Epigenome editing for herbicide-resistant crops

Herbicide resistance (HR) is fundamental for sustainable agriculture as global food security increasingly relies on efficient and eco-friendly weed management. Recent advances in CRISPR/dCas9-based epigenome editing offer a promising, non-genetic approach by precisely targeting regulatory regions of genes involved in herbicide sensitivity and detoxification. While CRISPR/Cas9 has successfully been used to develop HR crops, CRISPR/dCas9 remains underexplored in this field. We propose that CRISPR/dCas9-driven epigenome editing could enable time- and tissue-specific control of gene expression, allowing for the introduction of heritable HR traits without altering DNA sequences. This innovative approach could transform sustainable HR development, offering a powerful solution to enhance agricultural resilience and food security while aligning with eco-friendly weed management strategies.