Journal of Agriculture and Natural Resources
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Efficiency in the treatment of three livestock manures through a composting process with mechanized turning
Get PDFThis research aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the treatment of manure from three livestock production units (cattle, swine, and poultry), through composting with mechanized turning and incorporation of natural substrate (wood sawdust) in rural properties in the municipalities of Farroupilha, Relvado, and Caxias do Sul, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The experimental design consisted of nine treatments, three for each type of manure. These were classified as: T1 (cattle manure plus wood sawdust), T2 (swine manure plus wood sawdust), and T3 (poultry manure plus wood sawdust). The process involved the daily turning of the windrows by a mechanized process and sampling was carried out in triplicate at 60, 120, and 180 days of composting, between the months of July 2018 and July 2019. After each sampling, samples were properly stored and sent to the Chemistry Laboratory of the University of Santa Cruz do Sul for analysis of the following variables: Calcium (Ca), Cation Exchange Capacity (CTC), Phosphorus (P), Magnesium (Mg), Nitrogen (N), pH, and Potassium (K). Temperature measurements were made on the spot every 15 days. At the end of the experiment, all treatments reached the standards of humidity, temperature, pH, and NPK, established in Normative Instruction No. 25/200 for organic fertilizers, from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil. Thus, the results demonstrated the efficiency of the mechanized composting process for the treatment of bovine, swine, and poultry manure, producing a high-quality organic compost
Effects of different mulches and net house on crucifer aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae L.) population, growth and yield of broadleaf mustard (Brassica juncea)
Get PDFCrucifer aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae, is a key pest of broadleaf mustard and other crucifers. An alternative integrated management approaches are recommended to keep the pest below economic threshold level. A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of mulching and net house on aphid population, growth and yield of broadleaf mustard. Experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design with four replications from September to December 2016 at Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal. Five treatments used in experiment was untreated control, black plastic mulch only, reflective plastic mulch only, black plastic mulch plus imidacloprid 70 WSG @ 0.13gm/liter, and net house plus black plastic mulch. The results showed that the lowest population of crucifer aphid was recorded inside the net house with black plastic mulch and black plastic mulch with imidaclorpid 70 WSG @ 0.13g/L spray. Reflective plastic mulch was superior as compared to black plastic mulch and control to reduce the aphid population. Similarly, the highest yield (26.86t/ha) was obtained inside the net house with black plastic mulch followed by black plastic mulch with imidacloprid spray (25.99 t/ha). But the benefit-cost ratio was the highest (4.09) in black plastic mulch with imidacloprid spray followed by reflective plastic mulch (3.42), black plastic mulch (3.32), and net house with black plastic mulch (3.10). Benefit-cost ratio was lower in net house with black plastic mulch but products are safe from toxins and potentially profitable in long run. Considering its ecological cost, the use of pest exclusion net is recommended as a viable option for controlling insect pests of broadleaf mustard
Avian infectious bronchitis and its management in Nepal: a review
Get PDFAvian infectious bronchitis (IB) is a highly contagious disease of poultry with high economic importance. Caused by avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), it is transmitted by direct and indirect contact through aerosol or fecal means. Although IB is considered as respiratory disease, various strains of IBV affect the renal as well as the reproductive system. The economic importance of disease is due to lower egg production, poor hatchability of eggs, and decreased quality of the egg, weight loss, growth retardation, and high condemnation rates in meat-type birds. Although the prevalence of IB is lower in Nepal (>1%), it is ranked second as a disease which claims most livestock unit in the world. There is no specific treatment for IB but live and inactivated vaccines are available for the prevention and control of the virus. The lack of research in the infectious bronchitis virus can cause production losses in poultry sector due to the evolution of resistant virus strain in our country. This review discusses the aspects of avian infectious bronchitis prevalence in Nepal
Effectiveness of linking vegetable farmers to formal markets in Lagos State, Nigeria
Get PDFThe study assessed how smallholder vegetable farmers are linked to formal markets in Lagos state, Nigeria. The study specifically described the socioeconomic characteristics of the smallholder vegetable farmers, ascertained perceived benefits from the linkage and constraints in linking smallholder vegetable farmers to formal markets. A random sampling technique was used to sample 120 vegetable farmers from Agbowa and Epe clusters. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. The results revealed that smallholder vegetable farmers were relatively young with mean age of 41.5 years, mean household size was 4 persons and they mainly sourced information from friends and fellow farmers. The findings also revealed that the smallholder vegetable farmers had strong linkage with input suppliers (x̅ = 2.50), International Fertilizer Development Center (x̅ = 2.33), World Vegetable Center (x̅ = 1.51) and Center for Inclusive Agriculture and Gender Development (x̅ = 1.46). Exposure to production technologies and specialized training (x̅ = 4.69) were the most perceived benefits from the linkage. Level of linkage with farmers and other actors was constrained by lack of basic infrastructure (x̅ = 2.50) and inadequate credit facilities (x̅ = 2.06). The study also found a significant correlation between household size and level of linkages. The linkages arising from the arrangement had no doubt exposed the farmers to production technologies and market information. Extension agencies and relevant non-governmental organisations are implored to offer specific trainings to vegetable farmers on value addition to enhance their participation in the formal markets
Prospect and potentiality of finger millet in Nepal: Nutritional security and trade perspective
Get PDFMillet is an important food crop for ensuring food and nutrition security of smallholder farmers and marginalized communities in the hill and mountain of Nepal. The main objectives of the study were to assess prospects and potentiality of millet by analysing the area, production, productivity, and trade for the year 2009-2019. The study used a combination of exploratory survey and secondary data for assessing the production system, compound growth rate, coefficient of variation (CV), instability index (IIN), and trade specialization index. The results of the study are compiled and the synthesis of the analysis is presented in both tabular and graphic forms. Growth rate analysis showed that the area of millet is declining but the import value, production, and yield were increasing at the rate of 14.62, 0.47, and 0.73 percent per annum respectively. Import and export values and quantity showed higher CV as well as IIN while area, production, and yield showed lower values. The trade specialization index was found as -0.992, which indicates that millet is in the introduction phase. Out of the total millets area, 78% of the area lies in the hill, 19% in the mountain, and only 3% in the terai. The highest area and production can be observed in Bagmati province while the least was observed in province no two. The study implies that there is a need to increase production and productivity to reduce increasing imports and make the country self-reliant in millet production with increased investment in research and development and adequate support from national policies and programs
Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo) decline by dieback disease, root pathogens and their management: a review
Get PDFShisham or sissoo (Dalbergia sissoo) is an important multipurpose tree with great economic importance, but this tree has been infected by various root pathogens. This review article shows the works conducted on root pathogens and die back disease of Shisham and their management. Around seventy-one endophytic fungus has been found in sissoo trees in Nepal. Several fungi, including, Fusarium solani, F. oxysporum, Ganoderma lucidum, Phellinus gilvus, Polypours gilvus, Rhizoctonia solani, Polyporus spongiosum, etc. cause sissoo diseases. Ganoderma Lucidum and F. Solani are two main pathogenic agents in Shisham, all of which causes root rot and vascular wilt diseases, and are the causes for the large-scale death of this tree species. Root rot ganoderma is wide spread in both natural and plant-based forests. Older trees in Shisham are usually attacked by these pathogens and cause large-scale death. However, when sissoo is grown as a re-forested pure plant without the removal of the stumps or root of the initial plant, a serious problem of root rot can develop. Field sanitation and proper management of field are necessary to control the fungal diseases of Shisham. Another deleterious disease of Shisham is dieback disease, where sissoo plantations have been confirmed to this disease when the infected trees begin to get dry from the top. There is no suitable solution for control of dieback of Shisham. There is a need of developing resistant varieties and to improve the quality of seed. This review may be useful tool for Forest Pathologists and other persons who are working in forestry and natural conservation sectors.
 
Predatory journals as threats to the academic publishing: a review
Get PDFAcademic publishing has been increasing greatly with the spread of open access journals and the shift to online publishing. However, authors must be aware of predatory journals and publishers while submitting their academic works for publication. Publishing in predatory journals is just a waste of efforts, money, and time as it does not add any scientific merits to the authors. The practice of predatory publishing can also damage the reputation of institutions and funding agencies. Therefore, there is an urgent need for awareness among researchers regarding predatory publishing. Local, national and international regulatory bodies should take stern actions against predatory publications while granting research funds and evaluating the researchers’ performance for job promotion and academic degrees
Effects of different rates of nitrogen and pinching on yield and yield attributes of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)
Get PDFProper pinching practice and the optimum rate of nitrogen (N) enhance the production of marigold. An experiment was conducted at a farmer’s field in Gadawa-4, Gangaparaspur, Dang, Nepal from July 2018 to November 2018 to investigate the effects of different rates of nitrogen and pinching on yield and yield attributes of African marigold (cv. Kolkata Local). Two factorial experiment was laid in the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. There were eight treatments, consist of four rates of nitrogen (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg/ha) and two levels of pinching (pinching and non-pinching). The maximum plant height (89.70 cm), the diameter of flower (4.29 cm) and the fresh weight per flower (4.32 g) and early days to 50% flowering (61.58) were obtained at non- pinching. The highest number of flowers (60.66), yield per plant (237.49 g) and yield per hectare (9.89 t/ha) were obtained with pinching. The highest plant height (92.20 cm) was recorded at 150 kg/ha of N but the highest yield per plant (238.18 g) and yield per ha (9.91 t/ha) was obtained at 50 kg/ha of nitrogen application. No significant effect was noted on the days to 50% flowering, number of flowers per plant, fresh weight per flower and diameter of flowers by different rates of nitrogen. The interaction of pinching and different rates of nitrogen showed non- significant effect on yield per plant and yield per ha. But, the combination of pinching and nitrogen rates at 50 kg/ha recorded the maximum yield per plant (249.20 g) and yield per ha (10.36 t/ha). Hence it is suggested to use pinching practice with optimum application of nitrogen @ 50 kg/ha to obtain high yield of marigold
Technical efficiency of wheat growing farmers of Nepal
Get PDFWheat is a major staple food crop of Nepal, so it is necessary to increase its productivity. However, the national average wheat productivity of Nepal is low as compared to other neighboring countries. This study employed a Cobb-Douglas stochastic production frontier model to examine the technical efficiency and its determinants using randomly selected household data from 343 wheat farmers from four districts of Nepal. Maximum likelihood estimation results showed that wheat production responded positively to an increase in the quantity of inorganic fertilizer, whereas it was detrimental to seed rate. Likewise, the study found that farmers were not technically efficient with a mean technical efficiency of 81%. The result showed irrigation, herbicides, sowing time, Farm Yard Manure (FYM), and wheat varieties were statistically significant factors that affect the technical efficiency of wheat farmers. Furthermore, to increase wheat productivity, farmers should use better irrigation, appropriate weed management practices, optimum sowing time, and adoption of recent improved varieties. Findings suggest that the technical efficiency of wheat farmers could be enhanced by practicing optimum use of inputs and improving the inefficiency factor
Evaluation of different chemical fungicides against rice blast in field conditions
Get PDFEvaluation of different fungicides against rice blast was carried out in research plot of the Agronomy farm of IAAS, Prithu Technical College, Lamahi Municpality, Dang district of the Lumbini Province, inner terai region of Nepal during June to November, 2017. The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the efficiency of different chemical fungicides against rice blast. The experiment was conducted in Randomized Complete Block Design with the use of susceptible variety ‘Mansuli’. Different fungicides like Hexaconazole 5% SC (Udaan), Propiconazole 25% EC (Tilt), Captan 70% + Hexaconazole 5% WP, Validamycin 3% L, Tricyclazole 75% WP (TRIP) and Biomycin (Kasugamycin 3% S.L.) were applied five times at weekly interval with the doses of 2mL/L of H2O, 1.5mL/L of H2O, 2g/L of H2O, 2mL/L of H2O, 2g/L of H2O and 2mL/L of H2O respectively. From the result, it was concluded that all the fungicides were effective in controlling leaf blast but Tricyclazole 75% WP (TRIP) was more effective among other fungicides and untreated control plots with least leaf blast severity (27.85%), least incidence (35.5%), least mean AUDPC (64.64%) and highest grain yield (3.93 t ha-1) followed by Biomycin. It is thus concluded that fungicide Tricyclazole 75% WP should be sprayed five times at weekly interval for the management of leaf blast in rice