Dandan Huang

Hainan Institute of Biotechnology, Haikou, 570206, Hainan, China
Author    Correspondence author
Legume Genomics and Genetics, 2024, Vol. 15, No. 4   doi: 10.5376/lgg.2024.15.0020
Received: 10 Jul., 2024    Accepted: 11 Aug., 2024    Published: 22 Aug., 2024

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.

Huang D.D., 2024, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in legumes: opportunities for functional genomics and breeding, Legume Genomics and Genetics, 15(4): 199-209 (doi: 10.5376/lgg.2024.15.0020)

Legumes play a crucial role in global agriculture and food security, yet they face significant challenges in breeding for improved traits. This study explores the potential of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing as a transformative tool in legume functional genomics and breeding. It begins by outlining the importance of legumes and the limitations of traditional breeding methods. The study then delves into the mechanisms and advantages of CRISPR/Cas9, highlighting its application in functional genomics, such as gene knockout and activation studies. A case study on drought tolerance in soybeans demonstrates the practical application of CRISPR/Cas9 in identifying and enhancing key traits. Furthermore, the study discusses the broad applications of this technology in improving biotic and abiotic stress resistance, enhancing quality traits, and accelerating the breeding process, including a detailed case study on disease resistance in chickpeas. The study also addresses the challenges and ethical considerations associated with CRISPR/Cas9, such as off-target effects and regulatory issues. Looking forward, the study explores future innovations and the integration of CRISPR/Cas9 into legume breeding programs, emphasizing its potential for sustainable agriculture and global food security. This study underscores the vast opportunities that CRISPR/Cas9 presents for advancing legume breeding and anticipates its growing impact on agricultural practices.

CRISPR/Cas9; Legume breeding; Functional genomics; Drought tolerance; Disease resistance