Precision Molecular Entomology: CRISPR, RNAi and Multi-Omics Paradigms for Next-Generation Pest Management
Abhishek Kumar Yadav
Department of Entomology, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur-208002 (Uttar Pradesh), India.
Sonam Tiwari *
Department of Entomology & Agricultural Zoology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005 (U.P.), India.
Vaibhav Kumar
Department of Entomology, Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), Visva Bharati, Sriniketan, Birbhum, West Bengal, 731236, India.
Suraj Soni
Department of Entomology, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Ayodhya-208002 (U.P.), India.
Preeti Yadav
Department of Entomology, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur-208002 (Uttar Pradesh), India.
Priya Bharati
Department of Entomology & Agricultural Zoology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005 (U.P.), India.
Arvind Kumar
School of Agricultural Sciences, IIMT University, Ganganagar, Meerut (U.P.), India.
Sourabh Maheshwari
ICAR- National Institute of Biotic Stress Management, Raipur, Chhattisgarh- 493 225, India.
Pradeep Yadav
Department of Entomology, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur-208002 (Uttar Pradesh), India.
Pankaj Kumar Yadav
Department of Entomology, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur-208002 (Uttar Pradesh), India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Application of molecular biology in entomology has rendered pest control specific, environmentally friendly, and sustainable. In this review, advances in the molecular techniques applied to the characterization of insect biology, behavior, and plant-insect interactions with particular focus on the laying down of the platform for the integration of genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and epigenetics into agriculture pest science are outlined. Important molecular mechanisms like detoxification enzyme systems, target-site mutation, RNAi, and CRISPR–Cas genome editing are discussed in the context of their possible application towards the development of new-age pest management technologies. The possibilities for manipulation of symbionts, molecular diagnosis, and omics-based monitoring of resistance as a tool for future paradigms in IPM are highlighted. Special emphasis is placed on laboratory advances to field use in the industry, since molecular activity is being taken out of the lab and into field-realized pest management. Through an emphasis on the synergy among multi-omics data, bioinformatics, and gene-targeted equipment, molecular agricultural entomology can predict pest invasion, break resistance development, and diminish chemical pesticide use. This transdisciplinary approach can promote crop protection with reduced environmental footprint, bringing with it the promise of precision pest management in a dynamic agroecosystem.
Keywords: Multi-omics, RNA interference, CRISPR–Cas, resistance mechanisms, integrated pest management