RNA Innovation Against Mosaic Virus

Researchers just ID’d potential protection against the most common virus in agriculture and horticulture.

More than just cukes: Despite the name, cucumber mosaic virus is a bad deal for more than 1,200 plant species. It arrives via aphid, creates a mosaic pattern on the plant’s leaves, and leaves the rest of the plant to suffer. The fruit becomes unsellable. Until now, there’s been no approved agents to combat CMV.

Immune support: Researchers at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) developed efficient double-stranded RNA molecules that lend a helping hand to the plant’s immune system when it faces the virus. In laboratory tests, 80-100% of treated plants survived the virus.

Soundbite: “RNA viruses such as the cucumber mosaic virus are dangerous because they can evolve rapidly. In addition, the genetic material of this virus is made up of three separate parts, which can get mixed up, further increasing the chance of new mutations. To achieve maximum protection against the virus, our active ingredients target different parts of the genome.” — Professor Sven-Erik Behrens, MLU

Where this goes: Getting this solution out of the lab and into the field will take some work to make the RNA substances easier to apply. In the laboratory, it was injected or rubbed into the plant leaves. Researchers are working on new delivery methods and setting up field trials to test the substances in real world conditions.

Assuming all that checks out, this new potential crop protection product would still have to be approved. But researchers are optimistic it could make it to market.