Potential of Non‐GMO Gene Editing for Oil Palm ( <scp> <i>Elaies guineensis</i> </scp> ) and Coconut ( <scp> <i>Cocos nucifera</i> </scp> )

ABSTRACT Precision genome editing has long been a primary goal for plant breeders seeking to modify specific genes without inducing off‐target effects. This pursuit has led to the development of sophisticated tools such as zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator‐like effector nucleases (TALENs) and the widely adopted clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR‐associated protein 9 (Cas9) system, which has recently been augmented by Cas12 and Cas13 variants. In crop science, these technologies are leveraged for functional genomics—to elucidate gene roles in biological mechanisms—and for practical improvements such as herbicide resistance, male sterility and fatty acid modification. Palm crops represent vital sources of food and industrial raw materials; however, further genetic improvements are essential to boost productivity and enhance stress tolerance. Recent literature demonstrates that CRISPR/Cas9 has been successfully employed in palm species to knock out targets such as EgPDS , EgPTE , EgFAD2 and EgPATb , thereby highlighting its transformative potential. To fully capitalize on these advancements, rigorous efforts are required to optimize genome editing protocols and expand the application of Cas12 and base editing technologies to neglected species, such as the areca nut.