Using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing to enhance disease resistance in banana

Abstract Bananas and plantains ( Musa spp.) are leading global fruit crops, cultivated in over 150 countries and several island nations and serving as fruit and staple food in tropical and subtropical regions. Notwithstanding their economic importance, banana production is hindered by pests, diseases, and climatic challenges, resulting in significant yield gaps and post-harvest losses. Conventional breeding methods are time-consuming and labor-intensive due to the 15–18 months long life cycle and seedless nature of the edible crop, while transgenic approaches face regulatory, public acceptance, and sociopolitical hurdles. The advent of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR-Cas9) technology offers a precise, targeted, and efficient tool for genetic mutation derived from the bacterial antiviral defense system. Researchers are exploring CRISPR-Cas9 to develop banana varieties resistant to diseases and pests, exhibit higher yields, and possess enhanced nutritional profiles. The well-annotated complete banana genome, combined with advanced regeneration and transformation systems, facilitates the application of CRISPR-Cas9 technology. This innovative approach promises to create superior banana cultivars that benefit consumers and farmers, addressing critical challenges in banana production and contributing to global food security. This review article discusses the challenges in banana production, including biotic and abiotic constraints, and explores recent advancements in genome editing.