Hongpeng Wang , Shiying Yu

Biotechnology Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, China
Author    Correspondence author
Legume Genomics and Genetics, 2025, Vol. 16, No. 5   
Received: 16 Jul., 2025    Accepted: 02 Sep., 2025    Published: 22 Sep., 2025

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.

Lentil (Lens culinaris) is a globally important legume crop, but its yield is increasingly constrained by weed competition and limited access to selective herbicides. This study explores how gene editing technologies, particularly the CRISPR/Cas system, can revolutionize the development of herbicide-resistant lentil varieties. We first discuss the potential mechanisms of herbicide resistance in plants, including target site resistance (TSR) and non-target site resistance (NTSR), and compare transgenic approaches with endogenous gene editing strategies. We then review advances in gene editing platforms, such as base editing and primer editing, and examine delivery systems for lentil. We focus specifically on recent advances in editing key genes, such as ALS (acetolactate synthase) and EPSPS (5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase), followed by field evaluation of gene-edited lines. We also critically analyze regulatory frameworks, biosafety concerns, and public acceptance. A case study of imazethapyr-resistant lentil breeding in Canada showcases the practical applications and achievements of gene editing in lentil breeding. This study highlights the potential of combining gene editing with modern breeding tools to broaden the herbicide resistance spectrum, enhance sustainability, and ensure the sustainability of lentil production under changing agroecological conditions.

Gene editing; Herbicide resistance; CRISPR/Cas; Lentil breeding; ALS gene