Achieving higher grain yield in hybrid rice through the promotion of individual growth and development

Abstract

Ensuring rice (Oryza sativa) self‐sufficiency in China relies significantly on achieving high grain yields in hybrid rice production. This study conducted field experiments across two site‐years, comparing grain yield per unit of land area, grain yield generated per seedling, and associated yield traits for a hybrid rice variety under two combinations of hill spacing and the number of seedlings per hill. The combinations included a hill spacing of 30 cm × 14 cm with one seedling per hill (H14S1) and a hill spacing of 30 cm × 24 cm with three seedlings per hill (H24S3). The results revealed that H14S1 consistently outperformed H24S3, demonstrating a 7%–16% increase in grain yield per unit of land area and an impressive 88%–104% higher grain yield generated per seedling. H14S1 exhibited 56%–77% more panicles formed per seedling and 10%–15% more spikelets per panicle compared to H24S3. H14S1 produced 78%–115% higher biomass at heading and maturity per seedling and 8%–25% higher biomass at heading and maturity per tiller than H24S3. This study underscores the importance of promoting the individual growth and development of seedlings as a crucial strategy for achieving higher grain yield in hybrid rice production.