Virus-induced gene silencing of pea CHLI and CHLD affects tetrapyrrole biosynthesis, chloroplast development and the primary metabolic network

► CHLI- and CHLD-silenced plants showed yellow phenotype and reduced Mg chelatase activity. ► Mg chelatase is a key regulator of tetrapyrrole biosynthesis and chloroplast development. ► Mg chelatase activity correlates with ROS homeostasis in plant cells. ► Mg chelatase activity affects primary interorganellar metabolism in plant cells.