Enhancing grain-yield-related traits by CRISPR-Cas9 promoter editing of maize CLE genes

Several yield-related traits selected during crop domestication and improvement(1,2) are associated with increases in meristem size(3), which is controlled by CLE peptide signals in the CLAVATA-WUSCHEL pathway(4-13). Here, we engineered quantitative variation for yield-related traits in maize by making weak promoter alleles of CLE genes, and a null allele of a newly identified partially redundant compensating CLE gene, using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing. These strategies increased multiple maize grain-yield-related traits, supporting the enormous potential for genomic editing in crop enhancement.

Automated summary

By using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, weak promoter alleles of CLE genes and a null allele of a partially redundant compensating CLE gene were engineered in maize to increase multiple maize grain-yield-related traits, demonstrating the potential of genomic editing in crop improvement.