Conservation of longan genetic resources in Hungyen province - results and lessons learned

Longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour) is a tropical perennial fruit tree that is largely produced in some northern provinces of Vietnam, such as Hung Yen, Hanoi, Ninh Binh. To protect and develop germplasm of this valuable local fruit tree, a series of solutions combining scientific with indigenous knowledge have been implemented. Hung Yen is a province with a wide growing area and high genetic diversity of longan, where over 30 different genotypes of this tree have been recorded. We have successfully maintained the longan germplasm accessions (‘Nhan Thoc’, ‘Nhan Nuoc’, ‘Nhan Duong Phen’, ‘Nhan Cui’) in conservation sites. So that, for successful conservation of longan genetic resources in Hung Yen, the following activities need to be of concern: conservation of genetic resources must be based on the ecosystem; attention to be paid to the balance between products, culture and ecological integrity; people are an important component of nature. Nature is the premise for human life and development.