"Instead, we have shown in multiple species that when it's sprayed on a plant's leaf, the dsRNA is mobile, traveling between cells and throughout the plant, including to the roots," Dr. Brosnan said. "If we are trying to target a pathogen, then this spray technology has a real chance of being effective, because the dsRNA can move systemically, encountering pathogens to kill."

dsRNA is a molecule that can regulate genes or trigger RNA interference (RNAi) in target pest and pathogen species, including viruses, bacteria and fungi. RNAi-based biopesticides are an emerging technology representing a sustainable alternative to synthetic chemical-based crop protection strategies. When pests or pathogens eat or absorb the dsRNA, essential genes are shut down, killing the pest while not causing harm to the plant or any other beneficial or non-target organism.

QAAFI's Dr. Donald Gardiner said the findings were significant, noting, "This work changes the dogma around the stability, uptake and movement of dsRNA, which is vital as we develop the technology. Currently, there are no effective sprayable products to target pests and pathogens below the ground. It's a challenge to get anything protective into plant roots, so if we can spray RNA on a leaf and get it to move through the plant's tissues as an intact molecule to its roots, that's a significant opportunity to target hard-to-reach pests and pathogens."

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