China’s rice yield set new world record of 1,326.77 kg per mu

An expert team at the hybrid rice demonstration base of Hebei Silicon Valley Agricultural Science Research Institute, in Yongnian District, Handan City, Hebei Province, China, on October 23, physically measured the yield per mu (1 hectare = 15 mu), which reached 1,326.77 kg, to set a new world record for per-unit rice cultivation.

The expert team consisted of seven members from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the National Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Alliance, Huazhong Agricultural University. The team randomly chose three plots of land in the demonstration base out of 102 mu of paddy field, respectively 1.014 mu, 1.010 mu and 1.006 mu, where manual reaping and machine were carried out. Eventually, it was measured and that yield per mu reached 1,326.77 kg in average. 

The experimentation was conducted in cooperation with Hebei Silicon Valley Agricultural Science Research Institute, in a program submitted in person by Academician Yuan Longping during the Hybrid Rice Yield Increase Workshop held in Hainan in December 2020. Under Academician Yuan’s arrangement, the third-generation hybrid rice new variety “Sanyou 2” experimentation was undertaken by Hebei Silicon Valley Agricultural Science Research Institute, backed by the strength of seed fertilizer, targeting 1,300 kg per mu.

At China’s 2012 National People’s Congress, Yuan Longping, a National People's Congress representative, met Director Song Furu of the Institute. They had a conversation like old friends, although it was the first time they were meeting. Yuan was very interested in the multi-functional organosilicon fertilizer created by Song, as silicon is a key factor in paddy rice’s high yield. The two experts had an in-depth discussion on the idea of “seed-fertilizer integration.”

Under the guidance of Song Furu, the Silicon Valley Academy of Agricultural Sciences launched a high-yield research program following the principle of “good cropland good seed, good method, good status.” In 2016, the average yield per mu reached 1,082 kg, setting a world record for rice yield in high latitudes. In 2017 and 2018, the average yield per mu reached 1,149.02 kg and 1,203.36 kg, respectively, setting a new world record for two consecutive years.

“Before Yuan passed away, he was already working on the 4th-generation hybrid rice, planning to increase photosynthetic efficiency by 30%,” Song said. “Organosilicon functional fertilizer can effectively promote chlorophyll synthesis. We need more research in this regard and work hard to realize the dream of Academician Yuan.”