Presenting the new F1 hybrid cantaloupe ‘made in Vietnam’

A new variety which can rival “foreign cantaloupe”

Currently, vegetable production in Vietnam depends on 90% of F1 hybrid vegetables imported from abroad, especially cantaloupe seeds are almost 100% dependent on imported sources.

Faced with that situation, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has directed scientific research units under the Ministry to focus on research and selection of vegetable varieties specifically F1 hybrid vegetable varieties to reduce dependence on imports.

Since 2015, the Agricultural Science Institute for Southern Coastal Central of Vietnam (ASISOV) has focused its resources on the selection and creation of F1 hybrid vegetable varieties, and Hoang Ngan cantaloupe is one of them. ASISOV's successful selection of the Hoang Ngan cantaloupe variety is crucial in the current context.

In 2018, based on available materials, ASISOV started to research, select and breed F1 hybrid cantaloupe. By 2021, the F1 Hoang Ngan hybrid cantaloupe complex was completed. Since then, ASISOV has produced F1 hybrid seeds of Hoang Ngan cantaloupe and conducted trial planting in a number of localities in the South Central Coast and Central Highlands such as Ninh Thuan and Gia Lai, mostly focusing on Binh Dinh because Hoang Ngan cantaloupe is particularly suitable for the climate and soil conditions of the area.

According to Vu Van Khue, Deputy Director of ASISOV, after the trial period, Hoang Ngan cantaloupe variety gave very positive results. Hoang Ngan melon can be grown continuously for three crops per year. Hoang Ngan cantaloupe can be grown in a nethouse on a substrate in potting bag or directly on the ground. In any condition, the plant can grow and develop well thanks to its high resistance to pests and diseases.

Hoang Ngan cantaloupe has large female flowers, easy to fruit. The fruit is elliptical, the average length is 22 cm and the diameter is 14 cm. The rind is bright yellow when ripe. The flesh is light orange, very crunchy and sweet. In the yellow-skinned melon segment which is currently popular on the market, Hoang Ngan cantaloupe can be considered a strong contender.

Good yield, good profits

In Binh Dinh, ASISOV's Hoang Ngan cantaloupe variety has been tested in many localities, from the plains to the midlands. Since 2021 Hoang Ngan cantaloupe has been continuously grown in the institute's nethouse with an average area of 1,000 m²/year. The growing model applied by ASISOV gives positive results. The fruit weighs from 1.5 to 2 kg per fruit, which result in an average yield of 3.5-4 tons/1,000 m²/crop.

In 2022, ASISOV continued to test Hoang Ngan cantaloupe on an area of 500 m² in a nethouse in Dieu Tri town (Tuy Phuoc district, Binh Dinh). The production model in Dieu Tri gave even better results, reaching 1.6 - 2.1 kg/fruit, and the average yield was 3.8 - 4.2 tons/1,000 m²/crop.

The institute also conducted a trial planting of this variety at Quang Trung University (Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh) with an area of 200 m² while using plant substrate, potting bag in a nethouse. The fruit weight reached 1.4 - 1.6 kg/fruit, the average yield was 3.2 - 3.5 tons/1,000 m²/crop.

At the beginning of 2023, ASISOV tested this hybrid variety in Phu My district on an area of 500 m². The fruit weight of this model was 1.6 - 2 kg/fruit, the average yield was 3.8 - 4 tons/1,000 m²/crop. There was another model in Hoai An district with an area of approximately 400 m². The fruit weight was 1.5-2 kg/fruit, the average yield was 3.5-4 tons/1,000 m²/crop.

“Through trial production in all models, Hoang Ngan cantaloupe products have been recognized by consumers and received very positive feedback. The average revenue at the trial sites is VND 140 million /1,000 m²/crop. After deducting costs, growers can still gain a profit of VND 70-80 million/1,000 m²/crop,” said Vu Van Khue, Deputy Director of ASISOV.