Chinese scientists have made a breakthrough in hybrid rice research that could revolutionize thousands of years of rice growing practice.

Researchers in east China's Jiangxi Province say they have developed a new hybrid rice based on a gene combination of conventional rice and a wild rice native to the province's Dongxiang region, known for its ability to endure cold weather.

Nicknamed "automatic rice" by researchers, the hybrid rice can survive the freezing winter and germinate the following spring, freeing farmers from the annual ritual of sowing. At its third-year end, the new breed can still yield over 6,000 kilograms each hectare. Although that represents a 750 kilogram drop from the first-year output, the quality remains stable over the three year period.

Scientists declared the trial program a success and say they plan to promote the new breed in wider areas.

(CCTV.com October 12, 2003)