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Transgenic soybean plants expressing Spb18S dsRNA exhibit enhanced resistance to the soybean pod borer Leguminivora glycinivorella (Lepidoptera: Olethreutidae)
Author(s) -
Wang Zhanchun,
Li Tianyu,
Ni Hejia,
Wang Guoyue,
Liu Xinxin,
Cao Yingxue,
Li Wenbin,
Meng Fanli
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
archives of insect biochemistry and physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.576
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1520-6327
pISSN - 0739-4462
DOI - 10.1002/arch.21461
Subject(s) - biology , lepidoptera genitalia , rna silencing , larva , transgene , pest analysis , point of delivery , genetically modified crops , rna interference , botany , pupa , instar , horticulture , rna , gene , genetics
The soybean pod borer [SPB; Leguminivora glycinivorella (Mats.) Obraztsov] is a major soybean pest in northeastern Asia. A useful method for addressing this problem is the generation of transgenic plants producing double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) that target essential insect genes. In this study, we confirmed that 18S ribosomal RNA is critical for SPB development. Downregulated Spb18S expression induced by dsRNA injection increased larval mortality rates and resulted in early pupation. We also assessed whether Spb18S is silenced in SPB larvae fed on transgenic soybean expressing Spb18S dsRNA. Transgenic plants downregulated Spb18S expression levels and second‐instar larval survival rates. Moreover, such plants were less damaged by SPB larvae than control plants under field conditions.