Introduction to Specialty Rice Varieties: Getting to Know Common Types of Specialty Rice

In recent years, the Department of Agronomy at South China Agricultural University has bred several specialty rice varieties, mainly including fragrant rice, fragrant black rice, red zhan rice and others. Their varietal characteristics and key cultivation points are briefly introduced as follows:

1. Wanxianxiangzhan No. 1: Wanxianxiangzhan is a variety bred by crossing Wanlixiang with Jingxian 89, and is an early-season, medium-maturity, high-quality fragrant rice. When planted in the Guangzhou area in the early season, the whole growth period is about 125 days, plant height is 90 cm, plant type is moderately compact and spreading, tillering ability is medium, each panicle has 150-200 grains, it has a certain fragrance, good eating quality, and good late-stage ripening color. The usual yield per mu is 400-450 kg, and with high yield it can reach more than 500 kg.

2. Huanong Red Rice: Huanong Red Rice was bred by crossing Fengqi Red Rice x Huaquan 15, and belongs to the early-crop late-maturity type. This variety is about 95 cm tall, with moderate plant type, relatively strong tillering ability, large panicles and many grains, 1000-grain weight of about 24 g, and relatively good resistance, but the seed-setting rate is somewhat low, with the usual yield per mu at about 350 kg.

In cultivation, this variety should be sown early and transplanted early; where conditions permit, nylon film can be used for seedling raising; it is suitable to apply more organic fertilizer, and to increase phosphorus and potassium fertilizer in topdressing to improve the seed-setting rate.

3. Zaohongnuo: Zaohongnuo is one of the rare medicinal farmhouse varieties. After purification, rejuvenation and improvement, its plant height, plant type and maturity period are all uniform and consistent, and its varietal characteristics have been greatly improved. The husk is dark red, and the rice is milky white. The plant height is about 100 cm, but the stems are tough and not prone to lodging. Tillering ability is relatively weak, each panicle has about 100 grains, and the seed-setting rate is relatively high. The usual yield per mu is 250-300 kg. Cold resistance is relatively strong, while blast resistance is somewhat weak.

4. Tianhe Fragrant Black Rice: Tianhe Fragrant Black Rice was bred by crossing fragrant rice with black glutinous rice. It is an early-season medium-late maturity type. The growth period is about 130 days in the early season and 120 days in the late season. Plant height is 85 kg, the plant type is relatively compact, the leaves are relatively narrow, tillering ability is medium, each panicle has about 110 grains, the seed-setting rate is 85%, the grains are slender, the seed coat is black, the rice quality is relatively good, it has fragrance, and it is moderately resistant to rice blast. The yield per mu is generally 350-400 kg.

Key cultivation points:

1. Pay attention to early sowing and early transplanting;

2. Increase transplanting density, apply more organic fertilizer, and fertilize early to increase the number of effective panicles;

3. The harvest period should be at full maturity. Harvesting too early reduces quality, and before harvest it is essential to remove impurities and clear out mixed white rice;

4. It is suitable for late-season cultivation; rice quality is slightly poorer in the early season.