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Pyramiding dsRNAs increases phytonematode tolerance in cotton plants
Maria E Lisei-de-Sá1,2,3, Paolo L Rodrigues-Silva2,4, Carolina V Morgante2,5,3
1Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Minas Gerais, Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
Planta
|November 15, 2021
Summary
Host-induced gene silencing in cotton significantly reduced root-knot nematode reproduction by targeting essential nematode genes. This sustainable approach offers effective pest control for cotton crops.
Area of Science:
- Plant Pathology
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Root-knot nematodes (RKN) cause significant damage to cotton crops globally.
- RNA interference (RNAi) offers a promising strategy for sustainable pest control.
- Host-induced Gene Silencing (HIGS) enables plants to suppress essential nematode genes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of HIGS in controlling Meloidogyne incognita in cotton.
- To target three essential RKN genes: cysteine protease (Mi-cpl), isocitrate lyase (Mi-icl), and splicing factor (Mi-sf).
- To assess the impact of gene silencing on nematode reproduction and cotton plant tolerance.
Main Methods:
- Developed transgenic cotton plants (dsMinc1-T4) expressing dsRNA targeting three essential RKN genes.
- Utilized a constitutive soybean promoter (pUceS8.3) for dsRNA expression.
- Infected transgenic and control cotton plants with Meloidogyne incognita for comparative analysis.
Main Results:
- Transgenic cotton plants showed significant reductions in gall formation (57-64%) and egg mass production (58-67%).
- Nematode reproduction factor decreased by 60-78% in HIGS lines compared to controls.
- Transcript levels of targeted RKN genes were reduced 13- to 40-fold; development of non-feeding males increased 2-6 fold.
Conclusions:
- Host-induced gene silencing of essential RKN genes effectively enhances cotton plant tolerance.
- This study demonstrates the first application of targeting multiple RKN genes using dsRNA for M. incognita tolerance in cotton.
- The HIGS approach provides a sustainable and effective strategy for managing RKN in cotton without adverse effects on plant phenotype.
