RNAi for crop protection against viruses and insects

Abstract

RNA interference is emerging as a potential alternative to traditional chemical applications for crop protection. Plant viruses are responsible for significant yield reductions in horticultural fruit and fibre crops resulting in increasing economic losses around the world. No viricides are presently available with plant virus control achieved by application of insecticides targeting vectors. In this seminar, I will outline my research using RNAi applications to ‘vaccinate’ plants with a vision to ‘one day to replace pesticides’. By applying dsRNA effectors to prime the plant to recognize virus infection, to reduce vector fitness and reduce viral particle retention, I am aiming to effectively deliver a multitargeted, holistic approach to significantly reduce virus infection and vector mediated crop losses for global horticultural industries.