Mingliang Jin , Danyan Ding

Institute of Life Sciences, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
Rice Genomics and Genetics, 2025, Vol. 16, No. 3   
Received: 05 Apr., 2025    Accepted: 16 May, 2025    Published: 02 Jun., 2025

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Rice yield is a critical determinant of global food security, yet it remains constrained by complex genetic and environmental factors. With the emergence of CRISPR-Cas9 as a powerful genome-editing tool, its application in rice improvement-especially via multiplex gene editing-has gained significant momentum. This study outlines the mechanisms of CRISPR-Cas9 editing in plants, recent advances in multiplex editing strategies, and delivery systems. We focus on key yield-related genes in rice, such as those influencing grain size (e.g., GS3), plant architecture (e.g., DEP1), and stress tolerance (e.g., DRO1), and highlight technological innovations including tRNA-processing systems, base editing, and transgene-free approaches. A case study on the simultaneous editing of GS3, DEP1, and DRO1 demonstrates the feasibility and potential of multiplex CRISPR-Cas9 to enhance multiple yield traits concurrently. Despite technical challenges like off-target effects and regulatory barriers, multiplex CRISPR-Cas9 editing presents a promising frontier in precision rice breeding. Future research integrating advanced CRISPR technologies with precision breeding platforms may accelerate the development of high-yield, climate-resilient rice varieties.

CRISPR-Cas9; Multiplex genome editing; Rice yield; GS3; Precision breeding