Deploying new cassava varieties

In 2017, mosaic disease broke out for the first time in Tay Ninh province (old) and quickly spread to many other provinces and cities, significantly affecting the productivity and quality of starch. In this situation, the provincial Department of Agriculture quickly coordinated with domestic and international organizations to research and test to find many new varieties resistant to mosaic disease.

The epidemic situation is complicated

Head of the Agricultural Extension and Agricultural Services Station in Tan Chau area, Duong Thanh Phuong, said that up to now, thanks to favorable natural conditions and increasingly improved farming techniques, the total cassava growing area in the old Tan Chau district has exceeded 18,500 hectares, the largest in the province, with many key varieties such as: KM505 (accounting for 35%), KM140 (about 20%),... with quite good yield and starch content, suitable for local climate and soil conditions. However, these varieties are infected with mosaic disease and stem gummosis.

Cassava fields planted with HL-RS15 variety have good resistance to mosaic disease and tuber rot.

In addition, nearly 33% of the area is planted with the HN1 cassava variety - one of the varieties that is very resistant to mosaic disease and has stable yield. However, this cassava variety is very sensitive to the extremely dangerous root rot disease (tuber rot), which can cause 80-100% yield loss.

In addition, many farmers in communes of the old Tan Chau district are also experimenting with growing the HL-S14 cassava variety, and some local and imported varieties are in the testing phase with small areas in some areas.

HL-RS15: Many outstanding advantages

According to information from the Head of the Agricultural Extension and Agricultural Services Station in Tan Chau area, Duong Thanh Phuong, in the 2025 cassava crop, Hung Loc Agricultural Experimental Research Center tested and recognized the new cassava variety HL-RS15 in communes of the old Tan Chau district. This variety is highly appreciated for its ability to resist diseases that often cause great damage to cassava production.

Head of the Tan Chau Regional Agricultural Extension and Service Station, Duong Thanh Phuong (left) with the tubers of the HL-RS15 cassava variety

Initial results show that the HL-RS15 variety has a growing period of 8-10 months, fresh tuber yield of more than 30 tons/ha, starch content of 28-31%, is resistant to mosaic disease, good resistance to witches' broom disease, mealybugs, tuber rot disease and is suitable for local growing conditions.

In the Summer-Autumn crop of 2025, local farmers will plant 12 hectares of HL-RS15 variety. It is expected that by March 2026, the area of ​​propagation can reach more than 120 hectares, ready for mass production in Tan Chau commune and neighboring areas.

“The Tan Chau Regional Agricultural Extension Station is actively coordinating with farmers to expand the planting area, monitor the characteristics of the varieties and perfect the technical process for mass transfer in the coming time,” added Mr. Duong Thanh Phuong.

Putting the HL-RS15 variety into production not only contributes to diversifying the cassava variety structure but also opens up opportunities to increase economic efficiency, minimize risks of pests and diseases, ensure productivity and quality, and help farmers feel secure in their cultivation./.

Nguyen An

Source: https://baolongan.vn/trien-khai-nhan-giong-mi-moi-a203208.html