Question

Nematode-specific genes are introduced into the tobacco plants using Agrobacterium vectors to develop resistance in tobacco plants against nematodes. Explain the events that occur in tobacco plant to develop resistance.

Answer 1

Using Agrobacterium vectors, nematode-specific genes were introduced into the host plant. 

• The introduction of DNA was such that it produced sense and anti-sense RNA in the host cells. Both the RNAs being complementary to each other form double stranded RNA (dsRNA) that initiated RNAi and thus, silenced the specific mRNA of the nematode. 
• The parasite could not survive in a transgenic host expressing specific interfering RNA. Thus, transgenic plant is protected from the parasite.