Applications of RNA interference for plant disease resistance

Javad Abkhoo¹

1) Institute of Plant Biotechnology,University of Zabol, Iran Email:

Publication : 2nd International Conference On Research Science And Technology(2rstconf.com)
Abstract :
Research to alter crops for their better performance involving modern technology is underway in numerous plants, and achievements in transgenic plants are impacting crop improvements in unparalleled ways. Striking progress has been made using genetic engineering technology over the past two decades in manipulating genes from diverse and exotic sources, and inserting them into crop plants for inducing desirable characteristics. Gene silencing, often referred to as RNA silencing or RNA interference, is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism that protects the host genome against invasive nucleic acids, such as viruses, transposons, and transgenes. The RNAi gene silencing techniques are utilized for induction of resistance to Helicoverpa armigera in tobacco, crown gall disease in tomato and Arabidopsis, cassava mosaic virus in cassava, improving carotenoid and flavonoid content in tomato and for attractive flower colour in rose. RNA silencing is an area of intense studies leading to exciting new discoveries in plant improvement programmes.
Keywords : Disease resistance Plant RNA silencing