Introduction to the Characteristics of the Zhendao 2 Rice Variety

Zhendao 2 was developed by the Zhenjiang Institute of Agricultural Sciences from a variant plant selected from "Guihua Nuomi" (Osmanthus Glutinous Rice), and belongs to the late-maturing medium glutinous type. When grown as single-season rice, it is sown in mid-May, reaches full heading in mid-August, and matures in mid-October, with a total growth period of nearly 150 days, a total leaf age of 16-17 leaves over its life cycle, and 5-6 elongated internodes. When transplanted after melon, rice, or beans, it reaches full heading in early September and matures in late October, with a total growth period of about 125 days, a total leaf age of about 14 leaves over its life cycle, and 4-5 elongated internodes. It has large panicles with many grains and a high seed-setting rate. For a yield of about 600 kg per mu, the yield structure is: 200,000-220,000 effective panicles per mu, with more than 120 total grains per panicle. The seed-setting rate is above 90%, and the 1000-grain weight is 27-28 g. When grown as second-crop rice, the yield structure for 400-500 kg per mu is: more than 220,000 effective panicles per mu, 90-100 grains per panicle, a seed-setting rate above 90%, and a 1000-grain weight of about 28 g; it fills rapidly and the grains are plump, but the grains tend to crack. Plant height is moderate, and it is relatively tolerant of fertilizer and resistant to lodging. When grown as single-season rice at a yield level of about 600 kg, plant height approaches 100 cm, the stems are sturdy, the panicles curve and droop in an arc, tillering ability is moderate, and the rate of productive tillers is relatively high. In the early and middle stages, the leaves are short and upright, the leaf blades are slightly wide, and the top three leaves are slightly long and erect; the leaf color is green, growth is neat and clean, and the appearance at maturity is good. It does not shatter easily, but it threshes readily; it is moderately resistant to bacterial leaf blight, susceptible to rice false smut, and only lightly affected by sheath blight.