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

Genome Editing Technique

Plant

Sdn Type

Displaying 64 results

Traits related to biotic stress tolerance

High level of powdery mildew resistance while maintaining normal crop
growth and yields.
( Li et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Robust rust resistance to pandemic stripe rust caused by Puccinia striiformis (Pst) without growth and yield penalty.
( Wang et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Northwest A&
F University
Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Viral resistance: increased resistance against wheat yellow mosaic virus (WYMV) without yield penalty. WYMV results in severe yield losses in hexaploid wheat.
(Kan et al., 2023)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS)
Agricultural Sciences Institute in Jiangsu Lixiahe Area, China
Fungal resistance: increased resistance against the fungus Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst). Wheat stripe rust is caused by Pst and is one of the most destructive wheat diseases, resulting in significant losses to wheat production worldwide.
(He et al., 2022)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Northwest A&
F University
Hebei Agri cultural University, China
Fungal resistance to Oidium neolycopersici, causing powdery mildew, one of the most important diseases limiting the production of wheat.
( Wang et al., 2014 )
SDN1
TALENs
Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Fungal resistance to Oidium neolycopersici, causing powdery mildew, one of the most important diseases limiting the production of wheat.
( Zhang et al., 2017 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Fungal resistance: resistance to Fusarium graminearum. Fusarium head blight (FHB) is an economically important disease, affecting both yield and grain quality of maize, wheat and barley.
(Brauer et al., 2020)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Canada
Viral resistance: Strong barley yellow dwarf virusses (BYDV) resistance without negative effects on plant growth under field conditions. BYDV threatens efficient and stable production of wheat, maize, barley and oats.
(Wang et al., 2023)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Henan Agricultural University
The Shennong Laboratory
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Fungal resistance: stripe rust resistance, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici. In appropriate environmental conditions and susceptible varieties, stripe rust can cause huge grain yield and quality loss.
(Li et al., 2023)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Fudan University
Chinese Academy of Sciences
University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
China Agricultural University
Guangzhou University
School of Life Science
Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Ministry of Agriculture
National Engineering Research Center for Wheat and Maize
Sichuan Agricultural University
Nanjing Agricultural University, China
Université Paris Cité
Université Paris-Saclay, France
Fungal resistance: enhanced resistance against rust caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici and powdery mildew caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici., while also increasing yield.
(Liu et al., 2024)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Southwest University
Yangtze University, China
University of Cologne, Germany
University of Maryland
Viral resistance: enhanced resistance against wheat dwarf virus, which is a causal agent of wheat viral disease and can significantly impact wheat production worldwide.
(Yuan et al., 2024)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Northwest A&
F University, China

Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Norway

Traits related to abiotic stress tolerance

Drought tolerance.
( Kim D et al,. 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Montana State University, USA
Reduced cuticle permeability and enhanced drought tolerance.
( He et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Northwest A&
F University
USA
University of British Columbia, Canada
Increased drought tolerance.
( Abdallah et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Cairo University, Egypt
Crop Improvement and Genetics Unit, USA
Reduced arsenic content and increased arsenic tolerance. Arsenic is toxic to organisms and elevated its accumulation may pose health risks to humans.
( Wang et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Henan Agricultural University
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Henan Agricultural University, China
Increased root length, which can restore good performance under water stress.
( Gabay et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of California
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, USA
University of Haifa, Israel
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)
Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM), Argentina
Fudan University
China Agricultural University, China
Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
Enhanced drought tolerance.
( Wang et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, Mexico

Traits related to improved food/feed quality

Altered gliadin levels resulting in improved end-use quality and reduced gluten epitopes associated with celiac disease. Gliadins are important for wheat end-use traits.
( Liu et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
China Agricultural University, China
Research Centre for Cereal and Industrial Crops, Italy
Reduces phytic acid (anti-nutrient) and improves iron and zinc accumulation in wheat grains. Biofortification.
( Ibrahim et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad
National Agricultural Research Centre, Pakistan
Reduced content of saturated fatty acids: low palmitic and high oleic acid. Great potential for improving peanut oil quality for human health.
(Tang et al., 2022)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Qingdao Agricultural University, China
Increased protein content and increased grain weight. Increase in grain protein content has a positive effect on flour protein content and gluten strength, two quality parameters.
( Zhang et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Sciences
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Shandong Normal University, China
Reduced gluten content. Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered in genetically predisposed individuals by the ingestion of gluten proteins.
( Sánchez-León,et al., 2017 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Instituto de Agricultura Sostenible (IASCSIC), Spain
University of Minnesota, USA
Modification of starch composition, structure and properties. Foods with a high amylose content (AC) and resistant starch (RS) offer potential to improve human health and lower the risk of serious non-infectious diseases.
( Li et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS)
Nanjing Agricultural University, China
Increased iron (Fe) and magnesium (Mn) content for biofortification: increasing the intrinsic nutritional value of crops.
(Connorton et al., 2017)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
John Innes Centre
University of East Anglia, UK
Increased grain number per spikelet.
( Zhang et al., 2019 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of Missouri
South Dakota State University
University of California
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, USA
University of Bristol, UK
Reduce allergen proteins. Structural and metabolic proteins, like α-amylase/trypsin inhibitors are involved in the onset of wheat allergies (bakers' asthma) and probably Non-Coeliac Wheat Sensitivity (NCWS).
( Camerlengo et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of Tuscia, Italy
Rothamsted Research, UK
Impasse Thérèse Bertrand-Fontaine, France
Reduced accumulation of free asparagine, the precursor for acrylamide. Acrylamide is a contaminant which forms during the baking, toasting and high-temperature processing of foods made from wheat.
( Raffan et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Rothamsted Research
University of Bristol, UK
Improved fatty acid content: high oleic acid, decreased linoleic acid content. FA composition is important for human health and shelf life.
(Wen et al., 2018)
SDN1
TALENs
Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Reduced levels of very long chain saturated fatty acids in kernels, which are associated with revalance of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
( Huai et al., 2024 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
International Crops Research Institute of the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), India
Murdoch University, Australia

Traits related to increased plant yield and growth

Altered spike architecture and grain treshability to increase grain production.
( Liu et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Bigger grains, increased grain weight.
( Zhang et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Improvement for larger kernel and yield.
( Ma et al., 2015 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Northwest A &
F University
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Increased spikelet number and delayed heading date. Two traits that are crucial and correlated to yield in wheat.
( Chen et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
China Agricultural University, China
Increased yield potential trough improved nitrogen use efficiency. Enhanced tolerance to N starvation, and showed delayed senescence and increased grain yield in field conditions. Lowered use of N fertilizer.
( Zhang et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Zhengzhou University, China
Increased grain weight and grain size. Carbohydrate and total protein levels also increased.
( Guo et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Sichuan Agricultural University, China
University of California, USA
Increased yield: plants produced more tillers and grains than azygous wild-type controls and the total yield was increased up to 15 per cent.
(Holubova et al., 2018)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Palacký University
Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Czech Republic
Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) Gatersleben, Germany
Increase in 1000-grain weight, grain area, grain width, grain length, plant height, and spikelets per spike.
( Errum et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC)
PARC Institute of Advanced Studies in Agriculture (PIASA)
Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Pakistan
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
Early heading. Heading date is an important agronomic trait that affects climatic adaptation and yield potential.
( Fan et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Henan Agricultural University, China
Enhanced grain yield and semi-dwarf phenotype by manipulating brassinosteroid signal pathway.
( Song et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
China Agricultural University, China
Hard Winter Wheat Genetics Research Unit, USA
Altered root architecture with increased tillers and total grain weight.
( Rahim et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Quaid-e-Azam University
National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC)
The University of Haripur, Pakistan
King Saud University, Saudi Arabia
Nile University
Ain Shams University, Egypt
Chonnam National University, South Korea
Increased plant height with an earlier heading date.
( Fu et al., 2024 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Henan Normal University
Sichuan Agricultural University
Henan Agricultural University
Shanxi University, China
Increased tiller number.
( Awan et al., 2024 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
Quaid-i-Azam University, Pakistan

Traits related to industrial utilization

Significantly longer seed dormancy period, may result in reduced pre-harvest sprouting of grains on spikes.
( Abe et al., 2019 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Institute of Crop Science
Okayama University
Yokohama City University
Institute of Agrobiological Sciences
Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Japan
New red-grained and pre-harvest sprouting (PHS)-resistant wheat varieties with elite agronomic traits. PHS reduces yield and grain quality, additionally the red pigment of the grain coat contains proanthocyanidins, which have antioxidant activity and thus health-promoting properties.
( Zhu et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Henan University
Shenzhen Research Institute of Henan university
Taiyuan University of Technology
Southern University of Science and Technology, China
University of Edinburgh, UK
Generating male sterility lines (MLS). Using MLS in hybrid seed production reduces costs and ensures high purity of the varieties because it does not produce pollen and has exserted stigmas.
( Zhang et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Key Laboratory of Wheat Biology and Genetic Improvement on North Yellow and Huai River Valley
National Engineering Laboratory for Wheat and Maize
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Rapid generation of male sterile (MS) bread wheat. MS is an important tool in creating hybrid crop varieties that provide a yield advantage over traditional varieties by harnessing heterosis.
( Singh et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
DuPont Pioneer, USA
Generating male sterility lines (MLS). Using MLS in hybrid seed production reduces costs and ensures high purity of the varieties because it does not produce pollen and has exserted stigmas.
( Li et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences
Peking University
Beijing Key Laboratory of Plant Gene Resources and Biotechnology for Carbon Reduction and Environmental Improvement, China
Fertility recovery of male sterility in wheat lines with excelling agronomic and economic traits for breeding purpose, as male-sterile plants cannot be used for selection.
( Tang et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
China Agricultural University, China
Generation of male-sterile hexaploid wheat lines for use in hybrid seed production. The development and adoption of hybrid seed technology have led to dramatic increases in agricultural productivity.
( Okada et al., 2019 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
The University of Adelaide, Australia
Huaiyin Normal University, China
Complete male sterility. The generation, restoration, and maintenance of male sterile lines are the key issues for large-scale commercial hybrid seed production.
( Li et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences
School of Advanced Agriculture Sciences and School of Life Sciences
Beijing Key Laboratory of Plant Gene Resources and Biotechnology for Carbon Reduction and Environmental Improvement, China

Traits related to herbicide tolerance

Herbicide glyphosate tolerance.
( Arndell et al., 2019 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
CSIRO
New South Wales Department of Primary Industries
The University of Adelaide, Australia
Nicosulfuron
( Zong et al., 2018 )

BE
Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Nicosulfuron, mesosulfuron, imazapic, quizalofop
( Zhang et al., 2019 )

BE
Chinese Academy of Sciences
China Agricultural University, China
Dinitroanaline
( Han et al., 2021 )

BE
Shandong Normal University
Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Herbicide-resistance (ALS-targeting).
( Shi et al., 2023 )

BE
Henan Biological Breeding Center Co.
The Shennong Laboratory, China

Traits related to product color/flavour

Color change of the taproot from orange to pink-orange and slightly higher content of α-carotene in the taproot.
( Li et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Nanjing Agricultural University
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, China
Albino phenotype.
( Yeap et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Sime Darby Plantation Technology Centre Sdn. Bhd.
Sime Darby Plantation Research Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia
Purple color.
( Xu et al., 2019 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Nanjing Agricultural University, China
Color modification due to reduced anthocyanin accumulation.
( Klimek-Chodacka et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of Agriculture in Krakow, Poland
East Carolina University
University of Maryland, USA
Pale purple phenotype due to dramatic decrease of anthocyanins content.
( Duan et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
College of Horticulture, China
Albino phenotype.
( Phad et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Plant Biotechnology Research Center, India

Traits related to storage performance

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
Enhanced oleic acid to linoleic acid ratio. This adjusted ratio can improve the shelf life of peanut oil.
( Rajyaguru et al., 2024 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Junagadh Agricultural University, India