| Abstract |
This project will use gene editing to develop maize lines tolerant to Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN), a disease that reduces maize harvests in Kenya by nearly a quarter on average. Four MLN-susceptible lines will be edited to make them tolerant to MLN. The four susceptible lines are the parents of two popular, stress-tolerant but MLN-susceptible hybrids developed and commercialized before 2011 in Kenya and Uganda. The edited, MLN-tolerant lines will be used to make MLN-tolerant versions of the hybrids, which will carry all the farmer-preferred agronomic traits and stress tolerance of the popular hybrids, with the added advantage of MLN tolerance. The MLN-tolerant hybrids will be available for planting on approximately 40,000 hectares, benefiting about 20,000 farmers by 2025 in Kenya. Close collaboration with partners from the public and private sectors will prepare for deployment of the hybrids to maximize equitable access by smallholder farmers. |
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