(Yicai Global) Sept. 3 -- Chinese scientists have verified a new production record of super hybrid rice which is more resistant to harsh weather conditions and insects than the traditional version.

A rice variety named "chao you qian hao," which was planted in the city of Gejiu in southwestern China's Yunnan province, has generated a record output of over 1,152 kilograms on average, exceeding 17 tons per hectare, state-backed newspaper Science and Technology Daily reported from a yield test event that was organized by the Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center and China National Hybrid Rice R&D Center.

The 6.67-hectare test plot was planted by the Hunanese research center at an altitude of almost 1,300 meters on March 23, transplanted in April, and harvested yesterday. The growth of plants was balanced and no major diseases were found. The field is flat and has a large irrigation system for water supply while the region has an annual average temperature of 20 °C and rainfall of 700-900 millimeters.

The location was selected by Yuan Longping, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, who is also known as 'China's father of hybrid rice.' He set the target of 17 tons per hectare last year in April at the First International Forum on Rice in Sanya, Hainan province, as reported by state-backed Xinhua News Agency.

In 2015, China's average yield of super hybrid rice reached over 1,067 kg, setting a world record. Next year, the figure rose to 1,088 kg while last year the harvest declined to about 1,074 kg on average due to heavy rainfall.

Editor: Emmi Laine