Global agriculture faces mounting pressure to ensure food security while reducing environmental impacts associated with conventional chemical pesticides. RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a promising, environmentally sustainable technology for plant protection due to its ability to silence specific genes in pests and pathogens with high precision. This paper reviews the mechanisms, applications, and future potential of RNAi as a transformative tool in sustainable agriculture. RNAi is a conserved biological process that regulates gene expression through sequence-specific degradation of messenger RNA, mediated by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) generated from double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Once introduced into plant or pest systems, dsRNA is processed by Dicer-like enzymes and incorporated into the RNA-induced silencing complex, which targets and suppresses specific genes. This mechanism enables effective control of pests, pathogens, and viruses while minimizing off-target effects and environmental harm.  The technology has evolved into two main application strategies: Host-Induced Gene Silencing (HIGS), where plants are genetically engineered to produce dsRNA internally, and Spray-Induced Gene Silencing (SIGS), which involves external application of dsRNA as a non-transgenic approach. Both strategies have demonstrated effectiveness against fungi, insects, and viruses by targeting essential genes involved in growth, virulence, and survival. Commercial developments such as SmartStax Pro maize and Calantha biopesticide highlight the practical implementation of RNAi-based crop protection systems.  Despite its advantages, challenges remain in delivery efficiency, production cost, regulatory frameworks, and public perception. Advances in nanotechnology, improved dsRNA synthesis, and clearer regulatory pathways are expected to address these limitations and facilitate wider adoption.  Overall, RNAi represents a next-generation solution for sustainable plant protection, offering species-specific, environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional agrochemicals. Its integration into agricultural practices can significantly reduce chemical inputs, enhance crop resilience, and contribute to global food security and sustainability goals.

Figure 1: Exogenous dsRNA application (A) and endogenous dsRNA expression (B) pathways in RNAi-based plant protection

Reference: Z.K. Abdullah, K. Lihling, N. Ariffin, J. Hailing and W. Mui-Yun. (2025, August 20–21). RNA Interference (RNAi): A Green Revolution for Sustainable Plant Protection. In Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Plantation Technology (ICPTech2025): Vol. 2. Plantation Studies (pp. 42–48).

Date of Input: 30/06/2026 | Updated: 30/06/2026 | ainzubaidah