Some stems are deformed, some are short, and some grow taller than a man. The spikes may stand up straight, like wheat, and the color of the leaves may be changed.
余淑美舉例，基因突變後的水稻，有的分蘗（分出叢生的莖）發生變異，有的特別矮小，有的則高到比人還高；有的稻穗不會下垂、形似小麥，有的葉色改變不耐淹水、乾旱、低溫…。