Soybean Variety Breeding With Precise Multi-Trait Genome Editing

The patent replaces traditional mechanical breeding methods (crossing, selection, and recombination) with genome editing technology. Specifically, engineered nucleases (such as CRISPR-Cas9, TALENs, or zinc finger nucleases) are used to directly modify the genome at specific loci, enabling precise introduction of desired traits without relying on slow traditional breeding processes. This substitution of mechanical breeding with molecular editing technology resolves the contradiction by achieving both high speed and high precision simultaneously.

The patent employs parameter changes in the form of different genome editing approaches (HDR vs. NHEJ repair mechanisms, different nuclease types, transient vs. stable transformation) to achieve desired traits while minimizing regulatory complexity. By carefully selecting editing parameters such as using base editing or prime editing instead of traditional CRISPR-Cas9, the patent can introduce precise genetic changes without creating complex regulatory issues associated with foreign DNA integration, thus balancing precision with regulatory acceptability.

The patent merges multiple trait improvements into a single genome editing process by targeting multiple loci simultaneously. Instead of conducting separate breeding programs for each trait (disease resistance, yield improvement, stress tolerance), the patent uses multiplex genome editing to introduce all desired modifications in a single step. This combining of multiple trait introduction methods into one unified approach resolves the contradiction by achieving superior overall performance while minimizing breeding program complexity.