Genome editing of NPR3 confers potato resistance to Candidatus Liberibacter spp.

A study published in the Plant Biotechnology Journal explores the use of genome editing to confer resistance to Candidatus Liberibacter spp. in potatoes. The bacterium causes zebra chip disease, which leads to significant economic losses in the potato industry. The researchers targeted the non-expressor of pathogenesis-related 3 (NPR3) gene in potatoes and successfully edited it using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. The edited potato lines showed reduced disease symptoms, lower pathogen titer, and increased expression of defense-related genes. The study highlights the potential of genome editing as a strategy for developing disease-resistant crops. [Extracted from the article]