Genetic resources and precise gene editing for targeted improvement of barley abiotic stress tolerance.

Sakura Karunarathne; Esther Walker; Darshan Sharma; Chengdao LI; Yong Han

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Genetic resources and precise gene editing for targeted improvement of barley abiotic stress tolerance.

Author: Sakura KARUNARATHNE ¹ ; Esther WALKER ² ; Darshan SHARMA ² ; Chengdao LI ³ ; Yong HAN ⁴
Author Information

1. Western Crop Genetics Alliance, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia.
2. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, South Perth, WA 6151, Australia.
3. Western Crop Genetics Alliance, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia. C.Li@murdoch.edu.au.
4. Western Crop Genetics Alliance, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia. Yong.Han@dpird.wa.gov.au.
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Breeding; Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR); Drought; Gene function; Genetic improvement; Transcription regulation
From: Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2023;():1-24
CountryChina
Language:English
Abstract: Abiotic stresses, predominately drought, heat, salinity, cold, and waterlogging, adversely affect cereal crops. They limit barley production worldwide and cause huge economic losses. In barley, functional genes under various stresses have been identified over the years and genetic improvement to stress tolerance has taken a new turn with the introduction of modern gene-editing platforms. In particular, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) is a robust and versatile tool for precise mutation creation and trait improvement. In this review, we highlight the stress-affected regions and the corresponding economic losses among the main barley producers. We collate about 150 key genes associated with stress tolerance and combine them into a single physical map for potential breeding practices. We also overview the applications of precise base editing, prime editing, and multiplexing technologies for targeted trait modification, and discuss current challenges including high-throughput mutant genotyping and genotype dependency in genetic transformation to promote commercial breeding. The listed genes counteract key stresses such as drought, salinity, and nutrient deficiency, and the potential application of the respective gene-editing technologies will provide insight into barley improvement for climate resilience.