Cultivation Techniques for the Space Red Rice Variety Weihong Jingjing Rice
The only Weihong Jingjing rice in China that has passed space breeding and been approved (approved name: Ganwanxian 33) is a high-quality red rice new variety developed by rice breeding expert researcher Li Yuanxiang together with the Institute of Genetics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences by sending 1000 seeds of the dual-purpose mid-late indica genetic engineering rice "GER-3" aboard a recoverable satellite, selecting mutants after mutagenesis, and then carrying out 3 years of directional breeding. It is also the only red rice variety among China's space rice varieties. After introduction and planting at our base, the plants perform well, show no photoperiod sensitivity or thermosensitivity reactions, have stable yields, resist lodging, resist pests and diseases, and have especially excellent grain quality. The cultivation techniques for this variety are as follows.
1. Suitable planting areas. In the mid-altitude areas of eastern Fujian, the whole growth period is 150 days, and in low-altitude areas the whole growth period is 140 days. In Guangdong and Guangxi, it can be planted as early rice and second late rice; in the Yangtze River basin and areas south of the Yangtze River at mid and high altitudes, it is planted as single-season rice; above 1000 m altitude, small-area trial planting is suitable; north of the Yangtze River, it is planted as single-season rice after wheat harvest; north of the Great Wall, it is limited to a small amount of introduction and trial planting.
2. Plant type characteristics. Plant height is 96 cm, the plant type is compact, the stems are short and sturdy, the flag leaves are upright, and tillering ability is strong. Effective panicles per plant are 12-25, panicle length is 20-25 cm, grain setting is dense, each panicle has 200-230 grains, large panicles reach more than 250 grains, panicle size is uniform, the seed-setting rate is as high as more than 96%, and 1000-grain weight is 27.5 g. Mountain fields generally yield 450 kg to 400 kg per 667 sq m, fertile fields yield 550 kg-600 kg per 667 sq m, and high-yield cultivation reaches more than 630 kg. It is highly resistant to pests and diseases throughout the whole growth period.
3. Grain quality and appearance. The grains are slender, the brown rice is light red to dark red, glossy and shiny. The milled rice is light pink, crystal clear and transparent, with no white belly or white core. The cooked rice has a rich aroma, is soft and refreshing, and tastes excellent. It is the variety with the best grain quality among red rice.
4. Cultivation techniques. Use 1 kg-2 kg of seed per 667 sq m, and the seedling age should not exceed 30 days. In fertile fields, transplant 1 seedling per hill; in poor mountain fields, transplant 2 seedlings per hill; transplant 15,000 clumps per 667 sq m, and irrigate with shallow water after transplanting.
5. Fertilization and pest and disease control. Apply tillering fertilizer 6-7 days after transplanting. For fertilizer amount, refer to ordinary hybrid rice fertilization: apply 70% as early green-returning and tillering fertilizer, 20% as mid-stage booting fertilizer, and 10% as late-stage heading fertilizer. If growing green pollution-free rice, choose pollution-free water sources in mountainous areas, switch to organic fertilizer plus a small amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium chemical fertilizers. Pay attention to pest and disease control before heading, and try not to use pesticides after heading.
6. Water management. In the early stage after transplanting, keep about one cun of water in the field, with water temperature above 20°C, and use fertilizer and water to nourish the seedlings and promote tillering, so as to facilitate early growth and rapid development. In the mid-stage, inspect the seedlings and dry the field, maintaining 240,000-250,000 effective seedlings per 667 sq m. From jointing and booting to flowering and grain filling, mainly keep deep water to nourish the young panicles, and do not cut off water or dry the seedlings. Cut off water 10 days before harvest to maintain 1000-grain weight and ensure a high yield.
This variety can be retained for self-selected seed. Persist in field selection and breeding every 2 years, select uniform and strong plants for seed propagation, and prevent variety degeneration.