RNA Interference (RNAi) in Enhancing Crop Resistance – Applications in Pest and Stress Tolerance

Introduction Agricultural productivity is continuously threatened by biotic and abiotic stresses, which significantly reduce crop yields and impact global food security. Biotic stress factors such as insect pests, fungal, bacterial, and viral pathogens cause widespread crop losses, leading to economic and social consequences for farmers and consumers alike. Insect pests, for example, destroy up to READ MORE

Understanding RNA Interference in Crop Protection

RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular process that functions critically in gene regulation and plant immunity against disease, enabling plants to shut down genes associated with threats including viruses, fungi, and insects. First, cells take up double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and enzymes such as Dicer cut the dsRNA into small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). These siRNAs then READ MORE