Biotechnological Advances in Improving Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Jute (Corchorus spp.): Genomic and Functional Insights

Abstract

Jute (Corchoruscapsularis and C. olitorius) is an economically significant natural bast fiber crop, particularly in Bangladesh and South Asia that faces severe constraints from salinity and waterlogging due to climate change and coastal inundation. Despite its agricultural importance, jute has historically lacked genomic resources for molecular improvement. Recent release of high‑quality reference genomes, coupled with transcriptomics and functional genomics, has enabled identification of stress‑responsive genes and regulatory networks. This review synthesizes advances in jute abiotic stress research, with emphasis on genomic discovery, transcriptional regulation, ion homeostasis, and functional insight into salinity and waterlogging tolerance. We discuss candidate gene families (WRKY, NAC, bZIP, AP2/ERF, DREB, SOS, CBL–CIPK, and NHX), their structural features, and regulatory roles. We also address how these genomic insights are being translated into biotechnological applications, including marker‑assisted breeding and CRISPR–Cas9genome editing for targeted improvement of stress tolerance. Finally, future research priorities necessary for developing resilient jute cultivars capable of maintaining fiber yield and quality under adverse environments were outlined. Furthermore, integration of multi-omics approaches, comparative genomics, and gene network modeling is highlighted as a powerful strategy to dissect complex stress tolerance mechanisms. Advancements in phenotyping platforms and functional validation tools are expected to accelerate trait discovery and deployment. Collectively, these approaches will facilitate the development of climate-resilient jute cultivars capable of sustaining productivity, fiber quality, and economic value under increasingly adverse environmental conditions.