Thursday, 20 November 2025

CRISPR-Cas Genome Editing: Transformative Applications in Horticultural Crop Improvement | Chapter 11 | Agricultural Sciences: Techniques and Innovations Vol. 5

 

Horticultural crops, which include vegetables, ornamentals, plantation crops and spices, are essential for global food and nutritional security, economic advancement, and environmental sustainability. CRISPR-Cas genome editing has been widely applied to improve various horticultural crops, addressing critical traits such as disease resistance, stress tolerance, yield enhancement and quality improvements. This chapter offers an in-depth examination of CRISPR-Cas genome editing technologies and their revolutionary applications in the enhancement of horticulture crops. It starts by talking about how important horticulture is and the problems that come up with traditional breeding. Then it talks about genome editing tools, focusing on how CRISPR works and its benefits, as well as new developments like base editing and prime editing. Detailed applications of CRISPR across diverse crop groups are presented, illustrating improvements in biotic resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, yield, quality and shelf life. The chapter also examines delivery methods, regulatory and ethical considerations and societal acceptance issues pertinent to genome-edited crops. The discussion includes problems, including off-target effects, complicated genome designs, and business obstacles. Lastly, it talks about the future and how CRISPR could help make horticulture more climate-resilient and sustainable. The future of CRISPR-Cas technologies in horticultural crop improvement is promising, with emerging trends focusing on integration with cutting-edge innovations like speed breeding, artificial intelligence (AI), multiplex genome editing and synthetic biology. These synergies have the potential to accelerate breeding cycles, enhance trait discovery and develop climate-resilient and sustainable horticulture. This review envisions the accelerated development and commercialisation of CRISPR-edited horticultural varieties as a critical step towards addressing global food security and environmental challenges in the twenty-first century.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Kaushiki Kumari
Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat – 785 013, Assam, India.

 

Reecha T. Das
Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat – 785 013, Assam, India.

 

G.C. Bora
Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat – 785 013, Assam, India.

 

Hiyamoni Patowary
Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat – 785 013, Assam, India.

 

Tania Sharma
Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat – 785 013, Assam, India.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/asti/v5/6608

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