Selection and development of hybrid cassava variety KM 140

Tran Cong Khanh (1), Hoang Kim (2), Vo Van Tuan (1),Nguyen Huu Hy (1), Pham Van Bien (1), Dao Huy Chien (3), Reinhardt Howeler(4) and Hernan Ceballos (4)

1. Institute of Agricultural Sciences for Southern Vietnam -IAS http://www.iasvn.org
2. Nong Lam University -NLU http://www.hcmuaf.edu.vn
3. Vietnamese Academy of Agricultural Sciences -VAAS http://www.vaas.org.vn/
4. International Center for Tropical Agriculture - CIAT http://www.ciat.cgiar.org

ABSTRACT
In Vietnam, cassava has rapidly changed its role from a food crop to industrials crop, with a high rate of growth during the first years of the 21st Century. There are now 62 cassava processing factories with a total processing capacity of 8.0 million tones of fresh roots/year. Total cassava starch production in Vietnam was about 1.2 million tonnes, of which 70% was exported and 30% used domestically. The main objectives of cassava breeding in Vietnam is improve root yield and starch content and enhance early harvestability to spread the time of harvest. Cassava variety KM140 is a hybrid selected from KM98-1 x KM36 cross by Hung Loc Agricultural Research Center (HARC) in 1997. KM140 was widely tested, demonstrated and selected by most members of Viet Nam Cassava Research and Extension Network (VNCP) and cassava growers. In 2009, more than 30,000 ha of KM140 were planted in Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, Binh Phuoc, Gia Lai, Binh Dinh…. KM140 is a short growth duration variety (best harvesting time 7-10 months after planting) with fresh root yield 34.0 ton/ha (tantamount and higher than KM94), starch content 26.1-28.5% and starch yield about 9.45 ton/ha for 8-10 months after planting, HCN content about 105.9 mg/kg of root dry matter, good root shape with white flesh, high adaptability to various production conditions. KM140 is a supplementary variety for main variety KM94 in order to extend harvesting time.

Key words: cassava breeding; KM140 cassava variety

Source: Selection and development of hybrid cassava variety KM 140

Selection and Development of hybrid cassava variety KM140 (Golden of VIFOTEC Award 2009)

VIFOTEC 2009 boasts for high applicability

07:30 | 20/01/2010

VGP – Technological solutions competing for the Việt Nam Fund for Supporting Technological Creations (VIFOTEC) awards 2009 boast for their high applicability and feasibility, said the organizing board.

Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (CPV) Central Committee Tô Huy Rứa (2nd from left) and Deputy PM Nguyễn Thiện Nhân (3rd from right) at the 10th VIFOTEC prize conferring ceremony, Hà Nội, January 19, 2009 – Photo: VGP/Từ Lương

The Ministry of Science and Technology and the Việt Nam Union of Scientific Technological Associations (VUSTA) jointly held the 10^th VIFOTEC prize-conferring ceremony yesterday in Hà Nội in respect of candidates’ outstanding contributions to the country’s scientific and technological development.

Some 66 individuals and organizations were awarded, including 6 first-grade prize, 12 second and 18 third ones.

Making his remarks at the ceremony, Deputy PM Nguyễn Thiện Nhân said that technological innovation plays as a driving force for the country’s socio-economic development and people’s thirst for creation.

Mentioning Việt Nam’s science and technology development strategy, Deputy PM Nhân revealed that about 1,000 public servants will be sent abroad to acquire PhD degree every year, since 2010 on.

In the next 15-20 years, Việt Nam expects to produce world-class technological achievements, he continued.

Deputy PM Nhân hoped that the VIFOTEC winners would continue to put high applicability of their technological solutions into reality.

By Hải Minh