ENGINEERED CRISPR GENE EDITING APPLICATIONS FOR DROUGHT RESISTANT CROP DEVELOPMENT IN AGRICULTURE
Pakistan Pakistan 
Indonesia 
Abstract
Climate change, increasing water scarcity, and global food demand have intensified the need for innovative strategies to develop drought-resistant crops. Conventional breeding approaches often face limitations in addressing complex drought tolerance mechanisms, creating opportunities for precision biotechnology solutions. This study aims to examine engineered CRISPR gene editing applications for improving drought resistance in agricultural crops by analyzing genetic targets, editing strategies, and physiological outcomes. A qualitative systematic review approach was employed by analyzing 62 peer-reviewed scientific publications related to CRISPR-based genome editing, drought-responsive genes, and crop improvement technologies. The findings reveal that CRISPR applications, including gene knockout, gene activation, promoter modification, and multiplex editing, effectively enhance drought-related traits through regulation of stress-responsive pathways, improved water-use efficiency, enhanced root development, and increased physiological adaptation. The study demonstrates that multi-target genome editing strategies provide greater potential for developing climate-resilient crops compared with single-gene approaches. The research concludes that engineered CRISPR technology represents a transformative platform for sustainable agricultural development by enabling precise genetic improvement and supporting global food security under changing environmental conditions. Future applications require extensive field validation, regulatory consideration, and integration with advanced genomic technologies to maximize agricultural benefits.
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