In a new study, researchers used the genetic scissors CRISPR/Cas9 system to tweak the leaf angle in sugarcane, enabling the plant to capture more sunlight. This single change had a big effect on the amount of biomass produced.
Sugarcane is one of the most important crops in the world. In fact, by biomass yield, it’s the world’s largest crop, with almost 2 billion tons being produced every year. It produces 80% of the sugar the entire world uses. But there’s another reason why scientists are interested in it: biofuel.
Because the sugarcane plant is pretty big and uses water very efficiently, it’s a prime candidate to produce various bioproducts. But, notably, it is useful in producing biofuel. Currently, Sugarcane is used to produce almost 40% of global biofuels.
Three transgenic lines with varying levels of LG1 co-editing (12%, 53%, and 95%) were cultivated under greenhouse and field conditions. These trials revealed that as the co-editing frequency increased, the leaf inclination angle became more upright. The most notable results were observed in the line with 12% co-editing, which caused a 56% decrease in the leaf inclination angle and an 18% increase in dry biomass yield.
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The implications of this research are profound and can mark a significant milestone in editing crops. It shows how a genetic tool can optimize leaf architecture, opening up an exciting new avenue for enhancing biomass yield, a critical factor for many different crop plants.
