Journal of Agriculture and Natural Resources
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Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in captive exotic birds at central zoo, Bagmati, Nepal
No full textGastrointestinal (GI) parasitic infection is among the major health problems affecting captive exotic birds, leading to poor growth, reduced reproductive performance, and even mortality. Central Zoo, Nepal, serves as a form of ex-situ conservation, and this study aimed to determine the general prevalence of helminth and protozoan gastrointestinal parasites in 16 different species of exotic avian fauna. Freshly defecated fecal samples were collected from 100 individuals, with five to ten individuals per species. We used iodine wet mount, flotation, and sedimentation methods to detect the protozoan and helminth samples, where five genera of parasites were detected at a 54% prevalence rate. The study results were that one protozoan genus, Eimeria sp. (37%), and four helminth genera. Among them, Ascaridia sp. (23%) showed the highest prevalence, followed by Codiostomum sp. (3%), Trichostrongylus sp. (10%), and Strongyloides sp. (7%). The prevalence of protozoan parasites (57) was higher than that of helminth parasites (43), and the difference was statistically insignificant (χ² = 0.197, p = 0.656). Similarly, the difference in prevalence between single and mixed infections was found to be statistically significant (χ² = 4.481, p = 0.034). The prevalence of protozoan parasites (57) was higher than that of helminth parasites (43), and the difference was statistically insignificant (χ² = 0.197, p = 0.656). Similarly, the difference in prevalence between single and mixed infections was found to be statistically significant (χ² = 4.481, p = 0.034). Double infections were the highest occurrence (76.19%) compared to the multiple infections (23.80%) among the mixed infections. Evidence-based deworming protocols were recommended to enhance healthy captive avian populations
Impacts of land use change on soil erosion in a Himalayan watershed: Implications for sustainable watershed management
No full textSoil erosion is a major environmental challenge in Nepal’s Middle Hills, threatening agricultural productivity and watershed sustainability. This study aims to quantify long-term land use/land cover (LULC) changes and assess spatial patterns of soil erosion risk in the Karra River watershed, Makawanpur District, over a 20-year period. Multi-temporal Landsat imagery from 2003, 2013, and 2023 was used to analyse LULC dynamics, while soil erosion was estimated using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) integrated with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing. The RUSLE model incorporated rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, slope length and steepness, cover management, and conservation practice factors. The watershed was further subdivided into 29 sub-watersheds to prioritize areas for conservation intervention. The results reveal substantial LULC changes between 2003 and 2023, including a 357.1% expansion of built-up areas, a 6.1% increase in forest cover, and a 10.2% decline in cropland. Estimated annual soil loss ranged from <5 to 463 t/ha/yr, with a watershed-wide mean of 8.32 t/ha/yr. Approximately 66.9% of the watershed experienced low erosion (<5 t/ha/yr), while 21.87% was classified as high to very severe erosion (>20 t/ha/yr). Sub-watershed prioritization identified SW12 as the most erosion-prone unit, with an average soil loss of 40.2 t/ha/yr. Areas experiencing rapid urban expansion and agricultural land conversion exhibited localized but elevated erosion risks. The study concludes that integrating LULC change analysis with RUSLE-based modelling provides a spatially explicit framework for identifying erosion hotspots and supporting targeted soil and water conservation planning in data-scarce mountainous regions
Optimizing soybean yield in Gandaki Province, Nepal through adjusted sowing dates to avoid early rainfall
No full textSoybean yield in high-rainfall regions of western Nepal is highly variable due to interactions among genotype, environment, and management (G×E×M). This study aimed to evaluate soybean genotypes under adjusted sowing dates to enhance yield and reduce the impact of early pre-monsoon rainfall. A two-year field experiment (2020–2021) was conducted at the Directorate of Agricultural Research, Lumle, Kaski, using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Based on first-year observations, sowing was advanced by 15 days in the second year to avoid early rainfall that compromises crop establishment. Significant variation among genotypes was observed for days to 50% flowering, number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, plant height, and adjusted grain yield. LS-77-16-16 produced the highest pooled yield (1.83 t/ha), while 500-kernel weight, seeds per pod, and plant population per plot were not significantly different. Unlike past reports of up to 96% yield loss when rainfall coincided with flowering to pod-setting, our results indicate that maintaining crop stand under early rainfall is the primary challenge. These findings suggest that early sowing, combined with selection of suitable genotypes, can improve soybean yield stability under variable rainfall conditions
Enhancing barley resilience to thermo-hydric stress through conservation agriculture in semi-arid western Tunisia
No full textThis study aimed to evaluate the resilience of two barley varieties (‘Ardhaoui’ and ‘Manel’) to thermo-hydric stress under conservation agriculture (CA) compared to conventional agriculture, across different sowing dates (normal, late) and water regimes (rainfed, irrigated). Field experiments were conducted during the 2020–2021 winter growing season at a representative semi-arid site in Western Tunisia, and climatic trends over the past 24 years were analyzed to contextualize current stress conditions. A severe water deficit, coupled with a rise in temperature and increased ET0, occurred during grain filling. This tendency towards climate change is confirmed by the site\u27s climatic characterization over 24 years, during which temperatures have risen by 0.16 °C per year (r = 0.800, p = 0.01). Results showed that CA significantly improved barley performance, increasing biological and grain yields by 26% and 29%, respectively, suggesting more efficient rainfall utilization. Supplemental irrigation further enhanced grain yield (51%) relative to biological yield (45%). The local variety ‘Ardhaoui’ demonstrated higher tolerance to drought and heat stress than the improved variety ‘Manel’. Biomass was more sensitive to heat stress than grain yield (32% vs. 24%), indicating a potential shift in harvest index under extreme conditions. Stress tolerance indices (HSTI and STI) and phenolic compound analysis confirmed that CA and supplemental irrigation mitigated the negative effects of thermo-hydric stress. The significant positive interaction (p = 0.001) between tillage method and sowing date confirms that tillage practices alleviate heat stress expression. These findings highlight that CA, when combined with appropriate variety selection and irrigation management, can improve barley resilience under semi-arid conditions. The study also underscores the importance of local varieties in adapting to climate variability, while cautioning that results are based on a single season and site, and multi-year evaluations are needed to confirm long-term benefits
Feeding, management and health care practices of dairy cattle farms in Nepal
No full textDairy farming is an important source of income for farmers; however, farm management practices are often overlooked. Therefore, this study aims to assess the feeding, management, and healthcare practices of dairy cattle farms in Nepal. A total of 407 households were surveyed in the districts of Ilam (86), Morang (114), Kavre (91), and Chitwan (116). The data was collected from February to October 2024. Descriptive statistics were used to compare the mean and frequency. Farms were compared using one-way ANOVA, with a post hoc test to examine variation among farm sizes. The findings revealed that 93.1% of farmers fed rice straw, while 80.8% fed Kundo or Khole as the primary feed. Feed blocks, UMMB, and urea molasses were used by 19.4%, 20.1%, and 6.4% of the farms, respectively. Similarly, on average, 45% of cattle housing was found in good condition, while 45.2% had a mud-floor mix with concrete. The adoption rate for GHPs such as disinfectant (4.9%), protective workers (16.5%), farm entry log (4.9%), grooming tools (24.1%), and record keeping (23.3%) was found to be low. The technology adoption remains at seven or fewer for 71.5% cattle farms. Mastitis (44%) was the most reported disease, followed by FMD (25%), infertility (14%), Charchare (5%), and other diseases, including lumpy skin (12%). 35.3% farms followed regular health care services, while 64.7% practiced it irregularly. In addition, the economic analysis revealed that 71% and 29% of the cost was covered by feed and non-feed inputs, respectively, while the medium-sized farm was identified as the most profitable. It is suggested to provide training and extension services on good husbandry practices, along with increasing subsidies for improved farming techniques to lower costs. Further, preventive measures for disease control, including surveillance and quarantine, are essential
Evaluation of stress tolerant indices and yield of barley landraces under drought condition
No full textBarley landraces serve as important genetic resources for enhancing drought tolerance in crop development programs. This study aimed to assess drought tolerance genotype among fourteen barley landraces using CRD replicated thrice, under controlled poly-house conditions at College of Natural Resource Management (CNRM), Bardibas, Nepal. Plants were exposed to water-deficit stress (60 centibars for 7 days) at the crown root initiation, tillering, and grain filling stages, while controls were maintained under optimal moisture. Physiological traits (chlorophyll content, flowering and maturity duration) and yield components were recorded, and drought tolerance indices (STI, MP, GMP, SSI, TOL, YSI) were computed. Significant genotypic variation was observed for drought response. Landrace AFU 202501 exhibited moderate growth reduction (9.2%) and high chlorophyll retention (93.2% of control), indicating sustenance under water-deficit condition with stable yield. Saptari Local demonstrated early maturity with minimal yield reduction (TOL = 0.86; SSI = –0.068) as a drought-escape mechanism, whereas NGRC 6010 was highly sensitive with severe growth inhibition. Based on stress indices, AFU 202501 and Gaushala Local depicts high-yielding potentiality under both stress and non-stress conditions (STI > 1.3), while Saptari Local exhibited superior yield stability (YSI = 0.943). The finding suggests chlorophyll retention and phenological plasticity as reliable indicators of drought adaptation, and identify AFU 202501 and Saptari Local as promising parental lines for breeding drought-tolerant barley, warranting further validation under multi-environment field conditions
Soil fertility stratification in a fragile ecosystem: Depth-wise gradients of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and pH in Chure hills Nepal
No full textThe Chure region of Nepal, an ecologically fragile landscape, faces severe degradation, threatening its soil fertility and ecosystem services. Conducted in 2024, this study aimed to assess the vertical and spatial variations of key soil fertility indicators, total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (AK), and pH, in the forest soils of this understudied region. Soil samples were collected from 29 permanent sample plots across six districts (Bara, Parsa, Rautahat, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Siraha) in Madhesh Province. Stratified random sampling was employed to collect samples from three depth intervals (0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm). TN was determined using the Kjeldahl method, AP by Olsen\u27s method, AK by flame photometry, and pH using a digital pH meter. A two-way ANOVA tested the main effects of depth and district (p< 0.05). The results revealed significant vertical gradients for all parameters. TN decreased markedly with depth (0.034% at 0–10 cm to 0.012% at 20–30 cm), while AP, AK, and pH increased significantly with depth. This subsoil enrichment is attributed to the region\u27s specific pedogenic processes, including leaching in coarse-textured soils, fixation in alkaline subsoils, and weathering of the calcareous/sandstone parent material. Spatially, Rautahat district consistently exhibited the highest levels of TN (0.034%), AP (106.46 kg/ha), AK (20.67 kg/ha), and pH (7.69). In contrast,Siraha had the lowest AP (99.84 kg/ha), AK (19.38 kg/ha), and pH (7.21), and Mahottari had the lowest TN (0.010%). These findings provide a critical scientific baseline for designing targeted soil conservation, sustainable forest management, and land rehabilitation strategies in this vulnerable ecosystem
Carbon sequestration potential of a sal (Shorea robusta) dominated community forest in central Nepal
No full textThis study assessed the biomass and carbon stocks above and below ground in a community forest in central Nepal that is dominated by Sal (Shorea robusta). A basic random sample design with a 2% sampling intensity and 500 m² circular plots was used to gather field data from Block 1 of the Piple Pokhara Community Forest, Makawanpur District, between October 2021 and March 2022. Tree height and diameter at breast height (DBH) were measured, and standard allometric equations were used to determine biomass. A total of 78 individual trees were measured across the eight sample plots. With a mean height of 13.18 m and a mean DBH of 20.66 cm, the forest showed moderate structural variability. The average total biomass per tree was 315.63 kg, with mean above-ground and below-ground biomass of 263.03 kg and 52.61 kg, respectively. Above-ground components accounted for the highest share of the corresponding mean carbon stocks, which were 0.12 tons above-ground, 0.02 tons below-ground, and 0.15 tons overall per tree. Plot-to-plot variations in carbon stocks ranged from 0.11 to 0.20 tons per tree, primarily due to variations in tree size. The findings highlight the role of community forests in Nepal\u27s efforts to mitigate climate change and account for carbon emissions. They show that the community forest serves as an efficient local carbon sink and that better forest management that focuses on stand structure could further enhance its carbon sequestration potential
Evaluation of management practices for lentil wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lentis) at Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal
No full textLentil wilt is caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lentis, a major limiting factor in lentil production in Nepal. This study aimed at finding better and sustainable ways to manage it through combined biological and chemical methods. The study was done from September 2016 to March 2017 at Agriculture and Forestry University, Chitwan, Nepal. Eleven native Trichoderma isolates were tested in the lab using a dual culture method, and two fungicides, carbendazim and propiconazole, were tested for their inhibitory effects via the poison food method at concentrations of 10, 50, and 100 ppm. Field trials were conducted with seed treatment, foliar spray, and combined application in randomized complete block design with three replications. The plot size was 3 m x 3 m. Study results showed that Trichoderma isolated from Rampur and Tarahara had the highest pathogen inhibition percentage which reduces fungal growth up to 70% and 63%, respectively. Chemical carbendazim inhibited wilt mycelial growth by 86% at 10 ppm and fully at 50 ppm, while chemical propiconazole inhibited on 100 ppm fully. In the field condition, wilt disease severity was recorded lowest in the plots which were treated with combined seed and foliar applications of these chemicals but carbendazim-treated plots have the highest yield. This study highlights that combining biological control agents with chemical fungicides offers effective way to manage lentil wilt and yields. Future work should focus on reducing chemical usage by integrating resistant lentil varieties and optimized biological treatments
Landslide susceptibility zonation in the Nepalese Siwaliks using GIS and the frequency ratio model
No full textLandslides are recurrent and destructive hazard in Nepal’s geologically young and fragile Siwalik (Chure) Hills, where the lack of systematic susceptibility assessments limits effective land-use planning and disaster risk reduction. This study aimed to evaluate and map landslide susceptibility in Rajpur Rural Municipality, Dang District, using Geographic Information System (GIS) and the bivariate Frequency Ratio (FR) model. A spatially explicit landslide inventory of 151 historical events was prepared from high-resolution Google Earth imagery. Nine landslide conditioning factors-slope, aspect, elevation, plan curvature, land use/land cover (LULC), geology, soil type, mean annual precipitation, and proximity to rivers—were processed and analyzed within a GIS framework. Class-wise FR values were calculated to quantify the relationship between each factor and past landslide occurrences, and these values were integrated to produce the Landslide Susceptibility Map (LSM) that classified the area into five susceptibility zones. The FR analysis revealed a strong association between landslide occurrence and water bodies within the LULC parameter (FR=1.52), highlighting the role of fluvial erosion and slope undercutting. Soil emerged as the most influential factor, exhibiting the highest prediction rate (PR = 2.57). Model validation using the Area Under the Curve (AUC) method yielded an AUC value of 0.545, indicating a marginal but positive predictive performance above random classification. The resulting LSM provides a scientifically grounded decision-support tool for local authorities, planners, and disaster management agencies to identify priority areas for targeted mitigation measures, including bio-engineering, community-based afforestation, and risk-sensitive infrastructure development, demonstrating the practical utility of the FR model in data-scarce mountainous environments of Nepal