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 20 results

Traits related to improved food/feed quality

Decreased seed size and promoted seed germination. To improve consumer experience for flesh-consumed watermelons, no (or small and sparse) seeds are better because the flesh portion is larger.
( Wang et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Beijing Key Laboratory of Vegetable Germplasm Improvement, 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
Increased tolerance to the heavy metal Cadmium.
( Liu et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Zhejiang University
Agricultural Ministry of China, China
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 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 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 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 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
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

Traits related to herbicide tolerance

Tribenuron
( Tian et al., 2018 )

BE
Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences
China Agricultural University, China

Traits related to storage performance

Delayed colour change of fruits.
( Li et al., 2024 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Gansu Agricultural University
Guangxi University
Yangtze University, China
Delayed fruit ripening.
( Lang et al., 2017 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Purdue University, USA
Repressed fruit ripening by repressing ethylene production and lycopene accumulation.
( Li et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
China Agricultural University, China
Decreased postharvest water loss with a 17–30% increase in wax accumulation.
( Chen et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
China Agricultural University
Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
University of Nottingham, UK
Altering tomato fruit ripening and softening, key traits for fleshy fruit. During ripening, fruit will gradually soften which is largely the result of fruit cell wall degradation. Softening may improve the edible quality of fruit but also reduces fruit resistance to pathogenic microorganisms. Fruit softening can cause mechanical damage during storage and transportation as well, which can reduce the storage and shelf life, leading to fruit loss.
( Gao et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
China Agricultural University
South China Agricultural University
Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University
Zhejiang University
Beijing University of Agriculture, China
University of Nottingham, UK
Improved shelf-life by targeting the genes modulating pectin degradation in ripening tomato.
( Wang et al., 2019 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of London
University of Leicester
University of Nottingham
University of Leeds, UK
International Islamic University Malaysia, Malaysia
Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
University of California, USA
Improved shelf-life with improved or not affected sugar: acid ratio, aroma volatiles, and skin color.
(Ortega-Salazar et al., 2023)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of California, USA
Zhejiang Normal University, China
University of Nottingham, UK
Improved shelf life.
( Yu et al., 2017 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Science, China
Delayed fruit inner ripening.
( Ao et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chongqing University, China
Delayed fruit ripening.
( Li et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Nanjing Agricultural University, China
University of Connecticut, USA