SURVEY RESULTS ON INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND COLLECTION OF CROP GENETIC RESOURCES IN DAK LAK PROVINCE 2024

Abstract

Dak Lak province, located in the heart of Vietnam’s Central Highlands, is characterized by diverse natural conditions and rich cultural heritage. It is home to many indigenous ethnic communities such as E De, M’Nong, Gia Rai, Tay and Nung. Over generations, these communities have developed and preserved a wealth of traditional knowledge related to the cultivation, preservation and utilization of traditional crop varieties. Among them, upland rice, maize, bitter apple and sponge gourd are not only integral to local livelihoods and cuisine but also hold significant genetic value for conservation and crop improvement. To document and safeguard these valuable genetic resources, the Plant Resources Center conducted surveys and collected germplasm of rice, maize, bitter apple and sponge gourd from 12 communes in six districts: Buon Don, Krong Bong, Ea Kar, Lak, Krong Ana and Krong Pak of Dak Lak province. A total of 55 accessions were collected, including 24 rice, 15 maize, 9 bitter apple, and 7 sponge gourd accessions. Most of the accessions were provided by the E De and M’Nong ethnic groups, with additional rice samples contributed by the Tay and Nung communities. The cultivation of these local varieties is mainly based on traditional shifting cultivation practices: slashing, burning, direct seeding, manual tending, and harvesting using simple tools. Notably, rice is threshed by hand directly in the field instead of using sickles or reaping, a practice that reduces seed loss due to easy shattering and aligns with local farming customs. Based on the survey results, the research team identified several representative germplasms of rice, maize, bitter apple and sponge gourd for developing in-situ conservation models in local communities, thereby contributing to the sustainable preservation and utilization of the Central Highlands’ valuable plant genetic resources.