RNA interference method in plant protection against insect pests

Abstract

RNA-interference, or suppression of gene expression by small RNAs, was originally described in Caenorhabditis elegans in 1998 and is currently widely considered for use in plant protection. The use of double-stranded RNA molecules as an inducer of the RNA interference pathway in insect pests potentially allows employing them as active ingredients in modern pesticides. Genetically modified crops expressing dsRNA have been developed as commercial products with a great potential in insect pest management. Alternatively, some nontransformative approaches, including foliar spray and chemigation, are also suitable for practical applications. This review explains the mechanism of artificially induced RNA interference and existing strategies for the delivery of small RNAs to target insects within the framework of plant protection.