Field Crop 2025, Vol.8, No.1, 20-31 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/fc 27 6 Future Prospects 6.1 Emerging CRISPR technologies Gene editing technology has made great progress in the past two years. The CRISPR system alone has been upgraded to several versions. For example, the new Cas12 is more accurate than the old Cas9, and it is more stable when cutting genes, and basically does not accidentally damage other parts (Mishra et al., 2018). Rice breeding experts have already used this new tool and have achieved good results in increasing yields and resisting stress (Tabassum et al., 2021). Even more powerful is the base editing technology that emerged later. It does not even need to cut the double strands of DNA, but directly modifies a single base like a fine-tuning screw-this not only avoids accidental mutations, but also allows excellent traits to be stably inherited. But then again, although new technologies are emerging in an endless stream, it ultimately depends on the actual performance in the field. Now there is another powerful character in the gene editing toolbox-the CRISPR/Cpf1 system. Unlike the common Cas9 scissors, this new tool can stagger the cuts when cutting DNA, just like cutting cloth with serrated scissors, which makes it easier to insert and delete genes (Mishra et al., 2018). Researchers have found that it is more efficient than the old Cas9 when dealing with certain specific genes. As these technologies continue to upgrade, rice breeding is undergoing a revolutionary change (Zegeye et al., 2022). To put it bluntly, gene editing is now not only more precise, but also more diverse in the types of genes that can be modified, which opens up new horizons for the cultivation of various "superpower" rice-such as new varieties with stronger disease resistance and higher yields. However, what farmers are most concerned about is when these breakthroughs in the laboratory can really turn into harvests in the fields. 6.2 Combined editing for multiple traits Nowadays, rice breeding is more and more like playing a combination game-the most powerful thing about CRISPR technology is that it can modify several genes at the same time. For example, editing the three genes OsPIN5b, GS3 and OsMYB30 together will result in larger rice ears and improved cold resistance (Zeng et al., 2020). This trick can solve the long-standing problem in the breeding industry: in the past, if you want high yield, you have to sacrifice stress resistance, and if you want strong stress resistance, your yield may be discounted. But with the simultaneous operation of multiple genes like this, you can suddenly have the best of both worlds (Chen et al., 2024). To put it bluntly, this technology allows breeders to combine various excellent traits like building blocks to cultivate "all-round" rice that is both high-yielding and stress-resistant. However, in actual operation, it takes a lot of effort to find the right gene combination. The most convenient thing about using CRISPR technology for rice breeding now is that you can "do it all at once"-modify several genes at once. Park and his team tried this trick in 2022, editing several drought-resistant genes in a package, and the new variety was both drought-resistant and high-yielding (Park et al., 2022). This operation is much faster than modifying each gene one by one, saving time and effort. Tang's team also verified this last year. Through simultaneous editing of multiple genes, rice that can adapt to different environments can be cultivated quickly (Tang et al., 2023). To put it bluntly, this is like giving rice a "package upgrade", and you don't have to slowly add up individual traits as before. The most practical thing for farmers is that these new varieties can produce stable yields no matter what the weather is, so they are much more assured to grow them. 6.3 Impact on global food security The global food problem is becoming more and more of a headache-after all, rice feeds more than half of the world's population. CRISPR technology comes at the right time. This thing can make rice both high-yielding and resistant. Think about it, climate change is now either drought or flooding, and there are rampant pests and diseases everywhere. How can traditional rice withstand this? But scientists have used gene editing to create a number of new varieties that are drought-resistant and salt-tolerant (Ricroch et al., 2017). Romero's 2019 research proved that these improved varieties perform particularly well in harsh environments (Romero and Gatica-Arias, 2019). To put it bluntly, to ensure that everyone has rice in their bowls, it is definitely not enough to rely on the old varieties alone, and these "enhanced" rice must be used.
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