Gene Pyramiding to Increase the Sustainability of Crops Under Biotic and Abiotic Stresses

Abstract

Sustainable agricultural production faces numerous ecological threats, like high temperatures, drought, excess salinity, diseases and insect pests. The agricultural productivity in many countries faces significant threats due to such environmental challenges. The increasing global food demand cannot be met sustainably using only conventional crop-breeding methods. However, the evolution of molecular genetics and their related technologies presents promising avenues for identifying and enhancing new crop species. Conventional crop-breeding methods are not enough to address the complexities of modern agriculture. Developing effective and smart crop-breeding techniques is essential to enhance several agronomic and nutritional characteristics of crops at the same time. These advanced techniques will help enhance the quality and quantity of crops, making them more nutritious and better suited to meet the demands of an ever-expanding global population. Advancements in molecular genetics have opened new possibilities in crop improvement. Techniques such as gene pyramiding through marker-assisted selection (MAS), marker-assisted backcrossing (MABC), marker-assisted recurrent selection (MARS), and various omics approaches are being utilized to produce improved crop varieties. These game-changing approaches are helping us address food security and sustainability challenges. These methodologies have expedited the creation of resilient and tolerant crop lines with remarkable precision, contributing to agricultural sustainability. However, gene stacking is an underutilized strategy with significant potential for strengthening crops against biotic and abiotic stresses. By improving crop quality and tolerance to these stresses, gene stacking can play a crucial role in achieving sustainable advancements in crop production.