DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2019.v07i07.005

Pages: 313-320

The efficacy, diversity and modularity of CRISPR/Cas system are a driving force in the biotechnological revolution. Cas enzymes have been adopted as tools for manipulation of genomes in planta as a means to accelerate fundamental research and enable agricultural breakthroughs. Here, we review the working principles and components of CRISPR/Cas system for efficient gene editing in plants. We have also tabulated the recent work that has utilised CRISPR/Cas to improve economically important traits in plants. Although the apparent use of CRISPR/Cas mediated editing may make it appear as though researchers are toying with plant genomes, the cumulative power of this tool has made optimized and adaptable plant species towards permitting crucial advances in crop improvement.