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CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing has been used by researchers at the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR) to enhance phosphate absorption in japonica rice

Researchers at the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR) have utilized CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing to improve phosphate absorption in japonica rice, resulting in a 20–40% boost in yield with regulated phosphate application

Deeksha Upadhyay 08 July 2025 16:31

CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing has been used by researchers at the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR) to enhance phosphate absorption in japonica rice

What is Japonica Rice?

Japonica rice is a high-starch, short-grain type of rice mainly cultivated in East Asia, commonly utilized in breeding studies because of its simple genetic modification and consistent traits in regulated settings.

Created By:

Created by NIPGR, New Delhi, utilizing CRISPR-Cas9 gene modification.

Study released in the Plant Biotechnology Journal

Cultivar utilized: Nipponbare (a representative japonica type)

How Was It Created?

Target Gene Identified: OsPHO1;2, a phosphate transporter transferring phosphorus from roots to shoots.

Repressor Identified: OsWRKY6, an inhibitor of this transporter

First Strategy Unsuccessful: Disabling the repressor affected other functions in the plant.

Exact Editing: Only the 30 base-pair binding sites of the repressor were eliminated utilizing CRISPR.

Result: Enhanced phosphate transport to the shoot, resulting in improved seed formation.

Essential Characteristics of Gene-Modified Japonica Rice:

20% increased output with the complete fertilizer amount and a 40% yield boost with just 10% of the suggested phosphate.

Enhanced phosphate uptake resulting from better transporter stimulation.

Increased panicles and seeds, with seed quality and size staying consistent.

No foreign DNA in the final generation; eliminated through Mendelian segregation.

No unintended effects observed; confirmed with leading genome-prediction tools.

Effectively replicates minimally invasive promoter gene surgery.

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