Molecular Plant Breeding 2024, Vol.15, No.4, 178-186 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/mpb 184 7.2 Integration with other breeding techniques The integration of CRISPR/Cas9 with other breeding techniques holds great promise for the future of rice breeding. Combining CRISPR/Cas9 with traditional breeding methods, such as marker-assisted selection and hybrid breeding, can enhance the precision and efficiency of developing new rice varieties (Fiaz et al., 2019; Rao and Wang, 2021). Moreover, the use of CRISPR/Cas9 in conjunction with genomic selection can facilitate the identification and manipulation of key genes associated with yield traits, thereby accelerating the breeding process (Fiaz et al., 2019; Rao and Wang, 2021). The potential for CRISPR/Cas9 to be used in plant synthetic biology and domestication also opens new avenues for creating rice varieties with novel traits that are tailored to specific environmental conditions and consumer preferences (Chen et al., 2019; Rao and Wang, 2021). 7.3 Potential impact on global rice production The application of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in rice breeding has the potential to significantly impact global rice production. By enabling the rapid development of rice varieties with enhanced yield, quality, and stress resistance, CRISPR/Cas9 can contribute to meeting the growing food demands of an increasing global population (Liu et al., 2022; Zegeye et al., 2022). For instance, the successful editing of genes related to drought resistance and grain quality has already demonstrated the potential of CRISPR/Cas9 to improve rice yield and resilience under adverse environmental conditions (Fiaz et al., 2019; Park et al., 2022; Zegeye et al., 2022). Furthermore, the development of transgene-free edited plants, which are more likely to gain regulatory approval and public acceptance, can facilitate the widespread adoption of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in rice breeding programs worldwide (Ahmad et al., 2020; Zegeye et al., 2022). Overall, the continued advancement and integration of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in rice breeding are expected to play a crucial role in ensuring global food security and sustainable agricultural production. 8 Concluding Remarks The application of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in rice breeding has shown significant promise in enhancing yield traits and overall crop quality. This advanced genetic tool enables precise genome editing, facilitating the modification of specific genes linked to desirable traits. In terms of grain quality improvement, CRISPR/Cas9 has been effectively utilized to target and edit genes that influence various quality attributes. Additionally, the technology has been used to boost yield-related traits by altering genes that govern plant architecture, stress resistance, and other yield determinants. It has also played a crucial role in developing rice varieties with enhanced tolerance to abiotic stresses such as drought, which is essential for sustaining yield in adverse environmental conditions. The simplicity and precision of CRISPR/Cas9 not only ensure its versatility as a tool for plant genome editing but also enable the rapid development of new rice cultivars with improved traits. The future of CRISPR/Cas9 in rice breeding appears highly promising, with numerous potential advancements and applications on the horizon. Future research could increasingly focus on multiplex genome editing, which involves editing multiple genes simultaneously to achieve complex trait improvements within a single generation Additionally, the development of base and prime editing technologies could significantly enhance the precision of genome editing by allowing for single nucleotide changes without causing double-strand breaks. Efforts are also underway to develop non-genetically modified (Non-GMO) crops using CRISPR/Cas9, which is crucial for gaining public acceptance and regulatory approval; this involves the creation of transgene-free plants through precise editing and subsequent breeding strategies. Moreover, expanding the use of CRISPR/Cas9 for functional genomics studies will facilitate the identification and validation of new target genes for yield and quality improvement, thereby providing a deeper understanding of the genetic basis of these traits. To fully harness the potential of CRISPR/Cas9 in rice breeding, sustained research and robust collaboration are vital. Effective integration of CRISPR/Cas9 technology into practical breeding programs requires interdisciplinary collaboration among geneticists, molecular biologists, agronomists, and breeders. Additionally, the establishment of global research networks and the sharing of resources, such as gene-editing tools and germplasm, are essential to accelerate the development and dissemination of improved rice varieties. Furthermore, the development of clear and science-based regulatory frameworks for genome-edited crops is crucial to facilitate the adoption of
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