Direct Seeded Rice and its Prospects in Nepal: A Review

Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) is an alternative cultivation technique to the conventional Transplanted Rice (TPR). In this method, seeds are directly sown to the field without the necessity of nursery raising and transplanting. DSR can generally be divided into dry-DSR (sowing dry seeds in dry soil), wet-DSR (sowing pre-germinated seeds in moist soil) and water-seeding (sowing dry or pre-germinated seeds in standing water). This helps in saving water alongside the labour and results in early harvest due to quick crop establishment. DSR is proved to be sustainable and eco-friendly since it emits less methane than in TPR. However, there are few constraints associated with DSR such as weed infestation, crop lodging and nutrient loss. If these major issues are fixed, DSR can result in greater economic returns as compared to TPR. In absence of puddling, the soil structure can be maintained which leads to greater yields of succeeding crops. This technique has been successfully practiced in many countries like Srilanka, Malaysia and USA. In developing nations like Nepal, irrigation and labour constraints can be tackled by adopting direct-seeding for rice cultivation.

Study of extruded feed from wheat ears during early harvest

The object of the study was an extruded feed made from an undivided grain heap of winter wheat, stripped in the phase of waxy ripeness. The use of this type of inexpensive raw material makes it possible to increase the protein content in feed by 7-8% in comparison with feed based on fully ripe grain. The process of extruding feed based on waxy ripeness wheat ears is satisfactory. It has been established that extruded feed based on a grain heap can be successfully used for feeding farm animals. To use extruded feed from wheat ears harvested in the phase of waxy ripeness, the addition of raw materials of animal origin in an amount of no more than 20% is required for feeding fish, which is less than for feed based on full ripeness wheat grain.

Digital India: Opportunities and Challenges including in Context of COVID-19

Digital India is an umbrella programme that covers multiple Government Ministries and Departments. It is an effort to weave a large number of ideas and thoughts into a single, comprehensive vision so that each of them can be implemented as part of a larger goal. Digital India is to be implemented by the entire Government with overall coordination being done by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY). It provides the much needed thrust to the nine pillars of growth areas, namely Broadband Highways, Universal Access to Mobile Connectivity, Public Internet Access Programme, eGovernance: Reforming Government through Technology, e-Kranti - Electronic Delivery of Services, Information for All, Electronics Manufacturing, IT for Jobs and Early Harvest Programmes. A number of digital health initiatives have also been rolled out under the programme, including in context of COVID-19 and pandemic response. A comprehensive real-time based IT platform ‘COVID India Portal’ has been launched in March 2020 in response to COVID -19 pandemic, for monitoring the situation, preparedness and management to control the COVID in the country.

Perbaikan Sudut Daun Populasi Komposit Tanaman Jagung Melalui Hibridisasi Dengan Varietas Hibrida

This study aims to determine the average leaf angle, harvest age and yield of F1 from cross-hybrid composite; heterosis value and knowing the maternal effect of these three traits on maize. The experiment was carried out in technically irrigated rice fields from November 2019 to February 2020. The design used in this experiment was a randomized block design with two replications. The treatment was 28 F1 as a result of crossing P8IS vs NK212 and P8IS vs NK7328 and their respective reciprocal crosses. The experimental data were analyzed by means of analysis of variance and further tested with the LSD test at the 5 percent level. Heterosis values were calculated on the basis of the parents whose scores were higher (High Parent Heterosis). The t test at the 5% level was used to determine whether the maternal effect was significant. The results showed that the mean leaf angles of F1 lines from crosses and reciprocal P8IS vs NK212 were the same as the two parents; whereas the P8IS vs NK7328 cross is different. The reciprocal of cross number 13 (P8IS vs Nk7328 /R13) has smaller leaf angle than P8IS and is the same as the leaf angle of NK7328. The yield of the F1 lines from the two types of crosses was the same as each of the two parents; however, there was a tendency for an increase in yield compared to P8IS for most of the F1 lines. There was a change in leaf angle properties, harvest age and yield of F1 lines compared to one of the best parents with heterosis values are negative and positive with variations from 0.00 to 65.70 percent. Coefficient of correlation between heterosis with the average value of traits was classified as strong for the harvest age; moderate for yield and weak for leaf angle. These three traits in the two types of crosses showed no maternal effects. Smaller leaf angle, super early harvest age and higher yield, are possible to be obtained from the lines of both crosses.

‘Helete Güneşi’, a New Walnut Cultivar with Late Leafing, Early Harvest Date, and Superior Nut Traits

‘Helete Güneşi’ was selected among different genotypes obtained from crossing ‘Maraş 18’ × ‘Chandler’ in Turkey. The present study compares phenological and pomological traits of ‘Helete Güneşi’ with those of its parents so as to scale their performances. ‘Helete Güneşi’ staged leaf out on 22 April, whereas its parents, ‘Chandler’ and ‘Maraş 18’, did on 20 and 12 April, respectively. The harvest date of ‘Helete Güneşi’ was as early as 17 September, whereas ‘Chandler’ and ‘Maraş 18’ began to be harvested on 5 October and 15 September, respectively. Defoliation in ‘Helete Güneşi’ occurred about 1 month earlier than ‘Chandler’. The nut weight and kernel percentage of ‘Helete Güneşi’ were 13.41 g and 53.39%, respectively, whereas in ‘Chandler’ the values were 12.73 g and 48.23%, respectively, but were 14.62 g and 53.76% in ‘Maraş 18’. ‘Helete Güneşi’ had a higher yield value compared to its parents. The results demonstrated that ‘Helete Güneşi’ has superior traits in being selected for late leafing date, early harvest date, high yield, and good nut quality. Therefore, it can be considered as a valuable genetic resource in future breeding programs around the world.

China’s Approach to South Asia

South Asia has emerged as a “priority zone” for Chinese foreign policy with the highest density of early harvest projects under the Belt and Road Initiative and deepening Chinese engagements in realms beyond economics. Despite China’s growing presence in the region, there are few studies that track China’s internal discourse on the region, going beyond its targeted propaganda. Based on study of Chinese-language literature, this article aims to fill the knowledge gap in this domain and develop a basic framework depicting how China operates in South Asia as well as its mission and vision for the region.

Influence of the cassava harvest month on the sensory parameters of attiéké

Cassava is an important staple food around the world, especially in Africa. It is cultivated throughout the Ivorian territory with predominance in the South. Due to the high demand, some producers opt for an early harvest, neglecting the impact of the harvest stage on the sensory parameters of cassava root derivatives. The objective of this work was to determine the stage of harvest allowing obtaining products of good sensory quality. The sensory characteristics of the attiéké were evaluated at different stages of harvest (11th, 12th, 13th and 14th months after planting the cuttings) of the cassava roots of the Yacé variety which were used for its production. The attiéké obtained in the twelfth month of harvest was generally much appreciated because it was less acidic, less fibrous and more homogeneous and had a better smell. Thus, cassava harvested in the twelfth month of cultivation makes it possible to obtain attiéké with the best sensory characteristics. Therefore, this stage of maturity of cassava roots is recommended for attiéké producers.

Effects of the Harvest Stage of Maize Hybrids on the Chemical Composition of Plant Fractions: An Analysis of the Different Types of Silage

The chemical composition of plant components of three maize hybrids harvested at the beginning of six reproductive stages of maturity was compared. The hybrids evaluated included Maximus VIP3, Defender VIP and Feroz VIP, which were evaluated at each of following stages: R1 (grain formation), R2 (milky grain), R3 (pasty grain), R4 (floury grain), R5 (hard grain) and R6 (ripe grain). The advancement in maturation was linearly related to the crude protein (CP) content of the stem, whole plant, and leaves, and there was a difference among the hybrids. Between R4 and R5 stages, Maximus and Defender presented the highest CP contents for husk (6.58 and 5.42% for Maximus; 5.54 and 5.17% for Defender). The neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of the leaves showed a quadratic relationship with the advancement of maturation but did not differ among the hybrids. For all the hybrids, the NDF content in the husk and cobs increased linearly during the reproductive stages (>77 and 78%, respectively, for the three hybrids in R6). Defender had the lowest NDF content of the cob in R3. The acid detergent lignin contents did not differ among stages in the stems, and showed a linear decrease throughout the whole plant, though the contents did not differ among the hybrids. Due to the differences observed, recommendations for harvest based on the maturity stage for each hybrid should be taken into consideration. There seems to be no important distinction among hybrids for harvesting and use of straw. Despite the reduction in grain yield, an early harvest for earlage or snaplage can provide lower lignin content in husk and cob, as well as higher protein content in the husk, favoring the nutritional value of the vegetative fraction (husk and/or cob).

TRADE CREATION DAN TRADE DIVERSION ATAS PEMBERLAKUAN ACFTA TERHADAP PERDAGANGAN HORTIKULTURA INDONESIA

Abstrak Dampak positif seharusnya diperoleh subsektor hortikultura Indonesia atas implementasi ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA). Namun demikian, subsektor hortikultura Indonesia belum memberikan kinerja yang berarti ketika impor produk hortikultura meningkat melalui tahapan penurunan tarif ACFTA dalam program The Early Harvest Program (EHP). Studi ini meneliti keragaan impor hortikultura Indonesia dengan menggunakan deskriptif analisis. Studi ini juga menganalisis daya saing produk hortikultura negara ASEAN-5 dengan China serta dampak kreasi perdagangan dan diversi perdagangan atas pemberlakuan ACFTA terhadap impor produk hortikultura Indonesia. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode RSCA (Revealed Symetric Comparative Advantage) dan metode ekonometrik melalui pendekatan model gravitasi dengan data panel dari tahun 2001-2018. Hasil studi menunjukkan bahwa berdasarkan nilai RSCA, Indonesia tidak berdaya saing pada kedua jenis produk hortikultura tersebut. Model gravitasi juga menunjukkan bahwa negara anggota ACFTA mampu memanfaatkan perjanjian regional ini dengan ditandai tingginya nilai impor hortikultura Indonesia terutama dari China. Ini menandakan bahwa pelaksanaan ACFTA telah menciptakan efek penciptaan perdagangan dengan meningkatkan perdagangan intra-regional antara negara anggota ACFTA, namun tidak menyebabkan pengalihan perdagangan dengan negara non-anggota (perdagangan dengan negara non anggota tidak mengalami penurunan). Oleh karena itu, diperlukan langkah kebijakan peningkatan daya saing melalui perbaikan komponen manajerial dan teknologi seiring terbukanya pasar di kawasan ini bagi UMKM Indonesia. Kata Kunci: Data Panel, Daya Saing, Integrasi Ekonomi, Model Gravitasi, RSCA Abstract The positive impact of the implementation of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) on the indonesia’s horticulture sub-sector should be obtained. However, the Indonesian horticulture sub-sector has not shown significant performance when import of horticultural products has increased through the ACFTA tariff reduction stages in The Early Harvest Programm (EHP). This study examines the performance of Indonesian horticultural imports using descriptive analysis. It also analyzes the competitiveness of horticultural products of ASEAN-5 countries with China as well as the impact of trade creation and trade diversion of the implementation of ACFTA on imports of Indonesian horticultural products. It uses the RSCA (Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage) index and the gravity model using panel data from 2001-2018. It shows that Indonesia is not competitive in both types of horticultural products (RSCA <0). The gravity model also indicates that ACFTA member countries have taken advantage of this regional agreement, marked by the high value of Indonesian horticultural imports, especially from China. This shows that the implementation of the ACFTA has created a trade creation effect by increasing intra-regional trade between ACFTA member countries, but has not led to a diversion of trade with non-member countries (trade with non-member countries has not decreased). Therefore, it is necessary to make policy strategies to increase competitiveness through improvements in managerial and technological components in line with the opening of the market in this region to Indonesian MSMEs. Keywords: Competitiveness, Economic Integration, Gravity Model, Panel Data, RSCA JEL Classification: F15, F17, Q17

233 Effects of Harvest Maturity And/or Kernel Processing on Corn Silage Processing Score and Particle Size of Corn Silage

A single corn hybrid was used to evaluate harvest maturity (Mat) and/or kernel processing (KP) effects on corn silage processing score (CSPS) and particle size (PS). Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial of 1) Mat (early and late) and 2) KP (no or yes). A single corn field was planted on April 27, 2020. There were 12 loads (experimental unit) per simple effect treatment mean. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design. Early harvest occurred on August 28, 2020 [yield (as is) = 39.1 Mg/hectare; DM = 43.1%; CP, NDF, and starch = 6.5, 46.0, and 32.9%, respectively (DM basis)]. Late harvest occurred on September 9, 2020 [yield = 37.8 Mg/hectare (as is); DM = 49.2%; CP, NDF, and starch = 6.6, 49.8, and 37.5%, respectively (DM basis)]. The same equipment was used for both Mat with KP achieved by narrowing processing rollers. The CSPS was determined as the proportion of starch retained below a 4.75-mm sieve. Grain content (DM basis) of the corn silage was calculated from starch/0.72. Particle size was assessed using the Penn State Particle Separator. A Mat × KP interaction (P = 0.05) was detected for CSPS. Early/no and late/no had decreased (P ≤ 0.05) CSPS compared to early/yes and late/yes had the greatest CSPS (P ≤ 0.05) compared to others. Grain content was 13.9% greater in late compared to early (P = 0.01). A Mat × KP interaction (P = 0.03) was detected for PS. Early/no had the greatest (P ≤ 0.05) PS, early/yes and late/no were intermediate, and late/yes had decreased PS compared to others (P ≤ 0.05). These data indicate that Mat and KP influence CSPS synergistically. Producers should consider KP when corn silage is harvested at a later maturity to enhance CSPS.