Potencial target genes prospecting for RNAi-mediated control of Mahanarva spp. spittlebugs in sugarcane and forage

• Grant number: 23/14813-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: May 01, 2024
• End date: October 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy
• Principal Investigator: Anete Pereira de Souza
• Grantee: Isabela dos Santos Begnami
• Host Institution: Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética (CBMEG). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Company: Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (Brasil). Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA). Embrapa Sede
• Associated research grant: 22/04006-2 - Center for Plant Molecular Breeding (CeM²P), AP.PCPE

Abstract

Spittlebugs of the genus Mahanarva emerge as one of the most limiting pests to grass production in Brazil, causing major production losses that mainly affect agriculture and sugarcane cultivation. Currently, there are not many viable alternatives for containing these insects, with the use of chemical pesticides being ecologically discouraged and biological control by Metarhizium anisopliae still inefficient on a large scale. Interfering RNA technology has been gaining prominence in the fight against herbivores, making it possible for plants to be resistant to specific species of pests in a more ecological way. The objective of this project is to identify and test target genes for RNAi-mediated silencing in two species of spittlebugs, M. fimbriolata and M. spectabilis, representing an innovative approach to controlling these pests. The project will be carried out in partnership with Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste and Instituto Agronômico de Campinas. Firstly, investigative genomic analyzes will be carried out, assembly of genomes and transcriptomes, to prospect possible genes of interest to be silenced. Afterwards, the chosen molecules will be tested, validated in insects and then inoculated in sugar cane. By using these methodologies, we hope to identify genes with the best silencing potential and carry out proof of concept for them, contributing to the development of alternative technologies for controlling two major pests in national agriculture.