Effect of gibberellic acid on growth and flowering attributes of African marigold (Tagetes erecta) in inner terai of Nepal

A field experiment was conducted at Bangaun, Lamahi-3, Dang, Nepal to study the effect of GA3 on growth and flowering attributes of African marigold (Tagetes erecta) in Inner Terai of Nepal. The experiment consists of three replications and 8 treatments and laid out in a randomized complete block design- consisting of various concentrations of GA3 viz. 0ppm, 50ppm, 100ppm, 150ppm, 200ppm, 250ppm, 300ppm, and 350ppm. Kolkata local variety of African marigold was tested. The study revealed that among different concentrations of GA3, 300ppm showed the tallest plant height (72.93cm) and the highest basal diameter (1.49cm). Maximum numbers of primary branches (3.11) and the greatest plant spread (32.11cm) were obtained from 250ppm; similarly, maximum numbers of secondary branches (13.80) were recorded in 350ppm. In the case of floral parameters both 100ppm and 350ppm recorded earlier days to 50% flowering (44.00 days each), days for 100% flowering was recorded almost similar in every treatment that sticks around 54 and 55 days, maximum diameter (5.370cm) of flowers were obtained from 50ppm, the greatest fresh weight (6.180g) was recorded in 350ppm, 250ppm showed a maximum number of flower per plant (104.13), similarly, a longer duration of flowering (58 days) was recorded in 300ppm. Among all treatments, the 250ppm level of GA3 was found to be most suitable in terms of production perspective.

Plant Parasitic Nematodes and their management in crop production: a review

Plant Parasitic Nematodes are small worm like transparent, bilateral symmetry, pseudocoelomate, multicellular, free living or parasitic microorganism which are predatory, aquatic, terrestrial, entopathogenic, ectoparasite, endoparasite, semi-endoparasite or sedentary. They cause substantial problems to major crops throughout the world, including vegetables, fruits, and grain crops. The root knot and cyst nematodes are economically important pests in numerous crops. Crop damage from nematodes is not readily apparent in most cases, and it often remains hidden by the many other factors limiting plant growth. In the past, the control of the nematodes has been based on the synthetic nematicides, the number of which has been drastically restricted in the EU because of their environmental side effects and subsequent restriction in European Union (EU) rules and regulations. Many other methods like cultural control, biological control, use of biotechnological tools and methods, use of resistant cultivars are tested and proven successful in controlling different species of nematodes all over the world. Alternatively, combinations of the different methods are proven to be highly effective both economically and environmentally.

Socio-economic analysis of open pollinated improved and hybrid maize production in Sindhupalchok district of Nepal

The study was conducted from April to June, 2020 for comparative analysis of socioeconomic factors and profitability between Open Pollinated Improved (OPI) varieties and Hybrid varieties on maize production in Sindhupalchok district of Nepal. A structured questionnaire was administered to 80 randomly selected households i.e. 48 HHs cultivated OPI and 32 HHs cultivated hybrid maize varieties. Descriptive statistics, unpaired t-test, multiple linear regressions and indexing were used for data analysis using statistical tools- SPSS version 25 and MS-Excel. Linear regression model revealed that area under maize (5% level), education (5% level), age of household head (1% level), training (1% level), access to credit (5% level) and choice of seed (1 % level) significantly influenced maize production. In addition, unpaired t-test revealed that the productivity of hybrid maize varieties was significantly higher (1% level) than OPI varieties. Fall Armyworm infestation was found to more severe in OPI varieties (5% level) than hybrid. Furthermore, B: C ratio of hybrid varieties (1.59) indicated hybrid maize to be more profitable than OPI (1% level). However, the total cost of cultivation along with the cost of seed per hectare of OPI was found to be lower than hybrid varieties (1% level) thereby significantly increasing the area under maize production for OPI varieties (1% level). Indexing identified- lack of availability of quality seeds and fertilizers (I= 0.78) as the major problem associated with maize production. Ensuring access to quality seeds and fertilizer at subsidy, mechanization and efficient extension services focused on development of affordable hybrid maize varieties or high yielding OPI and its adoption among the farmers in order to increase maize productivity is recommended.

Supply chain efficiency of Tomato in Kathmandu valley

Past studies kept attention on the supply side or value chain aspects of tomato but not kept attention to the supply chain efficiency. To measure supply-side efficiencies in tomato sub-sector, this survey research organized an interview schedule with the randomly selected eighty households in Kirtipur, Chandragiri, Changunarayan, and Godawori municipalities of Kathmandu valley during April to June 2018 with semi structured questionnaire. Study estimated NRs 8,26,144/ha as net profit of tomato grown under tunnel was nearly 44% higher compared to open field condition. Further five types of marketing channels prevailed for tomato market were; channel first (producer-retailer-consumer), channel second (producer-wholesaler-retailer-consumer), channel third (produce-cooperative-retailer-consumer), channel fourth (producer-collector-wholesaler-retailer-consumer) and channel fifth (producer-wholesaler-processor-wholesaler-retailer-consumer) but most dominant was the fourth one since 45% of the fresh tomato supplied through it especially to save time and avoid all possible drudgery in the market. The marketing margin per kilogram of tomato was the lowest (NRs.16.55) in the third channel and the highest (NRs. 39.2) in the fifth channel while the highest market efficiency was 1.27 for the third channel. The producer’s share was highest for the third channel (66.33%) and lowest for fifth channel (39.88%). followed by 1st channel (63.72%) and lowest in 5th channel (39.88%). In order to promote a coordinated and most efficient supply chain, the study suggested the most dominant, low marketing margin and highly efficient supply channel for tomato so that tomato producers would get a high share. Rather than a private one, either group marketing or cooperatives are suggested to involve in fresh tomato marketing.

Late blight of potato and its management through the application of different fungicides and organic amendments: a review

Late the blight of potato is a devastating and one of the economic diseases of potato and other plants belonging to family Solanaceae. Late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, is one of the most threatening pathogenic diseases which not only results in direct crop losses but also cause farmers to embrace huge monetary expenses for disease control and preventive measure. It was first reported during the Irish Potato Famine, leading to massive starvation in Ireland and other parts of Europe during the middle of 19th century. Phytopthora harms the foliar portion in the field and also the tuber in the storage that can result in complete crop failure in potato. The pathogen has distinct survival mechanisms and two life cycles infection processes. The development of a sexual spore known as oospore includes two types of pairs, A1 and A2. The spores are introduced to good plants by wind and rain. Different methods for prevention of crops from late blight has been developed and used worldwide. An integrated disease management strategy includes successful control of this disease. Cultural control, chemical management, and advanced disease management are the most effective interventions. Integration of late blight control in tropical regions with abundant fungal inoculants in most months of the year was also seen as one of the best choices in disease management. This paper reviews the significance of late blight of potato and controlling strategies adopted for minimizing yield losses incurred by this disease by the application of synthetic fungicides and different organic amendments.

Nepalese legal standard of milk and common milk products and its implications

The milk and milk products are diversified and there is increasing awareness about the quality standards of products among the consumers.Therefore this study reviewed the legal standard of milk and common milk Products in Nepal and its implications using desk review and exploratory research.In Nepal, the department of food technology and quality control has developed several legal standards for the quality assurance of milk and milk products. National Dairy Development Board has established the Code of Practice for Dairy Industry 2004 which directs six criteria for the standardization of milk and milk products like Organoleptic test, Clot On Boiling (COB) test, Alcohol Test,Fat test and Solids-Not-Fat (SNF)test, Adulteration test, phosphate test, and microbial and coliform test. The review identified the quality standards of milk products like ghee, butter, paneer, milk powders but some quality parameters for ice-creams and cheese are still missing. The research identifies the quality non-compliance rate of milk and milk products that is about 19% which is in a decreasing trend. To the effective implementation of the legal standards, maintenance of health and hygiene of livestock at the production site, lab and infrastructure support at the distribution site, and creating consumer awareness to the consumer site is imperative.

Technical efficiency of wheat growing farmers of Nepal

Wheat is a major staple food crop of Nepal, so it is necessary to increase its productivity. However, the national average wheat productivity of Nepal is low as compared to other neighboring countries. This study employed a Cobb-Douglas stochastic production frontier model to examine the technical efficiency and its determinants using randomly selected household data from 343 wheat farmers from four districts of Nepal. Maximum likelihood estimation results showed that wheat production responded positively to an increase in the quantity of inorganic fertilizer, whereas it was detrimental to seed rate. Likewise, the study found that farmers were not technically efficient with a mean technical efficiency of 81%. The result showed irrigation, herbicides, sowing time, Farm Yard Manure (FYM), and wheat varieties were statistically significant factors that affect the technical efficiency of wheat farmers. Furthermore, to increase wheat productivity, farmers should use better irrigation, appropriate weed management practices, optimum sowing time, and adoption of recent improved varieties. Findings suggest that the technical efficiency of wheat farmers could be enhanced by practicing optimum use of inputs and improving the inefficiency factors

Evaluation of different chemical fungicides against rice blast in field conditions

Evaluation of different fungicides against rice blast was carried out in research plot of the Agronomy farm of IAAS, Prithu Technical College, Lamahi Municpality, Dang district of the Lumbini Province, inner terai region of Nepal during June to November, 2017. The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the efficiency of different chemical fungicides against rice blast. The experiment was conducted in Randomized Complete Block Design with the use of susceptible variety ‘Mansuli’. Different fungicides like Hexaconazole 5% SC (Udaan), Propiconazole 25% EC (Tilt), Captan 70% + Hexaconazole 5% WP, Validamycin 3% L, Tricyclazole 75% WP (TRIP) and Biomycin (Kasugamycin 3% S.L.) were applied five times at weekly interval with the doses of 2mL/L of H2O, 1.5mL/L of H2O, 2g/L of H2O, 2mL/L of H2O, 2g/L of H2O and 2mL/L of H2O respectively. From the result, it was concluded that all the fungicides were effective in controlling leaf blast but Tricyclazole 75% WP (TRIP) was more effective among other fungicides and untreated control plots with least leaf blast severity (27.85%), least incidence (35.5%), least mean AUDPC (64.64%) and highest grain yield (3.93 t ha-1) followed by Biomycin. It is thus concluded that fungicide Tricyclazole 75% WP should be sprayed five times at weekly interval for the management of leaf blast in rice.

Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo) decline by dieback disease, root pathogens and their management: a review

Shisham or sissoo (Dalbergia sissoo) is an important multipurpose tree with great economic importance, but this tree has been infected by various root pathogens. This review article shows the works conducted on root pathogens and die back disease of Shisham and their management. Around seventy-one endophytic fungus has been found in sissoo trees in Nepal. Several fungi, including, Fusarium solani, F. oxysporum, Ganoderma lucidum, Phellinus gilvus, Polypours gilvus, Rhizoctonia solani, Polyporus spongiosum, etc. cause sissoo diseases. Ganoderma Lucidum and F. Solani are two main pathogenic agents in Shisham, all of which causes root rot and vascular wilt diseases, and are the causes for the large-scale death of this tree species. Root rot ganoderma is wide spread in both natural and plant-based forests. Older trees in Shisham are usually attacked by these pathogens and cause large-scale death. However, when sissoo is grown as a re-forested pure plant without the removal of the stumps or root of the initial plant, a serious problem of root rot can develop. Field sanitation and proper management of field are necessary to control the fungal diseases of Shisham. Another deleterious disease of Shisham is dieback disease, where sissoo plantations have been confirmed to this disease when the infected trees begin to get dry from the top. There is no suitable solution for control of dieback of Shisham. There is a need of developing resistant varieties and to improve the quality of seed. This review may be useful tool for Forest Pathologists and other persons who are working in forestry and natural conservation sectors.

Field assessment of blackgram (Vigna mungo L. Hepper) genotypes against major insect pests in subtropical region of Nepal

Direct damage due to insect pests is one of the major causes limiting the yield potential of blackgram (Vigna mungo L. Hepper) in Nepal. A total of 17 blackgram genotypes were screened for resistance to major insect pests, including aphid (Aphis craccivora Koch.), whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Genn.), hairy caterpillar (Spilosoma obliqua Walker) and pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera Hubner) in National Maize Research Program, Rampur, Chitwan during summer season of 2018 and 2019. The design of the experiment was randomized complete block having three replications. Genotypes were sown on first week of August in a unit plot size of 4 rows of 2 m long with 40 cm row to row spacing and continue plant to plant spacing was maintained and net harvested plot was 3.2 square meters. The recommended dose of fertilizer was 20:40:20 N:P2O5:K2O kg/ha and seed rate 25 kg/ha. The package of agronomic practices was followed as per national recommendation. Data on insects were collected by counting the number of insects per plant. The yield and yield components were recorded at harvest. All screened genotypes differed significantly (p<0.05) for insect population, yield and yield components. From two years field data, three genotypes BLG0069-1, BLG0036-1 and BLG0079-1 had lower number of above mentioned insect populations, exhibited more resistant in both years and produced higher grain yield (~1.5 t/ha) than other genotypes. These genotypes might be useful for the development of major insect pest tolerant high yielding blackgram variety in subtropical region of Nepal.