Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding 2024, Vol.14, No.6, 269-276 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/tgmb 269 Feature Review Open Access CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Trait Improvement in Kiwifruit: Current Progress and Future Directions Wenfang Wang Institute of Life Sciences, Jiyang Colloge of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: wenfang.wang@jicat.org Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding, 2024, Vol.14, No.6 doi: 10.5376/tgmb.2024.14.0026 Received: 03 Oct., 2024 Accepted: 08 Nov., 2024 Published: 15 Nov., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Wang, 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: Wang W.F., 2024, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated trait improvement in kiwifruit: current progress and future directions, Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding, 14(6): 269-276 (doi: 10.5376/tgmb.2024.14.0026) Abstract Kiwifruit is a globally significant economic and nutritional crop, but its breeding faces numerous challenges, including the need for improvements in yield, quality, and stress resistance traits. In recent years, the application of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in crop genetic improvement has demonstrated immense potential, providing a novel technical pathway for optimizing kiwifruit traits. This review systematically summarizes the research progress on key traits and their genetic basis in kiwifruit, with a focus on the application of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in kiwifruit breeding, including functional studies of key trait-related genes and case studies on trait improvement through gene editing. The study explores the technical bottlenecks of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in kiwifruit, such as off-target effects, editing efficiency, and genetic stability, and summarizes methods for improving editing efficiency and the prospects of applying novel Cas variants. Additionally, this review integrates the latest achievements in multi-omics studies, elucidating the role of genomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics data in precision gene editing and proposing strategies for integrating gene editing with traditional breeding approaches. This review provides a comprehensive theoretical foundation for the research and application of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in kiwifruit, offering practical guidance for developing high-quality kiwifruit varieties with enhanced market competitiveness. Keywords Kiwifruit; CRISPR/Cas9; Gene editing; Trait improvement; Multi-omics integration; Breeding strategy 1 Introduction Kiwifruit, belonging to the Actinidia genus, is a crop of significant economic and nutritional value globally. Originating from China, it has become a staple in countries like New Zealand, Italy, and Chile due to its rich content of vitamins C, E, and K, which contribute to its high nutritional profile (Zhou et al., 2020). The expansion of kiwifruit cultivation has been driven by the development of new cultivars and improved agricultural practices, making it a vital component of the global fruit market. Despite its economic importance, kiwifruit breeding faces several challenges. Traditional breeding methods are often time-consuming and inefficient, particularly in addressing traits such as disease resistance, fruit quality, and plant architecture (Fizikova et al., 2021). The long juvenile phase and dioecious nature of kiwifruit further complicate breeding efforts, necessitating innovative approaches to accelerate the development of improved varieties. CRISPR/Cas9 technology offers a promising solution for precise genetic improvement in kiwifruit. This genome-editing tool allows for targeted mutagenesis, enabling the modification of specific genes to enhance desirable traits such as reduced plant dormancy, improved fruit quality, and altered plant architecture (Nazir et al., 2024). The technology’s ability to create transgene-free modifications also addresses regulatory concerns, facilitating broader acceptance and application in crop improvement. This study explored the use of CRISPR / Cas 9 technology for improving the key kiwi traits (e. g., flowering time, plant structure, and fruit quality). By using this advanced genome editing tool, studies overcome the limitations of traditional breeding methods and accelerate the development of high quality kiwi varieties. The results will provide important contributions to the field of improvement of fruit crops and provide insights into the integration of modern genetic technologies in breeding programs.
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