Plant tissue culture: A key technique in developing transgenic tomato plants for enhanced resistance to Tuta absoluta – A review
Tuta absoluta is a highly destructive pest that poses a serious threat to tomato production worldwide. Tissue culture techniques enable the regeneration of genetically modified (GM) plants that carry genes conferring resistance to specific pests, this allows for the efficient production of disease-free and genetically improved plants. This review highlights the significance of tissue culture techniques—such as callus induction, organogenesis, and somatic embryogenesis—in the development of transgenic tomato plants resistant to T. absoluta. These in vitro methods serve as essential platforms for introducing and regenerating genetically engineered traits. In particular, modern genetic engineering strategies, including the insertion of insecticidal genes, RNA interference (RNAi), and CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing, are discussed as effective tools for enhancing pest resistance. The integration of plant tissue culture with molecular breeding offers several advantages over conventional breeding approaches, including increased precision in genetic modifications, improved resistance to pests and diseases, enhanced yield and quality, accelerated development of new varieties, and better adaptation to environmental stressors. Collectively, these benefits contribute to more efficient, targeted, and sustainable crop improvement. Future research should prioritize the optimization of transformation protocols, the assurance of biosafety, and the comprehensive evaluation of field performance to fully realize the potential of transgenic tomatoes in combating pest infestations.