Plant pests and diseases are a major problem in today's food production. The use of pesticides is one of the best options we have for plant protection. However, as the most effective synthetic pesticides are often toxic to humans and non-target organisms, research is being carried out on potential more advanced systems to combat pests. Since the publication of a paper in 1998 describing the mechanism of RNA interference, a variety of research has been carried out on this biological phenomenon, including in the field of plant protection. The essence of the system is the exposure of cells to double-stranded RNA, which is recognised and cut into smaller pieces by biological entities in organisms. These shorter units subsequently bind to the mRNA, which is also cut, making protein synthesis impossible. There are several ways in which these products can be applied or introduced into the plant. It is important to know the different biological characteristics of pests as well as of plants, as this determines the success of the treatment. Certain groups of pests, such as beetles, are much more sensitive to such products than other groups. Currently, one RNAi-based product is available on the market against Colorado potato beetle. Research is directed towards more such products. They are likely to be available in Europe, given the regulatory situation. Their specificity and lower impact on nature make them a very good alternative to current chemical pesticides.
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