Crop gene regulatory networks for precision breeding in saline environments

The escalating crisis of soil salinization poses a formidable threat to global agriculture, degrading arable land and jeopardizing food security. Crops under salt stress endure a complex array of challenges, including osmotic imbalance, ionic toxicity, and oxidative damage. Identifying critical genes conferring salt tolerance and elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying crop salt stress responses are pivotal for harnessing biotechnological advancements in crop breeding. This review provides these core molecular pathways, highlighting key salt-responsive genes and their intricate regulatory networks. Furthermore, we elucidate the utilization of marker-assisted selection (MAS), gene editing, transgenic technology, genomic selection (GS) artificial intelligence (AI)-driven breeding and other cutting-edge biotechnologies in translating salt stress-responsive genes into crop improvement. In conclusion, the integration of molecular insights and advanced breeding tools provides a clear blueprint for the developing of high-yielding, salt-tolerant crop varieties, thereby providing a robust strategy to ensure sustainable food productivity in saline environments. • Crops evolved sophisticated molecular networks to adapt to salt stress via osmotic adjustment, ion homeostasis, ROS detoxification and hormone signaling. • Advanced biotechniques (MAS, gene editing, GS, and AI-driven etc.) improved salt-tolerant crop breeding efficiency. • Providing a foundational approach to creating salt-resistant crops for sustained food production in saline conditions.