Variety Development

Four corn hybrids co-developed at the Institute of Biology and Agricultural Technology, Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA), officially recognized for circulation or protected under Vietnam’s plant-variety-protection system.

VNUA141

VNUA141 purple waxy corn ears in the field

Purple waxy corn hybrid, rich in anthocyanin (relatively high content, over 100 mg/100 g). Officially recognized for circulation, Dept. of Crop Production, MARD, 2022 (Reg. No. CNLH.2022.31). Fresh-ear yield 100–120 quintals/ha, with medium resistance to sheath blight. Main author: Vu Van Liet. Co-authors: Pham Quang Tuan, Nguyen Trung Duc, Nguyen Thi Nguyet Anh, Nguyen The Hung, Nguyen Viet Long, and Vu Thi Xuan Binh.

VNUA191

VNUA191 purple waxy corn ears, dried and fresh

Purple waxy corn hybrid (kernel composition roughly 80–90% waxy, 10–20% sweet). Officially recognized for circulation, Dept. of Crop Production, MARD, 2025 (Reg. No. CNLH.2025.11); plant-variety-protection certificate No. 59.VN.2025, granted 30 June 2025. Fresh-ear yield up to 150 quintals/ha at its best. Positioned by the institute as a higher-value specialty line, differentiating on its purple color alongside eating quality, maturity, yield, and uniformity. Main author: Vu Van Liet. Co-authors: Pham Quang Tuan, Nguyen Trung Duc, Nguyen Thi Nguyet Anh, Vu Thi Xuan Binh, and Tran Van Quang.

VNUA168

VNUA168 ears in husk with cross-sections showing purple-and-white kernels

Fresh-eating sweet corn hybrid with a distinctive purple-tinted kernel, marketed as “Fruit Corn 168.” Plant-variety-protection certificate No. 63.VN.2025, granted 13 August 2025 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. Positioned by the institute as VNUA’s entry into the premium fresh-market sweet corn segment, competing on kernel color and appearance alongside sweetness, tenderness, and post-harvest quality retention. Main author: Pham Quang Tuan. Co-authors: Vu Van Liet, Nguyen Trung Duc, Vu Thi Xuan Binh, and Nguyen Thi Nguyet Anh.

MH81 (VNUA81)

MH81 white waxy-sweet corn ears

White waxy-sweet corn hybrid (kernel composition roughly 80–90% waxy, 10–20% sweet), registered as “Giong ngo nep ngot trang.” Plant-variety-protection certificate No. 107.VN.2025, granted 8 December 2025. Positioned by the institute as balancing traditional waxy stickiness with added sweetness to improve fresh-eating sensory quality without giving up yield. Main author: Pham Quang Tuan. Co-authors: Vu Van Liet, Nguyen Trung Duc, Vu Thi Xuan Binh, and Nguyen Thi Nguyet Anh.