Effects of different treatment methods of the fungicide jinggangmycin on reproduction and vitellogenin gene ( Nlvg) expression in the brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens Stål (Hemiptera:Delphacidae)

Abstract

Jinggangmycin is an antibiotic fungicide against the rice sheath blight, Rhizoctonia solani, in China. Previous investigations have shown that jinggangmycin leaf spray stimulated the fecundity of Nilaparvata lugens Stål (Hemiptera:Delphacidae), but the effects of different application methods and concentrations of jinggangmycin on the reproduction of N. lugens have not been investigated. Here, we investigated three treatment methods (foliar and stem sprays and topical treatment) and four concentrations (100, 200, 400 and 800 ppm) of jinggangmycin on the reproduction of adult female N. lugens. The results showed that leaf spray significantly stimulated the fecundity of N. lugens and increased the vitellin content in female ovaries and the gene expression level of vitellogenin ( Nlvg), but there was no significant effect on reproduction found for stem spray. In four concentrations of jinggangmycin, leaf sprays at concentrations of 100, 200 and 400 ppm and topical treatments of 100 and 200 ppm significantly increased the number of eggs laid, the vitellin content and the gene expression level of Nlvg compared to the control. Therefore, we suggest that stem spray at high concentration should be applied (if possible) when jinggangmycin is used against rice sheath blight to facilitate harmonious control of rice pests.