RNA interference (RNAi), a process that inhibits gene expression by the double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), causes the deg-radation of target messenger RNA molecules. RNAi exists in almost all organisms. We review the recent history of RNAi studies,RNAi molecular mechanisms, characteristics and RNAi applications in higher plants. At the same time, the prospect of RNAi appli-cations in functional genomics and genetic improvement of higher plants and possible future problems and possibilities are also dis-cussed.