Chinese scientists have created a new red-violet type hybrid rice that is capable of yielding 600 kilograms per mu (0.067 hectare）, Science and Technology Daily reported on Sept. 21. The rice was developed in China's southwestern Chongqing municipality.

Even without any fertilizers, the No. 10 red-violet type hybrid rice gave an outstanding yield. The rice was tested in areas below 400 meters of altitude, between 400 and 600 meters and over 600 meters. No bacterial blight or other plant diseases were found on the rice, nor were the crops badly affected by pests.

The new hybrid rice is the latest creation of Zhu Yingguo, Wuhan University professor and an expert in plant genetics and breeding. Zhu is also a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

Red-violet type hybrid rice is one of the world’s three largest hybrid species, together with CMS-WA (cytoplasmic male sterile - wild abortive) rice, which was developed by Chinese agriculturist Yuan Longping, and Japan’s Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) rice.

China has planted more than 1 million hectares of the red-violet type hybrid rice in the last five years. It has also been utilized in several Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, Laos and Indonesia.

Red-violet type hybrid rice features high-temperature resistance, nitrogen efficiency and rich selenium absorption. On top of those benefits, it is environmentally friendly.