Syngenta’s RNA-based biocontrol applied to soil is effective for corn rootworm control

Syngenta’s RNA-based biocontrol applied to soil is effective for corn rootworm control.

Authors:  Pascale Feldmann, Isabelle Maillet, Alfred Rindlisbacher, Yves Devos, Yann Naudet, Nina Cromheecke, Wendy Maddelein, Robert Harris, Geert Plaetinck.

RNA-based biocontrols are being explored as new solutions for crop protection. These biocontrols provide a new mode of action based on the naturally-occurring process of RNA interference (RNAi) and can offer advantages in flexibility for pest control over traditional chemical or trait technologies. Corn rootworms (CRW), in particular the Western Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera), the Northern Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica barberi) and the Southern Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica undecimpunctata), are devastating pests for corn and are responsible for significant crop loss each year in multiple locations throughout the world. RNA-based biocontrols that are applied directly to soil are being tested for effective control of and the potential for high selectivity for CRW.  We have demonstrated previously that an RNA-based biocontrol was as effective as chemical controls against CPB in potato, highlighting the efficiency of externally applied RNA-based biontrols for pest control and crop protection. Here we show that applying the RNA-based biocontrol directly to soil leads to mortality of emerging CRW larvae and protects corn plantlets from root damage. This finding opens new possibilities to control CRW more broadly than current control methods. Syngenta is developing RNA-based biocontrols into commercially viable products with new modes of action to further support growers to control important insect pest such as corn rootworms.