The CRISPR–Cas9, genome editing approach: a promising tool for drafting defense strategy against begomoviruses including cotton leaf curl viruses

Abstract

The CRISPR–Cas9 is emerging genome editing tool and very easy and straightforward in operation that has been tested and explored for introduction of new traits in plant systems. Recently, a number of reports have documented utilization of this technology for providing tolerance against viral diseases mediated by begomoviruses. Begomoviruses infect dicot and are transmitted by white flies and cause devastating losses to yield of important agricultural crops including tomato, cassava and cotton. An overview of genomic structure of begomoviruses has been presented to understand the potential strategy for designing of effective sgRNAs to combat the viral replication for generating resistance against infection. This review provides the introduction, recent developments, and applications of the CRISPR–Cas9 system in plants and proposes a holistic methodology for generating cotton plant an example having resistance against begomoviruses. The genome editing using CRISPR–Cas9 system against complex of begomoviruses collectively termed as cotton leaf curl virus, which a major contributor to reduction of the cotton yield especially in Northern India and Pakistan is also discussed thoroughly. In conclusion, this potential strategy could be a sustainable approach for development of tolerant crops against diseases mediated by DNA viruses.