How to identify fake and inferior hybrid rice seeds? These methods you must master

Look at uniformity

Hybrid rice seeds mixed with other rice grains have irregular grain shapes. The mixed-in male parent or other indica rice is noticeably more slender and plump than hybrid rice seeds, while japonica rice grains are rounder.

Look at glume color

The glumes of hybrid rice seeds have slightly uneven physiological discoloration such as yellowish-brown, while the grains of the male parent and maintainer line are more uniform in color. The maintainer line and other mixed grains have higher transparency than hybrid rice seeds, and their glumes are smoother than those of hybrid rice seeds.

Look at stigma traces

Non-hybrid rice grains mostly belong to self-pollination, the pistil stigma is not exposed, and the stigma trace remains inside the glume. After peeling off the glume, a small light black stigma trace can be seen at the top of the rice grain. Hybrid seeds belong to cross-pollination, the stigma is exposed, and by carefully observing the middle of the seam between the inner and outer lemma and palea of the grain, a not very obvious small black dot can be found, namely the stigma trace. This is an important basis for distinguishing hybrid rice seeds from other rice grains.

Look at dye testing

The method is to longitudinally cut the rice glume from the embryo into two halves, take one half of each grain, wash it clean, and soak it in red ink diluted to a 60-fold solution. After 1 hour, take it out and rinse it with clean water. If the embryo is not stained or is stained lightly, it proves that the seed has viability; if it is stained deeply, it proves that the seed has lost viability. In this way, deteriorated seeds among hybrid seeds that do not germinate can be identified.

Look at seed purity

Take a handful of seeds with your hand. If there are solid particles such as soil particles and sand grains among your fingers and palm, and your fingers are stained with fine powdery matter, it proves that the seed purity does not reach the standard stipulated by the state (99%).

Look at seed moisture content

A simple method is to bite the grain with your teeth. If there is a sharp crisp sound, the moisture content is basically normal; if there is no sharp crisp sound or the cut surface of the grain is irregular, the seed moisture content is generally higher than the normal standard (11.5%).

Look at the seed "three certificates"

Seeds with a seed business license, quality qualification certificate, and plant protection department pest quarantine certificate are high-quality hybrid rice seeds. Otherwise, they are fake and inferior hybrid rice seeds.