On August 19th, at Chau Pha commune, Tan Thanh district, the Center for Science and Technology Information and Statistics (Department of Science and Technology) held a seminar on “Technical procedure to prevent and control harmful nematodes in bitter melon farming by using probiotics”. MSc. Chu Trung Kien from the Institute of Agricultural Science for Southern Vietnam was the seminar speaker.

On August 19th, at Chau Pha commune, Tan Thanh district, the Center for Science and Technology Information and Statistics (Department of Science and Technology) held a seminar on “Technical procedure to prevent and control harmful nematodes in bitter melon farming by using probiotics”. MSc. Chu Trung Kien from the Institute of Agricultural Science for Southern Vietnam was the seminar speaker.

Attending the seminar were Mr. Hoang Trong Nghia – Chairperson of the Farmers’ Association of Tan Thanh district and about 80 farmers from Toc Tien, Chau Pha, Tan Hai and Song Xoai communes of Tan Thanh district.

Vegetable is one of the major crops of Ba Ria – Vung Tau province. It covers more than 7000 ha of land and reaches average annual yield of 20 tons per ha, providing vegetable for Ba Ria – Vung Tau and other neighboring provinces such as HCMC, Dong Nai... In Ba Ria – Vung Tau, as bitter melon is one of the main vegetables being produced, it is grown continually with 2-3 seasons in a year, or in rotation with other relative crops such as cucumber, melon, gourd, squash… This growing tradition gives way for the harmful nematodes to grow in soil. On the other hand, due to relatively longer growing time of bitter melons (around 4 months), the harm caused by nematodes developed in bitter melon farming is often higher than other short-term vegetables. Until now, there are only a few farmers known to recognize the symptoms of bitter melon nematodes and chemicals are used to treat in most of the cases. However chemicals use is often ineffective and bringing other side effects such as pollution and the loss of control of food safety.

Therefore, the Department of Science and Technology of Ba Ria – Vung Tau province cooperated with the Institute of Agricultural Science for Southern Vietnam to research and develop a technical procedure to prevent and control harmful nematodes in bitter melon farming by using probiotics. The technique is provided to farmers in the province to help them develop safer and more environmental friendly method of production.

At the seminar, MSc. Chu Trung Kien also answered farmers’ questions related to bitter melon cultivation techniques and nematodes prevention and control.