A Chinese research consortium led by the Biotechnology Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) in collaboration with Anhui and South China Agricultural Universities has developed a gene-editing method to reduce plant height in maize. The research team targeted the Br2 gene, designing a knockout vector for the Br2 gene and identifying seven transgenic lines with distinct mutations in inbred maize varieties. Hybridisation experiments confirmed consistent height reduction in offspring produced from the dwarf progeny. The researchers also developed a haploid inducer-mediated genome editing system, enabling rapid breeding of stable, double-haploid lines within two generations.