RNA interference is a biotechnological method based on silencing of target genes and is increasingly used in agriculture. First discovered in 1985, it has been rapidly developing due to its wide applicability. This method enables us to increase plant tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress, thereby improving yield. Important approaches that have been developed through RNAi include HIGS, SIGS and VIGS, all of which rely on the expression of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to silence target genes. Among them, plants treated with the HIGS method are considered genetically modified organisms (GMOs) due to the insertion of foreign genetic material into the plant genome. However, we are also faced with some limitations, such as the off-target effect, which can lead to unintended gene silencing and disruptions in plant growth and development. RNAi technology can serve as an advanced tool in agronomy for the development of plants resistant to various stress factors and for the improvement of traits which are crucial for the consumer, such as quality, nutritional value and sustainability of production.
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