Possible Planting Areas for Golden Camellia - Camellia impressinervis in Vietnam
Nguyen Van Tuan
Department of Silviculture Foundation, Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Phung Dinh Trung
Department of Silviculture Foundation, Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Tran Duc Manh
Department of Planning and Finance, Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Nguyen Toan Thang
Department of Silviculture Foundation, Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Dang Van Thuyet
Department of Silviculture Techniques, Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Dao Trung Duc
Department of Silviculture Techniques, Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Mai Thi Linh
Department of Silviculture Techniques, Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Nguyen Thi Thu Phuong
Department of Planning and Finance, Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Ninh Viet Khuong
Department of Silviculture Foundation, Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Vu Tien Lam
Department of Planning and Finance, Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Nguyen Huu Thinh
Department of Agroforestry, Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Hoang Thanh Son
Department of Forest Phytodiversity, Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Trinh Ngoc Bon
Department of Forest Phytodiversity, Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Ho Trung Luong
Department of Agroforestry, Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Vu Van Thuan
Centre for Applied Silviculture Research and Extension, Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Tran Van Do *
Department of Silviculture Foundation, Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Camellia impressinervis is known as a golden camellia, naturally distributing in China and Vietnam. Leaves and flowers of golden camellias contain active ingredients such as polysaccharides, polyphenols, saponins, and flavonoids. It was found to be able to inhibit the transplanted cancer, lower blood lipid, lower cholesterol, and prevent atherosclerosis. Market price of dry flowers of golden camellias in Vietnam is high, up to 700 US$/kg. This work was to identify suitable planting areas for C. impressinervis in Vietnam. Natural conditions, where C. impressinervis naturally distributes, were used for mapping, including elevation above sea level, annual precipitation, and annual air temperature. Each condition was classified to four levels as “very suitable”, “suitable”, “less suitable”, and “not suitable” for planting. Three corresponding digital maps were used for mapping. The results indicated that 72,781 ha accounting for 32.3% total land area of the study site was classified as “very suitable” for planting C. impressinervis. The “suitable” areas accounted for 34.2% and the not suitable areas accounted for 33.5% total land area. There was no area belonging to “less suitable”. It is recommended that C. impressinervis should be planted in “very suitable” areas and may be extended some to “suitable” areas. However, it should be widely planted only after carefully studying on cultivar selection, seedling production, and planting and tending techniques with consultation by local authorities.
Keywords: Active ingredient, golden camellia, natural condition, poverty reduction, suitable area