**Nontransformative Strategies for RNAi in Crop Protection**

Deise Cagliari, Ericmar Avila dos Santos, Naymã Dias, Guy Smagghe and Moises Zotti

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.80874

### **Abstract**

RNAi in crop protection can be achieved not only by plant-incorporated protectants through plant transformation (transgenic) but also by nontransformative strategies such as formulations of sprayable dsRNAs used as direct control agents, resistance factor repressors, or developmental disruptors. Therefore, the RNAi-based biopesticides are expected to reach the market also in the form of nontransgenic strategies such as sprayable products, stem injection, root drenching, seed treatment, or powder/granule. While the delivery of dsRNA by transgenic expression is well established, it requires generations of crop plants and is costly, which may take years and delays for practical application, depending on the regulatory rules, plant transformability, genetic stability, and public acceptance of genetically modified crop species. DsRNA delivery as- a nontransgenic approach was already published as a proof-of-concept work, so it is time to point out some directions on how the real potential for agriculture and crop protection is.

**Keywords:** RNAi-based, biopesticides, nontransgenic approaches, dsRNA, nontransformative plant protection
