Vietnam Journal of Agricultural Sciences

The study was conducted to evaluate the morphological characteristics and determine the cause of the blight disease of two varieties of lotus, Hong and Bach Diep, in My Duc commune and Chuong My ward - Hanoi. The research method included evaluating morphological characteristics according to UPOV standards (2023), isolating the fungus from diseased lotus samples according to the method of Burgess & cs. (2008), testing artificial infection in pots and mason jars. The results showed that both varieties have pink flowers, showy flowers fragrant, suitable for planting as ornamental plants and cultivation in eco-tourism areas. The Hong lotus variety has single-petal flowers, while the Bach Diep lotus variety has double-petal flowers. The fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae was identified as the cause of the blight disease on two lotus varieties in My Duc commune and Chuong My ward. Both lotus varieties in the experiment were infected at a very severe level (level 9), with clear diseased leaves, petiole and the plants blighted after 10-14 days. The research results provide a scientific basis for proposing effective disease prevention and control measures. This is an important premise to protect production, preserve the environment and develop lotus growing areas in an ecological and sustainable direction.

The study aimed to evaluate the agronomic characteristics and detection of the anthocyanin biosynthesis genes (Kala1, Kala3, Kala4, Rc) of newly developed blavk rice lines. Agro-biological characteristics and yield were evaluated in a non-replicated experiment. The determination of the presence of four genes Kala1, Kala3, Kala4 and Rc was performed by PCR with four SSR markers. Out of 20 lines investigated, there were seven promising black rice lines, viz. LC1-01, LC7-12, LC8-14, LC2-18; LC2-19; LC2-21 and LC9-25 selected for good agronomic characters with growth duration ranged from 115-124 days (2022 Summer season), light infection of the main pests and diseases, actual yield from 6,11-7,48 tons/ha, grain length 6.0-7.4mm, milled rice ratio 73.4-80.9%, and black bran. These black rice lines carry anthocyanin biosynthesis genes Kala1, Kala3, kala4 and Rc genes.

The study was conducted to evaluate the growth performance, productivity, and meat quality of Long Xuoc chickens. A total of 60 Long Xuoc chickens (30 males and 30 females) were raised using a semi-free-range system at the Faculty of Animal Science, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, from 0 to 16 weeks of age, following the care, feeding, and disease prevention procedures for colored-feather chickens of the National Institute of Animal Science (2004). The results showed that Long Xuoc chicken had a relatively high survival rate (95%). The body weight of male and female chicken at 16 weeks of age were 1,750.45 g and 1,407.79g, respectively, with an average daily weight gain of 15.50 g/bird/day for males and 12.42 g/bird/day for females. The carcass yield, thigh meat percentage, and breast meat percentage of Long Xuoc chicken were 76.3%, 21.18%, and 15.21% in males, and 75.86%, 21.43%, and 15.26% in females, respectively. Drip loss of preservation and cooking, pH value, color meet the standard criteria , the shear force of the chicken meat was from 40.13N to 50.45N.

The study was conducted to assess the species composition, abundance and distribution of fish eggs and juveniles in the coastal and inshore waters of Kien Giang province. A total of 120 samples of fish eggs and juveniles were collected from four surveys in Kien Giang waters in 2022 and 2023 by types of net surface. The results showed that 42 species belonging to 45 families were identified, accounting for 36.4% of the total number of fish eggs, and 17.6% of the collected fish. During the northeast monsoon season, 5,067 fish eggs and 1,653 larvae were collected with 37 species belonging to 43 families identified, accounting for 20.6% of the total number of fish eggs and 16.0% of juvenile fish. During the southwest monsoon season, 48,285 fish eggs and 666 larvae were collected, with 23 species belonging to 30 families identified, accounting for 38% of the total number of fish eggs and 22.2% of larvae. The average density of fish eggs and larvae in the Kien Giang sea area reached 2,840 fish eggs/1,000m3 and 92 larvae/1,000m3 of sea water, of which in the northeast monsoon season it reached 848 fish eggs and 120 larvae/1,000m3 of sea water, and in the southwest monsoon season it reached 6,545 fish eggs and 49 larvae/1,000m3 of sea water. This study identified three potential fish spawning grounds and proposed some solutions to protect early-stage fish eggs and larvae resources in Kien Giang sea waters.

This study was conducted with different treatments including (1) 100% polychaete feed, (2) 50% polychaete feed and 50% regular feed (squid, oyster) and (3) 100% regular feed (squid, oyster) on the maturation and reproduction of black tiger shrimp. Each treatment was replicated three times. Three female shrimp were used in each treatment. The density of female shrimp was 1 shrimp/100l of water, each shrimp was allowed to reproduce three times. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of polychaete feed on the reproductive quality of female tiger shrimp. The research results showed that the egg-laying time in treatment 1 was the shortest, the spawning rate in treatments 1 and 2 was 100%, while treatment 3 had spawning rate of 66.67%. The absolute and relative fecundity of treatment 1 was higher than the treatment 2 treatments and the difference was statistically significant (P <0.05). Similarly, the hatching rate and larval stage transition rate of treatment 1 were higher than treatments 2 and 3 (P <0.05). Therefore, broodstock rearing with polychaete feed alone yielded the best reproductive results and larval quality.

This study aimed to select a microbial consortium for developing a bio-product for treatment of post-harvest by-products of green ramie (Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaudich) into raw materials for organic fertilizer production. Microorganisms were isolated by serial dilution and cultured on selective media for cellulose-degrading strains, followed by screening under different cultivation conditions. Four selected strains, Penicillium sp.N5, Streptomyces sp.X6, Bacillus sp.V14, and Bacillus sp.V24, exhibited cellulase activity of 18.1-25.0mm, CMCase activity of 16.7-22.4mm, amylase activity of 11.7-18.0mm, and protease activity of 18.2-20.4mm. These strains maintained growth and enzyme activities (cellulase, CMCase, amylase, protease) at pH 4-8 and temperatures of 20-60C, and demonstrated streptomycin resistance at 300-1,000 mg/l. Composting trials using the selected microbial consortium achieved a maximum temperature of 52C after 5 days, with total nitrogen content of the composted material reaching 0.21-0.35% and C/N ratio 74.6-130.7, after 35 days. The final product met the criteria for use as raw material in organic fertilizer production.

Endophytic bacteria, which are able to live in the tissue of plants, are of interest to scientists due to various benefits they provide to the host plant, such as supplementing phytohormones and enhanced ability to absorb nutrients. This study aimed to select an endophytic bacterial strain from the roots of the Sesbania sesbani L. that can stimulate plant growth. The bacterial strain RC20 was selected from isolated endophytic bacterial strains based on its ability to synthesize high IAA concentration. Comparison of biochemical characteristics and the 16S rRNA nucleotide sequence with those from the GenBank,the strain RC20 belonged to the genus Enterobacter, named as Enterobacter sp. RC20. Strain Enterobacter sp. RC20 exhibited some plant growth-promoting abilities, such as solubilizing phosphate and potassium, and producing siderophores. In vivo experiment Enterobacter sp. RC20 added into the growing medium increased the growth and development of chilli. The plant height and root length of chilli supplemented with Enterobacter sp. RC20 increased by 27.63% and 46.32% in comparison with the control. The fresh weight and dry weight of the treated chilli plants also showed superior growth compared to the untreated ones with a rate of 24.13% and 39.32%, respectively. These findings suggest Enterobacter sp. RC20 as a potential candidate for future research into beneficial agricultural bioproducts.

The ‘tieu hong’ banana is a tropical fruit with large production in Vietnam but post-harvest preservation is facing many difficulties and there is no effective solution. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of hot water treatment combined with carrageenan coating on the maintenaceof the quality of the banana. Bananas were treated with four methods: untreated control, hot water treatment at 47°C for 10 minutes, 0.5% carrageenan coating, and combined treatment. The parameters investigated included weight loss, colour, total soluble solids, chlorophyll a, phenolic content, DPPH antioxidant activity of the fruit flesh and peel, and the disease incidence and severity. The results show that hot water treatment combined with carrageenan coating helped reduce weight loss, maintain colour and chlorophyll content in the fruit peel, slow down the change in total soluble solids, and enhance phenolic content and antioxidant capacity in both fruit flesh and peel compared to other treatments. This method also helped significantly reduce the incidence and severity of banana disease. Hot water treatment combined with carrageenan coating showed effectiveness in slowing down the postharvest ripening process and decreasing the deterioration in ‘tieu hong’ bananas.

This study analyzes the participation of ethnic minority women in the mango value chain in Yen Chau district, Son La province, and proposes solutions to enhance their role. The research applied a gender value chain analysis framework, combined with theories of women’s economic empowerment and gendered resource access. Data were collected from a survey of 80 mango-growing households in Tu Nang and Chieng Hac communes, supplemented by interviews and focus group discussions with local officials, traders, enterprises, and processors. Findings reveal that women participate in almost all stages from cultivation and care to harvesting and marketing but face constraints in land rights, credit access, technical training, and production decisions. The phenomenon of “labor division without decision-making power” is widespread, leaving women under-recognized and disadvantaged. The study suggests raising gender awareness, expanding technical training, establishing credit funds for women, strengthening women’s unions, and encouraging their involvement in community governance. Genuine empowerment of ethnic minority women is essential for building a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable mango value chain in Yen Chau.

In the face of challenges posed by climate change, resource depletion, and environmental pollution, Nam Dinh province has been actively restructuring its agricultural sector toward modernization and sustainability. In this context, circular agriculture is regarded as a crucial strategy to advance green and sustainable development. This study aims to evaluate the current status of circular agriculture implementation in the province using qualitative and quantitative data gathered through various research methods. The findings indicate that a wide range of circular agricultural practices have been adopted, particularly those focusing on the processing and reuse of agricultural by-products to regenerate resources, extend their life cycles, and reduce environmental emissions. These models have demonstrated significant economic, social, and environmental benefits. However, the proportion of agricultural by-products that are recovered and recycled remains relatively low. Moreover, the adoption of scientific and technological solutions for recycling is still limited, with most practices relying heavily on traditional experience. The main barriers identified are limited policies, awareness, capital, technology and product consumption markets. Therefore, some key solutions have been proposed to promote the application of circular agriculture in the area in the coming time.

This study aims to identify the determinants of household income among Khmer ethnic communities in Sóc Trăng province, Vietnam. Using survey data from 110 households, descriptive statistics and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression were applied to examine the relationship between socioeconomic characteristics and income. The results reveal that household heads have an average age of 50 years, with an average education level equivalent to grade 5, household size of four members, and a mean cultivated land area of 7.7 thousand square meters. The average household income was found to be 158 million VND per year. Regression estimates indicate that education level and cultivated land area positively affect household income, while natural disasters and epidemics exert negative impacts. These findings suggest that policies aimed at improving educational attainment and ensuring access to farmland, alongside risk mitigation strategies against natural shocks, are essential to enhance and stabilize the economic well-being of Khmer households in Sóc Trăng province.

The acquisition of agricultural land for urbanization and industrialization has generated significant impacts on household livelihoods. This study focuses on assessing the livelihood status of households whose agricultural land was expropriated for urban development projects in Dong Anh District, Hanoi, during the period 2020–2023. Based on the DFID Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, the research examines the vulnerability context, livelihood assets, strategies, and outcomes. A survey of 100 households, 30 local officials, and other stakeholders reveals that agricultural land acquisition has altered both the occupational structure and income sources of households. Many households have transitioned to non-agricultural livelihoods; however, they encounter substantial challenges due to limited education, inadequate vocational skills, and insufficient support from relevant stakeholders. Drawing upon these findings, the study proposes several solutions, including vocational training aligned with labor market demand; preferential credit support and employment market linkages; the development of non-agricultural livelihood models; and the refinement of compensation and support policies.

Based on a comprehensive review of theoretical frameworks and practical contexts, this paper aims to clarify the nature of internal control capability in small and medium enterprises. This capability is reflected in an enterprise’s ability to establish, operate, and maintain an internal control system to safeguard assets, mitigate risks, and ensure regulatory compliance. The assessment of internal control capability is grounded in the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission framework, which comprises five core components: Control Environment, Risk Assessment, Control Activities, Information and Communication, and Monitoring. The factors influencing internal control capability in small and medium enterprises can be categorized into two main groups. (1) Internal factors include Organizational Structure and Managerial Capacity; Policies and Procedures; Human Resources; Financial Resources; Information Systems; and Monitoring and Evaluation. (2) External factors include the Legal and Regulatory Environment; the Economic and Competitive Environment; the Technological Environment; Stakeholder Requirements; and Applicable Standards and Practices. Enhancing internal control capability is a critical factor that enables in small and medium enterprises to improve governance effectiveness and achieve sustainable development.

Green human resources are a pivotal factor in the sustainable development of agriculture in Vietnam. They play a crucial role in facilitating the application of green technologies, minimizing environmental impacts, and improving both productivity and product quality. Green human resources also act as a driving force for supporting policies, providing technical training, and transferring technology to enterprises and farmers. This contributes to enhancing the economic value and competitiveness of agricultural products in the current market context.This article provides an overview of the current status of green human resources in Vietnam, compares it with international experiences in the agricultural sector, and identifies key challenges and barriers to their development. Based on the findings, the paper proposes a number of strategic solutions to foster the development of green human resources in agriculture, aiming toward an environmentally friendly and sustainable agricultural system.