Plant-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) shows great potential in crop protection. It relies on plants stably expressing double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) that target essential genes in pest insects. Practical application of this strategy is challenging because producing sufficient amounts of stable dsRNA in plants has proven to be difficult to achieve with conventional transgenesis. In addition, many insects do not respond to exogenously applied dsRNAs, either degrading them or failing to import them into the cytoplasm. We summarize recent progress in RNAi-mediated insect pest control and discuss factors determining its efficacy. Expressing dsRNA in chloroplasts overcomes many of the difficulties previously encountered. We also highlight remaining challenges and discuss the environmental and biosafety issues involved in the use of this technology in agriculture.

植物介导的RNA干扰（RNAi）在作物保护方面显示出巨大潜力。它依赖于稳定表达针对害虫昆虫必需基因的双链RNA（dsRNA）的植物。该策略的实际应用具有挑战性，因为事实证明，用常规转基因方法很难在植物中产生足够量的稳定dsRNA。此外，许多昆虫对外源应用的dsRNA均无反应，要么使它们降解，要么无法将其导入细胞质。我们总结了RNAi介导的害虫控制的最新进展，并讨论了决定其功效的因素。在叶绿体中表达dsRNA克服了以前遇到的许多困难。