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

Displaying 37 results

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
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
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
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 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
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
High oleic acid, low linoleic content.
( al Amin et al., 2019 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Jilin Agricultural University, 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
Reduced phytic acid (PA) synthesis in seeds, PA is an anti-nutritional compound.
( Liang et al., 2013 )
SDN1
TALENs
Chinese Academy of 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
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
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
Waxy phenotype, abolition of amylose.
( Qi et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Agricultural 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

Traits related to industrial utilization

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