The Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center at the Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (HUNAAS) is located in Mapoling, Changsha City, Hunan Province. It was founded in 1984 by Academician Yuan Longping, known as the “Father of Hybrid Rice.” As China’s first scientific research institution dedicated to hybrid rice, the center focuses on hybrid rice breeding, developing new high-yield, high-quality, and multi-resistant hybrid rice varieties. Its research includes distant hybridization advantages, rice molecular technology, transgenic applications, and hybrid vigor mechanisms.
In addition to theoretical research, the center conducts studies on parental propagation, hybrid seed production, and high-yield cultivation techniques. It also works on hybrid rice resource collection and identification, seed purity testing, and rice quality analysis. The center plays a key role in hybrid rice demonstration and promotion, provides international training on hybrid rice technology, and publishes the journal Hybrid Rice.
The center employs 136 staff members and hosts several key research platforms, including the State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, the National Engineering Laboratory of Rice (Changsha), the International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Hybrid Rice, and the FAO Reference Center for Hybrid Rice Research and Training. It operates two major research and experimental bases in Changsha and Sanya and is equipped with facilities such as a comprehensive experimental building, artificial climate chambers, and precision laboratories.
More information (in Chinese): http://hhrrc.hunaas.cn/.
