Route to hybrid rice production

摘要

An improved procedure for forming F.sub.1 hybrid Oryza sativa plants (i.e., hybrid rice plants of the first filial generation) is provided which is capable of being economically implemented on a commercial scale. Plants of the seed and pollen parents each possess a combination of characteristics (as described) which readily facilitate cross-pollination in the absence of the application of a growth hormone and the use of labor intensive procedures such as the clipping of flag leaves. The seeds formed on each parent are recovered in bulk and are separated on the basis of a genetic marker. The hybrid rice plants of the F.sub.1 generation unlike those of the seed parent possess long flag leaves which extend upwardly to a greater maximum height than the tips of the panicles whereby photosynthesis can be accomplished on an efficient basis.