Baicao Biotech and Henan Agricultural University join forces for RNAi project: A new era for biopesticide development in China

On July 23, Baicao Biotech, a leading Chinese biopesticide company, and Henan Agricultural University signed a strategic cooperation agreement on RNAi biopesticide project. This collaboration aims to control Fusarium head blight, a major pathogen of global wheat. In the face of global challenges, such as food security, environmental protection and rational use of pesticides, biopesticides, especially RNAi technology, are crucial to promote sustainable agriculture, as they are highly effective, eco-friendly and target specific.

Du Guisheng, Chairman of Baicao Biotech, stated: "Traditional chemical pesticides face increasing challenge of resistance to Fusarium head blight. New control products are needed. RNAi technology offers an innovative solution."

Under the cooperation agreement, Henan Agricultural University will be responsible for the product research and development, while Baicao Biotech will work on the product registration and market promotion. Both parties aim to leverage their technologies, industrialization and marketing advantages to bring this sustainable pesticide to the market. Li Chengwei, Secretary of the Party Committee of Henan Agricultural University, emphasized: "We hope to convert our research results into practical applications. Through this cooperation, we aim to produce landmark academic achievements, promote rural development, assist in comprehensive rural revitalization and ensure national food security."

Statistics show that over the past five years in China, the wheat cultivation area affected by Fusarium head blight has reached 2-3.33 million hectares, and the accumulated treated area in 2023 reached astounding 21.07 million hectares. These figures underscore the urgency of developing new products .

RNAi technology, particularly the Spray-Induced Gene Silencing (SIGS) technology based on dsRNA, has opened a new path to control Fusarium head blight. This technology can precisely inhibit the expression of key genes in Fusarium graminearum with designed specific dsRNA sequences, achieving the goal of disease control which is target specific and eco-friendly.

The research team has made significant progress. They have established a stable dsRNA biosynthesis system, identified five gene targets for Fusarium head blight, and optimized fermentation to increase dsRNA yield to 1.5 g/L. Laboratory and field trial results are encouraging, with a control efficiency of up to 96.83% at multiple test sites, far surpassing traditional chemical pesticides. This dsRNA-based pesticide is hailed as the "third revolution in the pesticide history". Its dosage is only 1/30 to 1/150 of the traditional pesticides and the efficacy is better than the traditional competitors.

The Chairman Du Guisheng stated again: "Through close cooperation among all parties, we believe the dsRNA project will achieve significant results in enhancing crop resistance to the pests and diseases, reducing chemical pesticide use and protecting the environment. It will become a model for the industry-university-research cooperation, and set a new benchmark for agricultural technology innovation and sustainable development."

The breakthrough and application of this RNAi technology are expected to inject new momentum into the development of sustainable agriculture in China and all over the world, providing strong scientific and technical support for food security. With the joint efforts from all parties, the biopesticide sector will usher in new development opportunities, contributing to the global sustainable agriculture.