This study conducted in collaboration with the local community focused on sustainable agricultural tourism development in Dak Lak, Vietnam. Using a qualitative research method, we conducted in-depth interviews with 29 households and agricultural cooperatives, combined with case studies. The results showed that agricultural tourism, a product of our joint efforts, played a significant role in diversifying livelihood sources and contributing to the preservation of ethnic and cultural identity. However, the sustainable development of this sector was hindered by limitations in infrastructure, lack of investment and uneven management capacity. Based on these findings, we propose specific policies and solutions to promote sustainable agricultural tourism development and support rural communities in the context of economic transition.

Solanum procumbens Lour. is a traditional medicinal plant known for its rich glycoalkaloid content. This research aimed to determine the suitable types and application rates of microbial organic fertilizers to enhance yield and glycoalkaloid content in Solanum procumbens Lour. A two-factor experiment was conducted using a Split-Plot Design (SPD) with three replications. The main plots included four types of microbial organic fertilizers (HD301, HD302, Komix-BL2, and HCMK7), while the sub-plots involved three application rates (2, 4, and 6 tonnes/ha per crop). Various parameters were measured, including fresh and dry biomass per plant, fresh and dry yield per ha, glycoalkaloid content, and glycoalkaloid yield across two cropping cycles. The results indicated that applying HCMK7 at a rate of 6 tonnes/ha per crop produced the highest outcomes: in the initial crop, a fresh weight of 255.2 g and dry weight of 111.1 g per plant, fresh yield of 15.77 tonnes/ha, dry yield of 6.99 tonnes/ha, glycoalkaloid content of 0.70%, and glycoalkaloid yield of 48.97 kg/ha. In the ratoon crop, the same application rate yielded a fresh weight of 282.5 g and dry weight of 134.6 g/plant, fresh yield of 17.62 tonnes/ha, dry yield of 9.21 tonnes/ha, glycoalkaloid content of 0.76%, and glycoalkaloid yield of 70.39 kg/ha. The highest average glycoalkaloid content (0.73%) and total glycoalkaloid yield (119.36 kg/ha) across both crops were also recorded at this application rate.

Identifying suitable plant growth regulators for the rooting stage and substrate mixing ratio for seedlings in the nursery remains a significant challenge, particularly in relation to Mai vang. This plant existed in culture and tradition for a long time and was considered a symbol of the traditional Tet. The experiments were conducted on Mai vang HD01 line, which was selected from Huu Duc Mai garden in Binh Loi apricot village, known for its exceptional characteristics. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) concentrations appropriate for root formation from shoot samples in in vitro condition and the optimal substrate mixing ratio appropriate for the growth of Mai vang HD01 line during the nursery stage. The study including two experiments were arranged in completely randomized design with one-factor and two-factor. For rooting induction, the culture medium supplemented with concentrations of IBA combined with concentrations of NAA was used, while to grow, Mai vang HD01 plants were planted in a substrate of coconut fiber, sand, rice husk ash, and vermicompost with different mixing ratios. The results showed that Mai vang HD01 shoots were cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L IBA combined with 2 mg/L NAA suitable for rooting and creating complete plants. The number of roots, root length, plant height and number of leaves were 6.9 roots; 3.5 cm; 2.3 cm and 5.9 leaves, respectively on day 60. Mai vang HD01 plants in the nursery stage were suitable for planting on a substrate with a mixing ratio of 1 coconut fiber:1 sand:1 rice husk ash:1 vermicompost with a 100% survival rate. They grew quickly to a height of 5.1 cm which was higher than that of plants planted on other substrate mix ratios on day 40.

The study aimed to determine the appropriate amount of potassium for two newly selected sweet corn hybrid combinations of the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Nong Lam University, Ho Chi Minh City. The experiment was conducted in the winter-spring crop of 2023 - 2024 in Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City with 4 potassium levels (70, 90, 110, and 130 kg K2O/ha) and 2 combinations of sweet corn hybrids BN191, BN211 and control variety (Golden Cob). The results showed that different rates of potassium affected the yield, quality and resistance to pests and diseases of sweet corn hybrid combinations. The potassium dosage of 130 kg K2O/ha gave the highest fresh ear yield, low pests, and infection rate and highest Brix for the two selected hybrid combinations and the Golden Cob variety.

Mục tiêu của nghiên cứu này là đánh giá ảnh hưởng của việc bổ sung chế phẩm có chứa Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SCP) vào khẩu phần hàng ngày đến lượng thức ăn tiêu thụ, năng suất và chất lượng sữa của bò đang cho sữa từ tháng 11 năm 2022 đến tháng 01 năm 2023 tại trang trại bò sữa ANOVA Bình Dương. Nghiên cứu được tiến hành trên 94 con bò lai HF (ít nhất 3/4 máu HF và ngày cho sữa (DIM) từ 31-128 ngày) và kéo dài 30 ngày (15 ngày đầu tiên là giai đoạn đối chứng, không bổ sung SCP, gọi là giai đoạn đối chứng và 15 ngày tiếp theo là giai đoạn bổ sung SCP với liều lượng 5 g/bò/ngày, gọi là giai đoạn SCP. Kết quả cho thấy lượng thức ăn trung bình của bò trong giai đoạn đối chứng thấp hơn đáng kể so với giai đoạn bổ sung SCP (P < 0,01). Việc bổ sung SCP không ảnh hưởng (P > 0,05) đến năng suất sữa và chất béo trong sữa, trong khi protein sữa, lactose và SNF từ sữa của bò trong giai đoạn bổ sung SCP được cải thiện đáng kể (P < 0,01). Việc bổ sung SCP cũng cải thiện đáng kể điểm thể trạng (BCS) của bò sữa. Tóm lại, kết quả này cho thấy việc bổ sung SCP vào chế độ ăn của bò với liều 5 g/bò/ngày giúp cải thiện đáng kể lượng thức ăn tiêu thụ, BCS và chất lượng sữa của bò đang cho sữa.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the probiotic (Bacillus Liq-Vtech)-supplemented diets on growth performance, intestinal microbe, morphology of the intestine, and resistance to Edwarsiella ictaluri infection in striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus). A total of 800 healthy striped catfish (12 ± 2 g) were randomly divided into four experimental groups with four replicates each, and were fed diets supplemented with different levels of Bacillus Liq-Vtech (T1: 0 cfu/g; T2: 0.5 × 106 cfu/g; T3: 1.0 × 106 cfu/g; and T4: 1.5 × 106 cfu/g) for 8 weeks. At the end of the trial, a challenge test with Edwardsiella ictaluri was conducted for 2 weeks. The results showed no statistically significant improvement in the growth performance and survival rate of fish with Bacillus LiqVtech supplementation (P > 0.05). However, there was a tendency for the improved growth performance in treatments supplemented with Bacillus Liq-Vtech. Additionally, the density of Bacillus spp. increased in the intestinal tract of fish fed probiotic-supplemented diets compared with the control. All probiotic treatments exhibited positive effects for different histomorphological features of the intestine. Mucus secreting goblet cells and villi increased in probiotic-supplemented groups. Mortality rates in treatments supplemented with Bacillus Liq-Vtech were lower than those of the control. These results suggested that the Bacillus Liq-Vtech supplementation in diets has the potential to improve growth performance, increase beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract of the fish, and reduce the mortality of striped catfish after being challenged with Edwardsiella ictaluri.

Maternal-derived antibody (MDA) is the priority protection against environmental Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) in the first weeks. The passive immunity decreases, but the active immunity is not enough to protect chicks, so shortening the high-risk period is crucial to IBD control. The objective of this study was to evaluate the immunity gap between 2 vaccination programs against infectious bursal disease (IBD) in Luong Phuong chickens. A total of 34,600 chicks were administered by subcutaneous injection of IBD vaccine at 0.1 mL/dose at the hatchery. At 12 days old, 18,000 chicks were vaccinated with the M.B strain vaccine and 16,600 chicks were vaccinated with the 228E strain vaccine by drinking water. The IBD and Newcastle disease (ND) antibody evaluations were based on the Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Parameters were recorded until slaughter including body weight, average daily gain, feed conversion rate, and mortality. The IBD MDA at 1 day old was medium and uniform (3809 and 45.3%), which could protect against IBD virus from 1 to 2 weeks old. At 28 days old, the IBD antibody titer of the MB vaccine was higher than that of the 228E vaccine, various proportions of samples in the M.B group exceeding 1,000 titers (40% vs. 0%), and it was a statistically significant difference (1,133 vs. 161) (P < 0.01). Besides, the M.B vaccine created a faster and stronger immune response than the 228E vaccine, shortening the immune gap and protecting chicks earlier. The humoral immune response to the ND vaccine was good, with no difference between 2 groups, which proved that the M.B virus did not cause immunosuppression. The production parameters of chickens between the 2 groups were the same. In summary, the M.B vaccine made a short immune gap and did not cause immunodeficiency in chickens.

The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of dietary supplementation of shrimp head and shell by-products on growth performance and incidence of diarhea in fattening pigs from August 2023 to October 2023 at the pig farm in Thoai Son district, An Giang province. A total of 90 crossbred pigs [(Duroc x Pietrain) x (Landrace x Yorkshire); 96 days old] were assigned to 1 of 3 treatments with 5 replicate pens of 6 pigs each according to sex, litter origin, and weight in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The 3 dietary treatments included (1) Basal diet (control), (2) Basal diet + 3 g/kg shrimp hydrolysate powder (SH) and (3) Basal diet + 10 g/kg shrimp heads and shells meal (SM). The results showed that there were no significant differences in the average body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) among the 3 treatments (P > 0.05). Similarly, pigs fed the SH diet (2.99) and SM diet had the same feed conversion ratio (FCR) of pigs (P = 0.767) as those fed the control diet (3.04) during the whole period from 96 to 164 days of age. Furthermore, no significant differences (P > 0.05) were found in the average daily feed intake (ADFI) and the diarrhea incidence among the 3 treatments. Briefly, the results in the current study suggest that dietary supplementation of shrimp head and shell by-products (shrimp hydrolysate powder, or shrimp heads and shell meal) seem to have no positive effects on growth productivity (BW, ADG, ADFI and FCR) and incidence of diarrhea in fattening pigs during 96 - 164 days of age.

Salmonella can carry multiple antibiotic-resistant and metalresistant genes and transmit these genes among strains worldwide. This study examined seventy-five Salmonella isolates from small-scale chicken farms (chicken feces, bedding, feed, wild animals) in Vinh Long province for the presence and relation of antibiotic and metal-resistance genes in these strains. The single PCR method was applied to detect seven antibiotic-resistance genes (blaampC, blaTEM, dfrA1, tetA, strA, sul2, mcr1) and four metal-resistance genes (pcoR, czcD, cnrA, silE). The results indicated that those Salmonella isolates harbored several patterns of antibiotic-resistance genes. Genes blaampC and tetA were the most prevalent (48.00%), while genes mcr1 and dfrA were the most minor (1.33%). Of those Salmonella isolates, 92.00% harbored one to five antibiotic-resistance genes, and the blaampC + strA pattern was frequently obtained (12.00%). Moreover, 30.67% of Salmonella isolates showed multidrug resistance to three or four antibiotic categories. Among metal-resistance genes, gene pcoR encoding for copper resistance was the most predominant (53.33%), and gene cnrA encoding for cobalt-nickel resistance was the lowest (5.33%). There were diverse patterns of metalresistance genes, and one Salmonella isolate carried four examined genes (1.33%). Furthermore, these Salmonella isolates had several combined patterns of metal-resistance and antibiotic-resistance genes. Among them, pcoR, czcD, and silE genes had a significant coefficient relation to the examined antibiotic-resistance genes. It indicated the correlation between metal resistance and antibiotic resistance genes and revealed the potential risk of increasing antibiotic resistance in Salmonella isolates in chicken farms in Vinh Long province.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of estradiol on the survival rate, sex reversal ratio, and growth performance of climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) using the immersion method. A completely randomized design was applied, involving three estradiol (E2) treatment groups at concentrations of 1.0 mg/L (1E2), 1.5 mg/L (1.5E2), and 2 mg/L (2E2), along with a control group triplications. Seven-day-old fingerlings were exposed to the E2 solution for 2 h before being transferred to nurseries in hapas placed in earthen ponds at a density of 200 fish/m² for 60 days. After the hormone treatment and 60 days of rearing, the highest survival rate was observed in the control group (86.7%). The female ratios in the 17β- stradiol (E2) treatments ranged from 72.0% to 90.0%, which were significantly higher than the ratio of the control group (55.6%) (P < 0.05). The 2E2 treatment demonstrated the highest female percentage, which was statistically greater than that observed in the 1E2 and 1.5E2 treatments (P < 0.05). The mean weight and length of fish in the E2 treatments were greater than those in the control treatment, although the differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Additionally, the study revealed a direct proportionality between the average weight of experimental fish and the hormone concentration. Based on these findings, the recommended dose for achieving maximum mono-sex female climbing perch is 2 mg/L of 17β-estradiol.

The tassel fern, Huperzia squarrosa, is a rare and medicinally valuable plant known for containing Huperzine A. It propagates naturally through spores, rhizomes, cuttings, and clump division, but with a slow multiplication rate. This study aimed to optimize propagation conditions for H. squarrosa using stem cuttings and in vitro culture techniques to support its preservation and development. Apical and stem cuttings were treated with varying concentrations of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) before being planted in a substrate of coir dust, charcoal dust, and burnt rice husk (3:2:2). Apical cuttings treated with 1500 ppm IBA for 30 min showed the highest rooting success, identifying this method as optimal for propagation. Additionally, surface sterilization with a 40% bleach solution, followed by antibiotic treatment, achieved a 73.8% clean sample rate. In vitro culturing on ¼ MS (Murashige and Skoog) medium resulted in 70% survival and 55% rooting after 60 days. The highest callus formation rate (13.3%) was achieved with 0.01 mg/L IBA and 0.3 mg/L Kinetin, while the addition of 3 mg/L Glutamine did not significantly enhance callus induction. Ongoing research focuses on enhancing complete plant regeneration and improving the efficiency of in vitro propagation for H. squarrosa.

Polyphenols are secondary compounds that occur widely in plants and are highly effective in controlling plant pathogenic microorganisms. This study aimed to screen polyphenolic-rich plant extracts for their antifungal potential against Fusarium oxysporum. Several plant materials including cashew leaves, castor fruits, castor leaves, coffee husks, giant milkweed leaves, mangosteen pericarps and soapberry fruits were investigated for their total phenolic content. The results showed that cashew leaves and mangosteen pericarps contained high level of polyphenols at 108.23 and 124.14 mg GAE/g, respectively. The main phenolic compounds found in cashew leaves were gallic acid and protocatechuic acid at 377.29 mg/100 g and 56.44 mg/100 g, respectively. Mangosteen pericarps contained 16.22 mg/100 g protocatechuic acid and 55.75 mg/100 g of chlorogenic acid. The antifungal activity of cashew leaf and mangosteen pericarp extracts against F. oxysporum was 32.92 - 77.08% and 68.33 - 83.75%, respectively at the extract concentration from 2% to 10%. The combined use of cashew leaf and mangosteen pericarp extracts exhibited an additive inhibition against F. oxysporum. Cashew leaves and mangosteen pericarp are potential materials for producing bio-fungicides, which are not only effective but also safe for human and the environment.

Currently, to monitor water quality, farmers in Vietnam need to analyze various indicators which increase production costs. In addition, the limitation of analytical facilities and techniques is a challenge. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the influence of water quality parameters on shrimp growth rates and the seasonal fluctuation in water quality. A total of 4 modules were randomly selected and analyzed daily for 8 critical parameters during rainy and dry seasons. The SPSS ver.26 was used to evaluate the correlation between multi-parameters and their impact on the performance of shrimp ponds. The results showed that shrimp growth was influenced by salinity, nitrite (NO2-), alkalinity and pH about 80.4%, 75.6%, 67.8%, and 55.7%, respectively. Moreover, water quality fluctuated more during the rainy season than during the dry season. Some parameters that exhibited high fluctuation in ponds were dissolved oxygen (DO) and nitrite.

This study was conducted to determine the phytochemical composition of bitter melon seeds (Momordica charantia L.) grown in Long An province (Vietnam), to investigate optimal conditions for lipid extraction, and to evaluate the extracted lipid’s quality. The seeds had a moisture content of 5.27%, total ash of 1.85%, total flavonoid content of 91.10 mg/100 g, and total polyphenol content of 478.95 mg/100 g. The seeds were also free of highly toxic metals such as lead and cadmium. Using the Soxhlet method, optimal lipid extraction was achieved with a material-to-solvent ratio of 1:80 (w/v) over 4 hours, resulting in a lipid extraction efficiency of 13.74%. The acid, saponification, ester, and peroxide values were 1.01 mg KOH/g, 355.60 mg KOH/g, 354.59 mg KOH/g, and 3.82 meq O2/kg, respectively, in compliance with the quality requirements of Vietnam and Codex standards. The extracted lipids had antioxidant activity at an IC50 value of 119 mg/mL and inhibited the growth of two microbial strains Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii. These findings suggest that bitter melon oil has potential applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

Biến động sử dụng đất và thảm phủ đất (LULC) là yếu tố chính dẫn đến động lực nhiệt độ bề mặt đất (LST), tác động trực tiếp đến hệ sinh thái và sức khỏe con người. Sự thay đổi này phản ánh một phần hiện tượng nóng lên toàn cầu và biến đổi khí hậu ở quy mô địa phương và khu vực. LST tăng không chỉ diễn ra ở các khu vực thành thị do đô thị hóa mà còn ở các khu vực nông thôn. Lâm Đồng có sự thay đổi đáng kể về LULC ở Việt Nam. Do đó, nghiên cứu này nhằm đánh giá tác động của LULC đến biến động LST tại huyện miền núi Lạc Dương, tỉnh Lâm Đồng trong 10 năm (2013 – 2023) và dự báo biến động LST vào năm 2030. Kết quả nghiên cứu này là cơ sở khoa học để các nhà quản lý đưa ra các giải pháp quản lý LULC phù hợp trong tương lai. Nghiên cứu đã sử dụng dữ liệu ảnh vệ tinh Landsat 8 và 9 OLI để xây dựng bản đồ LULC và LST và sử dụng mô hình CA-ANN để dự báo bản đồ LST. Kết quả cho thấy mức LST dưới 25°C có tương quan thuận với đất rừng, đặc biệt là nhiệt độ 22 – 25°C (R2 = 0,97). Mức nhiệt độ 22 – 25°C và 30 – 35°C (R2 = 0,76 và R2 = 0,86) có tương quan mạnh với diện tích đất trồng trọt. Mức LST 30 – 40°C phản ánh đất xây dựng và đất trống với tương quan cao nhất lần lượt là R2 = 0,68 và 0,88. Mức LST 20 - 22°C biểu thị diện tích khối nước (R2 = 0,87). Biến động LST được dự đoán sẽ tiếp tục tăng vào năm 2030. Nhiệt độ được dự đoán sẽ tăng 2-3°C với nhiệt độ tối đa là 42°C. Diện tích vùng nhiệt độ thấp (dưới 25°C) dự báo giảm xuống còn 82% tổng diện tích toàn huyện trong khi diện tích vùng nhiệt độ 25 – 42°C tăng 18%.

Ngày nay, xúc tác sinh học nông nghiệp là mối quan tâm khoa học to lớn do tầm quan trọng ngày càng tăng của nó trong các nỗ lực hướng tới nền nông nghiệp bền vững hơn trong khi tối ưu hóa tác động đến môi trường. Trong các nghiên cứu của chúng tôi, tinh bột gạo thông thường được thủy phân bằng enzyme alpha-amylase để sản xuất tinh bột gạo thủy phân với nhiều đương lượng đường khử khác nhau (DE 3.9-37.6). Sự khác biệt về giá trị DE của tinh bột gạo thủy phân bị ảnh hưởng đáng kể bởi phương pháp thu hồi và tinh chế cụ thể. Ở cùng điều kiện xử lý alpha-amylase, tinh bột gạo thủy phân đông khô có giá trị DE cao hơn, mật độ khối và độ nhớt thấp hơn, hàm lượng ẩm thấp hơn, độ hút ẩm và độ hòa tan trong nước cao hơn so với tinh bột gạo thủy phân thu được từ phương pháp kết tủa và tinh chế bằng dung môi hữu cơ. Tinh bột gạo thủy phân kết tủa-tinh chế bằng dung môi hữu cơ (DE 10.2) có kích thước hạt lớn hơn và cấu trúc vi mô dày đặc hơn so với tinh bột gạo thủy phân đông khô có DE gần như tương tự (DE 13.5). Những phát hiện này cho thấy phương pháp kết tủa-tinh chế bằng dung môi tạo ra tinh bột gạo thủy phân có DE thấp hơn với các tính chất hình thái và lý hóa khác biệt so với tinh bột gạo thủy phân thu được từ phương pháp sấy đông khô.

The Mekong Delta is regarded as the granary of Vietnam, with an annual production of 24.1 million tons (2023). Currently, fresh paddy is transported directly from farmers’ fields to drying facilities or rice mills. Given the extensive river and canal system in the Mekong Delta, the majority of paddy (up to 92%) is transported by barges. While barge transportation is more costeffective (91,000 VND/ton for a 100 km distance) compared to truck transportation (269,000 VND/ton), it has significant drawbacks, such as a longer transportation time of 3 to 5 days. Moreover, because the paddy is wet during transport, it is prone to discoloration (yellowing), which reduces its quality. To address this issue, this research developed an experimental paddy aeration model as a foundation for implementing aeration on barges during transportation. The model was tested with 1.4 tons of fresh paddy, specifically the DT80 variety, in Cai Lay, Tien Giang province. Key parameters monitored and analyzed included paddy temperature, moisture content, ambient conditions, and grain quality. The model was tested with a specific airflow rate of 129 ± 23 m3/h per ton. The paddy temperature in the aeration model was maintained at 28.8°C, similar to the ambient temperature of 28.3°C. As a result, the whiteness of the aerated paddy was preserved at 3.6% after three days, whereas it decreased from 3.6% to 3.2% in paddy transported without aeration. The application of aeration helped reduce quality losses, particularly discoloration, caused by the high temperatures of fresh paddy during transportation.