Improving Nutrient Acquisition in Lettuce with High-Throughput Gene Editing

G's are the UK's predominant lettuce growers and are transitioning their growing to adopt regenerative farming principles, delivering net zero lettuce and a more resilient supply.

One of the factors limiting productivity in lettuce is ensuring sufficient nutrient delivery under reduced or absent artificial fertilizer conditions.

Artificial fertilizer inputs currently account for the greatest contribution to carbon emissions associated with lettuce growing.

This project will use high-throughput gene editing approaches to increase nutrient capture by enhancing symbiosis with mycorrhizal fungi.

Improving lettuce germplasm promotes and benefits sustainable farming practices while establishing a framework for future vegetable improvement.