Create fragrant rice varieties that grow well on alum contaminated soil

Based on the aromatic Basmati rice varieties originating in Pakistan, Ho Chi Minh City Nuclear Center staff, Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute have created aromatic rice lines with many outstanding properties that can grow well. on alum soil, salinization in the Mekong Delta.

Research on rice seed production mentioned above is funded by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Basmati rice variety (Photo: nilacharal)

This aromatic rice line not only grows well on alum-contaminated soil but also produces high yield, 2 to 2.5 times higher than the original rice variety. The growth time of rice varieties is only 90 days, so it is possible to intensify three crops on the same area unit.

Associate Professor, Dr. Le Xuan Tham, Ho Chi Minh City's Nuclear Center, said that this mutant rice line also has good resistance against pests and is superior to many imported aromatic varieties. other.

Currently, this rice variety has been tested by farmers in Soc Trang province on an area of ​​nearly 50 ha and yield from 4 to 4.5 tons / ha. Because seed rice is sold at a price (5,000 VND / kg), farmers in An Giang and Dong Nai provinces are growing on a large scale.

According to Mr. Tham, the research team is proposing to develop a project to recognize new rice varieties.