CRISPR and Beyond: The Future of Induced Mutagenesis in Plants

Abstract

Induced mutagenesis has evolved significantly from the use of random physical and chemical mutagens to the adoption of highly precise genome editing technologies, notably CRISPR/Cas systems. This review presents a comprehensive and critical analysis of the methodologies utilized in induced mutagenesis, with a focus on recent advancements, trait-improvement applications, and emerging tools such as base editing and prime editing. Key challenges, including the detection of off-target mutations, regulatory complexities, and the need for comprehensive functional annotation of genes, are highlighted through comparative analyses and functional evaluations. The integration of machine learning approaches and the development of efficient in planta delivery systems are proposed as promising future directions to enhance precision and scalability. This rapidly evolving landscape holds transformative potential for sustainable crop improvement and global food security.