The Bacteria-Derived dsRNA Was Used for Spray-Induced Gene Silencing for Rice False Smut Control.

False smut caused by is one of the most destructive diseases in rice. The disease is primarily controlled with fungicides, leading to the development of fungicide resistance. Although spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) has been utilized for disease management, it has not been applied to control rice false smut. In this study, we introduce a novel approach involving the synthesis and exogenous application of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to manage rice false smut disease. The , , and genes were selected as target genes and highly efficient fragments for gene silencing were identified through screening of silencing transformants. Although direct dsRNA uptake by was not observed, synthesis and application of dsRNA to rice effectively reduced the expression of target genes. Treatment with dsRNA targeting the genes resulted in a decrease in smut balls, providing a promising disease management strategy against rice false smut.