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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Insects and Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #291785

Title: RNAi strategies to suppress insects of fruit and tree crops

Author
item Hunter, Wayne

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/24/2012
Publication Date: 9/26/2012
Citation: Hunter, W.B. 2012. RNAi strategies to suppress insects of fruit and tree crops. 2012. Proceedings of the 17th International Oil Palm Conference, September 25-28, Cartagena, Colombia, South America. http://portal.fedepalma.org/conferencia2012/memorias/wayne_hunter.pdf

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Use of ribonucleic acid interference, RNAi, to reduce plant feeding Hemiptera in fruit tree and grapevines. The successful use of RNAi strategies to reduce insect pests, psyllids and leafhoppers was demonstrated. An RNAi bioassay which absorbs dsRNA into plant tissues provided up to 40 days of activity in plant tissues without any additional binders or additives. Treatment of citrus trees and grapevine in research field plots using root drench, and trunk injections, had detectable levels of dsRNA at 59 days post treatment. RNAi strategies were developed for a non-transgenic approach to plant treatment to reduce insect pests and plant disease.