Jinfeng and Shenyou I, two new super rice strains developed by hybridization of indica rice and nonglutinous rice subtypes, breaking with the traditional method of hybridization between two subtypes of the same species, is being promoted in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai. According to specialized departments of the country, these two new strains of super rice have reached internationally advanced level with a higher yield than those of Japan, South Korea and India.

It is learned that the highest yield of Jinfeng ordinary nonglutinous rice reaches 732 kg per Mu (ca 9,780 pounds per acre), while the highest yield of Shenyou I hybrid nonglutinous rice almost reaches 770 kg per Mu (ca 10,287 pounds per acre). Even their average yield is 10% higher than those widely planted species currently.

Wan Changzhao, deputy researcher of Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences who is in charge of the project, said that "these two new super rice strains are perfect integration of the advantages of indica rice and nonglutinous rice -- high-yield, high-quality and high-resistance to diseases."

To date, these two super rice strains have been planted in 1.3 million Mu (214,500 acres) of farmland in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai and have yielded 56,100 tons of high-quality rice, a production value of 69.52 million yuan (ca US$ 8.41 million). The plant area is expected to reach 6 million Mu (ca 990,000 acres) next year.

(Chinanews May 30, 2005)