Jiang Yang¹ , Xin Zhang² , Degang Zhao^1,2

1 Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences/Institute of AgroBioengineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
2 Plant Conservation and Breeding Technology Center, Guizhou Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biotechnology/ Biotechnology Institute of Guizhou Province, Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guiyang, 550006, China
Author    Correspondence author
Plant Gene and Trait, 2024, Vol. 15, No. 5   
Received: 27 Aug., 2024    Accepted: 30 Sep., 2024    Published: 08 Oct., 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

This study explores the recent advancements in the development of transgenic Eucommia ulmoides aimed at improving its industrial traits, particularly focusing on rubber production, stress tolerance, and secondary metabolite enhancement. It synthesizes key findings on the genetic basis underlying these traits, facilitated by high-quality genome assemblies and detailed QTL analyses. These genetic insights have laid the foundation for precise gene editing, enabling the introduction of desirable traits such as enhanced rubber biosynthesis and improved drought and salt tolerance. Through a case study, the study highlights the successful overexpression of key genes involved in rubber biosynthesis, resulting in significant increases in yield and quality. This case study provides practical insights into the application of genetic engineering in E. ulmoides, demonstrating its potential to transform the industry by offering a sustainable alternative to traditional rubber sources. The study concludes with a discussion on the broader implications of these developments for the E. ulmoides industry and the ethical considerations associated with transgenic research.

Eucommia ulmoides; Transgenic plants; Rubber biosynthesis; Genetic engineering; Stress tolerance