CRISPR Boosts Immunity and Yield of Wheat

Researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 in wheat, which improved its resistance to rust and increased its yield. Their findings offer germplasm resources that can be used for the breeding of high-resistance and high-yield plants.

The immune system of plants is regulated positively and negatively by different factors. An example of a negative regulator of plant immunity is MAP kinase phosphatase1 (MKP1). However, the molecular mechanisms involving MKP1's regulation of wheat (Triticum aestivum) are currently unclear.