Genome Editing Technologies for Effi cient Use of Plant Genetic Resources

Abstract

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.