A successful genetic transformation procedure for turnip

Genome editing has strong potential for crop improvement, but its application is restricted by low plant regeneration frequencies and genotype dependencies. Despite its agricultural significance, research on turnip (Brassica rapa var. rapa) is hindered by a low efficiency of transformation and shoot regeneration. In this study, Yuanyuan et al. introduced a procedure for stable genetic transformation and gene editing of turnip. They used the Agrobacterium-mediated expression of a development regulator gene encodling the WUSCHEL transcription factor (BrrWUSa) as an estrogen-inducible construct (pER8-BrrWUSa) to enhance fertile shoot regeneration in turnip. This transformation procedure was used to successfully carry out gene editing of BrrTCP4b gene in turnip. Taken together, this method may play an important role in the functional characterization of genes for turnip and provides a powerful tool for the future improvement of turnip by CRISPR/Cas-mediated gene editing. (Summary by Abdulkabir Omeiza Abdulmalik @Omeiza_PlantDoc) Plant Methods 10.1186/s13007-022-00931-w