Archives of Agriculture and Environmental Science
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Plant growth and phosphate uptake of two leafy vegetables (Trigonella sp. and Spinacia sp.) as influenced by phosphate solubilizing fungi
No full textThe present work was focused on improving the growth and phosphate uptake in leafy vegetables by supplying phosphate bioinoculants. A total of 41 isolates from 50 rhizospheric soil samples were isolated through the serial dilution method by Pikovskaya’s medium. Among them 6 PSF with maximum solubilization index (3.08 to 3.86) selected and further evaluated. They showed good results in decreased pH (4.0 to 3.1 from an initial pH of 6.89), titrable acidity (30.16g/L to 38.08g/L), and phosphate concentration in culture broth (60µg to 25µg). Isolate PSF 39 showed maximum plant height (7.8cm at 15 days after sowing and 10.1cm at harvest), root length (5.5cm), biomass (2.11g of fresh weight and 1.01g of dry weight), leafy vegetable weight (2.01g), plant phosphorus uptake (0.393%) and available P in rhizosphere soil (346.96Kg/ha) in Trigonella sp. PSF 38 produced the most plant height (15.7cm at 15 days after sowing and 30.6cm at harvest), root length (10.9cm), biomass (11.23g fresh weight and 3.82g dry weight), leafy vegetable weight (10.32g), plant phosphorus uptake (0.369%) and available P in rhizosphere soil (346.29 Kg/ha) in Spinacia sp. From the results, the PSF inoculants can be recommended as phosphate solubilizers in the agricultural field as able to promote plant growth in leafy vegetables
A review on determinants and optimization strategies in prime editing in cereal and non-cereal crops
No full textPrime editing provides precise base changes, minute insertions (Small insertions ≤3 bp showed efficiencies of 2–8%) or deletions, and more defined substitutions without cutting both DNA strands or finding a donor. This is clearly better for safety and control. Plants have quickly taken on, but not in identical way. Changing editor backbones, reshaping pegRNAs, and evaluating out different delivery methods have often made things more efficient, but these improvements don't always work for all species or tissues. Simple design choices like PBS length, RTT layout, adding a 3′ structural tail, or employing paired pegRNAs can have greater implications on results than the editor itself. Editing efficiencies in rice protoplasts ranged from 0.26% to 2.2% for different targets. Rice showed that it was possible, as subsequent initiatives certain of which turned out far more successful than others—propelled into wheat, several dicots, and even some trees. While improvements in editor engineering, more advanced promoters, and computational design all got better, functionality still varies from locus to locus and genotype to genotype. In the real world, the transformation techniques and the local target context often define the outcome. This review summarizes collectively the greatest developments about plant prime editing, focusing on how it can be deployed for specific crops, how procedures can be strengthened, and design guidelines. The degree to which prime editing has been utilized in breeding and functional genomics will depend on further study on pegRNA stabilization, backbone variations, and various methods of delivering it
Soil loss estimation and mapping of water erosion management strategies in the Northern region of Rwanda
No full textThis study was conducted in Gakenke, Musanze and Rulindo districts in northern province of Rwanda from December 2019 to October 2021 to determine Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) status, mapping soil erosion areas, annual estimation of soil loss and spatial distribution in northern Rwanda. The study used Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model based on erosivity index, erodibility of soil, slope steepness, slope distance, vegetation covers and conservation practice parameters generated through arc GIS. The utilized data included the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for production of slope steepness. Landsat 8 have been processed in ERDAS Imagine 2014 for land use and land cover. Field data for conservation practice factor and rainfall data for soil erosivity in Google Earth Pro and ArcGIS respectively have been produced. The results indicated that the forest was identified as the largest area covering of 84.08% followed by built up areas with 10.43%, radical terraces account for 4.45 %, bare soil (3.23%), agroforestry (0.77%), waterbodies (0.727%), riverbanks (0.38%), and wetland (0.35%). The average rate of water erosion was discovered as 72 t. ha–1. y–1 and observed that soil erosion is more severe in steep areas than in other places. Inadequate erosion control management results as the cause of spatial distribution of erosion. Thus, it is advisable to prioritize soil and water management practices in steep and mid-elevation unprotected areas before applying them to lower elevations
Growth performance of Eucalyptus camaldulensis across two distinct sites in Sindhuli district of Nepal
No full textThis study evaluated the site-specific growth performance of Eucalyptus camaldulensis plantations in Nepal’s Sindhuli district, comparing -terraced agricultural land (Site 1) and flatland (Site 2) over nine years. The aim was to quantify differences in growth parameters and soil properties to perform sustainable plantation management. Diameter at breast height (DBH), height, basal area, volume, and above-ground total biomass (AGTB) were measured for 314 trees, alongside soil nutrients analysis (pH, organic carbon, N, P, K) from 43 plots. Statistical analyses (Welch’s t-test, regression) were employed to assess site variations. Results revealed significantly (p < 0.001) superior growth in Site 2, with higher mean DBH (9.00 ± 2.61 cm vs. 6.95 ± 3.71 cm), height (7.88 ± 0.80 m vs. 7.01 ± 1.97 m), and AGTB (26.96 ± 17.11 kg vs. 20.48 ± 34.16 kg) compared to Site 1. Volume distribution also significantly (p < 0.001) favored at Site 2 across all diameter classes (e.g., >15 cm: 0.16 m³ vs. 0.12 m³). Soil pH was significantly lower in Site 2 (4.72 vs. 5.48, p < 0.05), likely due to Eucalyptus litter acidity, though other nutrients remained comparable. Regression confirmed DBH and height as robust predictors of volume (R² = 0.955). The findings highlighted the flatland topography as optimal for E. camaldulensis productivity, driven by favorable microclimatic and edaphic conditions. Therefore, this study recommends strategic site selection prioritizing flatlands and pH-adjusted soil management to enhance carbon sequestration and timber yields, offering actionable insights for agroforestry resilience in Nepal’s mid-hills
Profitability of pineapple intercrops in Madhupur upazila of Tangail district of Bangladesh
No full textPineapple intercropping is a smart and sustainable agricultural practice for enhancing farm profitability and land use efficiency in Bangladesh. This study was conducted to analyze the socioeconomic characteristics and loan profile, determine the profitability, and assess the problems and constraints faced by the farmers in pineapple intercrop production in Madhupur upazila of Tangail district in Bangladesh. Primary data were collected from 90 randomly selected farmers across five villages in the study area. The study focused on three specific intercropping patterns: pineapple-aroid, pineapple-ginger, and pineapple-turmeric, with 30 farmers representing each group. The data were analyzed using tabular and profitability analysis methods. Findings reveal that the majority of farmers were middle-aged (30–64 years), primarily engaged in agriculture, with an average family size of 5.42. Most respondents belonged to the middle-income group and cultivated an average of 85 decimals of land. A significant portion of farmers received agricultural loans and demonstrated high repayment performance. All three intercropping patterns were economically viable, with a total cost per hectare of Tk. 697540.06 (US 6029.51) for pineapple-ginger, and Tk. 724033.85 (US 8059.67), Tk. 1206978.03 (US 8510.87), while the Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) stood at 2.38, 2.68, and 2.40, respectively. Although pineapple intercropping is profitable, farmers encounter significant challenges, such as high input costs and pest infestations. The government and relevant authorities must take essential actions to address the challenges and limitations encountered by farmers
Farmers' perceptions and responses to wildlife crop damage: A case study from Palpa district, Nepal
No full textWildlife crop damage has been a serious problem for rural farming communities globally, including Nepal. To understand the perception of farmers of wildlife interventions, a survey was conducted in Bagnaskali Rural Municipality, Palpa district, Nepal, using a structured questionnaire. The responses were collected from 73 randomly sampled individuals (farmers). The findings revealed that rice, maize, and vegetables were the major crops cultivated in the region. The most followed farming system was rice-wheat-maize, with 70%, and maize-rapeseed-wheat with 16%. The post-sowing period was identified as the peak time for wildlife damage by the majority, i.e. 63 respondents. Monkeys, rabbits, and deer were the primary animals causing major damage to the crops. The random attack from these animals was found to be the most dominant issue for farmers. A majority (52%) of the respondents reported losses ranging from 10% to 30% due to the intervention of these wild animals. Furthermore, only 15% mentioned that the trend of wildlife damage in crops over the last 5 years has decreased, while 85% fully agreed that the damage is increasing daily. Regarding preventive measures, it was found that 31.5% used scarecrows, 16.4% used noise/light methods, and 32.9% used no significant mitigation strategy. These strategies were perceived to be ineffective by 70% of the farmers, while 27% found them effective, and 3% were unsure. The findings suggested the urgent need for government intervention to address this issue in Palpa district of Nepal
Evaluation of intercropping legumes and green manuring on soil properties in maize field
No full textA field experiment was conducted at Lamjung campus, Sundarbazar from March to July of the year 2023 to find out the effect of different legumes and green manuring on the improvement of soil moisture. The experiment was set up in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five treatments which are maize, Maize + Cowpea, Maize + French bean, Maize + Soybean and Maize + Green manuring and 4 replications. It was observed that the use of green manuring was better than the control treatment in increasing moisture content by more than 2.34 times (p<0.05). The control treated plots had higher bulk density which also meant that there was less moisture in the soil. The use of green manuring was seen to decrease the soil temperature by about 1.17 times as compared to the control. As compared to the control system, green manuring enhanced the organic carbon content by more than 2.21 times that of the control. Maize plant growth with the help of green manuring was excellent, ear length was about 20.72 cm and diameter was 3.22 cm and 2.25 % nitrogen content was found in the green manuring treatment and it is a requirement for cell division and elongation. These results indicate that green manuring notably improves maize productivity by substantially increasing soil moisture retention, maintaining soil temperature, and raising organic carbon content of soil. Therefore, green manuring is a sustainable and successful agricultural technique that improves soil qualities and crop yields, according to the study's findings
Prospecting the potential of black turmeric herbal tea: Cultivation, processing, preparation and marketable characteristics
No full textCurcuma caesia Roxb. locally called Kali Haldi in India, is a well-known medicinal herb, traditionally used in the management of many health problems including high blood pressure, stomach pain, diarrhea, muscle stiffness, nerve injury, ulcer, cancer, acidity, stomach bloat, gastric, weight management and joint pain. This herb is found to be gown in almost all Indian kitchen yard without any product to be sold in market. The present work explores the potential of unexplored C. caesia in the domain of sustainable agro-farming, the herbal tea industry, its cultivation, processing, preventive medicine, and marketable features for the employment generation. The major objectives of this study were to explore the potential of the shoot parts of the C. caesia as an herbal tea and explore the potential of C. caesia as a means of alternative livelihood, development of a healthy alternative beverage. Manual labour activities were used in cultivation, hybrid methods of dehydration and maceration were used in the processing of herbal tea and packaging were done manually, Door to door marketing and word of mouth were used in the marketing of C. caesia herbal tea. For the first time, the study reports the leaves of C. caesia as a source of herbal tea, the study also reports potential of C. caesia in relation with agro industry prospects, sustainable development, preventive medicine, employment generation and healthy beverage. The present study is a contribution to the mankind in the introduction of C. caesia as herbal health tea and put forwards the lines “Let Tea Be a Medicine and Medicine Be a Tea”
Evaluation of maize hybrids for agro-morphological traits and grain yield during winter season at Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal
No full textMaize is a vital cereal crop in Nepal, contributing to food security and livestock feed. Enhancing its productivity through high-yielding maize hybrids is essential to meet the increasing demand. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of maize hybrids based on agro-morphological traits, yield-attributing parameters, and flowering attributes to identify promising hybrids for cultivation in maize growing regions of Nepal. The experiment was conducted during the winter season of the year 2023 at the National Maize Research Program (NMRP), Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal, using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Data were collected on days to 50% flowering and silking, plant height, cob height, ear number per hectare, kernel rows per cob, kernel count per row, and grain yield. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and correlation analysis were performed to assess variability and trait relationships with yield. Results showed the significant (p<0.05/p<0.01) differences among hybrids, with the commercial hybrid SULTAN achieving the highest grain yield (11.00 t/ha), followed by CML161/RML96 (10.68 t/ha) and RML36/RML2244 (9.87 t/ha), both statistically on par with SULTAN. These hybrids outperformed the national checks Rampur Hybrid 10 (4.82 t/ha) and Rampur Hybrid 16 (7.11 t/ha). Correlation analysis indicated strong positive associations between grain yield and plant height, cob height, kernel rows per cob, and kernel count per row. Therefore, maize hybrids demonstrating superior yield potential and favorable trait combinations will advance to multi-location trials, holding promise as future recommendations for the inner terai maize-growing zones of Nepal
Dietary crude protein optimization for enhanced growth performance in indigenous chickens during the starter phase
No full textFormulating diets that meet the nutrient requirements of indigenous chickens during the starter phase is essential for optimal growth, feed efficiency, profitability, and sustainability in poultry production. This study aimed to evaluate the growth response of indigenous chickens to varying crude protein (CP) concentrations in starter diets and to determine the optimal CP requirement during this phase. A total of 240 days-old chicks were randomly assigned to four iso-caloric starter diets containing 16%, 18%, 20%, and 22% CP, with three replicates per treatment. The birds were housed in deep-litter floor pens with 20 birds per pen, provided ad libitum access to feed and water, and monitored for eight weeks. Weekly data collection included body weight (BW) and feed intake, from which average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. Results showed that increasing dietary CP significantly improved growth performance. Final body weight, feed intake, and ADG increased with higher CP levels, with the 22% CP diet yielding the highest final weight (380.8 g) and ADG (12.3 g/day). However, the lowest performance was observed with the 16% CP diet. Feed intake peaked at 1300.9 g for the 22% CP diet, and FCR decreased with increasing CP content. Regression analysis suggested that FCR was optimized at 20.5% CP. These findings highlight the importance of precise CP formulations to enhance growth efficiency and profitability in intensive indigenous chicken production systems