The present invention belongs to the field of
genetic engineering breeding technology and specifically discloses the application of targeted editing of the rice OsPLATZ1
gene to improve
rice grain shape and yield. Using
CRISPR / Cas
genome editing technology, site-specific mutations are performed on the
promoter and 5' UTR regions of the rice OsPLATZ1
gene, creating a
mutant line with altered expression levels of the OsPLATZ1
gene. This alters the relative expression of the OsPLATZ1 gene, which is associated with
panicle development, in the
mutant line. Compared to the wild-type indica rice variety Huaguang, this new rice line was quickly and efficiently obtained with altered grain length,
aspect ratio, number of grains per
panicle, and 1000-
grain weight. This approach satisfies people's preference for
rice grain shape while simultaneously overcoming the mutual constraints between
grain shape and
grain number, resulting in superior lines with significantly increased yield. This approach, applied in breeding, addresses the yield challenge and provides important
germplasm resources for high-yield rice breeding.