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

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Displaying 68 results

Traits related to biotic stress tolerance

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: 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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: 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: 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
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
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

Traits related to abiotic stress tolerance

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
Lower water loss rate under drought conditions.
( Wang et al., 2024 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Gansu Agricultural University
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
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
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
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
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

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
Aromatic maize.
( Wang et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Shandong Normal University
Bellagen Biotechnology Co. Ltd
Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
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
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
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
Reduced phytic acid (PA) synthesis in seeds, PA is an anti-nutritional compound.
( Liang et al., 2013 )
SDN1
TALENs
Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Waxy phenotype, abolition of amylose.
( Qi et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
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
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

Traits related to increased plant yield and growth

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
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
Improvement for larger kernel and yield.
( Ma et al., 2015 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Northwest A &
F University
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
Bigger grains, increased grain weight.
( Zhang et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Sciences, 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
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
Semi-dwarf phenotype with increased lodging resistance.
( Zhang et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Altered spike architecture and grain treshability to increase grain production.
( Liu et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
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
Enlarged grain phenotype.
( Wang et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Hebi Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Henan 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 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
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

Traits related to industrial utilization

Improved pollen viability.
( Lv et al., 2024 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Mianyang Normal University
South China Agricultural University, 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
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
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
Haploid induction.
( Li et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
China Agricultural University
Longping Agriculture Science Co. Ltd., China
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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

Traits related to herbicide tolerance

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
Nicosulfuron
( Zong et al., 2018 )

BE
Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Herbicide resistance: acetolactate synthase (ALS)
(Jiang et al., 2020)

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

BE
Shandong Normal University
Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Sulfonylurea
( Li et al., 2019 )

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

BE
Chinese Academy of Sciences
China Agricultural University, China