Genome editing has emerged as a powerful tool for accelerating crop improvement in horticultural crops by enabling precise modifications to their genetic makeup. This review provides an in-depth exploration of the applications, methodologies, and potential impacts of genome editing in horticulture. The review focuses on three major genome editing tools in horticulture, CRISPR-Cas9, TALENs, and ZFNs. The underlying mechanisms, applications, and potential challenges associated with each tool are discussed in detail. CRISPR-Cas9, being a versatile and widely used system, has the potential to enhance traits such as disease resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, nutritional content, and yield in horticultural crops. TALENs and ZFNs, although less commonly used, offer alternative options for targeted DNA modifications, and have demonstrated success in specific applications. We emphasize the potential benefits of genome editing in horticulture, including improved crop productivity, quality, and nutritional value. However, challenges such as off-target effects, delivery methods, and regulatory frameworks need to be addressed for the full realization of this technology’s potential. This review serves as a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders, providing insights into the opportunities and complexities associated with harnessing genome editing for enhanced traits in horticultural crops. By navigating these challenges, genome editing can contribute to sustainable advancements in horticulture, benefiting both producers and consumers worldwide.

Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, known as okra, is a common vegetable crop in many diets and serves as a nutrient-rich source. It has a high content of protein, vitamins, minerals and compounds of high medicinal value. India tops in the consumption of pods and ranks first among the worldwide total production. It is now widely cultivated in many countries. Among the factors that hamper okra's marketable fruit yield, insect pests are the major ones. As numerous pests attack vegetables, controlling insect pests is one of the key elements to improve the yield of this crop. A workable approach for improving okra yield is micropropagation. It has been employed for a variety of things, including as large multiplication, inducing somaclonal variation to improve the desirable agronomic traits, maintaining certain genotypes, and genetic modification utilising molecular techniques. In this review, we highlight the most significant research on the micropropagation of okra, which is mediated by a variety of regeneration responses. The media and growth regulators for each of the approaches discussed, we go through how transformation techniques for insect resistance have been made possible via micropropagation. Utilizing this technology might be a workable plan to add genes and enhance particular features. Studying molecular pathways is another option provided by genetic transformation. This offers benefits for developing breeding programmes and optimising field production especially the effective use of CRISPR in genetically diverse lepidopteran insects opened options to study gene functions, insect modification, and pest management.