SubProject 3 implemented studies on the genetic diversity of durian plants in Gia Lai and Dak Lak provinces
Subproject 3 under the University Institutional Cooperation Program of Quy Nhon University funded by VLIR-UOS (Belgium) studied improving the safety and quality of avocado and durian by sustainably managing pre-harvest factors in the Central Highlands provinces of Vietnam where there are 75.000 hectares of durian cultivation, accounting for 50% of Vietnam dirian plantation area. Dak Lak and Gia Lai provinces have a large durian cultivation area with many local varieties. However, the number of studies on durian genetic diversity in terms of morphology and molecular genetics is still limited. Therefore, the subproject 3 team has been surveying, collecting samples, and analyzing the morphological characteristics and molecular genetics of durian varieties to assess the diversity and build the genetic map for conservating and selecting durian varieties in the Central Highlands.
From September 15th to 17th, 2023, Dr. Bui Hong Hai – SP3 team leader, and Dr. Nguyen Thanh Liem had a working trip to Chu Se district and Chu Pah district, Gia Lai province, and collected 24 samples of durian leaves from local and commercial varieties such as Dona, Ri6, Musang King durian varieties.
With the support of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of districts, local farmers, and alumni, from September 21st to 24th, 2023, the local team including Dr. Bui Hong Hai, MSc. Ho Tan and PhD. student To Thi Bich Ngoc surveyed and collected durian leaf samples in Dak Lak province. The research team collected 36 durian samples of different durian varieties such as Dona, Ri6, Musang King, Chin Hoa, and some indigenous varieties in Kong Pac and Krong Nang districts, DakLak province.
The durian leaf samples collected from Gia Lai and Dak Lak provinces were extracted DNA and performed PCR reaction, and gene sequencing at the Horticell Laboratory, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Belgium.
The initial results show that the genetic material of the durian samples collected is different, even though they are the same variety according to local farmers. The information surveyed shows that collected commercial varieties were grafted from rootstocks of unknown origin and different scions. It could make the diversity of genetic material.
To continue to assess the morphological and genetic diversity of durian varieties in the Central Highlands, the local team including Dr. Bui Hong Hai, MSc. Ho Tan and PhD. student To Thi Bich Ngoc had a field trip to collect leaf and fruit samples of the durian trees collected in 2023 in Gia Lai province to analyze morphological and genetic diversity.
The working group including Dr. Bui Hong Hai, MSc. Phan Hoai Vy, MSc. Ho Tan, PhD. student To Thi Bich Ngoc, PhD. student Nguyen Ba Nghi collected leaf and fruit samples of 36 durian trees from Buon Ho town, Krong Nang district, and Krong Pac district, Dak Lak province, from July 22nd to 26th, 2024.
In addition, the research team collected the leaf samples of upstream durian trees of Dona, Ri6, and Musang King varieties with the support of Dona Techco company and the Western Highlands Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute (WASI) to continue to evaluate and compare the molecular genetic diversity of durian varieties.
The initial results provide important data on the morphological and molecular genetic diversity of commercial and local durian varieties, thereby serving conservation and breeding research.
