This study aimed to provide information on biological characteristics of Indochinese rat snake - Ptyas korros (Schlegel, 1837) in the Mekong Delta regions. A total of 98 specimens were used to analyze their morphological characteristics, diets and reproductive activities. Results indicated that snout-vent length of adult females and males were 963.38 and 1086.14 mm, respectively. There was a correlation between body length and body weight of Indochinese rat snake - Ptyas korros (R2=0.919 for male and 0.783 for female). The average male body weight was 226,72 g while that of female was 179,51 g. The diet of this species was very diverse including mice, toads, frogs, insects and organic muds, in which mice and toad were of high frequency. In addition, the testis made up approximately 0.14-0.19% of the whole body weight and the ovary contributed up to 0.14% of the body weight. In both male and female snakes the left reproductive tract was more developed than the right one.

To evaluate the genetic diversity and the antibacterial activity of Callisia fragrans Lindl., 15 plants in different places in Mekong Delta (Ben Tre, Tien Giang, Vinh Long, Can Tho, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Dong Thap and Hau Giang) were collected. Their leaves were used for analyzing genetic diversity employing RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) markers and testing the antibacterial susceptibilities expressed as minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) by agar dilution method of eight selected Gram positive and Gram negative strains: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella spp., Aeromonas hydrophila, Edwardsiella ictaluri and Edwardsiella tarda. Results showed that Callisia fragrans Lindl. had genetic diversity and consisted 4 groups with the genetic distance from 2,646 to 5,816. All of them had the most effectivity against Staphylococcus aureus (512 µg/ml ≤ MIC ≤ 1024 µg/ml, best in group 1, 3, 4), second against Edwardsiella tarda and Edwardsiella ictaluri (1024 µg/ml ≤ MIC ≤ 2048 µg/ml, best in group 1). Antibacterial activity of Callisia fragrans Lindl. was lower in the three bacterial strains: Streptococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Aeromonas hydrophila (2048 µg/ml ≤ MIC ≤ 4096 µg/ml) and the lowest effectiveness was observed against two strains: Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp., with MIC=6400 µg/ml.

The present study was conducted with the objectives to (1) identify farming techniques under household level: advantages and difficulty factors in dairy cow production, (2) analyze the economic efficiency in dairy cow production at household level and (3) suggest possible solutions for dairy cow development in the rain-fed areas. Results showed that land use was mainly for rice cultivation, grass growing and vegetable production. Small land area for grass cultivation was the main reason leading to lack of fresh grass in the dry season; therefore, farmers had to buy grass and rice straw from outside farms or used by-products from rice production for feeding cows. Net income, benefit cost return (BCR) and milk yield/dairy cow/year were highest in groups who raised large number of dairy cows. Possible solutions and priorities included financial supports, appropriate technology for farm management and improved artificial insemination techniques using sexed semen to obtain more heifer calves.

Enzyme proteases with high yield and activity could be extracted from the latex of the papaya fruits of 8-10 weeks maturity. Ion-exchange chromatography on gel SP-Streamline in combination with Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography on gel Phenyl Sapharose could be applied to obtain one of the enzyme components in papaya latex with high purity. The advantages of the procedures were producing a wide range of enzyme without spending many stages of Preliminary precipitation with organic solvents: ammonium sulfat, acetone and ethanol. As a result, enzyme would be more purified and  environmentally friendly. In addition, papain sources was various and gel could be reused. So, the price was lower compared to commercial papain. However, because enzyme concentration was very diluted, it was better to combine ultrafilter to separate salt. Treating enzyme solution with 2-PDS before throughout ion exchange chromatography column could prevent enzyme from autolyzing during the process of purification of enzyme.

The experiment was carried out with the aims of isolation, selection and taxonomic identification of nitrogen-fixing bacteria strains in the rice rhizosphere soil from 02 different categories of land in the Mekong Delta provinces (alluvial soils and salinility soils). Nitrogen-fixing bacteria from rice rhizosphere soil were isolated in the Burk medium without nitrogen mineral supplement. The NH4+ synthesis of these bacterial strains after biomass multiplication was determined by Indophenol Blue method. Bacterial strains with high NH4+ compounds in the cultural medium were used to select the best strains through the ability to provide nitrogen fertilizer for rice plants cultivated in Yoshida nutrient medium without nitrogen mineral in a labolary conditions. Bacterial strains with good results in the laborary condition were tested in pots in a greenhouse conditions. The results showed that 8 bacterial strains help rice seeding grow well in the laborary condition; 02 bacterial strains on each ecological region could replace 25-50% nitrogen supplied in the greenhouse conditions consisted of AM3, TV2B7 (saline soil), and CTB3 and CT1N2 (alluvial soil). Based on the results of molecular biology technique and biochemical tests, strains AM3, TV2B7, CT1N2 and CTB3 were closest genetic relationship with Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Bacillus megaterium, Ideonella sp. and Serratia marcescens.

Ten InDel primers were applied in evaluating genetic diversity on six aromatic rice lines including Jasmine, Ngoc Dong, Tai Nguyen, Nang Thom, Huong Lai Sua and Huong Bien. The results showed that there were eight primers generating polymorphic profile of Indel markers (primer R6M14 and R8M33 did not show the level of polymorphism between the aromatic rice samples). Total 25 bands were recorded, of which 17 polymorphic bands (68%) and 8 single bands (32%). Two primers R7M7 and R10M10 were the most polymorphic (4 bands). In this experiment, the average number of band produced per primer was 2.5. Amplified bands was ranged in size from 20 to 500bp. Based on the Jaccard similarity coefficients in analyzing InDel profil, Nang Thom sample had the highest genetic different relatively compared with the remaining samples (48% compared with Ngoc Dong, 44% compared to Thom Bien, 28% compared with Huong Lai Sua). Besides, Thom Bien sample also showed genetic differences significantly compared with the others (36% compared with Jasmine, Tai nguyen and Ngoc Dong). The results showed the applicability of the InDel markers in the analysis loci related to the characteristics of rice quality in rice breeding.

The study aimed at comparing the quality and acceptability of fruit-based yogurt products consisting of pinapple-passion fruit, red dragon fruit and jackfruit jams (RIP project) with commercialized yogurts (Vinamilk fruit-based yogurt and Zottinos strawberry yogurt). The results of descriptive sensory analysis indicated that the five kinds of yogurts were different in terms of quality attributes. White color, mouth feel and fruity aroma were distinct attributes, while milky aroma, firmness, sweetness and homogeneousness were important attributes contributing to quality of the yogurt. Acceptance of the five yogurts could be predicted by flavor, overall liking and quality. There was no significant difference in the male and female consumer acceptance of all five yogurts, while there were significant differences between age groups in the overall liking. Vinamilk fruit-based yogurt was the most preferable product, following by Zottinos strawberry, pinapple-passion fruit, and jackfruit yogurts. Some consumers did not prefer red dragon fruit yogurt.

Sweet potato is one of the most important crops for human energy, nutrition and bioactive coumpounds. However, sweet potato roots are very cheap if the roots are out of required sizes or broken. Sweet potato species have different compositions and starch properties resulting difficulties in predicting food nutrition and quality in food processing. Ingredients (milk and starch) also play very important roles on food quality. This paper showed the processing technology of milky sweet potato paper for good quality and nutrition. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of (i) sweet potato varieties, (ii) fresh milk percentage and rice powders (sticky rice flour, rice flour, sticky rice starch and rice starch) on processing technology and quality of the product. The results showed that the drying model of Page could describe well the moisture changes during semi-drying process of the product. The varieties of sweet potatoes, the percentage of the fresh milk and the rice powders contributed significantly on variance of the mixture viscosity, the product texture and the drying rate coefficients. The percentage of milk influenced strongly the mixture viscosity and the product texture. The milky sweet potato paper had good sensorial quality attributes (colour, odour, taste and texture) if it would be processed from the purple sweet potato variety, with 15% of fresh milk and sticky rice (flour or starch).

Rice grain quality of the series of 835 rice varieties of Mekong Delta Development Research Institute, Can Tho University Gene Bank were analysed using IRRI 1996 criteria. Results show that the rice variety series have largely varied in their qualities, especially in chalkiness and amylose content. Amylose content was positively correlated to milled rice grain length in both ordinary and glutinous rice sub-series. Aroma was negatively correlated to milled rice grain weight, grain length, chalkiness and amylose content. Length of grain that longer than 7 mm while less chalkiness were found in MTL199, MTL124, MTL309, MTL331, MTL422, MTL512 and MTL513. The varieties those have the good quality of high aroma and low amylose content (

The study aimed at investigating the effect of saline intrusion on the presence of salinity in irrigating canals and agricultural soils in Long My district, Hau Giang province. The samples of soil and water were collected at 30 locations evenly distributing in two communes Luong Nghia and Vinh Vien A, where were mostly affected by saline intrusion. Water samples were collected on the main irrigating canals at the highest tides from the beginning of February to the end of April in 2012 and 2013. Soil samples were collected in  early March and late April, at depth of 0-20 cm on the rice fields or vegetables-cultivating soils where locate near the water-sampling locations. The results showed that irrigating canals had EC lower than 2 mS/cm at the start of dry season, but increasing in the end of dry season. EC in canal water was highly varried between 2012 and 2013, significantly higher in 2013 than in 2012. By the end of dry season, the highest EC values of canal waters reached at 16,0 mS/cm in Luong Nghia and at 12,0 mS/cm in Vinh Vien A. Salinity accumulated in soils was low. Exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) of most of the locations was below 15%, indicating that soil had not been sodic. There was no correlation between EC values of canal water and EC values of soil extracts as well as soluble Na+ present in soil extracts in the studied sites.

The objective of this study was to determine the proper nitrogen fertilizer rate and time for gaining optimal sugarcane growth, nitrogen uptake and ratoon sugarcane yield on alluvial soils in the Mekong Delta. A 22 factorial experiment in a completely randomized block design including three nitrogen rates (250, 300 and 350 kg N ha-1) and times by using the leaf colour chart was conducted in Cu Lao Dung district (Soc Trang province) and Long My district (Hau Giang province) during the year of 2012. Results showed that application of 350 kg N per hectare by using the leaf color chart at 7, 35, 63, 98 and 145 days after ratooning in Cu Lao Dung and 7, 35, 56, 91 and 145 days after ratooning in Long My was optimal in sugarcane growth, nitrogen uptake and yield. Ratoon sugarcane yield gained 141 tons ha-1 of 350 kg N per hectare application treatment in Cu Lao Dung compared to 131 tons ha-1 in Long My on alluvial soils.

Giant sensitive plant (Mimosa pigra L.) originated from central and south of America has invaded many countries in Asia and Australia. Recent surveys have shown that the weed infests many locations in Vietnam. It has invaded lands, river and lake banks, roadsides, and some national parks. Herbicides and their application for controlling mimosa were carried out at residential quarter of Cai Rang District, in Can Tho city from October 2011 to March 2012. Herbicides were used to spray for plant populations of 3 to 4 year-old and results showed that the combination of Lyrin 480DD (Glyphosate 4320 gra.i./ha) and Anco 600DD (2,4-D 1500 gra.i/ha) gave good efficacy with 100 percent mortality of plant population up to 120 DAS. Separately, Lyrin 480DD (Glyphosate 4320 gr a.i/ha) killed 85.7 percent of plant population during 93.3 DAS but Gfaxone 20SL (Paraquat 42 gr a.i./ha) only killed 10,7 percent of plant population during 10 DAS.     

The objective of this study was to investigate the immobilization capacity of biochar for the pesticide Propoxur degrading bacteria, Paracoccus sp. P23-7. The experiment was conducted in 25 mL minimal salt medium solution containing 50 ppm Propoxur as the only carbon source for the growth of bacteria during the experimental course and lasted for 18 days. Three kinds of biochar materials were chosen to test their immobilization capaticy for bacteria including wood biochar, charcoal and municipal waste biochar. Four replicates were performed for each treatment. The bacterial cell counting was observed at the time intervals of 0, 4, 6, 11 and 18 incubation days. Results showed that biochar have a capacity to immobilize Paracoccus sp. P23-7 in the liquid culture. The municipal waste biochar revealed the highest capacity of immobilization for Paracoccus sp. P23-7 as compared to two other biochars in the solution. However, each biochar material has a different capacity of immobilization and release for Paracoccus sp. P23-7. The treatment with biochar supplement increased significantly the cell amount of Paracoccus sp. P23-7 in 1 mL of the liquid solution and the total cell amount of Paracoccus sp. P23-7 (in 25 mL liquid solution and in 1,5 g biochar) as compared to the control treatment.

The study was conducted to determine the optimal number of times to spray potassium nitrate on Citrus reticulata Blanco for obtaining the highest fruit yield and quality. The experiment was carried out in Completely Randomized Design with five treatments and four replications, 10 trees/replication. The five treatments were the number times spraying KNO3 (5 g/l) with: control (untreated tree), 16 times (2 weeks/once), 8 times (4 weeks/once), 6 times (6 weeks/once) and 5 times (8 weeks/once). The time of spray was stated at the immature fruit (1.0-2.0 cm in diameter). Results showed that the optimal number of times to spray potassium nitrate was 6 times (6 weeks/once) which gave the highest average fruit weight (144.5 g), fruit height (54.4 mm) and yield (27.3 kg/tree).

The study aimed at exploring the impacts of rice cultural practices on the global warming, acidification, and eutrophication. The Life cycle assessment method (LCA) was used to assess the environmental impact. Results showed that the Conventional farming model (CF) used a higher rice seeding rate than the Small farmer(s)-Large field (SFLF) and the Global Agricultural Practice (GAP). Amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers used in the three rice production models were fairly consistent with the regular recommendations for rice. High amount of agrochemical products were used in the three rice production models. The rice yields of SFLF and GAP were relatively higher than of CF. The GAP achieved a highest income. The environmental impacts of GAP (1,009.13 g CO2-equivalent, 3.61 g SO2-equivalent, and 25.81 g NO3-equivalent) and SFLF (1,008.56 g CO2-equivalent, 4.45 g SO2- equivalent, and 26.26 g NO3-equivalent) per 1 kg of rice produced were lower than those made by CF. On global warming, the emissions of CH4 from rice soil (75.3 to 77.5%) and nitrogen fertilizer (12.1 to 16.1%) were the main impacts. On acidification, the emission of nitrogen fertilizer caused a main impact (90.6 to 92.5%). On eutrophication, the leaching of nutrients from soil (66.2 to 72.0%) and nitrogen fertilizer (26.2 to 32.4%) were the most important impacts.

Water management is an important factor affecting the yield components and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission in rice production. Pilot study with three irrigation methods was tested in the dry season 2013-2014 at Thanh Nhut Village, Go Cong Tay district of Tien Giang province. Data collection for agronomic characteristics, methane emission (weekly) and input costs were done and ANOVA was used to treat the collected data. Results showed that rice yields of the traditional practice (NT-3) were significantly lower than the others.  Net income of the alternative wet and dry treatment with -15 cm water table below soil surface (coded as NT-1) was higher (7.3 mil. đong/ha) in comparison with the NT-3 (traditional method). For irrigation water, NT-1 saved approximately 50% of the water use in comparison with NT-3. The NT-1 method reduced 5.9 tons of CO2e emission/ha*crop. The model of rice practice so called 1M6R-AWD (1 must, 6 reductions) has showed a promising practice (potential) for applying and expanding to low carbon rice farming practices of the large field model in the Mekong Delta.

Evaluation of the current rice production and market in Xuan Hiep commune (Vinh Long) was carried out in order to determine the factors that affect the production and consumption of rice and to find the solutions for improving profits of agents involved in the rice value chain. The survey of 120 farmers, in which 30 farmers inside the Xuan Hiep seed club and 90 households outside the club in Xuan Hiep village(Tra On - Vinh Long) was conducted and information were collected such as  variety, seed quality, seasonal calendar, cultural practices, advantages and disadvantages in production and consumption of rice. The descriptive statistical analysis, SWOT were used to analyze the data. Results showed that farmers in the club used the standardized seed, low seeding rate of less than 66kg/ha of seeds, 16 kg/ha of nitrogen, 0.64 l/ha of herbicides, 0.28 l/ha of pesticides and 3.93 l/ha of fungicides but obtained 80% higher profits by increasing 0.6 tons/ha of yield and VND 1,000/kg of price compared to farmers outside the club. Currently, the rice value chain of export is more efficient than of domestic consumption, and the benefit of the farmers per kg of rice grain is higher than of other agents.

This study was aimed to identify an effective insecticide to protect fruits of Hoa Loc mango from attacks of fruitflies in the dry season which henceforth help to increase the fruit quality. Experiments were carried out in mango orchards of three growers located in Hoa Hung commune (Cai Be - Tien Giang) from January to June 2013. Experimental design was completely randomized with five treatments and four replications with each of which equals to one tree. The treatments included different spraying of insecticides to protect fruits from the fly attack, i.e. (A) control (non-spray), (B) Actara 25 WG (1 g/10 L); (C) Cyrux 25 WG (1 mL/L); (D) Regent 5 SC (1.5 mL/L); and (E) Karate 2.5 EC (1.3 mL/L). The insecticides were sprayed at the 50th day after fruit set (AFS), for every 7 days and ceased at 15 days prior to harvesting. Results reflected that there were 80-85% of non-sprayed fruits attacked by fruitflies. The two treatments, spraying Actara 25 WG and Karate 2.5 EC, brought about high economic efficiency and low ratio of attacked fruits.

Diseased cobia (Rachycentron canadum), which were culture in Nha Trang were sampled and analyzed. The fish displayed signs of lethargy, fin necrosis, internal organs contain fluid and white pus spots in the kidney. Parasites, Neobenedenia sp. and Parapetalus sp., were found in skin, gills, intestine and blood. Bacterial strains which were isolated from liver, kidney, spleen and brain were identified as Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae and Vibrio alginolyticus. Histopathological analysis revealed necrosis in the liver, the kidneys, appeared center melanomacrophages in the spleen and kidney, proliferate of gill cells along with the loss of structure in the muscles.

Experiment on white-leg shrimp and tilapia integrated in tank in combination with biofloc was done in order to determine the appropriate white-leg shrimp stocking densities in the integration model. The experiment included four shrimp stocking densities: (i) 150 shrimp/m3; (ii) 200 shrimp/m3; (iii) 250 shrimp/m3 and (iv) 300 shrimp/m3; tilapia was stocked separately at 4 fish/m3 and the biofloc technology (C:N = 15:1); each treatment was triplicated. Experimental tanks (2m3) contained 1.5 m3 seawater at salinity of 15o/oo, initial shrimp weight was 0.006 g. After 60 days of rearing, water quality parameters were suitable for the normal development of white-leg shrimp and tilapia. Shrimp reared at stocking densities of 150 and 200 shrimp/m3 were 6.76 and 5.97 g, respectively. Moreover, at stocking densities of 250 and 300 shrimp/m3 shrimp had significantly higher growth and survival rate and lower FCR compared to shrimp reared at stocking densities of 150 and 200 shrimp/m3. However, there was no significant difference in productivity among treatments (p>0.05).

Survey was conducted on purse seine fleet capacity of 90 HP or more of the southeastern coastal province from 5/2012 to 4/2013, representing 02 northeast monsoon and southwest of the total number of samples was 3,327 samples. The results showed that, fishing effort of the purse seine vessels fleet capacity from 90 HP or more was 694.76 km3/year. Fishing effort was the highest in 3/2013 and was the lowest in 1/2013. Fishing effort dimensional variability increases with increasing vessel capacity. Fishing catches of the purse seine fleet from 90 HP or more was 126,689 tons. Fishing catches was the highest in 6/2012 and was the lowest in 1/2013. Average fishing catches of the vessels group more 250 HP was 5,981.1 ± 2,181.6 tons/month; vessels group 150 - 249 HP was 3,320.6 ± 1,874 tons/month, vessels group 90 - 149 HP was 1,255.7 ± 1,126.2 tons/month. Average fishing effective was 991.6 ± 518.5 ton/km3 and fishing efficiency of the vessels group 90 - 149 HP was the highest.

Studying offshore trawler activities was conducted from January to June 2014 in three coastal districts of Ben Tre province such as Ba Tri, Binh Dai and Thanh Phu districts. It was interviewed with 35 offshore trawler households with main contents such as number of boats, fishing crops, fishing grounds, main exploited species, yields and financial performance. Results showed that the number of offshore trawler in Ben Tre province was 687 fishing boats, accounting for 18.8% of the total number of fishing vessels in Ben Tre. Offshore trawlers with average capacity of 258 CV/vessel and average tonnage 25.3 tons/vessel. The average of yield was 91.3 tons/vessel/year, which accounted for 52% of trash fish. The total average cost of a fishing trip was 276 million VND and net return was 39.2 million VND/fishing trip, benefit ratio was 0.19. No household trawl fishermen offshore was lost. Difficulties of the present offshore trawlers application were high fuel prices, consumer product market instability, lack of capital and labor shortage.

Effects of alkalinity on metamorphic and survival rate of mud crab larvae (Scylla paramamosain) were carried out to improve the production and survival rate of mud crab rearing. The experiment in larval rearing period, from Zoae-1 stage to Crab-1 stage, was conducted with different alkalinity treatments as following 80, 100, 120, 140 and 160 mg CaCO3/L and stocking density was 200 larvae/L. The results shown that the metamorphic rate and total length of Zoae-5 stage in the treatment 80 mg CaCO3/L were the highest with 57.8% and 3.74 mm, respectively. The length of crab-1 was highest (3.52 mm) in treatment 80 mg CaCO3/L. The survival rate of all treatments in Zoae-5 stage was relatively high, and highest in 80 mg CaCO3/L (76.7%). The survival rates of larvae at Megalop and Crab-1 stage were not significant difference (P>0.05). During mud crab rearing, stage from Zoae-1 to Zoae-5 should be nursed in the alkalinity from 80-120 mg CaCO3/L, especially in the 80 mg CaCO3/L results in the best survival rate.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of light conditions on the hatching rate, growth and survival rate of black apple snail, Pila polita. The first experiment evaluated the influence of light conditions on the hatching rate of snail eggs with 3 treatments and 8 replicates in each treatment as follow: 1) Normal light condition (without net cover, NL); 2) 1 layer net cover (OL) and 3). 2 layer net cover (TL). In the second experiment, newly hatched snails with initial weight and shell height of 0.03 g and 4.8 mm were reared in the plastic tanks at the density of 300 ind/m2. The light conditions in second experiment was designed similarly to the first one. Results showed that black apple snail eggs reached highest hatching rate (83,8 %) in OL treatment with light intensity from 1000-9000 lux and significantly higher than those from other treatments (p0.05). However, in TL, snails reached highest body weight and shell height (1.56 g and 20.0 mm) compared to NL (1.21 g and 18.23 mm) or OL condition (1.22 g and 18.57 mm).

This study was conducted from April 2013 to January 2014, aiming to assess the efficiency in using different types of feed for snakehead culture by using the data from interviewing 205 fish farmers categorized by types of feed (only trash fish; both trashfish and pellet) and 2 different farming systems (pond and hapa on the river/canal). Only-trash fish farmers had stocking density (171 fingerlings/m3) higher than that of other group (34 fingerlings/m3). The responsive FCR for using trash fish and pellet were 4.3 and 1.9. Fish were harvested after stocking around 5-6 months at the size of 0.5-0.6 kg/fish. Fish were fed by trash fish had bigger size than that of other group (68,3 kg/m3 and 23,6 kg/m3, respectively). Unit production cost was still higher for feeding by pellet but the selling price was higher due to the harvest was mostly in off-season. Using pellet helps to supply feed more active, and to reduce the water pollution, as well as to mitigate the pressure on in both inland and marine natural aquatic resources. However, there is a need for better technical training and transfer, as well as improved quality in association with reduction the pellet price.

This study aims to determine the nutrient characteristics and current status of utilization of sediment in the Tra catfish pond. The objectives of study were (1) analysis of parameters of catfish sediment’s nutrition; (2) determination on status of catfish sediment re-used for agriculture sector. Results pointed out that there are statistically significant difference on the nutrition degree among farm scales, between certified farms and none certified farms, between pond used home-made fish and commercial feed but are not significant different on the nutrition degree between pond with average fish weight of 500 g/fish and 900 g/fish. The catfish pond sediment contains 17.1% total organic matter (CHC); 9.90% total carbon (TC); 2.04 mg/g total nitrogen (TN) and 0.96 mg/g total phosphorus (TP); and 6.7 pH and 2.45 mS/cm electrical conductivity (EC). The sediment re-used for agriculture indicated plants which used catfish sediments as planting beds/plots could save 9 - 100% quantity of inorganic fertilizers used that depended on type of plants, the production and quality of plants also were improved and increased. The utilization of catfish sediment for agriculture sector could be a suitable model for sustainable development and it can contribute to reduce potential pollution compared to that of none treatment method for sediment removing and its draining directly into public areas.

Study on tolerance of freshwater rotifers (Brachionus angularis) under salinity changes was implemented to assess their population growth. Salinity adaptation of rotifers was evaluated in which rotifers were subjected to different salinities (0‰, 1‰, 3‰, 5‰) at different time (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 hours). Several biological parameters of each individual rotifer were observed under different salinities (0‰, 1‰, 3‰, 5‰) and evaluated for the population growth of freshwater rotifer. The results indicated that freshwater rotifer could adapt to and grow in 5‰ water with the acclimatizing time of 20 h. In the salinity of 5‰, individual of rotifers had lower fecundity, longer reproduction intervals, lower filter and feeding rates, longer maturation and embryo development periods (P

GIS technique was applied to study the status of Clown knife fish (Chitala ornata) in Phung Hiep district, Hau Giang province, the study was carried out from January until May 2014. The study surveyed 100 households who are culturing Clown knife fish . The aims of study are to evaluate the status of Clown knife fish in the district, to build cultural region map in term of system, area, yield and production of each household and the communes. Results found that Clown knife fish was mainly cultured in 5 per 12 communes of the district. There were two types of culture system, the fence net in the river and earthen pond. Stocking densities were around 40 ind/m2 and 9 ind/m2 for fence net and earthen pond, respectively. After culture period of 6 months, fish reached the marketable size of 510 g/ind with survival rates in the range of 70-80%. The study established maps following farming systems, culture area and yield. Besides that, advantages, disavantages and economic aspects are aslo discussed in this study.

The study aimed to evaluate effects of climbing perch broodstock sizes on offspring's growth at early life stages and estimate heritability on growth. Twelve pairs of G1 broodstock (families) originated from the wild with variuos mean weights (21-203.5 g) were propagated. Offspring were reared into 2 stages with different stocking densities (stage 1 from fry to 21 days-old, 3 ind./L and stage 2 from 21- 66 days-old, 1 ind./L) in the same tanks containing 40 L of water (3 replicates per family). After stage 1, offspring sizes (2.47 – 2.69 cm and 0.35 – 0.41 g) were similar (p~0.5) but survival rates (40.0 - 82.2%) were significantly different (p

This study was conducted to determine the ability to replace protein of fish meal by meat and bone meal as feed for clown knifefish (Chitala chitala) fingerlings (initial mean weight 7.83g). The five pellet diets were formulated with meat and bone meal (MBM)  replacing either 0% (control), 10%, 20%, 30% or 40% protein of fish meal. All diets were iso-nitrogenous (42% crude protein) and isocaloric (19 KJ/g). The survival rate, weight gain, daily weight gain of fish in the treatments of 10 to 30% MBM replacement were not significant differences compared to the control treatment (p>0.05). FCR and PER increased when replacing more than 20% protein of fish meal. The digestibility of diet dry matter, protein and lipid decreased with the increase of MBM in diets, however the chemical composition of fish body did not affect by MBM replacement in the diets. Meat and bone meal protein could be replaced up to 20% fish meal protein (corresponding to 16.5% of the feed formula) in feed for clown knifefish fingerlings.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different salinities on the molting, spawning and growth of giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii), to contribute to development of Giant freshwater prawn culture in brackish environment. The experiment was conducted with 4 treatments of different salinities including 0, 5, 10 and 15ppt in four 2-m3 composite tanks. Each tank holds 60 net cages (15×15×75 cm) which stocked individually with prawn juvenile (0.42 – 0.47g in BW) per cage. After 120 days of culture, prawns passed 8-9 times of molting at different salinities with molting cycles of 7.7 - 23.8 days. At higher salinity, lower ratio of barried female was observed, and prawn took longer time for maturation and rematuration, and had lower fecundity compared to those in lower salinities. Especially, at 15 ppt, prawn did not spawn after 120 days of culture. Growth rates of prawns in salinity of 5 ppt and 10 ppt was faster than those in 0 ppt and 15 ppt. The survival rate of prawn at 5 ppt, 10 ppt and 15 ppt were higher than those in 0 ppt. The result indicates the feasibility and potential of culturing giant freshwater in brackish area (5 -15 ppt) in Mekong delta.

The study was carried out to provide informations on morphology of Dwarf snakehead in Hau Giang province. Results on 226 analyzed samples showed that Dwarf snakehead is small size species, length body ranges from 6.2 to 17 cm. The fish has an elongated and torpedo shape. The head is big, wide and flattened, the head length is greater than the head height. The eyes are round and arrange deviation about on half of head. Mouth is wide arc, the jaw length shorter than width of mouth. The lower jaw is protruder than the upper jaw, the length of lower jaw bone is longer than the upper jaw bone. The tooth is distributed on 2 jaws. The tooth is small, sharp and pointed, not canines. Dorsal fin is long, not spines, caudal fin is rounded, not forked two, caudal peduncle is short and ventral fins are small. There are 12-14 scales of around caudal peduncle, before dorsal scales is about 11-13 scales. The fish is dark gray on the back and pale close down to ventral. Dorsal, caudal and anal fins have blue iridescent with bright red or orange edges. Results of genetic sequence showed that Dwarf snakehead collected in Hau Giang province, with scientific name is Channa gachua (Hamilton,1822). The result also indicated that length weight relationship (L=6.2-17 cm; W=1.7-39.5 g) have regression equation which is W = 0.0069 × L3.1082, with a very tight orrelation, expressed at very high correlation coefficient (R2 = 0.9379).

Assessment on cadres, civil servants (CCSs)’ competency in Cantho city to reveal problems, gaps and required additional competencies supporting training activities to improve Catho city human resource quality is the first and most important. This article presents results on evaluating CCSs’ competency encompassing capacity to meet job demands, organisation’s requirements, and variation on competency between CCSs in provincial services and districts. Study results explore that along with young, enthusiastic, active, experienced CCSs to their job, several ineffective CCSs were remained. There are many reasons limit CCSs’ working motivation. Of which, CCSs’ remuneration, job allocation, job pressure, development potential, working conditions, were key issues. Staff, heads/vice heads, leaders’ competency those are good ranking compared to job demands has the highest ratio. Respectively, moderate, very good, bad and very bad ranking. This confirms that Canthi city CCSs have training/educating demands to improve competencies. Besides, at the same civil servants’ position (e.g. staff, heads/vice heads, leaders) but there were various evaluations, and requirements about personal competency compared to job demands when considering under 3 information channels from staff, heads/vice heads, leaders. Therefore, building a consistent competency framework to the three above channels is essential. Results in this study are useful references to determine training demands and develop training contents, program in order to enhance CCSs’ competency meeting the target “quality and sustainable human resource in Cantho city”.

This sutdy aimed to determine the factors that affect to the performance of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bac Lieu province. The data of this research was collected from 113 SMEs. Descriptive analysis and regression analysis were used to analyse the performance of SMEs and the factors affecting to the SMEs’ performance in Bac Lieu province. The results of this study showed that the performance of SMEs in Bac Lieu province was formed on the basis of a correllation with the components such as access to governmental supporting policies, years in schooling of businessmen, gender, scale of company, education, social relations, firm age, and type of business.

This study was conducted to determine factors affecting the organizational commitment of employees with bachelor or higher education degrees in companies  in Can Tho City. The researcher interviewed 165 employees in 50 companies based in Can Tho City. Binary Logistic model was applied to determine factors affecting the commitment.  There are 4 main factor groups - salary, benefits and promotion; working environment; job characteristics and leadership styles- that have great influences on the organizational commitment of the employees with bachelor or higher education degrees. Based on the study results, the author would have some proposals on skilled human resource development and methods to maintain the employee commitment to the companies in Can Tho City.

Dividend policy is one of important issues in corporate finance and it is also a topic that has been the heart of debate. The main objective of this study is to measure determinants of dividend policy of listed companies in Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HOSE) in order to enrich evidences related to this field. Data used in the study is panel data that were mainly collected from financial statements of 236 non-finance companies during the period from 2010 to 2012. The empirical findings obtained from the study reveal that average pay-out ratio of the companies over the observed period is from 9,5% to 17,9%. In addition, results derived from fixed effects model show that earning per share, control ability (corporate governance) and type of devidend payment are determinants of pay-out ratio of listed companies in HOSE.

The lack of uniformity in specialized skills of career leads to difficulty for enterprises in recruitment, transfer and training to improve staff qualifications. Setting the skills framework to contribute to systematize and promote the improvement of the skills of staff to carry out the objectives of business strategy. Skills framework to create standardization and uniformity in human resource management activities, is platform for the development of high quality human resources.

A study on demographic characteristics and consumers' complaint behaviors towards mobile telephony services of Can Tho Vinaphone has been conducted through a survey of 110 consumers who have dissatisfaction within the use of the company's services. The research outcomes have revealed that there are no differences in consumers' complaint behaviors among genders. However, the major complaint comes from the clients aged between 18 and 45 and those with their academic qualifications at tertiary level. Generally, consumer's complaint behaviors focus on several aspects including (1) slandering sellers with their friends or relatives, (2) slandering suppliers via social networks or forums, and (3) terminating purchases and changing the supplier. The main reason for such complaint is that consumers claim that the calculation of charges is inexplicit, charges are high, and attitudes of the service staff at transaction places are not good. This study also recommends some measures for Can Tho Vinaphone in order to minimize customers' complaint behaviors as well as to receive complaint behaviors better, including (1) making the calculation of charges explicit to customers by using clients' online accounts on the Internet, which allows customers to access to information on charges used at any points of time, and information on options of charge reduction; (2) besides using hot lines or suggestion boxes, Can Tho Vinaphone should create a section to receive customers' complaint online on the main website or on the face-book account of the company.

Basing on the survey of 265 respondants who own at least one motorcycle in all 9 distrists of Can Tho city, this paper is to examine determinants of the demand change in deciding purchase of a motorcycle in the form of scooter line.Throughout the application of analytical tools like the 5- scale Likert and the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), the result indicates that important determinants of deciding purchase of a scooter by the respondants are brand-name of the producer, price, technical features (strong, low-waste of energy), design, safety, personal expression, and guarantee services. It is, however, worth noting that demographic factors of the respondants such as age, education, profession, and income are not found to have effects on the demand change in purchasing decision of a scooter.

Ceramic and brick production and business operations of family-owned companies in Vinh Long Province, the size of Ceramic and brick production is largest in Mekong Delta. However, ceramic and tile producers tend to narrowly generate or stop producing the products due to high competitive pressure of the bricks baked from the oven with closed technological procedures although closed processes have lowered input costs for the producers, the quality and appearance of brick colors are not as perfect as manual based producers from Vinh Long province. The fact is that the manual producing procedure has not changed over the years because of lack of financial supports for reinvesting and improving products’ quality. Ceramic and bricks production and business operations of family-owned companies in Vinh Long Province were carefully analyzed depending upon the status of manufacture and consumption of each producer. The status of production addressed prior elements such as the number of workforce, knowledge background of employees, materials (clay and shell grain) and the technology. Besides, the status of consumption generally examines the current products’ outlets and the profits earned over the last three years. At the same time, SWOT matrix was also built to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the presented sector at the moment, so several potential measures may be drawn in order to develop the business and production activities of the producers in the near future.

The objective of this paper is to determine factors affecting on entrepreneurial intentions of economic students of School of Economics and Business AdministrationatCan Tho University. The research data was collected from 233 economic students (freshmen and sophomores) through convenience sampling method. By doing an exploratory study, we find that there are five factors influencing students’ entrepreneurial intention including: (1) Attitude and Self – efficacy, (2) Education and Opportunity, (3) Financial capital, (4) Subjective norm, and (5) Perceived behavioral control. The implications of this study are expected to contribute greatly to the improvement of start-up entrepreneurship education progam.

This study focuses on analyzing household capacity of market access in business linkage in An Giang province. 252 households in Cho Moi, Chau Thanh, Chau Phu and Tinh Bien districts were interviewed directly. Descriptive statistics, logistic regression, t-test paired two samples for means and Chi-square test were used to analyze the factors affecting household capacity of market access. The results showed that the market access of farmers was affected by age, number of school year, experience, productivity and business linkage.

Mango area of Dong Thap - about 9,031 ha, of which 60% is Chu mango - is the largest in Mekong Delta. Experienced farmers have successfully applied off-season techniques to harvest mango crops whole year- round. However, the implementation of linkage in the production and consumption remains difficulties which are needed a systematic research. Integrated value chain approach (Kaplinsky & Morris, 2000; Recklies, 2001; GTZ Eschborn, 2007; M4P, 2007 and Vo Thi Thanh Loc, 2013) was used to analyze operations of the Chu mango value chain in Dong Thap. The result showed that mango farming is small-scaled individuals, except only one mango Cooperative. There is not mango processing factory in Dong Thap province. Export channel is about 75% of total fresh mango markets (mainly to the Chinese market). Shortening market channel and farmers linkage help reduce costs and increase profits for the chain actors.

In the globalization era, innovation and creativity in scientific research and technology transfer are more concerned. Business incubator plays an important role in the development of product commercialization from scientific research results in the University and is the nurture for start-up technoloygy business. This research is aimed to analyze current situations and evaluate demand of participation into technology business incubator - Can Tho University and the orientation of techno-scientific products via University.

Dong Thap is a leading province of chili production in the Mekong Delta. Dong Thap chili is high competitive advantage in spicy quality compared to other regions; There are, however, many problems from production to distribution. The study applied the value chain approach of Kaplinsky & Morris (2001), the ValueLinks method of GTZ (2007), Marking value chains work better for the poor (M4P, 2008) and participation of chain actors. The research objectives include (1) assessment of production and distribution situation of chili in Dong Thap, (2) analysis of chili value chain, and (3) suggestion of strategic solutions for upgrading chili value chain. The solutions help facilitators at all levels to develop further policies and better measures to added value of chili product, such as improving chili variety, use of organic fertilizers and research on use of water from drying chili instead of plant protection chemicals; in the production stage, it is necessary to develop large scale production, improve product quality and business linkage; in the distribution stage it should increase high quality of frozen and dried chili for export as well as reduce dependence on the Chinese market.

The objectives of this study were to identify major factors affecting livelihood outcomes of rural households in the Mekong Delta. The Sustainable Livelihood Approach of the Department for International Development of the United Kingdom was employed for this study. A set of 409 farm households who have produced rice-upland crops, rice, fruits, brackish shrimp, upland crops, rice-aquaculture and sugarcane in 9 provinces in the Mekong Delta, including An Giang, Dong Thap, Kien Giang, Can Tho, Vinh Long, Hau Giang, Tien Giang, Ben Tre and Bac Lieu, was interviewed in 2013. Observed data in terms of livelihood assets and livelihood outcomes were standardised at the [0,1] scale. The value of livelihood outcome is ranging from 0 to 1; therefore, the Tobit Regression was used to identify major factors influencing livelihood outcomes. Research results indicate that livelihood assets of households specialising brackish water shrimp, fruits and rice was significantly lower than those of households cultivating upland crops and integrated farming (rice-aquaculture and rice-upland crops). Households growing brackish water shrimp confronted with problems in natural and social assets while household cultivating rice and sugarcane faced with decline in financial capital due to low market price of these products. Livelihood outcomes were positively shaped by financial, social and physical assets. Labour quality also forced households to achieve livelihood outcomes; however, decline in market prices of agricultural products constrained rice and upland crop producers to satisfy their livelihood outcomes.

This study is aimed to determine the factors that affect the level of citizens’satisfaction on the interconnected one-stop shop mechanism in Thot Not District, Can Tho City. The Cronbach’s Alpha test, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and multiple-variable linear regression analysis were used in the study. Research data from the study were collected from 130 people who use the one-stop shop services. The research results show that 3 factors affect the level of citizens’ satisfaction, including: the feedback and the tangible means, the human resources quality and the dossiers resolution process. In particular, the factor relating the human resources quality has the most impact on citizens’satisfaction.

This study is aimed to analyze the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and transformational leadership on financial performance (FP) as well as the effect of transformational leadership in CSR by using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). CSR is measured by the stakeholders, including the environment, employees, customers, suppliers and communities. Business benefit (BB) is used as intermediate variables to measure the impact of CSR to FP. The result shows that CSR has a positive impact to BB and then BB has a positive impact to FP. Transformational leadership has a positive influence towards CSR in spite of its opposite effect to FP.