Emerging Tools and Techniques in Crop Improvement for Higher Productivity and Multiple Stress Tolerance

Abstract

Ensuring food and nutritional security along with sustainable growth in the immediate future is a serious challenge faced by developing countries like India. To meet these demands, strategic research for development of crop varieties with higher production potential along with resilience to changing climate and resistance to new plant pathogens and pests is needed. Recent advancements in biotechnology led to cost effective, accurate, high-throughput genome sequencing, advanced phenomics platforms, CRISPR based gene-editing, molecular breeding, etc. which are complementing the conventional breeding and add precision to crop improvement efforts. Better tools for exploration of germplasm and conservation, understanding pan-genome and its utilization for gene discovery, use of induced mutants and natural variants in genetic dissection of complex traits will elevate our level of knowledge on genotype response in different environment. Availability of better algorithms and software for analysing data from huge phenotyping data under controlled and field conditions, with robust molecular marker technology enhanced the pace of varietal development for higher yield, enhanced nutritional value with tolerance against abiotic and biotic stresses. By addressing few obstacles related to the application of these emerging tools and techniques in agriculture, it will be possible to fulfil the existing needs and potential food demands of the burgeoning population.