Abstract: A thick-leaf, semi-dwarf mutant rice, which was obtained from the 3^rd generation plants grown from the Ⅱ-32 B dry seeds that had been in a satellite in space, was multi-crossed with Minghui 86 and Minghui 82 to arrive at the hybrid, Fuhui 202.Subsequently, the progeny of Fuhui 202 was planted in the rice-blast-infected field at Shanghang fora disease resistance evaluation. Then, the selected lines were repeatedly cultivated for several generations in Jianyang and Sanya to ensure a reliable cultivar stability. The resulting high-quality, early restorer line, Fuhui 202, was then crossed withthe good quality three-line male sterile Taifeng A from the Rice Research Institute of Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences to breed a new early hybrid rice variety, Taiyou 202. The new hybrid rice exhibited high and stable yield, good quality, blast resistance, broad adaptability, population uniformity, large panicles withnumerousspikelets, high setting rate, and visible color change at maturation. It was certified by Fujian Crop Variety Appraisal Committee in 2016. The breeding procedures, yield performance and major characteristics, as well as the prospect for promotion of Taiyou 202 are presented.

Key words: space exposure, hybrid rice, Taiyou 202, breeding