Nanocarrier-mediated transdermal delivery of Lmidgf4 dsRNA expedites biological control of locusts by Beauveria bassiana.

ABSTRACT: Locusts have been a major global agricultural pest that poses a serious threat to crop and livestock production. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) provide an eco-friendly control method; however, their efficacy usually takes slow and is unstable. To achieve an enhancement of the biocontrol efficacy of Beauveria bassiana (B. bassiana) against locusts, we developed a new strategy by which B. bassiana and nanocarrier-mediated dsRNA are co-applied across the locust cuticle. The nanocarrier star polycation (SPc) effectively delivers Lmidgf4 dsRNA (dsLmidgf4) into the locust, which targets Locusta migratoria imaginal disc growth factor 4 (Lmidgf4). SPc protects dsLmidgf4 from degradation by the hemolymph and enables efficient gene silencing. Furthermore, SPc has no adverse effects on B. bassiana spor

SUBMITTER: Kong X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11969711 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature