The white-back planthopper (WBPH), Sogatella furcifera, is a major rice pest in China and in some other rice-growing countries of Asia. The extensive use of pesticides has resulted in severe resistance of S. furcifera to variety of chemical insecticides. Sulfoxaflor is a new diamide insecticide that acts on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in insects. The aim of this study was to explore the key genes related to the development of resistance to sulfoxaflor in S. furcifera and to verify their functions. Transcriptomes were compared between white-back planthoppers from a susceptible laboratory strain (Sus-Lab) and Sus-Lab screened with the sublethal LC₂₅ dose of sulfoxaflor for six generations (SF-Sel). Two P450 genes (CYP6FD1 and CYP4FD2) and three transcription factors (NlE78sf, C2H2ZF1 and C2H2ZF3) with upregulated expression verified by qRT-PCR were detected in the Sus-Lab and SF-Sel strains. The functions of CYP6FD1 and CYP4FD2 were analyzed by RNA interference, and the relative normalized expressions of CYP6FD1 and CYP4FD2 in the SF-Sel population were lower than under dsGFP treatment after dsRNA injection. Moreover, the mortality rates of SF-Sel population treated with the LC₅₀ concentration of sulfoxaflor after the injecting of dsRNA targeting CYP6FD1 and CYP4FD2 were significantly higher than in the dsGFP group from 72 h to 96 h (p < 0.05), and mortality in the CYP6FD1 knockdown group was clearly higher than that of the CYP4FD2 knockdown group. The interaction between the tertiary structures of CYP6FD1 and CYP4FD2 and sulfoxaflor was also predicted, and CYP6FD1 showed a stronger metabolic ability to process sulfoxaflor. Therefore, overexpression of CYP6FD1 and CYP4FD2 may be one of the primary factors in the development of sulfoxaflor resistance in S. furcifera.

In Ghana, rice remains a critical crop, representing 15% of the country's GDP. However, production has been hindered by limited water access, degraded soil, pests and diseases, and ineffective pesticide use. These issues have impeded industry growth while adversely affecting the environment and impairing socioeconomic development. To combat these challenges, it is necessary to implement sustainable production strategies that emphasize environmental protection, resource management, and socioeconomic progress. This study evaluates sustainable rice production in Ghana, taking into account its consequences on the environment, socioeconomic growth, and food security. It pinpoints gaps and offers advice for stakeholders, policymakers, and scholars to transition to sustainability. The study illuminates the increasing significance of rice in Ghana and its role in food security, illustrating increased output due to widened land rather than higher yields. It underscores the necessity of fulfilling surging demand while implementing environmentally friendly practices. The paper scrutinizes the difficulties encountered by the rice sector, such as restricted water supplies and soil degradation, along with the adverse impacts of pests, diseases and inefficient pesticide utilization. Sustainable methods are imperative for Ghana's agribusiness, environmental protection, and socioeconomic progress. By embracing green techniques, prioritizing resource management, and investing in research, Ghana can surmount production issues. This review provides invaluable insight and suggestions for policymakers, academicians, and stakeholders alike to ensure sustainable rice production for current and future generations.