Putting CRISPR-Cas system in action: a golden window for efficient and precise genome editing for crop improvement

ABSTRACT

The daunting task of feeding an ever-growing population is an immense challenge for the contemporary scientific community, especially in view of the rapidly changing climate throughout the world. Amidst these threatening crises, we witness rapid development in genome editing (GE) technologies, revolutionizing the field of applied genomics and molecular breeding. Various GE tools have been developed during the last two decades, but the CRISPR/Cas system has most recently made a significant impact on crop improvement. The major breakthroughs of this versatile toolbox are genomic modifications like single base-substitutions, multiplex GE, gene regulation, screening mutagenesis, and enhancing the breeding of wild crop plants. Previously, this toolbox was used to modify genes related to significant traits such as biotic/abiotic resistance/tolerance, post-harvest traits, nutritional regulation, and to address self-incompatibility analysis-related challenges. In the present review, we have demonstrated the functional dynamics of CRISPR-based GE and its applicability in targeting genes to accomplish novel editing of crops. The compiled knowledge will provide a solid foundation for highlighting the primary source for applying CRISPR/Cas as a toolbox for enhancing crops, to achieve food and nutritional security.

KEYWORDS:

• breeding
• CRISPR/Cas system
• crop improvement
• future crops
• GE technologies
• mutagenesis
• wild crops

Disclosure statement

The authors do not have any conflict of interest.

Author Contributions

AT, MM, HY, SA, SMZ, SC, BAB, RAM, and AR conceived the idea, collected the literature, and participated in writing the manuscript. AT, BAB, AR, and RAM designed figures and table. AR, SA, RAM, SMZ, MSM, QUZ, and PVVP reviewed and edited the manuscript.

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This research received no external funding.