Deciphering abiotic stress resilience in crop plants through multiomics insights and CRISPR Cas9 mediated genome editing

Abstract

Abiotic factors, such as drought, salt, severe temperatures, and heavy metal toxicity, persistently threaten global agricultural production, contributing to an estimated 40–70% of yield losses in primary food crops globally. Drought diminishes yields by as much as 50% in rice, 42% in soybean, 40% in maize, 21% in wheat, and 27–40% in chickpea, while soil salinity, impacting almost 20% of irrigated agricultural area, induces similar productivity declines. In a similar vein, temperature extremes and heavy metal toxicity worsen oxidative stress, hinder nutrient uptake, and upset cellular homeostasis, all of which impede plant growth and development. Genomics and proteomics profiling have enabled the systematic identification and functional characterization of stress-responsive genes (e.g., OsPYL9, AtWRKY8) and regulatory proteins, including heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and glutathione transferase, which mediate stress perception and downstream adaptive signaling cascades. CRISPR-based genome editing provides a precise and promising approach for developing climate-resilient crops by targeting key gene (cytokinins oxidase gene (OsCKX2)) involved in abiotic stress tolerance, offering potential for sustainable crop improvement under changing environmental conditions.This study assesses the state of CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing for stress tolerance, highlights the molecular and regulatory underpinnings of abiotic variables in agricultural plants. Additionally, it is expected that advancements in genome editing technologies (such as CRISPR-Cas9) and high-resolution proteomic methods would provide new options for precision agricultural trait alteration, enhancing breeding programs and aiding global efforts to assure food security. Plant survival is impacted by cellular alterations brought on by abiotic stress. Proteomics and genomics are dynamic fields of study that examine genes and proteins involved in stress tolerance. Identification of genes involved in combating abiotic stress and the understanding of their functions aid scientists in developing varieties that are resistant to various types of stress.