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The process of RNA interference has been used in the development of plants resistant to
A
Insects
B
Nematodes
C
Fungi
D
Viruses
Detailed Solution
The nematode $Meloidogyne\ incognita$ infects the roots of tobacco plants and greatly reduces the yield.
Using $Agrobacterium$ vectors, nematode-specific genes were introduced into the host plant in such a way that both sense and anti-sense RNA were produced in the host cells.
These complementary RNAs formed double-stranded RNA, which initiated RNA interference (RNAi) and silenced the specific mRNA of the nematode.
The parasite could not survive in the transgenic host, so the plant was protected.
Resistance to insects was obtained by a different method, the Bt toxin genes.
Hence RNA interference has been used to develop plants resistant to nematodes.
Using $Agrobacterium$ vectors, nematode-specific genes were introduced into the host plant in such a way that both sense and anti-sense RNA were produced in the host cells.
These complementary RNAs formed double-stranded RNA, which initiated RNA interference (RNAi) and silenced the specific mRNA of the nematode.
The parasite could not survive in the transgenic host, so the plant was protected.
Resistance to insects was obtained by a different method, the Bt toxin genes.
Hence RNA interference has been used to develop plants resistant to nematodes.