Molecular Plant Breeding 2024, Vol.15, No.2, 70-80 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/mpb 73 3.2.2 Yield improvement through gene editing Improving yield through gene editing involves the precise modification of genes that influence traits such as fruit size, number, and quality. CRISPR/Cas9 and other genome editing tools have been used to enhance yield by targeting genes associated with these traits, leading to significant improvements in crop productivity (Nerkar et al., 2022). For instance, multiplex genome-editing technologies allow for the simultaneous modification of multiple genes, resulting in cumulative effects that boost overall yield (Abdelrahman et al., 2021). 3.3 Modifying wood properties 3.3.1 Lignin content and composition modification Modifying lignin content and composition is crucial for improving the industrial usability of wood. Genome editing technologies enable precise alterations in lignin biosynthesis pathways, resulting in wood with desirable properties such as reduced lignin content or altered lignin composition (Chen et al., 2019). These modifications can enhance the efficiency of wood processing and the quality of wood products, making them more suitable for various industrial applications (Hahne et al., 2019). 3.3.2 Enhancing wood quality for industrial use Enhancing wood quality through gene editing involves targeting genes that influence wood density, strength, and other physical properties. By precisely editing these genes, researchers can develop tree varieties with superior wood quality that meets specific industrial requirements (Chen et al., 2019). This includes modifications that improve the mechanical properties of wood, making it more durable and suitable for construction and other uses (Hahne et al., 2019). 3.4 Environmental stress tolerance 3.4.1 Editing for drought and salinity tolerance Genome editing technologies have been applied to enhance the tolerance of trees to environmental stresses such as drought and salinity. By targeting genes involved in stress response pathways, researchers can develop tree varieties that are more resilient to adverse environmental conditions (Nerkar et al., 2022). These modifications can improve water use efficiency and salt tolerance, enabling trees to thrive in challenging environments (Chen et al., 2019). 3.4.2 Enhancing tolerance to temperature extremes Enhancing tolerance to temperature extremes involves the precise modification of genes that regulate heat and cold stress responses. Genome editing tools such as CRISPR/Cas9 have been used to introduce beneficial mutations that enhance the ability of trees to withstand extreme temperatures (Nerkar et al., 2022). These modifications can help mitigate the impact of climate change on tree growth and productivity, ensuring the sustainability of tree breeding programs (Chen et al., 2019). By leveraging the power of precision genome editing technologies, researchers are making significant strides in improving various aspects of tree breeding, from disease resistance and growth enhancement to wood quality and environmental stress tolerance. These advancements hold great promise for the future of sustainable forestry and agriculture. 4 Case Studies 4.1 Fruit trees 4.1.1 Apple genome editing for disease resistance Genome editing has been successfully applied to enhance disease resistance in apple trees by targeting specific genes associated with susceptibility to pathogens. For instance, the CRISPR/Cas9 system has been utilized to knock out susceptibility genes, thereby conferring resistance to diseases such as fire blight and apple scab. These diseases are caused by the bacteria Erwinia amylovora and the fungus Venturia inaequalis, respectively, and are major threats to apple production (Yin and Qiu, 2019; Zhou et al., 2020; Keul et al., 2022).
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