Applications and Prospects of CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Base Editing in Plant Breeding

Abstract

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/associated protein 9 system (Cas9) has been used at length to optimize multiple aspects of germplasm resources. However, large-scale genomic research has indicated that novel variations in crop plants are attributed to single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Therefore, substituting single bases into a plant genome may produce desirable traits. Gene editing by CRISPR/Cas9 techniques frequently results in insertions–deletions (indels). Base editing allows precise single-nucleotide changes in the genome in the absence of double-strand breaks (DSBs) and donor repair templates (DRTs). Therefore, BEs have provided a new way of thinking about genome editing, and base editing techniques are currently being utilized to edit the genomes of many different organisms. As traditional breeding techniques and modern molecular breeding technologies complement each other, various genome editing technologies have emerged. How to realize the greater potential of BE applications is the question we need to consider. Here, we explain various base editings such as CBEs, ABEs, and CGBEs. In addition, the latest applications of base editing technologies in agriculture are summarized, including crop yield, quality, disease, and herbicide resistance. Finally, the challenges and future prospects of base editing technologies are presented. The aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the application of BE in crop breeding to further improve BE and make the most of its value.

Pathways to Ensuring Food Security in the Context of the Chinese Bioeconomy Landscape

“…The Plan proposes that China will focus on establishing a germplasm resource protection system with international advanced capabilities, with an emphasis on the national long-term and midterm crop germplasm banks, livestock and poultry gene banks, aquatic germplasm resource banks, and associated resource fields. This system aims to provide high-quality resource materials to support scientific research and breeding endeavors …”

“…This system aims to provide high-quality resource materials to support scientific research and breeding endeavors. 23 2.3.4. Promoting Sustainable Agricultural Development.…”

The Microbial Connection to Sustainable Agriculture

“…The genetic basis of interactions between the microbiome and the host can be better understood by GWAS, but these may also reflect false connections and are not always capable of establishing causal relationships [ 141 ]. By affecting the expression of various genes involved in the production of plant hormones, the resultant assemblage of soil microbiomes affects the plant’s physiology [ 142 ]. Altered chemical signals in rhizobium–legume symbiosis have changed how plants are able to preferentially attract nitrogen-fixing rhizobia [ 143 ].…”

Investigation of Imidazolinone Herbicide Resistance Gene with KASP Markers for Japonica/Geng Rice Varieties in the Huanghuaihai Region of China

“…Additionally, breeding and planting herbicide-tolerant crops are highly important for easing weed infestations and maintaining sustainable crop production. Researchers have obtained herbicide-resistant rice through modern methods, such as transgenic technology, mutagenesis, breeding and gene editing, but restrictions on genetically modified plants make them difficult to plant and commercialize globally [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Therefore, the genetic improvement of cultivated rice via natural selection or non-transgenic mutagenesis can ameliorate its tolerance to certain herbicides, along with the safe application of such herbicides to selectively kill weeds [ 8 ].…”