Abstract

Abstract

Phytophagous arthropods are a challenging problem in agriculture, horticulture, and forestry. Various cultural practices and the use of resistant plant varieties are among the traditional pest control methods but until recently the application of synthetic acaricides and insecticides had been the main solution. Due to side effects of the anti-insectan chemicals (for instance, on insect pollinators or parasitoids) and environmental pollution, the search for safer methods of controlling pest arthropods has been underway. The biological method of insect control based on the use of their parasites, predators, and pathogens (viral, bacterial, nematode, and fungal) is becoming increasingly accepted, especially in organic farming. However, efficacy of biocontrol agents is highly depended on number abiotic and biotic factors and often insufficient when compared to chemical control. Some RNAi-based products are already available for farmers and more are expected to reach the market soon. Tailor-made dsRNA as an active ingredient for biopesticide formulations is considered a raw material that can be used for diverse purposes, from pest control and bee protection against viruses to pesticide resistance management. The RNAi mechanism works at the messenger RNA (mRNA) level, exploiting a sequence-dependent mode of action, which makes it unique in potency and selectivity compared with conventional agrochemicals. Furthermore, the use of RNAi in crop protection can be achieved by employing plant-incorporated protectants through plant transformation, but also by non-transformative strategies such as the use of formulations of sprayable RNAs as direct control agents, resistance factor repressors or developmental disruptors.

Key words: RNAi, arthropods, agriculture, crop protection

Reference

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