RNAi biopesticides for precision control of invasive pests and pathogens in 3D forests: Quantum leap towards eco-friendly alternatives
Shatarupa Sarkar, Kanakachari Mogilicherla, Amrita Chakraborty, Peng He, Guy Smagghe, Amit Roy
Abstract
Climate change has severely amplified the frequency and severity of forest pest and pathogen outbreaks, leading to a decline in forest health, productivity, and biodiversity. Conventional pest management strategies, including chemical pesticides and mechanical removal, have proven largely ineffective or environmentally detrimental. RNA interference (RNAi) technology, particularly with nanotechnology, offers a promising and eco-friendly alternative for precisely controlling invasive forest pests and pathogens. Current review pinpoints significant advances in species-specific dsRNA design and delivery systems, including nanoparticle-based formulations such as chitosan, carbon quantum dots, liposomes, peptides, and layered double hydroxides that enhance the environmental stability, cellular uptake, and RNAi efficiency against different pests and pathogens. Moreover, delivery methods such as spray-induced and host-induced gene silencing (SIGS and HIGS) are also discussed, emphasising their feasibility in complex 3D forest environments. Recent advancements in software tools for species-specific dsRNA design, which democratise RNAi technology, were also presented. Finally, we assess the short-term and long-term environmental and ecotoxicological risks of RNAi-nanocomplexes, using foliar sprays and trunk injections, while highlighting the necessity to address species-specific sensitivity and ecological challenges, which are crucial for the market implementation of RNAi-nano-biopesticides. These assessments aim to increase forest resilience against biotic stressors under climate change and contribute to formulating a more refined, harmonised global framework for risk assessment of dsRNA-based biopesticides during large-scale forest applications.