A ground-breaking, chemical-free approach to controlling flystrike in sheep has emerged from research conducted at the University of Queensland. The innovative use of RNA technology shows promise in addressing the pervasive issue of sheep blowfly, which has presented a significant challenge to the agricultural industry.
Dr. Karishma Mody, a Research Fellow at the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, and Ph.D. candidate Yunjia Yang have made significant strides in utilizing RNA technology to combat the sheep blowfly, a pest that has resulted in substantial economic losses and welfare concerns for sheep.
The revolutionary research conducted by Dr. Mody and her team has been published in the esteemed journal, Pest Management Science. She highlighted the substantial financial burden involved in the current methods of flystrike control, estimating an annual expenditure of nearly £280 million in labour and chemical treatments in Australia alone. This underscores the urgent need for a more sustainable and cost-effective solution.
Through the incorporation of sustainable double-stranded RNA molecules into the sheep blowfly diet, the researchers have observed a significant impact on the insect’s growth. This approach has opened up new possibilities in regulating the growth and development of pests that affect livestock, with the potential to revolutionize the industry’s approach to pest control.
Dr. Mody also emphasized the broader applications of this method, envisioning its potential use in addressing other pest problems in livestock, such as cattle ticks and buffalo fly in cattle. The environmentally friendly and non-toxic nature of this proposed method, along with its minimal resistance issues, presents a promising solution for the agricultural sector.
While the research has yielded promising outcomes, Dr. Mody acknowledged the challenges that lie ahead. One of the key hurdles is the susceptibility of dsRNA to degradation due to the diet of the sheep blowfly. Addressing this concern, the team is actively working on particle-based delivery platforms to enhance the stability of dsRNA for practical application in real-world settings.
The implications of this research extend beyond the realm of livestock health, positioning Australia as a leader in innovative agricultural research. As one of the world’s top wool producers, the country is well-positioned to spearhead groundbreaking research that could revolutionize pest control measures in the industry.
The publication of this research in Pest Management Science serves as a testament to the rigorous scientific processes and credible methodology employed by Dr. Mody and her team, solidifying the credibility of their findings.
The research article is available for further reading in Pest Management Science, offering in-depth insights into the use of cell and larval assays to identify target genes for RNA interference-mediated control of the Australian sheep blowfly (Lucilia cuprina).
In conclusion, the pioneering use of RNA technology in developing a non-chemical method for controlling flystrike in sheep marks a significant leap forward in the agricultural sector. The innovative approach holds promise in addressing the economic and welfare concerns associated with sheep blowfly, and its broader applications signal a transformative shift in the industry’s approach to pest control.
Source:
Yang, Y., et al. (2024). The use of cell and larval assays to identify target genes for RNA interference-mediated control of the Australian sheep blowfly (Lucilia cuprina), Pest Management Science. DOI: 10.1002/ps.8190. Retrieved from https://phys.org/news/2024-07-rna-technology-chemical-free-flystrike.html
University of Queensland. (2024, July 15). Using RNA technology to develop a chemical-free way for controlling flystrike in sheep. Phys.org.