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REVIEW article
Front. Plant Sci.
Sec. Plant Pathogen Interactions
Volume 16 - 2025 |
doi: 10.3389/fpls.2025.1527944
This article is part of the Research Topic Innovative Molecular Strategies for Enhancing Plant Defense Against Biotic Stresses View all 7 articles
Spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) for crop protection: Recent advances and emerging trends
Provisionally accepted- 1 Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou, Henan Province, China
- 2 Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
- 3 Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
The RNA-based spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) technology represents an ecologically sustainable approach to crop protection and pathogen management. Following the recent approval of Ledprona as the first sprayable double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) biopesticide by the EPA at the end of 2023, SIGS has emerged as a focal point in both academic and industrial sectors. This review analyzes recent advances and emerging trends in SIGS. The application of SIGS for crop protection, including the control of insects, fungal pathogens, and viruses, is briefly summarized. Distinguishing this review from others, we delve into practical aspects of the technology, such as the selection and screening of target genes, large-scale production methods, and delivery systems, highlighting major advancements in these areas and also addressing the remaining questions and issues, particularly concerning safety concerns and controlling harmful weeds. Finally, this review emphasizes the emerging trends in SIGS technology, particularly its integration with nanotechnology and other methodologies. Collectively, the rapid progress in SIGS studies is poised to accelerate the maturation and application of this technology.
Keywords: Biopesticides, SIGS, dsRNA, crop protection, Nanotechnology, RNAi, sustainable agriculture
Received: 14 Nov 2024; Accepted: 27 Jan 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Chen, Muhammad, Feng, Shen and Sun. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Xihui Shen, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
Zhongke Sun, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan Province, China
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