Commercial development of hybrid rice depends on the availability of high-quality seed, which can come about only through improved hybrid seed production techniques. Strict isolation of seed production areas,thorough roguing of off-type plants, and rigid operating rules can help to achieve required seed purity of >99.8%. The factors that control hybrid seed yield are discussed: choice of field plots, optimum flowering time, synchronized flowering, growth regulation, row direction, leaf clipping,and supplementary pollination. Hybrid seed production techniques that need further refinement are discussed, among them increasing panicle exsertion and outcrossing rates, and prolonging pollen vitality.
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