Journal of Agriculture and Natural Resources
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Comparative economics of maize grain and seed production in Okhaldhunga district, Nepal
Get PDFMaize cultivation is the one the major farm activities among Nepalese farmers. Basically, in the rural hills of Nepal like Okhaldhunga, it dominates any other crop production. The study was conducted for comparative assessment of economics, marketing and identification of major problems of maize seed and grain production in the hilly eastern district, Okhaldhunga during June of 2017. The data were obtained through the interview of 66 producers (33 each of maize grain and seed producers) with a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and parametric tests (-test, t-test) were applied. Both the grain and the seed producers were similar in terms of socio-demographic characteristics, marketing accessibilities but the seed producers were significantly benefited from the training, the extension services, credit facilities despite having 0.14 ha lesser landholding than grain producers. The inputs (manures, fertilizers and the seed) contributed 48% and 50% of the total cost incurred for grain and seed production respectively and the pre-sowing and sowing activities contributed more than 77% of cost in both cases. Despite higher cost for seed production (NRs. 24,969 more than grain production), the benefit-cost ratio of seed production was found higher (1.31) than grain production (1.05). Only 24% of the total harvest was processed and marketed as seed and using optimum quantity (66% middle portion of the cob) for seed production could further increase the income by 23.35%, the improved B:C ratio being 1.51 . The major production problems were scarce farm labor followed by lack of infrastructures while low seasonal price followed by low volume of production ranked the first and second most important marketing related problems
Effect of different tillage practices and nitrogen level on wheat production under inner terai of Nepal
Get PDFA field experiment was conducted to evaluate the plant height, yield and yield attributes of wheat under different tillage practices and nitrogen level at Dang, Nepal during winter season 2018-19. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with two tillage practices viz. zero tillage and conventional tillage as main plot factor and four level of N viz. 50 kg ha-1, 75 kg ha-1, 100 kg ha-1and 125 kg ha-1 as sub plot factor and each replicated thrice. The result revealed that there is no significant relation between tillage practice and plant height of wheat while N level significantly affect the plant height. 125 kg N ha-1 recorded the highest plant height (110.7 cm). Zero tillage recorded the highest effective tiller m-2 (254) and grain yield (3.3 t ha-1) whereas spike length, grain spike-1, biological yield and harvest index were not significant with tillage practices. Regarding the N level, 125 kg N ha-1 recorded the highest effective spike m-2 (279), spike length (10.6 cm), grain spike-1 (48), thousand grain weight (46.3 g), grain yield (3.6 t ha-1) and biological yield (9.4 t ha-1). 50 kg N ha-1 recorded the highest harvest index (42.9%). The interaction between the tillage practice and nitrogen level showed the significant effect on grain yield and harvest index where as other parameters showed non-significant relation. The zero tillage with 125 kg N ha-1 recorded the highest grain yield (3.9 t ha-1)
Threats of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) incidence in Nepal and it’s integrated management-A review
Get PDFFall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is in the state of major threat for Nepal especially in maize although it has more than 80 host to continue its life cycle. After its first incidence in Africa in 2016, it has already spread in more than 100 countries within a short period of time. It was seen in India for the first time in 2018. Due to the open border between Nepal and India, there is high probability of incidence of pest in Nepal. The temperature regime of Nepal is highly suitable for the pest establishment. Now is the time to think about the pest which can cause severe damage to the second most produced cereal crop of Nepal i.e. maize. Management of the pest is possible through many biological, chemical and cultural means. Planting of legumes as a trap crop and ploughing field properly before planting the field can be a best possible cultural method of managing the pest. Natural enemies like Telenomus, Trichogramma chilotraeae for controlling the eggs, Bacillus thuringiensis for larvae and Brachymeria ovata for pupa of Fall Armyworm in Maize and Vegetables. Similarly, Neem extracts are found be larvicidal and the oil extracted from the seeds of long pepper are found to be checking Spermatogenesis of the pest. Chemicals like Methomyl, Cyfluthrin, Methyl parathion are used tocontrol the pest. Use of chemicals at the initiation of the pest spread is discouraged as it can hamper the natural enemy present in the surrounding ecology. However, the use of pesticides can be done below the economic threshold level so that the pest does not develop any resistance towards the chemicals
Response of potato clones to planting dates in Pokhara, Kaski, Nepal
Get PDFA field trial was conducted to optimize the planting date and appropriate clone for ware potato production at Horticulture Research Station, Malepatan, Pokhara from October 2015 to March 2016. The trial was laid out in two factors Factorial Randomized Complete Block Design. There were nine treatments with three replications. The treatments comprised of three dates of planting (30th October, 14th and 29th November) and three potato clones (Janakdev, Lbr 40 and PRP 266264.1). The results showed that the main effects of planting dates and potato clones significantly (P<0.05) affected most growth, yield and yield attributing parameters of the crop. Interaction effect of planting dates and potato clones also significantly influenced the number of above-ground stems per plant, ground cover percentage, number of tubers per plant, number and weight of small size tuber (<25 g), weight of medium or seed size (25-50 g) tuber and large size (>50 g) tuber, number and yield of tubers per plot, and yield t/ha. The highest yield (37.05 t/ha) was obtained from 14th November planting. The clone Lbr 40 produced a higher yield (36.05t/ha). The clone PRP 266264.1 planting on 30th October planting produced significantly a higher yield (41.34t/ha). The clone Lbr 40 produced significantly highest number and weight of large size (>50 g) tuber. Number of small size (<25 g) tuber per plot or unmarketable tuber significantly increased on delayed planting
Economic analysis and resource use efficiency of carrot production in Chitwan district, Nepal
Get PDFA study was conducted from February to May 2020 to analyze the cost-benefit economics analysis and resource use efficiency of carrot production in Chitwan, Nepal. Altogether 70 households producing carrot were selected randomly and surveyed through the pre-tested semi-structured interview-based schedule. Data was entered and coded using SPSS 25 and analyzed using STATA 12.1. The study revealed that the total variable cost per hectare for carrot production was US $1803.1 and a benefit-cost ratio of 1.81 was estimated. Cobb-Douglas production function models the relationship between production output and production inputs . Production function analysis including seven explanatory variables, showed a significant positive effect of seed cost, tractor cost and human labor cost (P<0.01), fertilizer and manure cost (P<0.05) on gross return but herbicide cost, packaging cost, vitamin and micronutrients cost were found insignificant. The return to scale was found to be 1.42. According to estimated allocative efficiency indices, it is suggested to increase the seed, fertilizer and manure, tractor labor and human labor costs by approximately 45%, 74%, 67%, and 79% respectively and reduce the herbicide and packaging costs approximately by 116% and 246% respectively. The adoption of modern technologies with adjustments to resource use should be suggested to maximize the productivity and profit from carrot production
Nutritional requirement and its role on honeybee: a review
Get PDFHoney bees play significant role in crop pollination. As, honeybee nutrition is raising global topic in beekeeping, it’s essential nutrients, nutrient sources and role in honey bees are reviewed in this paper. Like other animals, honeybees also need carbohydrate, protein, vitamins, minerals and water. These nutrients are primarily supplemented by pollen, nectar, royal jelly or water. Adequate supplement of these nutrients play significant role in growth and development in honeybees and also development of immunity in honeybees. Knowledge of bee nutrition helps to manage nutrient in bee colony and prevents them from different diseases and pests
Effects of integrated nutrient management in early season cauliflower production and its residual effects on soil properties
Get PDFThis experiment was conducted in the farmer’s field at Khajrauta, Gadhawa-4, Dang, Nepal to evaluate the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield of cauliflower as well as their residual effects on soil properties. The cauliflower variety silvercup-60 was grown under eight different treatments; T1: 50% N through RDF + 50% N through FYM; T2: 50% N through RDF + 50% N through PM; T3: 50% N through RDF + 50% N through VC, T4: 50% N through RDF + 25% N through FYM + 25% N through PM; T5: 50% N through RDF + 25% N through VC + 25% N through PM; T6: 50% N through RDF + 25% N through VC + 25% N through FYM; T7: 50% N through RDF + 25% N through VC +25% N through FYM; T8: 50% N through RDF + 50% N through FYM,VC and poultry manure. The experiment was laid out in RCB design with three replications. The result revealed that the highest plant height (36.40 cm), number of leaves (15), plant spread (31.72 cm), leaf area (526.5 cm2), curd weight (207.3g) and curd yield (12.85 t/ha) were found under 50% N through RDF +50% N through VC. The root length, root diameter and root density were better under all INM treatments as compared to 100% N through RDF. INM treatments showed lesser bulk density, lesser particle density, greater infiltration rate and greater organic matter content than application of 100% N through RDF. Soil total nitrogen was increased in all INM treatments while soil available phosphorus decreases in all treatments except 100% N trough RDF and 50% N through RDF +50% N through PM. Thus, farmers are suggested to apply 50% N through VC along with 50% N through RDF to increase cauliflower yield.
 
Participatory on-farm evaluation of wheat genotypes
Get PDFIn wheat development programs, the evaluation and identification of superior genotypes is the first and leading step in a crop improvement program. Coordinated Farmer’s Field Trial (CFFT) was conducted during the three successive wheat growing season of 2010/11, 2011/12 and 2012/13. In CFFT six different wheat genotypes were planted in different outreach sites of research stations of Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) at varying geographical regions. CFFT was conducted according to standard recommended practices of wheat at farmers’ field with different sets of genotypes for Terai and hill. In CFFT for Terai Tar and Lower valley (TTL) under timely sown irrigated (TSI) condition wheat genotype NL 1073 produced the grain yield of 3695 kg/ha and under the timely sown rainfed (TSR) that was 2738 kg/ha in 2010/11. In 2011/12, wheat genotype NL 1073 had the highest recorded grain yield of 3691 kg/ha in mid western region which was followed by check variety Vijay in CFFT-TTL in 2011/12 in the same region. Similarly in 2012/13, check variety Vijay showed the highest grain yield of 3818 kg/ha and 3044 kg/ha followed by NL 1094 (2938 kg/ha and 3468 kg/ha) in TSR and TSI environments, respectively. In CFFT for Mid and High Hill (MHH) WK 1204 had the highest grain yield of 3967 kg/ha in TSI which was followed by NL 1008 with the yield of 3890 in 2010/11. In 2011/12 the highest mean grain yield was observed in WK 1204 (4242 kg/ha) followed by BL 3872 (3922 kg/ha). Similarly, in 2012/13 NL 1008 was the best genotypes on the basis of grain yield (3297 kg/ha) followed by NL 1055 (3131 kg/ha) under CFFT-MHH
Diversity and occurrence of major diseases of vegetables and fruit crops during spring season at Aanbukhaireni rural municipality of Tanahun district, Nepal
No full textA survey has been conducted to assess the diversity and occurrence of major vegetables and fruits cultivated in Aanbukhaireni rural municipality of Tanahun district, Nepal during spring season of 2019.The surveyed areas were Satrasayaphant, Baradiphant and Dumridanda villages of ward no 1, Yeklephant, Markichowk and Pateni villages of ward no2 , Gaadapani village of ward no 3, Saakhar village of ward no 4 and Ghummaune village of ward no. 5. The surveyed area consists of upper tropical and sub tropical climate. The total no of farmers field selected for the survey was 34, 32, 24, 17 and 21 from ward no 1,2,3,4 and 5 respectively.The major vegetables cultivated during survey period in the surveyed area were bean, bitter-gourd, brinjal, chilli, cowpea, cucumber, okra, pumpkin, sponge-gourd, tomato, snake-gourd and bottle-gourd. Similarly, the fruits found in the region were banana, papaya, grapes, mango, litchi, peach, guava, lemon, mandarin orange etc. The major diseases of vegetables noticed were early blight, late blight, cercospora leaf spot, powdery mildew, downey mildew, fruit rot, bacterial wilt, bacterial spot, leaf curl and mosaic. In case of fruits, sigatoka leaf spot, panama wilt, black rot, algal leaf spot, canker, root rot, foot rot, sooty mold, red rust, anthracnose, rust, mosaic, alternaria leaf spot, downey mildew and leaf curl were the major diseases. The higher disease incidence (70%) and severity (48%) in vegetables were recorded in ward no 2 where as the lower incidence (45.2%) and severity (37.71%) were found in ward no 4. Similarly, the higher fruit disease incidence (70.24%) and severity (51.27%) in ward no 1 followed by ward no 2 with disease incidence and severity of 66.79% and 45.14% respectively. The reasons for those results are low educational level, lack of best bet technology, no proper irrigation and fertilizer, unavailability of pesticides for controlling the diseases. This study will be useful to identify the major diseases of vegetables and fruits of terai and inner terai region of Nepal and applying control measure, looking for the best possible solutions
Effect of Digestate on growth and production of rice under rice – wheat cropping system
Get PDFField experiments were conducted during rainy seasons of 2017 and 2018 at National Wheat Research Program (NWRP), Bhairahawa to identify the suitable age and appropriate dose of digestate/biogas slurry regarding yield maximization of rice (cv. Ram dhan). The experiment compared the effect of different age [5 days (fresh), 90 days (3 months) and 180 days (6 months)] and dose (0, 5, 10 and 15 t ha-1) of digestate/biogas slurry on rice yield. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD) with three replications. Grain yield of rice was significantly higher (4.5 t ha-1) with the application of biogas slurry of 5 days than 90 days (4.3 t ha-1) age, in 2017 A. D. Similarly, yield was significantly higher (4.6 t ha-1) with the application of biogas slurry 5 days than of 90 days (4.5 t ha-1) age, in 2018. Yield due to the application of biogas slurry of 5 days was equal to the yield resulted from the use of biogas slurry of 180 days in 2017 and 2018. The pooled analysis showed that the yield with the application of biogas slurry of 5 days age was significantly higher (4.6 t ha-1) than the yield due to the application of biogas slurry of 90 (4. 4 t ha-1) and 180 days (4.5 t ha-1) age. The yield of rice has been found increasing significantly as the dose of biogas slurry was incremented from 0 t ha-1 to 15 t ha-1 in 2017, 2018 and in pooled analysis. The yield of rice was significantly higher (4.6 t ha-1) in 2018 than in 2017 (4.4 t ha-1), in pooled analysis. Thus, the use of biogas slurry of the age of 5 days with the dose of 15 t ha-1 produced the higher grain yield of rice.