Abstract: The objective of this study is to investigate the genotypic variation in canopy temperature depression (CTD) among different early-season indica rice cultivars in order to support rapid differentiating of superior germplasm and cultivation regulation. 36 genotypes of early-season indica rice and major restorer lines were selected as materials. They were grown under the same condition of fertilization and irrigation, and their canopy temperature was monitored at booting, heading, and milky-maturity stages using an infrared thermometer. The relationship between canopy temperature and yield and yield components was examined. The results showed that the daytime CTD was generally positive, and was significantly and positively associated with the panicle temperature depression at heading. Rice yield showed a significantly positive correlation with the daytime CTD at booting and heading stages, but had a negative correlation with the nighttime CTD at booting and heading stages with statistical significance at heading. The correlation between yield and panicle temperature depression at the heading stage was significantly positive. Yield components and CTD had no significant correlation. Using cluster analyses for the CTD at booting, heading, and milky-maturity stages, the tested rice materials can be divided into three temperature groups: high, medium, and low temperature types,.