Plant genetic engineering and biotechnology : a sustainable solution for future food security and industry

Genetic engineering and biotechnology are becoming widely used in crop improvement and have provided a means by which increased yields of food and fiber can be produced in an environmentally sustainable manner. In addition, these techniques have allowed us to gain great insights into the networks of genes that result in the production of various bioproducts that can be beneficial for human health and environment. The past 5 years have witnessed substantial breakthroughs in plant genetic engineering and biotechnology. In addition to the manipulation of protein coding genes, microRNAs have proved to be promising targets in crop improvement, and the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-associated endonuclease 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system has emerged like a radiant sunrise, and has greatly facilitated the targeted modification of specific traits. Reverse breeding technologies are also providing a means of accelerating breeding, allowing new cultivars to be produced to combat the challenges associated with a changing climate. This special issue focuses on plant genetic improvement, especially on the tolerance of plants to stress.