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

Displaying 95 results

Traits related to improved food/feed quality

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
β-conglycinin deficiency, which lowers allergenicity and increases nutritional value.
( Song et al., 2024 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Northeast Agricultural University/Key Laboratory of Soybean Biology of the Chinese Education Ministry
Harbin Normal University
Keshan Branch of Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Jilin Agricultural University, China
USDA Agricultural Research Service
University of Missouri, USA
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
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
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
Reduced grain chalkiness.
( Gann et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Cell and Molecular Biology Program
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
University of Arkansas at Little Rock, USA
Reduced raffinose family oligosaccharide (RFO) levels in seeds. Human and other monogastric animals cannot digest major soluble carbohydrates, RFOs.
( Le et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Vietnam
University of Missouri, USA
Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research
Germany
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
Improvement of of functional compounds in tomato fruit, which satisfies the antioxidant properties requirements.
( Kim et al., 2024 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Hankyong National University
Chungbuk National University, South Korea
Increased sucrose content.
( Ren et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Beijing Key Laboratory of Vegetable Germplasm Improvement
Capital Normal University
China Agricultural University, China
Cornell University
Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, USA
Increased sugar and amino acid content leading to improved fruit quality.
( Nguyen et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology
Food Industries Research Institute, Vietnam
University of Missouri, USA
Lower oil content and altered fatty acid composition. Most commercially produced oil seeds synthesize only a relatively small range of fatty acids, offering limited functionality.
( Aznar-Moreno et al., 2017 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Kansas State University, USA
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
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
Ultra-low nicotine level
( Burner et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
North Carolina State University, USA
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
Reduced content of trypsin inhibitors, one of the most abundant anti-nutritional factors in soybean seeds. Reduction of trypsin inhibitors leads to improved. digestibility of soybean meal.
( Wang et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Virginia Tech, USA
High oleic, low linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid phenotype. High concentration of linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids causes oxidative instability.
( Do et al., 2019 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of Missouri, USA
Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Vietnam
Alteration of the inositol phosphate profile in developing seeds.
( Shukla et al., 2009 )
SDN1
ZFN
Dow AgroSciences
Sangamo BioSciences, USA
Reduced nicotine levels. Nicotine is the addictive component in tobacco.
( Jeong et al., 2024 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Nulla Bio Inc.
Gyeongsang National University
Gyeongsang National University 501 Jinju-daero, South Korea
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
Increased levels of oleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid. Camelina is a low-input oilseed crop. It is necessary to ameloriate fatty acid composition in oils to meet different application requirements.
( Ozseyhan et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Montana State University, USA
Improvement of starch quality.
( Wang et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Science

Shanghai Sanshu Biotechnology Co.
LTD, China
University of Kentucky, USA
Improved seed protein content.
( Shen et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Corteva Agriscience
University of Arizona, USA
Increased amylose content. Cereals high in amylose content (AC) and resistant starch (RS) offer potential health benefits and reduce risks of diseases such as coronary heart disease, diabetes and certain colon and rectum cancers.
( Sun et al., 2017 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
University of California, USA
University of Liege, Belgium
Increased digestibility and protein quality. Reduced kafirin levels. Kafirins are the major storage proteins in sorghum grains and form protein bodies with poor digestibility. Kafirins are devoid of the essential amino acid lysine, they also impart poor protein quality to the kernel.
( Li et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of Nebraska
University of Missouri, USA
Promoted phenolic acid biosynthesis. Salvia is tradional Chinese medicine with great medical value to treat cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases. Phenolic acids make up a big part of the bioactive compounds.
( Shi et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
East China University of Science and Technology
Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, China
University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA
Glucoraphanin(GR)-enriched broccoli. Broccoli contains important nutritional components and beneficial phytochemicals. GR, a major glucosinolate (GSL), protects the body against several chronic diseases.
( Kim et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Sejong University
Jeonbuk National University
Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology
Asia Seed Company Limited, South Korea
Glossy phenotype. Reduced epicuticular wax in leaves.
( Char et al., 2015 )
SDN1
TALENs
Iowa State University, USA
Carotenoid-enriched. Carotenoids, the source of pro vitamin A, are an essential component of dietary antioxidants.
( Dong et al., 2020 )
SDN3
CRISPR/Cas
University of California
Innovative Genomics Institute
The Joint Bioenergy Institute, USA
Enhanced oil composition. Increased oleic acid content and significant decreases in the less desirable polyunsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid (i.e. a decrease from ~16% to <4%) and linolenic acid (a decrease from ~35% to <10%).
( Jiang et al., 2016 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of Nebraska
University of California, USA
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
High oleic and low linolenic oil to improve nutritional characteristics, increase shelf-life and frying stability.
( Demorest et al., 2016 )
SDN1
TALENs
Cellectis plant science Inc.
Calyxt, USA
Amylose-free starch in tubers.
( Toinga-Villafuerte et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Texas A&
M University, USA
Improve glutinosity in elite varieties. Decreased amylose content without affecting other desirable agronomic traits.
( Zhang et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Purdue University
University of Queensland, USA
Attenuated toxic cyanogen production. Cassava produces toxic cyanogenic compounds and requires food processing for safe consumption.
( Gomez et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of California
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University
Chan-Zuckerberg BioHub, USA
High-quality sugar production by rice (98% sucrose content). Carbohydrates are an essential energy-source. Sugarcane and sugar beet were the only two crop plants used to produce sugar.
( Honma et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, China
Faculty of Engineering
Kitami Institute of Technology
NagoyaUniversity
Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan
Carnegie Institution for Science, USA
Reduced phytic acid content in soybean seeds. Monogastric animals are unable to digest phytic acid, making phytic acid phosphorous in animal waste one of the major causes of environmental phosphorus pollution.
( Song et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Dong-A University
Korea Research Institute of Bioscience Biotechnology (KRIBB), South Korea
High levels of beta-carotene accumulation.
( Lu et al., 2006 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Cornell University
University of Minnesota, USA
High amylose content. High-amylose starches are digested slowly which could provide increased satiety and reduced risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer.
( Kim et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Kyungpook National University
National Institute of Crop Science, South Korea
Increased RS. Cereals high in RS may be beneficial to improve human health and reduce the risk of diet-related chronic diseases.
( Biswas et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Texas A&
M Univ.
Avance Biosciences Inc., USA
Enhancing the accumulation of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, essential components of a healthy, balanced diet.
( Han et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Rothamsted Research, UK
Montana State University, USA
Low polyunsaturated fats content. Soybean oil is high in polyunsaturated fats and is often partially hydrogenated. The trans-fatty acids produced through hydrogenation pose a health threat.
( Haun et al., 2014 )
SDN1
TALENs
Cellectis plant sciences Inc., USA
High-oleic acid content. Oleic acid has increased oxidative stability compared to linolenic and linoleic acid, improving fuel stability and the oil's suitability for high-temperature food applications, for example frying.
( Jarvis et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Illinois State University
University of North Texas
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA
Improved starch quality. Reduced amylopectin and increased amylose percentage.
( Wang et al., 2019 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences
Shanghai Sanshu Biotechnology Co. LTD
Chinese Academy of Science, China
University of Kentucky, USA
Large parthenocarpic fruits. Parthenocarpy, also known as seedless fruits, is preferred by consumers and it ensures consistent fruit yield in variable environmental conditions.
( Hu et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Duke University, USA

Traits related to increased plant yield and growth

Improved nitrogen use efficiency.
( Li et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Huazhong Agricultural University, China
University of California, 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
Delayed bolting.
( Shin et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Kyung Hee University, South Korea
Altered tree architecture, exhibited pleiotropic phenotypes: including differences in branch angle and stem growth.
(Dutt et al., 2022)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of Florida, USA
Mansoura University, Egypt
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
Bushy phenotype and increased tiller production.
( Liu et al., 2017 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Iowa State University, USA
Plant development. Phenotypes consistent with increased GA response: tall and slender with light green vegetation.
(Lor et al., 2014)
SDN1
TALENs
University of Minnesota, USA
Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
Optimum increase in phloem-transportation capacity leads to improved sink strength in tomato to increase agricultural crop production.
( Nam et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Pohang University of Science and Technology
Wonkwang University, South Korea
Dwarf phenotype. Tomatoes with compact growth habits and reduced plant height can be useful in some environments.
( Tomlinson et al., 2019 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Norwich Research Park, UK
University of Minnesota, 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
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
Delayed bolting.
( Shin et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Kyung Hee University, South Korea
Altering leaf inclination angle which has the potential to elevate yield in high-density plantings.
( Brant et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of Florida
DOE Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, USA
Kastamonu University, Turkey
Increased fruit size. Highly branched inflorescence and formation of multiple flowers.
( Rodri­guez-Leal et al., 2017 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA
Improved high-density yield and drought/osmotic stress tolerance.
( Chen et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Texas Tech University, USA
Faster seedling growth.
( Zhou et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of Maryland, 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. Complete abolition of pollen development.
( Lee et al., 2016 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Kyung Hee University, South Korea
Increased grain size and modulated shoot architecture.
( Miao et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Zhejiang A&
F University
Nanchang University
Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Purdue University, USA
Shortened plant architecture and jointless pedicel without affecting the yield. This plant architecture can allow ground cultivation systems that do not require the support of stakes and ties and could be ultimately suitable for once-over mechanical harvesting.
( Lee et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of Florida, USA
High temperature germination. Large increases in the maximum temperature for seed germination to allow for the cultivation of the crop in production areas with higher temperature.
( Bertier et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of California, USA
Altered branch and petiole angles.
( Kangben et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Clemson University
HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Cotton incorporated, 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
Customize tomato cultivars for urban agriculture: increased compactness and decreased growth cycle of tomato plants.
(Kwon et al., 2020)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Cornell University
University of Florida, USA
Wonkwang University, South Korea
Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel
Increased leaf yield of lettuce by delaying the onset of flowering.
( Choi et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology
Korea University of Science and Technology, South Korea
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
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
Early flowering and maturity. Flowering time (heading date) is an important trait for crop yield and cultivation.
( Wang et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Sinobioway Bio-Agriculture Group, Co., China
Corteva™ Agriscience, USA
Early flowering. Day-light sensitivity limited the geographical range of cultivation.
( Soyk et al., 2016 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, USA
Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Germany
Université Paris-Scalay, France
Promoted rice growth and productivity.
( Miao et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Purdue University, 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 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
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
Haploid induction to accelerate breeding in crop plants.
( Kelliher et al., 2017 )
SDN1
TALENs
Syngenta Seeds, USA
Combine agronomically desirable traits with useful traits present in wild lines. Threefold increase in fruit size and a tenfold increase in fruit number. Fruit lycopene accumulation is improved by 500% compared with the widely cultivated S. lycopersicum.
( Zsögön et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Universidade Federal de Viçosa
Universidade de São Paulo Paulo, Brazil
University of Minnesota, USA
Universität Münster, Germany
Enhanced sink strength in tomato, improving fruit setting, and yield contents.
( Nam et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Pohang University of Science and Technology
Wonkwang University, South Korea
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
Enhanced photosynthesis.
( Caddell et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS)
University of California at Berkeley
Utah State University
Texas A&
M University, USA
Increased yield under different environmental conditions: well-watered, drought, normal nitrogen and low nitrogen field conditions and at multiple geographical locations.
(Wang et al., 2020)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Sinobioway Bio-Agriculture Group Co.
Ltd
Corteva Agriscience
Johnston, USA
Bigger seedlings.
( Lor et al., 2014 )
SDN1
TALENs
University of Minnesota, USA
Increased yield.
( Zhou et al., 2019 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Xichang University, China
University of Maryland, USA
Conferred lodging resistance. Tef is a staple food, and valuable cash crop in Ethiopia. Lodging is a major limitation to its production.
( Beyene et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Corteva Agriscience
Michigan State University, USA
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Ethiopia
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
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
Improve biomass yield and salinity tolerance.
( Guan et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
China Agricultural University
Shandong institute of agricultural sustainable development
Beijing Sure Academy of Biosciences, China
Oklahoma State University, USA
Increase in floral organ number or fruit size, conferring enhanced tomato fruit yield.
( Rodriguez-Leal et al., 2017 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA
Increased grain yield without side effect.
( Gho et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Kyung Hee University, South Korea
International Rice Research Institute, Philippines
Dwarf phenotype.
( Lawrenson et al., 2015 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Norwich Research Park, UK
Murdoch University, 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