Unlocking cowpea improvement: virus induced gene editing as a next-generation tool

Cowpea is a vital grain legume in sub-Saharan Africa, providing affordable protein, essential micronutrients, and resilience in marginal environments. However, its genetic improvement is constrained by a narrow genetic base and limited introgression from wild relatives. Tissue culture remains a major bottleneck for deploying gene editing, due to its genotype dependence and resource-intensive nature. Virus-induced gene editing (VIGE) has emerged as a promising approach, using plant viruses to deliver CRISPR reagents directly into plant tissues, thereby bypassing or minimizing tissue culture requirements. Although successful in model plants, adapting cowpea-compatible viral systems could accelerate genetic improvement and unlock its untapped potential.