Question

Name the process involved in the production of nematode-resistant tobacco plants, using genetic engineering. Explain the strategy adopted to develop such plants.

Hint:

RNA interference (RNAi) uses dsRNA to silence specific genes — a powerful tool in developing pest- or pathogen-resistant crops.

Answer 1

Process Name: RNA interference (RNAi) Strategy Adopted:

• RNA interference is a gene-silencing method that involves the introduction of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) that is complementary to the mRNA of the target gene.
• In the case of nematode-resistant tobacco, a gene coding for a nematode protein is inserted into the plant in such a way that it produces both sense and antisense RNA strands.
• These strands form dsRNA, which triggers the RNAi mechanism, degrading the nematode's mRNA when it infects the plant.
• As a result, the nematode fails to survive due to the lack of synthesis of vital proteins.