POSSIBILITIES OF INCREASING SALT TOLERANCE IN BARLEY USING CRISPR-CAS9 TECHNOLOGY

This analytical thesis examines the potential of using CRISPR/Cas9 technology to enhance salt tolerance in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Ensuring global food security and increasing crop productivity are among the most pressing challenges worldwide. Soil salinization is a major limiting factor in agriculture, significantly reducing crop yields, especially for essential cereal crops such as barley. This thesis analyzes the genes responsible for salt stress response, their molecular mechanisms, and the possibilities of improving their function through gene editing using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Research indicates that the CRISPR/Cas9 system can enhance stress tolerance in barley by modifying genes related to salt tolerance, such as ABi5, NHX1, HKT1;5, and SOS1 [8, 9]. Additionally, the advantages, limitations, and prospects of this technology in agriculture are discussed. This study contributes to understanding how CRISPR/Cas9 technology can be effectively applied in future research and breeding programs.