Expanding Viral Diversity in Rice Fields by Next-Generation Sequencing

In rice fields,rice plants usually grow alongside wild weeds and are attacked by various invertebrate species.Viruses are abundant in plants and invertebrates,playing crucial ecological roles in controlling microbial abundance and maintaining community structures.To date,only 16 rice viruses have been documented in rice-growing regions.These viruses pose serious threats to rice production and have traditionally been identified only from rice plants and insect vectors by isolation techniques.Advances in next-generation sequencing(NGS)have made it feasible to discover viruses on a global scale.Recently,numerous viruses have been identified in plants and invertebrates using NGS technologies.In this review,we discuss viral studies in rice plants,invertebrate species,and weeds in rice fields.Many novel viruses have been discovered in rice ecosystems through NGS technologies,with some also detected using metatranscriptomic and small RNA sequencing.These analyses greatly expand our understanding of viruses in rice fields and provide valuable insights for developing efficient strategies to manage insect pests and virus-mediated rice diseases.

Mixture of Bacillus Amyloliquefaciens and Bacillus Pumilus Modulates Community Structures of Rice Rhizosphere Soil to Suppress Rice Seedling Blight

Rice seedling blight,caused by various fungi,including Fusarium oxysporum,poses a severe threat to rice production.As awareness grows regarding the environmental and safety hazards associated with the application of fungicides for managing rice seedling blight,there has been a shift in focus towards biological control agents.In this study,we isolated biocontrol bacteria from paddy fields that significantly inhibited the growth of F.oxysporum in vitro and identified the strains as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens T40 and Bacillus pumilus T208.Additionally,our findings indicated that the combined application of these Bacillus strains in soil was more effective in reducing the incidence of rice seedling blight than their individual use.Analysis of 16S and internal transcribed spacer rRNA gene sequencing data revealed that the mixture of the T40 and T208 strains exhibited the lowest average clustering coefficients,which were negatively correlated with the biomass of F.oxysporum-inoculated rice seedlings.Furthermore,this mixture led to higher stochastic assembly(average|βNTI|<2)and reduced selection pressures on rice rhizosphere bacteria compared with individual strain applications.The mixture of the T40 and T208 strains also significantly increased the expression of defense-related genes.In conclusion,the mixture of the T40 and T208 strains effectively modulates microbial community structures,enhances microbial network stability,and boosts the resistance against rice seedling blight.Our study supports the development and utilization of biological resources for crop protection.

HAG1 Regulates Arsenic Allocation and Accumulation in Rice Grains

Rice is a well-recognized accumulator of arsenic(As),which poses a threat to food security and human health.Different rice varieties vary widely in their As accumulation and tolerance,yet the underlying genetic basis remains unknown.In this study,we isolated a rice mutant hag1,which displayed high accumulation of As in rice grains and increased sensitivity to As toxicity.Using genetic investigation,we identified the ATP-binding cassette(ABC)transporter OsABCC1,involved in sequestering As in vacuoles,as the causal gene responsible for As allocation and tolerance in rice.Detailed physiological analysis revealed that As stress caused more severe oxidative damage in hag1 compared with the wild type(WT).The hag1 mutant displayed different accumulation patterns depending on the levels of As stress.We discovered that under low As concentration,hag1 synthesized more thiol compounds and exhibited lower As translocation than the WT;however,at high As levels,hag1 produced fewer thiol compounds and increased As transfer factor.Transcriptome analysis of the node nearest to the panicles revealed that OsABCC1 was down-regulated in hag1,resulting in increased As translocation and accumulation in rice grains.Additionally,natural variations in the promoter of OsABCC1 may confer differential gene expression and distinct As accumulations in grains between japonica and indica rice varieties,providing insights for breeding low-As rice varieties.

Research Progress on Heat Stress of Rice at Flowering Stage

Global warming has caused frequent occurrence of heat stress at the flowering stage of single-season rice in the Yangtze River region of China, which results in declines of spikelet fertility and yield in rice. Rice flowering stage is the most sensitive period to high temperatures, and therefore, the key for heat stress happening is the flowering stage coinciding with high temperature, which causes spikelet fertility decreasing in heat-sensitive varieties, and is the major factor for heat injury differences among various rice planting regions. With the development of rice breeding, temperature indexes for heat stress has been converted from daily maximum temperature of 35 oC to 38 oC with the stress duration of more than 3 d. During the flowering stage, anther dehiscence inhibition and low pollen shedding onto the stigma are two main reasons for spikelet fertility reduction under high temperatures. At panicle initiation stage, high temperatures aggravate spikelet degeneration, and destroy floral organ development. Various types of rice varieties coexist in production, and indica-japonica hybrid rice demonstrates the highest heat resistance in general, followed by indica and japonica rice varieties. In production, avoiding high temperature is the main strategy of preventing heat stress, and planting suitable cultivars and adjustment of sowing date are the most effective measures. Irrigation is an effective real-time cultivation measure to decline the canopy temperature during the rice flowering stage. We suggested that further study should be focused on exploring heat injury differences among different rice variety types, and innovating rice-planting methods according to planting system changes in rice planting regions with extreme heat stress. Meanwhile, high temperature monitor and warning systems should be improved to achieve optimal heat stress management efficiencies.

Effect of various crop rotations on rice yield and nitrogen use efficiency in paddy–upland systems in southeastern China

To evaluate the effects of various rotation systems on rice grain yield and N use efficiency, a paddy–upland cropping experiment(2013–2016) was conducted in southeastern China. The experiment was designed using six different rice––winter crop rotations: rice–fallow(RF),rice–wheat(RW), rice–potato with rice straw mulch(RP), rice–green manure(Chinese milk vetch; RC–G), rice–oilseed rape(RO), and rice–green manure crop(oilseed rape with fresh straw incorporated into soil at flowering; RO–G) and three N rates, N0(0 kg N ha-1), N1(142.5 kg N ha-1), and N2(202.5 kg N ha-1). Average rice yields in the RF(5.93 t ha-1) rotation were significantly lower than those in the rotations with winter crops(7.20–7.48 t ha-1)under the N0 treatment, suggesting that incorporation of straw might be more effective for increasing soil N than winter fallow. The rice yield differences among the rotations varied by year with the N input. In general, the grain yields in the RP and RO–G rotations –were respectively 11.6–28.5% and 14.80–37.19% higher than those in the RF in plots with N applied. Increasing the N rate may have tended to minimize the average yield gap between the RF and the other rotations; the yield gaps were 18.55%, 4.14%, and 0.23% in N0, N1, and N2, respectively. However, the N recovery efficiency in the RF was significantly lower than that in other rotations, except for 2015 under both N1 and N2 rates, a finding that implies a large amount of chemical N loss. No significant differences in nitrogen agronomic efficiency(NAE) and physiological efficiency(NPE) were found between the rotations with legume(RC–G) and non–legume(RO and RW) winter crops, a result that may be due partly to straw incorporation. For this reason, we concluded that the return of straw could reduce differences in N use efficiency between rotations with and without legume crops. The degree of synchrony between the crop N demand and the N supply was evaluated by comparison of nitrogen balance degree(NBD) values. The NBD values in the RP and RW were significantly lower than those in the other rotations under both N1 and N2 rates. Thus,in view of the higher grain yield in the RP compared to the RW under the N1 rate, the RP rotation might be a promising practice with comparable grain yield and greater N use efficiency under reduced N input relative to the other rotations. The primary yield components of the RF and RP were identified as number of panicles m-2 and numbers of kernels panicle-1, respectively. The NAE and NPE were positively correlated with harvest index, possibly providing a useful indicator for evaluating N use efficiency.

Agronomic performance of drought-resistance rice cultivars grown under alternate wetting and drying irrigation management in southeast China

Compared to drought-susceptible rice cultivars(DSRs),drought-resistance rice cultivars(DRRs)could drastically reduce the amount of irrigation water input and simultaneously result in higher grain yield under water-saving irrigation conditions.However,the mechanisms underlying these properties are unclear.We investigated how improved agronomic traits contribute to higher yield and higher water use efficiency(WUE)in DRRs than in DSRs under alternate wetting and drying(AWD).Two DRRs and two DSRs were field-grown in 2015 and 2016 using two different irrigation regimes:continuous flooding(CF)and AWD.Under CF,no statistical differences in grain yield and WUE were observed between DRRs and DSRs.Irrigation water under the AWD regime was 275–349 mm,an amount 49.8%–56.2% of that(552–620 mm)applied under the CF regime.Compared to CF,AWD significantly decreased grain yield in both DRRs and DSRs,with a more significant reduction in DSRs,and WUE was increased in DRRs,but not in DSRs,by 9.9%–23.0% under AWD.Under AWD,DRRs showed a 20.2%–26.2% increase in grain yield and an 18.6%–24.5% increase in WUE compared to DSRs.Compared to DSRs,DRRs showed less redundant vegetative growth,greater sink capacity,higher grain filling efficiency,larger root biomass,and deeper root distribution under AWD.We conclude that these improved agronomic traits exert positive influences on WUE in DRRs under AWD.

Review and Prospects on Rice Breeding and Extension in China

A large number of new varieties, especially hybrid rice, have been developed and released in China since 1998. The yield potential and grain quality of hybrid rice have also been improved significantly both for three-line and two-line hybrid rice including indica and japonica types as well. The trends on extension of rice varieties in China since 1986 has been marked by the increasing number of new varieties, decreasing annual planting area per variety, decreasing number of varieties with a large-scale extension area, while both the renewal rate and the proportion of core varieties with cross-provincial extension have remained unchanged. This current major problems and future goals of rice breeding and extension in China were also discussed.

Sustainable Management of Rice Insect Pests by Non-Chemical-Insecticide Technologies in China

Chemical pesticides play crucial roles in the management of crop diseases and pests. However, excessive and irrational use of pesticides has become a major concern and obstacle to sustainable agriculture. As a result, the quality and security of agricultural products are reduced, and the ecological and environmental integrities are threatened. Recently, environment-friendly pest management measures have been introduced and adopted to manage rice insect pests and reduce the use of insecticides. This paper reviewed the advancements in development and application of non-chemical technologies for insect pest management during rice production in China.

Breeding Methodology and Practice of Super Rice in China

To meet the growing demand for rice production, the Ministry of Agriculture, P. R. China initiated a nationwide project on the development of super rice in 1996. Through efforts in research, super rice breeding in China has gained significant advances in the aspects of breeding theories, creation of breeding materials and selection and promotion of elite rice varieties. A creative super rice breeding path of the construction of harmonious plant type combined with the utilization of heterosis was proposed. Super rice plays more and more important roles in rice production. Totally, 71 super rice varieties in China have been successfully developed and released to production. These varieties have 12 t/hm2 yield potential in on-farm demonstration fields, 8% to 15% higher than the check varieties with high resistance to pest and medium to high level of grain quality, the total growing area of which has reached 23.7 million hectares, and rice grain production increased by 17.7 million tons from 1996 to 2009. This paper reviewed the development and achievements of super rice breeding in aspects of the breeding methodology and breeding practices, summarized the successful experience of super rice breeding in China and proposed the developmental strategies of super rice for the future.

Genetic diversity analysis and GWAS reveal the adaptive loci of milling and appearance quality of japonica rice(Oryza sativa L.)in Northeast China

Milling and appearance quality are important contributors to rice grain quality.Abundant genetic diversity and a suitable environment are crucial for rice improvement.In this study,we investigated the milling and appearance quality-related traits in a panel of 200 japonica rice cultivars selected from Liaoning,Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces in Northeast China.Pedigree assessment and genetic diversity analysis indicated that cultivars from Jilin harbored the highest genetic diversity among the three geographic regions.An evaluation of grain quality indicated that cultivars from Liaoning showed superior milling quality,whereas cultivars from Heilongjiang tended to exhibit superior appearance quality.Single-and multi-locus genome-wide association studies(GWAS)were conducted to identify loci associated with milling and appearance quality-related traits.Ninety-nine significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)were detected.Three common SNPs were detected using the mixed linear model(MLM),mrMLM,and FASTmrMLM methods.Linkage disequilibrium decay was estimated and indicated three candidate regions(qBRR-1,qBRR-9 and qDEC-3)for further candidate gene analysis.More than 300 genes were located in these candidate regions.Gene Ontology(GO)analysis was performed to discover the potential candidate genes.Genetic diversity analysis of the candidate regions revealed that qBRR-9 may have been subject to strong selection during breeding.These results provide information that will be valuable for the improvement of grain quality in rice breeding.

Solar radiation-use characteristics of indica/japonica hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.) in the late season in southeast China

New indica and japonica hybrid rice cultivars,such as the Yongyou series,provide farmers with very high yield potential.However,information on their canopy light capture and solar radiation use efficiency in the late season is limited.Field experiments were performed to compare the radiation-use parameters of four rice types:indica rice(IR),inbred japonica rice(IJR),hybrid japonica rice(HJR),and hybrid indica/japonica rice(HIJR),from 2016 to 2018 during the late season in Hangzhou,China.The grain yield,aboveground biomass,intercepted solar radiation(SI),and radiation-use efficiency(RUE)of the HIJR were on average respectively 13.4%–53.4%,14.3%–30.6%,7.6%–21.4%,and 8.2%–14.9%higher than those of the HJR,IJR,and IR.The leaf area index(LAI)of the HIJR was 18.2%–57.0%greater than that of the IJR and HJR at four growth stages,resulting in respectively 17.8%–38.5%and 10.7%–42.8%greater canopy light interception rates(LIR)and amount of intercepted solar radiation during the vegetative stage.The prolonged grain-filling stage also led to respectively 33.9%–52.6%and 30.5%–51.4%increases in amounts of incident and intercepted radiation for the HIJR relative to the IR during grain filling.These results indicate that the SI superiority of the HIJR was caused by canopy closure as rapid as that of the IR during the vegetative stage(greater LAI and canopy LIR during the growing season)and a grain-filling stage as long as that of the HJR.For grain-filling stage,differences in leaf Pn between HIJR,IR,and IJR were not significant,suggesting that the greater RUE of the HIJR(12.7%–52.8%higher)than that of the other rice types resulted from improved canopy architecture after flowering(FL).Principal components analysis(PCA)revealed that the superiority of the HIJR in terms of solar radiation use resulted from the greater canopy light capture capability of IR and the prolonged growth period(especially during grain filling)of japonica rice in the late growing season.

Construction and Testing of a Primary Microsatellite Database of Major Rice Varieties in China

Sixty-three major inbred varieties and parental lines of major F1 hybrids used in the commercial rice production in China were assayed with rice microsatellites screened in a previous study and additional microsatellites on four chromosomes. A set of 24 markers was selected and proposed for its application in the variety identification of rice, which are distributed on all the 12 rice chromosomes with 2 markers on each chromosome. The 63 major varieties and parental lines, as well as 41 major F1 hybrids, were genotyped with the markers. Alleles detected in each line at each marker locus were verified. By matching marker genotypes of corresponding F1, maternal and paternal lines of hybrid rice, high reliability of the maternal lines was verified, data on the paternal lines were modified, and a false hybrid was removed. A database containing genotype data of 103 major rice vadeties and parental lines at the 24 marker loci was constructed and analyzed.

Impacts of the north migration of China＇s rice production on its ecosystem service value during the last three decades (1980-2014)

The ecosystem services value （ESV） of rice system has received increasing attention in agricultural policy decision. Over the last three decades, China＇s rice production presented an obviously trend that moving towards north locations. However, the impacts of this migration on the ESV of rice production have not been well documented. In this paper, we analyzed the change of the ESV of rice production in China under ＂north migration＂ and ＂no migration＂ scenarios during 1980-2014 based on long-term historical data. The results showed that both the positive and negative ESVs of rice production were lower under ＂north migration＂ than under ＂no migration＂ scenarios. The total ESV during 1980-2014 was reduced by 15.8%. ＂North migration＂ significantly reduced the area-scaled ESV since the early 1990s; while its impact on yield-scaled ESV was not significant. The effects of＂north migration＂ on ESV showed great spatial variation. The greatest reduction in total and area-scaled ESV was observed in south locations. While the yield-scaled ESVs of most south locations were enhanced under ＂north migration＂ scenario. These results indicated that ＂north migration＂ has generated adverse effects on the ESV of rice production. An adjustment in the spatial distribution is essential to protecting the non-production benefits of rice ecosystem.

Integrated Approach to Control False Smut in Hybrid Rice in Sichuan Province, China

Severe epidemic of false smut, caused by Ustilaginoidea virens （Cooke） Takahashi （teleomorph Villosiclava virens） has been reported in different parts of Asia and America. Different fungicides or bio-control agents against false smut were applied at different times before heading on a susceptible rice variety Pu-6. A control efficiency as high as 91.92% was resulted from spraying 2.5% Wenquning, a suspension of Bacillus subtilis in solution of validamycin with 4.5 L/hm2 at 6 d before heading. Among the 186 hybrid rice screened in 2010, low significant correlations between the dates of full heading, rates of infected plants and panicles as well as the number of infected florets were found, with the correlation coefficients ranging from 0.2331 to 0.5212. However, significant difference in susceptibility coefficients was also found between the varieties which had the same dates of full heading. In the plot experiments to compare the susceptibility in 2011, the average rates of infected panicles of Yixiangyou 2168, Chuanxiangyou 3, Dexiang 4103, Yixiangyou 2115, Nei5you 317, Yangxinyou 1 were significantly lower than those of the control varieties Gangyou 725 and Gangyou 188 at the disease nursery located at Qionglai, Sichuan Province, China. When Neixiangyou 8156 and Nei5you 317 were sprayed with 2.5% Wenquning at 4.5 L/hm2 for two times at 6 d before and 1 d after heading, respectively, the control efficiencies of Nei5you 317 and Neixiangyou 8156 were respectively 100% and 82.24% compared to that of Gangyou 725. Satisfactory control effects had also obtained by single spray of 2.5% Wenquning at 4.5 L/hm2 at 5-6 d before heading. Therefore, less susceptible hybrid rice in combination with spraying Wenquning at 5-6 d before heading was suggested for the disease control in Sichuan Province, China.

Genetic Interaction of Hd1 with Ghd7, DTH8 and Hd2 Largely Determines Eco-Geographical Adaption of Rice Varieties in Southern China

Although cultivated rice originated from the tropical region,a long process of domestication and human selection has enabled cultivated rice to grow in a wide range of geographical regions.Diversification of photoperiodic flowering provides a foundation for this diverse adaptation.Intensive studies have focused on elucidating how japonica varieties lost photoperiodic sensitivity(PS)to expand their cultivation areas to high latitudes,where rice is grown in a short season when day-length is long(Fujino et al,2013;Naranjo et al,2014;Gomez-Ariza et al,2015;Li et al,2015,2018;Goretti et al,2017;Ye et al,2018).By contrast,limited attention has been paid to the genetic architecture of heading date(HD)variation among varieties in middle and low latitudes.The southern China rice region,located in middle and low latitudes,occupies the most important rice cultivation region in China.This region is predominantly planted with indica varieties,which presents a rich diversity of regional and seasonal adaptations.In the present study,improved varieties and landraces used in this region were analyzed for allelic variations of 12 cloned QTLs controlling HD,as well as for the genotypic effects of these genes on HD and PS.Our objective was to clarify predominant genetic factors influencing ecogeographical adaption of rice varieties in southern China by comparing improved varieties with landraces.

Transgene Flow from Glufosinate-Resistant Rice to Improved and Weedy Rice in China

The development of transgenic rice with novel traits in China can increase rice productivity, but transgene flow to improved or weedy rice has become a major concern. We aimed to evaluate the potential maximum frequencies of transgene flow from glufosinate-resistant rice to improved rice cultivars and weedy rice. Treatments were arranged in randomized complete blocks with three replicates. Experiments were conducted between 2009 and 2010 at the Center for Environmental Safety Supervision and Inspection for Genetically Modified Plants, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, China. Glufosinate-resistant japonica rice 99-1 was the pollen donor. The pollen recipients were two inbred japonica rice （Chunjiang 016 and Xiushui 09）, two inbred indica rice （Zhongzu 14 and Zhongzao 22）, two indica hybrid rice （Zhongzheyou 1 and Guodao 1）, and one weedy indica rice （Taizhou weedy rice）. The offspring of recipients were planted in the field and sprayed with a commercial dose of glufosinate. Leaf tissues of survivors were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction to detect the presence of the transgene. The frequency of gene flow ranged from 0 to 0.488%. In 2009, the order of gene flow frequency was as follows： weedy rice 〉 Chunjiang 016 〉 Xiushui 09 and Zhongzu 14 〉 Guodao 1, Zhongzheyou 1 and Zhongzao 22. Gene flow frequencies were generally higher in 2009 than in 2010, but did not differ significantly among rice materials. Gene flow frequency was the highest in weedy rice followed by the inbred japonica rice. The risk of gene flow differed significantly between years and year-to-year variance could mask risk differences among pollen recipients. Gene flow was generally lesser in taller pollen recipients than in shorter ones, but plant height only accounted for about 30% of variation in gene flow. When flowering synchrony was maximized, as in this study, low frequencies of gene flow occurred from herbicide-resistant japonica rice to other cultivars and weedy rice. Averaged across years, the risk of gene flow to weedy rice was higher than that of improved rice and hybrids. Greater resources must be dedicated to the management of remnant weedy rice in fields planted with herbicide-resistant rice, and to prevent the evolution of resistant weedy rice populations.

Relationship Between Plant Type and Grain Quality of Japonica Hybrid Rice in Northern China

Plant type and grain quality are two major aspects in rice breeding. Using canonical correlation analysis and canonical redundancy analysis, the relationship between plant type traits and rice grain quality traits was studied with 100 crosses derived from 10 sterile lines × 10 restorer lines. There was a complex relationship between parts of the traits of the two aspects. The angle of the 2nd leaf from the top and single panicle weight played important roles in plant type system and amylose content and grain length in grain quality system. The angle of the 2nd leaf from the top, plant height and single panicle weight had a great effect on grain quality traits, and amylose content, brown rice rate and translucency were easily influenced by plant type traits. Selection index model indicated that japonica hybrid rice in Northern China with good quality was characterized by broad flag leaf and 2nd leaf from the top, narrow and short 3rd leaf from the top, low plant height, short culm, long and more panicles and low single panicle weight.

Virulence Types of Magnaporthe oryzae to Hybrid Rice in Sichuan,China

A total of 638 isolates of rice blast （Magnaporthe oryzae） were isolated in 2002-2009 from different rice varieties in different regions of Sichuan, China and inoculated onto seven rice varieties （Lijiangxintuanheigu, IR24, Minghui 63, Duohui 1, Chenghui 448, Neihui 99-14 and RHR-1） to differentiate the virulence types of the fungus and trace the changes. The virulence to the seven varieties was respectively scored at 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64. The total scores of individual M. grisea isolates which were the sum of scores infecting differential varieties could, in turn, be used for the nomenclature of the virulence types due to their accordance to the special virulence patterns. The 638 tested isolates were then differentiated into 56 different virulence types. Type 15 virulent to Lijiangxintuanheigu, IR24 and Minghui 63, and Type 127 virulent to all of the seven varieties were the most dominant virulence types respectively with the occurrence frequencies of 15.99% and 15.83%. Type 19 and other seven virulence types were not monitored during 2002-2009. Type 15 was the predominant virulence type in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2007, whereas Type 127 had been the most dominant virulence type after 2005 except for the year 2007 when the province underwent severe drought. Five hundred and seven out of the 638 tested isolates were virulent to Minghui 63, and 89.58% of the 384 isolates virulent to either Duohui 1, Chenghui 448 or Neihui 99-14 were virulent to Minghui 63, which indicated the impact of the extensive plantation of hybrid rice Minghui 63 as the restorer line on the virulence evolution of M. oryzae in Sichuan. The virulence pattern of the dominant virulence types suggested that the acquiring of virulence to all the major resistant restorer lines was the main routes of the evolution in virulence of M. oryzae to hybrid rice in Sichuan. The virulence frequencies of the 638 tested isolates to IR24, Minghui 63, Duohui 1, Chenghui 448, Neihui 99-14 and RHR-1 were respectively 74.6%, 79.5%, 73.8%, 37.0%, 39.0% and 40.4%. The analysis for the sources of the different virulence type isolates indicated the pathogen on the newly released resistant varieties were stronger than conventional rice varieties which had become susceptible in the field since 1980s.

International Conference on Sustainable Rice Production - Policy, Technology and Extension Celebration Activity for International Year of Rice and World Food Day 2004

Rice is the staple food of more than half of the world’s Population.The production,processing and management of paddy rice have provided the basic conditions for the living of mankind.The production of rice has not only created

Geographic variation in the yield formation of single-season high-yielding hybrid rice in southern China

Environmental conditions greatly affect the growth of rice. To investigate the geographic differences in yield formation of single-season high-yielding hybrid rice in southern China, experiments were conducted in 2017 and 2018 in the upper and middle–lower reaches of the Yangtze River with 10–30 main locally planted high-yielding hybrid cultivars used as materials. Compared with rice planted in the middle–lower reaches of the Yangtze River, rice planted in the upper reaches has a longer tillering duration, higher accumulated temperature(≥10℃) during tillering period, but lower accumulated temperature and solar radiation from initial booting to maturity. Yield traits comparison between the upper and the middle–lower reaches of Yangtze River showed that the former had 48.1% more panicles per unit area while the latter had 46.4% more grains per panicle;the rice yield in the former was positively correlated with the seed setting rate and the dry matter accumulation before heading, while the latter was positively correlated with grains per panicle and dry matter accumulation from booting to maturity. Comparison of the same variety Tianyouhuazhan planted in different regions showed there was a significant positive correlation between panicle number and the duration of and accumulated temperature during the tillering period(r=0.982^(**), r=0.993^(**), respectively), and between grains per panicle and accumulated solar radiation during booting period(r=0.952~*). In the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, more than 90% of cultivars with an yield of greater than 11 t ha^(–1) had an effective panicle number of 250–340 m^(–2), and there was a significant negative correlation between seed setting rate and grains per panicle;therefore, the high-yielding rice production in these regions with a long effective tillering period(>40 d) should choose varieties with moderate grains per panicle, adopt crop managements such as good fertilizer and water measures during vegetative growth period to ensure a certain number of effective panicles, and to increase the dry matter accumulation before heading. While in regions with a short effective tillering period(<20 d) but good sunshine conditions during the reproductive growth period, such as the middle–lower reaches of the Yangtze River, high-yielding rice production should choose cultivars with large panicles, adopt good water and fertilizer managements during the reproductive growth period to ensure the formation of large panicles and the increase of dry matter accumulation after heading.