Preserving the "soul" of custard apple through sustainable farming techniques.

QUANG NINH - Based on practical experience, farmers in Binh Khe ward (Quang Ninh) are elevating the quality of custard apple cultivation through scientific care and disease prevention techniques, aiming for safe and sustainable production.

Caring for plants is like caring for children.

In Binh Khe ward, the custard apple tree is not only a specialty fruit but also a livelihood for many households. To preserve its sweet, delicate flavor and distinctive aroma, the secret lies not only in the variety but also in the cultivation methods, requiring patience, meticulousness, and a continuous learning journey.

For Mrs. Bui Thi Loi ( Ninh Binh area), who has been involved with custard apple cultivation for over 16 years, each custard apple tree in her garden is a "spiritual child" that she monitors daily. On an area of ​​1 acre with more than 200 custard apple trees, she maintains the habit of regularly visiting her garden, observing from young leaves to flower buds, and detecting any unusual signs early.

Ms. Bui Thi Loi is tending to her custard apple orchard, which is currently bearing fruit. Photo: Nguyen Thanh.

In the early years, before mastering the techniques, the soft custard apple trees caused her sleepless nights due to pests, diseases, and low fruit set rates. Unlike the firm custard apple, the soft custard apple is more finicky, requiring precision in every step of care. But instead of giving up, she chose to learn from books, newspapers, television, the internet, and especially from those who had gone before her.

One of the principles she learned was the importance of strictly adhering to the timing of care. Spraying pesticides should only be done in the early morning or late afternoon. If the procedure is not followed correctly, the heat can burn the flowers and damage the fruit, resulting in a total crop loss.

Instead of using manual methods, her family invested in a spraying system with a large reservoir and pipes running throughout the garden. This change not only saved labor but also improved the effectiveness of pest control, ensuring even coverage.

"Custard apple trees frequently face four main pests and diseases: aphids, red mites, fungi (especially anthracnose), and mealybugs, with aphids being the most dangerous. When attacked by aphids, the leaves are eaten bare, the young shoots wither, and the tree loses its ability to flower, meaning a crop failure," Ms. Loi shared.

It's worth noting that these pests and diseases don't appear all at once but in succession, requiring growers to monitor them continuously. After dealing with aphids, red spider mites can break out, followed by the risk of fungal diseases during humid weather.

Instead of relying on chemical pesticides, Ms. Loi prioritizes the use of biological preparations in pest control. According to her, these preparations are still about 50-60% effective in treating fungi and aphids, and also give her family more peace of mind when bringing their products to market.

Custard apple is the main crop in Binh Khe ward, Quang Ninh province. Photo: Nguyen Thanh.

Living and breathing alongside custard apple trees, aiming for sustainable production.

Not only Mrs. Loi, but many households in Binh Khe have mastered the techniques of cultivating custard apples. A typical example is the family of Mr. Bui Xuan Hanh with 70 native custard apple trees. Besides mastering pollination and pruning techniques, Mr. Bui Xuan Hanh also pays special attention to pest and disease control in a scientific and sustainable manner.

According to him, the biggest difficulty currently is that the growing areas still have many different types of crops mixed together, and the scale is small, making it very easy for pests to recur. Thrips can fly from one garden to another, and red spider mites spread with the wind. If just a few neighboring households don't implement coordinated pest control measures, the pests and diseases will quickly return.

Based on that experience, Mr. Hanh developed a specific care schedule for each growth stage of the custard apple trees. In March and April, the focus is on controlling thrips, while in April and May, the focus is on treating red spider mites and mealybugs. For fungal diseases such as anthracnose and ring spot, monitoring temperature and humidity is paramount to detect and treat them promptly.

Custard apple trees in Binh Khe yield an average of 10-12 tons, generating an income of approximately 200 million VND per hectare. Photo: Nguyen Thanh

Notably, instead of using highly toxic pesticides, he prioritizes new-generation plant protection products and biological preparations to minimize impact on the environment, water sources, and natural predators. "Spraying cannot be done haphazardly; it must adhere to the agricultural calendar and the development thresholds of pests and diseases," he shared.

According to Mr. Hanh, to keep custard apple trees healthy, you have to take care of them from the roots. Immediately after harvesting, the custard apple orchard is supplemented with sufficient nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other micronutrients to restore nutrition.

"Today's custard apple growers cannot simply rely on traditional methods; they must master the techniques of plant care if they want to improve economic efficiency and achieve sustainable development," Mr. Hanh shared.

Thanks to living and breathing custard apple trees, Mr. Hanh's family has mastered the techniques of propagation, planting, and care, contributing to the preservation and development of this valuable native variety. Each tree yields about 25kg of fruit per season, and the Hanh family sells the best quality custard apples at the orchard for 120,000 VND/kg, providing a stable income.

According to Ms. Tran Thi Theu, Vice President of the Farmers' Association of Binh Khe Ward, custard apple is currently one of the ward's main crops, covering an area of ​​approximately 65 hectares. To support farmers, the Association has established production cooperatives, organized technical training, and disbursed approximately 2 billion VND in capital to help farmers invest in orchard care. The training content extends beyond fertilizers and pesticides to include the application of technology such as traceability and access to e-commerce.

In an increasingly demanding market, caring for custard apple trees is not just about yield, but also about ensuring quality and safety. Currently, Binh Khe has custard apple growing areas that meet VietGAP standards and have been granted geographical indication status. With an average yield of 10-12 tons and an income of approximately 200 million VND/ha, custard apple cultivation has been helping many households stabilize their lives.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/giu-hon-na-bo-bang-ky-thuat-canh-tac-ben-vung-d810196.html