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: increased resistance to Erysiphe necator, causing powdery mildew in grape cultivar. The pathogen infects all green tissues and berries, leading to dramatic losses in yield and berry quality.
(Malnoy et al., 2016)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Fondazione Edmund Mach, Italy
ToolGen Inc.
Institute for Basic Science
Seoul National University, South Korea
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
Visual detection of maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV), one of the important quarantine pathogens in China. This novel method is specific, rapid, sensitive and does not require special instruments and technical expertise.
( Duan et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
China Agricultural University
Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City, China
Alexandria University, Egypt
Confered resistance to ear rot caused by Fusarium verticillioides.
( Liu et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement
Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Lab, China
Viral resistance: Resistance against Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3), which is one of the causal agents of grapevine leafroll disease (GLD). GLD severely impacts grapevine production.
(Jiao et al., 2022)

CRISPR/Cas
Northwest A&
F University, China
Fungal resistance: increased resistance to southern leaf blight (SLB), caused by the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Cochliobolus heterostrophus (anamorph Bipolaris maydis). SLB is a major foliar disease which causes significant yield losses in maize worldwide.
(Chen et al., 2023)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Northwest A&
F University, China
Corteva AgriscienceTM
USDA-ARS
North Carolina State University, USA
Fungal resistance: enhanced resistance to powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator), a major fungal disease, threatening one of the most economically valuable horticular crops.
(Wan et al., 2020)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Ministry of Agriculture, China
Northwest A&
F University
University of Maryland College Park, USA
Fungal resistance: decreased susceptibility to Ustilago maydis, causing smut. The pathogen causes galls on all aerial parts of the plant, impacting crop yield and quality.
(Pathi et al., 2020)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, Germany
Bacterial resistance: Enhanced resistance to Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum, causing Bananas Xanthomonas wilt (BXW). Overall economic losses caused by Xanthomonas campestris were estimated at 2-8 billion USD over a decade.
(Tripathi et al., 2021)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Kenya
Fungal resistance: increased resistance to Botrytis cinerea.
(Wang et al., 2018)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Northwest A&
F University and Ministry of Agriculture, China
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 control on viral pathogen Banana streak virus (BSV). The BSV integrates in the banana host genome as endogenous BSV (eBSV). When banana plants are stressed, the eBSV produces infectious viral particles and thus the plant develops disease symptoms.
(Tripathi et al., 2019)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Kenya
University of California, USA
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
Fungal resistance: effective reduction of susceptibility against downy mildew by increasing salicylic acid levels. The pathogen can devastate individual vineyards and in some cases also affect production from entire regions.
(Giacomelli et al., 2023)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Research and Innovation Centre
Fondazione Edmund Mach, Italy
Enza Zaden
Hudson River Biotechnology, The Netherlands
Visual detection of Fusarium temperatum, the causal agent of maize stalk rot disease which reduces grain yield and threatens food safety and quality.
This simple detection platform allows high-throughput testing with potential for applications in field detection.
( Li et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Jilin University
Jilin Agricultural University
Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, China
Detection of Fumonisin B1 (FB1), a common mycotoxin found in agricultural products. FB1 is highly toxic, which can cause oxidative stress response and has been listed as a class 2B carcinogen. The method wx is highly specific and sensitive for FB1, has a rather simple, convenient and fast workflow.
( Qiao et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Kunming University of Science and Technology, China
Rapid detection of toxigenic Fusarium verticillioides, a phytopathogenic fungus that causes Fusarium ear and stalk rot and poses a threat to maize yields. This accurate and portable detection equipment has great potential for detection of the pathogen, even in areas lacking proper lab equipment.
( Liang et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Institute of Food Science and Technology
North Minzu University
School of Food Science and Engineering, China
Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Belgium
Bacterial resistance: resistance against banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW) disease, caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum. BXW forms a great threat to banana cultivation in East and Central Africa.
(Ntui et al., 2023)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Kenya
Fungal resistance: Decreased susceptibility to Plasmopara viticola, the causing agent of the grapevine downy mildew.
(Djennane et al., 2023)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Université de Strasbourg
Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), France
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
Viral resistance: Increased resistance to a potyvirus sugarcane mosaic virus, which causes dwarf mosaic disease in maize, sugarcane and sorghum.
(Xie et al., 2024)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
China Agricultural University
Longping Agriculture Science Co. Ltd.
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yunnan Agricultural University, China
Fungal resistance: More resistance against Bipolaris maydis, the causing agent of Southern corn leaf blight.
(Xie et al., 2024)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Anhui Agricultural University, China
Fungal resistance: reduced symptoms caused by a powedry mildew infection.
(Olivares et al., 2021)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
National Institute of Agriculture Research, Chile
Rapid and on-site detection of the mycotoxin zearalenone.
( Pei et al., 2024 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Shaanxi University of Science and Technology
Anhui Agricultural University
China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, China
Queen'
s University Belfast, UK

Traits related to abiotic stress tolerance

Reduced stomatal density. Intrinsic water-use efficiency was significantly impacted under both well-watered and drought conditions, making reduced stomatal density as a preferable trait.
( Clemens et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of California
San Diego State University, USA
Drought tolerance.
( Njuguna et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Ghent University
Center for Plant Systems Biology, Belgium
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
Improved drought tolerance and larger grain yield under drought stress.
( Feng et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China
Maize Research Institute of Sichuan Agricultural University, China
Lower water loss rate under drought conditions.
( Wang et al., 2024 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Gansu Agricultural University
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Enhanced drought stress tolerance.
( Yang et al., 2024 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Anhui Agricultural University, China

Traits related to improved food/feed quality

Low tartaric acid.
( Ren et al., 2016 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Promoted anthocyanin accumulation. Anthocyanins are plant secondary metabolites with a variety of biological functions.
( Tu et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Northwest A&
F University, China
Sweeter kernels due to the accumulation of sugar rather than starch and waxy with an altered amylose/amylopectin ratio.
( Dong et al., 2019 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement
Anhui Agricultural University, China
Modified composition: accumulation of fivefold more starch than WT leaves, and more sucrose as well. Architectural changes
(Bezrutczyk et al., 2018)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf
Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Germany
Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Science, USA
Aromatic maize.
( Wang et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Shandong Normal University
Bellagen Biotechnology Co. Ltd
Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Reduced phytic acid (PA) synthesis in seeds, PA is an anti-nutritional compound.
( Liang et al., 2013 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Generation of beta-carotene-enriched banana fruits. Carotenoids, the source of pro vitamin A, are an essential component of dietary antioxidants. Low intakes and poor bioavailability of provitamine A from the vegetarian diet are considered the main reasons for the widespread prevalence of Vitamine A deficiency.
( Kaur et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Ministry of Science and Technology (Government of India)
Panjab University, India
Waxy phenotype, abolition of amylose.
( Qi et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Glossy phenotype. Reduced epicuticular wax in leaves.
( Char et al., 2015 )
SDN1
TALENs
Iowa State University, USA
Reduced phytic acid (PA) synthesis in seeds, PA is an anti-nutritional compound.
( Liang et al., 2013 )
SDN1
TALENs
Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Alteration of the inositol phosphate profile in developing seeds.
( Shukla et al., 2009 )
SDN1
ZFN
Dow AgroSciences
Sangamo BioSciences, USA
Reduced phytate production + herbicide tolerance. Generation of a dual phenotype through targeted manipulation of a single locus.
( Shukla et al., 2009 )
SDN3
ZFN
Dow AgroScience, USA
Conversion of a normal maize hybrid into a waxy version, a specialty that produces mainly amylopectin starch with special food or industrial values and thus has high economic value.
( Qi et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Anhui Agricultural University
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, China
Enhanced levels of glucoraphanin. The hydrolysis product of glucoraphanin has powerful anticancer activity.
( Zheng et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Sichuan Agricultural University
Zhejiang University
Bijie Institute of Agricultural Science, China
Increased lysine content with recovered kernel hardness. Lysine is considered of great nutritional importance in animal feeds and human foods.
( Hurst et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Center for Plant Science Innovation
University of Missouri-Columbia, USA
Increased amylose and resistant starch. 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.
( Ma et al., 2024 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Lab
Anhui Agricultural University
Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China

Traits related to increased plant yield and growth

Semi-dwarf phenotype. High varieties are challenged by weak lodging and damages caused by storms, dwarf varieties are suitable for mechanized plant maintenance and fruit harvesting.
( Shao et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Hunan Agricultural University
Chinese Academy of Sciences
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
University of Florida, USA
Increased grain yield under field drought stress conditions and no yield loss under well-watered conditions.
( Shi et al., 2017 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
DuPont Pioneer, USA
Early flowering under long day conditions of higher latitudes to spread production of maize over a broad range of latitudes rapidly.
( Huang et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of Wisconsin, 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
Haploid induction to accelerate breeding in crop plants.
( Kelliher et al., 2017 )
SDN1
TALENs
Syngenta Seeds, USA
Enhancing grain-yield-related traits by increases in meristem size
( Liu et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Cold Spring Harbor
University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA
Improved field performance: higher yield, producing on average 5.5 bushels per acre more. Waxy corn.
(Gao et al., 2020)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Corteva Agriscience, USA
Increased plant yield due to architectural changes. Leaf inclination: maize plants with upright leaves can be planted at higher densities without shading.
(Brekke et al., 2011)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Iowa State University, USA
Increased bending strength. Stalk lodging, which is generally determined by stalk strength, results in considerable yield loss and has become a primary threat to maize yield under high-density planting.
( Zhang et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
China Agricultural University, China
Iowa State University, USA
Increased density by early-flowering phenotype under long-day conditions.
( Li et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Shandong Agricultural University
South China Agricultural University
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, China
Semi-dwarf phenotype with increased lodging resistance.
( Zhang et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Increased tassel branch number (TBN), one of the important agronomic traits that contribute to the efficiency of seed production.
( Guan et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Increased water use efficiency, a promising approach for achieving sustainable crop production in changing climate scenarios.
( Blankenagel et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Technical University of Munich
Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology
Helmholtz Center Munich
Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany
Improves complex traits such as yield and drought tolerance.
( Lorenzo et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Center for Plant Systems Biology
Ghent University
Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Belgium
Increased total kernel number or kernel weight.
( Kelliher et al., 2019 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Research Triangle Park
University of Georgia, USA
Syngenta Crop Protection, The Netherlands
Enlarged grain phenotype.
( Wang et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Hebi Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Henan Agricultural University, China

Traits related to industrial utilization

Generating male sterility lines (MLS). Using MLS in hybrid seed production for monoclinous crops reduces costs and ensures high purity of the varieties because it does not produce pollen and has exserted stigmas.
( Fang et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of Science and Technology Beijing
Beijing Solidwill Sci-Tech Co. Ltd., China
Generating male sterility lines (MLS). Using MLS in hybrid seed production for monoclinous crops reduces costs and ensures high purity of the varieties because it does not produce pollen and has exserted stigmas.
( Niu et al., 2022 )

CRISPR/Cas
Sichuan Agricultural University
Chengdu Agricultural College
Sichuan Institute of Atomic Energy, China
Enhanced haploid induction. Double haploid breeding based on in vivo haploid induction has been extensively used in maize breeding. The production of haploids depends on haploid inducers.
( Zhong et al., 2019 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
China Agricultural University, China
Haploid induction.
( Li et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
China Agricultural University
Longping Agriculture Science Co. Ltd., China
Induction of haploid plants for the development of good inbred lines for efficient and fast breeding.
( Liu et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Generation of male sterile (MS) lines. MS is a useful tool to harness hybrid vigor for hybrid seed production.
( Chen et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
China Agricultural University, China
Generating male sterility lines (MLS). Using MLS in hybrid seed production for monoclinous crops reduces costs and ensures high purity of the varieties because it does not produce pollen and has exserted stigmas.
( Svitashev et al., 2015 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
DuPont Pioneer, USA
Generating male sterility lines (MLS). Using MLS in hybrid seed production for monoclinous crops reduces costs and ensures high purity of the varieties because it does not produce pollen and has exserted stigmas.
( Xie et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of Science and Technology
Beijing, China
Beijing Solidwill Sci-Tech Co. Ltd, China
Generating male sterility lines (MLS). Using MLS in hybrid seed production for monoclinous crops reduces costs and ensures high purity of the varieties because it does not produce pollen and has exserted stigmas.
( Li et al., 2017 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Trait stacking. Modern agriculture demands crops carrying multiple traits.
( Ainley et al., 2013 )
SDN1
ZFN
Dow AgroSciences LLC
Sangamo BioSciences, Inc., USA
Haploid induction to accelerate breeding in crop plants.
( Rangari et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Punjab Agricultural University, India
Pollen Self-Elimination, which prevents pollen transgene dispersal.
( Wang et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS)
Northwest A&
F University
Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Lab
Henan Jinyuan Seed Industry Co., China
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Mexico
Doubled haploids with increased leaf size. Doubled haploid technology is used to obtain homozygous lines in a single generation. This technique significantly accelerates the crop breeding trajectory.
( Impens et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Ghent University
VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology
Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Belgium
Improved pollen viability.
( Lv et al., 2024 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Mianyang Normal University
South China Agricultural University, China
Male sterility.
( Djukanovic et al., 2013 )

I-CreI
DuPont/Pioneer Agricultural Biotechnology
Precision Biosciences, USA

Traits related to herbicide tolerance

Resistance to imidazolinone herbicides.
( Zhu et al., 2000 )

ODM
Novartis Agricultural Discovery Institute
Pioneer Hi-Bred International, USA
Herbicide resistance: acetolactate synthase (ALS)
(Jiang et al., 2020)

PE
China Agricultural University
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Henan University, China
Bialaphos & quizalofop.
( Shukla et al., 2009 )
SDN3
ZFN
Dow AgroSciences
Sangamo BioSciences, USA
Resistance to either imidazolinone or sulfonylurea herbicides
( Zhu et al., 1999 )

ODM
Pioneer Hi-Bred International, USA
Resistance to herbicides that inhibit 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS), acetolactate synthase (ALS), or acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACCase) activity.
( Qiao et al., 2022 )

PE
China Agricultural University
Henan University, China
Chlorsulfuron
( Svitashev et al., 2016 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
DuPont Pioneer, USA
Imidazolinone & sulfonylurea
( Zhu et al., 1999 )

ODM
Pioneer Hi-Bred International, USA
Chlorsulfuron
( Svitashev et al., 2015 )
SDN2
CRISPR/Cas
DuPont Pioneer, USA
Sulfonylurea
( Li et al., 2019 )

BE
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Qingdao Agricultural University
Anhui Agricultural University, China
Increased herbicide tolerance.
( Kaul et al., 2024 )
SDN2
CRISPR/Cas
International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB)
Indian Council of Agricultural Research- Indian Institute of Maize Research
Indian Council of Agricultural Research
ICAR-National Institute of Biotic Stress Management

Traits related to product color/flavour

Yellow stems and leaves.
( Sun et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Sichuan Agricultural University
Zhejiang University, China
Albinism and dwarfing.
( Naim et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Queensland University of Technology, Australia
Albino phenotype.
( Kaur et al., 2017 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), India

Traits related to storage performance

Increased shelf-life. Banana fruit has a high economic importance but will ripen and decay in one week after exogenous ethylene induction. Fast ripening limits its storage, transportation and marketing.
( Hu et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, China