Super-rice hybrids are two-line hybrid rice cultivars with 15 to 20 % higher yields than the traditional three-line hybrid rice cultivars. Response of photosynthetic functions to midday photoinhibition was compared between seedlings of the traditional hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.) Shanyou63 and two super-rice hybrids, Hua-an3 and Liangyoupeijiu. Under strong midday sunlight, in comparison with Shanyou63, the two super-rice hybrids were less photoinhibited, as indicated by the lower loss of the net photosynthetic rate (P N ), the quantum yield of photosystem 2 (Φ PS2 ), and the maximum and effective quantum yield of PS2 photochemistry (F v /F m and F v '/F m '). They also had a much higher transpiration rate. Hence the super-rice hybrids could protect themselves against midday photoinhibition at the cost of water. The photoprotective de-epoxidized xanthophyll cycle components, antheraxanthin (A) and zeaxanthin (Z), were accumulated more in Hua-an3 and Liangyoupeijiu than in Shanyou63, but the size of xanthophyll cycle pool of the seedlings was not affected by midday photoinhibition. Compared to Shanyou63, the super-rice hybrids were better photoprotected under natural high irradiance stress and the accumulation of Z and A, not the size of the xanthophyll pool protected the rice hybrids against photoinhibition.