Labor-saving crop establishment methods have rapidly developed for rice (Oryza sativa L.) production in China to address a labor shortage in agricultural production resulting from urban expansion, and many rice farmers who adopt such methods prefer to choose inbred varieties with reduced seed costs. This study aimed to determine which of two labor-saving establishment methods, zero tillage and direct seeding (ZTDS) and rotavator tillage and mechanical transplanting (RTMT), achieves higher grain yield in inbred rice. Field experiments were conducted at two sites across 3 yr to determine grain y...