Soybean is one of the most valuable crops in the united states, contributing billions of dollars annually to the nation's economy and serving as an important source of food, animal feed, and renewable…

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded Louisiana State University Agricultural Center $297,188 on September 15, 2026, under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) to identify and test naturally occurring microRNA molecules that defend soybean plants against stink bugs or increase pest vulnerability, with the goal of developing RNA-based biopesticides as a sustainable alternative to chemical insecticides.

The project will conduct laboratory, greenhouse, and field testing of promising microRNA candidates to determine whether they reduce stink bug populations without harming beneficial insects or the environment. The work runs through September 14, 2028, and is performed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. LSU Agricultural Center will also generate genetic resources for researchers, train graduate and undergraduate students in agricultural biotechnology, and disseminate findings through publications, presentations, and extension activities to farmers, scientists, and other stakeholders.

Soybean is one of the most valuable crops in the united states, contributing billions of dollars annually to the nation's economy and serving as an important source of food, animal feed, and renewable products. However, soybean production is increasingly threatened by stink bugs, which damage developing seeds, reduce crop yield and quality, and cost growers millions of dollars each year. Farmers currently rely heavily on chemical insecticides to control these pests, but repeated use can lead to insecticide resistance, increased production costs, environmental concerns, and unintended effects on beneficial insects and other wildlife. New, sustainable approaches to pest management are urgently needed to protect crop production while reducing reliance on conventional pesticides. This project will explore a natural gene-regulating system found in both plants and insects to discover new ways to control stink bugs. We will identify naturally occurring small RNA molecules (namely micrornas) that help soybean plants defend themselves or make stink bugs more vulnerable. Promising microrna candidates will be tested in the laboratory, greenhouse, and field to determine whether they can reduce stink BUG populations without harming beneficial insects or the environment. The project will also generate valuable genetic resources for researchers, train graduate and undergraduate students in modern agricultural biotechnology, and share findings with farmers, scientists, and other stakeholders through publications, presentations, and extension activities. Successful completion of this research will provide the foundation for developing environmentally friendly RNA-based biopesticides that improve soybean production, strengthen U.S. Agriculture, and support sustainable pest management for the future.