Modern plant stress adaptation: integrating defense, nanotechnology and genetics

TL;DR

This review explores how combining plant defense mechanisms, nanotechnology, and CRISPR/Cas genome editing can improve plant resilience to environmental stress and support sustainable agriculture.

Contribution

The paper integrates recent advances in plant stress adaptation, nanotechnology, and CRISPR/Cas to propose a cohesive strategy for future crop improvement.

Findings

CRISPR/Cas systems offer precise and efficient genome editing for targeted stress adaptation in plants.

Nanomaterials enhance nutrient delivery and genome-editing efficiency under stress conditions.

Combining nanotechnology and genome editing with traditional practices can improve crop resilience and reduce chemical inputs.

Abstract

This review critically analyses plant adaptive responses to biotic and abiotic stress, with a focus on recent advancements in molecular defense pathways, emerging nanotechnology approaches and CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing strategies. We critically reviewed structural, physiological, biochemical and genetic adaptations. Key regulatory processes include phytohormonal regulation, antioxidants, reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling and stress-response gene networks are explored along with advances in nanotechnology-based strategies and CRISPR/Cas genome editing. A comparative evaluation of conventional breeding, molecular breeding, and genome-editing approaches highlights the advantages of CRISPR/Cas systems, particularly their precision, efficiency and ability to generate targeted phenotypic changes. In parallel, nanomaterials have shown promise in improved nutrient delivery, protecting cellular structures and enhancing genome-editing efficiency under stress conditions. By integrating nanotechnology and genome-editing approaches with traditional agricultural practices, it may be possible to enhance plant resilience, sustain crop productivity and reduce reliance on chemical inputs. Overall, this review provides a cohesive perspective on how these technologies can be combined to support future crop improvement efforts to tackle climate-induced agricultural challenges.

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