Application of CRISPR/Cas9 Technology in Rice Germplasm Innovation and Genetic Improvement

Improving the efficiency of germplasm innovation has always been the aim of rice breeders. Traditional hybrid breeding methods for variety selection rarely meet the practical needs of rice production. The emergence of genome-editing technologies, such as CRISPR/Cas9, provides a new approach to the genetic improvement of crops such as rice. The number of published scientific papers related to "gene editing" and "CRISPR/Cas9" retrievable on websites both from China and other countries exhibited an increasing trend, year by year, from 2014 to 2023. Research related to gene editing in rice accounts for 33.4% and 12.3% of all the literature on gene editing published in China and other countries, respectively, much higher than that on maize and wheat. This article reviews recent research on CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology in rice, especially germplasm innovation and genetic improvement of commercially promoted varieties with improved traits such as disease, insect, and herbicide resistance, salt tolerance, quality, nutrition, and safety. The aim is to provide a reference for the precise and efficient development of new rice cultivars that meet market demand.