Associate Professor Dr. Le Xuan Tham – Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Nuclear Center (Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute) recently announced the successful breeding results of the mutated Basmati aromatic rice variety in Soc Trang.
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On the left: fields of mutated Basmati M5 aromatic rice (fifth crop). On the right: traditional short-grain fragrant rice of Vietnam and long grains of the mutated Basmati rice variety. |
This is the result of the project “Research and Development of Pure Lines of Mutated Aromatic Rice” led by Associate Professor Dr. Le Xuan Tham, which was approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology in 2004. This project is part of VIE 5/015 – the “Improvement of Quality and Yield of Mutated Aromatic Rice” project funded by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute to implement.
In 2002, the mutated Basmati aromatic rice variety began to be developed by the Ho Chi Minh City Nuclear Center from a native Basmati rice variety sourced from Pakistan – a rice variety renowned in the international market.
However, the Basmati rice variety that the Ho Chi Minh City Nuclear Center received was only the local Basmati variety from Pakistan and India, which yields 2-3 tons per hectare, typically sown once a year, grows to a height of about 1.5-1.6 meters, with a growth duration of 140-150 days per crop.
After utilizing radiation treatment, the Ho Chi Minh City Nuclear Center, in collaboration with the Agricultural Promotion Center – Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Soc Trang Province, has selected through generations, now reaching the M8 generation (8 crops) of pure lines (the rice variety is no longer segregating).
According to Associate Professor Dr. Le Xuan Tham, the characteristics of this mutated line maintain the aromatic quality of the Basmati rice. This result could not be achieved through selective breeding methods alone. Notably, the growth duration has been shortened to just 90 days (allowing for three crops or two rice crops with one color crop), with a plant height of 90-95 cm, slender and beautiful grains, and a yield increase of 2-2.5 times compared to the original variety.
Currently, this mutated Basmati rice variety has gained acceptance among farmers and is being cultivated over approximately 50 hectares in Soc Trang Province, with expansion plans into An Giang and Dong Nai Provinces.
The mutated Basmati rice variety cultivated by the Ho Chi Minh City Nuclear Center is currently priced at 5,000 VND per kilogram (whereas traditional rice seeds are typically 3,000 VND per kilogram).
Associate Professor Dr. Le Xuan Tham further stated, “The characteristics of this mutated Basmati rice variety are very suitable for soils affected by salinity and acidity in the Mekong Delta region. Additionally, it exhibits relatively good resistance to various pests and diseases, outperforming many imported aromatic rice varieties.”
On June 30, the evaluation council of the Ho Chi Minh City Nuclear Center, chaired by Dr. Do Khac Thinh, unanimously praised the results achieved by the project. The council also proposed the establishment of a project for “Development and Recognition of New Rice Varieties – planned for the 2007-2008 period.”
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| Fields of mutated Basmati rice implemented by farmers |
According to Master Nguyen Thi Thu Hien – Deputy Director of the Agricultural Promotion Center – Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Soc Trang Province, the mutated Basmati rice has received enthusiastic support from local farmers and has adapted well to its living environment.
The mutated Basmati rice variety has three main advantages: shortened cultivation time (less fertilizer), excellent aromatic quality (amylose content – the starch-forming component is between 19-21%, which is ideal for aromatic rice varieties), and ease of cultivation. However, the mutated Basmati rice also has some disadvantages, such as susceptibility to brown planthopper damage. Nevertheless, this is a common characteristic of aromatic rice types.
Additionally, within the framework of the project “Research and Development of Pure Lines of Mutated Aromatic Rice”, several lines of mutated fragrant rice have been selectively bred and tested in various provinces, yielding promising results and will be introduced for production in the near future.
