The field of plant genomics is advancing swiftly, revolutionizing our comprehension of plant biology by introducing innovative tools to enhance plant traits crucial for sustainable agriculture. Recent progress in high-throughput genomics technologies, such as next-generation sequencing and high-throughput genotyping, has significantly enhanced our knowledge of gene functions and regulation in crops. The growing accessibility of crop plant genome sequences has greatly expedited the creation of genomic resources, enabling us to investigate biological functions and fundamental processes essential for sustainable crop production and agriculture.

1. Future and
Innovations
GEN OMIC IN TERVEN TION S
FOR SU STA IN A B LE
A GR IC U LTU R E
Prabesh Koirala
March 2024

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Growing world population Effect of climate change in agriculture

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Genomic Intervention
• Exploration and exploitation of the linkage of genes to specific traits

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• Helped in understanding the functions and regulation of genes in crop plants.
• Currently, over 400 genomes of different species of land plants are deposited in
GenBank.

5. Genome-wide association studies
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Whole genome sequence with advances in DNA
sequencing technologies (SNPs/SSRs) and
computational biology has greatly empowered
trait analysis and gene discovery (Raj &
Nadarajah, 2023)
GWA study of more than 500 sequenced
landraces in rice elucidated 14 different traits
related to grain yield & quality, physiology and
drought stress (Challa & Neelapu, 2018)

6. Genomics-informed gene editing
CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Palindromic Repeats) workflow 6
Lui et al. (2019)

7. Genomic Selections to deliver higher genetic gains
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Sandhu et. al. (2022)

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9. Accelerating rates of varietal and seed replacements
Farmers still cultivate old varieties and landraces in the underdeveloped and developing countries.
The yield gains of these obsolete cultivars are severely deteriorating due to growing prevalence of
extreme weather conditions and resurgence of new diseases and pests. In such scenario, varietal
replacement could be a key driver for increasing production and productivity.
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10. Thank you!
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