Alternately Rearing with Susceptible Variety Can Delay the Virulence Development of Insect Pests to Resistant Varieties

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The manuscript by Gong et al examined virulence variation of BPH on rice varieties. The study provides evidence on how alternate rice varieties between resistant and susceptible can manage BPH ‘biotype’ under controlled conditions. The manuscript is written in concise and clear scientific language.

Having said that, the author needs to clarify some of the following issues;

Line 12 - Formatting

Line 19 - BPHs “indicate” higher intrinsic…

Line21 - 22 – The statement here seems confusing. From my understanding virulence changes is induced by resistant varieties which lessen resistant-breaking on susceptible variety.

Line 22 – Omit “in insect pests”

Line 22 – Please explain how virulence changes from resistant-breaking to resistant varieties for rice crops based on findings in the abstract.

Line 24 – Typo – refuge strategy

Line 96 – How does the author inspect egg production? Do the author rear male and female in a particular container?

Line 100 – RCBD should be explained in more detail, spelling out the block and treatment combination for the experiment.

Line 218 – Fig 2 scale is unclear.

 

 

Author Response

Dear Reviewer:

Thank you for your comments concerning our manuscript entitled “Alternately rearing with susceptible variety can delay the virulence development of insect pests to resistant varieties” (agriculture-1777377). Those comments are very helpful for revising and improving our manuscript. The point-by-point responses to the reviewer’s comments are as attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Overall, this manuscript is interesting and well written.  All methodology used and results are well presented.  The introduction and discussion are okay. However, some aspects related  to  rice crop economic, BPH biology and damages need to be included on introduction.  See file attached.  

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Dear Reviewer:

Thank you for your comments concerning our manuscript entitled “Alternately rearing with susceptible variety can delay the virulence development of insect pests to resistant varieties” (agriculture-1777377). Those comments are very helpful for revising and improving our manuscript. The point-by-point responses to the reviewer’s comments are as attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Now, this manuscript looks much better than previous version. Several aspects were addressed and improved.  I have not additional comments. 

Good job!