The mitochondrial genome of Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (winged bean), a nutritionally valuable yet genomically underexplored tropical legume, was assemble

The winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) is a fast-growing, underutilized legume adapted to hot and humid regions and valued for its high nutritional

The techniques of genome editing have evolved for ages and have been divided into types of programmable site-directed nucleases (SDNs) like Mega-Nucleases, Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs), Transcription Activator like Effector Nuclease (TALENs), and Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR). All these nucleases revolutionized genome editing in the era of transgenic and mutation breeding. CRISPR is the dominant tool due to its precision and high-throughput capability for targeted gene modification through double-strand breaks in the host genome. This powerful and versatile tool allows precise, sequence-specific modifications in plant genomes, offering unprecedented opportunities for improving crop traits. The continuous evolution of sequence-specific genome editing has brought a significant breakthrough in agricultural research. The CRISPR-Cas system has evolved continuously to minimize off-target effects. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of SDNs and their progressive refinement from first-generation systems (ZFNs and TALENs) to the current CRISPR-based platforms. We discussed the underlying molecular mechanisms of each SDN class, their efficiency, specificity, and the repair pathways—non-homologous end joining and homology-directed repair—that govern the editing outcomes. The collective progress in these SDN-based technologies has transformed plant breeding from a time-consuming, random process into a precise, knowledge-driven discipline. By summarizing these advances and their successful implementation across major crop species, this review underscores the immense potential of genome editing as a cornerstone for next-generation sustainable agriculture.

CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing has emerged as a powerful and precise tool for crop improvement, enabling targeted modification of genes associated with agriculturally important traits. In horticultural crops, CRISPR technologies have accelerated the improvement of disease resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, yield, nutritional quality, shelf life, flowering behavior, and ornamental characteristics. Among available genome-editing platforms, CRISPR/Cas9 is the most widely utilized because of its simplicity, efficiency, and versatility. The technology enables precise genome modification through targeted DNA cleavage followed by endogenous repair mechanisms, facilitating gene knockout, insertion, or sequence alteration. Recent advances in genome editing have significantly expanded its applications in vegetable, fruit, and ornamental crops. Successful modifications targeting genes associated with stress tolerance, fruit ripening, pigment biosynthesis, flowering regulation, and pathogen resistance demonstrate the enormous potential of CRISPR-mediated breeding for horticultural improvement. However, several challenges, including low transformation efficiency, genotype-dependent regeneration, prolonged juvenile phases, polyploidy, and regulatory concerns, continue to limit its broader application in many horticultural species. This review summarizes recent progress in CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing in horticultural crops, including strategies for guide RNA design, transformation, regeneration, development of transgene-free plants, and regulatory considerations. Furthermore, emerging advances such as precision editing technologies and improved delivery systems are discussed as promising approaches for enhancing editing efficiency and expanding future applications. Overall, CRISPR/Cas technologies hold substantial potential for accelerating the development of climate-resilient, high-quality, and nutritionally improved horticultural crops.