Taiyou Aomei Xiang

Variety Name: Taiyou Aomei Xiang

Approval Number: National Rice Variety Approval No. 20216018

Breeding Institution: Hunan Aopulon Technology Co., Ltd. and the Rice Research Institute of the Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences

Variety Origin: Taifeng A × Aomeixiang

Characteristics: (1) Growth period: When grown as a single-season medium-duration rice crop in the upper Yangtze River region, the total growth period is approximately 147.6 days, 3.1 days earlier than the control variety F You 498; when grown as a single-season medium-duration rice crop in the Wuling Mountain area, the total growth period is approximately 142.9 days, 7.6 days earlier than the control variety Rui You 399. (2) Plant morphology: In the upper Yangtze River region, plant height is about 107.7 cm and panicle length is about 22.6 cm; in the Wuling Mountain area, plant height is about 111.5 cm and panicle length is about 24.3 cm. (3) Yield traits: In the upper Yangtze River region, the number of effective panicles per mu is about 148,000, with an average of about 184.8 grains per panicle, a seed-setting rate of about 84.9%, and a 1,000-grain weight of about 26.0 g; in the Wuling Mountain area, the number of effective panicles per mu is about 155,000, with an average of about 172.2 grains per panicle, a seed-setting rate of about 85.4%, and a 1,000-grain weight of about 26.6 g. (4) Resistance: The two-year composite blast disease index is 4.9 and 4.4 in the upper Yangtze River region, and 3.9 and 2.9 in the Wuling Mountain area, indicating susceptibility or moderate susceptibility to blast; highly susceptible to brown planthopper; moderate heat tolerance during heading; moderate cold tolerance in the upper Yangtze River region, but weaker cold tolerance in the Wuling Mountain area. (5) Rice quality: The milled rice recovery rate is about 55.0%, the degree of chalkiness is about 1.5%, the amylose content is about 15.3%, the gel consistency is about 73–75 mm, the alkali digestion value is grade 6.1, and the length-to-width ratio is about 4.3, meeting the Grade II standard stipulated in the agricultural industry’s “Quality Standards for Edible Rice Varieties.”

Yield Performance: (1) Upper Yangtze River Region: In the 2019 regional trial, the average yield was 593.19 kg per mu, representing a 3.08% increase over the control variety F You 498; in the 2020 follow-up trial, the average yield was 627.96 kg per mu, a 5.35% increase over F You 498; over the two-year regional trial period, the average yield was 610.57 kg per mu, a 4.23% increase over F You 498; and in the 2020 production trial, the average yield was 609.45 kg per mu, a 4.15% increase over F You 498. (2) Wuling Mountain Area: In the 2019 regional trial, the average yield was 609.17 kg per mu, a 2.03% increase over the control variety Rui You 399; in the 2020 follow-up trial, the average yield was 568.67 kg per mu, a 4.15% increase over Rui You 399; over the two-year regional trial period, the average yield was 588.92 kg per mu, a 3.09% increase over Rui You 399; and in the 2020 production trial, the average yield was 570.62 kg per mu, a 4.85% increase over Rui You 399.

Key cultivation techniques: (1) Upper Yangtze River Region: Cultivating robust, multi-tiller seedlings—sow early at the optimal time, with a seeding rate of 1.0–1.2 kg per mu in the main field and 7–8 kg per mu in the nursery; consistently treat seeds with chlorothalonil; sow sparsely and evenly; strengthen fertilizer and water management during the seedling stage; and effectively control brown planthoppers. Transplant early at the appropriate time to promote tillering: for paddy-transplanted seedlings, transplant when they have six leaves, at 30–35 days old; for dry-transplanted seedlings, transplant at the 3.5–4 leaf stage, at 18–22 days old. Plant at a reasonable density, with a plant-to-plant and row-to-row spacing of 20 cm × 30 cm, placing three rice seedlings per hill, for a total of 70,000–90,000 basic seedlings per mu. Implement moderate fertilizer and water management: restrict nitrogen application while increasing phosphorus and potassium. Apply a heavy base fertilizer, at about 25 kg per mu of high-concentration compound fertilizer or 30–35 kg per mu of standard compound fertilizer; apply an early tillering fertilizer 5–7 days after transplanting, at 6–8 kg per mu of urea; and apply 8–10 kg per mu of potassium chloride 20–22 days after transplanting. During the panicle-filling stage, increase potassium application by applying 12–15 kg per mu of potassium chloride to promote larger panicles with more grains and stronger grain filling; strictly limit nitrogen fertilizer application in the mid-to-late stages. Manage water and control pests and diseases scientifically: maintain a shallow “inch-deep” water level for green-up; use shallow and moist conditions for tillering; expose the field to sunlight once seedlings are sufficient; keep shallow water during panicle initiation and heading; alternate between wet and dry conditions during grain filling; and drain the field 6–8 days before harvest. Timely control of pests and diseases: based on pest and disease forecasts, apply pesticides promptly to control stem borers, brown planthoppers, sheath blight, false smut, blast, and other pests and diseases.

(2) Wuling Mountain Area: Seedling Raising: Sow at the appropriate time according to the mid-season rice production requirements of different localities in the Wuling Mountains, using sparse sowing. Apply “weaning fertilizer” when seedlings have 3–4 leaves, and “bridal escort fertilizer” five days before transplanting to cultivate robust seedlings with tillers. Timely early transplanting with appropriate high planting density is recommended: transplant at the 5-leaf stage, with an optimal seedling age of 28–35 days. Emphasize dense planting by increasing the number of seedlings transplanted; use a transplanting spacing of 20 cm × 20 cm, placing three rice seedlings per hill, ensuring a minimum of 80,000 basic seedlings per mu. The field requires a moderate level of fertilization, with emphasis on early application and management: apply sufficient base fertilizer—25 kg of high-concentration compound fertilizer or 30–35 kg of ordinary compound fertilizer per mu—and apply tillering fertilizer early, applying 6–8 kg of urea and 6–8 kg of potassium chloride per mu 5–7 days after transplanting. Supplement with panicle and grain fertilizer: during the mid-podding stage, apply 10–12 kg of potassium chloride per mu to promote large panicles with more grains and stronger seeds, while limiting nitrogen fertilizer application in the mid-to-late stages. Implement scientific water management and pest and disease control: maintain shallow water for green-up, alternate between shallow and moist conditions during tillering, expose the field to dry conditions once seedlings are established, keep shallow water during panicle initiation and heading, alternate between wet and dry conditions during grain filling, and drain the field 6–8 days before harvest. Carry out timely pest and disease control: during the seedling stage, apply pesticides promptly to control brown planthoppers. During the field stage, based on pest and disease forecasts, apply pesticides in a timely manner to control stem borers, leaf rollers, brown planthoppers, sheath blight, blast, and other pests and diseases.

Review and Approval Opinion: This variety meets the national standards for rice variety approval and has been officially approved. It is suitable for single-season mid-season rice cultivation in the paddy fields of the plain and hilly regions of Sichuan Province, the low- and mid-altitude indica rice-growing areas of Guizhou and Yunnan Provinces, areas below 800 meters in elevation in Chongqing Municipality, and the low-incidence zones of blast disease in the southern rice-growing region of Shaanxi Province; however, it is not recommended for cultivation in areas with severe blast disease outbreaks. In addition, it is also suitable for single-season mid-season rice cultivation in the low-incidence zones of blast disease in the Wuling Mountain area at elevations below 800 meters within the administrative jurisdictions of Guizhou, Hunan, Hubei, and Chongqing Municipalities.