Gene-edited high-yield rice for optimal and nutrient-limiting conditions

Overview

This project investigates whether a gene-edited high-yield phenotype in rice, previously validated under optimal growing conditions, can be extended to nutrient-limiting environments including drought. Preliminary data shows that small insertions and deletions in a specific genetic element can increase rice yield by up to 30% under optimal growth conditions, with the increase attributed to changes in floral structure. The research builds on the understanding that many important agronomic traits have arisen from loss-of-function genetic mutations during cereal domestication, and that gene editing can now be used to generate similar mutations to produce novel, valuable crop traits.

Technical specifications

Key features:

• Three gene-edited alleles in rice cv. Nipponbare background already available, with additional alleles to be generated during the project
• Gene-edited and wild-type plants compared under controlled glasshouse conditions (28°C day, 24°C night, 12 h light/dark) with six biological replicates per line
• Yield component measurements combined with metabolic and gene expression profiling to characterize the genetic element's role
• Testing across optimal and nutrient-limiting conditions, including drought, with macro- and micro-elements reduced to various degrees
• Collaboration between expertise in gene editing and plant nutrition to link genotype to performance under stress

Technology readiness level

The technology is at an early-to-mid stage of development. Initial validation has been completed in a controlled glasshouse experiment demonstrating statistically significant yield increases under optimal conditions. The current project extends this validation to nutrient-limiting and drought conditions at the University of Melbourne's Plant Nutrition Lab. If positive results are obtained, larger outdoor field trials are planned at the University of Melbourne's Dookie Campus, representing the next step toward broader agricultural application.