CRISPR/Cas Genome Editing and Its Applications in Cereal Crop Improvement

Kaniganti, S and Saini, H and Chaitanya, A K and Hegde, N and Shah, P and Magar, N D and Rijal, R and Kaushik, J J and Nanda, D and Sachan, S and Kumar, Anand and Bhoite, R and Jamedar, H R (2026) CRISPR/Cas Genome Editing and Its Applications in Cereal Crop Improvement. Plant-Environment Interactions, 7 (2). pp. 1-21. ISSN 2575-6265

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Abstract

CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing has emerged as a transformative tool for precise genetic improvement of cereal crops. Recent advances in CRISPR technologies, including Cas9, Cas12, Cas13, base editing, and prime editing, have enabled targeted modification of genes and regulatory elements controlling yield, stress tolerance, and grain nutritional quality in major cereals such as rice, wheat, maize, and barley. This review summarizes current progress in CRISPR-mediated genome editing systems, delivery strategies, and representative applications in cereal crop improvement. Emphasis is placed on how genome editing reprograms enzymatic activities and biological pathways underlying complex agronomic traits rather than acting through single-gene effects. The review also discusses challenges related to trait complexity, regulatory considerations, and prospects for translating genome-edited cereal crops from laboratory research to field-level application. Collectively, this review highlights the potential of CRISPR/Cas genome editing as a powerful approach for developing high-yielding, resilient, and nutritionally improved cereal crops.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	Global Research Program - Accelerated Crop Improvement
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	cereal crops, CRISPR/Cas genome editing, grain quality, stress tolerance, yield improvement
Subjects:	Others > Crop Improvement Others > Cereals
Depositing User:	Mr Nagaraju T
Date Deposited:	17 Apr 2026 08:22
Last Modified:	17 Apr 2026 08:22
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/13601
Official URL:	https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/p...
Projects:	UNSPECIFIED
Funders:	UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement:	Open access publishing facilitated by School of Applied Natural Science, Adama Science and Technology University, Adama, Ethiopia.
Links:	Google Scholar

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