Enhancing drought resilience in crops: mechanistic approaches in the face of climate challenge

Enhancing drought resilience in crops has become a critical challenge in the face of global climate change, which is exacerbating the frequency and severity of drought events. This review explores mechanistic approaches aimed to improve crop drought tolerance, focusing on physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms. We examine the key molecular pathways involved in drought stress responses, including the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPKs) signaling pathway, hormonal regulation, transcriptional control, and post-translational modifications such as ubiquitination-mediated protein degradation, and plant-microbe interaction. The review also delves into the mechanisms of drought stress tolerance, including drought escape, avoidance, and tolerance. It highlights significant traits contributing to drought resilience, such as stomatal regulation and root architecture. Furthermore, we discuss genomics and breeding approaches, including quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, marker-assisted selection (MAS), and cutting-edge CRISPR-Cas-based genome editing technologies. These advanced techniques, such as base editing, prime editing, and multiplexing, transform crop improvement strategies by facilitating precise and efficient modifications for enhanced drought resilience, with the success stories in crops such as rice, maize, wheat, and others. Integrating these mechanistic and technological approaches offers promising avenues for developing drought-resilient crops, ensuring food security under increasingly unpredictable climate conditions.