Background: Post-harvest management of copra quality poses significant challenges due to improper handling by farmers and traders, a lack of awareness about mycotoxin contamination, and the associated health risks from metabolites produced by molds. Most traders noted that copra extraction happens at the farmers&rsquo; level, which heightens the risk of mold infestation, as many farmers do not realize that improper drying can result in fungal contamination. Copra quality is found to be reduced by many fungi. 
 
Methods: In the present study mycoflora isolated from storage copra. Potential biocontrol agents and chemical preservatives were screened against isolated mycoflora by using dual culture technique to enhance copra quality and to ensure better preservation methods in the industry. 
 
Result: Isolation studies revealed that Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Rhizopus spp, Drechslera spp, Botryodiplodia spp and Penicillium spp are the commonly associated mycoflora on copra during storage.&nbsp; Aspergillus flavus was predominant among the mycoflora with percent colonies ranging from 68 to 92 per each sample. Dual culture studies carried out with the three species of Trichoderma isolated from soils of coconut gardens revealed that T.viride, T.harzianum and T.hamatum were found very effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth of A.flavus under in vitro conditions.&nbsp; of them, T.hamatum was found very effective in controlling A.flavus. Among various chemical preservatives tested, Menadione showed the highest inhibition of A. flavus strains at 100 percent, followed by Potassium metabisulfite at 77.23 percent and Benzoic acid at 63.33 percent. Compatibility studies between A.flavus and the widely used chemical preservatives in food industry gives an idea of the nature of chemical preservatives to be used. 
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In-vitro Studies on Aflatoxin Contamination and Management of Copra Quality

Background: Vinh Long has about 120,000 ha (equivalent to about 22 million coconut trees), ranking first and accounting for over 50% of the country&rsquo;s coconut area. Many studies showed that coconut yield, whether high or low, is influenced by numerous factors. 
 
Methods: This study conducted a survey of 400 coconut-growing households and directly assessed soil fertility in 198 coconuts gardens to identify factors affecting the yield of copra coconut, drinking coconut and Sap coconut in Vinh Long province. 
 
Result: The results showed that two-thirds of coconut growers were middle-aged, between 36-55-year-olds, with education levels at or above high school, accounting for 61.1%. Household coconut planting areas were small, ranging from 0.3 to 1.0 ha, accounting for 90.5%. The planting density for copra coconut and Sap coconut ranged from 233-254 trees ha-1, with an average yield of 42.1-47.5 fruits/tree/year; drinking coconuts averaged 317 trees ha-1&nbsp;with an average yield of 76.7 fruits/tree/year. No strong correlation was found between tree age and coconut yield. Factors such as Electrical Conductivity (EC) and temperature suitable for coconut growth, as well as the correlation between soil moisture and pH with coconut yield, were very low. However, prolonged low moisture averaging 13.9% can affect coconut growth and reproduction. Only 12.1% of the coconut gardens had readily available nitrogen at good to rich levels (&gt;120 mgN kg-1), but 85.4% of the gardens were rated from rich to very rich in readily available phosphorus (&gt;21 mgP kg-1) and 51.5% from medium to very rich in available potassium (&gt;100 mg K kg-1). No strong correlation was found between the readily available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the soil at the time of survey and coconut yield. It is necessary to increase soil nitrogen levels by increasing the dosage and splitting fertilization events or using nitrogen in organic forms. 
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In-vitro Studies on Aflatoxin Contamination and Management of Copra Quality

The Current Status of Cultivation and Soil Fertility of Coconut Plantations in Vinh Long Province, Vietnam