Rothamsted Research has planted the UK’s first crop to receive a Precision Bred Organism (PBO) Release Notice, a key milestone for field-based gene editing under the country’s new regulatory framework.
The trial centres on Camelina sativa, an emerging oilseed crop, and will examine whether gene editing can increase seed size while improving yield and oil content.
Using CRISPR-Cas9, scientists introduced targeted changes to genes involved in seed-size regulation. The edits focus on genes that control cell division in the outer layers of the ovule, the structure that develops into the seed. By producing larger ovules, the researchers aim to generate larger seeds. The effects on seed size, yield and oil content will be evaluated during this year’s field trial, according to a press release.
“Gene editing allows us to precisely target traits like seed size that directly influence yield,” said Dr. Smita Kurup, research group leader at Rothamsted Research. “This trial is an important step towards developing higher-yielding, more sustainable oilseed crops.”
The genetic changes introduced include a range of deletions and insertions that could arise naturally or through conventional breeding. They therefore fall within the scope of the UK’s new PBO Regulations.
The trial is the first release notice registered under the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 and the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Regulations 2025, and is being carried out as a proof-of-concept research study.
Camelina belongs to the Brassicaceae family, which also includes oilseed rape (Brassica napus), one of the UK’s most important crops for agriculture and vegetable oil production. The research could pave the way for applying similar gene-editing approaches in oilseed rape to help improve yields for UK farmers.
“It is an exciting time to be working on gene editing and to explore its potential benefits for UK agriculture,” Dr. Mollie Langdon, who is leading the field trial at Rothamsted Research, said. “Field trials like this allow us to better understand how these innovations could support farmers and growers in the future.”
