中文摘要：

RNA干涉（RNAi）是通过双链RNA（dsRNA）将同源mRNA高效特异降解，从而阻断特定基因的表达。作为一种新兴的下调表达技术在作物研究中得到广泛应用。本文简要概括RNAi的原理，回顾了近年来RNAi技术在作物基因功能研究、作物品质改良、作物抗病虫方面的应用，并对其存在的问题作了初步探讨。

英文摘要：

RNA Interference is an effective specific degradation phenomenon of homogenous sequences mediated by double strand RNA （dsRNA）. It can block the expression of specific genes. This technology, as a new knockdown technology, has been widely applied to crop breeding research. The mechanism of RNAi was summarized in this paper and the application of RNAi in researches on crop gene function, crop quality improvement and resistance to insects and virus was mainly reviewed. The problem concerning with the application of RNAi technology was also discussed briefly.