Unlocking the potential of genome editing in agriculture with tissue culture-free techniques

Genome editing holds great promise for enhancing crop traits; however, progress has been slow due to inefficient delivery methods and reliance on tissue culture for regenerating edited plants, which are time-consuming and labor-intensive. To address these limitations, innovative tissue culture-free techniques have been developed, including meristem editing through biolistic-mediated delivery and RNA virus-mediated delivery. New methods for de novo gene-edited meristem induction and root suckering-based cut-dip-budding have also been established. While these approaches show promise, each faces challenges that must be addressed for practical application in crop improvement. We discuss the transformative potential of these techniques for crop improvement and emphasize the need for ongoing research to refine them and maximize their agricultural impact.