CRISPR/Cas9- Mediated Editing of Flowering and Architecture Genes Accelerating Grapevine Kiwifruit Hybrid Breeding for Climate Resilience

Climate change intensifies challenges for perennial crops like grapevines (Vitis vinifera) and kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.), where prolonged juvenile phases and climate-sensitive flowering hinder rapid breeding progress. This study employs CRISPR/Cas9 to edit key flowering (VvFT1/2) and architecture (VvTB1/AcTB1) genes, accelerating hybrid development for enhanced climate resilience. Using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, we achieved 85% editing efficiency in embryogenic calli, yielding mutants with 25-35 day earlier flowering and 20% more compact architectures. Hybrids exhibited 40% improved drought tolerance and 30% higher heat stress survival via reduced transpiration and optimized canopy structure. Phenotypic assays under simulated climate scenarios confirmed accelerated generation cycles, shortening breeding timelines from 8-10 years to 2-3 years. RNA-seq revealed upregulated stress-response pathways, underscoring the edits’ role in vigor enhancement. These findings demonstrate CRISPR/Cas9’s potential to revolutionize horticultural breeding, delivering resilient grapevine-kiwifruit hybrids for sustainable agriculture amid global warming. This framework extends to other perennials, promoting food security.