A new variety of hybrid rice jointly bred by Chinese and Pakistani experts is expected to be planted throughout Pakistan this summer. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
A new variety of hybrid rice jointly bred by Chinese and Pakistani experts is expected to be planted throughout Pakistan this summer.
PU-786, the new variety, is tailored to the nation's ecology and climate. It is environmentally adaptable, combining high yield and superior grain quality with low technical barriers for cultivation. Its rice features high starch content, matching Pakistani dietary preferences, according to Zhu Renshan, a Wuhan University professor who leads the project.
A new variety of hybrid rice jointly bred by Chinese and Pakistani experts is expected to be planted throughout Pakistan this summer. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The variety was developed at the China-Pakistan Joint Research Center for Honglian Hybrid Rice.
Muhammad Ashfaq, a researcher at the center and a professor at the University of the Punjab, said the rice panicles grow plump and sturdy, with consistent, stable grain quality. "PU-786 boasts remarkable advantages, delivering a yield of 12 metric tons per hectare," he said. "Its premium grain quality meets both domestic consumption demand in Pakistan and export standards."
A new variety of hybrid rice jointly bred by Chinese and Pakistani experts is expected to be planted throughout Pakistan this summer. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
As Pakistan's inaugural Honglian hybrid rice variety, PU-786 completed regional trials across four provinces and secured national registration approval in 2025. In March this year, Pakistan's Pesticon Seeds (Pvt) signed a commercial cooperation agreement with the University of the Punjab to bring this scientific breakthrough to market.
"The successful operation of the center marks a shift from seed sales to full technology transfer, offering a replicable model for countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative grappling with food security challenges, including low crop yields and climate risks," Zhu said.
A new variety of hybrid rice jointly bred by Chinese and Pakistani experts is expected to be planted throughout Pakistan this summer. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
A new variety of hybrid rice jointly bred by Chinese and Pakistani experts is expected to be planted throughout Pakistan this summer. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
A new variety of hybrid rice jointly bred by Chinese and Pakistani experts is expected to be planted throughout Pakistan this summer. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
A new variety of hybrid rice jointly bred by Chinese and Pakistani experts is expected to be planted throughout Pakistan this summer. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
