China's hybrid rice yields fruitful crops in Pakistan

Muhammad Ashfaq, assistant professor of the Institute of Agricultural Sciences of the University of the Punjab, took over 2,000 samples of rice leaves newly picked from the pilot field in the university to central China's Wuhan University, on Sept. 14. Covering the samples with dry ice to keep them fresh, Ashfaq saw to their expedited delivery to the lab of Wuhan University. Honglian type hybrid rice is planted in Pakistan. [Photo provided by Muhammad Ashfaq] The samples of rice leaves were crucial materials for examining the quality of Honglian type hybrid rice planted in the University of the Punjab. Honglian type hybrid rice, invented by Wuhan University in 1972 and recognized as one of the three kinds of cytoplasmic male sterility hybrid rice worldwide, has been instrumental in international agricultural cooperation and aid. With a high yield, strong adaptability, and high-temperature resistance, the hybrid rice is suitable to be planted in Belt and Road partner countries in ...