Molecular plant pathologyFeb 12, 2026

Genome-edited maize with two natural genes shows wide resistance to northern corn leaf blight

CRISPR Gene Editing Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗OA ↗

Updated Jun 27, 2026

Abstract

Essence

Genome editing created maize lines with stacked native resistance genes that resisted several northern corn leaf blight races.

Evidence

A plant genome-editing and field-trial study replaced or inserted NLB18-R and Ht1-R in elite maize material, then tested resistance to Setosphaeria turcica races 0, 1, and 23N and yield under disease-free conditions.

Caveat

Yield was tested under disease-free field conditions, so performance under active northern corn leaf blight pressure and across broader environments remains uncertain.

Simplified

Northern corn leaf blight () can result in yield losses of up to 50% in maize. The most effective strategy for managing NCLB is the deployment of resistant hybrids. Conventional breeding methods typically require 6 or 7 backcross generations to introgress a resistance locus, often bringing along undesirable traits that reduce yield. Recent advances in genome editing offer a precise alternative, enabling the targeted incorporation of resistance genes without linkage drag. In this study, we identified an NCLB resistance gene, NLB18-R, that is allelic to Htn1 and Ht2/Ht3. Using , we replaced the susceptible allele (NLB18-S) with NLB18-R in an elite inbred, resulting in enhanced resistance to NCLB. In a parallel experiment, we inserted both NLB18-R and the resistance gene Ht1-R into preselected, closely linked sites on chromosome 1. Through genetic crossing, we combined these edits into a stack. The resulting genome-edited plants exhibited resistance to Setosphaeria turcica races 0, 1 and 23N. Field trials under disease-free conditions showed no significant yield differences between hybrids carrying NLB18-R, Ht1-R, or the stack compared to null and wild-type controls. These findings demonstrate that CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing is a powerful tool for rapidly developing commercial-grade maize hybrids with broad-spectrum resistance to NCLB, and potentially other diseases.