Based on its intrinsic characteristic,the development of breeding technology in contemporary China can be divided into three stages.The first stage goes from the end of the 19th century to 1919 when western breeding theories were yet to be publicized in China and the scientific system of breeding were yet to take root.Professional breeding organizations and personnel were yet to be trained and quality rice varieties were yet to be selected on the basis of the contemporary technology.The second stage lasts from 1919 till 1930 when foreign breeding experts and returned Chinese students helped to introduce advanced breeding theories and technology into China.China’s rice breeding marched forward on a systematic,intentional and procedural track.The third stage goes from 1930 to 1949.In the 1930s,breeding organizations such as the National Rice and Wheat Reform Institute were set up to indicate that China’s breeding experts had grasped the breeding theories and methods of contemporary science to enable them carry out independent research and boost the independent development of China’s breeding technology.This stage is the harvest period in China’s contemporary rice breeding with more than 300 quality rice varieties selected and 90% of them were bred between 1930 and 1945.
