The application of RNA interference (RNAi) technology to control the virus causing cassava mosaic disease

 Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) is a significant issue affecting cassava production in Thailand, causing considerable damage to cassava crops. Consequently, farmers struggle to harvest their crops, and the Sri Lankan Cassava Mosaic Virus (SLCMV) can destroy cassava at all stages of growth. This research will utilize RNA interference technology to reduce the incidence of CMD in cassava. This involves designing and synthesizing double-stranded RNA from the genes of the SLCMV, namely AV1, AV2, and AC1, which are associated with the production of capsid proteins, virus replication, and intracellular movement of the virus within plant tissues. When testing the effectiveness of dsRNA, it was found that dsRNA-AC1-2 was the most effective in reducing the severity of the disease, resulting in an average disease index level of 28.33±1.44%. This was followed by dsRNA-AV1-3, dsRNA-AC1-1, and dsRNA-AV1-2, with average disease incidence levels of 35.83±1.44%, 52.5±2.5%, and 54.17±1.44%, respectively. After analyzing cassava plants treated with dsRNA, it was found that certain cuttings, including those treated with dsRNA-AV1-1, dsRNA-AV1-2, dsRNA-AV1-3, dsRNA-AV2-1, dsRNA-AC1-1, and dsRNA-AC1-2, showed no visible signs of SLCMV infection. This indicates that dsRNA can reduce viral infection causing CMD in plants by 70%, resulting in a decrease in disease severity compared to the control group.