Growth and development of spikelets are asynchronous during hybrid rice seed production. However, knowledge is limited about the variation in seed vigour between superior and inferior spikelets. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the differences in seed vigour between superior and inferior spikelets of hybrid rice, and to explore the mechanisms associated with such variations with regards to seed filling characteristics and starch accumulation. Field experiments were conducted in 2017 and 2018, and seed vigour parameters, seed filling characteristics and starch accumulation were ...