Brachytic BR2 Gene Mutation for Semi-Dwarf Corn Lodging Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current corn breeding techniques struggle to identify and utilize dwarf or semi-dwarf mutations that confer a short stature without severely impacting grain yield, particularly in maize varieties sensitive to lodging.
Innovation Solution
The development of a corn plant with a non-natural brachytic mutation, specifically a modified BR2 gene with reduced activity, achieved through genome editing techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9, to produce a semi-dwarf phenotype without introducing transposons or using transgenic methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional dwarfing mutations are used to reduce plant height, then lodging resistance is improved, but grain yield is severely impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the genetic parameter by introducing a specific brachytic mutation in the BR2 gene that modifies plant height through altered hormone signaling pathways, specifically affecting internode elongation without compromising reproductive development and grain yield
Solution Approach 2:
The brachytic mutation locally affects internode length and stalk structure without globally impacting other plant organs such as leaves, ears, and tassels, thereby achieving lodging resistance while preserving grain production capacity
2Reliability
If plant height is reduced to improve mechanical stability, then lodging resistance is improved, but overall plant growth and organ development are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The brachytic mutation specifically targets internode elongation through modified hormone response, leaving other plant organs such as leaves, ears, and tassels unaffected in terms of number and size, thereby achieving mechanical stability without compromising overall organ development
3Length of moving object
If existing brachytic mutant alleles are used to achieve short stature, then plant height is reduced, but the severity of the phenotype makes them unsuitable for commercial exploitation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a specific brachytic allele with modified genetic parameters that produces a semi-dwarf phenotype with intermediate characteristics, balancing height reduction with maintained grain yield and overall plant vigor, making it commercially viable
Solution Approach 2:
The brachytic mutation applies a partial effect on plant height through modified hormone signaling, achieving sufficient height reduction for lodging resistance while avoiding the excessive shortening that would compromise commercial viability
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are plants exhibiting a semi-dwarf phenotype with reduced plant height compared to control wildtype plants. Some of the disclosed semi-dwarf plants comprise at least one non-natural brachytic mutation in which the activity of a BR2 gene is reduced. Also disclosed are methods for producing a semi-dwarf corn plant using a CRISPR based genome editing system.