RNA interference (RNAi): Application in crop improvement: A review

Abstract

Among those various recent biotechnological tools, RNA Interference (RNAi) has been playing important role in crop improvement. RNAi can be defined as the ability of exogenous or endogenous double stranded RNA to suppress the expression of the gene which corresponds to the sequence of double stranded RNA. RNAi has been extensively used in various species to suppress gene function and is a novel approach to modify the gene expression for better quality traits and nutritional improvement in different crops. If judiciously used, this technology may go a long way to narrow the gap through production of disease, insect and virus resistant, nutritionally rich and toxic-free crops. The technology that has been developed by the developed countries will be available to any lab including those in the developing countries, where work utilizing RNAi technology is either in progress or going to be launched shortly. Ultimately this kind of technology can be important to global food security and also to maintain sustainability.