About this Research Topic
Genome editing, whereby the plant host genome acquires the capacity of the surveilling pathogen genome to ultimately manoeuvre specific pathogens has resulted in significant improvement in immunizing crop plants against selected pathogens. Cas9/sgRNA delivery of conserved mononucleotide geminivirus replicons-based editing has enabled to develop broad spectrum virus resistance in cotton against Cotton leaf curl Kokhrun virus and many other begomoviruses. In such applications, when multiplexed, the CRISPR/Cas9 system has resulted in the development of broad spectrum virus resistance in cucumber vein yellowing virus, papaya ringspot mosaic virus-W, and many others. Targeting multiple sites of the pathogen genome for the development of broad-spectrum resistance in major crops is of greater importance to indirectly improve crop productivity. Extrapolating CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing of major crop plants to develop broad spectrum resistance by arming the host with replicons complementary to mononucleotides of conserved pathogen nucleic acids is of extraordinary importance to enhance yield. The current research topic is aimed to showcase how genome editing and state-of-the-art techniques employed are applied to improve yield-related traits.
We welcome original research, reviews, mini-reviews, opinion pieces, communications, and protocols covering the following (but not limited to) topics:
•Advanced techniques in genome editing for biotic stress resistance development
•Analysis of off-target effect of genome editing for disease resistance
•Genome-wide association study of the effect of resistance development by genome editing on yield traits
•Emerging strategies of host genome editing to arm against multiple disease-causing genes
•Targeting pathogen’s conserved sequences to ward off disease development by genome editing
•Diversification of genome editing techniques for multiple diseases resistance development in major crop plants
Keywords: Disease resistance, yield, pathogen, off-target effect, multiple resistances, virus resistance
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