A platform for gene editing vegetative propagated crops

The discovery, followed by the development, of gene editing technologies has dramatically altered the potential to genetically improve the vast array of horticultural crop cultivars that are highly desired by consumers but are recalcitrant to conventional breeding technologies ranging from avocadoes and bananas to oranges, mandarins, apples and grapes. Gene editing provides the ability to alter single traits within these highly desirable cultivars. This investment is focussed on pursuing this key objective to develop a next generation banana that is resistent to Panama Tropical Race 4.