Breeding Neem plants by cultivating plant tissue

The Center for Information and Application of Scientific and Technological Advancement of the Department of Science and Technology of Binh Thuan has carried out the project 'Application of fast-multiplication biotechnology like neem by plant tissue culture method', helping Farmers ensure good seed sources.

Neem forest.Photo: Flickr

Over the two years of implementation, the center has received more than 5,000 Neem trees (drought-tolerant plants) in a greenhouse, of which more than 3,000 Neem trees are eligible for afforestation; pilot planting of one hectare of Neem tree tissue culture (about 1,000 trees) in Tuy Phong forestry enterprise.

Neem tissue culture plants adapt well to dry climatic conditions in Tuy Phong; reaching the survival rate of nearly 100%, the average height of 90cm, the original diameter reached an average of 0.6cm .

Ms. Mai Thanh Nga, deputy director of the center said that in the past, the propagation of trees in Binh Thuan mainly applied manual methods, all have disadvantages and uneven quality of trees, leading to productivity reduction.

The application of plant tissue culture will basically address the previous limitations. Especially increase the ability to supply seedlings, restore and select the superiority of degraded plants.

Neem is a drought-tolerant crop, the investment cost is very low, with little care, but the economic efficiency is very great from fruit harvesting; Neem leaves are sold to purchasing agents for processing pharmaceuticals, cosmetics .

More importantly, Neem trees have a great effect in planting sand-shielding forests, preventing erosion, keeping groundwater . contributing to greening deserted areas.