Journal of Agriculture and Natural Resources
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Effects of varieties and planting geometries on growth and yield of rain-fed rice in Dailekh, Nepal
Get PDFA study was conducted at outreach sites of Horticulture Research Station, Dailekh with the objective of understanding effects of variety selection and spacing under rain-fed condition, during two rainy seasons of 2016 and 2017. Experiment was conducted in two factorial Randomized Complete Block Design where the research sites were replication itself. First factor was variety, including Khumal-10 and farmer’s variety. The second factor was spacings at (20x20) cm, (20x15) cm, (15x15) cm, and farmer’s practice. Effect of Khumal-10 was significantly superior in each of the parameters studied, except days to heading and maturity. Khumal-10, alone contributed 21.6% more yield compared to the farmer’s variety and also had the tallest plant (127.5 cm) and longest panicle (23.4 cm). Similarly, transplantation at spacing of (15x15) cm was significantly outstanding with 28.6% more grain yield, unlike in transplantation with farmer’s practice. Furthermore, integrated management of rice with Khumal-10 transplanted at spacing of (15x15) cm is recommended for Dailekh condition, since it resulted significantly promising grain yield of 5.5 t/ha, which is 71.9% more in comparison to grain yield from farmer’s variety transplanted in farmers´ practice. Also, the economic benefit was highest with 75.8% more B:C ratio in case of improved variety Khumal-10 transplanted at (15x15) cm spacing
Contribution of biogas use on forest conservation
Get PDFBiogas is an eco-friendly alternative energy source which can greatly contribute to reducing greenhouse gases as they have the possibility of reducing the need to use fossil fuels. A study was conducted at Kumroj village of Khairhani municipality, of Chitwan district of Nepal to assess the sources of energy, dependency of local people on biogas, amount of fire wood substituted by biogas and people’s perception towards biogas use and forest conservation. Stratified random sampling method was used for sampling design. Direst field observation, households questionnaire survey (n=44), key informant interview, and focus group discussions were used for data collection. This study showed that the main source of energy was firewood for cooking, preparation of animal feed, preparation of alcohol and water heating but now these days the dependency on firewood decreased after use of biogas. About 63.6% of the household were using biogas as an alternative source of energy. The need of biogas was always higher during winter while production of gas was lower in compare to summer season. According to gas users, it reduced the fuel wood consumption, improved the kitchen environment, saved time in fuel wood collection and cooking, and also reduced the health problems. The average reduction in fuel-wood consumption was 42.8% after the installation of biogas. All the respondents were agreed that condition of forest was improving. The reason behind this was the use of biogas which reduces the pressure on the fuel-wood collection and ultimately helps in forest conservation
Adoption of improved wheat varieties in eastern and western Terai of Nepal
Get PDFThe research was conducted from March to May 2019 for assessment on adoption of improved wheat varieties in two major wheat growing districts of Nepal, Sunsari, and Kailali; one representing eastern and another western Terai. A pre-tested interview schedule was used to collect the primary information; in addition, two Key Informant Surveys were performed. Furthermore, relevant literatures were reviewed for secondary information. The simple random method of sampling was used within the selected areas that were identified in consultation with Agriculture Knowledge Centre and agricultural officials of the local government. Altogether, 194 samples were taken for the purpose of the study, omitting the outliers and incomplete responses. Descriptive statistics, probit regression, and indexing were used for data analysis. Probit econometric model revealed that membership dummy (1% level), age (1% level) number of family members involved in agriculture (1% level), subsidy dummy (5% level), number of schooling years (5%) and loan dummy (10% level) significantly determined the adoption of improved wheat varieties developed after NARC establishment. Furthermore, indexing identified- lack of availability of quality improved seeds (I= 0.80) as the major problem associated with the wheat production followed by poor availability of fertilizers (0.77), labour shortage (0.57), lack of proper irrigation (0.46) and lack of agricultural machines (0.39). The government agricultural institutions should assure access to quality seeds and fertilizers to the farmers; in addition, subsidy on irrigation and agricultural machines allied with agricultural loan to the educated youths could be the point of attraction for wheat cultivation which leads to increased wheat productivity
Effects of potassium levels on growth and productivity of potato varieties in inner terai of Nepal
Get PDFPotassium is an essential nutrient for potato due to its direct effects on the growth, yield and quality of potato tubers. This study was carried out at Lamahi, Dang Nepal during winter season of 2018. Two potato variety (Local and Cardinal) and five levels of potassium (30, 40, 60, 80 and 100 kg K2O/ha) were evaluated in two factorial randomized block design with three replications. The application of potassium at 100 kg/ha produced significantly highest plant canopy, stem diameter and leaf length for the both varieties. The highest tuber number per plant (10.3 for Local and 17.6 for cardinal) and tuber weight (19.7 g for Local and 49 g for Cardinal) were obtained with the application of 100 kg K2O/ha. The highest gross margin was found with this level of potassium. Therefore, farmers should apply 100 kg K2O to potato to achieve maximum production and benefit. 
Agronomic management and climate change scenario simulations on productivity of rice, maize and wheat in central Nepal using DSSAT ver 4.5 crop model
Get PDFAverage productivity of 3.50 t/ha of rice, 2.50 t/ha of maize and 2.45 t/ha of wheat in Nepal have been very less than their potential productivity for which précised agronomic management and changing climatic scenarios have been reported the most challenging factors at present. Cropping system Model (CSM)-Crop Estimation through Resource and Environment Synthesis (CERES)- Rice, Maize and Wheat, embedded under Decision Support System for Agro-technology Transfer (DSSAT) ver. 4.5 was evaluated from a datasets of farmers’ field experimentations of the central Nepal (Terai-Nawalpur and mid-hill-Kaski districts), and showed high sensitivity of model over change in different agronomic management and climate change scenarios. Model calibration was done by using maximum attainable yield treatments for all tested cultivars while validation was accomplished by using the remaining treatments for predicting growth, phenology and yield of all crop cultivars and results were found perfectly matched with the observed results. Further, the different agronomic management options and climate change scenarios as advocated by IPCC for 2020, 2050 and 2080 from base line of 1995 was studied to simulate the growth and yield performance of diverse crop cultivars. The hybrids and short duration cultivars of all three cereals were found more affected due to climate change than the local and long duration crop cultivars. The model simulation results obtained on rice, maize and wheat using DSSAT ver 4.5 model highlighted that there is utmost importance to develop new climate ready crop cultivars to feed the future generation over different climate change scenarios as suggested by IPCC, 2007 and the simulation results should be extrapolated to the major domains of similar agro-ecozones in Nepal. It is suggested that CSM- CERES- model would be reliable and valid approach for getting strategic decision support system especially with regards to the climate change adaptation measures in Nepal
Performance evaluation of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes in Dolakha, Nepal: from yielding perspective
Get PDFLack of suitable barley varieties that exhibit high yielding is the major factor among several production constraints contributing to low productivity of barley in Nepal. The present study was done to evaluate and recommend the best performing barley genotypes. This study was conducted at research field of Hill Crops Research Program (HCRP), Dolakha, Nepal under National observation nursery (NON), initial evaluation trial (IET), coordinated varietal trials (CVT) and farmer\u27s field trials (FFT) during winter seasons from 2017 to 2018. The results of these trials showed that in NON, genotypes namely B86023-1K2-OK3 (6.16 t/ha), Xveola-28/MATICO"S"10 (4.41 t/ha) and ACC#2079 (4.41 t/ha) produced higher grain yield over Farmer’s variety (3.57 t/ha). The pooled analysis over years of IET revealed that genotypes namely LG-51/Xveola-2-77-0-3-1-1-OK (2.12 t/ha) and B86099-2-1-OK (2.06t/ha) produced higher grain yield over standard check variety (Solu Uwa) (1.85 t/ha) and Farmer’s variety (1.95 t/ha). Similarly results of combined analysis over years of CVT showed that the genotypes namely B90K-007-0-2-2-0-OK (2.14 t/ha) and ICB90-0196-OAP-2K-OK (1.97 t/ha) produced higher grain yield over standard check variety (Solu Uwa) (1.12 t/ha) and Farmer’s variety (1.66 t/ha). In farmer\u27s field trials (FFTs) the genotypes namely Muktinath ( Coll#112-14 (2.64 t/ha)), NB-1003-37/903 (2.23 t/ha) and Xveola-45 (2.04 t/ha) produced higher grain yield which was at par to standard check variety (Soluuwa) (1.58 t/ha) and Farmer’s variety (1.85 kg/ha). It is suggested that the superior genotypes derived from CFFT could be released and then recommended to farmers for general cultivation in Dolakha and similar other environments of Nepal
Returns to Potato Research Investment in Nepal
Get PDFAgricultural research plays a significant role in increment in productivity and contributes to food security. Very few studies on the impact of public research spending on different sectors and commodities in Nepal has been documented. This study was designed to estimate the adoption lags of improved potato varieties and benefits generated by potato improvement research in Nepal. More specifically, the study answers two basic questions: (i) whether investment in potato research is justifiable? and (ii) how long is it taking to replace old improved varieties? We took public annual potato research investments of Nepal from the Fiscal year 2001 to 2017 from Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC). The household survey was carried out to estimate the potato varieties coverage in Nepal in 2017. Other secondary data were sourced from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agricultural and Livestock Development, FAO stat, Nepal Rastra Bank and NARC to complement the analysis. We have used a simple economic framework to estimate the benefits generated from agricultural research. The estimated benefit and cost streams were used to calculate Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) and Net Present Value (NPV). Results showed that the majority of the potato researchers had done research related to crop husbandry (seed production and crop managements); while the limited number of researchers had specialized in breeding activities. The annual growth rate of potato productivity was 214.49 kg per annum per ha which had increased at the rate of 1.76 percent per annum compound growth rate. The results revealed that the average weighted age of improved potato varieties was 21.83 years and each NPR. investment on potato research has given 508 NPR. and NPR. 13760 million NPV at a 12 percent discount factor during the last 17 years. Similarly, the contribution of potato research to GDP and AGDP was found 0.323% and 0.989% respectively. Therefore, future investment and focus should be concentrated on potato research and scaling up activities, and reducing variety adoption lag to obtain additional benefits from potato research investment
Nutritive values of fodders at different seasons and altitudes in Gandaki River Basin of Nepal
Get PDFThis study aimed to assess the seasonal and ecological variation of chemical and nutritional values of locally preferred fodders in Gandaki River Basin (GRB) areas. The study was conducted in four altitudinal gradients viz. <400m, 400-800m, 800-1200m and 1200–1600m altitude above sea level in different looping seasons: rainy, spring and winter seasons. The most important five species of fodder trees Artocarpus lakoocha, Ficus roxburghii, Thysanolaena maxima, Ficus semicordata and Bauhinia purpurea were selected based on farmers’ preferences in nutritional values. Fodder samples comprised young leaves, old leaves and young twigs that were taken in July, September and December. It was revealed that nutritive value is not very much influenced by altitude but it is strongly influenced by lopping seasons. Among Thysanolaena maxima, Artocarpus lakoocha, Ficus roxburghii and Bauhinia purpurea the cellulose contents were significantly different (p<0.001) with seasons but there was no significant variation with altitudes. Similarly, Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF) contents in Thysanolaena maxima, Ficus roxburghii and Bauhinia purpurea were found significantly different with seasons. Ficus roxburghii fodder tree was found significantly different in Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF), ADF, Cellulose and Potassium content with seasons. Similarly, fodder tree Bauhinia purpurea was found significant on Dry matter (DM), Crude fibre (CF), NDF, ADF, cellulose, tannin and potassium with seasons. The study hinted how careful planning of species selection and prudent decision in scheduling looping and feeding fodder trees can help improve animal metabolism, health, growth and productivity
Effect of scion varieties and wrapping materials on success of tongue grafting in Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) in Dolakha, Nepal
Get PDFThis study was conducted at Boch, Bhimeshwor-8, Dolakha, Nepal from January to May, 2019 to study the effect of scion variety and wrapping materials on growth performance of kiwi seedling rootstock. The field experiment was carried out in Factorial Randomized Complete Block Design using four replications. The treatments consisted of four scion varieties (Monty, Bruno, Hayward, Allison) grafted onto one year old kiwi seedling (Actinidia deliciosa) and two types of wrapping material (Grafting tape and Polyethylene plastic). The measured traits included sprout length, diameter, number of leaves, and number of sprouted bud per graft, graft success, mortality and survival percentage of grafts. The success rate of kiwi grafting was significantly affected by the scion variety and the wrapping materials. Allison variety showed the minimum days (61.72 days) to first sprouting and the maximum length of sprouts, diameter, number of leaves and number of sprouted bud per graft at the final observation. Monty variety showed the lowest growth performance. The maximum graft success (96.87%) and survival percentage of grafts (93.75%) was observed in Allison variety statistically at par with Bruno and Hayward and the lowest graft success(73.44%) and survivability(64.21%) was observed in Monty due to high mortality of the sprouted grafts. Grafting tape was superior to polyethylene plastic in terms of days to first sprouting (64.08 days), number of sprouted buds per grafts, number of leaves, graft success (92.18%) and survival of the grafts (87.01%) at the final observation. Interactive effect was found non-significant. In a nutshell, Allison is the best scion variety for grafting under the climatic condition of Dolakha and the grafting tape was the suitable tying material
Distribution, effect and utilization of Mikania micrantha on livelihood: Case study of Janakauli buffer zone community forest of Chitwan National Park
Get PDFForest of lowlands is heavily impacted by invasive plants species, particularly Mikania micrantha which is also considered as one of the most invasion species. So, it became essential to understand effects of Mikania to user and indigenous vegetation; however the studies were confined to appraising the distribution, effect and utilization of Mikania micrantha on the livelihood of buffer zone of the Chitwan National Park. Vegetation survey, key informant interview, focus group discussion, direct observation and stratification were conducted. GPS points were recorded and the distribution map of Mikania was made by using ArcView GIS 10.1 and has been found throughout the Community Forest. Regression analysis showed that the number of plant regeneration of native tree species decreases by 0.530 unit with every 1 unit increment in Mikania crown cover. The study used a questionnaire survey to 118 households in the CNP of Nepal. The results indicate that the invasion of M. micrantha have negative effects on the community livelihood in the study area. Basic forest products such as fodder and fuel wood have become scarce as a result of reduction in the native plants. Only 6.78% of the users utilize Mikania for household purpose like briquettes fuel, fodder, medicine and manure. The losses of other plant species have severe effect to biodiversity so control measure with utilization should be taken as the most needed action. Regular assessment and monitoring of Mikania effect is necessary to understand the problem and its impact on biodiversity of lowland forest of Nepal