Archives of Agriculture and Environmental Science
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Evaluation of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica L.) varieties with respect to growth and yield in Chitwan, Nepal
No full textA field experiment was carried out during October, 2021 to March, 2022 with an objective to evaluate growth and yield parameters of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica L.) varieties in the Horticulture Farm of Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. The treatments were six broccoli varieties viz. two open pollinated (Calabrese and Green Sprouting) and four hybrid varieties (Centauro, Century, Delight, Everest Green). Data were collected for biometrical, phonological, yield and yield attributing characteristics. Results revealed significance for growth and yield parameters. Calabrese had the tallest plant (100.60 cm), the highest leaf number per plant (15.75), the longest leaf (73.90 cm), higher canopy diameter (101.75 cm) and earliness in head initiation (54.50 days) as well as head maturity (60.25 days). Highest head diameter (30.13 cm) and economic yield (22.52 mt/ha) was observed in Century. Thus, Century was found more profitable for commercial production in the environment conditions of Chitwan, Nepal
In-vitro evaluation of antifungal effects of botanical extracts against Colletotrichum lindemuthianum causing anthracnose of beans
No full textAnthracnose of beans caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum is regarded as one of the most damaging diseases of legumes, producing major losses in productivity and quality every year. Several fungicides are available for control but are dangerous to the health of the environment and organisms, so developing organic solutions is imperative. The in-vitro study includes five botanicals namely neem, mugwort, garlic, ginger, and wild sage, to evaluate their capacity to inhibit the mycelial growth of C. lindemuthianum. Analysis was done with the poisoned food technique with four replications for each botanical used in a completely randomized design (CRD). The maximum growth inhibition (100%) was observed in garlic at 10% concentration, followed by ginger (81.15%), while the minimum growth inhibition (36.58%) was observed in wild sage at 10% concentration. Garlic, neem, and mugwort exhibited greater efficiency at lower concentrations, whereas ginger and wild sage demonstrated increased efficiency with higher concentrations. The in-vitro study needs to be tested in field conditions to determine the practical efficiency of the botanicals, and a focus should be made on using garlic and ginger to find organic solutions against the anthracnose of beans
Comparative analysis of red and green lettuce microgreens under different artificial LED lighting conditions
No full textThis study investigated how LED light exposure influences the growth and nutrient content of two lettuce microgreens over 10 days in a randomized setup. Lettuce seeds underwent surface sterilization, germination in prepared soil, and exposure to different LED light conditions. Morphological parameters and pigment analysis, including stem length, petiole length, leaf area, plant height, root length, fresh weight, dry matter percentage, were evaluated. Green lettuce outperformed red lettuce in the studied morphological parameters, including stem length (2.74±0.22 cm), plant height (4.54±0.21 cm), and fresh weight (3.79±0.32 g/100 plants) under different LED. White light promoted taller plants with higher fresh weight (4.45±0.43 g/100plants), dry matter (4.84±0.38%), and leaf area (0.76±0.06 cm2) in both lettuce species. In contrast, red light reduced overall growth and development, as evidenced by a 54% decrease in leaf area, despite a 23.36% increase in plant height. Chlorophyll levels varied significantly among LED treatments, with white LED yielding the highest levels in both red and green lettuce. Highest chlorophyll a (146.37±6.27 µg/g FW), chlorophyll b (86.74±2.44 µg/g FW), total chlorophyll (233.11±8.69 µg/g FW) and relative chlorophyll (215.84±8.05 µg/cm²) content was found in green lettuce under white light condition. Similarly, green lettuce grown under white LED had the highest total carotenoid, β-carotene, and lutein. The study concludes that optimizing white LED illumination has the potential to improve the nutritional value of lettuce microgreens by enhancing growth and pigment content, particularly in green varieties. These findings emphasize the crucial role of LED light color in optimizing the nutritional quality of microgreens
Effect of different packaging materials on banana ripening and shelf-life in Dang, Nepal
No full textThis research was conducted to evaluate the effect of different packaging materials on the shelf life and banana quality (cv G9) at the laboratory, Campus of Live Sciences, Tulsipur, Dang, Nepal. The different packaging materials were used as high-density non-perforated polyethylene bags, low-density non-perforated polyethylene bags, low-density perforated polyethylene bags, fiber bags, jute bags, paddy straw with cardboard, and a control treatment (in open trays). The research was conducted in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The bananas were packed in different packaging materials after being treated with a 250 ppm ethephon solution. Parameters such as peel color, physiological weight loss, pulp-to-peel ratio, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), and Benedict test were assessed at two-day interval. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed highly significant differences for all the recorded parameters except TA. Unpackaged fruits lost 22.92% of their weight, while fruits packed in high-density non-perforated polythene (HDNP) and low-density non-perforated polythene (LDNP) bags lost 13.27% and 6.15%, respectively. Peel colour development from green mature to yellow was observed first in bananas packed in low-density perforated polyethylene (LDPP) bags followed by open trays, jute bags, and paddy straws. The lowest pulp-to-peel ratio was observed in HDNP and LDNP bags. It can be concluded that packaging bananas in high-density and low-density non-perforated polyethylene bags resulted in longer shelf life. The sweetness, aroma, and mouthfeel of bananas in jute bags, fiber bags, and paddy straws were highly accepted. Thus, LDPP bags were found effective in early ripening and uniform yellow colour development on bananas
Seed germination and seedling development of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) landraces under elevated salinity conditions
No full textDue to osmotic stress, ion toxicity, and nutrient imbalances, salinity is a common environmental problem that affects about 20.87% of agricultural land. It severely limits crop production, including wheat, by making it harder for seeds to germinate and for seedlings to grow. To study the effect of salinity stress on wheat landraces, we aimed to examine the seedling characteristics of wheat landraces under salinity stress. The study followed a two-factor Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four replications. Four different concentrations of NaCl (0 mM, 25 mM, 50 mM, 75 mM) and five landraces (Bhartale, Jhuse, Rato Gahun, Mudule, and Aadhikhole) were used for investigation during the germination and early seedling stages of wheat landraces. The highest germination percentage (GP) (97.25%) and seed vigour index (SVI) (92886) were observed in Jhuse, whereas the lowest GP (60.50%) and SVI (11494) were observed in Rato Gahun. Rato gahun had the highest mean germination time (5.99 days), and Mudule had the lowest mean germination time (4.82 days). The maximum fresh weight (0.12 g) and dry weight (DW) (0.042 g) were recorded by Aadhikhole and Jhuse, and the minimum fresh weight (DW) (0.10 g) and DW (0.032 g) were observed in Mudule. The maximum shoot and root lengths were observed in Bhartale (3.05 cm) and Jhuse (3.54 cm), whereas the minimum shoot length (SL) (2.07 cm) and root length (RL) (2.41 cm) were observed in Rato Gahun. Above all, salinity stress negatively impacts wheat seedling characteristics, and Mudule shows some promising stress tolerance compared to others
Socioeconomic impact of livestock production in Gokuleshowor, Baitadi, Nepal
No full textThe study was carried out at the Baitadi district's Dilashaini rural municipality. The study area was primarily based on agriculture. Farmers in the studied area adopted a complex type of farming system that includes livestock, crops, fruits, forestry, and vegetable farming. This study was mainly conducted to identify key problems faced by farmers and the socioeconomic importance of livestock farming. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to randomly choose respondents for a key informant interview. 61 households were randomly selected without the replacement method. The results showed that most of the households were headed by men (52 households). The primary occupation was agriculture (72%), followed by business (22%). A benefit-to-cost ratio of 1.65 was discovered. Milk was priced at 48.08 rupees per liter. We found feeding management to be the main problem. Farmers invest a huge amount of their income in managing feed for livestock. Natural breeding was largely prevalent in the study area (96%); artificial insemination was still rare. In the studied area, the dairy sector was profitable, so it emphasized improved breeding programs, improved feeding management, and the establishment of well-managed dairy cooperatives, which helped in the development of the rural economy and the lifestyle of farmers
Evaluation of the degrading potentials of plasmid and non–plasmid borne soil bacterial strains on bonny light crude oil
No full textThis study was undertaken to evaluate the degrading potentials of plasmid and non–plasmid borne soil bacterial strains on Bonny light crude oil. Enrichment technique, turbidometric test, plasmid curing test as well as gas chromatographic flame ionization detection technique was adopted for isolating and evaluating the oil degrading capabilities of the selected bacterial strains. The preliminary physicochemical results revealed that pH was recorded slightly neutral, higher conductivity (0.41 to 0.44 μS/cm), higher organic carbon (2.32 to 4.34 %) but lower nitrogen and phosphorus contents (0.27 % and 10.11 kg) as well as lower water holding capacity was noted, respectively. The results indicated that 22 out of the 60 isolated bacterial strains had high crude oil degrading potentials (A600nm > 0.3). The result further indicated that bacterial strains belong to various species which are Bacillus cereus C12, Pseudomonas aeruginosa KAVK01, Bacillus licheniformis 126, Ochrobacterium intermedium E85b, Bacillus subtillis SDDlas, Bacillus subtillis LK4.5, Enterobacter cloacae GEBRI III and Bacillus cereus So24. Plasmid borne P. aeruginosa strain KAVK01 was the best degrader with 88 % remediation efficiency within the period while the plasmid cured P. aeruginosa strain KAVK01 had 65 % degradation with the order of n – alkane hydrocarbon degradation: (n-C8 - n-C17) > (n-C18 - n-C25) > (n-C26 - n-C32). The data obtained from the current study could help in the selection of bacterial species, most especially plasmid borne bacteria that can be employed in the restoration of oil contaminated soil ecosystem in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria
Aqua drugs and chemicals used in commercial aquaculture in Mymensingh, Bangladesh
No full textMymensingh is a division in north-central Bangladesh renowned for its lush landscapes and agricultural productivity, with a strong focus on aquaculture as a key part of its economy. The study was performed to investigate the aqua drugs companies and their products used in commercial aquaculture farms in Mymensingh division. Questionnaire based data were collected from representatives of various aqua drug companies, district and upazila fisheries offices, chemical vendors, farmers, and hatchery owners of the Mymensingh division. The present study found aquaculture practices in Mymensingh rely heavily on various antibiotics, probiotics, disinfectants, and feed additives to prevent the spread of diseases, maintain water quality, and increase growth of culture fishes. Drugs from various companies are widely utilized across the Mymensingh division. Fishtech BD contributing the highest percentage (12%), followed by Eon Pharmaceutical Ltd. (11%) and ACI Animal Health (10%), while AVON Animal Health made the lowest contribution (2%). Among the various drugs from different companies, Renamycin (antibiotic), Timsen and Emsen (disinfectants), Pond Care (probiotics), Zeolite Gold, Gasonex, and Mega Zeo Plus (zeolite) are commonly preferred by the farmers. The study also found that many farmers lack knowledge about chemical ingredients, proper dosages, and appropriate application methods. Therefore, adequate training and implementation of government rules and regulations are necessary to ensure responsible use
Integrated nutrient management improves the nutritional quality and yield of black rice
No full textIntegrated nutrient management combining inorganic and organic fertilizers is a promising approach to sustain crop production and soil health. As a premium rice type, integrated nutrients to cultivate black rice are rarely studied in Bangladesh. So, this research was conducted to identify the best combination of inorganic fertilizer (IF) and cow dung (CD) for maximizing the yield and nutritional quality of black rice. The experiment was conducted in the field laboratory of the Department of Agronomy, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh following a Completely Randomized Design with four replications. Six treatments with single and combining IF and CD viz., 0% IF + 0% CD (IF0CD0), 100% IF + 0% CD (IF100CD0), 75% IF + 25% CD (IF75CD25), 50% IF + 50% CD (IF50CD50), 25% IF + 75% CD (IF25CD75), and 0% IF + 100% CD (IF0CD100) were applied. A significant variation was found among different treatments concerning plant growth, yield contributing characters, yield, and nutritional composition of black rice. Overall, a better performance was obtained from the application of 75% IF and 25% CD (IF75CD25) concerning most of the studied parameters with few deviations. The highest number of tillers hill-1(8.33), effective tillers hill-1 (7.33), panicle length (25.97 cm), spikelet’s panicle-1 (22.87), grains panicle-1 (129.7), grain yield (4 t ha-1), protein (9.71%), and potassium (0.58%) were found at the treatment IF75CD25. The overall results suggest that 25% cow dung combined with 75% recommended inorganic fertilizers can be applied to achieve maximum yield and nutritional quality of black rice in non-calcareous soil
A review on tillage system and no-till agriculture and its impact on soil health
No full textSoil tillage is a fundamental agriculture practice aimed at preparing the soil for planting, managing crop residues, controlling weeds, preparing the ground for the next crop, integrating leftover crops and nutrients into the soil, and enhancing soil structure. However, tillage practice significantly influences activities like soil moisture, temperature, aeration, and mixing the crop residues within the soil. This article explores the impacts of traditional tillage methods and alternative approaches to reduce production costs, environmental consequences, and safeguard soil for sustainable crop production through the secondary source of results as published research papers, documents, government official and institution reports. Traditional tillage method involves the mechanical disruption of soil, which affects critical factors such as moisture retention, temperature regulation, and aeration. While use of such heavy machines can improve short-term productivity, its long-term impacts include soil compaction, erosion, and loss of organic matter, leading to environmental degradation and declining soil health. In contrast, No-till and reduced tillage practices offers a promising solution to contemporary challenges such as global climate change, water conservation, rapid soil degradation, and desertification. Under this system, wide range of crops can be grown effectively in low production cost by reducing fuel and labor requirements. No-tillage and minimal tillage is being adopted across a wide range of farm sizes, from small plots of land to vast expanses, in various countries around the world with promising sustainability