Molecular Plant Breeding 2025, Vol.16, No.3, 156-164 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/mpb 159 4.3 Altering key control genes (transcription factors) Edit the upstream transcription factors of gene expression related to sugar metabolism to increase sugar accumulation in sugarcane. Researchers used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to precisely edit these genes, improve the functions of multiple genes related to sugar, enhance the overall function of related metabolic pathways, and increase the sugar yield of sugarcane (Abdelrahman et al., 2018; Kumar et al., 2023). Precise regulation of the expression of transcription factors can optimize the glucose metabolism of sugarcane. Under the influence of climate change or some harsh conditions, sugarcane can still maintain a good yield. The application of CRISPR/Cas9 technology enables researchers to edit these transcription factors more easily and effectively, thereby promoting sugar accumulation in sugarcane and increasing sugarcane yield (Hussin et al., 2022; Tanveer et al., 2024). 5 Improvement of the stress resistance of sugarcane 5.1 Drought-resistant salt gene editing The CRISPR/Cas9 technology edits the key genes in sugarcane that help resist drought and salinization. Editing the genes that control the number of stomata (small holes on the surface of plants) can help sugarcane retain more water during drought and reduce water loss through transpiration (Kumar et al., 2020; Hussin et al., 2022). CRISPR/Cas9 can also target genes related to salt tolerance, those involved in molecular transfer or stress response signal transmission, enhancing the survival ability of sugarcane in saline-alkali environments (Farhat et al., 2019; Kumar et al., 2023). CRISPR/Cas9 can knock out harmful genes in sugarcane and precisely edit the genes related to some beneficial traits in sugarcane. For instance, a substance that helps plants cope with environmental stress, controlling osmotic protectants and editing the genes of this substance, can help sugarcane better maintain cellular balance and enhance stress resistance in harsh environments. CRISPR/Cas9 plays a significant role in crops such as rice and can enhance the drought resistance and salt tolerance of these crops (Figure 1) (Kumar et al., 2020; Kumar et al., 2024). Using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, researchers can cultivate sugarcane with greater stress resistance, and this variety of sugarcane can produce sugar stably for a long time. Figure 1 Types of biotic stresses that affect growth, yield, and productivity of sugarcane (Adopted from Kumar et al., 2024)
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