RNAi technology for plant protection and its application in wheat

Shaoshuai Liu; Shuaifeng Geng; Aili Li; Yingbo Mao; Long Mao

doi:10.1007/s42994-021-00036-3

RNAi technology for plant protection and its application in wheat

aBIOTECH. 2021 Mar 11;2(4):365-374. doi: 10.1007/s42994-021-00036-3. eCollection 2021 Dec.

Authors

Shaoshuai Liu¹, Shuaifeng Geng¹, Aili Li¹, Yingbo Mao², Long Mao^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081 China.
² Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, University of CAS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032 China.
³ Sino-Agro Research Station for Salt Tolerant Crops, Yellow River Delta, Kenli District, Dongying, 257500 Shandong China.

Abstract

The RNAi technology takes advantage of the intrinsic RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism that exists in nearly all eukaryotes in which target mRNAs are degraded or functionally suppressed. Significant progress has been made in recent years where RNAi technology is applied to several crops and economic plants for protection against diseases like fungi, pests, and nematode. RNAi technology is also applied in controlling pathogen damages in wheat, one of the most important crops in the world. In this review, we first give a brief introduction of the RNAi technology and the underneath mechanism. We then review the recent progress of its utilization in crops, particular wheat. Finally, we discuss the existing challenges and prospect future development of this technology in crop protection.

Keywords: Double-stranded RNA; Nematodes; Pathogens; Pests; RNA interference; Small RNA; Wheat.

Publication types

Review