Engineering crop determinacy: CRISPR/Cas based advances in self-pruning gene function and application

Area of Science:

• Plant genetics and breeding
• Molecular biology
• Agricultural science

Background:

• The transition from indeterminate to determinate growth is crucial for crop improvement, impacting flowering, harvest uniformity, and agricultural efficiency.
• Mutations in SELF-PRUNING (SP) genes, part of the CETS family, control this vegetative to reproductive phase transition and influence shoot architecture in crops like tomato.
• Increasing global challenges necessitate engineered plant architectures for enhanced productivity and sustainability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the molecular mechanisms governing plant determinacy, focusing on the role of SP/TFL1 genes.
• To explore the application of CRISPR-based genome editing for modifying SP/TFL1 homologs to achieve determinate growth.
• To provide a framework for leveraging CRISPR technology in crop improvement for enhanced agricultural systems.

Main Methods:

• Consolidation of current understanding of molecular mechanisms controlling plant determinacy.
• Emphasis on the role of SP/TFL1 genes and their interaction with hormonal pathways (auxin, cytokinin).
• Integration of insights with recent advances in CRISPR-based editing platforms.

Main Results:

• SP/TFL1 genes are central regulators of the transition to determinate growth.
• CRISPR genome editing offers a precise method to modify SP/TFL1 homologs.
• Successful application of genome editing demonstrated across diverse crop species for targeted growth modification.

Conclusions:

• CRISPR technology enables targeted modification of SP/TFL1 genes for controlled determinate growth.
• This approach facilitates synchronized flowering and improved mechanical harvestability in crops.
• Leveraging CRISPR for crop improvement holds significant potential for enhancing agricultural productivity, resilience, and sustainability.