In the early morning of March 25th, Beijing time, the journal Science published the joint scientific research results of the China Agricultural University team and the Huazhong Agricultural University team online. A key gene in both corn and rice was discovered.

Experiments show that by editing and improving the gene, it is expected to increase the yield of maize and rice by about 10% and 8%, respectively.

The study also analyzed the genetic laws of the convergent selection of maize and rice, laying an important theoretical foundation for the mechanism analysis of crop domestication and future crop breeding.

　　The three major crops, maize, rice and wheat, provide more than 50% of the energy intake of human beings in the world.

Human ancestors began domesticating wild plants about 10,000 years ago.

These crop domestications occurred in different parts of the planet with different ancestry, morphology and growth habits.

Did they follow a common genetic law during the long-term improvement and selection process?

This is a major basic science problem, and it also has important practical significance for the genetic improvement of crops.

After 18 years, the joint research team of China Agricultural University and Huazhong Agricultural University has carried out systematic research from the two levels of genes and genomes.

Among them, a key gene in both maize and rice was discovered for the first time.

△Gene editing KRN2 can simultaneously improve the yield of maize and rice

　　Yan Jianbing, vice president of Huazhong Agricultural University, executive deputy director and chief scientist of Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, introduced that they named the newly discovered key gene KRN2. Yield was increased by 10%, and at the same time, this gene, which is also present in the rice genome, was gene-edited, and it was able to increase rice yield by 8%.

This is our DNA with significant intellectual property that has the potential to contribute to solving our food security problems.

　　Professor Yan Jianbing introduced that the discovery of important functional genes will bring new opportunities for crop genetic improvement and re-domestication of new crops.

The research team also analyzed the genetic laws of the convergent selection of maize and rice.

△Molecular mechanism of convergent selection in maize and rice

　　Prof. Yan Jianbing introduced that in the next step, focusing on the KRN2 gene, the joint research team will rely on the Hubei Hongshan Laboratory to form innovative teams such as maize genome, breeding gene design, group breeding, etc., to open up from basic research to marker gene development, as well as variety selection, Industry promotion and application of the entire industry chain.

　　(Headquarters CCTV reporter Pan Hongxu Gao Chenyuan Hubei TV Station Wu Baohong)