黑料网

Abstract

Drought is one of the most pressing challenges to global agriculture, threatening food security, especially in regions highly dependent on rain-fed farming. The development of drought-tolerant crops has thus become a critical focus of plant biotechnology research. Advances in genetic engineering, molecular biology, and genomics have enabled the identification and manipulation of key genes and pathways associated with drought tolerance in plants. This paper reviews the latest developments in plant biotechnology for the development of drought-tolerant crops, including the use of genetic modification (GM) and genomic selection, as well as CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing technologies. We discuss key drought-responsive genes, molecular markers, and transgenic approaches that have shown promise in improving water use efficiency, stress tolerance, and yield stability under drought conditions. The paper also examines the role of synthetic biology, biotechnology-driven breeding, and climate-smart agriculture in overcoming droughtinduced challenges. Additionally, we highlight the regulatory, ethical, and economic considerations surrounding the deployment of genetically modified drought-tolerant crops. The future of drought-tolerant crops lies in integrating cutting-edge technologies to create more resilient agricultural systems that can ensure food security in an era of climate change