Crop Quality Improvement Through Genome Editing Strategy

Good quality of crops has always been the most concerning aspect for breeders and consumers. However, crop quality is a complex trait affected by both the genetic systems and environmental factors, thus, it is difficult to improve through traditional breeding strategies. Recently, the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system, enabling efficiently targeted modification, has revolutionized the field of quality improvement in most crops. In this review, we briefly review the various genome editing ability of the CRISPR/Cas9 system, such as gene knockout, knock-in or replacement, base editing, prime editing, and gene expression regulation. In addition, we highlight the advances in crop quality improvement applying the CRISPR/Cas9 system in four main aspects: macronutrients, micronutrients, anti-nutritional factors and others. Finally, the potential challenges and future perspectives of genome editing in crop quality improvement is also discussed.

Automated summary

The quality improvement of crops has always been a major concern for breeders and consumers. However, due to the complex nature of crop quality, which is influenced by both genetic systems and environmental factors, traditional breeding strategies have proven to be ineffective. The CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system has brought about a revolutionary change in crop quality improvement by enabling efficient targeted modifications. This review provides an overview of the various genome editing capabilities of the CRISPR/Cas9 system and highlights the advances in improving crop quality using this system.