Chloroplast Genetic Engineering in Crop Plants: Techniques and Applications

Talha Raziq

doi:10.31015/2025.si.10

Chloroplast Genetic Engineering in Crop Plants: Techniques and Applications

Abstract

For molecular farming and crop improvement, chloroplast transformation has emerged as a compelling alternative to nuclear genetic modification. In this review we will discuss the biology of plastid genomes, highlighting their polyploidy, prokaryotic transcriptional organization, and maternal inheritance, all of which support high-level, stable, and contained transgene expression. Key components of transformation vectors, including homologous recombination sites and selectable markers, are detailed, alongside strategies for multigene operon construction. The article evaluates delivery methods, primarily biolistics and PEG-mediated protoplast transformation, while addressing technical barriers such as low regeneration efficiency in non model and monocot species. Applications are discussed in tobacco and food crops, with examples ranging from vaccine production to stress tolerance and pest resistance. Limitations such as transformation efficiency, species specificity, and regulatory hurdles are critically assessed. Recent advances in base editing, synthetic biology toolkits, and marker-free systems offer potential pathways toward broader adoption. The review concludes that while chloroplast biotechnology holds clear advantages in expression control and biosafety, further innovation in transformation protocols and genome editing delivery is essential for its practical deployment in diverse crops. This synthesis provides a framework for ongoing research aimed at overcoming the technical and regulatory constraints that currently limit widespread use of chloroplast engineering in agriculture.

Keywords

Chloroplast transformation, Plastid genome engineering, Transplastomic plants, Genetic modification in crops, Molecular farming

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Plant Biotechnology in Agriculture

Journal Section

Review Article

Authors

Talha Raziq ^*
0009-0006-2594-5715
Pakistan

Early Pub Date

November 14, 2025

Publication Date

December 28, 2025

Submission Date

August 15, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 25, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 9 Number: Special

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31015/2025.si.10

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA62FS62WN

APA

Raziq, T. (2025). Chloroplast Genetic Engineering in Crop Plants: Techniques and Applications. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences, 9(Special), 239-246. https://doi.org/10.31015/2025.si.10

AMA

1.Raziq T. Chloroplast Genetic Engineering in Crop Plants: Techniques and Applications. int. j. agric. environ. food sci. 2025;9(Special):239-246. doi:10.31015/2025.si.10

Chicago

Raziq, Talha. 2025. “Chloroplast Genetic Engineering in Crop Plants: Techniques and Applications”. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences 9 (Special): 239-46. https://doi.org/10.31015/2025.si.10.

EndNote

Raziq T (December 1, 2025) Chloroplast Genetic Engineering in Crop Plants: Techniques and Applications. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences 9 Special 239–246.

IEEE

[1]T. Raziq, “Chloroplast Genetic Engineering in Crop Plants: Techniques and Applications”, int. j. agric. environ. food sci., vol. 9, no. Special, pp. 239–246, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.31015/2025.si.10.

ISNAD

Raziq, Talha. “Chloroplast Genetic Engineering in Crop Plants: Techniques and Applications”. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences 9/Special (December 1, 2025): 239-246. https://doi.org/10.31015/2025.si.10.

JAMA

1.Raziq T. Chloroplast Genetic Engineering in Crop Plants: Techniques and Applications. int. j. agric. environ. food sci. 2025;9:239–246.

MLA

Raziq, Talha. “Chloroplast Genetic Engineering in Crop Plants: Techniques and Applications”. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences, vol. 9, no. Special, Dec. 2025, pp. 239-46, doi:10.31015/2025.si.10.

Vancouver

1.Talha Raziq. Chloroplast Genetic Engineering in Crop Plants: Techniques and Applications. int. j. agric. environ. food sci. 2025 Dec. 1;9(Special):239-46. doi:10.31015/2025.si.10

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Chloroplast Genetic Engineering in Crop Plants: Techniques and Applications

Chloroplast Genetic Engineering in Crop Plants: Techniques and Applications

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