dsRNA-Loaded Silica Nanoparticles for the Management of Potato Virus Y in Potato Plants

NP formulations were loaded with dsRNA, with UMNs showing the best loading capacity. Due to the negatively charged nature of dsRNA, positively charged UMNs were favored and employed in further application experiments. Gel electrophoresis indicated that dsRNA loaded into/onto these UMNs was released over several days. Fifteen days after inoculation, greenhouse experiments with tobacco plants demonstrated that dsRNA-loaded UMNs effectively suppressed PVY. In a field study, dsRNA loaded into/onto UMNs showed a 0% disease incidence, an improvement compared to dsRNA or nanoparticle application alone. These findings reveal that UMNs are an efficient nanocarrier for delivering dsRNA against PVY, thereby increasing crop health and yield. A techno-economic analysis was performed to evaluate the economic viability of this nanomaterial for industrial commercialization.