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Plant‐mediated RNAi of grain aphid CHS1 gene confers common wheat resistance against aphids
Author(s) -
Zhao Yanjie,
Sui Xiaoyan,
Xu Lanjie,
Liu Guoyu,
Lu Lihua,
You Mingshan,
Xie Chaojie,
Li Baoyun,
Ni Zhongfu,
Liang Rongqi
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.5062
Subject(s) - biology , aphid , rna interference , chitin synthase , transgene , sitobion avenae , genetically modified crops , chitin , pesticide , agronomy , gene , botany , rna , pest analysis , genetics , aphididae , biochemistry , homoptera , chitosan
BACKGROUND Chitin is an important component of the insect exoskeleton and peritrophic membrane. Chitin synthase 1 (CHS1) is a key enzyme in the chitin synthesis pathway, and has a role in insect molting and growth. Plant‐mediated RNA interference (RNAi) has been used as a more target‐specific and environmentally safe approach to prevent and control agricultural insects. The aims of this study were to use grain aphid ( Sitobion avanae ) CHS1 as the target gene and to produce transgenic wheat lines for aphid control via plant‐mediated RNAi. RESULTS Expression levels of CHS1 changed at different developmental stages. After feeding on the representative T 3 transgenic lines Tb5‐2 and Tb10‐3, CHS1 expression levels in grain aphid decreased by 50.29% and 45.32%, respectively; and total and molting aphid numbers reduced significantly, compared with controls. Consistent with this, aphid numbers in mixed natural populations reduced significantly in the respective T 4 and T 5 transgenic lines under field conditions, and T5 transgenic lines had higher grain weight compared with the unsprayed insecticide wild‐type and insecticide‐sprayed wild‐type. CONCLUSION These results indicate that plant‐mediated RNAi of the grain aphid CHS1 gene confers common wheat resistance against aphids. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry