Báo cáo nghiên cứu khoa học " Management of Phytophthora Diseases in Vietnamese Horticulture - MS5 " pptx

Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development

CARD Project Progress Report

052/04VIE: Management of Phytophthora Diseases
in Vietnamese Horticulture

MS5: THIRD SIX-MONTHLY

July 2006




1
2

1. Institute Information
Project Name
Management of Phytophthora Diseases in Vietnamese
Horticulture
Vietnamese Institution
National Institute of Plant Protection, Hanoi
Vietnamese Project Team Leader Dr Nguyen Van Tuat
Australian Organisation
The University of Sydney
Australian Personnel
Professor David Guest
Date commenced
April 2005

Completion date (original)
December 2006
Completion date (revised)
April 2007
Reporting period
Third 6-monthly report (18 months)

Contact Officer(s)
In Australia: Team Leader
Name: Professor David Guest Telephone: (02) 9352.3946
Position:
Professor of Horticulture
Fax:
(02) 9351.4172
Organisation
The University of Sydney
Email:


In Australia: Administrative contact
Name:
Ms Luda Kuchieva

Telephone:
(02) 9351 7903
Position:
Research Grants
Administration fficer
Fax: (02) 9351 3256
Organisation

The University of Sydney
Email:


In Vietnam
Name:
Dr Nguyen Van Tuat
Telephone:
+84 4838 5578
Position:
Director
Fax:
+84 4836 3563
Organisation
National Institute of Plant Protection
Email:


2. Project Abstract

Lack of knowledge and understanding at the scientific, extension and farmer levels is the
primary limitation to the effective management of Phytophthora diseases in Vietnam. The
objectives of this project are to extend sustainable and effective disease control and
management recommendations to a range of horticultural crops throughout Vietnam to
reduce crop losses due to Phytophthora and improve farmer outcomes. Milestones four
and five have been completed and relevant activities are described. Copies of the
extension training manuals have been submitted with this report. PAR trials were
established by scientific and extension staff in the South, Centre and North of Vietnam.
Preliminary observations are described in this report. In February 2006, the Australian
partners and scientific staff from SOFRI and NIPP visited farmer trials supervised by
FTRDC established in Hue (citrus), Quang Binh Province (black pepper and rubber),
Quang Nam Province (black pepper) and Quang Tri Province (black pepper). This
provided an opportunity for scientists from the three collaborating Vietnamese institutes
to establish contacts and network. At each of the farms integrated disease management
options had been established based on techniques learned during the Extension Training
and Farmer Workshops and through PAR trials. In completing these activities we have
met the targets set in the fourth and fifth milestones.
3. Executive Summary
This project aims to extend sustainable and effective disease control and management
recommendations developed in previous research, to a wide range of horticultural crops
throughout Vietnam, thereby reducing crop losses due to Phytophthora diseases and
improving smallholder outcomes. This report describes establishment of PAR trials by
scientific and extension staff in the south of Vietnam (SOFRI). Copies of the extension

training brochures, posters and manuals developed by the Vietnam partner institutes have
been submitted with this report. In February 2006, the Australian partners and scientific
staff from SOFRI and NIPP visited farmer trials established through FTRDC and associated
Plant Protection Departments. Gardens and farms visited were located in Hue (citrus),
Quang Binh Province (black pepper and rubber), Quang Nam Province (black pepper) and
Quang Tri Province (black pepper). This provided an opportunity for scientists from the
three collaborating Vietnamese institutes to establish contacts and to discuss their
experiences in disease diagnosis, management and the establishment of PAR trials.
Scientists from the north and south of Vietnam were also able see in the field symptoms
caused by Phytophthora on crops not grown in their own regions. At each of the farms
integrated disease management options had been established based on techniques learned
during the Extension Training and Farmer Workshops and through PAR trials. Farmers
were generally keen to learn about diseases and their management. The information
presented in this report addresses the targets required to fulfil the fourth and fifth milestones
of this CARD project.
4. Introduction & Background
A diverse range of horticultural crops are grown in Vietnam. Tropical fruit trees are
concentrated in the northern and southern parts of Vietnam and temperate crops in the
northern and central highlands. The range of climatic conditions also provide an ideal
3
4
climate for many Phytophthora species, and the genus Phytophthora is responsible for
extensive economic damage in a wide range horticultural crops throughout the country with
large reductions in yield and significant economical losses.
Information on the occurrence and distribution of Phytophthora species present in Vietnam,
disease transmission and progression, and suitable control methods is lacking. Expertise in
the diagnosis and management of Phytophthora diseases, including appropriate quarantine
procedures, is also limited. A strategic approach to the future study and control of
Phytophthora diseases is needed. This project aims to improve smallholder productivity and
alleviate poverty, especially in the Mekong and Central Coast regions by improving the

skills of relevant scientific and extension staff and their capacity to implement disease
management recommendations with smallholders.
This project focuses on local disease problems identified by informal surveys and
smallholder demand. In the south, the priority crops were identified as pineapple, citrus,
and black pepper, while citrus, black pepper and rubber will be the main focus in the centre,
and litchi, tomato and potato in the north. The Australian and Vietnamese project team will
run a series of workshops and supervise short on-farm research projects. Our workshops
aim to fill the current gaps in knowledge of Phytophthora diseases at all levels in
Vietnamese horticulture. These workshops will focus on the biology of Phytophthora, the
diseases it causes, and potential management practices. Staff will be trained in diagnosis at
the field and laboratory levels. In this way knowledge gained from these workshops will be
incorporated into undergraduate and postgraduate training programs. The first Scientific
Training workshops were held at the National Institute for Plant Protection (NIPP)-Hanoi,
Fruit Tree Research Development Centre (FTRDC)-Hue and Southern Fruit Research
Institute (SOFRI)-My Tho in June. The final training Scientific Training Workshop to be
organised by the Australian partners is scheduled for November/December 2006. These
hands-on training workshops will contribute to capacity building in the research and
extension institutes involved. Scientific staff will then be equipped to transfer diagnostic
skills and Phytophthora disease management strategies to extension agencies.
The second level of workshop will focus on symptom recognition and the application of
integrated management to smallholders. Vietnamese scientific staff ran workshops for
Provincial Plant Protection Sub-Division (PPSD) staff in late 2005. The crops identified
above form the basis of the on-farm trials and extension activities. Workshop participants
will present the results of their participatory research trials at the final workshop.
The third level of training in Vietnam will disseminate the results to smallholders in 5
provinces in each region through PAR methodologies learned during this and previous
projects. The PPSD staff are currently establishing and supervising participatory action
research (PAR) using a range of farm management strategies and other extension activities
involving smallholder farmers. The participating farmers will become a focus for future
extension activities.

Selected staff will also be given an opportunity to undertake a study tour to Australia where
they will learn about nursery best practice and orchard management, as well as advanced
techniques in pathogen identification and research training. Two scientistis (Mrs Nguyen
Thi Ly (NIPP) and Dr Nguyen Van Hoa (SOFRI)) visited Australia in July 2005 and Mr
Doan Nhan Ai (FTRDC) in July 2006 to participate a training and study tour to examine
nursery best practice and horticultural production in southern Queensland, and for further
training in Phytophthora diagnostics. This will build institutional capacity and aims to
maximise the long-term benefits to each institution.
5
5. Progress to Date
5.1 Implementation Highlights
A detailed implementation of the project progress to date is provided in the attached
Progress Report Logframe (Appendix I).

The fourth and fifth milestone has been reached with the following targets implemented:
1. Promotion of disease management awareness among farmers. Brochures and training
manuals are enclosed with this report;
a. Prior to this project the understanding of diseases and availability of options for
disease control was limited in some areas.
b. Farmers who attended the extension workshops are adopting the new control
measures they have learnt.
2. Establishment of PAR trials in the north, central and southern regions of Vietnam by
scientific and extension staff from NIPP, FTRDC, SOFRI and Plant Protection Division
offices (Appendix II).
a. Farmers are keen to participate in the PAR trials.
b. Because the PAR trials have been carried out according to seasons (for example
from October to December 2005 and from February to March 2006 in the
northern provinces) results and only preliminary observations are available on
the effect of various control measures disease incidence, yield and fruit/product
quality.

c. PAR trials need to be established on existing farms, so methods such as planting
resistant varieties are not always possible.
3. Visit to Hue (FTRDC, Mr Doan Nhan Ai) to visit PAR trials (citrus, rubber, pepper) in
the central region by Vietnamese scientists (Mrs Nguyen Thi Ly from NIPP, Hanoi, and
Dr Nguyen Minh Chau and Dr Nguyen Van Hoa from SOFRI, My Tho) and the
Australian partners (Prof David Guest, Dr Andre Drenth and Dr Rosalie Daniel) in
February, 2006 (Appendix III);
a. Strengthened partnerships between research institutes, national and provincial
extension agencies by bringing scientists from north and south Vietnam to the
central provinces
b. Improved extension capacity in diagnosis and discussion of integrated
management strategies by visiting farms and PAR trials together
4. Presentation of seminars by Prof David Guest and Dr Andre Drenth at Hue Agricultural
University (HAU) in February 2006.
a. Strengthened partnerships between research institutes and university
b. Linked the CARD project with the PhD project of Mr Nguyen Vinh Truong
c. Linked the CARD project with the PhD project of Ms Tran TT Ha.
5. Planned visit to Australia by Mr Doan Nhan Ai to participate in the tour of Horticultural
industries and research facilities in Queensland and NSW in July 2006. Mr Nguyen
Vinh Truong (HAU) will also join this tour.
a. Greater understanding of diagnostic skills, disease management strategies and
good nursery and farm management practices.
5.2 Smallholder Benefits
1.
Training of extension staff
a. Greater understanding of the pathogen and the disease
6
b. Improved capacity to identify disease symptoms (diagnosis) and develop disease
control options
c. Promotes extension of more effective disease management recommendations

2.
Improvement of smallholder knowledge
a. Greater understanding of factors that contribute to disease
b. Capacity to select from a variety of disease management options
c. Reduced disease and increased yield
5.3 Capacity Building
1.
Visit to Hue by Vietnamese scientists from NIPP and SOFRI and the Australian
partners.
Dr Nguyen Minh Chau (SOFRI), Dr Ngyuen Van Hoa (SOFRI), Mrs Nguyen Thi Ly
(NIPP), Mr Nguyen Vinh Truong (HAU) and the Australian Project Partners visited the
farmer trials organised through the FTRDC-Hue (Mr Doan Nhan Ai). This provided a
unique opportunity for the Vietnamese project partners to meet and establish stronger
networks. It also provided the opportunity for the scientists from the north and south to
observe diseases and disease management practices of plants that do not grow or occur in
their region.
2.
Presentation of seminars at Hue Agricultural University
Dr Andre Drenth and Professor David Guest presented seminars at Hue Agricultural
University in February 2006.
a. Summary of seminar by Andre Drenth: "The World of Phytophthora".
The seminar presented an overview of Phytophthora species and Phytophthora diseases, and
the economic damage they cause in Horticulture in Vietnam. The aim of the seminar was to
expose staff and students to disease symptoms and make them aware of the enormous
economical and social impact these plant diseases have on smallholders in Vietnam and
elsewhere in south east Asia.
This seminar gave basic background biology of Phytophthora and the life cycle of these
pathogens. The major diseases caused by different Phytophthora species on a range of
different crops including; rubber, pepper, capsicum, durian, longan, coconuts, cocoa,
pineapple, papaya, coconut, citrus and potato, were discussed using slides with pictures of

typical symptoms of these diseases. This information will help Vietnamese scientists and
extension officers to correctly identify the cause of disease problems when they arise.
b. Outline of seminar by David Guest: “Managing Phytophthora Diseases in Tropical
Horticulture”
The seminar presented an overview of the methods by which Phytophthora can spread to
cause disease, the risk of the introduction of new species and the management options
available for control. The aim of the seminar was to expose staff and students to pathogen
epidemiology and the various factors that can contribute to the spread of Phytophthora,
such as the involvement of tent building ants and flying insects. It also discussed options
for management of Phytophthora diseases including good orchard hygiene and sanitation,
the effect of fertilisers and chemical control using phosphonate. This information will help
Vietnamese scientists and extension officers to understand the epidemiology Phytophthora
diseases and to better enable them to prevent, reduce and control diseases.
In addition an overview was given to the aims of the CARD project and how this fits in
with the overall research conducted on Phytophthora in the tropical regions by Dr Drenth at
the CRC for Tropical Plant Protection in Brisbane and Prof Guest and Dr Rosalie Daniel at
The University of Sydney.
7
3.
Scientific study tour of Australia
The study tour to be conducted in July 2006 will expose Mr Doan Nhan Ai and Mr Nguyen
Vinh Truong (currently completing his PhD at the University of Sydney) to nursery and
horticultural production best practice techniques as well as techniques in pathogen
identification and research training. Mr Ai will then be equipped to transfer diagnostic skills
and Phytophthora disease management strategies to extension agencies through extension
workshops and farmer training programs.
PhD project of Pham Dung
Ms Dung (NIPP) has commenced her PhD studies on "Research Phytophthora on Black
Pepper" in Dak Nong. Professor Guest and Dr Drenth have been advising her on the
selection of her topic and on research techniques.

4.
Capacity Building at NIPP, FTRDC and SOFRI
Participants at NIPP have learnt techniques to isolate and identify, and have subsequently
isolated, Phytophthora from root and soil of diseased plants.
Baiting techniques have been used to observe the release and development of zoospores.
This highlighted the capacity of the pathogen to spread in the field.
Composted animal manures and the fungicide AgriFos have been applied in the field by
NIPP to test their ability to manage Phytophthora diseases.
5.
Farmer Participatory Action Research Trials
Farmer Participatory Action Research Trials have been established in each of the three
regions. Details of the PAR trials associated with NIPP and FTRDC were provided in the
12 Month Progress Report. Details of the SOFRI extension and farmer trials are provided in
this report. A total of 165 technical extension staff and farmers participated in the training
workshops organised by SOFRI, bringing the total number trained so far to 385 participants
in the farmer training workshops (the project target was 375). The trials are currently being
monitored. Because the trials are conducted in the field, and therefore dependent on
seasonal and climatic factors (for example, trials by NIPP were established between
October and December 2005 and February and March 2006) details of the effectiveness of
treatments are not yet available.
Farmers have been very receptive to the project and eager to learn new methods for disease
management in their crops. As a result of this project farmers have learnt to: (a) Distinguish
between diseases caused by different organisms; (b) more effective methods for application
of fungicides; (c) alternative methods for disease management.
Preliminary Observations: NIPP, Northern Provinces
Prior to the commencement of this CARD project, some farmers in the Y-Yen District,
Hanam Province could not distinguish between late blight disease, early blight disease and
bacterial wilt disease on potato. Some farmers in Tam Diep District, Ninh Binh Province
thought that pineapple heart rot disease was caused by bacteria rather than Phytophthora.
As a consequence farmers often applied chemicals that were not appropriate for control of

the disease. Fungicides were also applied periodically, not in conformity with forecasts
made by the Plant Protection Offices. For example, farmers applied fungicides at intervals
12 to 15 times during the growing season of potatoes. This had no beneficial effect on
disease control. Furthermore such application methods were wasteful and resulted in
environmental pollution.
After the establishment of PAR trials, the farmers have been able to distinguish
Phytophthora diseases from other diseases. They now understand that pathogens can
survive and exist in the soil and plant residues. They also understand that drainage is
important for pathogen spread and disease management. Farmers have now made raised
beds for growing potatoes and tomatoes, or made earth mounds for planting litchi and
8
longan. By teaching the farmers to recognise diseases, apply the appropriate fungicides and
how to apply those fungicides more effectively fungicide use has become less wasteful and
disease control more effective.
In addition, farmers were often not aware of alternative methods for control, such as good
hygiene practices. Prior to this project, farmers used inorganic fertilisers and rarely (only a
very small number of farmers) used organic fertilisers.

Preliminary observations: SOFRI, Southern Provinces
Preliminary indications from the trials organised by SOFRI show recovery of diseased
pumelo trees following injection with Ridomyl and Aliette. Biological control using
organic manures with Trichoderma also seems to be effective in maintaining tree health,
based on preliminary observations. In the pineapple orchard no soil-borne diseases seem to
be a problem because the soil has a low pH. However, the mealy bug was high in
population. In this demonstration plot, SOFRI are using the insecticides Regent and
Supracide and a soap solution which are showing good control. Black pepper trials are
using Ridomil Gold and Aliette to control soil-borne diseases and these too are showing
effective control. Recovery of the pepper vines has been slower than recovery seen for the
pumelo trees.

Preliminary observations: FTRDC, Central Provinces
Before participating in workshops, most farmers did not know about Phytophthora as the
cause of disease. They had no knowledge of diagnosis, dissemination, conditions conducive
to infection and development of disease. As a result the farmers had not applied anything to
control the diseases or they were using incorrect methods for disease control. For example,
they had propagated seedlings from mother plants that may be infected with pathogens by
cutting or marcotting (black pepper, pumelo), planted seedlings in poor drainage areas
(pumelo), not removed infected plant parts or fruit from their orchards (particularly in
rubber orchards) and intercropped plants also susceptible to Phytophthora such as taro,
tomato, chilli, eggplant, cucumbers, pineapple or used jackfruits as supports for black
pepper crops. Some of farmers had only applied a chemical measure including Aliette,
Ridomil or Bordeaux fungicides to control diseases but they had not chosen the best
fungicide to effectively control Phytophthora diseases yet.
FRTDC established farmer trials based on the initial knowledge of farmers (just described).
Farmers are very glad to take part in the trials. Some of the farmers who participated in
farmer workshops have implemented methods they learnt in the workshop on their own
because they live far from the PAR trial sites. The effectiveness of cultural measures for
control of Phytophthora including mulching, pruning and increasing application of organic
fertilizers is not obvious. The inclusion of chicken manure for organic control has not been
possible due to the incidence of bird flu in Vietnam. Planting crops on mounds to improve
drainage or planting crop varieties resistant to Phytophthora has not been possible owing to
the establishment of trials in available orchards. Black pepper varieties that are resistant or
tolerant to Phytophthora have not been selected. Phosphonate (Agri-fos 400) injections
have been observed to be more effective in controlling Phytophthora in Thanh Tra pumelo
than Ridomil or Bordeaux painted onto trunk lesions. Phosphonate is also less expensive
than Aliette. However, injecting phosphonate fungicide is not effective in pumelo trees that
are too seriously infected with Phytophthora diseases. The effect of phosphonate on
controlling Phytophthora in rubber trees is not yet clear.
The most difficult issue for farmers has been to detect early disease symptoms, particularly
root rot of black pepper. Early detection of symptoms is very important in pepper because

infected pepper vines die quickly.
9

Inclusion of on-farm trials and the expansion of extension activities will enable
dissemination of knowledge acquired during the workshops to promote awareness of the
pathogen, skills in disease diagnosis, application of the correct control measures and
improved farm hygiene and disease management strategies. The farmers involved in the
PAR will provide a valuable contact for future extension activities. The results of the
participatory research trials will be discussed at the final workshop in November 2006.
5.4 Publicity
An article about Phytophthora management was published in a Vietnamese newspaper on
16 January 2006 (Appendix IV).

6. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues
6.1 Environment
Our approach to integrated disease management of Phytophthora diseases has minimal
chemical inputs and is less damaging to the environment than the uninformed use of
inappropriate pesticides. The approach is based on accurate disease diagnosis, improved
nursery practice to ensure farmers are supplied with high-quality, disease-free planting
material, adequate farm preparation to improve soil drainage and increase soil organic
matter and the activity of beneficial soil microbes, quarantine and farm hygiene to minimise
pathogen dissemination, the use of organic composts and manures to maintain soil fertility
and increase water-use efficiency, improved drainage and canopy aeration to reduce
humidity and pathogen sporulation. In some cases strategic application of phosphonate
fungicides may be appropriate.
Training of extension staff in Phytophthora diseases promotes capacity building and
enhances the ability of Vietnamese scientists and extension staff to respond to new
problems as they arise. Symptom recognition and the availability of disease management
options provide farmers with alternatives to their current disease management practices.
Training farmers to recognise common disease and then apply appropriate targeted

treatments and the appropriate time has reduced the amount of fungicides that need to be
applied. The option of alternative and preventative methods (such as mounding to improve
drainage, pruning to improve canopy humidity, application of manures to improve soil
health) for disease management also reduces disease incidence and the need for fungicide
application.
6.2 Gender and Social Issues
A greater proportion of participants at the SOFRI training workshops were male (95%) than
female (5%). This has been a common trend in the majority of the workshops at each site.
7. Implementation & Sustainability Issues
7.1 Issues and Constraints
Some farmers were sceptical about using phosphonate, particularly if applied as a trunk
injection, believing it would kill their trees. As a result a limited number of trees (rubber
and citrus) were injected with phosphonate. We believe that in future farmers will become
Comment [MSOffice1]: At FTRDC
and NIPP too?
10
more accepting of this form of application when they see the results of phosphonate as a
method for disease management. When asked if they would inject more trees if they could
see a reduction in disease all farmers answered in the affirmative.
7.2 Options
The targets of the fourth and fifth milestones have been met. The project is running well
and no changes are required.
8. Next Critical Steps
The activities that will be undertaken in the next six months are:
1. Visits to NIPP, SOFRI and FTRDC to review farmer training and extension activities.
2. Final workshop in November-December 2006 to discuss outcomes of PAR and farmer
trials.
9. Conclusion
This CARD project aims to reduce crop losses due to Phytophthora diseases through
extension of sustainable and effective disease management recommendations and thereby

improve smallholder farmer productivity. The hands-on approach to teaching and learning
in the training workshops is contributing to capacity building in the extension institutes
involved. Extension staff equipped to transfer Phytophthora disease management strategies
to farmers have established PAR farmer trials on the selected crops. The results of the
farmer trials will be discussed in the final project workshop to be held in November, 2006.
In completing these activities we have successfully addressed the second milestone.