Ratoon rice system is a way to grow more food in areas with extra warmth and light. In central China, direct seeding rice-ratoon rice (DSR-RR) needs less work than traditional transplanted rice-ratoon rice (TTR-RR). Hybrid rice gives higher yields than inbred rice in TTR-RR. In DSR-RR, hybrid rice also outperforms inbred rice, with higher ratoon season yields and regeneration rates. Hybrid rice has more dry weight per stem after the first crop, leading to better yields. Overall, hybrid rice cultivars are better suited for DSR-RR in central China, offering higher annual grain yields. To get high yields in DSR-RR, choose cultivars with high regeneration rates and resistance to lodging.