Researchers Develop CRISPR-Edited Powdery Mildew-Resistant Gerbera Daisies

Project funded by American Floral Endowment lays groundwork for sustainable disease management in ornamental crops.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 8:12pm

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A highly structured abstract painting featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals in earthy tones of green, brown, and ochre, conceptually representing the complex genetic forces and scientific concepts behind CRISPR gene editing for powdery mildew resistance in gerbera daisies.Innovative gene editing research aims to cultivate a new generation of disease-resistant gerbera daisies, empowering growers with sustainable solutions.Athens Today

Researchers at the University of Georgia, led by Dr. Dayton Wilde and supported by the American Floral Endowment (AFE), have successfully demonstrated the use of CRISPR gene editing to develop powdery mildew-resistant gerbera daisies. This represents the first reported example of CRISPR-based gene editing in gerbera, a major ornamental crop plagued by the persistent and economically damaging powdery mildew disease.

Why it matters

Powdery mildew is one of the most significant challenges facing gerbera growers, with most commercial varieties relying heavily on fungicide applications to maintain quality and marketability. Traditional breeding for resistance is time-intensive and difficult to apply to established cultivars, while transgenic approaches can face regulatory hurdles. This CRISPR-based research offers a promising path forward for developing non-transgenic, disease-resistant gerbera cultivars more efficiently.

The details

The researchers first established reliable tissue culture and transformation systems for gerbera, allowing them to demonstrate the feasibility of CRISPR gene editing in the crop. They then targeted MLO genes, which are known to make plants susceptible to powdery mildew infection, developing CRISPR/Cas9 constructs designed to disrupt these genes and confer resistance. Transgenic gerbera lines carrying the CRISPR constructs are currently being evaluated for successful mutations and powdery mildew resistance.

  • The research project, led by Dr. Dayton Wilde at the University of Georgia, was supported by the American Floral Endowment and began in 2022.
  • Researchers first established optimized tissue culture and transformation protocols for multiple gerbera cultivars in 2023.
  • In 2024, the team successfully demonstrated CRISPR-based gene editing in gerbera by targeting a model gene, marking the first reported use of this technology in the crop.
  • Efforts to develop powdery mildew-resistant gerbera lines by targeting MLO genes began in 2025, and selection and characterization of edited plants are ongoing.

The players

Dr. Dayton Wilde

The lead researcher on the project, based at the University of Georgia.

University of Georgia

The institution where the research was conducted, led by Dr. Dayton Wilde.

American Floral Endowment (AFE)

The organization that provided funding and support for the research project.

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What they’re saying

“This research lays the groundwork for developing non-transgenic, gene-edited gerbera cultivars with improved disease resistance. CRISPR technology offers the potential to introduce precise mutations without incorporating foreign DNA, which may reduce regulatory barriers and accelerate commercialization.”

— Dr. Dayton Wilde, Lead Researcher

What’s next

Selection and characterization of the CRISPR-edited gerbera lines are ongoing, with future work focused on confirming mutations and evaluating resistance to powdery mildew. Emerging tools such as morphogenic regulators and alternative CRISPR delivery systems may also be explored to improve the efficiency of future gene editing efforts in gerbera.

The takeaway

This project represents an important step toward sustainable disease management and the long-term improvement of ornamental crops like gerbera daisies. By supporting early-stage, high-impact research, the American Floral Endowment is enabling scientists to explore innovative technologies like CRISPR gene editing that have the potential to address persistent production challenges facing the floriculture industry.