Hybrid rice
Hybrid rice is a type of
History
Chinese scientist Yuan Longping (1930–2021), renowned as the "Father of Hybrid Rice",[5] is one of the most famous researchers on hybrid rice. In the 1960s, he made his seminal discovery of the genetic basis of heterosis in rice. This was a unique discovery because it had been previously thought that heterosis was not possible for self-pollinating crops such as rice.[6]
Another Chinese agronomist,
In China, hybrid rice is estimated to be planted on more than 50% of rice-growing fields and it is credited with helping the country increase its annual rice yields, which are among the highest in Asia. Hybrid rice is also grown in many other important rice-producing countries including Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Bangladesh, India,[9] Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Brazil and United States.[10] A 2010 study published by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), reports that the profitability of hybrid rice in three Indian states varied from being equally profitable as other rice to 34% more profitable.[11]
Outside of China, other institutes are also researching hybrid rice, including the IRRI, which also coordinates the Hybrid Rice Development Consortium.[12]
In 2014, during an ethnographic study of surface water management, American researcher Joy D'Angelo discovered a problem with growing the hybrid on terraces: The hybrid is actually so water-efficient that it can put the local mountain aquifer recharge cycle at risk, and cause certain paddies to crumble.[13]
Strengths and drawbacks
In China, the hybrid system involving limits on certain characteristics has prevented researchers from finding a way to cure poor
Private seeding company also has challenges dealing with hybrid rice because the process of cultivating them is very time-consuming and expensive. For example, Cargill purchased the seed from the Chinese government in the 1980s, the seed was produced commercially until 1992s. There are still more challenges facing in this area such as "inferior grain quality; inadequate disease/insect resistance in the first generation of hybrids; inconsistent and low seed yield; inadequate supply of pure seed of parental lines; and the high cost of seed."[17] Moreover, the free-sharing IRRI policy has actually limited the development of hybrid rice research. The information of technology is blocked from countries and companies, preventing the way of hybrid rice to success.
Economically and politically, the problem that hybrid rice brought along is still considerable. Farmers lost their breeders' rights because the hybrid seed won't exist after harvest, and therefore rely heavily on specialized seeding companies. Hybrid rice for the whole country is controlled by a few large seeding companies, bringing up potential food safety problems.
Importantly however, the hybrid rice has brought significant improvements to land and water use,[18] access to calories and quality of life.[19]
Future Directions
For future research, grain quality and resistance against pests and diseases have to be enhanced. Compared with
Additionally, cultivation on terraces should be monitored for crumbling and accumulating soil toxicity issues, as new research demonstrates the hybrid has a propensity for changing a mountain water recharge cycle beyond what is sustainable.[19] Proposed solutions include increasing agroforestry and intercropping the old with the new at strategic locations.[19]
State of the art
From October 21 to 22, 2019, the third-generation hybrid rice was tested for the first time in Qingzhu Village,
References
- ^ IRRI Hybrid Rice, IRRI.org
- ^ About hybrid rice, from the International Rice Research Institute.
- ^ Jenkin W. Jones, 1926. Hybrid vigor in rice. J. Am. Soc. Agron. 18, 423–428.
- ^ FAO.org (2004). "Hybrid Rice for Food Security" (PDF). Fact Sheet. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Retrieved 2009-10-19.
- ISBN 9787119051093.
- ^ Hybridizing the world - The father of hybrid rice Archived 2012-03-31 at the Wayback Machine, Rice Today (Oct-Dec, 2010)
- ^ Ren, Weidong (2018-04-11). "追忆高原杂交稻之父李铮友". Guangming Daily. Retrieved 2018-04-16.
- ^ "李铮友同志逝世". People's Daily. 2018-04-13. Retrieved 2018-04-16.
- ^ Oudhia P, Pandey N, Ganguli RN & Tripathi RS (1999) Gall midge (Orseolia oryzae) infestation in hybrid rice as affected by agronomical practices. Insect Environment 4: 123–124.
- ^ Hybrid rice history, International Rice Research Institute.
- ^ IRRI Technical Bulletin No.14 - Hybrid rice adoption in India: farm level impacts and challenges
- ^ Our science: Hybrid rice, International Rice Research Institute.
- ^ D'Angelo, J. et al. 2023. Mitigating risks of hybrid rice use in terrace agriculture. Geography and Sustainability, Volume 4 Issue 1, Pages 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geosus.2022.11.002
- ^ Adam Barclay, A Hybrid History,Rice Today, October–December 2007
- ^ Checco, J. et al 2023. Adoption of improved rice varieties in the Global South: A Review. Rice Science. Volume 30, Issue 3 p. 186-206 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsci.2023.03.004
- ^ a b c Wto. “Hybrid Rice in Asia: An Unfolding Threat.” GRAIN, https://www.grain.org/article/entries/34-hybrid-rice-in-asia-an-unfolding-threat.
- ^ a b Progress and Issues in Development and Use of Hybrid Rice in the Tropics - S.S. Virmani, http://www.fao.org/3/Y4751E/y4751e0g.htm.
- ^ J. Li, Y. Xin, L. Yuan Hybrid Rice Technology Development: Ensuring China's Food Security International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) (2009) IFPRI Discussion Paper 00918
- ^ a b c D'Angelo, J. et al 2023. Mitigating risks of hybrid rice use in terrace agriculture. Geography and Sustainability. Volume 4, Issue 1 p. 1-5 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geosus.2022.11.002