RNAi applications toward environmentally sustainable food security

Advancing agricultural production in an environmentally sustainable manner will be a vital component in meeting food security needs of the future. Targeted messenger RNA (mRNA) downregulation, relying on in planta or sprayed applications of specifically tailored RNA molecules, represents an expanding field of nucleotide sequence-specific management of agricultural pests/pathogens. Here we discuss several current commercial RNA interference (RNAi) applications toward improving food security. We also discuss and highlight additional emerging approaches within RNAi-based management of pests/pathogens that affect food security, focusing on studies that represent a diverse array of potential applications, conceptual hurdles, focal environments, and taxonomic groups (regarding both food resource and pest/pathogen). This discussion is intended to showcase both well- and lesser-known RNAi applications currently being implemented in support of food security; and promote further research and development into some interesting recent areas of exploration, especially those regarding underrepresented areas of inquiry and those backed by recent and highly promising research findings.