A worker is examining seed bombs

Nui Chua is in an area with a dry ecosystem. The rainy season comes later than other regions and ends sooner, starting in September or October and ending in December. 

There is no large stream in the area. There are only several small, short streams which become depleted in the dry season. The area experiences nine months of dry season, a 4-month drought and a 2-month depletion every year. 

Tran Van Tiep, deputy director of the Nui Chua National Park Board of Management, said due to the severe climate conditions, natural forest regeneration in Nui Chua is meeting difficulties. 

In some years, the dry season is too short, with not enough time for afforestation. In other years, saplings withered because of the lack of water.

In addition, it is difficult to design forest plantation areas and prepare for afforestation because of the complicated terrain.

The seed bombs can be created by mixing clay with fertilizer and water, then kneading thoroughly with hands. After that, seeds are put into the mixture and rolled into balls. 

The seeds germinate when it rains, and there is no need to fertilize or water. As the seeds are covered by soil, they will not be eaten by insects or ants and will have a higher germination rate.

As seed bombs are small and compact, it is easy for workers to carry bombs when going to the forests. Forest rangers and national parks’ officers on patrol will also leave bombs in the forests.

Tourists also help disseminate seed bombs under the instruction of tour guides.

The seed bomb method has brought encouraging results as it minimizes risks. The seeds will germinate and grow if they meet favorable conditions. The bombs provide enough nutrients for seedlings in the first phase of development. After that, the rainy season, lasting 2-3 months, will help seedlings grow and increase their resistance to survive the dry season later.

If seed bombing is implemented in the dry season, the seeds will ‘hibernate’ in the soil and will only germinate when it rains.

According to Tiep, the national park in 2018 delivered 1,000 seed bombs to technical officers, forest rangers and tourists. In the areas where bombs were dropped, plants have grown green.

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