Archives of Agriculture and Environmental Science
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Socio-economic analysis of ginger production in Terhathum district, Province no. 1, Nepal
Get PDFTerhathum is one of the major ginger-producing districts in Nepal. This study with the objective of analyzing the socio-economic status of ginger growing farmers in the Terhathum district investigates the production economics of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rose.) and the socioeconomic status of ginger producing farmers. The semi-structured interview schedule was administered to interview randomly selected commercial ginger-producing households in Myanglung municipality, Phedap rural municipality, and Menchhayayem rural municipality with 35, 39, and 17 respondents from each of the locations respectively. The overall productivity of ginger in the study area was found to be 19.3 MT/ha. The major cost-share for ginger production was found to be held by rhizomes used in the plantation (40.01%). The results indicated that ginger production was a profitable enterprise in the study area with an average B: C ratio of 3.77. The Cobb-Douglas production function indicated that ginger production exhibit increasing returns to scale at a decreasing rate. Rhizome quantity and amount of organic manure applied in the field played a major role in increasing the gross margin of the production. The goodness of fit was 52.3% with a return to scale of 0.714. Indexing technique identified incidence of diseases and pests and the instability of price as the major problems associated with production and trade of ginger. Overall, the study revealed that ginger production was a profitable and potential agriculture enterprise for the study area
Reproductive potential and histological profiling of the wild female anadromous shad (Tenualosa ilisha) in lower Meghna Estuary, Bangladesh
Get PDFHilsha shad (Tenualosa ilisha, Hamilton 1822) is the most commercially important and national fish of Bangladesh, belongs to the family of Clupeidae of the Clupeiformes. The study was conducted to identify the seasonal gonadal cycles through histological study and the peak breeding season combining histological and Gonado Somatic Index (GSI). One hundred and twenty fish samples with an average weight of 756.75±6.25 g was collected from the Tentulia river for the study throughout the year. Monthly mean GSI values of females ranged from 6.36±0.69 to 15.02±1.33. The lowest mean GSI value was found in December and the highest GSI value was in October. From the histological observation of the ovary, early perinucleolar stage, late perinucleolar stage, yolk vesicle stage, yolk granule stage, pre-mature and mature stages were identified. The highest percentage (75%) of mature oocytes and peak breeding season were observed in October and the breeding season continues from October to November. These results will be helpful for fishery managers to impose adequate regulations for sustainable fishery management in Bangladesh
First record of the Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) from Sundarban Tiger Reserve, West Bengal, India
Get PDFThis is the first occurrence report of Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) from Sundarban Tiger Reserve, West Bengal, India. A Great Crested Grebe was observed at a river in the Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary, while conducting the annual biodiversity survey within the Sundarban Tiger Reserve in November 2020. The species is a winter migrant to mostly man-made reservoirs at the northern districts of the state, and compared to the previous records, this is the southernmost occurrence report from West Bengal. The discovery of Podiceps cristatus at an undisturbed and favorable habitat inside a well-protected mangrove ecosystem within the Sundarban Tiger Reserve may prove significantly informative for the possible range extension and future conservation approaches of the species
Efficacy of different doses of NPK on growth and yield of rice bean (Vigna umbellata) in Khadbari, Sankhuwasabha, Nepal
Get PDFAn essential cultural technique for ensuring correct development and maximizing output is administering fertilizer sources for the crops. The experiment was carried out from February 2022 to May 2022 at Khadbari-3, Maruwa, Sankhuwasabha, to determine the efficacy of various dosages of NPK on the growth performance of the rice bean variety (Sunehri). The trial used a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with seven treatments replicated three times. The treatments were listed and named as T1 (0:0:0 kg NPK/ha); T2 (20:30:10 kg NPK/ha) (Recommended dose); T3 (10:20:15 kg NPK/ha); T4 (40:80:40 kg NPK/ha); T5 (20:20:20 kg NPK/ha); T6 (80:100:60 kg NPK/ha); and T7 (20:0:30 kg NPK/ha), respectively. The experimental results revealed that the highest yield/plant (39g) was obtained from the plot treated with T4 (40:80:40 kg NPK/ha), followed by 24.93 g and 24.13 g from the plot receiving T2 (20:30:10 kg NPK/ha) and T6 (80:100:60 kg NPK/ha), respectively. The lowest yield of 14.07 g was obtained from the control plot, followed by 15.27 g and 21.20 g from the plot receiving T7 (20:0:30 kg NPK/ha) and T3 (10:20:15 kg NPK/ha), respectively. Vegetative parameters such as plant height, branch numbers, and leaves numbers were recorded as a maximum of 19.72 cm, 6.88, and 18.97 in plots treated with T5 (20:20:20 kg NPK/ha), T7 (20:0:30 kg NPK/ha), and T1 (0:0:0 kg NPK/ha), consecutively, and corresponding minimum values were found 18.12 cm, 5.36 and 15.63 in T3 (10:20:15 kg NPK/ha), T1 (0:0:0 kg NPK/ha), and T7 (20:0:30 kg NPK/ha), respectively. Conclusively, the study's findings suggest that the rice bean crop responds to fertilizers and applying T4 (40:80:40 kg NPK/ha) enhances crop production considerably
Effects of Gibberellic acid (GA3) on shelf life and physiochemical properties of mango (Mangifera indica L. var Bombay green)
Get PDFThe present study investigated the effect of GA3 on the physicochemical properties and shelf life of mango (Mangifera indica L. var. Bombay green) from 31st May 2022 to 8th June 2022 at the Central Laboratory of GPCAR collage Gothgaun, Morang, Nepal. The study's goal was to find the right gibberellic acid concentration to use in mangoes that were collected at a mature stage to delay fruit ripening, preserve quality, and lengthen shelf life. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five treatments and four replications. Mature freshly harvested mango fruits of uniform size were dipped into an aqueous solution of gibberellic acid at 0 ppm (T1), 100 ppm (T2), 200 ppm (T3), 300 ppm (T4) and 400 ppm (T5) for 10 minutes. Data on physicochemical parameters (mango pulp pH, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, physiological weight loss, and shelf life) were statistically analyzed through biochemical analyses. Further, fruits treated with 400 ppm of GA3; resulted in the lowest physiological loss in weight (22.08%), the minimum pulp pH (5.02), and the minimum titratable acidity (0.14%) on the 8th day after storage. The highest total soluble solid (19.85°B) was recorded with GA3 @400ppm, while the lowest soluble solids (16.90°B) were recorded with control ppm on the 8th day after storage. Fruits treated with GA3 at 400 ppm had the longest shelf life (7.17 days), while fruits treated with GA at 300 ppm had the shortest shelf life (7.19 days). Therefore, the best results were obtained when gibberellic acid was applied at 400 ppm, which extended the shelf life and physiochemical traits of mango fruits
Effect of municipal solid waste compost and NPK fertilizer on growth, yield and protein content of rice (cv. BRRI dhan49)
Get PDFAn experiment was conducted to study the effect of municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) on growth, yield and protein content as well as to know the effect of combined application of MSWC and NPK fertilizers in rice (cv. BRRI dhan49). There were six treatments including- T0 = Control (No fertilizer or no MSWC); T1= 100% Recommended Doses of Fertilizers (RDF) NPK; T2 = (MSWC @ 5 t ha-1+ 75% RDF); T3= (MSWC @ 7. 5t ha-1+ 50% RDF); T4= (MSWC @ 10 t ha-1 + 25% RDF); T5 = (MSWC @ 10 t ha-1). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Our results showed that the integrated application of MSWC and different RDF% had a significant impact on various plant growth and yield parameters including plant height, panicle length, number of effective tillers per hill, number of filled grains per panicle, 1000-grain weight (g), and grain and straw yield of rice. In case of T2 treatment, highest grain yield (5.70 t ha-1), straw yield (7.71 t ha-1) and protein content (5.875%) were obtained. Thus, the result indicated that combined application of MSWC with NPK performed better than the single application of either MSWC or NPK fertilizer
Determinants of adoption and preferences for Aman rice mutant variety Binadhan-7 cultivation in Bangladesh
Get PDFThis study was conducted in fourteen agricultural regions of Bangladesh namely-Mymensingh, Jashore, Cumilla, Bogura, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Dinajpur, Rangpur, Dhaka, Khulna, Chattagram, Rangamati, Barishal and Faridpur. The specific objectives of the present study were: i) to examine the determinants to adoption of rice mutant variety Binadhan-7; and ii) to identify the major preferences and constraints of rice mutant variety Binadhan-7 cultivation; A multistage stratified random sampling technique was used to collect the data. Marginal coefficients indicate that if male farmers increased by 100%, the probability of adopting Binadhan-7 variety would increase at 38 times more likely to adopt the variety. If the farm size of Binadhan-7 increased by 100%, the probability of adopting the variety would be increased by 0.07%. A farmer who has access to agricultural extension service is about 39 times more likely to adopt the variety. Again, if the yield increased by 100%, adopting the varieties would increase by 0.08%. The marginal coefficients of duration and soil fertility are negatively significant, indicating that if these two variables increased by 100%, the probability of adopting the varieties would decrease by 0.18% and 28%, respectively. Among the preferences, the highest preference was 88.93% for short duration followed by poverty reduction (88.57%), and lastly high yielding (81.43%). Among the constraints, the highest constraint was 80.71% for high labour price followed by lack of godown (69.64%), marketing problem (67.50%), destroy by bird (66.79%) and lack of quality seed (48.93%)
Effect of biochar and nitrogen on soil characteristics, growth and yield of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) at Paklihawa, Rupandehi condition of Nepal
Get PDFAn experiment on effect of biochar and nitrogen on soil characteristics, growth and yield of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) was conducted at Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS), Paklihawa, Rupandehi, from November 2019 to February 2020. The experiment was laid in Randomized Complete Block Design with two factors: nitrogen and biochar, each factor having four levels (biochar: 0 t/ha, 5 t/ha, 10 t/ha and 15 t/ha and nitrogen: 0 kg/ha, 50 kg/ha, 100 kg/ha, 200 kg/ha), resulting in sixteen treatment combinations. Biochar application was found to be effective in improving soil bulk density, pH, soil organic matter and soil nitrogen and potassium content. Application of nitrogen fertilizer (200 kg/ha) and biochar (15 t/ha) alone, and in combination, showed significantly higher root dry matter (15.83 gm, 16.63 gm and 20.57 gm), biological yield (80 t/ha, 63.75 t/ha, and 95.75) and root yield (26.74 t/ha, 24.06 t/ha and 30.32 t/ha). In comparison to the sole effects of the highest dose of nitrogen fertilizer (200 kg/ha) and the highest dose of biochar (15 t/ha), their combined application showed the increased yield in radish root by 13.38% and 26.01%, respectively, indicating that the combined effect of biochar and nitrogen is more productive for the growth and yield in radish crop as compared to the sole effect of nitrogen and biochar
Precision nitrogen management on crop production: A review
Get PDFNitrogen (N) is the most essential nutrient for plants because of its value as a growth and yield determinant nutrient. Significant, and rapid increase in N application rates have occurred, but often at the expense of poor usage performance. The study enlights the causes of nitrogen loss in the environment, the need for its management and ways for precision management. Researches reveal only 50% of the applied fertilizer is uptake by the plants and the remaining is lost in the form of different pathways like denitrification, leaching, and volatilization that is very harmful for the biodiversity. Nitrogen management necessitates extra caution in its application in order to avoid major losses and optimize performance. Precision nitrogen management has been found especially useful to achieve the goals of improved productivity and higher nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Leaf color charts, sensor based green seeker and chlorophyll meter like decisions tools in precision nitrogen management help in assisting the prediction of the need for N in the crops leading to higher nitrogen use efficiency without any reduction of yield. On the other hand, the use of urea briquettes deep placement supplements the nitrogen management techniques for higher NUE and crop productivity as well as sustain agriculture by avoiding the leakage of nitrogen to the environment thereby reducing the pollution. Hence, the synchronization between crop demand and nitrogen supply using the tools helps to minimize nitrogen losses, maximize nitrogen use efficiency and increase productivity
Assessment of soil quality at selected sites around Karwi town, Chitrakoot (Uttar Pradesh), India
Get PDFEvery living organism on this planet prioritises food. Sustainable crop production is the need of the present hour to fulfil the basic needs of the large population of the country. The production of any crop, along with many other factors, largely depends on the soil quality of the area. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to ascertain the quality of the soil in the study area. To fulfil the aim of the present study, four sites {Karwi Mafi (SS-1), Karwi (SS-2), Amanpur (SS-3), and Narainpur (SS-4)} were selected around Karwi town, Chitrakoot (Uttar Pradesh), India. The soil samples were collected from the selected sites following the Grab sampling method for 12 months (January 2021 to December 2021). A total of 80 soil samples were collected and analysed for various physical parameters, primary and secondary nutrients, micronutrients, and heavy metals. The results obtained showed that soil moisture ranged from 44.56% to 48.12%. Among all the four sites, the soil quality of SS-03 (pH=6.79±0.03) was observed to be slightly acidic in nature. Phosphorous ranged from 48.10 to 56.53 mg/kg. Similarly, all other studied primary and secondary nutrients were observed in sufficient quantity at all the study sites. The concentration of all the studied micronutrients (Cd, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Fe) ranged from 0.95-1.31 mg/kg, 4.39-5.23 mg/kg, 2.47-3.62 mg/kg, 14.29-21.42 mg/kg, and 4.83-6.01 mg/kg, respectively. Chromium ranged from 0.96 to 1.58 mg/kg. On the basis of the present study, it can be concluded that the quality of soil in the study area is in good condition. The findings of the present study are important as they reveal the soil quality of pure residential and agricultural areas without any anthropogenic or natural dumping of solid or liquid waste