Genome editing of potato using CRISPR technologies: current development and future prospective

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) has tremendous significance due to its nutritional quality. The mounting pressure of increasing population further reinforces its importance as potato is believed to be a vital crop to meet food needs for population growth. Although conventional approaches of breeding, irradiation/mutagens and introgression of quality and yield related traits have improved potato yield, biotic and abiotic stresses continue to impose crop damages. Modern tools such as CRISPR/Cas have assisted plant scientists in accelerating breeding processes by providing new, simple, versatile and robust technologies. These tools make it possible to eliminate traits that are involved in negative regulation of quality and yield parameters. Besides that, genes of interest can also be introduced in close proximity to specific loci that may remain linked throughout the generations. This review focuses on the endeavors, applications and prospects of CRISPR/Cas-based approaches in potato with the potential to increase sustainable crop productivity.