Genome Editing Approaches Using CRISPR/Cas for Sustainable Management of Fusarium Wilt in Crops

Fusarium wilt, caused by soil-borne Fusarium oxysporum species complex, represents a catastrophic threat to global fruit and vegetable production. It’s majorly affecting banana, tomato, cotton, watermelon, strawberry, lentil, and numerous other economically vital crops. Traditional management strategies relying on cultural practices, chemical fungicides, and conventional breeding have proven insufficient to control this xylem-colonizing pathogen. This is particularly evident as new virulent races emerge and climate change expands favorable conditions for fungal proliferation. CRISPR/Cas technologies have emerged as revolutionary tools offering dual capabilities: rapid diagnostic detection of Fusarium pathogens and precise engineering of durable, broad-spectrum resistance mechanisms in host plants. This comprehensive review synthesizes current knowledge on CRISPR/Cas applications for Fusarium wilt management, examining fundamental mechanisms and diagnostic platforms. It further explores resistance engineering strategies targeting resistance genes, susceptibility genes, and pathogen virulence factors. Additionally, it highlights crop-specific case studies, advanced technological variants, the challenges and future perspectives essential for translating laboratory innovations into field-deployed solutions. However, regulatory uncertainty, public acceptance concerns, transformation efficiency limitations, and long-term pathogen adaptation dynamics require strategic international cooperation and continued research interest. This review provides researchers, breeders, policymakers, and agricultural stakeholders comprehensive guidance on leveraging CRISPR/Cas technologies to develop sustainable Fusarium wilt management strategies appropriate to diverse agroecological contexts and socioeconomic settings.