Virus induced gene silencing (VIGS) is one of the most potent reverse genetics technologies for gene functional characterisation. This method exploits a dsRNA-mediated antiviral defence mechanism in plants. Using this method allows researchers to generate rapid phenotypic data in a relatively rapid time frame as compared to the generation of stable transformants. Here we describe a simple method for silencing a target gene in barley seedling leaves using vectors based on the Barley Stripe Mosaic Virus (BSMV).
