In a recent study conducted in Buon Me Thuot, Dak Lak, the combination of Oligochitosan and Peptides demonstrated exceptional results in improving the yield and quality of Choy sum (Brassica integrifolia L.). The experiment, conducted from June to July 2024, aimed to assess the combined effects of these two biosolutions on the growth and yield of the crop. The results showed that using base fertilizer combined with spraying Peptides at a 0.5% + Oligochitosan at a 0.25% concentration yielded the best growth and productivity (44.9 tons/ha), shortened the harvest time (reduced by 2–4 days), and provided high profits for farmers (650 million VND/ha). Additionally, the separate use of Peptides at a 0.5% concentration also showed significantly better results compared to the untreated control and the farmer control (using fish protein of farmer), with a yield of 43.2 tons/ha and a profit of 618 million VND/ha.
Peptides and Oligochitosan are two promising bioactive compounds for enhancing crop yield and health, particularly for leafy vegetables. The advantage of these compounds is that they are both naturally derived, safe for users, and minimize negative environmental impacts, contributing to sustainable horticulture.
Peptides is the product of enzymatic hydrolysis of proteins into peptides and amino acids. Peptides are easily digestible nutrients, which plants can quickly absorb through leaves and roots without needing to undergo complex microbial decomposition or transformation and synthesis processes. This helps plants save energy and time in synthesizing proteins from ammonium or nitrate. Therefore, incorporating peptides into the fertilization process helps plants grow faster and absorb mineral nutrients more effectively.
Chitosan is a bioactive compound produced through the deacetylation process of chitin, a common component found in the shells of crustaceans such as shrimp and crabs. With its outstanding biological properties, chitosan is applied in agriculture as a biological plant protection agent and a natural resistance inducer to enhance plant health. Oligochitosan, a low molecular weight form of chitosan, is easily soluble in water, has high bioactivity, and improves plant absorption.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
• Location: Buon Ma Thuot, Dak Lak.
• Duration: June to July 2024
• Product: Peptides (9 Rong 01 Fertilizer – code: CR01) and Oligochitosan (COSL-02)
• Implementer: Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company
• Oligochitosan specification:
+ Oligochitosan content: ≥ 4%
+ Degree of Deacetylation (DD): ≥ 80%
+ Viscosity: ~ 1.09 cPs
+ Sources: 100% chitosan from shrimp shells produced by Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company
• Peptides specification:
+ Organic matter content: ≥ 25%
+ Total Nitrogen: ≥ 2%
+ C/N: 12
• Object: Choy sum (Brassica intergrifolia L.)
• Experimental method: Based on the TCVN 12719:2019 standard for fertilizer trials on annual crops.
• Treatment design:
Note: All treatments used a base fertilizer application at a rate of 5,000 kg of Japanese chicken manure per hectare at 15 days before planting.
• Application method:
+ Application method: foliar spraying
+ Spraying: in the early morning or late evening
+ Time: 3. 1st spraying at 3 – 5 days after planting, periodically every 7 days
+ Spraying dosage:
○ 3 – 5 days after planting: 400 L/ha
○ 10 – 12 days after planting: 500 L/ha
○ 17 – 19 days after planting: 600 L/ha
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN:
The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block (Randomized Complete Block Design – RCBD) includes 6 treatments corresponding to 6 fertilizer formulas, 3 replicates. Experimental layout diagram:
RESULTS
Effect of Combining Peptides (CR01) and Oligochitosan (COSL-02) on Growth Indicators and Harvest Time: Spraying a combination of COSL-02 at 0.25% concentration with CR01 at 0.5% concentration resulted in the highest plant height (31.5 cm) among treatments, an increase of 17% compared to the untreated control. The number of leaves in the treatments ranged from 7 to 8. The use of CR01 and COSL-02 shortened the harvest time by 2–4 days compared to the control.
Effect of Combining Peptides (CR01) and Oligochitosan (COSL-02) on Yield and Economic Efficiency of Choy sum: Spraying a combination of COSL-02 at 0.25% concentration with CR01 at 0.5% concentration resulted in the highest actual yield of 44.9 tons/ha, a 35% increase compared to the untreated control and a 24% increase compared to the farmer control using fish protein. Spraying CR01 at 0.5% concentration alone also produced good results, yielding 43.2 tons/ha.
Economic Efficiency of Combining Peptides (CR01) and Oligochitosan (COSL-02) in Choy sum Cultivation in Dak Lak: The combination of COSL-02 at 0.25% concentration with CR01 at 0.5% concentration generated the highest profit of 650 million VND/ha, a 55% increase compared to the untreated control and a 35% increase compared to the farmer control using fish protein.
Note: This experiment showed higher yields and profits compared to conventional Choy sum cultivation models due to a dense planting density (1,000,000 plants/ha) and organic farming practices, which resulted in a higher farmgate price. At harvest time, the price was 20,000 VND/kg.
CONCLUSION
Using base fertilizer combined with spraying CR01 at 0.5% concentration and COSL-02 at 0.25% concentration resulted in the best growth and yield (44.9 tons/ha), shortened the harvest time (by 2–4 days), and provided high profits for farmers (650 million VND/ha). Additionally, spraying CR01 at 0.5% concentration alone also delivered good results compared to the untreated control and the farmer control (using homemade fish protein), with a yield of 43.2 tons/ha and a profit of 618 million VND/ha.
Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company (VNF) offers a diverse portfolio of Peptides and Chitosan products tailored for various applications in horticulture: fertilizers, plant protection, and after harvest preservation. The products are derived from shrimp shell by-products of the seafood industry, offering a “Value-added solution for agriculture.” The solutions align with sustainable farming practices, reducing emissions, and enhancing benefits for farmers.
Source: The experiment is part of the Vietnam Improving Private Sector Competitiveness Project, funded by the Agency for Enterprise Development (AED) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), , and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and implemented by Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company.