A Review of Harnessing RNA Interference (RNAi) and Antisense Technology for Crop Improvement

RNA interference (RNAi) is a natural, sequence-specific gene regulation mechanism triggered by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), leading to translation inhibition or transcriptional repression. Scientists have harnessed RNAi and Antisense RNA technologies to manipulate gene expression in crop plants, offering a new frontier in plant biotechnology. RNAi in particular, has demonstrated greater precision, efficiency, and stability compared to antisense technology approaches. Both technologies have been successfully applied to improve crop traits, including nutritional quality, allergen and toxin reduction, enhanced resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, morphological changes, male sterility, secondary metabolite production, and seedlessness. While these advancements present promising solutions for crop improvement, they also raise biosafety concerns. Therefore, thorough risk assessments are essential to ensure the safe deployment of genetically modified (GM) crops. This review highlights the applications, benefits, and challenges of RNAi and Antisense technologies in crop enhancement.