Cuulong Delta Rice Research Institute

Introduction

A bief history of the institute

CLRRI was founded in January 1977 at Thoi Thanh village, O Mon district, Can Tho province (now Co Do district, Can Tho city), and named Mekong Delta Agricultural Technology Center. Since 1985 the Institute has adopted its present name. The location of the institute was decided in 1975 by Dr Luong Dinh Cua, a prominent Vietnamese agronomist. It was to be in a central region of the Delta, and close to the city of Can Tho and its university.

CLRRI is one of 43 institutions, universities and centers of the Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development (MARD), Vietnam. The Institute receives government and local provinces' investment and has strong links with many Vietnamese and overseas organizations. Initially, CLRRI received valuable assistance from the Government of India, especially in training the workforce and supplying equipment. The Government of India still provides annual MSc and PhD scholarships to progressive young CLRRI scientists.

The growth of the Mekong Delta agriculture during the past 20 years has closely linked with the development of the Institute. Development of high yielding and short duration rice varieties which occupy vast area throughout the Delta, generation and standardization of rice production techniques such as integrated pest management (IPM), integrated nutrient management (INM), integrated weed management (IWM), rice row seeder, rice dryer etc... which broadly adapted by the farmer have been the hallmarks of the Institute. The Institute has offered many short-term and vocational training courses and is still a good place for national and international post-graduate students to undertake their research works.

Functions

The main research themes are: genetics and plant breeding, biotechnology, plant protection, entomology, soil science, soil fertility management, microbiology, water management, post harvest technology, farm machinery, farming system models, and agricultural economics.

To undertake need-based research, that lead to crop improvement and sustainable agricultural productivity in harmony with the nature and environment.

We transfer scientific and technical advances to local organizations and individuals, and collaborate with international. Beyond our research capacities, we are mandated to produce and supply high quality rice seed that meets government policies and producer needs.

To set up and implement research programs in collaboration with local and international organizations in accordance with State and Ministry stipulations.

Location

ATTC: 9 B, Cach Mang Thang 8 St., Can Tho city, Vietnam

Skill Training School: O Mon dictrict, Can Tho city, Viet Nam

Manpower

Infrastructure

The Skills Training School is situated on 16 ha, and comprised of lecture halls, offices, workshops, student dormitories, a stadium and fields. In the near future a College of Agriculture is planned to better link with universities and the Institute.

Laboratories
CLRRI has 7 research laboratories, used for the following fields: (i) plant biotechnologies (ii) plant and soil analysis, (iii) rice germplasm, (iv) plant pathology, (v) entomology and biocontrol, (vi) quality analysis of crop grain, (vii) microbiology.

Net Houses and Weather Station
There are 5 net houses and a glasshouse, with a total area of 2000 square meters. They are used for research in (i) rice germplasm and plant breeding, (ii) plant biotechnologies, (iii) plant pathology, (iv) entomology and biocontrol, and (v) agronomy. The Institute has its own weather station, linked to research and production activities.

Library
The CLRRI library subscribes to numerous international scientific journals and magazines. Many of the library's books are donated by international agencies, such as the International Rice Research Institute, or purchased by staff attending international fora.

Education and training

Since 1997 the Institute has taken responsibility for the Southern Skills Training School in Agricultural and Rural Development. The School teaches the latest trade and farm skills needed to manage a farm profitably. A College of Agriculture is now being planned to train technicians and researchers.

Organization

Director

Tel: +84 71 862974

Mobile: +84 91 3823488

Email: buichibuu@hcm.vnn.vn

Deputy Directors

Dr Pham Si Tan

Tel: +84 71 861388

Mobile: +84 91 3973736

Email: pstan@hcm.vnn.vn

Dr Le Van Banh

Tel: +84 71 862310/860851

Mobile: +84 91 3870204

Email: truongdaynghe@hcm.vnn.vn

Supporting Departments

Administrative and Personnel

Dr Chu Van Hach, Head

Tel: +84 71 861954

Mobile: +84 91 8392796

Email: cvhach@hcm.vnn.vn

Scientific Management and International Cooperation

Mr Nguyen Xuan Lai, Head

Tel: +84 71 861392

Mobile: +84 91 3003775

Email: attc@hcm.vnn.vn or science@hcm.vnn.vn

Accounting

Mr Le Huy Khien, Head

Tel: +84 71 862011

Mobile: +84 91 8579527

Research Departments

Genetics and Gene Bank

Dr Nguyen Thi Lang, Head

Tel: +84 71 861386

Email: ntlang@hcm.vnn.vn

Identification, evaluation and conservation of genetic resources of major food crops. At present there are 2273 landrace accessories and over 200 accessions of wild rice species.

Genetic enhancement for yield, grain quality, biotic and abiotic stress resistance.

Plant Biotechnology

Dr Tran Thi Cuc Hoa, Head

Tel: +84 71 862993

Email: cuchoa@hcm.vnn.vn

Development of high quality rice varieties of high yield potential that resist to biotic and abiotic stresses via anther culture (DH lines).

Gene transformation using Agrobacterium or gene bombatment machine.

Genetic resources generated and genomic databases and bio-informatics systems established to assist the discovery of new genes and traits.

Plant Breeding

Dr Pham Van Ro, Head

Tel: +84 71 861399

Email: ropv@hcm.vnn.vn

Development of quality rice varieties of high yield potential and resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses via physical mutation.

High quality short duration rice varieties using conventional breeding in combination with anther culture.

Grain traits of food crops, like aroma in rice.

Seed Technology

Dr Le Thi Du, Head

Tel: +84 71 860721

Email: lethidu@hcm.vnn.vn

Rice seed vigor and quality.

Rice seed health and issue certification.

Role of post-harvest technologies on rice seed quality.

Plant Pathology

Dr Pham Van Du, Head

Tel: +84 71 861641

Mobile: +84 91 3974380

Email: phamvandu@hcm.vnn.vn

Variability and diversity of blast disease isolates collected in the Mekong Delta

Diversity of sheath blight isolates and management of disease with antagonistic bacteria

Systemic acquired resistance of the rice plant against blast disease using chemical elicitors.

Rice seed health, especially grain discoloration.

Biocontrol of root rot disease caused by Phytophthora, Fusarium, and Pythium genera.

In-house and regional education and training on the management of rice diseases.

Entomology

Dr Luong Minh Chau, Head

Tel: +84 71 861395

Mobile: +84 91 3759536

Email: lmchau@hcm.vnn.vn

IPM strategies to control major insect pests.

GIS in the distribution, migration and forecasting of rice insect pests.

IPM strategies for upland crops and fruit trees.

Training of agricultural technicians and farmers on IPM.

Insect Ecology and Biological Control

Dr Nguyen Thi Loc, Head

Tel: +84 71 861256

Mobile: +84 91 3107126

Email: ptsh@hcm.vnn.vn

Parasitoids, natural predators and pathogens of insect pests of major crops.

Effects of field practices on the population of natural enemies and insect pests.

Small scale production of bio-products to control insect pests.

Organic farming models for rice, vegetable and fruit crops.

Molecular biology techniques to improve resistance of rice to insect pests.

Participation in national and international IPM networks.

Agronomy

Dr Chu Van Hach, Head

Tel: +84 71 860852

Mobile: +84 91 8392796

Email: cvhach@hcm.vnn.vn

Efficient models in rice and major crops production for specific agro-ecosystems.

Optimum fertilizer regimes for major crops by ecological zones.

Integrated Nutrient Management emphasizing yield and quality of high yielding rice varieties.

Sustainability of rice production with a view to minimizing impacts to the environment and public health.

Soil Science

Dr Cao Van Phung, Head

Tel: +84 71 861452

Mobile: +84 91 8239607

Email: caovanphung@hcm.vnn.vn

Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) threshold concentrations for important food crops on the major soil types of the Mekong Delta.

Methods to increase the efficiency of NPK utilization in irrigated rice soils.

Productive potential of Mekong Delta soil types.

Analysis of macro- and microelements.

Microbiology

Dr Luu Hong Man, Head

Tel: +84 71 861451

Mobile: +84 91 3974730

Email: luuhongman@hcm.vnn.vn

Use of soil microorganisms to generate organic manures from agricultural residues.

Impact of nitrogen fixing microbes on rice and leguminous crops.

Microbiological enhancement of phosphorus-use efficiency in rice.

Farming System

Dr Duong Van Chin, Head

Tel: +84 71 861394

Mobile: +84 91 3973564

Email: duongvanchin@hcm.vnn.vn

Farming systems

Identify innovative farming models with the potential to raise produce productivity and producer income specifically for the Mekong Delta.

Research to improve extant farming systems in the region.

Integrate compatible technologies into cohesive farming systems.

Evaluate impacts of industry and service sectors, and the market, on keeping farming models in line with industrialization and modernization.

Weeds science

Technologies and decision support systems for Integrated Weed Management (IWM) in rice-based farming systems in different ecological areas.

Yield losses due to weeds infestation in different types of rice cultures in different agro-ecological zones.

IWM in annual and perennial non-rice crops.

Rice and other crops IWM transfer to farmers.

Social Science

Gender's role in agricultural production, especially for technology transfer and female-managed farms.

Farmers' perceptions of agricultural technologies and extension activities.

Impact of male migration on agricultural production.

Agricultural Economics

Mr Nguyen Xuan Lai, Head

Tel: +84 71 861392

Mobile: +84 91 3003775

Email: attc@hcm.vnn.vn

Farming systems and the farm economy.

Integrated resource management and land use analysis in agricultural production.

Organization and implementation of agricultural production.

Impact of government policies on agricultural production and farmers' livelihoods.

Farm management and household modeling.

Agricultural Engineering

Dr Le Van Banh

Tel: +84 71 862310/860851

Mobile: +84 91 3870204

Email: truongdaynghe@hcm.vnn.vn

Agricultural tools and machinery for the production and post-harvest phases of the major crops in the Mekong Delta: rice row seeder, rice harvester, rice thresher, corn thresher, dryer and small grinder.

Scientific activities and collaboration.

Agricultural and Technology Transfer Center (ATTC)

Dr Pham Si Tan, Director

Mr Hoang Dinh Dinh, Vice Director

Tel: +84 71 761151

Mobile: +84 91 8026808

Email: pstan@hcm.vnn.vn

The Southern Skill Training School for Agricultural and Rural Development

Mr Dinh Van Tam, Vice Rector of Administrative Management

Mr Le Thai Duong, Vice Rector of Education

Email: truongdaynghe@hcm.vnn.vn

Rice Seed Production Unit

Mr Nguyen Van Tao, Head

Tel: +84 71 860691

Mobile: +84 91 8485766

MISCELLANEOUS

Collaboration

The Institute collaborates with many Vietnamese organizations in its research and education programs, and particularly those based in the Mekong Delta.

International collaboration is a feature of the Institute’s work. Strong links exist between CLRRI and the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the Rockefeller Foundation, the Japanese International Research Center for Agricultural Science (JIRCAS), and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), among others.

Major achievements

Over 1800 cultivated rice samples and hundreds of specimens of wild rice have been conserved in its gene bank

Technologies such as the rice row seeder and leaf color chart have been widely adapted by farmers

Numerous cropping system models have been transferred

The design and manufacture of agricultural implements such as the rice row seeder, corn thresher and seed dryer

Knowledge and expertise generated through hundreds of publications, from books, book chapters and scientific papers

National and international training of its staff and staff of associated agricultural agencies

Regional and in-house workshops and field schools for farmers

Annually over 1000 technicians graduate from the Institute’s Southern Skills Training School for Agricultural and Rural Development

Book & Journal

Books - Vietnamese

Biotechnology Application in Rice Variety Breeding. Bui Chi Buu & Nguyen Thi Lang, 1995, Vietnam Agricultural Publishing House.

Molecular Genetics. Bui Chi Buu, 2000, Vietnam Agricultural Publishing House.

Rice Plant of Vietnam in 21st Century. Nguyen Van Luat, 2001, Vietnam Agricultural Publishing House.

Fundamental Genetics of Insect and Disease Resistance. Bui Chi Buu, Vietnam Agricultural Publishing House, 2002.

Lowland rice weeds in Vietnam. Duong Van Chin, Tran Thi Ngoc Son, Le Cong Kiet, H. Hiraoka, K. Itoh and H. Kobayashi. Vietnam Agricultural Publishing House, 2003.

Books - English

Rice Research and Development in Vietnam for the 21st Century. Proceedings of the Conference on Rice Research and Development in Vietnam for the 21st Century - Aspects of Vietnam-India Cooperation. CLRRI, 2000.

Cropping Systems for Agricultural Diversification in Southern Vietnam. Proceedings of the Annual Workshop, Project VIE/91/005, CLRRI 9-10 December 1993.

External links