From your side, there are Dr Taylor Shelley, Dr. Colletti Joe, Dr. McDaniel, Marshall, Dr. Nair, Ajay, Dr. Morton, Lois and from the Department of Biology, there were the Dean, Dr Nguyen Lan Hung Son, the Deputy Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Tran Duc Hau, Dr. Bui Thu Ha, Dr. Le Thi Tuoi, Dr. Le Thi Thuy, Dr. Tran Khanh Van, some lecturers from Can Tho University, Tra Vinh University and master candidates K31, K32 majors in Botany, Experimental Biology and some students of Faculty of Biology.

During the period of 1 hour 30 minutes, Dr. Nair Ajay presented an overview of the current state of agricultural land, income from the agricultural sector bringing about 30 billion dollars a year for the state of Iowa. Although only 0.1% of agricultural land is used for growing vegetables, towards increased awareness towards food quality, health standards and global environmental issues, vegetable production practices are being modified to minimize any deleterious effects to the environment and society.

Photo 1. Members joining in webinar

Every year, the state government organizes contests to choose good-looking vegetables and fresh quality or giant pumpkins… to encourage growers. As an expert in the field of horticulture, Dr. Ajay and colleagues focus of his research, extension, and education program on cover cropping, conservation tillage, nutrient management, soil amendments and health, and season extension strategies in vegetable industry in Iowa.

Photo 2. Overview of current agricultural production at Iowa state

Dr. Ajay works closely with commercial vegetable growers, extension staff, industry representatives and stakeholders to meet the rising demand of locally grown produce and enhance the profitability and sustainability of vegetable production systems.

Some cover crops such as cowpea, sorghum sudangrass, buckwheat, etc… were studied to the use in short duration in vegetable crop production . Beside that, another research conducted in the area of conservation tillage will showcase results from studies that compared no tillage, strip tillage, and conventional tillage in organic production of broccoli and bell pepper.

In winter season, almost soil areas are covered by snow, ice… therefore, the grower needs to use high tunnel to cultivate vegetable. A question is raised up: The resistance of tomato plants grown under these conditions is often quite weak as well as the reduced availability of nutrients, which can affect tomato yields. Therefore, Dr. Ajay tested tomato grafting technique to optimize high tunnel tomato production. Results from the tomato grafting indicate that potential grafting rootstocks that could be used to mitigate soil-related issues in tomato production as well as increase the yield of tomato up to 1.5 times. Or with sandy areas, the amount of carbon in the soil is reduced, so adding biochar to potato soil increases the yield of large potatoes. Another interesting new practice in Iowa nữa là intergrating vegetable and poultry production for sustainable cropping systems to increase the organic nitrogen in soil, then increase soil health, soil resiliency as well as bring profitability to farmers.

Photo 3-4-5-6-7: Some results on cover cropping, conservation tillage, nutrient management, soil amendments in vegetable production

Questions and suggestions were raised by the teachers of both sides for discussion. What agricultural production practices can be applied in Vietnam? Using biochar in any land has the effect of improving the quality, soil texture, increasing crop yield, the economic aspect of intercropping ... has been discussed enthusiastically by everyone.

Dean of Faculty Nguyen Lan Hung Son said: Although this is the first time the Faculty of Biology has exchanged academic seminars after Dr Morton's visit to the Faculty in December 2022, the Faculty of Biology sees a huge potential for stronger cooperation with the Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University when the teaching staffs of the two sides have much in common in the field of research. These cooperation initiatives will be a good opportunity to share lecturer’s experiences in the research field of biology and agriculture for the next future.

Photo 8. Participants in the discussion

Writer: PhD. Tran Khanh Van