VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam needs to apply gene modification technology to corn to increase cultivation efficiency, a local scientist said.

The hybrid breed of NK54 causes corn fruits without grains. (Photo: Do Quyen)

Corn cultivation in Vietnam has been an unproductive affair for the past three years. Some breeds of corn produce no fruit or fruits with no grains, the National Reserve Agency reported.

In 2006, the VN-25-99 variety of corn produced fruits without grains in the southern province of Tra Vinh; as well as the hybrid breeds of DK414 and C919 imported from the Monsanto company in another southern province, An Giang. By the middle of February of this year, the “no grain” phenomenon had happened on two corn plantations, one in the southern province of Dong Nai and the other in the northern province of Son La.

“This phenomenon has been happening in many areas and sometimes a whole 100 hectare area of corn plantation is affected,” said Tran Quang Khuong, a corn expert with the Central Breed Experiment Agency.

Local scientists are still unable to answer why Vietnam’s corn is producing no fruits or fruits without grains. They cannot confirm whether incorrect planting technology or bad quality of breeds is the culprit.

Vietnam now has 1.1 million hectares of corn. However, it boasts the low yield of four tonnes of corn on average per one hectare of crop.

“Local farmers would get another 100 USD in profit per hectare of corn if they applied new gene modification technology,” said Doctor Nguyen Quoc Binh.

The government approved the use of genetic modification by farmers in August 2005.

• Do Quyen