BULLETIN 1
Gene-Edited Cotton Offers Resistance Against Reniform Nematode

ISAAA November 19, 2025
A new study shows that gene-edited upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) significantly improved its resistance to the reniform nematode. The researchers from Clemson University, A&L Scientific Editing Inc., and Cotton Incorporated targeted the MLO3 gene using CRISPR-Cas9 to determine its role in protecting cotton from one of the crop's most damaging pests.
Four independent knockout lines (A1, D3, E1, and P3) were generated and tested in greenhouse trials to evaluate their ability to limit nematode reproduction compared with conventional varieties. The results showed that two edited lines, D3 and E1, had sharply lower nematode egg counts and fewer vermiform life stages compared with the control genotypes, Coker 312 (WT), Delta Pearl, and Jin668.
While some growth trade-offs were observed, the findings confirm that knocking out MLO3 can suppress reniform nematode populations and offer a promising path for developing resistant cotton varieties. The researchers recommend further testing of the gene-edited cotton lines, particularly D3 and E1, under field conditions to examine their resistance to reniform nematodes and other plant-parasitic nematodes.
For more information, read the study from MDPI.

 

BULLETIN 2
Gene Editing Makes Crops 'Indigestible' to Pests

 

An international research review highlights the potential of gene editing to naturally protect major agricultural crops such as corn, beans, and peas, by enhancing their inherent defenses against starch-consuming insects. The study focuses on alpha-amylase inhibitor proteins (AIPs), which are naturally present in the seeds of wild plants. These proteins work by making the starch in the seeds indigestible to common pests, such as weevils, beetles, and woodworms, hindering their growth and reproduction in fields and storage.
The researchers note that centuries of plant domestication, aimed at increasing productivity and making seeds more digestible and palatable for humans, may have inadvertently reduced the production of these natural inhibitor proteins. This reduction has left modern commercial crops more vulnerable to pests that cause massive economic losses worldwide, particularly in stored grains. The new research, published in the Biotechnology Journal, emphasizes that gene editing techniques, such as CRISPR, could be used to boost the expression of a plant's existing AIP genes, strengthening its protective barrier without needing to introduce genes from other species (transgenesis).
This approach offers a promising path for creating the next generation of pest-resistant crops that may not be classified as genetically modified organisms (GMOs) under certain regulatory frameworks. Scientists stress the importance of ensuring that the enhanced inhibitors remain selective, affecting only the target insect pests while remaining digestible to humans and livestock. By carefully designing these genetic modifications, the technology aims to provide a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides, strengthening global food security, especially in regions highly reliant on these vulnerable crops.
For more details, read this article.
See: https://www.isaaa.org/kc/cropbiotechupdate/article/default.asp?ID=21601

 

SCIENTIFIC NEWS

Genetic mapping of novel QTL for seed protein stability in food-grade soybean (Glycine max)
Andrew A. Mitchell, Feng Lin, Heng Ye, Tri Vuong, Zixiang Wen, Biructawit Tessema, Randall Laurenz, Raju Thada Magar, Henry T. Nguyen & Dechun Wang
Theoretical and Applied Genetics; 14 November 2025; vol. 138; article 304

 

  

Key message
Two novel quantitative trait loci associated with soybean protein content stability were identified on chromosomes 10 and 18. Haplotype analysis showed these to significantly improve stability without protein content penalty.
Abstract
Soybean seed protein content is a complex physiological trait under polygenic control and significant genotype by environment interaction. Protein content is largely influenced by ambient atmospheric temperature at pod-filling, with increased temperatures enhancing seed protein accumulation. The identification of genomic regions associated with protein content stability will facilitate an increased understanding of seed development physiology and assist in the development of more broadly adapted food-grade soybean cultivars. In this work, 210 recombinant inbred lines were derived from the intraspecific cross of the high protein accession BARC-6 (PI 555396), and the low protein MSU breeding accession E14077 for the investigation of quantitative trait loci associated with protein content and protein content stability across multiple years and test locations. Indices for static protein content stability were used to estimate genome by environment interactions across Northern and Southern soybean production regions. Composite interval mapping returned one stable major effect QTL associated with protein content on chromosome 20 explaining approximately 20.7% of phenotypic variation. Two novel QTLs associated with absolute protein stability were detected on chromosomes 10 and 18, explaining approximately 8.6% and 7.6% of phenotypic variation, respectively. SNP-based haplotype analysis showed simultaneous favorable effects on protein content and stability when desirable alleles for these QTL were pyramided. These results will serve as a valuable tool for the molecular breeding of food-grade soybean cultivars harboring elevated protein content coupled with improved stability across varied environments, thus addressing a key challenge in meeting the global rise in soybean protein demand for both livestock feed and human consumption.
See https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00122-025-05089-2

 

  

 

Figure: From: Genetic mapping of novel QTL for seed protein stability in food-grade soybean (Glycine max)

QTL cartographer results depicting significant peaks for stability and protein content metrics. a QTL Peaks obtained using CIM on for unadjusted absolute stability across all year/location environments; b QTL Peaks obtained using CIM on for BLUP- and Means-adjusted absolute stability across all year/location environments; c QTL peaks obtained using CIM on chromosome 20 for BLUP predicted protein content across individual year/location environments and pooled environment data; d QTL peaks obtained using CIM on chromosome 14 for BLUP predicted protein content across all year/location environments. Significant peak obtained from 2020 Michigan trial