SOME RESULTS OF RESEARCH ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ACACIA PLANTATION ON ACID SULPHATE SOIL IN THE MEKONG DELTA REGION

Abstract

The area of acacia forests in the Mekong Delta region until 2024 was estimated to be about 15,621 hectares, mainly concentrated in the Ca Mau Peninsula and the Long Xuyen Quadrangle. The results of research on acacia planting and development from 2009 to 2024 have shown that acacia hybrids (Clones AH1, AH7, BV32, TB12) and Acacia auriculiformis (Clones Clt7, Clt26, Clt98, AA1) can grow and develop on high embankment in the Mekong Delta. The productivity of acacia planted for 5 to 6 year ranges from 28.7 to 46.0 m³ per year per hectare, at planting density from 2,500 to 3,330 trees per hectare. Survey results of standing tree timber prices over the past five years (from 2020 to 2024) demonstrate that planting acacia provides 2.0 to 2.5 times higher income compared to planting Melaleuca and the cost of raw acacia wood delivered to factories has exceeded the price of raw Melaleuca wood by approximately 190,000 VND per ton. The implementation of suitable acacia planting techniques along with the selection of high - yielding varieties is expected to significantly contribute to the wood processing industry and promote sustainable economic development in the forestry sector within the Mekong Delta region.