Elevating Crop Resilience: Power of CRISPR Genome Editing Against Abiotic Stress

Environmental abiotic stresses pose a significant threat to food security by significantly reducing crop yields, often by more than 50% of their annual production. Genetic engineering, which enables the transfer of genes from diverse organisms, has faced controversy, particularly concerning the potential for transgene outcrossing and the associated risks. Consequently, the cultivation of transgenic crops is prohibited in certain regions, particularly in European countries. However, the emergence of the CRISPR technology offers a promising avenue for generating genetically edited plants without the incorporation of transgenes. These genome-edited plants, akin to mutagenized crops, which are subject to less stringent regulations compared to genetically modified organisms (GMOs), have the potential to be cultivated without significant restrictions. In this context, we explore the application of CRISPR technology for the development of abiotic stress-tolerant crop plants, aiming to sustain crop productivity amidst changing environmental conditions.