A &
F University, China

Traits related to improved food/feed quality

Amylose-free starch in tubers.
( Toinga-Villafuerte et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Texas A&
M University, USA
Mutant cell lines doubled the accumulation level of anthocyanins biosynthesized. The production of these important pigments was stabilized over time.
( D'Amelia et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
National Research Council of Italy
University of Naples Federico II
Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Italy
Improved fatty acid content: increased content of oleic acid, reduced erucic acid levels and slightly decreased polyunsaturated fatty acids content. Fatty acid composition is important for human health and shelf life.
(Shi et al., 2022)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Reduced browning and acrylamide. Acrylamide is a contaminant which forms during the baking, toasting and high-temperature processing of foods and is regarded as a potential carcinogen and neurotoxin.
( Nguyen Phuoc Ly et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Murdoch University, Australia
Improved cold storage and processing traits: lower levels of reduced sugars
(Yasmeen et al., 2022)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of the Punjab, Pakistan
Negligible levels of the possibly toxic steroidal glykoalkaloids (SGAs), but enhanced levels of steroidal saponins, which has pharmaceutically useful functions.
( Akiyama et al., 2017 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Kobe University
Riken Center for Sustainable Resource Science
Osaka University, Japan
Improved starch quality. Starch has many food and technical applications and is often modified to certain specifications.
( Andersson et al., 2017 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden
Modified fatty acid profile: increased oleic acid, decreased linoleic and linolenic acid content.
(Huang et al., 2020)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, China
Yellow-seed production, a desirable trait with great potential for improving seed quality in Brassica crops. The formation of seed colour is due to the deposition of the oxidized form of a flavonoid, called proanthocyanidins (PA). Yellow seeds have a higher oil content.
( Zhai et al., 2019 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Huazhong Agricultural University, China
Altered starch properties. Changes in amylopectin chain-lengths, starch granule initiation and branching frequency.
( Tuncel et al., 2019 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Norwich Research Park, UK
Reduced steroidal glycoalkaloids.
( Yasumoto et al., 2019 )

TALENs
Osaka University
RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science
Kobe University, Japan
Reduction of phytic acid (PA) in seeds. PA has adverse effects on essential mineral absorption and thus is considered as an anti-nutritive for monogastric animals.
( Sashidhar et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel
Max-Planck-Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Germany
Altered lignin composition: decreased syringyl monolignol / guaiacylmonolignol (S/G) ratio. The monolignol ratio has been proposed to affect biomass recalcitrance and the resistance to plant disease.
(Cao et al., 2021)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
SouthwestUniversity, China
University of Wisconsin, USA
Increasing seed oil content (SOC).
( Zhang et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
Improved fatty acid composition. The content and abundance of fatty acids play an important role in nutritional and processing applications of oilseeds.
( Okuzaki et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Tamagawa University
Osaka Prefecture University
Tamagawa University, Japan
Decreases in palmitic acid, increased total C18 and reduced total saturated fatty acid contents. Reduced saturated fat content is connected to lowered cardiovascular disease rate.
( Gupta et al., 2012 )
SDN1
ZFN
Dow AgroSciences
Sangamo BioSciences, USA
Reduced flavonoids and improved fatty acid composition with higher linoleic acid and linolenic acid, valuable for rapeseed germplasm and breeding. The genetic improvement has great significance in the economic value of rapeseeds.
( Xie et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Yangzhou University
The Ministry of Education of China, China
University of Western Australia, Australia
Reduction of harmful ingredients: toxic steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs).
(Sawai et al., 2014)
SDN1
TALENs
RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science
Chiba University, Japan
Low erucic acid (EA) content. Composition of fatty acids affects the edible and processing quality of vegetable oils. EA is potentially to cause health problems.
( Liu et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Huazhong Agricultural University, China
Complete abolition of glycoalkaloids, causing a bitter taste and toxic to various organisms.
( Nakayasu et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Kobe University, Japan
Starch with an increased amylose ratio and elongated amylopectin chains. In food products, high amylose content and long amylopectin chains contribute to a low glycaemic index (GI) after intake, playing a role in health benefits.
( Zhao et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)
Laboratorio de Agrobiotecnología (INTA), Argentina
Reduction of steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs). SGAs in most potato tissues are toxic to humans when the fresh weight is over 200mg/kg. High SGAs content also damage the quality of potato tubers.
( Zheng et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Qinghai University, China
Improved starch quality by reducing the levels of amylose, thus increasing the amylopectin content.
( Ali et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute (AGERI)
Ain Shams University Faculty of Agriculture, Egypt
Improved seed oil content: increased levels of monounsaturated fatty acids and decreased levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids.
(Wang et al., 2022)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Huazhong Agricultural University, China
National Research Council Canada, Canada
Amylose-free tubers.
( Abeuova et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
National Center for Biotechnology (NCB)
L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University
Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan
Increased iron content in potato plants. Iron is an essential micronutrient.
( Chauhan et al., 2024 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Panjab University
Panjab University
National Institute of Plant Genome Research, India
University of Minnesota, USA

Traits related to increased plant yield and growth

Increased shatter resistance to avoid seed loss during mechanical harvest.
( Braatz et al., 2017 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Germany
Increased seeds number per husk, higher seed weight.
( Yang et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Huazhong Agricultural University, China
Confer shoot architectural changes for increased resource inputs to increase crop yield.
( Stanic et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of Calgary, Canada
SRM Institute of Technology, India
Improve plant architecture to increase yield. Plant height and branch number are directly correlated with yield.
( Zheng et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Ministry of Agriculture, China
Wilkes University, USA
Semi-dwarf phenotype and compact architecture to increase yield. Plant height and branch angle are the major architectural factors determining yield.
( Fan et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China
Wilkes University, USA
Improved plant architecture: increased shoot branching, reduced plant height, increased number of leaves and nodes and reduced total plant biomass.
(Gao et al., 2018)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Southwest University
Yunnan Academy of Tobacco Agricultural Sciences, China
Early-flowering varieties. The timing of flowering is an important event in the life cycle of flowering plants.
( Jiang et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Hunan Agricultural University, China
Université de Strasbourg, France
Rapid improvement of domestication traits and genes that control plant architecture, flower production and fruit size. Major productivity traits are improved in an orphan crop.
( Lemmon et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Cold Spring Harbor
The Boyce Thompson Institute
Cornell University, USA
Increased seed oil content (SOC). SOC is a major determinant of yield and quality.
( Karunarathna et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Germany
Zhejiang University, China
Reduced seed shattering. Seed shattering is one of the main constraints on grain production in African cultivated rice, which causes severe grain losses during harvest.
( Ning et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
China Agricultural University, China
Africa Rice Center, Benin
Various phenotypic changes were observed of which traits such as plant dwarfing, color, shape, and weight, early flowering, a high number of flowers and early fruit set and maturation, fewer seeds, and reduced and delayed browning of fruits are agronomically important.
( Kodackattumannil et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
United Arab Emirates University, United Arab Emirates
Increases size of starch granules. Granule size is a key parameter for industrial processing. Larger granules may increase yield during processing and it has been shown in sweet potato that smaller starch granules degrade faster than large granules, so larger granule tubers may be beneficial for storage.
( Pfotenhauer et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of Tennessee, USA
Increased plant height, longer roots, smaller root growth angle and increased tuber weight.
( Zhao et al., 2024 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Yunnan Agricultural University
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xuanhan County Plant Quarantine Station
Yuguopu District Agricultural Comprehensive Service Center
Ning'
er County Plant Protection and Plant Quarantine Station, China

Traits related to industrial utilization

Establishment of maternal haploid induction. Doubled haploid technology is used to obtain homozygous lines in a single generation. This technique significantly accelerates the crop breeding trajectory.
( Zhong et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
China Agricultural University, China
Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands
Manipulation of flowering time to develop cultivars with desired maturity dates. Stabilization of flowering time and period supports efficient mechanised harvesting.
( Ahmar et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Huazhong Agricultural University, China
Self-incompatibility to prevent inbreeding in hermaphrodite angiosperms via the rejection of self-pollen.
( Dou et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Huazhong Agricultural University, China
Generate self-compatible diploid potato lines for the application of efficient breeding methods.
( Enciso-Rodriguez et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Michigan State University, USA
Accelerated domestication of African rice landraces by improving domestication traits such as sheed shattering, lodging and seed yield. The acceleration of the development of high-yield African landrace varieties is important considering that Africa has a strong growing population and prone to food shortage.
( Lacchini et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of Milan, Italy
University of Montpellier, France
Generating genic male sterility lines (GMS). GMS can promote heterosis in rapeseed. Compared with other approaches, GMS brings about nearly complete male sterility to a hybrid breeding program.
( Wang et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Northwest A&
F University
Hybrid Rapeseed Research Centre of Shaanxi Province, China
Reversible complete male sterility. Very precise hormone mediated control of male fertility transition showed great potential for hybrid seed production in Brassica species crops.
( Cheng et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Henan Normal University, China
Generate self-compatible diploid potato lines for the application of efficient breeding methods.
( Eggers et al., 2021 )
SDN3
CRISPR/Cas
Solynta
Wageningen University &
Research, The Netherlands
Male sterility.
( Tu et al., 2024 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Zhejiang University
Jiaxing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Male sterility.
( Shen et al., 2024 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Huazhong Agricultural University
Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, China

Traits related to herbicide tolerance

Herbicide tolerance: AHAS-inhibiting
(Gocal et al., 2015)

ODM
Cibus, Canada
Cibus, USA
Imidizolinone
( Butler et al., 2016 )
SDN2
CRISPR/Cas
Michigan State University
University of Minnesota, USA
Imidizolinone
( Butler et al., 2016 )
SDN2
TALENs
Michigan State University
University of Minnesota, USA
Glyphosate
( Wang et al., 2021 )

CRISPR/Cas
Huazhong Agricultural University
Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Tribenuron methyl
( Wu et al., 2020 )

BE
Yangzhou University
Shanghai Normal University, China
Chlorsulfuron
( Veillet et al., 2019 )

BE
Université Rennes 1
INRA PACA
Université Paris-Saclay, France

Traits related to product color/flavour

Altered color of petals and leaves.
( Li et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Huazhong Agricultural University
Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, China
Albino phenotype
( Bánfalvi et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
NARIC Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, Hungary
Yellow colored seed.
( Huang et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Hunan University of Science and Technology
Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Alleviated browning of freshly cut potatoes.
( Shi et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Shandong Agricultural University, China
Albino phenotype.
( Phad et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Plant Biotechnology Research Center, India

Traits related to storage performance

Improved cold storage and processing traits: reduced levels of acrylamide, reduced sugars.
(Clasen et al., 2017)
SDN1
TALENs
Cellectis Plant Science, USA
Reduced enzymatic browning. The formation of dark-colored precipitates in fruits and vegetables causes undesirable changes in organoleptic properties and the loss of nutritional quality.
( Gonzalez et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)
Laboratorio de Agrobiotecnología (INTA)
Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Argentina
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden
Reduced fruit flesh browning. The browning of eggplant berry flesh after cutting has a negative impact on fruit quality for both industrial transformation and fresh consumption.
( Maioli et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of Torino, Italy
Instituto de Biologica Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP)
Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain
Decreased cold-induced sweetening of the potato tubers.
Cold-storage causes undesired sweetening which reduces the quality and the commercial value of the tubers.
( Hassan et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute - Agricultural Research Center
Ain Shams University, Egypt