BACKGROUND: RNAi is a powerful tool used to study gene function. It also has been hypothesized to be a promising new method for control of insect pests on crops, although the perceived instability of dsRNA in the environment has constrained thinking about the options for this new type of pest control. RESULTS: We confirmed that foliar application of Colorado potato beetle dsRNA actin is highly effective for control, demonstrated that treatment with actin-dsRNA protects potato plants for at least 28 days under greenhouse conditions and found that the dsRNA is not readily removed by water once dried on the leaves. CONCLUSION: These new results suggest that foliar application of dsRNA could be a valuable control strategy for some pests. Technological aspects of spraying dsRNA that need to be considered in the future are discussed.
BACKGROUND: RNAi is a powerful tool used to study gene function. It also has been hypothesized to be a promising new method for control of insect pests on crops, although the perceived instability of dsRNA in the environment has constrained thinking about the options for this new type of pest control. RESULTS: We confirmed that foliar application of Colorado potato beetle dsRNA actin is highly effective for control, demonstrated that treatment with actin-dsRNA protects potato plants for at least 28 days under greenhouse conditions and found that the dsRNA is not readily removed by water once dried on the leaves. CONCLUSION: These new results suggest that foliar application of dsRNA could be a valuable control strategy for some pests. Technological aspects of spraying dsRNA that need to be considered in the future are discussed.
Authors: Athanasios Dalakouras; Michael Wassenegger; Elena Dadami; Ioannis Ganopoulos; Maria L Pappas; Kalliope Papadopoulou Journal: Plant Physiol Date: 2019-07-08 Impact factor: 8.340
Authors: Limb K Hapairai; Keshava Mysore; Longhua Sun; Ping Li; Chien-Wei Wang; Nicholas D Scheel; Alexandra Lesnik; Max P Scheel; Jessica Igiede; Na Wei; David W Severson; Molly Duman-Scheel Journal: Insect Biochem Mol Biol Date: 2020-03-10 Impact factor: 4.714