Harnessing CRISPR-Cas for Stress Tolerance and Yield Improvement in Cotton

Cotton plays a crucial role in the global economy, serving
as a
primary source of natural fiber, high-quality protein, and oil. However,
increasing demand driven by population growth, coupled with the escalating
impact of abiotic and biotic stresses, poses significant challenges
for sustainable cotton production. Enhancing stress tolerance and
yield is, therefore, critical to ensure stable production and meet
global demands. Conventional breeding strategies, though effective,
are time-consuming and often constrained by genetic bottlenecks and
complex trait inheritance. In contrast, CRISPR-Cas systems have emerged
as powerful tool for accelerating genetic improvement in cotton due
to its unique combination of simplicity, high efficiency, and broad
applicability that distinguish it from earlier genome editing technologies.
This system enables precise modulation of gene expression, enhancement
of resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses, and the ability
to stack multiple genes to control essential agronomic traits. Furthermore,
the development of transgene-free genome editing approaches through
CRISPR enhances its regulatory acceptance by avoiding the incorporation
of foreign DNA, thereby addressing public and biosafety concerns associated
with genetically modified organisms, making it a valuable platform
for next-generation cotton breeding. This review highlights the current
progress and future prospects of CRISPR-Cas technology in addressing
key challenges associated with cotton productivity, fiber quality,
and adaptation for developing high-yielding and stress-resilient cultivars.