Evolution of agricultural biotechnology is the paradigm shift in crop resilience and development: A review

Muhammad Riaz¹Erum Yasmeen¹Bilal Saleem²Muhammad Khalid Hameed¹Maryam Thani Saeed Almheiri³Reem Omar Saeed Al Mir³Ghalia Alameri³Jwaher Salem Khamis Alghafri³Mayank Anand Gururani^3*

• ¹Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
• ²National Agricultural Research Center, Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
• ³College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, AlAin, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The dual challenges of climate change and population growth have intensified both biotic and abiotic stresses on crops resulting in disruptions of water dissipation patterns, lessen growth, yield, productivity and food security. Therefore, smart and sustainable agriculture practices for climate resilient and high yielding crops is the need of time. For this purpose, Innovation in biotechnological strategies is essential for sustainable agricultural development. Traditional breeding techniques have evolved through molecular approaches like marker-assisted selection (MAS) and quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, which accelerate the identification of trait-specific improvements. Mutational breeding, although effective in generating genetic diversity but lacks the precision, accuracy and effectiveness. Transgenic breeding allows for the transfer of beneficial genes across species, but recent advancements have shifted focus toward more refined approaches, such as RNA interference (RNAi) and genome editing tools like CRISPR-Cas9. These technologies enable precise, controlled genetic modifications to enhance traits like stress tolerance, disease resistance, and nutritional content. The integration of cutting-edge multi-omics platforms, including transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics combined with robust artificial intelligence (AI) based methods has revolutionizing crop genome elucidation. AI-driven analysis of large-scale biological data has revealed intricate genetic networks and regulatory pathways that underpin stress responses, growth, yield and genetics circuit patterns. These innovations in biotechnology from conventional breeding to advanced data-trait elucidation integrated methods are pushing the boundaries of climate resilient and next generation crop development. This review focused on the future of resilient and sustainable agriculture that lies in the convergence of conventional and molecular breeding, biotechnology approaches and AI’s driven strategies that enabling scientists to understand the genomics circuits of crops. These next generationally evolved crops bridging gaps from laboratory to field application with reduced reliance on chemical fertilizers, lessen yield gaps, climate resilience and promising nutritional enrichment. Such crops thrive under harsh environment paving the way for resilient and sustainable crop system development in constantly populating and warming ecosystem.