Jul 2026· Physiologia Plantarum : An International Journal for Plant Biology· Vol 178 4, pp.
e71005
· 2 citations· 229 references
Medicine
Abstract
The imprecise breeding methods including recombination breeding, physical/chemical mutagenesis, and marker-assisted breeding have been extensively utilized for trait improvement of rice crop. Despite tremendous progress made through these breeding methods, the critical issues, such as linkage drag, unintended phenotype, and longer duration of time required to breed a cultivar, have been the major limitations. Among the new breeding technologies, genome editing (GE) has become the most promising approach because of its specificity, precision, and speed. Despite its transformative potential, genome editing continues to face several limitations in crop improvement. These include well-recognized policy challenges, such as biosafety regulations and intellectual property constraints, alongside technical barriers like inefficient tissue culture and transformation systems. Additionally, researchers remain constrained by the limited availability of precise gene information necessary for accurate targeted editing and effective trait enhancement. This review presents an analysis of genes that regulate abiotic and biotic stresses, yield, grain quality and nutrition, plant architecture, nutrient absorption and use efficiency, and other agronomically important traits of rice. The trait-wise probable target genes for genome editing have been discussed in detail. This review will serve as a ready reckoner for rice researchers and funding agencies.
The future of crop improvement using GEd technologies lies in the harmonisation or alignment of global policies and regulations to support the trade of agricultural produce and ensure that growers and consumers can benefit from GEd technology.
Michael G. K. Jones· Sugar Industry international· 0 citations
CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing has emerged as a powerful and precise tool for crop improvement, enabling targeted modification of genes associated with agriculturally important traits. In horticultural crops, CRISPR technologies have accelerated the improvement of disease resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, yield, nutritional quality, shelf life, flowering behavior, and ornamental characteristics. Among available genome-editing platforms, CRISPR/Cas9 is the most widely utilized because of its simplicity, efficiency, and versatility. The technology enables precise genome modification through targeted DNA cleavage followed by endogenous repair mechanisms, facilitating gene knockout, insertion, or sequence alteration. Recent advances in genome editing have significantly expanded its applications in vegetable, fruit, and ornamental crops. Successful modifications targeting genes associated with stress tolerance, fruit ripening, pigment biosynthesis, flowering regulation, and pathogen resistance demonstrate the enormous potential of CRISPR-mediated breeding for horticultural improvement. However, several challenges, including low transformation efficiency, genotype-dependent regeneration, prolonged juvenile phases, polyploidy, and regulatory concerns, continue to limit its broader application in many horticultural species. This review summarizes recent progress in CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing in horticultural crops, including strategies for guide RNA design, transformation, regeneration, development of transgene-free plants, and regulatory considerations. Furthermore, emerging advances such as precision editing technologies and improved delivery systems are discussed as promising approaches for enhancing editing efficiency and expanding future applications. Overall, CRISPR/Cas technologies hold substantial potential for accelerating the development of climate-resilient, high-quality, and nutritionally improved horticultural crops.
Prerna Srivastava, D. Singh, Rima Kumari et al.· Discover Plants· 0 citations
This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of a recent advances in CRISPR–Cas technologies and their strategic applications in crop genetics and hybrid breeding, and showcases how these technologies accelerate hybrid breeding by engineering male sterility systems, fixing heterosis, and generating high-throughput mutant libraries for trait discovery.
Syed Riaz Ahmed, Jahangir Khan, I. Ijaz et al.· Frontiers in Plant Science· 0 citations
Generation time is the principal bottleneck constraining genetic gain in plant breeding. Speed breeding (SB) addresses this by simultaneously managing the photoperiod, light spectrum and intensity, temperature, CO2 concentration, mineral nutrition, growing substrate volume, and post-harvest seed dormancy, enabling four to seven generations per year in long-day cereals and legumes, and four to five generations in optimised short-day systems. This review evaluates SB against the conventional pedigree framework; synthesises validated environmental parameters and crop-specific protocols; and examines principal SB applications in hybridisation, genomic selection, disease-resistance screening, and allele introgression. A structured comparison of major review and protocol papers identifies broad consensus on core parameters alongside genuine divergence on far-red light supplementation. Critical evaluation addresses genotype-by-environment interaction, incomplete trait coverage, infrastructure costs, and unresolved questions on the biological integrity of rapidly advanced generations. The review further discusses new genomic techniques (NGTs), particularly CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing, in the context of the EU’s June 2026 NGT regulation, under which Category 1 plants carrying only targeted endogenous modifications are exempt from GMO authorisation. When combined with SB, this regulatory shift can compress the interval from gene-editing event to registered variety from decades to a few years. Speed breeding, NGTs, and conventional field-based selection are most productively treated as complementary elements of a unified pipeline.
V. Mladenov, Rada Šućur, B. Banjac et al.· Plants· 0 citations
By introducing desirable traits into an existing genome while maintaining the plant’s genetic integrity, plant genetic engineering is an effective method for enhancing plants. The introduction of valuable genes encoding traits like disease/insect resistance, herbicide tolerance, enhanced nutritional/medical/commercial properties, improved uptake and utilization of growth agents, and many more traits has been accomplished through the genetic modification of a wide variety of plant species. For reasons discussed later in this chapter, the public’s perception of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is currently negative. However, it remains to be seen whether the advantages of reduced chemical use and improved nutritional aspects lead to a world with food security that is environmentally sustainable. Genetic engineering is especially important because grape is very heterozygous and standard breeding methods fail to produce true-to-type offspring. Grapes are also a commodity driven by consumers, and novel varieties, particularly wine cultivars, have little market acceptance. In order to produce indigenous genotypes with novel characteristics, technological breakthroughs like gene transfer must be utilized because vegetative propagation leaves little room for development.
A. Goswami, Bijendra Singh, R. P. Singh· Progressive Agriculture· 0 citations