Comparison of Grain Yield and Quality between Hybrid Rice and Inbred Rice in China

The average grain yield and main quality characters of 383 hybrid rice combinations and inbred rice varieties,which were certified by the national or provincial crop variety appraisal committees in 2001 and 2002,were compared and analyzed based on their performance in regional trials.The results showed that the indica hybrid rice had an average yield of 7.720 t/hm2,11.72%(significant at 1% level) higher than that of the indica inbred rice;the japonica hybrid rice had an average yield of 8.991 t/hm2,6.91%(significant at 5% level) higher than that of the japonica inbred rice.The percentages meeting fine quality standards of head rice recovery and amylose content were higher in indica and japonica hybrid rice combinations than in indica and japonica inbred rice varieties,but those of chalky rice rate and chalkiness were lower in indica and japonica hybrid rice combinations than in indica and japonica inbred rice varieties.For both indica and japonica hybrid rices,the emphasis should be placed on improving the quality traits of chalky rice rate and chalkiness,and for indica hybrid rice,more attention should also be paid to the improvement of gel consistency.For both indica and japonica inbred rices,the improvement of the grain quality characters of chalky rice rate,chalkiness and head rice recovery should be most important,and for indica inbred rice,more attention should be paid to the improvement of amylose content.