Expanding the Benefits of for the Identification of Dominant Mutations in Polyploid Crops: A Single Allelic Mutation in the MsNAC39 Gene Produces Multifoliated Alfalfa.

Most major crops are polyploid species and the production of genetically engineered cultivars normally requires the introgression of transgenic or gene-edited traits into elite germplasm. Thus, a main goal of plant research is the search of systems to identify dominant mutations. In this article, we show that the element can be used to identify dominant mutations in allogamous tetraploid cultivated alfalfa. Specifically, we show that a single allelic mutation in the MsNAC39 gene produces multifoliate leaves () alfalfa plants, a pivot trait of breeding programs of this forage species. Finally, we discuss the potential application of a combination of preliminary screening of beneficial dominant mutants using mutant libraries and genome editing the CRISPR/Cas9 system to identify target genes and to rapidly improve both autogamous and allogamous polyploid crops.