Inland dry season saline intrusion in the Vietnamese Mekong River Delta is driving the identification and implementation of alternative crops to rice

Brooke Kaveney; Edward Barrett-Lennard; Khoi Chau Minh; Minh Dang Duy; Kim Phuong Nguyen Thi; Paul Kristiansen; Susan Orgill; Ben Stewart-Koster; Jason Condon

doi:10.1016/j.agsy.2023.103632

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Inland dry season saline intrusion in the Vietnamese Mekong River Delta is driving the identification and implementation of alternative crops to rice

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Inland dry season saline intrusion in the Vietnamese Mekong River Delta is driving the identification and implementation of alternative crops to rice

Brooke Kaveney, Edward Barrett-Lennard, Khoi Chau Minh, Minh Dang Duy, Kim Phuong Nguyen Thi, Paul Kristiansen, Susan Orgill, Ben Stewart-Koster and Jason Condon

Agricultural systems, Vol.207, 103632

2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2023.103632

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Abstract

Alternative crops and management practices need to be identified to provide farmers with options to supplement the loss of rice income

Combining alternative crops and management practices provide farmers with production options for saline affected areas during the dry season

Inland saline intrusion is causing substantial rice losses during the dry season of the Mekong River Delta, Vietnam

Management practices including mulching, raised beds and soil water monitoring can decrease salinity stress and improve water use efficiency

Numerous biophysical, environmental, and socioeconomic factors are identified that help determine an alternative crops suitability

CONTEXT Inland saline intrusion is occurring during the dry season in the Mekong River Delta (MRD), Vietnam. Rising sea levels, tidal fluctuations, drought, and changes to upstream flow contribute to extensive salinisation of rice producing areas of the MRD, leading to substantial rice crop losses. OBJECTIVE The identification, evaluation and implementation of alternative crop and soil management solutions are required to complement on-going rice production in the region. METHODS A review of scientific and grey literature was conducted regarding the nature and extent of salinisation in the MRD and the adoption and management of alternative crops to rice. RESULTS Familiar crops in Vietnam (e.g., maize, soybean), as well as novel crops to the MRD (e.g., quinoa, cowpea) were explored as potential options to replace dry season rice. Management options including surface soil mulches and plastic coverings help maintain soil moisture and reduce salinity damage to plants, and the use of drainage and seed preparation techniques can improve plant establishment and yield. Factors contributing to the success of alternative crops include salt tolerance, timing and efficiency of water use, ability to grow in the dry growing season, tolerance to pests and diseases, labour intensiveness and the crops' marketability. SIGNIFICANCE The identification of suitable alternative crops to replace dry season rice in saline affected areas of the MRD, combined with management practices like mulching and soil moisture monitoring, could provide farmers with income opportunities to offset rice losses. Documenting the factors contributing to successful crop diversification can assist with decision-making and support initiatives among farmers, agribusiness, and government agencies. [Display omitted]

Details

Title: Inland dry season saline intrusion in the Vietnamese Mekong River Delta is driving the identification and implementation of alternative crops to rice
Authors/Creators: Brooke Kaveney - Charles Sturt University
Edward Barrett-Lennard - Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Khoi Chau Minh - Can Tho University
Minh Dang Duy - Can Tho University
Kim Phuong Nguyen Thi - Can Tho University
Paul Kristiansen - University of New England
Susan Orgill - Select Carbon, Albury, NSW, Australia
Ben Stewart-Koster - Griffith University
Jason Condon - Charles Sturt University
Publication Details: Agricultural systems, Vol.207, 103632
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Identifiers: 991005602261607891
Copyright: © 2023 The Authors.
Murdoch Affiliation: Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.4 Crop Science; 3.4.49 Plant Stress Responses
Web Of Science research areas: Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
ESI research areas: Agricultural Sciences