Application of CRISPR Technology in Plant Disease Management

Document Type : Review

Authors

1 M.Sc., Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran.

2 Postdoctoral Researcher, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil.

Abstract

Plant diseases, particularly those caused by bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens, represent some of the most significant barriers to maintaining crop health and optimal productivity worldwide, posing serious threats to food security and agricultural sustainability. While conventional disease management approaches primarily rely on widespread use of pesticides and chemical treatments, the shortcomings of these methods—including environmental side effects, increasing pathogen resistance, and limited efficacy—highlight the urgent need for novel, targeted strategies. CRISPR gene-editing technology, with its ability to induce precise, stable, and targeted modifications at the genomic level, has emerged as a leading tool in engineering plant resistance. This technology enables the modification or knockout of susceptibility genes and enhances plant defense responses through the regulation of molecular pathways involved in innate and adaptive immunity. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the application of CRISPR can significantly bolster plant resistance against a broad spectrum of bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens, while simultaneously reducing crop losses and substantially improving yield and product quality. Furthermore, by diminishing reliance on chemical pesticides, this approach facilitates the realization of sustainable agriculture, the protection of biodiversity, and environmental health. Ultimately, CRISPR technology offers a transformative outlook for plant disease management that can play a pivotal role in advancing advanced agriculture and ensuring global food security.

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