(Epi)Genome Editing – Potential Tool for Increasing Crop Resilience

Abstract

Recent progress in epigenetic studies paved the way for exploitation of epigenetic variation in crop breeding. Understanding epigenetic mechanisms and variation within a certain crop could potentially help plant breeders to generate new, more resilient varieties through the exploitation of the epigenetic variation existing in crop plants. In addition, environmental buffering effects of epigenetic mechanisms could be used to achieve yield stability in a fast-changing environment leading to more resilient agricultural production. For this purpose, within the framework of ongoing projects SmatSun and CROPINNO, we are developing two approaches for exploitation of epigenetic variation in IFVCNS breeding programs: (i) Epi-breeding, with identification of molecular markers and epigenetics marks for breeding of resilient genotypes by combining and integrating phenotyping and anatomical data with molecular and epigenetics data, along with introduction of epigenetic tools, such as epiQTLs and (ii) (Epi)genome editing and alteration of identified epigenetic marks at a specific locus using CRISPRbased genome editing protocols. These two approaches are expected to lead to the development of new, more resilient crop varieties that would ensure stable and sustainable agricultural production ready to meet future market and environmental challenges.