| The effects of transgenic insect-resistant rice on non-target organisms is an important component in environmental risk assessment. In this study, we evaluated the effects of transgenic rice (mf-MH3301-1) on the ecological fitness of the brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stal) and used the non-transgenic isoline (MH3301) as a control.We conducted indoor experiments to study the effects of mf-MH3301-1 on the feeding and ovipositing preferences of BPH. We used a Y-shape olfactometer to examine the orientation response of BPH. We analyzed rice volatile components by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Our results showed that mf-MH3301-1 could influence the feeding behavior of BPH adults. Male BPH adults had less preference for mf-MH3301-1 than for MH3301 at 2,4 and 8 h after loading BPHs onto the plants. Female BPH adults had less preference for mf-MH3301-1 compared to MH3301 at 4 and 8 h after loading BPHs onto the plants. However, we observed no impact in mf-MH3301-1 on ovipositing preference and the orientation response of BPH adults. Volatile components were not different between healthy mf-MH3301-1 and MH3301, however, volatile components were significantly different between mf-MH3301-1 and MH3301 that were both injured by BPHs.We studied the ecological fitness of BPH by the two sex life table and the results showed that there was no impact of mf-MH3301-1 on the life cycle of BPHs, while the intrinsic rate of increase, finite rate of increase and net reproductive rate of BPHs feeding on mf-MH3301-1 were higher than those of BPHs feeding on MH3301. The survival rate and fecundity were also higher for female BPHs feeding on mf-MH3301-1. Most female BPH adults were brachypterous and all male BPH adults were macropterous, whether feeding on mf-MH3301-1 or MH3301.In conclusion, transgenic rice (mf-MH3301-1) has no adverse effect on feeding, ovipositing preferences and the orientation response of BPH. However, two sex life table analyses indicate that mf-MH3301-1 has a positive effect on BPH reproduction, which would significantly promote population growth. |
