Breeding and utilization of ‘Yangnonggeng 1218’: a new high-quality, high-yielding, early-maturing late <italic>Japonica</italic> rice variety

‘Yangnonggeng 1218’ is a new early-maturing late Japonica rice (Oryza sativa) variety developed by the Yangzhou University, and it was approved by the Jiangsu Provincial Crop Variety Approval Committee in July 2024. This variety demonstrates vigorous growth, high yield potential, strong comprehensive resistance, and grain quality meeting the Grade 3 standard for high-quality rice according to national regulations, with excellent eating properties. It is suitable for large-scale cultivation in the Yangtze River riparian zone and southern of Jiangsu Province, and can also be introduced for trial planting in adjacent provinces at similar latitudes. This study elaborates on the breeding strategy, selection process, experimental results, key characteristics, and cultivation techniques of ‘Yangnonggeng 1218’.