PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY: A REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS AND BREAKTHROUGHS IN MODERN BOTANY

Abstract

Plant biotechnology has emerged as a transformative field in modern botany, significantly enhancing agricultural productivity, environmental sustainability, and medicinal advancements. This review explores key applications and breakthroughs in plant biotechnology, including genetic engineering, tissue culture, molecular breeding, and genome editing technologies such as CRISPR-Cas9. The development of genetically modified (GM) crops has contributed to improved yield, pest resistance, and abiotic stress tolerance, reducing dependency on chemical inputs. Additionally, plant biotechnology plays a crucial role in biofortification, enhancing the nutritional profile of crops to address global malnutrition challenges. Advances in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering have facilitated the production of biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and secondary metabolites from plants, offering sustainable solutions to industrial and healthcare needs. Moreover, innovations in plant-microbe interactions have opened new pathways for sustainable agriculture through biofertilizers and biopesticides. While plant biotechnology presents remarkable potential, it also raises ethical, regulatory, and ecological concerns that require careful evaluation. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent developments in plant biotechnology, emphasizing its role in shaping the future of global agriculture and environmental conservation.