Application of CRISPR for Plant-Mediated Resistance

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) have emerged as an efficient genome editing technology, widely known for robustness, high target accuracy/specificity, and precise genetic manipulation. This CRISPR genome editing system is advancing various areas of life sciences, medicine, and biotechnology. It has elevated basic scientific research toward modern approaches to achieve essential crop improvement and plant protection. CRISPR-Cas9 has exceptional genome editing technologies for easier implementation and design, cost-effectiveness, higher versatility, and more success rate toward improving biotic stress resistance and overcoming agricultural challenges. Moreover, this technology is rather advantageous over other genome editing technologies providing scope for simultaneous gene targeting strategy, i.e., multiplex genome editing, devoid of off-target mutation, and revolutionizing plant transformation processes. Recently, several studies have been reported utilizing CRISPR-Cas9 to target host genes/factors associated with plant pathogenesis. In this chapter, we will discuss the application of CRISPR-Cas9 to engineer plant resistance against viral, fungal, and bacterial diseases by developing plant-mediated resistance without affecting plant functions.