Challenges and potential applications of genome editing in sugar beet

Genome editing (GE) based on CRISPR/Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein) is rapidly being developed for gene targeting in eukaryotes including plants. CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing is precise, target specific, transgene-free, heritable and enables multiplex target modification in a short time. There are several examples for successful applications of GE for improving crop productivity. However, genome editing tools have not yet been used for sugar beet to tackle the negative effects of e.g. abiotic and biotic stresses on the crop production. Despite the constant progress in CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing, the efficacy of precise genome editing through homologous DNA recombination (HDR), required to modify, insert or replace traits, is very low and challenging. Here, authors present several CRISPR/Cas-based approaches by considering recent advances and challenges for their application to improve crops including sugar beet.