News Agriculture

Silencing Pests: Altered plants make RNA that keeps insects at bay

By Sarah Webb

- More than 2 years ago

Two teams of researchers have modified plants to produce genetic material that disables critical genes in insects that eat the plants. The technique could provide a new strategy for agricultural-pest control.

TAMING PESTS. Roots of a modified corn plant (top) resist damage by corn rootworms better than normal corn roots (below). Monsanto

Looking for a new way to protect corn plants, James Roberts with Monsanto in Chesterfield, Mo.,