Genome Editing Technologies for Efficient Use of Plant Genetic Resources

Plant genetic resources (PGRs) are the basis for food and nutritional security, and enhanced utilization of these resources is of paramount importance for genetic improvement of crops. Till date the use of PGRs has been limited in conventional breeding programmes for developing widely adapted crop varieties. In the recent past, genome-wide association studies, genomics and functional genomics approaches using diverse germplasm accessions have facilitated discovery of novel quantitative trait loci (QTLs), genes and alleles associated with useful agronomic traits for use in crop improvement through molecular breeding and genetic engineering. More recently, genome editing has emerged as a new plant breeding technology with great potential for enhancing the use of PGRs, for addressing the challenges of climate change, malnutrition, environmental security, achieving SDGs by 2030, and to sustainably feed 10 billion people by 2050. In this article, an attempt has been made to highlight the use of CRISPR-based genome editing technologies for crop improvement through the use of PGRs.