Omics, transgenics, genome editing, and use of artificial intelligence with reference to stress mitigation in plants

Abstract

Recent challenges in ensuring global food security, driven by environmental stresses such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, and nutrient deficiencies, have prompted the agricultural and scientific communities to explore new solutions. Traditional breeding methods are often insufficient to address these issues. Cutting-edge technologies, including omics, transgenics, genome editing, and artificial intelligence (AI), offer innovative ways to understand and mitigate plant stress. Omics technologies (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) provide detailed molecular insights into plant responses to stress, helping to identify key genes and biomarkers for improving stress tolerance. Transgenic approaches, involving the introduction or modification of specific genes, enable the creation of stress-resistant plants. Genome editing tools like the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats allow for precise gene modifications without introducing foreign DNA, offering a more refined method of developing resilient crops. AI and machine learning also play a significant role by analyzing large omics datasets to predict plant stress responses, identify gene networks, and suggest potential genetic modifications. These technologies are also applied in precision agriculture, helping farmers manage stress factors in real-time. This chapter highlights how these interdisciplinary technologies can work together to improve plant resilience, enhance agricultural productivity, and contribute to global food security by creating more sustainable farming practices and more resilient crops. © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.