Chemical mutagenesis can significantly increase or decrease BPH resistance levels of rice. Some chemical insecticides, e.g. imidacloprid, can affect the gene expression of rice and thereby increase susceptibility to BPH.
Using chemical mutagenesis, the resistance of rice to brown planthopper (BPH) can be enhanced or diminished significantly. Certain insecticides, such as imidacloprid, can influence the expression of genes in rice, leading to increased vulnerability to BPH.