The nationally registered rice varieties during 2006-2015 were analyzed and there were 49.4 varieties on average annually registered in the last decade. In terms of the structure of varieties, there was a decreasing trend for the proportion of three-line hybrid rice varieties but a rapid increase for that of two-line hybrid rice varieties. The percentage of rice varieties developed by scientific research institu- tions was decreasing but that developed by seed companies kept a rapid increase, indicating the commercial breeding conducted by seed companies has become a principal model in rice breeding. With regard to grain quality of varieties, the con- ventional rice varieties showed an increasing trend while the hybrid rice varieties had a decreasing trend in the proportion of high quality varieties, indicating hybrid rice needs improving more in grain quality in breeding programs.
