Journal of Agriculture and Natural Resources
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Effect of non-genetic factors on prolificacy and pre-weaning kid mortality of Khari goats in Nawalpur, Nepal
Get PDFPresent study was carried out mainly aiming at studying the effect of non-genetic factors on prolificacy and pre-weaning kid mortality of Khari goats in Nawalpur, Nepal. The traits were recorded for 1005 does were measured and analyzed using fixed effect Least Square Mixed Model and Maximum Likelihood Computer Program (LSMMML PC-2). Results revealed that overall mean prolificacy and pre-weaning kid mortality in this study were 145 and 6.2%, respectively. According to the results, non-genetic factors such as altitude, coat color and dam’s parity were the important sources of variation with respect to pre-weaning kid mortality and prolificacy of Khari goats in this study. Thus, the results of present study suggested the scope of improvement in prolificacy and pre-weaning kid mortality through selective breeding
Supply chain efficiency of Tomato in Kathmandu valley
Get PDFPast studies kept attention on the supply side or value chain aspects of tomato but not kept attention to the supply chain efficiency. To measure supply-side efficiencies in tomato sub-sector, this survey research organized an interview schedule with the randomly selected eighty households in Kirtipur, Chandragiri, Changunarayan, and Godawori municipalities of Kathmandu valley during April to June 2018 with semi structured questionnaire. Study estimated NRs 8,26,144/ha as net profit of tomato grown under tunnel was nearly 44% higher compared to open field condition. Further five types of marketing channels prevailed for tomato market were; channel first (producer-retailer-consumer), channel second (producer-wholesaler-retailer-consumer), channel third (produce-cooperative-retailer-consumer), channel fourth (producer-collector-wholesaler-retailer-consumer) and channel fifth (producer-wholesaler-processor-wholesaler-retailer-consumer) but most dominant was the fourth one since 45% of the fresh tomato supplied through it especially to save time and avoid all possible drudgery in the market. The marketing margin per kilogram of tomato was the lowest (NRs.16.55) in the third channel and the highest (NRs. 39.2) in the fifth channel while the highest market efficiency was 1.27 for the third channel. The producer’s share was highest for the third channel (66.33%) and lowest for fifth channel (39.88%). followed by 1st channel (63.72%) and lowest in 5th channel (39.88%). In order to promote a coordinated and most efficient supply chain, the study suggested the most dominant, low marketing margin and highly efficient supply channel for tomato so that tomato producers would get a high share. Rather than a private one, either group marketing or cooperatives are suggested to involve in fresh tomato marketing.
 
Socio-economic analysis of open pollinated improved and hybrid maize production in Sindhupalchok district of Nepal
Get PDFThe study was conducted from April to June, 2020 for comparative analysis of socioeconomic factors and profitability between Open Pollinated Improved (OPI) varieties and Hybrid varieties on maize production in Sindhupalchok district of Nepal. A structured questionnaire was administered to 80 randomly selected households i.e. 48 HHs cultivated OPI and 32 HHs cultivated hybrid maize varieties. Descriptive statistics, unpaired t-test, multiple linear regressions and indexing were used for data analysis using statistical tools- SPSS version 25 and MS-Excel. Linear regression model revealed that area under maize (5% level), education (5% level), age of household head (1% level), training (1% level), access to credit (5% level) and choice of seed (1 % level) significantly influenced maize production. In addition, unpaired t-test revealed that the productivity of hybrid maize varieties was significantly higher (1% level) than OPI varieties. Fall Armyworm infestation was found to more severe in OPI varieties (5% level) than hybrid. Furthermore, B: C ratio of hybrid varieties (1.59) indicated hybrid maize to be more profitable than OPI (1% level). However, the total cost of cultivation along with the cost of seed per hectare of OPI was found to be lower than hybrid varieties (1% level) thereby significantly increasing the area under maize production for OPI varieties (1% level). Indexing identified- lack of availability of quality seeds and fertilizers (I= 0.78) as the major problem associated with maize production. Ensuring access to quality seeds and fertilizer at subsidy, mechanization and efficient extension services focused on development of affordable hybrid maize varieties or high yielding OPI and its adoption among the farmers in order to increase maize productivity is recommended
Effect of sowing dates on different rapeseed varieties under rain fed condition
Get PDFRapeseed is a leading oilseed crop of Nepal occupying 85% of total oilseed cultivation area. This research was conducted to determine the response of different sowing dates on different rapeseed varieties in their final yield under the rain fed condition in Phulbari, Dang. Two rapeseed varieties Unnati and Surkhet Local on three dates of sowing Oct 4, Oct 24 and Nov 14 were tested under two factorial RCBD design in the year 2018 A.D. Data consisted growth attributes like plant height, branch per plant, no. of siliqua per plant, aborted siliqua and siliqua abortion percentage and yield attributes such as biological yield, biomass yield, seed yield, harvest index and test weight. Statistically no difference was found between varieties whereas differences were found on different sowing dates. Result showed that among the varieties, the highest yield (8.59 q/ha) was obtained in Surkhet Local than in Unnati (8.54 q/ha). In case of sowing dates, higher seed yield was obtained in Oct 4 sown crop (15.93 q/ha) followed by Oct 24 (7.47 q/ha) and Nov 14 (2.29 q/ha).The higher seed yield obtained in early sowing is due to shorter vegetative and longer reproductive phase. The comparison of mean values of the seed yield for interaction between variety and sowing date showed that variety Surkhet Local sown in Oct 4 plant had the highest seed yield (16.33 q/ha) followed by variety Unnati on same sowing date (15.54 q/ha). Based on the result obtained, Surkhet Local*Oct 4 performed better in Dang condition
Conservation tillage and preceding rainy-season crops on root: shoot characteristics, productivity, profitability and nutrient uptake of succeeding mustard under semi-arid rainfed ecosystem
Get PDFConservation tillage practices are poplar, environmental friendly and economically feasible approaches to increase the productivity and resource-use efficiency of arid and semi-arid rainfed ecosystems. Rainfed field experiments were accomplished at IARI, Pusa, New Delhi in 2010-11 and 2011-12 to evaluate root: shoot growth, productivity, profitability and nutrient uptake in mustard under the various conservation tillage practices with preceding rainy- season crops; pearlmillet, clusterbean and greengram; and organic mulches, viz. no residues, crop residues and Leucaena twigs applied to both rainy- season crops and mustard grown with common recommended package of practices. Higher root length density (RLD), root surface area (RSA), root volume density (RVD), average root diameter (RD), crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR) and net assimilation rate (NAR) were recorded under clusterbean–mustard and greengram–mustard systems over the pearlmillet- mustard system. Interaction between crop residues and preceding rainy-season crops on growth parameters exerted significant variations, while yield attributes showed the mixed responses. Mustard seed yield was significantly higher (+51%) in 2010-11 (1.80 t ha-1) than that of 2011-12 (1.19 t ha-1). Economic analysis exhibited the highest returns and net returns/ Rs invested after clusterbean with Leucaena twigs mulching. The nutrient uptake followed the same trend as that of seed and stalk yield. It was concluded that growing mustard after clusterbean with Leucaena twigs mulching was high-yielding and profitable cropping system under conservation tilled semi-arid rainfed ecosystem
Determinants of food demand among urban households in Minna Metropolis, Niger State, Nigeria
Get PDFAgricultural products including rice, yam and cowpea play significant roles in the food consumption of urban dwellers. However, increase in crop production cost has continued to threaten urban food price in Nigeria. This study analyzed the determinants of demand for food commodities among urban households in Minna metropolis. Data were collected from 110 household heads of urban residences, which were selected through a three-stage random sampling technique. Data collected for the study were analyzed using multiple regression technique. The results showed that rice, yam and cowpea were price in-elastic. The cross-price elasticities for rice, yam and cowpea were -0.132, 0.028 and 0.005 respectively. The computed own price, cross price and income elasticity of demand for rice were –0.308, -0.132 and 0.018 respectively. For yam, the computed values were -1.262, 0.028 and 0.289 respectively. While for cowpea, these values were -0.530, 0.005 and 0.002 respectively. For the income elasticity, rice and cowpea were proven to be normal goods and yam as a luxury good. The social protection strategies in form of food aids policy should be put into action to minimize the inflationary pressure on food items in the urban areas
Economics of Rubber Production in Jhapa, Nepal
Get PDFA study was conducted to examine cost structure and economic feasibility of rubber production in Jhapa district. It also aimed to assess determinants of increment in acreage of rubber cultivation in the study area. A total of sixty two rubber growers were selected by simple random sampling and interviewed with pre-tested semi structured schedule on the month of March, 2019. Study revealed that the total cost of natural rubber production per hectare of rubber orchard was 499774.8 NRs. /year. It was found to be economically viable and cost effective as indicated by satisfactory values of Benefit Cost Ratio (1.5), Net Present Value of NRs. 686547 at a discount rate of 12 percent and Internal Rate of Return 18 percent. Probit model revealed that trainings received, experience of rubber farming, ethnicity and membership in community organizations were significant factors that positively affected farmers’ decision in expanding rubber cultivation area. Received trainings solely could increase probability of acreage increment by 36.9 percent. Thus, it is recommended that extension services like training, farmers’ field school, and farm visits should be intensified for increment of profitability from rubber farming in Jhapa, Nepal
Efficacy of fungicides in management of Downy mildew disease of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under open field conditions, in Dhading district of Nepal
Get PDFDowny mildew (Pseudoperonospora cubensis) is one of the most important disease of cucumber under open field conditions. Hence, the experiment was conducted to study the efficacy of fungicides in management of downy mildew disease of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under open field in Chauradi-7 Dhading during spring season, 2019. Bhaktapur local variety of cucumber was used for the study. The experiment was laid out in single factor randomized complete block design with four replications. Three different bio-fungicides; Trichoderma viride + Trichoderma harzianum, Bacillus subtilis, Verticillium lecanii and one chemical fungicide; Krilaxyl (metalaxyl 8% + mancozeb 64%) were used as treatments. Normal water spray served as control. It was observed that bio-fungicides had insignificant effect in controlling the downy mildew. Pathological observation such as disease incidence percentage, severity percentage and AUDPC in bio-fungicides treated plots were not significantly different from water-sprayed control plots. Similarly, biometric attributes such as number of fruit, length and diameter of fruit, weight of fruit were also non-significant. Krilaxyl resulted significant effect in controlling downy mildew, providing maximum disease reduction (37.48%-50.72%) with lowest disease incidence (1.25-61.25%) and lowest value of AUDPC (138.7). Krilaxyl treated plots had higher number of fruit (6), longer length of fruit (17.15-18.95), higher diameter of fruit (4.16- 4.45 cm) and higher weight of fruit (677 - 759 g). Hence, chemical fungicide Krilaxyl was found better for the management of downy mildew disease in open field cucumber cultivation. Further, researches on bio-fungicides, especially of native strains are required for best result
In-vitro evaluation of botanicals and fungicides against Bipolaris sorokiniana, causing spot blotch of wheat
Get PDFSpot blotch disease of wheat caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana; is one of the most concerning disease in warm and humid regions of Nepal due to its widespread prevalence and increasing severity. An in-vitro experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of different botanicals and fungicides against Bipolaris sorokiniana, in National Plant Pathology Research Centre’s laboratory at Khumaltar, Lalitpur in 2019. The experiment was done in completely randomized design with three replications by poison food technique. Five botanicals viz. neem, garlic, eucalyptus, bojho and asuro at three different concentrations (5%, 10% and 15%) and eight fungicides viz. sectin, curex, bavistin, vacomil plus, saaf, sajha, criptan and tilt at three concentration levels (25 ppm, 50 ppm and 100 ppm) except curex (50 ppm, 100 ppm and 200 ppm) were used to evaluate the effect on the radial mycelial growth and mycelial growth inhibition percentage of the pathogen. The different botanical extracts and fungicides in different concentrations inhibited the mycelial growth of fungus significantly (p<0.01). The highest mycelial growth inhibition percentage was found by the application of garlic clove extract (52.85%) at 15% which was followed by bojho (52.48%) at 15% concentration. While tilt was found effective fungicide which completely inhibits the mycelial growth at all concentrations. Also, fungicides viz. sajha (79.78%), saaf (73.59%) and sectin (70%), at 100 ppm were found effective in controlling the pathogen as compare to others. Mycelial growth inhibition of the fungus was found to be increased with the increase in concentrations of botanicals and fungicides
Entrepreneurial behavior of large cardamom growers: A case study in Lamjung district of Nepal
Get PDFStudy on entrepreneurial behavior of large cardamom growers in Lamjung District, Nepal was conducted from December 2017 to June 2018 in Marshyangdi Rural Municipality of Lamjung district. The Rural Municipality was selected purposely for the study due to the recent establishment of Cardamom Zone under the Prime Minister Agriculture Modernization Project in the Municipality focusing on large cardamom development. Altogether 80 large cardamom growers were selected randomly from 454 large cardamom growers of the study site. Data were collected through household surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, personal observations, and other secondary sources. Results showed that a greater proportion of large cardamom growers were found to have medium level of innovativeness (45%), decision-making ability (51.2%), information-seeking ability (48.8%), risk orientation (46.2%), leadership ability (43.8%), achievement motivation (46.2%) and low management orientation (56.3%) which contributed to the overall medium entrepreneurial behavior (47.5%) of large cardamom growers in the study area. About 35 percent of farmers were belonging to the low entrepreneurial behavior and only a few numbers of farmers (17.5%) were under the high entrepreneurial behavior category. The high number of farmers with low and medium entrepreneurial behavior and a low number of farmers with high entrepreneurial behavior has resulted in poor commercialization of large cardamom in the study area. Educational status, landholding, extension participation, economic motivation, experience in large cardamom farming, and area of large cardamom cultivation were found to have a significant correlation with the entrepreneurial behavior of large cardamom farmers while age had a negative and significant effect. There is still scope to increase the number of large cardamom farmers with high entrepreneur behavior for commercializing large cardamom in the study area but programs should be designed and implemented accordingly