EG-net: A gene regulatory network to serve as a blueprint for tailored and precise oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) breeding.

Conventional breeding of oil palm, a perennial with a protracted lifespan conducive to sustained production, is significantly hampered by two primary factors: its extended juvenile phase and a substantial time period required to reach peak productivity. These constraints significantly delay the development of improved cultivars through traditional breeding techniques. Plant genetic engineering and genome editing techniques, although unable to directly address these constraints, offer an alternative approach for introducing desirable traits in a more precise and expeditious manner. However, careful gene selection for targeted modifications is imperative. In long-lived crops, breeding precision is paramount. The selection of the most suitable gene for modification, and the assurance of its intended trait expression without disrupting others, becomes even more critical. This is where Gene Regulatory Networks (GRNs) come in. This study identified key regulatory molecules and constructed EG_Net, a GRN for the African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.). EG_Net elucidates gene-regulatory interactions and guides precise genetic engineering strategies, offering valuable insights into oil palm biology. Three case studies validated the efficacy of EG-Net in identifying genes for engineering resistance to biotic (red ring and fatal yellowing diseases) and abiotic (drought and salinity) stresses. The identification of candidate genes and analysis of regulatory elements within GRNs facilitate future investigations into sustainable stress tolerance strategies in oil palm, ultimately promoting the long-term sustainability of the palm oil industry. This study provides a framework for optimizing genetic engineering approaches to enhance disease resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, and, consequently, the sustainability of the oil palm production system.