We have established dsRNA technology that can be applied to control FHB in wheat and blackleg in canola and have established optimal screening and analyses protocols that can be applied to develop analogous solutions for other pathogen species once suitable genomic resources are established.  The data generated from experiments tacking fusarium head blight in wheat are very promising and the effect size of the treatments are sufficiently large to warrant their use in future field trial evaluations.  We propose to develop future projects focused on developing a framework to transfer dsRNA technology from the lab to the field where the parameters and potential barriers can be identified and addressed.   The data generated from experiments trying to reduce Sclerotinia infection have been less successful.  The parameters slowing our progress were mostly derived from difficulties with the disease assay used and the aggressive nature of the Sclerotina isolate.  More research is required to tackle Sclerotina, and the effort requires this to be the sole focus of a future project.

This project has established an exciting, innovative program in Agriculture and Agri-Food in Saskatoon. The program now has the credibility to address high-priority pathogens using RNAi to reduce disease symptoms. Due to its success, the majority of the research focused on the control of FHB in wheat and treatments developed for FHB were used in parameter optimization experiments.   The wealth of screening and disease evaluations conducted on FHB during this project has generated sufficient evidence to move these treatments towards field application.  There is great potential for RNA technologies in biological science, with applications ranging from RNA-guided CRISPR gene editing to vaccine development and cancer therapy.  The effect of the Covid-19 pandemic has brought RNA technology into the public domain, where everyone is now familiar with RNA and how it can be used.  It is important to develop the resources and trained personnel able to exploit RNA technology for the benefit of agriculture.  This project has been critical to these efforts, and we are now well-placed to make interventions to improve pest control.