Background The All India Coordinated Rice Improvement Project (AICRIP) organizes multi-location tests (METs) with new genotypes from breeding programs. The best performing genotypes in METs for 3–4 years are identified and notified as commercial cultivars by the Government of India (GOI) to authorize breeder seed (BS) production. Methods We created a database and analyzed data on BS production for 24 years (1995–96 to 2018–19) in 475 inbred and 22 F1 hybrid cultivars. Estimates were made to rank cultivars on the proportional contribution of a cultivar, quantity produced and a new BS index. Correlation and regression analyses were used to find the relationships between BS, certified quality seed distributed (CQSD), and milled rice production. We compared cultivars in BS production chain with those grown in farmers’ fields across the country as identified in the production-oriented surveys. Results The top ten inbred cultivars identified are Jaya (notified by GOI in 1969), Swarna, Kranthi, IR 36, Sarjoo 52, Samba Mahsuri and Pusa Basmati 1 (notified in 1980–1989), and IR 64, Vijetha and Cottondora Sannalu (notified in 1991–2000). BS production in hybrid F1 was insignificant. We detected a Pearson correlation (r = 0.806, P < 0.01) between the BS production and CQSD, and a linear relationship between the annual rice production in India and the CQSD (R2 = 0.850, P < 0.01). The rice area coverage in 2018–19 with CQSD estimated was 41%. A total of 1877 cultivars (528 notified and 1349 not notified) were found at farms in rice growing districts in India. Conclusions From 1995–2019, BS and CQSD together increased the annual milled rice production in step with increases in population. Diverse rice genotypes have enabled rice to endure crop constraints in fragmented landholdings spread over 43 m ha. AICRIP’s efforts have sustained availability of > 73 kg rice per capita per year (~ 40% of food grains). The process of notification, receipt of indent for BS from states, allotment and BS production, and de-notification of a cultivar by GOI need a review to ensure profits to farmers. As the 1000-seed weight varies in cultivars, it must be notified by GOI to adjust seed rate and maintain the recommended plant population at the farms. There is scope to increase the priceless BS production in cultivars to raise the country’s production further, facilitate export and ensure profits to all stakeholders.

We analyzed the yield data of 2,070 rice hybrid F1 genotypes with inbred local cultivars (ILCv) evaluated over 32 yr (from 1988 to 2019) in 2,376 multi‐environment experiments executed at 102 locations in the irrigated ecosystem across India. The genetic gain or loss in yield of hybrid F1 genotypes estimated over the test duration was nonsignificant. The differences were highly significant between the means of group of F1 hybrid genotypes with yields higher than ILCvs in 985 experiments and the group of F1 hybrid genotypes with yields lower than ILCvs in 962 experiments. Hybrids produced 10% more yield (728–2,588 kg ha–1) than ILCvs in 672 experiments at several locations. Our analyses have established that grain yields of 7.0–7.9 Mg ha–1, were harvested in hybrid F1 genotypes with early‐ (110–120 d), mid‐early‐ (121–130 d), and medium‐ (131–140 d) maturity duration, and in those with medium slender grains (130±5 d) at many locations in 374 out of the 985 experiments. A higher level of rice (Oryza sativa L.) productivity per day (62–63 kg ha–1) was recorded with the early‐maturing and mid‐early‐maturing hybrid genotypes. Both the hybrid F1 genotypes and ILCvs produced grain yields (≥10 Mg ha–1) similar to values that were recorded previously with commercial inbred cultivars since 1968 at many locations. The attainable grain yield records of ILCvs were not broken by the yields of hybrid F1 genotypes. Hence the doubt arises whether there was any overestimation of hybrid genotypes or an underestimation of inbred yields. Therefore, any genetic gain or loss for grain yields in new genotypes developed in experiments can be estimated only when ILCvs produce their attainable yield recorded previously. There is scope for breeders to limit test locations to represent specific target areas to avoid data loss.

Background: Hybrid F1genotypes with higher yields or improvement in other traits of economic value due to heterosis as compared to inbred local check varieties (ILCV), are identified and released as hybrid commercial varieties. We analyzed the yield data of 2070 hybrid F1 genotypes with ILCV evaluated over 32 years (1988 to 2019) in 2376 multi-environment experiments executed at 102 locations in the irrigated ecosystem across India. Results: The genetic gain or loss in yield of hybrid F1 genotypes estimated over the test duration was non-significant. Hybrid F1 genotypes produced 10% more grains (728-2588 kg/ha) than ILCV in many experiments at several locations. Our analyses have established that grain yields of 7.0 to 7.9 t/ha, were harvested in hybrid F1 genotypes with early, mid-early and medium maturity duration, and in those with medium slender grains at many locations in 362 experiments. A higher level of rice productivity per day (62 to 63 kg/ha) was recorded with the early maturing and mid-early maturing hybrid F1 genotypes in these tests. The N requirement to produce 8 t/ha of hybrid rice grains was 15 kg N/t as compared with a minimum of 20 kg N/t used in China. Both the hybrids and inbreds in these experiments produced grain yields that were easily attained previously with high yielding (≥10 t/ha) commercial inbreds since 1968. Unless the attainable yields are reached in inbred checks with the proven appropriate crop production practices in an experiment, it is futile to estimate a genetic gain or loss for grain yields in new genotypes developed.Conclusions: Hybrid genotypes bred in India produced yields of 7 to 8 t/ha which matched with reports from China on hybrids and green super rice; these India-bred hybrids showed higher productivity per day and shorter maturity periods than super hybrids of China. Opportunities still exist to breed indica/japonica hybrids to obtain more heterotic early and mid-early maturing hybrids, and develop efficient agronomical practices to realize the potential advantages from hybrids. There is scope for breeders to limit test locations to represent specific target areas to avoid data loss. Focusing on removing obstacles in hybrid seed production is essential to exploit yield heterosis in hybrids, and to make hybrid rice technology profitable to farmers.