Dilemma and way-out of hybrid rice during the transition period in China

Abstract

Hybrid rice technology is one of a few world-class technologies that were developed by Chinese scientists. Its wide adoption has made tremendous contribution to food security in China. However, the planting area to hybrid rice has started declining in recent years in China. This is because rice farmers now prefer inbred varieties with low-input requirements and cheap seed price to cut down the production cost. Hybrid rice technology is still effective in enhancing grain yield and farmers' incoming if it is used properly. To reverse the declining trend of hybrid rice planting area in China, breeders need to adjust their breeding targets and develop new hybrid rice varieties with the following characteristics: (1) suitable for low-input and mechanized cultivation, (2) resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, (3) high resource use efficiency, and (4) good grain quality. In addition, the cost of hybrid seed production must be reduced with low-input and mechanized cultivation technology in order to produce hybrid rice seeds which are affordable to rice farmers.