CRISPR/Cas9-generated mutations in a sugar transporter gene reduce cassava susceptibility to bacterial blight.

Bacteria from the genus Xanthomonas are prolific phytopathogens that elicit disease in over 400 plant species. Xanthomonads carry a repertoire of specialized proteins called transcription activator-like (TAL) effectors that promote disease and pathogen virulence by inducing the expression of host susceptibility (S) genes. Xanthomonas phaseoli pv.

Improving cassava bacterial blight resistance by editing the epigenome.

Pathogens rely on expression of host susceptibility (S) genes to promote infection and disease. As DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that affects gene expression, blocking access to S genes through targeted methylation could increase disease resistance. Xanthomonas phaseoli pv.

Validation of KASP-SNP markers in cassava germplasm for marker-assisted selection of increased carotenoid content and dry matter content.

Provitamin A biofortification and increased dry matter content are important breeding targets in cassava improvement programs worldwide. Biofortified varieties contribute to the alleviation of provitamin A deficiency, a leading cause of preventable blindness common among pre-school children and pregnant women in developing countries particularly Africa. Dry matter content is a major component of dry yield and thus underlies overall variety performance and acceptability by growers, processors, and consumers.