Archives of Agriculture and Environmental Science
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Effect of foliar spray of ethephon doses and pruning intensities on growth, sex expression, and yield of cucumber (var- Bhaktapur local) in Kaski, Nepal
Get PDFA field experiment was conducted to study the effect of foliar spray of ethephon doses and pruning intensities on the performance of Bhaktapur local cultivar of cucumber in Kaski, Nepal from Feb- May 2021. The study was laid out in Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD) with 2G and 3G cutting, and four different doses of ethephon (@125ppm, @250ppm, @375ppm @500ppm) as six treatments against control and were replicated four times with 28 plots each of 20.8 m2 size having 4 rows with 4 plants per row. The data regarding plant height, leaf number, largest leaf area, days to 1st male and female flowering and fruit harvest, the total number of male and female flowers per plant, M: F flower ratio, fruit length, circumference, weight/fruit, fruit number per plant, fruit set % and yield were recorded and analyzed using MS-Excel and R-studio. The result revealed that growth and yield were significantly influenced by the levels of ethephon and pruning. Highest yield was recorded with ethephon @125ppm (83.54 t ha-1) which is as par with 3G (72.57 t ha-1) which was accompanied by a significantly higher number of fruits per plant {(125ppm=18.33), (3G=15.67)}, average fruit weight {(3G=674gm)}, (125ppm=608gm)}, and fruit set % {(3G=30.66 %)}, (125ppm=24.93 %)}. Significantly higher plant height (149.78 cm), and the highest number of leaves per plant (40) were recorded in control and Ethephon @125ppm at 50 DAT, respectively. The largest leaf area (626.84 cm2) was recorded in 2G which is at par with 3G (613.31 cm2) at 50 DAT. Higher dose of ethephon @500ppm (47.87 days) and 375 ppm (47.17 days) delayed days to 1st male flowering while all ethephon doses (T4=31.83 days, T5=32.5 days, T6=34.81 days, and T7=34.83 days) hastened female flowering than control and pruning. A significantly higher number of male flowers were obtained in the control (89.75), while the number of female flowers and M: F flower ratio increased with increasing ethephon level than in pruning (2G and 3G) and control. Hence, appropriate ethephon (125ppm) dose and pruning (3G) were highly conducive for better growth, sex expression, and yield of cucumber using Bhaktapur Local variety of cucumber in the hilly region of Nepal has a climatic condition similar to Kaski
A review on soilless cultivation: The hope of urban agriculture
Get PDFThe cultivation of plants without using soil as a rooting medium is known as soilless farming. Depending on the requirement and type of crop, there are several soilless systems, including hydroponic, aeroponic, vertical farming, and others. The rate at which megacities are growing is worrying. As a result, urban agriculture needs to undergo a revolution in order to address the problem of food scarcity and hunger. These significant quantitative and qualitative food concerns can be solved by soilless farming in urban environments. In greenhouses and tunnels, about 3.5% of the world's crops are produced utilizing soilless, hydroponic farming methods. People who reside in deserts, the arctic, and other difficult-to-farm places can build up hydroponic farms. Since there is no soil, there are fewer insects and weeds. Vegetables, fruits, flowers, and medicinal plants are among the crops grown in soilless or hydroponic systems. Growth media is used in soilless culture methods in place of soil. As growth media, inorganic or organic substrates (barks, coconut coir, coconut soil, fleece, marc, peat) are used. Aquaponics in Nepal has a promising future because it is still in its early phases and is expected to thrive and expand well. As a result, a variety of crops are produced year, increasing income. Soilless cultures are thought of as a recently found approach to agricultural development, yet they are extremely difficult to put into practice
Analysis of profitability and effect of factors of production in paddy cultivation in Morang, Nepal
Get PDFPaddy is one of the principal food crops in Nepal. Most of the Nepalese farmers are currently utilizing inputs in an unscientific manner due to lack of information about the most efficient use of resources, resulting in low yield and efficiency. This study was conducted for the analysis of profitability and effect of factors of production in paddy cultivation in Morang district of Nepal. A sample of 120 paddy growers were selected from 4350 paddy farmers registered in PMAMP, Rice zone, Morang using Simple Random Sampling Technique. Primary and secondary data were collected using face-to-face interview schedule and reviewing different articles and journals. Data collected were entered, tabulated and analyzed using MS-Excel and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive statistics such as mean, frequency, and percentage were used to study farmer's socio-economic characteristics while inferential statistics was used in analysing the influence of production factors using Cobb-Douglas production function. The total cost of paddy production, gross income, and net income per hectare was found to be Rs.70,082.65, Rs.1,11,171.23 and Rs.41,088.57 respectively whereas productivity of paddy was found to be 4.32 MT/ha. The BC ratio 1.66 indicates that it is a profitable enterprise. The labor cost contributed most to the variable cost with 45.48%. Moreover, independent variables such as seed, labor and mechanical power contributed significantly to the yield. Therefore, paddy farming should be encouraged among farmers by increasing the availability and affordability of inputs while also improving food security
Performance of Purple rice cultivar under different hill density
Get PDFPurple rice has become a fascinating source of nutritional value among healthy cereal grains. A field experiment was conducted at Bangladesh Agricultural University during the Rabi season (February to May) of 2021 to evaluate the effect of number of seedlings/hill on growth, yield attributes and yield of Purple rice. Three seedling densities, viz. 1, 2 and 3 seedlings/hill, and three rice cultivars, viz. Purple rice, Pahari rice and a check BRRI dhan67 were experimental treatments and the experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with three replications. Results revealed that seedling number/hill had significant effects on the growth, yield and yield attributes of rice cultivars. The tallest plant (136.31 cm) was observed from the transplanting of 1 seedling/hill followed by 2 seedlings/hill (133.35 cm) in Pahari rice. The maximum values of the number of effective tillers (13.47; Purple rice), flag leaf length and width (41.36 and 1.24 cm; Pahari rice) were recorded from the treatment 2 seedlings/hill. The longest panicle (26.58 cm; Pahari rice) was observed in 1 seedling/hill, statistically, a similar value was found with 2 seedlings/hill (24.44 cm). Among rice cultivars, BRRI dhan67 produced the heaviest grains (1000-seed weight 23.96 g) with 2 seedlings/hill and maximum grain yield (6.35 t/ha) with 1 seedling/hill. Single seedling/hill was found to be the best management practice to get a higher yield per unit area for Purple rice and other rice cultivars also
Integrated nutrient management practices affect the growth performance of aromatic fine rice varieties in Boro season
Get PDFThe experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University during November 2016 to April 2017 to investigate the effect of nutrient management on the growth performance of some aromatic rice varieties in Boro season. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications considering two factors viz. varieties and nutrient management. This experiment consisted of three varieties viz., BRRI dhan50, Basmati and BRRI dhan63, and seven nutrient managements viz., poultry manure 5 t ha-1, recommended dose of chemical fertilizers (i.e. 250, 126, 120, 100 and 10 kg N-P-K-S-Zn, respectively ha-1), 25% less than recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + poultry manure @ 2.5 t ha-1, 50% less than recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + poultry manure @ 5 t ha-1, vermicompost @ 10 t ha-1, 25% less than recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1 and 50% less than recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + vermicompost @ 10 t ha-1. The results revealed that variety, nutrient management and their interaction exerted significant influence on growth characters of aromatic fine rice in Boro season. The highest plant height (55.14 cm, 66.14 cm) at 70 and 85 DAT, dry matter hill-1 (15.39 g) at 85 DAT and chlorophyll content (39.29) at 55 DAT was recorded from BRRI dhan63. While, Basmati produced the highest leaf area index (0.60) at 60 DAT and the highest number of total tillers hill-1 (11.52, 10.81, 9.619) was obtained from BRRI dhan50 at 55, 70, 85 DAT. In case of nutrient management practices, 25% less than recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + vermicompost 5 t ha-1 produced the highest plant height (45.22cm, 55.22cm, 65.67 cm) at 55, 70, 85 DAT, leaf area index (0.70) at 60 DAT and chlorophyll content (41.56) at 55 DAT, respectively. Again, from the interaction, it was observed that all the growth parameters were significantly influenced and increased with suitable variety along with proper nutrient management. Therefore, from this study, it can be decided that BRRI dhan63 fertilized along with 25% less than recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + vermicompost 5 t ha-1 might be the best possible combination for proper growth of plant
Stock assessment and virtual population analysis of River shad, Tenualosa ilisha (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) in the Shatt Al-Arab River, Iraq
Get PDFHistorically, the river shad, Tenualosa ilisha fishery is the most significant marine fishery from the economic-socio point of view in Basrah province for a long time, but its contribution declined from 90.2% of total landings in 1965-1973 to 5.8% in 2020. The stock and virtual population analysis of the species in the Shatt Al-Arab River, Iraq was assessed using FiSAT II software. Samples were collected from two sites in the river from November 2015 to October 2016. A total of 462 individuals of T. ilisha ranging from 7.0 to 42.5 cm were collected. The length-weight relationship was derived, indicating a positive allometric growth for the species. L∞, K, and Ø were 59.1 cm, 0.27, and 2.975, respectively. Total (Z), natural (M) and fishing (F) mortalities were 1.94, 0.59, and 1.35, respectively. The exploitation rate (E) was 0.70. Length at first capture (Lc50) was found to be 24.4 cm. The recruitment pattern of T. ilisha was continuous throughout the year with two unequal prominent peaks. The relative yield per recruit analysis revealed that the current exploitation rate (E) of T. ilisha was higher than both E0.1 and Emax. Also, the 40 cm length group was more vulnerable to fishing according to VPA analysis, followed by the 34 cm and 26 cm length groups. For management purposes, it must be introduced an extensive T. ilisha management action plan by protecting brood species during the breeding season by imposing a ban on fishing in the Shatt Al-Arab River during the main spawning migration and conserving the small T. ilisha (Milat <23.0 cm) from catching.  
Improvement of postharvest quality and shelf life of banana cv. Malbhog using different plant extracts and modified atmosphere packages in Chitwan, Nepal
Get PDFBanana has a very short storage life. It is highly perishable, and therefore susceptible to several diseases resulting in extensive postharvest losses. A research entitled “Improvement of Postharvest Quality and Shelf life of Banana cv. Malbhog using different Plant Extracts and Modified Atmosphere Packages in Chitwan, Nepal” was conducted at the Post-Harvest Horticulture laboratory of Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal. The main objective of the research is to know the appropriate plant extracts and modified atmosphere package (MAP) for banana ripening and to now the effect of different plant extract on disease incidence and severity of banana. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design which consisted of eight treatments viz. Control, Garlic extracts, Neem extracts, Onion extracts, Sesamum oil, Ginger extract, Unperforated low-density polyethylene (50 µm) containing cotton soaked with KMnO4 and perforated low-density polyethylene (50 µm) containing cotton soaked with KMnO4 respectively and replicated thrice. Different post-harvest parameters were recorded at three days intervals for 15 days. From the experiment, the lowest firmness (0.467kg/cm2) and the highest pulp (4.075) to peel ratio was noted with control. The maximum vitamin C content (6.633 mg/100 g) was recorded with the Neem extract. Regarding the organoleptic test, the index value of overall acceptability (0.87), sweetness (0.80) and flavor (1.0) were depicted highest with control whereas the low-density polyethylene containing cotton dipped in KMnO4 resulted in minimum spoilage loss (43.77%). The minimal disease incidence was noticed with the unperforated LDPE containing KMnO4 (25%) followed by Neem extracts. From the experiment, it was concluded that the low-density polyethylene-containing cotton dipped in KMnO4 and Neem extract performed significantly better in terms of post-harvest parameters and disease incidence. Further studies regarding the use of other plant extracts and modified atmospheric packages were recommended
Screening of some sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) genotypes for yield and damage by Cylas puncticollis under rainfed conditions in Umudike, Southeastern Nigeria
Get PDFA field experiment was conducted at the National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Southeastern Nigeria during the 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons to evaluate diversity among F1 population of sweet potato, namely: Sauti × 442162 (6), Ligri × Faara (17), Sauti × Bohye (17), including two checks (Umuspo 3 and TIS 87/0087). This experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates under rainfed condition. Data on fresh storage root yield were recorded at 120 days after planting. Analysis of variance, correlation and principal component analysis were utilized for data analysis. The study revealed that yield of fresh storage root showed significant differences (P< 0.05) among the sweet potato genotypes. Sauti X Bohye produced the highest storage root yield (19.33 t/ha) in 2015 and performed better than the national check TIS 87/0087 that recorded a storage root yield of 10.84 t/ha. The result from the study showed that out of the forty genotypes evaluated, twenty-six (26) genotypes recorded attack of C. puncticollis. The extent of the damge recorded among the genotypes attacked by C. puncticollis ranged from severe damage to little damage among the genotypes that recorded fresh storage root damage. SautiXBohye/11, SautiXBohye/13, SautiXBohye/17 recorded severe damage caused by C. puncticollis while LigriXFaara/15 recorded moderate damaged caused by C. puncticollis. Fifteen (15) genotypes did not record any infestation by Cylas puncticollis. All characters except unmarketable storage root weight at harvest exhibited positive and significant (P< 0.01) correlation with total roots weight (yield). Principal component analysis had three main principal components explaining 84.25% of the total variation with number of marketable roots, weight of marketable roots, storage root yield and Cylas incidence contributing the most to the first PCA. These genotypes could possess resistance genes to Cylas puncticollis and these genotypes could be incorporated in breeding programs for further trail
Shifting from paddy production for aquaculture: An economic study in a selected area of Bangladesh
Get PDFShifting rice cultivation to aquaculture is a burning issue of agricultural land use policy in Bangladesh. The study was conducted to identify the reasons for change the paddy farming to fish culture and relative profitability of both enterprises randomly selected 50 sample farmers from Mymensingh district in Bangladesh. Primary data were collected through field survey. Mostly tabular analysis was done to achieve the objectives. To determine the net return of fish and rice production, profitability analysis was applied. The findings revealed that 70% of the respondents belonged to the age group of 30-64 years and average annual income and expenditure were Tk. 2333234 (US 21597.65), respectively. About 96 % of the respondents said that the profit motive was one of the main reasons to shift rice farming to aquaculture. Per hectare per/season gross margin and net return were Tk. 545994 (US 5197.16), respectively for fish culture and Tk. 16404.00 (US 75.31), respectively, for rice cultivation. The BCR of fish culture and rice cultivation was 1.86 and 1.07, respectively (Full cost basis). Lower profit and scarcity of labour in harvesting period were the main problems faced by the rice farmers. Diseases and high feed cost were the main problems faced by the fish farmers. The fair price of paddy and the supply of paddy harvesting machineries need to be ensured by the government and other agencies to make profitable agribusiness by the rice farmers
Growth analysis of short duration transplanted Aus rice (cv. Parija) under three agronomic practices
Get PDFAn experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh to investigate the growth of short duration transplanted Aus rice (cv. Parija) under three agronomic practices. The study comprised of two nursery seeding densities viz. 40 and 80 g seeds m-2, three ages of seedlings viz. 20, 30 and 40-day old, and three levels of seedlings hill-1 viz. 2, 4 and 6 seedlings hill-1. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. For individual treatment effects, the highest plant height, number of tillers hill-1, total dry matter, leaf area index and crop growth rate were found when seedlings were raised @ 40g seed m-2 and 30-day old seedlings were transplanted @4 seedlings hill-1. In interaction, the highest number of tillers hill-1 (13.00) and total dry matter (22.93 g) at 45 DAT, and crop growth rate (6.71 g m-2 day-1) at 15-30 DAT were obtained from the interaction among 40 g seed m-2 × 30-day old seedlings × 4 seedlings hill-1. On the other hand, the tallest plant (73.27 cm) at 45 DAT was found from the interaction among 80 g seed m-2 × 30-day old seedlings × 4 seedlings hill-1, while the highest leaf area index (2.87) was recorded from the interaction of 40 g seed m-2 × 30-day old seedlings × 2 seedlings hill-1 at 50 DAT. Considering both the significant individual and interaction treatment effects on the growth parameters, the use of 40 g seed m-2 × 30-day old seedlings × 4 seedlings hill-1 could improve the growth performance of short duration transplanted Aus rice (cv. Parija). Therefore, a nursery seeding density of 40 g seed m-2 and 30-day old seedlings transplanting with 4 seedlings hill-1 appears as the promising combination in respect of growth performance of short duration transplanted Aus rice (cv. Parija)