— 35 IREC Farmers' Newsletter No. 200 — Spring 2018 Ben Ovenden1 , You Zhang2 , Kylie Elliott1 , Greg Napier1 , Dee Sparkes1 , Liz Dennis2 and Jim Peacock2 1 NSW Department of Primary Industries, Yanco 2 University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo PHOTO: Glasshouse experiments at Yanco Agricultural Institute investigated F1 hybrid rice plants, produced from the Australian rice varieties, Reiziq and Doongara. QUICK TAKE l Hybrid technology could be a way of extracting a large genetic gain from elite Australian germplasm in a short time to rapidly realise the yield and water productivity benefits of hybrid rice. l Experiments at Yanco showed increased yield (and water productivity) from an Australian F1 rice hybrid. Hybrid plants were larger, taller and more vigorous than either parent. l New breeding tools would need to be implemented to develop Australian hybrid rice varieties. HYBRID RICE FOR AUSTRALIAN FARMERS – HYPE OR HOPE? — 35 IREC Farmers' Newsletter No. 200 — Spring 2018 Prospects for hybrid rice