CRISPR-CAS MEDIATED ENHANCEMENT OF DROUGHT AND SALINITY TOLERANCE IN STAPLE CROPS OF PAKISTAN: A SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE APPROACH

Abstract

Abiotic stresses, particularly drought and salinity, pose significant challenges to staple crop productivity in Pakistan, threatening food security and sustainable agriculture. This study investigated the potential of CRISPR-Cas mediated genome editing to enhance drought and salinity tolerance in wheat, rice, and maize. Target stress-responsive genes were identified through bioinformatics and literature review, and CRISPR constructs were developed and introduced via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Physiological, biochemical, and agronomic traits of edited and control plants were assessed under controlled drought and salinity conditions. Results demonstrated that CRISPR-edited crops maintained higher relative water content, improved chlorophyll levels, balanced ion homeostasis, and elevated antioxidant activity compared to stressed controls. Importantly, edited plants exhibited significantly higher grain yield and biomass under stress conditions, confirming the effectiveness of CRISPR-mediated edits in enhancing stress tolerance. These findings underscore the potential of CRISPR technology as a rapid, precise, and sustainable approach to develop climate-resilient crops, providing actionable insights for crop improvement programs in Pakistan.