Gene editing and evo devo taxonomy in plant research

Evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo) has transformed plant taxonomy by integrating comparative morphology, molecular genetics, and evolutionary theory to explain the origin and diversification of plant. Recent advances in gene editing, particularly CRISPR/Cas-based technologies, have further accelerated this transition from descriptive taxonomy to experimental validation of developmental and evolutionary hypotheses. This review examines the emerging role of CRISPR/Cas9, Cas12a, base editing, and prime editing in deciphering the genetic mechanisms underlying morphological evolution, functional homology, and species diversification in plants. The article highlights how multiplex genome editing overcomes gene redundancy in polyploid species, enabling simultaneous modification of multiple homoeologous genes and facilitating the study of subfunctionalization, neofunctionalization, and adaptive trait evolution. The integration of genome editing with single-cell transcriptomics, spatial genomics, and organelle genome research provides unprecedented resolution for reconstructing developmental pathways and ancestral traits while resolving long-standing taxonomic ambiguities. Furthermore, precision editing of regulatory elements and developmental genes offers direct experimental evidence linking genotype to phenotype, thereby strengthening phylogenetic inference and classification. Despite these advances, challenges such as off-target effects, genotype dependence, transformation inefficiency, limited reference genomes for non-model species, and regulatory concerns continue to constrain widespread application. Emerging strategies, including improved guide RNA design, transgene-free editing, and nanoparticle-mediated delivery are expected to overcome these limitations. Overall, the integration of gene editing and evo-devo provides a powerful framework for advancing plant evolution, taxonomy, and biodiversity research.