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

Sdn Type

Displaying 28 results

Traits related to improved food/feed quality

Increased flavonoid content. Flavonoids play a role in fruit colour and are important for human health as favourable hydrophilic antioxidants.
( Zhou et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
China Agricultural University
Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Increased gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA): 1.34-fold to 3.50-fold increase in GABA accumulation. GABA is a nonprotegeonomic amino acid with health-promoting functions.
(Li et al., 2017)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
China Agricultural University, China
High oleic acid, low linoleic content.
( al Amin et al., 2019 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Jilin Agricultural University, China
Changing grain composition: decrease in the prolamines, an increase in the glutenins, increased starch content, amylose content, and β-glucan content. The protein matrix surrounding the starch granules was increased.
(Yang et al., 2020)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Sichuan Agricultural University, China
Norwich Research Park, UK
CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Australia
Reducing polyunsaturated fatty acids content and increased content of monounsaturated fatty acids. High levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids in natural soybean oil renders the oil susceptible to the development of unpalatable flavors and trans fatty acids.
( Fu et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Increased soya bean isoflavone content and resistance to soya bean mosaic virus. Isoflavonoids play a critical role in plant-environment interactions and are beneficial to human health.
( Zhang et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Nanjing Agricultural University
Anhui Academy of Agricultural Science
Guangzhou University, China
High fruit malate accumulation. Malate is a primary organic acid in tomato and a crucial compound that contributes to fruit flavor and palatability.
( Ye et al., 2017 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Huazhong Agricultural University, China
Cornell University, USA
Reduced amount of saturated fatty acids (FA) in soybean seeds for nutrititional improvement. FA are linked to cardiovascular diseases.
( Ma et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Zhejiang University, China
La Trobe University, Australia
Improved fatty acid content: high oleic acid, decreased linoleic acid content to improve nutritional characteristics, increase shelf-life and frying stability.
(Zhang et al., 2023)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Jilin Agricultural University, China
Increased grain hardness and reduced grain width. Grain hardness index of hina mutants was 95.5 on average, while that of the wild type was only 53.7, indicating successful conversion of soft barley into hard barley.Grain hardness, defined as the resistance of the kernel to deformation, is the most important and defining quality of barley and wheat.
( Jiang et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Qinghai Normal University
Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Generation of seed lipoxygenase-free soybean. Lipoxygenases are responsible for an unpleasant beany flavor by the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids, restricting human consumption.
( Wang et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University
Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, China
Zero amylose grain. Amylose levels significantly influence processing of grain.
( Li et al., 2024 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Qinghai University
Qinghai Academy of Agricultural and Forestry
Sciences
Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Enhanced soluble sugar content in tomato fruit. Soluble sugar improves the sweetness and increases tomato sauce yield.
( Wang et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Xinjiang Agricultural University, China
Increased lycopene content. Lycopene plays a role in treating chronic diseases and lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Enhanced contents of lycopene, phytoene, prolycopene, a-carotene, and lutein.
( Li et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
China Agricultural University, China
High levels of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) in soybean seed oil. High MUFA content in vegetable oils can lead to significant health benefits and improve the oxidative stability, which are essential for both food usage and biodiesel (and other renewable resource) synthesis.
( Li et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Northeast Agricultural University, China
Increased tolerance to the heavy metal Cadmium.
( Liu et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Zhejiang University
Agricultural Ministry of China, China
Enhanced soybean aroma and functional marker for improving soybean flavor.
( Qian et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Science
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China
Zhejiang University of Technology
Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Increased gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) content. GABA is a nonproteogenic amino acid with health-promoting functions.
( Lee et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
China Agricultural University, China
Lower levels of D hordein. D hordein is one of the storage proteins in the grain, with a negative effect on malting quality.
( Li et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Qinghai Province Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding
Chinese Academy of Sciences
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

Traits related to industrial utilization

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.
( Liu et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Northwest A&
F University
Xi’an Jinpeng Seedlings Co. Ltd.
Hybrid Rapeseed Research Center of Shaanxi Province, China
Accelerated abscission. Plant organ abscission is a process important for development and reproductive success,
( Liu et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Shenyang Agricultural University
Key Laboratory of Protected Horticulture of Ministry of Education, China
University of California at Davis
Crops Pathology and Genetic Research Unit, USA
Generating male sterility lines (MLS). Using MLS in hybrid seed production reduces costs and ensures high seed purity during hybrid seed production.
( Zhou et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences
Chinese Academy of Sciences
China Agricultural University, China
Male sterility for hybrid seed production reduces costs and ensures high varietal purity.
( Du et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences
Zhejiang Agricultural and Forestry University, China
Control photoperiodic flowering to allow adaptation of cultivars. Flowering time is a critical characteristic to determine the geographic distribution and regional adaptability of soybean.
( Wang et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Generation of male sterility lines. Heterosis, the breeding result in which heterozygous hybrid progeny are superior to both homozygous parents, depends on the selection and application of male-sterile lines (MSL). Using MSL can reduce the production cost of hybrid seeds and improve its quality.
( Chen et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Sciences
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jilin Agricultural University
Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Confer male and female sterility to prevent the risk of trasgene flow from transgenic plants to their wild relatives.
( Wu et al., 2024 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Sciences
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jilin Agricultural University
Zhejiang Lab, China
Domestication: Conferred domesticated phenotypes yet retained parental disease resistance (predominately Xanthomonas perforans), and salt tolerance.
(Li et al., 2018)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
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.
( Bao et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Yunnan Agricultural University
Yunnan Academy of Agriculture Sciences, China