Host-Induced Gene Silencing: Approaches in Plant Disease Management

Abstract

Crops exposed to the damage of various biotic and abiotic sources result in reduced yields and cause economic losses. There are prominent strategies such as breeding for improved resistance, the application of pesticides, and cultural practices that are available to mitigate damage resulting from abiotic/biotic sources. Genetic engineering suggests a new technique “host-induced gene silencing (HIGS)” which is a promising approach to the control of different negative biotic to abiotic stress factors affecting the plants. HIGS is a creative idea using RNA interference (RNAi) technology as an efficient strategy to control plant pathogens. These techniques involve shutting off one or few of the important genes playing role in pathogenesis that are related to pathogen growth, development, and /or the host genes responsible for invasion. In general, HIGS utilizes RNAi molecules generated by the plant, which then target the key genes of pathogens resulting in resistance formation. RNAi technology suggests a new insight by using small non-coding RNA sequences able to switch-off gene expression (blocking gene function) relied on introducing the sequence-specific technique. Inserting short sequences of RNA, which partly match the target gene’s sequence, contributes to the silence of the target-oriented proteins on the plant. Therefore, it suppresses a specific gene, eliminating or enhancing certain plant traits for the purpose of different know-how agro-biotechnological aspects. RNAi causes biochemical or phenotypic differentiation for generating new quality traits in the organisms. It has an important potential paves way for the control of pests and diseases. In this chapter, we will highlight the application of RNAi in the plant system to explore the novel traits for the better management of current problems related to plant cultivation involving abiotic stress, biotic stress, and plant disease management.