[1][2] Li Zhengyou was born in Chongqing in July 1935, with his ancestral home in Gao County, Sichuan Province.
Starting as a lecturer, he later became a professor and director of the university's Rice Research Institute.
[1] His research resulted in substantial increases in rice yields in the plateau province of Yunnan, raising farmer incomes.
[1] His research is published in the book Dian-type Hybrid Rice (滇型杂交水稻).
[2] Yuan Longping wrote a eulogy praising his contributions to rice research.