SIGSbyBEVs · Spray-induced gene silencing using bacterial extracellular vesicles for dsRNA delivery to manage fungal diseases in agricultural and forest systems

Spray-induced gene silencing using bacterial extracellular vesicles for dsRNA delivery to manage fungal diseases in agricultural and forest systems

The SIGSbyBEVs project was developed in response to the urgent need for sustainable solutions to manage fungal diseases affecting agricultural and forest ecosystems. These pathogens cause significant economic losses, threaten global food security, and compromise forest health by reducing the yield of staple crops, fruits, and vegetables while also risking biodiversity. Traditional chemical fungicides, often banned in forestry, are becoming less viable in agriculture due to increasing restrictions under European Green Deal policies and the emergence of resistant fungal strains. The project aimed to develop an innovative, environmentally friendly technology based on bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs) to deliver double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) capable of triggering RNA interference (RNAi) in fungal pathogens. This RNAi-based strategy provides a biodegradable alternative to fungicides, targeting the molecular pathways essential for fungal growth without harming non-target organisms. The research was structured around two key objectives. The first focused on identifying and designing effective dsRNA molecules to suppress fungal pathogens Fusarium circinatum (causal agent of pine pitch canker disease) and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fusarium wilt disease in tomato) while minimizing potential off-target effects. The second aimed at improving the stability and uptake efficiency of these dsRNA molecules by encapsulating them within BEVs derived from bacterial strains. Through interdisciplinary collaborations with research institutions and industry partners, SIGSbyBEVs successfully advanced RNAi-based solutions for plant disease management. The project demonstrated that BEV-encapsulated dsRNAs remain stable on plant surfaces for extended periods and are efficiently taken up by fungal pathogens, leading to reduced pathogen growth and disease symptoms. The impacts of SIGSbyBEVs are multifaceted. Scientifically, it fills critical knowledge gaps in RNAi delivery systems and fungal dsRNA processing. Economically, it offers farmers and forest managers an innovative, low-impact tool to protect plants while preserving yield. Socially, it promotes safer agricultural practices and better food quality by reducing fungicide residues. Strategically, the project aligns with European policy objectives under the Green Deal and Farm to Fork Strategy, positioning RNAi technologies as viable alternatives for sustainable crops and forest protection.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union