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

Plant

Displaying 93 results

Traits related to biotic stress tolerance

Reduced aphid damage to improve crop resistance to aphids or other insects. Restrict aphid sucking on watermelon.
( Li et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, China
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
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
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
Fungal resistance: Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. niveum (FON), one of the most devastaging diseases affecting watermelons. FON progresses along xylem vessels, causing the hollow and dried-out stems.
(Zhang et al., 2020)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Horticultural Crop Genetic Improvement, China
Fungal resistance: decreased susceptibility to Ustilago maydis, causing smut. The pathogen causes galls on all aerial parts of the plant, impacting crop yield and quality.
(Pathi et al., 2020)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, Germany
Visualization of the early stages of Cassava bacterial blight (CBB) infection in vivo. CBB is caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. Manihotis.
( Veley et al., 2021 )
SDN2
CRISPR/Cas
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, USA
National Root Crops Research Institute, Nigeria
Viral resistance: reduced cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) symptom severity and incidence. CBSD threatens cassava production in West Africa and is a major constraint on cassava production in East and Central Africa.
(Gomez et al., 2019)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of California
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, USA
Bacterial resistance: Xanthomonas citri, causing citrus canker, one of the most serious diseases affecting the global citrus industry. Citrus is the most produced fruit in the world.
(Jia et al., 2016)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of Florida, USA
Bacterial resistance: resistance to Xanthomonas citri, a pathogen causing citrus canker. Citrus canker is one of the most devastating citrus diseases worldwide, causing canker symptoms. Generating disease-resistant varieties is one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly measures for controlling canker.
(Jia et al., 2021)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
University of Florida
Citrus Research and Education Center, USA
Rapid detection of Sclerotium rolfsii, the causal agent of stem and root rot disease. This technique is effective for identification of pathogens, with potential for on-site testing.
( Changtor et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Naresuan University, Thailand
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
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
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
Sensitive and specific visual detection method for Acidovorax citrulli, an important seed-borne disease of the cucurbits.
( Wang et al., 2024 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Fuyang Normal University
Anhui Jianzhu University
Southern Subtropicals Grops Research Institute, China
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
Fungal resistance: More resistance against Bipolaris maydis, the causing agent of Southern corn leaf blight.
(Xie et al., 2024)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Anhui Agricultural University, China
Rapid and on-site detection of the mycotoxin zearalenone.
( Pei et al., 2024 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Shaanxi University of Science and Technology
Anhui Agricultural University
China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, China
Queen'
s University Belfast, UK

Traits related to abiotic stress tolerance

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

Traits related to improved food/feed quality

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
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
Aromatic maize.
( Wang et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Shandong Normal University
Bellagen Biotechnology Co. Ltd
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
High-amylose content (up to 56% in apparent amylose content) and resistant starch (up to 35%).
( Luo et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Shanghai Sanshu Biotechnology Co.,
Guangxi Subtropical Crops Research Institute, China
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
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
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
Reduce or eliminate amylose content in root starch. Amylose influences the physicochemical properties of starch during cooking and processing.
( Bull et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, Switzerland
Waxy phenotype, abolition of amylose.
( Qi et al., 2018 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Glossy phenotype. Reduced epicuticular wax in leaves.
( Char et al., 2015 )
SDN1
TALENs
Iowa State University, USA
Reduced phytic acid (PA) synthesis in seeds, PA is an anti-nutritional compound.
( Liang et al., 2013 )
SDN1
TALENs
Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Alteration of the inositol phosphate profile in developing seeds.
( Shukla et al., 2009 )
SDN1
ZFN
Dow AgroSciences
Sangamo BioSciences, USA
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
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
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
Increased amylose and resistant starch. In food products, high amylose content and long amylopectin chains contribute to a low glycaemic index (GI) after intake, playing a role in health benefits.
( Ma et al., 2024 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Lab
Anhui Agricultural University
Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China

Traits related to increased plant yield and growth

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
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
Bushy phenotype and increased tiller production.
( Liu et al., 2017 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Iowa State University, 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
Haploid induction to accelerate breeding in crop plants.
( Kelliher et al., 2017 )
SDN1
TALENs
Syngenta Seeds, 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
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
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
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
Semi-dwarf phenotype with increased lodging resistance.
( Zhang et al., 2020 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
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
Increased water use efficiency, a promising approach for achieving sustainable crop production in changing climate scenarios.
( Blankenagel et al., 2022 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Technical University of Munich
Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology
Helmholtz Center Munich
Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany
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
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
Enlarged grain phenotype.
( Wang et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Hebi Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Henan Agricultural University, China
Late flowering phenotype.
( Liu et al., 2024 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
China Agricultural University, China
Dwarfing phenotype.
( Sun et al., 2024 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Northwest A&
F University
Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Shanxi Agricultural University, China

Traits related to industrial utilization

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
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
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
Haploid induction.
( Li et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
China Agricultural University
Longping Agriculture Science Co. Ltd., China
Male sterility.
( Zhang et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Northwest A&
F 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
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
Gynoecious phenotype: only female flowers. Advantageous trait for production of hybrid seed by bees under spatial isolation, because it avoids hand emasculation and hand pollination.
(Zhang et al., 2019)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Beijing Key Laboratory of Vegetable Germplasm Improvement
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Engineering Planning and Design, 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.
( Svitashev et al., 2015 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
DuPont Pioneer, 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.
( 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 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
Bio-fuel production: Reduced lignin content and improved sugar release.
(Park et al., 2017)
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Noble Research Institute, USA
Reduced lignin content and S (syringyl lignin)/G (guaiacyl lignin) (S/G) ratio alteration to reduce cell wall recalcitrance and improve bioethanol production. Lignin is a major component of secondary cell walls and contributes to the recalcitrance problem during fermentation.
( Park et al., 2021 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
BioEnergy Science Center
University of Tennessee, USA
Accelerate flowering, a rare event under glasshouse conditions. Modified starch.
( Bull et al., 2018 )
SDN3
CRISPR/Cas
Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, Switzerland
Trait stacking. Modern agriculture demands crops carrying multiple traits.
( Ainley et al., 2013 )
SDN1
ZFN
Dow AgroSciences LLC
Sangamo BioSciences, Inc., USA
Manipulation of the biosynthesis of bioactive compound alkaloids. Poppy produces many benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) used in biomedicines.
( Alagoz et al., 2016 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Cankiri Karatekin University
Dokuz Eylul University, Turkey
Haploid induction to accelerate breeding in crop plants.
( Rangari et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Punjab Agricultural University, India
Establishment of maternal haploid induction. Doubled haploid technology is used to obtain homozygous lines in a single generation. This technique significantly accelerates the crop breeding trajectory.
( Tian et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Beijing Key Laboratory of Vegetable Germplasm Improvement, 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
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
Improved pollen viability.
( Lv et al., 2024 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Mianyang Normal University
South China Agricultural University, China
Male sterility.
( Djukanovic et al., 2013 )

I-CreI
DuPont/Pioneer Agricultural Biotechnology
Precision Biosciences, USA

Traits related to herbicide tolerance

Resistance to imidazolinone herbicides.
( Zhu et al., 2000 )

ODM
Novartis Agricultural Discovery Institute
Pioneer Hi-Bred International, USA
Herbicide resistance: acetolactate synthase (ALS)
(Jiang et al., 2020)

PE
China Agricultural University
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Henan University, China
Bialaphos & quizalofop.
( Shukla et al., 2009 )
SDN3
ZFN
Dow AgroSciences
Sangamo BioSciences, USA
Resistance to either imidazolinone or sulfonylurea herbicides
( Zhu et al., 1999 )

ODM
Pioneer Hi-Bred International, USA
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
Herbicide tolerance: glyphosate
(Hummel et al., 2017)
SDN3
CRISPR/Cas
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, USA
Chlorsulfuron
( Svitashev et al., 2016 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
DuPont Pioneer, USA
Imidazolinone & sulfonylurea
( Zhu et al., 1999 )

ODM
Pioneer Hi-Bred International, USA
Chlorsulfuron
( Svitashev et al., 2015 )
SDN2
CRISPR/Cas
DuPont Pioneer, USA
Tribenuron
( Tian et al., 2018 )

BE
Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences
China Agricultural University, China
Sulfonylurea
( Li et al., 2019 )

BE
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Qingdao Agricultural University
Anhui Agricultural University, China
Increased herbicide tolerance.
( Kaul et al., 2024 )
SDN2
CRISPR/Cas
International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB)
Indian Council of Agricultural Research- Indian Institute of Maize Research
Indian Council of Agricultural Research
ICAR-National Institute of Biotic Stress Management

Traits related to product color/flavour

Albino phenotype. Diversity in fruit color. Watermelon is an important fruit croup throughout the world.
( Tian et al., 2016 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Beijing Key Laboratory of Vegetable Germplasm Improvement
China Agricultural University
Beijing University of Agriculture, China

Traits related to storage performance

Extended root shelf-life, which decreases its wastage.
( Mukami et al., 2023 )
SDN1
CRISPR/Cas
Kenyatta University
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture Technology
Pwani University Kilifi, Kenya