Efficient CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing of the ZjEIN2 gene in Zoysia japonica

Abstract

CRISPR/Cas9-based targeted gene editing has emerged as a versatile tool for deciphering gene function and improving traits in plants. However, this technique has not been applied to Zoysia japonica, a prominent warm-season turfgrass widely used for green spaces. Leaf senescence, a vital process affecting crop quality, occurs in Z. japonica during late growth, diminishing its aesthetic value and performance. In this study, we adeptly employed CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing to create Z. japonica exhibiting delayed leaf senescence by targeting the ZjEIN2 gene, a crucial regulator of ethylene-mediated senescence. Precise gene editing, which generated knockout mutations in ZjEIN2, led to delayed leaf senescence in both dark and ethylene treatment conditions. This provided strong evidence for ZjEIN2’s role in leaf senescence regulation. These findings highlight the potential of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing as a biotechnological strategy to enhance anti-senescence traits in Z. japonica and potentially other crops. This study carries significant implications for sustainable agriculture and turfgrass management, offering promising avenues for future applications and research.