Management of Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne Incognita Dreaded Invading in Pointed Gourd (Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.) Crop Prone to Eastern U.P of India

Pointed gourd belongs to cucurbitaceae family and is extensively cultivated in eastern Uttar Pradesh (10000 Hectares), Bihar (14000 hectares), West Bengal, Assam, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujrat. Its plants are perennial in nature and can survive for several years even if left uncared. This crop occupies large area of land in India. The system of cultivation varies from region to region such as trained on pandals or ardours especially during the rainy season in southern and western India. However, it is most susceptible to root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, the population level or density of root-knot nematodes were found in the range of 15–100 per cent of the root and soil samples. This nematode induces severe damage to pointed gourd on coarse-textured sandy soils, particularly during droughts stress. Crop failure is noticed at earlier stage of vines. In view of fact it is necessary to evolve the integrated strategies for management of root-knot nematode in this viny crop.

AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OF MAJOR VEGETABLES IN PARSA DISTRICT, NEPAL

The survey research was conducted to analyze the economics of production and marketing of major vegetables in Parsa district of Nepal from December 2019 to April 2020. Primary data for the household survey were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire from sixty sampled respondents, sixteen from Pokhariya municipality, and forty-four from Bahudarmai municipality. Secondary data were collected through scientific journals, articles, and publications from agricultural organizations, projects, and programs. Average area under vegetable cultivation was found 12.68 Kattha. Out of five major vegetables under study average cost of production per kattha was found highest for pointed gourd (Rs. 11551.50) lowest for okra production (Rs. 6071/kata). The majority of production cost was covered by labor cost (>40%). The average productivity of cauliflower, okra,brinjal, chilli, and pointed gourd was 27.3 Mt/ha,19 Mt/ha,16.67 Mt/ha, 27.52Mt/ha, and 25.83Mt/ha respectively. B:C ratio of all the vegetables under study was higher than three which implies that vegetable farming in the study area is profitable farm business. Producers-wholesalers-retailers-consumers was the most used marketing channel. Market margin of cauliflower, okra, brinjal, chilli and pointed gourd was Rs. 13/kg, Rs. 7.73/kg, Rs. 7.86/kg, Rs. 28.07/kg and Rs. 8.69/kg respectively. Index of severity was constructed to rank the problems in the production and marketing of vegetables. Analysis of the problems identified shows the need for proper storage facilities, training related to vegetable farming and insect pest management, and subsidies on regular basis, and mechanization and modernization of the farming system through the introduction of technological knowledge and modern farm practice.

Root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) an emerging problem in pointed gourd in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, India: a serious threat

Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne incognita has emerged as one of the serious threats to vegetable production throughout the world due to its adaptable nature, wide host range, and ability to cause huge losses. The losses caused by a root-knot nematode, M. incognita may vary from 16 to 80%. The various diagnostic symptoms are stunted growth, yellowing, root gall formation of the vegetable crop. A survey was conducted in Sitapur district and it was revealed that root-knot nematode is one of the serious threats in pointed gourd production, approximately 20 to 50% yield was recorded and it was observed that it is one of the limiting factors and will be a serious threat. The diagnostic symptoms degree depends upon several factors such as time of infection, variety, a load of inoculums, and abiotic factors such as soil type, texture, moisture, pH, carbon content, etc. Farmers were advised to use eco-friendly approaches such as removal of weeds, summer plowing, use of organic amendments and resistant cultivar may reduce the nematode population.

Microbial Quality Assessment and Efficacy of Low-Cost Disinfectants on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Collected from Urban Areas of Dhaka, Bangladesh

This study aimed to examine the total viable bacteria (TVBC); total coliform (TCC); fecal coliform (TFC); pathogenic Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and total fungi (TF); and the effect of different low-cost disinfectants (sterile water, salt water, blanched, and vinegar) in decontamination of 12 types of fruit and 10 types of vegetables. In fruit samples, the lowest TVBC was enumerated at 3.18 ± 0.27 log CFU/g in Indian gooseberry and the highest at 6.47 ± 0.68 log CFU/g in guava. Staphylococci (2.04 ± 0.53–5.10 ± 0.02 log CFU/g), Pseudomonas (1.88 ± 0.03–5.38 ± 0.08 log CFU/g), and total fungi (2.60 ± 0.18–7.50 ± 0.15 log CFU/g) were found in all fruit samples; however, no Salmonella was detected in fruit samples. Similarly, the lowest TVBC recorded 5.67± 0.49 log CFU/g in cucumber and the highest 7.37 ± 0.06 log CFU/g in yard long bean. The Staphylococci (3.48 ± 0.13–4.81 ± 0.16 log CFU/g), Pseudomonas (3.57± 0.21– 4.75 ± 0.23 log CFU/g), TCC (1.85 ± 1.11–56.50 ± 37.14 MPN/g), TFC (1.76 ± 0.87– 3.78 ± 3.76 MPN/g), and TF (3.79 ± 0.18–4.40 ± 0.38 log CFU/g) were recorded in all vegetables samples, but no Salmonella was detected in yard long bean, pointed gourd, carrot, tomato, cucumber, or brinjal. However, vinegar showed the highest microbial load reduction of selected fruit and vegetables among the different treatments. With vinegar treatment, the highest reduction of TVBC (1.61-log) and TF (2.54-log) was observed for fruits, and TVBC (2.31-log) and TF (2.41-log) for vegetables. All the disinfectant treatments resulted in significant (p < 0.01) bacterial load reduction compared to control for the studied fruits and vegetable samples.

Impact of COVID-19 on vegetable supply chain and food security: Empirical evidence from Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to have substantial effects on the livelihood of people, but smallholder vegetables growers will be even more affected because of the perishability nature of the product. The first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Bangladesh on 8th March, 2020 and consequently the country went into lockdown on 26 March, 2020. This study has made a survey of vegetables farmers through a mobile phone to understand the impact of COVID-19 on vegetables supply chain, gross margin and the future production plan of the growers. In Bangladesh, the lockdown has disrupted the food supply chain and increases the likelihood of food insecurity. Lockdown has impeded vegetable farmers’ access to markets, thus limiting their productive and sales capacities. The price of yield has dropped by more than half resulting in huge loss for vegetable growers. The loss incurred by the farmers for producing Brinjal, Cucumber, Pointed gourd, Yardlong beans and Bottle gourd are BDT 4900, BDT 10900, BDT 57400, BDT 52500 and BDT 18500 per acre respectively as a result of COVID-19. The decreased income increases farmers’ likelihood of vulnerability and food insecurity and poses a challenge to continued produce. ‘Cash support’ is more important than ‘food support’ in order to keep vegetable farmers in farming, to ensure a ready supply of necessary low-cost resources, and to help fight against the upcoming food shortage.