BioClay™ prolongs RNA interference-mediated crop protection against Botrytis cinerea

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Nino-Sanchez, Jonatan
Sambasivam, Prabhakaran T
Sawyer, Anne
Hamby, Rachael
Chen, Angela
Czislowski, Elizabeth
Li, Peng
Manzie, Narelle
Gardiner, Donald M
Ford, Rebecca
Xu, Zhi Ping
Mitter, Neena
Jin, Hailing
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2022
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Abstract

One of the most promising tools for the control of fungal plant diseases is spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS). In SIGS, small interfering RNA (siRNA) or double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) targeting essential or virulence-related pathogen genes are exogenously applied to plants and postharvest products to trigger RNA interference (RNAi) of the targeted genes, inhibiting fungal growth and disease. However, SIGS is limited by the unstable nature of RNA under environmental conditions. The use of layered double hydroxide or clay particles as carriers to deliver biologically active dsRNA, a formulation termed BioClay™, can enhance RNA durability on plants, prolonging its activity against pathogens. Here, we demonstrate that dsRNA delivered as BioClay can prolong protection against Botrytis cinerea, a major plant fungal pathogen, on tomato leaves and fruit and on mature chickpea plants. BioClay increased the protection window from 1 to 3 weeks on tomato leaves and from 5 to 10 days on tomato fruits, when compared with naked dsRNA. In flowering chickpea plants, BioClay provided prolonged protection for up to 4 weeks, covering the critical period of poding, whereas naked dsRNA provided limited protection. This research represents a major step forward for the adoption of SIGS as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional fungicides.

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Journal of Integrative Plant Biology

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This publication has been entered in Griffith Research Online as an advanced online version.

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Plant biology

Genetics

Science & Technology

Life Sciences & Biomedicine

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Plant Sciences

BioClay

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Nino-Sanchez, J; Sambasivam, PT; Sawyer, A; Hamby, R; Chen, A; Czislowski, E; Li, P; Manzie, N; Gardiner, DM; Ford, R; Xu, ZP; Mitter, N; Jin, H, BioClay™ prolongs RNA interference-mediated crop protection against Botrytis cinerea, Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, 2022

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