Generation a Novel Type of Aphid Resistance Plants

Aphids (Aphididae) are major agricultural pests that cause significant yield losses of crop plants each year by inflicting damage both through the direct effects of feeding and by vectoring harmful plant viruses. Expression of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) directed against suitable insect target genes in transgenic plants has been shown to give protection against pests via a non-toxic mode of action through plant-mediated RNA interference (RNAi). Thus, as a potential alternative and effective strategy for insect pest management in agricultural practice, plant-mediated RNAi for aphid control has been received intensive attentions in recent years. Based on transcriptome profiling of grain aphid and comparative transcriptomic analysis between grain aphid and pea aphid, and artificial feeding assay, more than ten potential RNAi targets have been identified in our lab. Among these targets, 8 of them have been used to generate tobacco and wheat plants through plant-mediated RNAi. Whereas some of plants showed strong resistance to aphids, others are under aphid bioassay, indicating the potential applications of plant-mediated RNAi in development of transgenic plants for aphid control in agricultural practice. In addition, the potential mechanism underlying plant-mediated RNAi are also under investigation both in aphids and plants.

Keywords: plant; aphid control; double-stranded RNA (dsRNA); RNA interference (RNAi)