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Title: Ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi): A natural gene based technology for highly specific pest control (HiSPeC)

Author
item ANDRADE, EDUARDO - Embrapa
item Hunter, Wayne

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/15/2015
Publication Date: 4/6/2016
Citation: Andrade, E.C., Hunter, W.B. 2016. Ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi): A natural gene based technology for highly specific pest control (HiSPeC). Book Chapter. p. 391-409. https://doi.org/10.5772/61612.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5772/61612

Interpretive Summary: Ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi) technologies are more environmentally friendly, as the technology provides greater specificity in pest targeting, reduction of potential negative effects on ecosystems, and leaves beneficial insects and other organisms unharmed in treated crops, thereby maintaining the native fauna and consequently improves the benefits attained from the biological control of pest and pathogens. A growing understanding of the ubiquitous nature of RNAi, along with evidence for efficient topical application has already begun to garner support among organic growers and organic industries. Development of pest and pathogen management strategies based upon this “natural systems of plant defense”, can provide new, safer solutions for all agricultural industries.

Technical Abstract: The power of genomics has greatly advanced the emergence of new methods of pest/pathogen control strategies. Of these, Ribonucleic acid interference, RNAi, provides an amazing approach to safely remove one or two insect pests from an environment, while having the lowest, minimal, impact on the entire ecosystem. RNAi is being extensively studied worldwide as the next big breakthrough in pest and pathogen management. Specificity is the foundation of RNAi which depends upon genetic sequence, thus this knowledge provides researchers the ability to design double stranded Ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) molecules to match only to the targeted messenger Ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in a single insect specie, i.e. Psyllid. Insights on setting up successful RNAi bioassays for development of pest or pathogen management products are discussed as well as problems which may be encountered. The focus of RNAi-based pest management is centered around not causing harm to non-target insects, such as pollinators, predators, and parasitoids, while being able to suppress insect pests.