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.

中文翻译：

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越南湄公河三角洲的内陆旱季盐水入侵正在推动确定和实施水稻替代作物

语境

越南湄公河三角洲 (MRD) 的旱季正在发生内陆盐水入侵。海平面上升、潮汐波动、干旱和上游水流变化导致湄公河流域水稻产区广泛盐碱化，导致水稻作物大量损失。

客观的

需要确定、评估和实施替代作物和土壤管理解决方案，以补充该地区正在进行的水稻生产。

方法

对关于 MRD 中盐渍化的性质和程度以及水稻替代作物的采用和管理的科学和灰色文献进行了审查。

结果

越南熟悉的作物（例如玉米、大豆）以及 MRD 的新作物（例如藜麦、豇豆）被探索作为替代旱季水稻的潜在选择。包括表层土壤覆盖物和塑料覆盖物在内的管理选择有助于保持土壤水分并减少盐分对植物的损害，使用排水和种子准备技术可以改善植物的生长和产量。促成替代作物成功的因素包括耐盐性、用水时间和效率、在干旱生长季节生长的能力、对病虫害的耐受性、劳动强度和作物的适销性。

意义

在 MRD 的盐渍化地区确定合适的替代作物替代旱季水稻，结合覆盖和土壤水分监测等管理措施，可以为农民提供收入机会来抵消水稻损失。记录促成作物多样化成功的因素有助于农民、农业综合企业和政府机构之间的决策和支持举措。