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Husaini AM, Sohail M. Agrochemical-free genetically modified and genome-edited crops: Towards achieving the United Nations sustainable development goals and a 'greener' green revolution. J Biotechnol 2024; 389:68-77. [PMID: 38663518 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2024.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Sustainable farming on ever-shrinking agricultural land and declining water resources for the growing human population is one of the greatest environmental and food security challenges of the 21st century. Conventional, age-old organic farming practices alone, and foods based on costly cellular agriculture, do not have the potential to be upscaled to meet the food supply challenges for feeding large populations. Additionally, agricultural practices relying on chemical inputs have a well-documented detrimental impact on human health and the environment. As the available farming methods have reached their productivity limits, new approaches to agriculture, combining friendly, age-old farming practices with modern technologies that exclude chemical interventions, are necessary to address the food production challenges. Growing genetically modified (GM) crops without chemical inputs can allow agricultural intensification with reduced adverse health and environmental impacts. Additionally, integrating high-value pleiotropic genes in their genetic improvement coupled with the use of modern agricultural technologies, like robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), will further improve productivity. Such 'organic-GM' crops will offer consumers healthy, agrochemical-free GM produce. We believe these agricultural practices will lead to the beginning of a potentially new chemical-free GM agricultural revolution in the era of Agriculture 4.0 and help meet the targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Furthermore, given the advancement in the genome editing (GE) toolbox, we ought to develop a new category of 'trait-reversible GM crops' to avert the fears of those who believe in ecological damage by GM crops. Thus, in this article, we advocate farming with no or minimal chemical use by combining chemical-free organic farming with the existing biofortified and multiple stress tolerant GM crops, while focusing on the development of novel 'biofertilizer-responsive GE crops' and 'trait-reversible GE crops' for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amjad M Husaini
- Genome Engineering and Societal Biotechnology Lab, Division of Plant Biotechnology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
| | - Muhammad Sohail
- Wolfson College, Lintodn Road, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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SaberiKamarposhti M, Ng KW, Yadollahi M, Kamyab H, Cheng J, Khorami M. Cultivating a sustainable future in the artificial intelligence era: A comprehensive assessment of greenhouse gas emissions and removals in agriculture. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 250:118528. [PMID: 38403150 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Agriculture is a leading sector in international initiatives to mitigate climate change and promote sustainability. This article exhaustively examines the removals and emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the agriculture industry. It also investigates an extensive range of GHG sources, including rice cultivation, enteric fermentation in livestock, and synthetic fertilisers and manure management. This research reveals the complex array of obstacles that are faced in the pursuit of reducing emissions and also investigates novel approaches to tackling them. This encompasses the implementation of monitoring systems powered by artificial intelligence, which have the capacity to fundamentally transform initiatives aimed at reducing emissions. Carbon capture technologies, another area investigated in this study, exhibit potential in further reducing GHGs. Sophisticated technologies, such as precision agriculture and the integration of renewable energy sources, can concurrently mitigate emissions and augment agricultural output. Conservation agriculture and agroforestry, among other sustainable agricultural practices, have the potential to facilitate emission reduction and enhance environmental stewardship. The paper emphasises the significance of financial incentives and policy frameworks that are conducive to the adoption of sustainable technologies and practices. This exhaustive evaluation provides a strategic plan for the agriculture industry to become more environmentally conscious and sustainable. Agriculture can significantly contribute to climate change mitigation and the promotion of a sustainable future by adopting a comprehensive approach that incorporates policy changes, technological advancements, and technological innovations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morteza SaberiKamarposhti
- Faculty of Computing and Informatics (FCI), Multimedia University, Persiaran Multimedia, Cyberjaya, 63100, Selangor, Malaysia; Centre of Research Impact and Outcome, Chitkara University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Kok-Why Ng
- Faculty of Computing and Informatics (FCI), Multimedia University, Persiaran Multimedia, Cyberjaya, 63100, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Mehdi Yadollahi
- Department of Computer Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Ayatollah Amoli Branch, Amol, Mazandaran, Iran
| | - Hesam Kamyab
- Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, UTE University, Calle Rumipamba S/N and Bourgeois, Quito, Ecuador; Department of Biomaterials, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, 600 077, India.
| | - Jie Cheng
- Suzhi Education Research Center, School of International Education, Anhui Xinhua University, Hefei, 230088, China.
| | - Majid Khorami
- Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, UTE University, Calle Rumipamba S/N and Bourgeois, Quito, Ecuador
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Haq SAU, Bashir T, Roberts TH, Husaini AM. Ameliorating the effects of multiple stresses on agronomic traits in crops: modern biotechnological and omics approaches. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 51:41. [PMID: 38158512 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-09042-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
While global climate change poses a significant environmental threat to agriculture, the increasing population is another big challenge to food security. To address this, developing crop varieties with increased productivity and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses is crucial. Breeders must identify traits to ensure higher and consistent yields under inconsistent environmental challenges, possess resilience against emerging biotic and abiotic stresses and satisfy customer demands for safer and more nutritious meals. With the advent of omics-based technologies, molecular tools are now integrated with breeding to understand the molecular genetics of genotype-based traits and develop better climate-smart crops. The rapid development of omics technologies offers an opportunity to generate novel datasets for crop species. Identifying genes and pathways responsible for significant agronomic traits has been made possible by integrating omics data with genetic and phenotypic information. This paper discusses the importance and use of omics-based strategies, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and phenomics, for agricultural and horticultural crop improvement, which aligns with developing better adaptability in these crop species to the changing climate conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Anam Ul Haq
- Genome Engineering and Societal Biotechnology Lab, Division of Plant Biotechnology, SKUAST-K, Shalimar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190025, India
| | - Tanzeel Bashir
- Genome Engineering and Societal Biotechnology Lab, Division of Plant Biotechnology, SKUAST-K, Shalimar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190025, India
| | - Thomas H Roberts
- Plant Breeding Institute, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Sydney Institute of Agriculture, The University of Sydney, Eveleigh, Australia
| | - Amjad M Husaini
- Genome Engineering and Societal Biotechnology Lab, Division of Plant Biotechnology, SKUAST-K, Shalimar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190025, India.
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Ijaz M, Khan F, Ahmed T, Noman M, Zulfiqar F, Rizwan M, Chen J, H.M. Siddique K, Li B. Nanobiotechnology to advance stress resilience in plants: Current opportunities and challenges. Mater Today Bio 2023; 22:100759. [PMID: 37600356 PMCID: PMC10433128 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
A sustainable and resilient crop production system is essential to meet the global food demands. Traditional chemical-based farming practices have become ineffective due to increased population pressures and extreme climate variations. Recently, nanobiotechnology is considered to be a promising approach for sustainable crop production by improving the targeted nutrient delivery, pest management efficacy, genome editing efficiency, and smart plant sensor implications. This review provides deeper mechanistic insights into the potential applications of engineered nanomaterials for improved crop stress resilience and productivity. We also have discussed the technology readiness level of nano-based strategies to provide a clear picture of our current perspectives of the field. Current challenges and implications in the way of upscaling nanobiotechnology in the crop production are discussed along with the regulatory requirements to mitigate associated risks and facilitate public acceptability in order to develop research objectives that facilitate a sustainable nano-enabled Agri-tech revolution. Conclusively, this review not only highlights the importance of nano-enabled approaches in improving crop health, but also demonstrated their roles to counter global food security concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munazza Ijaz
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 310058, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fahad Khan
- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Prospect, TAS 7250, Australia
| | - Temoor Ahmed
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 310058, Hangzhou, China
- Xianghu Laboratory, Hangzhou, 311231, China
| | - Muhammad Noman
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 310058, Hangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Faisal Zulfiqar
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Rizwan
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
| | - Jianping Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Kadambot H.M. Siddique
- The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Petrth, WA, 6001, Australia
| | - Bin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 310058, Hangzhou, China
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Bashir T, Ul Haq SA, Masoom S, Ibdah M, Husaini AM. Quality trait improvement in horticultural crops: OMICS and modern biotechnological approaches. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:8729-8742. [PMID: 37642759 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08728-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Horticultural crops are an essential part of food and nutritional security. Moreover, these form an integral part of the agricultural economy and have enormous economic potential. They are a rich source of nutrients that are beneficial to human health. Plant breeding of horticultural crops has focussed primarily on increasing the productivity and related traits of these crops. However, fruit and vegetable quality is paramount to their perishability, marketability, and consumer acceptance. The improved nutritional value is beneficial to underprivileged and undernourished communities. Due to a declining genetic base, conventional plant breeding does not contribute much to quality improvement as the existing natural allelic variations and crossing barriers between cultivated and wild species limit it. Over the past two decades, 'omics' and modern biotechnological approaches have made it possible to decode the complex genomes of crop plants, assign functions to the otherwise many unknown genes, and develop genome-wide DNA markers. Genetic engineering has enabled the validation of these genes and the introduction of crucial agronomic traits influencing various quality parameters directly or indirectly. This review discusses the significant advances in the quality improvement of horticultural crops, including shelf life, aroma, browning, nutritional value, colour, and many other related traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanzeel Bashir
- Genome Engineering and Societal Biotechnology Lab, Division of Plant Biotechnology, SKUAST-K, Shalimar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Syed Anam Ul Haq
- Genome Engineering and Societal Biotechnology Lab, Division of Plant Biotechnology, SKUAST-K, Shalimar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Salsabeel Masoom
- Genome Engineering and Societal Biotechnology Lab, Division of Plant Biotechnology, SKUAST-K, Shalimar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Mwafaq Ibdah
- Newe Yaar Research Center, Agricultural Research Organization, Ramat Yishay, 30095, Israel
| | - Amjad M Husaini
- Genome Engineering and Societal Biotechnology Lab, Division of Plant Biotechnology, SKUAST-K, Shalimar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
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Pandey DM, Chaturvedi R, Singh AK. Editorial: Developing stress resilient crops, improving agri-food industry and healthcare products. J Biotechnol 2023; 363:17-18. [PMID: 36610478 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2023.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Dev Mani Pandey
- Department of Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi 835215, Jharkhand, India.
| | - Rakhi Chaturvedi
- Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| | - Anil Kumar Singh
- National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, LBS Centre, Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110012, India
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