Breeding for Yield Quality Parameters and Abiotic Stress in Tomato Using Genome Editing

Abstract

Growing tomatoes is an important aspect of agriculture around the world because of the positive effects it has on people’s health and the economy. Tomato breeders and growers have always been inspired by the market’s insatiable desire for high-yielding and high-quality tomatoes. Crop production, yield, and quality are all negatively affected by abiotic stress, which includes factors like drought, salinity, heat, and cold. As climate change alters weather patterns throughout the world, farmers around the world are increasingly worried about the effects of abiotic stress on their tomato crops. The CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing tool has attracted attention as an alternative for solving the need for high-yield and superior-quality tomatoes, as well as for managing abiotic stress in tomato plants. This method of gene editing offers new possibilities for the development of stress-tolerant tomato varieties. The present book chapter provides a comprehensive review of the current knowledge on CRISPR/Cas9 and its potential implications in tomato agriculture, with a particular emphasis on enhancing yield quality and conferring resistance to abiotic stresses. The CRISPR/Cas9 technology has the potential to enhance the taste, appearance, and nutritional value of tomatoes by accurately altering the genes responsible for flavor, color, aroma, and nutrition. The previously mentioned condition could end up in the cultivation of tomatoes that exhibit heightened levels of sweetness, as well as elevated concentrations of crucial vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The application of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated modifications has the possibility to augment the plant’s capacity to endure abiotic stress conditions through the introduction of genes implicated in different pathways that contribute to enhanced resilience to such challenging surroundings. In conclusion, the use of CRISPR/Cas9 offers an intriguing chance for improving tomato farming through the enhancement of crop quality and yield, as well as the strengthening of tomato plants against adverse abiotic conditions.