Chinese scientists have made a breakthrough in hybrid rice
research that could revolutionize thousands of years of rice
growing practice.
Researchers in east China's Jiangxi
Province say they have developed a new hybrid rice based on a gene
combination of conventional rice and a wild rice native to the
province's Dongxiang region, known for its ability to endure cold
weather.
Nicknamed "automatic rice" by researchers, the hybrid rice can
survive the freezing winter and germinate the following spring,
freeing farmers from the annual ritual of sowing. At its third-year
end, the new breed can still yield over 6,000 kilograms each
hectare. Although that represents a 750 kilogram drop from the
first-year output, the quality remains stable over the three year
period.
Scientists declared the trial program a success and say they
plan to promote the new breed in wider areas.
(CCTV.com October 12, 2003)