China Seeking Super Hybridized Rice: Experts

According to Chinese rice experts, China is likely to achieve a rice yield target of 13.5 PMT per hectare by 2010 through the cultivation of evolved hybrid varieties.

Qing Xianguo, the deputy chief of the Hybridized Rice Research Center in Hunan province speaking at a press conference claimed that Yuan Longping, who is widely regarded as China's "father of hybridized rice," is leading a team on the research of "super hybridized" rice.

Theoretically, the super hybridized rice can yield 22.5 PMT per hectare, although it is difficult to achieve that target, Qing said. Once the yield target of 13.5 PMT per hectare is achieved, Yuan will likely head for the next target of 15 PMT per hectare, Qing added.