Unlocking the potential of rapeseed: CRISPR edits for hybrid efficiency

GEE I THOUGHT MONSANTO (C) (R) (TD) CANOLA WAS ALREADY GMO

Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science

 

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Phenotypic characterization of flower buds, open flowers, and silique development in WT and four mutants. A The growth and flowering of the WT and four mutants. Blue arrows indicate normally developed flower buds and opening flowers, while white arrows highlight abnormally developed flower buds and flowers. Scale bar = 5 cm. B Flower buds, buds without sepals and petals, and anthers in flower buds before flowering. Scale bar = 0.5 cm; dashed box scale bar = 0.25 cm. C Open flowers without sepals and petals, and anthers in fully opened flowers. Scale bar = 0.5 cm; dashed box scale bar = 0.25 cm. D Siliques at 12 DAP of WT and the four mutants. Scale bar = 2 cm. E, F Paraffin sections of transverse anther in flower buds 1–2 days before flowering in WT (E) and DM (L1) (F). Epidermis (ep), endothecium (en), stomium (st), connective (c), vascular bundle (v), and pollen grains (p). Scale bar = 1 mm. G Pollen viability of WT, L1, L2, L3, and L4 assessed after 5 h of room temperature staining with Alexander’s staining solution. Values in the bars represent means of three biological replicates, and error bars indicate standard deviations. Different lowercase letters above the bars indicate statistical significance at P < 0.05 based on Student’s t-test.

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Credit: Horticulture Research

In a transformative advance for agriculture, scientists have utilized CRISPR/Cas9 technology to develop a male-sterile line in rapeseed. This innovation simplifies the hybrid seed production process, overcoming traditional limitations and enhancing the crop's yield and sustainability. By targeting the BnDAD1 gene, the study disrupts the jasmonic acid pathway, essential for pollen development, leading to a controlled and efficient method for creating hybrids that can significantly boost vegetable oil output to meet global demands.

Hybrid production in rapeseed faces several significant challenges, primarily due to the complexities and limitations of current male sterility systems. Traditional methods often involve intricate management processes and are highly sensitive to environmental conditions, resulting in unstable and inefficient hybrid seed production. Due to these issues, there is a pressing need for a more efficient, stable, and environmentally resilient system to improve hybrid production in rapeseed, ensuring higher yields and better adaptability to varying agricultural conditions.

Researchers from Zhejiang University and Jiaxing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, publishing (DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhae139) in Horticulture Research on May 28, 2024, developed a novel approach using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. This method targets the BnDAD1 gene, creating male-sterile lines in rapeseed, thus simplifying hybrid seed production.

The study effectively disrupted the BnDAD1 gene, which plays a crucial role in the jasmonic acid biosynthesis pathway, using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. This disruption resulted in male sterility due to defects in anther dehiscence and pollen maturation in rapeseed. By applying exogenous methyl jasmonate, the researchers were able to restore fertility in the male-sterile lines, enabling the production of F1 hybrid seeds. This new two-line system offers a more straightforward and efficient method for hybrid seed production compared to traditional systems, which often face environmental stability issues. The male sterility induced by the CRISPR/Cas9 method proved to be stable and complete, independent of environmental conditions, making it a robust solution for hybrid rapeseed production. This innovative approach holds significant commercial potential, promising to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of rapeseed cultivation.

Dr. Lixi Jiang, lead researcher from Zhejiang University, stated, "Our findings present a significant advancement in rapeseed hybrid production. The use of CRISPR/Cas9 to induce male sterility simplifies the breeding process and holds great promise for enhancing rapeseed yield and sustainability."

This innovative approach can revolutionize hybrid seed production in rapeseed, providing a more efficient and stable method. The application of this technology can lead to increased yields and sustainability in rapeseed cultivation, addressing the growing global demand for vegetable oil.

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References

DOI

10.1093/hr/uhae139

Original Source URL

https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhae139

Funding information

This work was sponsored by the STI 2030 – Major Projects (2023ZD04008).

About Horticulture Research

Horticulture Research is an open access journal of Nanjing Agricultural University and ranked number one in the Horticulture category of the Journal Citation Reports ™ from Clarivate, 2022. The journal is committed to publishing original research articles, reviews, perspectives, comments, correspondence articles and letters to the editor related to all major horticultural plants and disciplines, including biotechnology, breeding, cellular and molecular biology, evolution, genetics, inter-species interactions, physiology, and the origination and domestication of crops.

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Journal

Horticulture Research

DOI

10.1093/hr/uhae139 

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

A CRISPR/Cas9-induced male-sterile line facilitating easy hybrid production in polyploid rapeseed (Brassica napus)