Analysis of Integrated Nutrient Management as a performance enhancer in Mustard

The present study was undertaken to know the effect of common mixed pulp and paper mill effluent discharge released from century pulp and paper mill Lalkuan, Nainital Uttarakhand on the blood morphology of Heteropneustes fossilis (Singhi). The various morphological changes were observed in the specimen, randomly collected with the help of cast net from (3 sites) different locations. The maximum changes were observed in the specimen collected from site 3 in compare to site 1 and 2 respectively. The formation of inclusion bodies, sickle cells, Cabot rings and ovalocytes were recorded along with nuclear fusion, membrane disruption and cell clumping of blood cells in the specimen collected from the site 3 (i.e. nearer to source of discharge) while in the specimen collected from site 2, the formation of tear drop cell, target cells, spherocytes and bi-nucleated cells were recorded along with the activity of cell clumping. The changes were found less in the specimen collected from site 1 in compare to the specimen of site 2 and 3 i.e. formation of ovalocytes, spherocytes and microcytes with the activity of membrane degeneration and agglutination in blood cells.

Effect of discharged pulp and paper mill effluent on the blood morphology of Heteropneustes fossilis (Singhi)

The present study was undertaken to know the effect of common mixed pulp and paper mill effluent discharge released from century pulp and paper mill Lalkuan, Nainital Uttarakhand on the blood morphology of Heteropneustes fossilis (Singhi). The various morphological changes were observed in the specimen, randomly collected with the help of cast net from (3 sites) different locations. The maximum changes were observed in the specimen collected from site 3 in compare to site 1 and 2 respectively. The formation of inclusion bodies, sickle cells, Cabot rings and ovalocytes were recorded along with nuclear fusion, membrane disruption and cell clumping of blood cells in the specimen collected from the site 3 (i.e. nearer to source of discharge) while in the specimen collected from site 2, the formation of tear drop cell, target cells, spherocytes and bi-nucleated cells were recorded along with the activity of cell clumping. The changes were found less in the specimen collected from site 1 in compare to the specimen of site 2 and 3 i.e. formation of ovalocytes, spherocytes and microcytes with the activity of membrane degeneration and agglutination in blood cells.

Analysis of the status of major vegetables in Bajura, Nepal

The favourable climatic condition of Nepal has endowed it for cultivation of greater than 50 vegetable crops and making vegetable sector a dominating sector in terms of area and production after cereals. The time series secondary data of major vegetables grown in Bajura district for area (ha), production (MT) and yield (kg/ha) of total 18 years period from 1999/2000 to 2016/17 was extracted from statistical information on Nepalese Agriculture published by MoALD, publications of VDD (Vegetable Development Directorate), Annual Agriculture Development Program and Statistics Book (AADPSB) published by AKC (Agriculture Knowledge Center) Bajura and beyonds. Other reliable sources of information were also scrutinized for extracting secondary data for the completion of research. MK-Test was used for detecting monotonic trend in the time series and simple linear regression was performed to test a linear trend. MS-Excel software was used for statistical analysis and Linear trend analysis model was used for data interpretation using slope and intercept parameters. The result illustrated that the increment in the rate of vegetable production was higher (258.44 MT/year) than cultivated area (24.599 ha/year) throughout the analyzed period (1999/2000 to 2016/17). Concurrently, the yield of major vegetables was also in increasing trend. Similarly, the recent trends (2012/13 to 2016/17) showed that the yield of Cruciferous crops, Solanaceous crops, Malvaceous crops, Umbelliferae crops and Cucurbitaceous crops was in increasing trend with markable fluctuations in cultivated area and production. This research can be a useful tool for horticulturists and other concerned authorities for further research and amelioration of the status of major vegetables in Bajura district.

A study on water seepage losses for ponds and reservoirs

Irrigation is main factor for agricultural production. Our aim is to increase agricultural yield by increasing area under irrigation. It is very important to see that more water available for irrigation is completely used as far as possible to avoid water loss during conveyance through canal. Seepage loss is major water loss during transit. Rainwater harvesting is the artificial collection, storage and use of runoff or rain water. The water harvesting with tanks and ponds is one option to increase water availability and agricultural production at the household level. Rain fed agriculture can be protected by adopting farm ponds. The harvested runoff water in a farm pond creates salinization / water logging problems so; it has to be lined to control the seepage losses. The article presents a review on the type of lining materials viable and to explore for a cost effective sealant which can be adapted. In comparison to clay lining, Bentonite, polymers like HDPE, LDPE, Silpoulin, LLDPE in combination with concrete increases the durability along with the 100% seepage control with benefit cost ratio for HDPE lining in combination with concrete showed highest value of 10.4:1. Bentonite, though costly has shown significant results by reducing the seepage losses by 72% to 96% respectively, depending on the thickness of application. In vertisols, lining did not show any significant variation. Whereas alfisols, luvisols of arid and semi-arid regions require lining materials with diversified crops and conservative irrigation practices.

Impact assessment on water harvesting and valley dams

Gravity dam is one of the biggest structures built on the Earth. It is known as a life line structure, as it serves the purpose of irrigation, hydro-electric power generation, flood control, domestic and industrial water supply etc., which are important for human existence. This makes dam as a reliable structure. For this reason, dam should always be designed for highest safety. Dam is one of the hydraulic structures constructed to serve particular functions. It is a water control feature to impound water supply, to divert water from a water course, or to raise the elevation for water body. In supplying the water to the consumers, a dam holds it from flowing into the pipe, tunnel and conduit. Earth fill dams are a good alternative to dugouts where larger volumes of water must be stored at a reasonable cost and suitable site conditions exist. Proper design and construction is essential for dams; otherwise they will fail from washouts or seepage losses. If water quantity is your main priority, then a dam could be the best option. If better water quality is the important factor, a dugout is probably a better option. Take the time to properly plan, construct, inspect and maintain your dam, and it will be a valuable water resource for your farm for many years to come. However, poor management of dams can cause problems and disasters in terms of safety of dam and how it affects the people and the environment. This study focuses for conducts how the design, operator and maintenance of dam to be ensure it is safety.

Productivity enhancement in Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) as influenced by different improved production technologies

Sesame is one of the important oilseed crops in India. The major constraint of its low productivity is non-adoption of improved technologies by the farmers. Cluster Frontline demonstrations to highlight the impact of different improved technologies like method of sowing, nutrient management, weed management and adoption of whole package of practices of improved technologies for the crop were conducted at 125 farmers' fields during Kharif 2017 and 2020 under rainfed conditions. The improved technologies improved the yield attributing traits as well as seed yield of the crop. The improved technology recorded a mean yield of 476 kg/ha which was 44.68% higher than that obtained with farmer's practice yield of 329 kg/ha. Higher mean net returns of 33,363/ha with a benefit: cost ratio of 3.28 was obtained with improved technologies in comparison to farmer's practice (mean net returns of 18,222/ha and benefit: cost ratio of 2.25).

Selection of best gene pool combination of the basis of heterotic response analysis for grain yield and its contributing traits in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The results were indicated that, out of sixty crosses, the most desirable five crosses showing high significant positive heterosis over better parent for grain yield per plant were IR 79156A X NDR 370132 (72.19%), IR 68888A X NDR 370132 (66.69%), IR 68897A X NDR 370131 (43.33%), IR 58025A X CR 2499 (40.71%) and IR 79156A X NDR 2701 (35.80%). Eighteen crosses showed positive and significant heterosis over standard variety and the best five crosses among them were IR 58025A X NDR 1127 (20.78%), IR 79156A X IR 27723 (14.87%), IR 68888A X IR 27723 (14.81%), IR 58025A X Sugandha 5 (12.84%) and IR 68897A X NDR 2701 (12.46%). The cross, IR 58025A X NDR 1127, showed highest mean performance (28.70g), heterobeltiosis (22.48%) and standard heterosis (20.78%) for grain yield per plant while highest yielding parent, NDR-359, produced mean grain yield 23.78 g.

In-situ trash management induced sustainability of soil health to produce the qualitative products

In-situ trash management is necessary to cut the atmosphere pollution as well as replenishment of plant nutrient. Burning of crop residues leads to release of soot particles and smoke causing human and animal health problems. It also leads to emission of greenhouse gases namely carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, causing global warming and loss of plant nutrients like N, P, K and S. Soils of the world’s agro ecosystems (i.e., croplands, grazing lands, rangelands) are depleted of their soil organic carbon (SOC) stock by 25-75% depending on climate, soil type, historic management and the magnitude of this loss may be 10 to 50 Mg C ha-1. Integrated sugarcane trash management (ISTM), microbial enriched (Trichoderma viridae) and farm yard manure is effective in enhancing the soil health and sugarcane yield. Soil organic carbon is the most important attribute and chosen as the most important indicator of soil and environment quality and agricultural sustainability.

Value chain analysis of turmeric subsector in Surkhet district of Nepal

A field experiment was carried out during the early summer seasons of 2018, at Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a high value spice crop of high medicinal and economic concern (HVAP, 2011). It has been using in Ayurveda and medicinal propose from centuries which helps to boost up digestive system, circulatory system, nervous system and immune system (Gunnar, 2018). 60 household respondents were selected using simple random technique without replacement from Beriganga Municipality, Barahataal Village Municipality and Chaukune village Municipality. 4 co-operatives were selected from each level randomly and 5 respondent from each co-operatives, i.e. 20 respondents from each local level. 3 spice industries and 7 traders were selected purposively. Secondary data were collected from secondary sources like PMAMP, journal articles, MoAD etc. Descriptive statistics, benefit cost analysis, value chain analysis were carried out. The study reveals that 81.67% of populations were engaged in agriculture occupation as a primary source of income. The BC ratio of fresh, dry and powder turmeric was found to be 1.30, 1.09 and 1.36 (machinery), 1.16 (Dhiki Jhato) respectively. Similarly the cost of production of fresh dry and powder turmeric was found to be NRs. 18.46, NRs. 119.20 and NRs. 162.92 (machinery), NRs. 189.87 (Dhiki Jhato) respectively. Market margin of fresh, dry and powder turmeric was found to be NRs. 6.03, NRs. 25.07 and NRs. 179.70 respectively. In the study area major value chain actors were providers, producers, collectors, processors, wholesalers, retailers and consumers. Insufficient technical support and improved seed rhizome, insufficient price to cover cost of production and traders dominance in pricing were the major problems faced by turmeric producing community. This study suggests the farmers for seed production, value addition, marketing and distribution in farm level.

Selection of best lines and hybrids on the basis of genetic variability analysis in Maize (Zea mays L.)

The results revealed that parents namely, TSK-10, TSK-27, New Blue-II, Kurara and TSK-109 were found highly genetic diverse for days to 50% tasseling, days to 50% silking, days to 755 dry husk. The parents namely, TSK-109, Kurara, New Blue-II and TSK-10 were found highly genetic diverse for plant height (cm), cob height, number of cobs per plant and number of grains per cob. The parents namely, Kurara, TSK-109, TSK-10, New Blue-II and TSK-27 were found highly genetic diverse for shelling percentage, grain yield per plant, grain yield per cob and 100-grain weight.