Multi-target gene silencing via nanoparticle-delivered dsRNA: an efficient approach for Myzus persicae management

Abstract: The green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) threatens crops through direct feeding and
viral transmission. While RNA interference (RNAi) offers species-specific pest control, its
efficacy is limited by poor dsRNA uptake. This study evaluates carbon dot (CD) and chitosantripolyphosphate (ChNP) nanoparticles for delivering dsRNAs targeting five essential aphid genes. Nanoparticles enhanced dsRNA retention on pepper leaves by 17.2-23.4-fold compared to naked dsRNA (P < 0.05), achieving 68-84 % transcriptsuppression and 89 % aphid mortality. Aphid-infested plants treated with dsRNA:ChNP showed higher plant aerial biomass than controls (P < 0.001) and less phytotoxicity than synthetic insecticides (P < 0.05) in greenhouse trials. These findings support nanocarrier-mediated RNAi as a sustainable aphid management strategy.