Omics-Driven Strategies for Developing Saline-Smart Lentils: A Comprehensive Review

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Plant Biology
• Climate Change Adaptation

Background:

• Climate change impacts global food security, with salinity posing a significant threat to lentil development and production.
• Salinity stress disrupts lentil genetics, leading to developmental problems and phenotypic damage.
• Lentils possess intricate signaling networks to manage salinity stress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current omics and biotechnological advancements for developing salinity-tolerant lentil cultivars.
• To identify key genes, pathways, and strategies for mitigating salinity stress in lentils.
• To highlight future research directions for ensuring food security under climate change.

Main Methods:

• Genomic and transcriptomic analyses to identify stress-responsive genes and pathways.
• Application of omics technologies including proteomics, metabolomics, miRNAomics, epigenomics, phenomics, and ionomics.
• Integration of machine learning and speed breeding for accelerated cultivar development.

Main Results:

• Discovery of crucial genes and molecular pathways involved in lentil salinity tolerance.
• Identification of omics-based strategies for understanding and enhancing plant stress responses.
• Demonstration of the potential of integrated biotechnological approaches for crop improvement.

Conclusions:

• Cutting-edge omics and biotechnological techniques offer a viable strategy for developing saline-tolerant lentil cultivars.
• Addressing knowledge gaps in lentil salinity tolerance is crucial for future food security.
• These advancements are essential for adapting agriculture to climate change and meeting global food demands.