Molecular Plant Breeding 2024, Vol.15, No.2, 70-80 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/mpb 70 Feature Review Open Access Precision Editing: Revolutionary Applications of Genome Editing Technology in Tree Breeding Xiuying Zhao Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: xiuying.zhao@cuixi.org Molecular Plant Breeding, 2024, Vol.15, No.2 doi: 10.5376/mpb.2024.15.0009 Received: 03 Feb., 2024 Accepted: 08 Mar., 2024 Published: 20 Mar., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Zhao, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Zhao X.Y., 2024, Precision editing: revolutionary applications of genome editing technology in tree breeding, Molecular Plant Breeding, 15(2): 70-80 (doi: 10.5376/mpb.2024.15.0009) Abstract Precision genome editing technologies, particularly CRISPR/Cas systems, have revolutionized tree breeding by enabling targeted modifications with unprecedented accuracy. This study explores the transformative applications of genome editing in tree breeding, focusing on the advancements in CRISPR/Cas9 and its variants, such as base editing and prime editing. These technologies facilitate precise genetic alterations, enhancing traits like disease resistance, yield, and environmental stress tolerance. This study also discusses the development of efficient delivery systems and the challenges associated with off-target effects and editing efficiency. By summarizing recent progress and future prospects, this study highlights the potential of precision genome editing to drive sustainable and innovative tree breeding practices. Keywords CRISPR/Cas9; Tree breeding; Genome editing; Base editing; Prime editing 1 Introduction Tree breeding has long been a critical component of forestry and agriculture, aimed at improving traits such as growth rate, wood quality, disease resistance, and environmental adaptability. The economic and ecological importance of forest trees necessitates continuous advancements in breeding techniques to ensure sustainable forest management and productivity (Cao et al., 2022). Traditional tree breeding methods, which rely on selecting and crossing superior trees, have significantly contributed to the development of improved tree varieties. However, these methods are often time-consuming and labor-intensive, requiring multiple generations to achieve desired traits (Bewg et al., 2018). Despite their successes, traditional tree breeding methods face several limitations. The high degree of genome heterozygosity in outcrossing trees poses a significant challenge, as sequence polymorphisms at target sites can render conventional breeding techniques less effective. Additionally, the lengthy process of multigenerational crosses to obtain homozygous knockouts (KO) further delays the development of improved tree varieties (Bewg et al., 2018). Moreover, the reliance on natural or artificially induced genetic variations often results in unpredictable outcomes, making it difficult to achieve precise modifications (Hua et al., 2019). These limitations underscore the need for more efficient and precise breeding techniques. The advent of genome editing technologies, particularly CRISPR/Cas systems, has revolutionized plant genetics and breeding by enabling precise, targeted modifications of the genome (Chen et al., 2019). These technologies offer a powerful and versatile tool for analyzing gene function and achieving precise genetic modifications in virtually any species, including forest trees (Cao et al., 2022). Genome editing allows for the rapid introduction of improvements directly into elite varieties, bypassing the need for laborious characterization of multiple generations (Hua et al., 2019). Recent developments in base editing and prime editing technologies have further enhanced the precision and efficiency of genome editing, enabling single-base resolution changes without the need for double-stranded breaks or donor DNA templates (Molla et al., 2021). These advancements hold great promise for accelerating the development of high-yielding, climate-resilient, and disease-resistant tree varieties, thereby addressing the limitations of traditional breeding methods and contributing to sustainable forestry and agriculture (Yin and Qiu, 2019; Xia et al., 2021; Nerkar et al., 2022).
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