RNAi Crop Protection Advances.

Alejandro Hernández-Soto,Randall Chacón-Cerdas

doi:10.3390/ijms222212148

Abstract

RNAi technology is a versatile, effective, safe, and eco-friendly alternative for crop protection. There is plenty of evidence of its use through host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) and emerging evidence that spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) techniques can work as well to control viruses, bacteria, fungi, insects, and nematodes. For SIGS, its most significant challenge is achieving stability and avoiding premature degradation of RNAi in the environment or during its absorption by the target organism. One alternative is encapsulation in liposomes, virus-like particles, polyplex nanoparticles, and bioclay, which can be obtained through the recombinant production of RNAi in vectors, transgenesis, and micro/nanoencapsulation. The materials must be safe, biodegradable, and stable in multiple chemical environments, favoring the controlled release of RNAi. Most of the current research on encapsulated RNAi focuses primarily on oral delivery to control insects by silencing essential genes. The regulation of RNAi technology focuses on risk assessment using different approaches; however, this technology has positive economic, environmental, and human health implications for its use in agriculture. The emergence of alternatives combining RNAi gene silencing with the induction of resistance in crops by elicitation and metabolic control is expected, as well as multiple silencing and biotechnological optimization of its large-scale production.

Highlights

The world is moving toward a more sustainable crop production system that requires specific and efficient tools to battle plant pathogens
The amount of sprayed RNA may vary depending on the target species’ sensitivity to RNAi, the capacity to trigger the defense system, and the efficiency of the delivery method. Other challenges for this technology are the need for science-based risk assessment procedures for topical RNAi applications within existing plant protection product legislation, regulatory approaches [12,13], and strategies to use more than one target sequence to avoid resistance of uptake [17]
According to the data available in the references, we identified four principal encapAccording to the data available in the references, we identified four principal encapsulation systems: thethe formation of of liposomes, virus-like particles, polyplex nanoparticles, sulation systems: formation liposomes, virus-like particles, polyplex nanoparticles, and bioclay

Summary

Introduction

The world is moving toward a more sustainable crop production system that requires specific and efficient tools to battle plant pathogens. We aimed to present advantages in crop protection mediated by RNAi. There are two RNAi plant-based technologies: host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) since the 1990s and emerging spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS). There are two RNAi plant-based technologies: host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) since the 1990s and emerging spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) Both can provide sustainable solutions to control pathogens, such as insects, viruses, and fungi. The amount of sprayed RNA may vary depending on the target species’ sensitivity to RNAi, the capacity to trigger the defense system, and the efficiency of the delivery method Other challenges for this technology are the need for science-based risk assessment procedures for topical RNAi applications within existing plant protection product legislation, regulatory approaches [12,13], and strategies to use more than one target sequence to avoid resistance of uptake [17]

How it Works

Liposomes

Polyplex Nanoparticles

Bioclays

Regulatory Approaches

Conclusions and Future Perspectives