This invention relates to a nucleic acid construct. The construct includes a nucleic acid molecule configured to silence Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV), a 5′ DNA promoter sequence, and a 3′ terminator sequence. The nucleic acid molecule, the promoter, and the terminator are operatively coupled to permit transcription of the nucleic acid molecule. The present invention also relates to expression vectors, host cells, and transgenic plants containing the nucleic acid construct of the present invention. Also disclosed are methods of imparting BBTV resistance to plants.
