The antisense RNA technique and its application in the areas of plant gene engineering were reviewed, including (1) ripening control of tomato and some other fruits; (2) plant resistance to diseases; (3) modification of flower colours; (4) control of starch synthesis in plants; (5) control of fatty acid synthesis in plant rapeseeds; (6) inducing male sterility or restoring male fertility in hybrid seed production; and (7) others, for example, reduction of lignin content in tobacco or trees, reduction of nicotine content in tobacco.