CRISPR-Mediated Engineering of Lignin Biosynthesis to Reduce Plant Biomass Recalcitrance: Advances, Trade-offs, and Future Directions

Growing demands on fossil fuels and population growth have increased the need for sustainable and renewable energy sources on a worldwide scale. Lignocellulosic biomass can be used as a feedstock to make biofuels. However, a variety of challenges, such as low yields and expensive treatment costs, prevent biomass commercialization due to its recalcitrant nature. One of the primary sources of this resistance is lignin, a substantial component of the cell wall. The ability to precisely alter the genes involved in lignin formation has been made possible by recent advancements in CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing, opening up new possibilities to improve biomass quality without sacrificing plant growth. This paper discusses current developments in CRISPR-based lignin engineering, targetable lignin biosynthesis genes, and associated agronomic and phenotypic results. Furthermore, it highlights critical challenges, including the need for precise regulation, integration of multi-omics techniques, long-term field evaluation, and balancing biomass processability with plant health for sustainable bioenergy production.