Plant-mediated RNAi targeting MafA enhances resistance to white-backed planthoppers in rice

Plant-mediated RNAi targeting MafA enhances resistance to white-backed planthoppers in riceDear Editor, RNA interference (RNAi)-based technologies are emerging as a promising strategy for agricultural pest control (Germing et al., 2025).This method employs double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to silence essential insect genes in a sequence-specific manner, thereby generating insect-resistant plants (Baum et al., 2007;Li et al., 2022).Genes involved in insect reproductive development are often prioritized as candidate targets for pest management.It is well established that the xenobiotic transcription factor cap ''n'' collar isoform C (CncC) and its heterodimeric partner Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), together with muscle aponeurosis fibromatosis (Maf), belong to the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) protein subfamily and are key regulators of insect development and reproduction (Deng and Kerppola, 2013;Sun et al., 2017;Jiang et al., 2023;Wang et al., 2025).Despite variable RNAi efficacy among different pests, studies in the small brown planthopper have demonstrated effective target gene silencing via ingested dsRNA (Wan et al., 2015), highlighting the potential of RNAibased strategies for planthopper control in rice.However, the application of plant-delivered dsRNA has not yet been explored in the white-backed planthopper (WBPH, Sogatella furcifera).This study aims to investigate the functional roles and regulatory mechanisms of the CncC-Keap1/Maf signaling pathway in WBPH and to develop genetically modified insect-resistant rice.