Journal of Agriculture and Natural Resources
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Germplasm rescue and rebuilding local seed systems in red zone areas
Get PDFNative agrobiodiversity become endangered and even lost due to natural disasters in red zone area such as earthquake that hit Nepal on April and May 2015. Endangered agricultural genetic resources should be rescued and revival of disrupted local seed system was essential for sustainable and productive agriculture in earthquake affected areas. The objectives of this paper are to document methods employed to rescue germplasm and rebuild local seed systems in earthquake affected areas to restore lost crop diversity and strengthen local seed systems. Among 14 severely hit districts by April 2015 earthquake in Nepal, 10 districts were selected for germplasm rescue and rebuilding local seed system. We surveyed households and sensitized relevant stakeholders. Earthquake affected areas were declared as red zones and status of crop landraces were assessed through survey, five cell analysis and focus group discussion. Three germplasm rescue techniques, namely direct rescue, diversity fair and indirect rescue were applied. Local seed systems were rebuilt through diversity fair, diversity block, seed exchange, repatriation and diversity kits. Collected accessions were characterized, multiplied and conserved in National Genebank and community seed banks. About 5-10% of total local crop diversity (based on the landraces) were lost due to earthquake in these districts. A total of 921 accessions of 61 crops along with 284 rare and endangered crop landraces were collected and rescued from 35 VDCs of 10 severely earthquake affected districts. Climate analogue sites and climate smart germplasm were identified for some of earthquake affected areas, and five landraces of four crops were repatriated. Participatory seed exchange, diversity fairs and 200 diversity kits (containing 3 to 5 varieties) were employed to revive the local seed systems. Farmers’ preferred landraces were conserved in Community Seed Bank in Lamjung and Dolakha and all collections were conserved in Naional Genebank, Khumaltar, Nepal. The study concludes that multiple approaches and tools are necessary for germplasm rescue and rebuilding local seed systems from red zone area
 
Root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) and its management: a review
Get PDFRoot-knot nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne incognita stands out among the most harmful polyphagous endoparasite causing serious harm to plants, and distributed all over the globe. RKN causes reduced growth, quality and yield along with reduced resistance of the host against biotic and abiotic stresses. Infective second stage juvenile enters host roots with the help of the stylet and becomes sedentary getting into the vascular cylinder. Dramatic changes occur in host cells, making a specialized feeding site, induced by the secretion of effector protein by RKN. M. incognita can be controlled by nematicides, biocontrol agents, botanicals essential oils and growing resistant cultivars. Nematicides are no longer allowed to use in many parts of the world because of environmental hazards and toxicity to humans and other organisms. Researchers are concentrating on searching suitable alternatives to nematicides for effective management of M. incognita. This review mainly tries to explain the biology of M. incognita and different management options recommended in recent years. However, an effective and economical management of M. incognita remains an immense challenge
An overview of research on plant based natural dyes in Nepal: scope and challenges
Get PDFThe worldwide demand of natural dyes is of great interest due to the increased public awareness about the atmospheric and environmental pollution caused by the commercially available synthetic dyes. Nepal being wealthy in flora, would be fine research laboratory land for the plant based natural dyes. Among most of the natural dyes, plant-based dyes/pigments have wide range of applications in fabric, food, drug coloring, therapeutic values and also in solar cells in presence of different mordants. The use of mordant is inevitable during natural dyeing process in order to improve the fastness properties on fabrics, foods and drugs by forming a co-ordination complex with dye. In this article, a short overview of plant based natural dyes extraction applications and their scope and limitations will be discussed with special reference to Nepal. In the present review, the green methods of dye extraction, and dyeing technologies will be discussed, and the research fields based on natural dyes will be explored. Some of the natural dyes has also shown the antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal properties and hence are also discussed with biomedical applications.
 
Geostatistical based soil fertility mapping of Horticultural Research Station, Rajikot, Jumla, Nepal
Get PDFGeostatistical soil mapping is important for determining spatial distribution of soil parameters. This study was conducted to assess soil spatial distribution of the Horticultural Research Station, Rajikot, Jumla, Nepal. The total 27 samples were collected randomly at a depth of 0-20 cm by using soil sampling auger. A GPS device was used for determination of geographical position of soil sampling points. The collected samples were analyzed following standard analytical methods in the laboratory of National Soil Science Research Centre, Khumaltar. The Arc-GIS 10.1 software was used for the mapping spatial distribution of various soil parameters. The observed data revealed the structure was sub-angular blocky and granular, whereas colour were dark brown to dark grayish brown and dark yellowish brown. The sand, silt and clay content were ranged 24.40-72.10%, 19.40-63.10% and 6.20-14.50%, respectively and categorized loam, sandy loam and silt loam in texture. The soil pH was slightly acidic to moderately alkaline (5.01-8.06), and very low available sulphur (0.59-2.41 mg/kg) and very low to low available boron (0.04-0.87 mg/kg). Moreover, very low to medium available manganese (2.18-13.46 mg/kg), very low to very high available iron (4.50-138.58 mg/kg), and low to medium available magnesium (7.20-177.60.53 mg/kg) and zinc (0.26-1.66 mg/kg). Similarly, medium total nitrogen (0.09-0.22%), medium to high organic matter (1.71-6.26%) and available calcium (1200-3144 mg/kg), medium to very high available phosphorus (3.71-82.4 mg/kg) and potassium (59.37-173.05 mg/kg). Correspondingly, high to very high available copper (0.78-4.20 mg/kg). The determined soil test data can be used for sustainable soil management as well as developing future research strategy in the farm
Post-harvest practices and loss assessment in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in Kathmandu, Nepal
Get PDFPostharvest loss is one of the major problems in tomato production. This study was conducted to assess the post-harvest practices and losses of tomato at the farmers’ fields in three districts namely Kathmandu (Kavresthali), Lalitpur (Lubhoo, and Lamatar), and Bhaktapur (Tathali and Kaushaltar). By using a simple random sampling method, the sample size of 60 respondents was chosen. A pre-tested questionnaire, group conversation, and key-informant survey were applied in this study. The results revealed that 10.3% of the respondents produced the tomato on a small scale whereas 58.8% of respondents produced on large scale. 10% of total losses were found from harvesting to marketing. In the field, during harvesting and packaging, there was a 2% loss. The tomato loss was negligible during grading and washing. 4% loss was found during the transportation of tomato and 2% of the loss during the storage of tomato. To the producer level, the insufficient knowledge about the storage, packaging, transportation, and random harvesting led to the maximum loss of tomato. In the study area, the producers played important role in reducing the postharvest loss of tomato, therefore, public awareness should be increased through mass media about the proper harvesting and storing of tomato.
 
Production economics and resource use efficiency of tomato under open field condition in Kapilvastu, Nepal
Get PDFA study was conducted in Kapilvastu district with an objective to analyze the production economics and resource use efficiency of tomato production under open field condition. Altogether ninety tomato growers were purposely selected for household survey. Primary data were collected using pre-tested interviews and focus group discussion with tomato farmers and stakeholders. Data was analyzed using SPSS and STATA, and socio-demographic characteristics, Cobb-Douglas production function and resource use efficiency of the tomato farmers was studied. The tomato production in the studied site was found to be a labor-intensive venture as cost incurred for labor was about 39 percent of the total cost with gross margin of NRs. 7255.10 per kattha and net profit of NRs. 5464.1 per kattha. Cobb-Douglas production function analysis showed positive and significant relationship of cost on labor, seed, farm yard manure, inorganic fertilizer and micronutrients and other associated expenses with the gross income. The returns to scale of 1.02 indicated increasing returns to scale whereas resource use efficiency values indicated all input resources were underutilized in tomato production
Authors beware! Publishing in predatory journals is harmful
Get PDFPredatory publishing is now rapidly growing and becoming a global challenge to scientific communities. Predatory publications pose a danger that could undermine the quality, integrity, and reliability of published scientific research works. They harm the career of those authors who published on them. The researchers should be aware of the quality of journals while publishing their research results. In this review, we briefly summarize the ways to spot out predatory publications, their harmful effects, and strategies to stop them. Authors should know the lists of predatory journals/publishers which are available on Beall’s list on the internet. Predatory journals take advantage of authors by asking them to publish for a fee without providing peer-review or editing services. The young and inexperienced authors are easy victims of predatory publications. The predatory publications are worthless, just a waste of time, resources, money, and efforts. The objective of this review paper was to create awareness about predatory journals among researchers and scholars
Varietal evaluation of promising maize genotypes in mid hills of Nepal
Get PDFThe varietal evaluation of hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes with desired performance is one of the main objectives of maize breeding program. Fourteen hybrid maize genotypes were evaluated for 17 quantitative and nine qualitative traits in randomized complete block design with three replications at Sundarbazar, Lamjung, Nepal during May to September, 2019. The major objective was to identify superior genotypes based on genotypic and phenotypic variability, heritability, genetic advance, and correlation between grain yield and yield associated traits. We observed significant differences for 17 quantitative traits among the tested genotypes. Large variation was observed for grain yield among genotypes. Genotype RL-24-0/ RL-111 had the lowest yield (5.53 mt/ha) and Pioneer had the highest yield (11.98 mt/ha) whereas check variety Rampur Hybrid-10 yielded of 8.23 mt/ha. Grain yield showed highly significant positive correlations with stem girth (r= 0.67) and number of ears (r=0.6), but significant negative correlation with anthesis-silking interval (r= -0.55). The dendrogram grouped 14 genotypes into four clusters. Cluster I incorporated the highest number (five) of genotypes, which also had highest cluster mean (average yield of ~10 mt/ha) for grain yield. Traits namely test weight, ear aspect, anthesis-silking interval, number of ears, and tassel branching had high genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variations, and heritability along with high genetic advances, indicating that these traits can be considered for maize breeding program
Evaluation of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum) genotypes for genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and correlation studies
Get PDFThe present investigation was undertaken to study the genetic variability, heritability and correlation coefficient analysis for 7 metric traits in 12 durum wheat genotypes at western Oromia during 2015-2018. Significant genotypic differences were observed for the majority traits studied, indicates considerable amount of variation among genotypes for each character. The estimates of genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were high for kernels per spikelet, thousand kernels weight, and number of kernels per spike and grain yield. The remaining traits were ranged from low to moderate estimates. High heritability estimates were recorded for the majority traits studied. The estimated broad – sense heritability (h2) has ranged from 31.6% for maturity to 80.8% for grain yield. High genetic advance combined with high heritability was recorded for plant height, thousand kernel weight, kernels per spike and grain yield, indicates that most likely selection based on phenotype of genotypes could be effective to improve these characters. Grain yield was positively and significantly correlated with spike length, kernels per spike and thousand kernels weight both at genotypic and phenotypic levels. The strong correlation of grain yield with the mentioned traits showed that grain yield could be indirectly improved through improving these traits. This information might be used in the genetics and breeding programmes for improvement of durum wheat
Effects of different doses of Plant-Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) granules on wheat yield
Get PDFPlant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are the soil bacteria inhabiting around/on the root surface and are directly or indirectly involved in promoting plant growth and development. This study was conducted at research field of Agriculture Research Station, Belachapi, Dhanusa, Nepal in 2018 to identify the effects of PGPR on wheat production. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Eight treatments namely, T1: Control; T2: Recommended doses of fertilizers (RDF) (100:50:50 N:P2O5:K2O kg/ha); T3:10 t/ha Farm Yard Manure (FYM); T4: PGPR 12.5 kg/ha ; T5: PGPR 25 kg/ha; T6: PGPR 7 kg/ha; T7: PGPR 12.5 kg/ha + ½ RDF; T8: PGPR 7 kg/ha + ½ FYM, were applied in this experiment. Wheat variety NL-971 was used. The results showed that the thousand grain weight showed significant result. The treatment with 10 t/ha FYM was found the best for spike length (8.267cm), grains per five spikes (160) and Thousand grain weight (49.28 g). Whereas, the highest yield (2.064 t/ha) was obtained with application of PGPR 7 kg/ha + ½ FYM. The PH content was found the highest (5.453) with application of RDF. The maximum organic matter content (1.763) and N content (0.1179%) were found with application of PGPR 12.5 kg/ha. Similarly, the highest phosphorus content (75.83 mg/kg) was found with application of PGPR7 kg/ha while the highest potassium content (72.51 mg/kg) was obtained with application of PGPR 25kg/ha. Overall, there was positive impact of application of PGPR on wheat production