CRISPR-Cas9 Mediated Genome Editing in Local Wheat Varieties: Enhancing Drought Tolerance and Grain Yield in Pakistan

Abstract

The experiment makes use of CRISPR Cas9 technology to create drought resistant wheat varieties tailored to the environmental conditions in Pakistan. Specifically, targeting the TaDREB2 and TaNAC gene families, the study manages to get an editing efficiency of 87 percent in locally grown varieties of wheat (Inqalab-91 and Punjab-2011). The field experiment reveals a 24 percent gain in grain yield and 31 percent gain in water use efficiency under water deficit conditions. Three pathways have been identified as significantly upregulated in edited wheat varieties: ABA signaling pathway, osmotic regulation pathway and antioxidant defense pathway. Molecular studies reveal that the editing is heritable up to T2 generation. The study gives four strategic suggestions for implementation: marker-assisted breeding program, multi-locations trials, regulatory approvals and outreach program among farmers.