Towards ‘CRISPrY’ Vegetables.

Abstract

Over various conventional techniques, a CRISPR/Cas system of genome editing has revolutionized research through targeted and precise changes at the genome level. A great number of applications of this system in vegetable crops affirms its multifaceted nature in functional genomics. In combination with other breeding techniques, it may speed up the strengthening of genetic resources, which results in improved vegetable crops. In vegetables, the majority of modifications have been done in tomato and potato plants. Lack of enough genomic resources and efficient delivery methods in a large number of vegetables limits the use of CRISPR/Cas in these crops. CRISPR/Cas targets can be coding sequence (results in null alleles), regulatory elements of promoter region (results in novel alleles) and upstream ORFs to modify at the protein level. This editing system has been applied in vegetable crops for functional studies of genes as well as for the improvement of important traits such as abiotic and biotic stress tolerance, quality and yield, which shows the relevance of the technique. This editing system has been successfully used to modify the plant architecture along with inflorescence patterns. Improved tolerance to stress is highly fascinating since unfavourable conditions greatly affect vegetable crops. To cope with this situation, highly materialized cultivation system is required to grow vegetables, which make higher cost. To overcome this situation, knowledge on vegetable crops will guide us to modify the endogenous genetic traits along with the addition of new beneficial traits, which leads to obtain ‘environmentally fitted’ plants that will help to achieve food and nutrition security for growing human population.