Legume Genomics and Genetics 2025, Vol.16, No.3, 135-142 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/lgg 140 Figure 2 Distribution of PEBP genes on mung bean chromosomes. Chromosome size is indicated by its relative length. The scale on the left is shown in megabases (Mb) (Adopted from Xue et al., 2024) 6.3 Lessons learned and implications for breeding programs The research shows that VrFT1 functions as a potential target for managing flowering time in mung bean plants. The photoperiod-sensitive regulation of VrFT1 and its functional verification in a model plant system makes it an excellent candidate for CRISPRa-mediated activation. Breeding programs would benefit from VrFT1 activation because it would allow scientists to create mung bean varieties with specific flowering periods which would improve their performance across different agricultural environments. The study needs further investigation to test CRISPRa technology on mung bean plants and determine its impact on yield output and agricultural traits when used in real-world field settings (Xue et al., 2024). 7 Future Directions for CRISPRa in Flowering Regulation of Mung Bean 7.1 CRISPRa functions as a tool for base editing and prime editing through advanced editing technologies CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) shows great potential for mung bean improvement through its combination with base editing and prime editing genome editing systems. The technology CRISPRa provides exact gene activation through reversible methods yet base and prime editing systems make it possible to perform permanent nucleotide modifications without creating double-strand breaks. Scientists can use these research methods to enhance flowering gene expression and introduce beneficial alleles which will speed up the development of mung bean varieties with better flowering and stress tolerance (Huppertz et al., 2023). The two breeding approaches need to be combined because modern mung bean breeding requires advanced methods for improving multiple traits. 7.2 Multiplex gene activation for complex flowering networks Flowering regulation in mung bean involves a network of genes, including FT, CO, SOC1, and TFL-like genes. The future applications of CRISPRa technology will concentrate on creating techniques to activate multiple genes simultaneously for controlling intricate flowering processes. This method enables scientists to study gene interactions while eliminating genetic redundancy which results in better control of flowering time and adaptation. The multiplex CRISPRa system which proved effective in other crops has the potential to control multiple flowering and stress-response genes in mung bean plants for improved breeding operations and multiple desirable trait stacking (Huppertz et al.,2023). 7.3 Applications in climate-resilient and region-specific mung bean breeding The growing severity of climate change requires researchers to develop mung bean varieties which show resistance to abiotic stress factors including drought and heat while being suitable for particular agricultural environments. CRISPRa enables the development of climate-resistant mung bean cultivars through its combination with genomic selection and molecular breeding (Huppertz et al., 2023). Breeders who activate specific genes which control early or late flowering and stress tolerance and yield stability can create new lines that adapt to various environments at a fast pace thus ensuring sustainable food production and food security.
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