Effect of artificial dsRNA on infection of pea plants by pea seed-borne mosaic virus

Abstract

The effect of direct application of artificial dsRNA molecules derived from the viral coat protein gene and the possibility of RNA interference induction leading to protection against Pea seed borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) have been investigated. Effectivity of virus transmission was not affected by the dsRNA treatment. Simultaneous application of dsRNA and virus inoculation as well as dsRNA application one day before PSbMV inoculation led to a significant short-term decrease in the PSbMV concentration in experimental pea plants. Either the curative effect of the artificial dsRNA biolistic application was not noticed.