Switching off a single gene using CRISPR boosts rice and maize yields by 10 per cent, suggesting gene editing could massively increase the availability of staple foods.
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Turning off a particular gene in maize and rice could enhance grain yields by 10 per cent and 8 per cent respectively, according to a new study. By exploring similar genes in other cereal grains, global crop production could be boosted. Maize and rice are staple foods around the world, and each has a distinct history of cultivation for large-scale consumption. It is believed that maize originated in Mexico, while rice came from China. Despite the independent evolution of these species, plant biologists have noted that they possess some very similar traits. This is known as convergent evolution.at China Agricultural University in Beijing and her colleagues mapped the genomes of maize and rice .
“These are excellent results,” says Yang, who hopes to continue exploring the 490 gene pairs to further improve rice and maize production.
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