[Edaily Reporter Kim Hyung-il ] GENOLUTION INC.(225220)announced on the 10th that it is expanding its plant virus control business by securing RNA interference (RNAi)-based crop protection technology that precisely targets the Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus (CGMMV), which damages cucurbit crops such as watermelons and melons.

GENOLUTION INC. has filed a domestic patent application for its RNAi-based crop protection formulation. This technology analyzes the CGMMV genome to identify key gene regions involved in viral replication and suppresses them. CGMMV is a virus that infects cucurbit crops such as watermelon, cucumber, Japanese cucumber, and melon, causing mosaic symptoms on the leaves. In watermelons, in particular, it can cause the so-called “konjac symptom”—discoloration and softening of the flesh—which reduces marketability, and it is transmitted through seeds and soil.

This technology analyzes the CGMMV genome to identify key gene regions involved in viral replication and suppresses them. GENOLUTION INC. conducted actual plant infection tests using double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) it designed in-house. The results showed that the infection rate in the group treated with a specific dsRNA composition dropped from 100% in the untreated group to 30%, confirming a 70% suppression effect.

GENOLUTION INC. emphasizes that, unlike existing prevention-focused control methods, this approach utilizes RNAi technology to selectively suppress specific gene sequences, thereby inhibiting viral replication.

According to Research and Markets, a global market research firm, the RNA-based crop protection market is projected to grow from approximately $1.72 billion in 2025 to approximately $3.04 billion in 2031. Following the approval of a honeybee disease treatment utilizing RNA interference technology, GENOLUTION INC. is now expanding its business into the crop protection sector based on its proprietary dsRNA mass production platform.

With this patent application, GENOLUTION INC.’s plant virus-related pipeline has expanded to four, including tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), bean yellow mosaic virus 2 (BBWV2), and now CGMMV. The company plans to continue building its RNA-based plant protection platform while expanding its scope of control to cucurbit crops such as watermelon.

GENOLUTION INC. official stated, “CGMMV is a persistent virus that causes severe damage to domestic cucurbit farmers,” adding, “Based on our proprietary mass production technology, we will continue to expand our pipeline to develop next-generation crop protection solutions that can be applied to the global agricultural sector.”