What is the likely basis of the novel strategy used to prevent Meloidogyne incognita infection in tobacco plants?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → RNA interference (RNAi)
The nematode Meloidegyne incognitia infects the roots of tobacco and greatly reduces the yield. The strategy used against it was based on RNA interference (RNAi). Nematode-specific genes were put into the plant, which then made sense and anti-sense RNA. These formed dsRNA that silenced a specific mRNA of the nematode, so the parasite could not survive in the transgenic plant.
Option (1) DNA interference — Incorrect. There is no process called DNA interference in the book. The silencing is done by RNA.
Option (2) RNA interference (RNAi) — Correct. RNAi silences a specific mRNA of the nematode through a complementary dsRNA, and this protected the tobacco plant.
Option (3) RNA initiation — Incorrect. There is no such strategy as RNA initiation. The method silences an mRNA; it does not start one.
Option (4) DNA initiation — Incorrect. There is no such strategy as DNA initiation.
NCERT Extract:
Biotechnological Applications in Agriculture – “… Pest Resistant Plants: Several nematodes parasitise a wide variety of plants and animals including human beings. A nematode Meloidegyne incognitia infects the roots of tobacco plants and causes a great reduction in yield. A novel strategy was adopted to prevent this infestation which was based on the process of RNA interference (RNAi). RNAi takes place in all eukaryotic organisms as a method of cellular defense.”