RNA interference: an emerging tool for crop pest control
S. RAHMAN (1), M. Jones (1), J. Nyarko (1) (1) Murdoch university, Australia

Plant pests (insects and nematodes) and pathogens cause ~15% of crop losses worldwide. Aphids are pests of economically important crops: the losses they cause are from direct feeding damage and transmission of viral diseases. The Green Peach Aphid (GPA, Myzus persicae) transmits about 50% of known plant viruses, and honeydew secretions enable growth of sooty moulds on host plants which reduces photosynthesis. Limitations to current control methods for GPA, and potential for developing resistance to some pesticides means there is a need for other methods of control e.g. using RNA interference (RNAi), a sequence specific degradation mechanism in eukaryotes. Its efficiency as a control strategy depends on appropriate selection of target genes. Genes encoding neuronal signalling molecules, effective chemical control targets, were chosen for the study. Double stranded RNA was delivered orally to GPA, the aphids transferred to plants and their behaviour, growth and development assessed. Silencing of some genes resulted in death, paralysis, or inability to moult, reducing their survival and/or reproduction. The expected output of this research is a series of target genes that when down-regulated via transgenic plants confer aphid resistance to crop plants: control of aphid infestation should also reduce the incidence of some viral diseases, and reduce sooty moulds. This RNAi technology is applicable to control of other plant pests including sucking insects and parasitic nematodes. 

Abstract Number: P20-714
Session Type: Poster