Advances in Using Spray-Induced Gene Silencing (SIGS) for Managing Fusarium Head Blight in Wheat
TL;DR
A review summarizes recent SIGS progress for FHB management, covering its mechanism, target gene selection, validated targets, and field efficacy, and efforts to optimize dsRNA delivery systems, with an emphasis on nanotechnology-based approaches aimed at prolonging persistence and enhancing targeting efficiency.
Abstract
Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum, severely impacts wheat yield and grain quality, while producing the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) that endangers human and animal health. Chemical control faces rising fungicide resistance, and breeding resistant varieties is time-consuming and challenged by rapid pathogen evolution. Spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS), a non-transgenic RNAi approach, offers a promising green alternative by applying exogenous dsRNA to silence key pathogenicity genes. This review summarizes recent SIGS progress for FHB management, covering its mechanism, target gene selection, validated targets, and field efficacy. And we also discuss efforts to optimize dsRNA delivery systems, with an emphasis on nanotechnology-based approaches aimed at prolonging persistence and enhancing targeting efficiency. Current studies show SIGS effectively reduces pathogen virulence and DON accumulation. Howeveer, field application is hindered by dsRNA instability, resistance risks, and inadequate environmental safety data. Future research may focus on multi-target resistance management strategies and the development of smart, stimulus-responsive nanocarriers to accelerate the translation of SIGS into sustainable FHB control programs.