CRISPR technology in crop improvement: Current trends and future prospects

Abstract

CRISPR/Cas9 technology has emerged as a groundbreaking tool in crop improvement, offering a precise and efficient means to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability. Originally discovered as a bacterial immune defence mechanism, CRISPR has been adapted to edit plant genomes, enabling targeted modifications that improve key traits such as yield, disease resistance, stress tolerance, and nutritional content. This chapter explores the mechanisms of CRISPR/Cas9, the advancements in its application, and its current and future role in crop breeding. It begins by detailing the basic components of the CRISPR system, including Cas9, guide RNA, and the gene-editing process, before discussing the various CRISPR variants and their improvements, such as CRISPR/Cas12 and CRISPR/Cas13. The chapter highlights successful applications of CRISPR in crops such as rice, maize, and wheat, where it has been used to improve traits like drought tolerance, disease resistance, and biofortification. However, the chapter also addresses several challenges and limitations associated with CRISPR, including ethical concerns, regulatory issues, and technical hurdles in gene delivery. As research progresses, CRISPR’s potential to revolutionise agriculture is clear, with promising applications in developing crops that can withstand climate change, enhance food security, and address malnutrition. The chapter concludes with an outlook on the prospects of CRISPR technology, emphasising the importance of continued research and collaboration to overcome existing challenges and realise its full potential for crop improvement. This technology holds the promise to reshape the future of agriculture, providing solutions to some of the most critical issues facing global food production.