Journal of Agriculture and Natural Resources
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Effects of meteorological and agricultural droughts on crop production in Arsi Zone Ethiopia
Get PDFNatural disasters, known as droughts, are mostly brought on by a prolonged decrease in precipitation levels. In the Arsi zone, there is an undiscovered study gap regarding the transmission of drought impacts and factors. The primary goal is to assess how crop output is affected by weather patterns and agricultural droughts while also offering direction for the research area. The Ethiopian Meteorology Institute provided meteorological data, and CHG-UCSB provided CHIRPS data for the years 1991 through 2020. Data on runoff and soil moisture were sourced from USGS FEWS NET between 1991 and 2020, while information on cereal crops was sourced from the Ethiopian Statistical Service between 1995 and 2020. The analysis tools that were employed were ANN, Python, and DrinC. The study\u27s findings demonstrated the spatiotemporal droughts that stretched across time scales from SPI3 and RDI3 to SPI12 and RDI12. Drought indices showed a range of drought events over short to long time scales, including meteorological, agricultural, and hydrological droughts that were mild, moderate, severe, and intense. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI) showed a significant and increasing propensity to correlate throughout both short and long time periods, but the severity of the droughts differed. With magnitudes of 0.83 across time scales, the maize and barley yield drought correlation was found to be highly correlated. In terms of time scales, the barley and wheat yield drought correlation value was 0.95, while the maize and wheat yield drought correlation was 0.77. Meteorological droughts lead to agricultural droughts, which significantly reduce crop yields in the study area. The degree of the spatiotemporal drought has an impact on the output of wheat, barley, and maize crops throughout time. The results of this work can help improve monitoring and mitigation of droughts, especially for future drought data, and can improve our understanding of the mechanisms causing zonal droughts. This allows us to plan and manage our water resources, soil conservation, and drought-tolerant crop choices in the research region in a more sustainable manner
Abiotic and biotic factors affecting formation of soil in the Earth
Get PDFThe soil is formed and affected by a number of biotic and abiotic factors. The soil forming factors are climate, organisms, relief, parent material and time. A review on factors of soil formation was carried out with support from relevant literatures in this study. This review provides an overview of factors of soil formation with relevant research findings which could be useful to undergraduate and graduate students in agriculture and forestry sectors. Climate, organisms, relief, parent material and time are universally accepted factors of soil formation. Recently, ‘human activities’ has been discussed widely for its recognition as a soil forming factor. The soil forming factors are interacting and changing over time, so a system approach may be needed to understand their dynamics and impacts
Agro-morphological characterization and diversity assessment of advanced breeding lines of spring rice in the plains of eastern Nepal
Get PDFAgro-morphological characterization and genetic diversity analysis is pivotal to identify elite genes for further improvement of germplasms. In Spring 2022, 52 spring (Chaite) rice accessions were evaluated for 12 agro-morphological traits in alpha lattice design with two replications under irrigated condition at agronomic farm of Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapa, Nepal. Results showed the existence of considerable amount of diversity in rice accessions. The first three principal components (PC1, PC2 and PC3) with eigen value greater than one were identified with a total cumulative variation of 95.04% showing that the accessions could be grouped at least into three main varied classes. The accessions were grouped into 5 clusters. The accessions falling in cluster II had the maximum grain yield. The accessions namely Hardinath-1 (4.87 t/ha), IR17A3019 (4.37 t/ha), IR17A2949 (4.12 t/ha) were found to have high yielding accessions. High genetic variability among the rice accessions was found for the traits viz., grain yield, thousand grain weight, length breadth ratio, days to flowering, days to maturity, panicle length, effective tiller per hill and have pertinency in future spring rice breeding programs for the selecting potential parent lines based on those traits
Issues in rice marketing system: a case of central terai
Get PDFThis study was conducted to understand the challenges and prospects of ricemarketing by taking case of central Nepal. Two focus group discussionsalong with eight key informants’ interviewswere conductedinBara and Parsa districts of Nepal.Also, secondary information was collected by reviewing the related literatures.The study revealed that the consumer price of rice is almost double than the farm gate price, possibly due to the presence of several intermediaries in different nodes of the supply chain.Key market actors like large collectors, millers and wholesalers have a dominating role in price negotiation and supply of rice in the market. The rice value chain is not strong enough, which might be due to poor vertical and horizontal as well as backward and forward linkages among the key players. The demand of fine and aromatic rice is gradually increasing due to changing food habits of the consumers and their access to purchasing capacity as well.The high yielding short duration varieties of fine and aromatic rice need to be identified and developed to meet the growing demand of consumers.In addition, to boost productivity and profitability of rice, a better investment climate, risk sharing mechanism and strengthened value chain with efficient research and extension services are required
Evaluation of the growth and yield characteristics of various genotypes of the soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]
Get PDFEighteen genotypes of soybean were evaluated in coordinated varietal trial in 2018 and eight genotypes in pre-released varietal trial in 2019 at National Plant Breeding and Genetics Research Centre, Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal. The experimental design was randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The results showed that the maximum yield was obtained from CN-60 (2858 kg/ha) followed by CM-9133 (2791 kg/ha) in 2018 and CM-9125 (2708 kg/ha) followed by G-1872 (2666 kg/ha) in 2019. Similarly, combined analysis of pre-released varietal trial showed that grain yield was maximum for the LS-22-16-16 (2737.5 kg/ha) followed by G-4508 (2718.5 kg/ha) in 2018 and 2019. Thus, LS-22-16-16 and G-4508 seeds can be delivered to farmers as a farmers acceptance test for the release of soybean variety, while CN-60 and CM-9133 can be promoted to pre-released varietal trial
Comparison of different cereal grains for hydroponic fodder production in locally constructed polyhouse at Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal
Get PDFHydroponic fodder production technology involves an intensive method of quality fodder production in less space and in a shorter duration. An experiment was conducted to compare the different cereal grains under hydroponic fodder production for the fodder yield, fodder quality, and per unit production cost in a locally constructed polyhouse. Maize (Zea mays L.), oat (Avena sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were evaluated as the treatments. The experiment was carried out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 12 replications at National Pasture and Fodder Research Program in July 2017 and July 2018. The observations were taken on plant morphological characters, fodder yield (including root mat), fodder nutrient composition and expenses in variable costs. The results of the study showed that the fodder yield varied significantly (P<0.05) for different cereal grains. The hydroponic fodder yields from each kg grain were recorded higher in fodder oat (7.96 kg) compared to wheat (6.76 kg) and maize (5.32 kg). Similarly, the crude protein (CP) content of the fodder was higher in wheat (16.16%) compared to oat (13.96%) and maize (12.51%). The cost of hydroponic maize, oat and wheat fodder production were obtained as recorded NPR 20.64, 24.67 and 18.76 per kg, respectively
Management of blast disease of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn) caused by Pyricularia grisea under field conditions in Dolakha, Nepal
Get PDFLack of understanding regarding the choice of chemical fungicides or botanicals with their optimal doze and spraying schedule is one of the major problems concerning mid-hill farmers to control finger millet diseases in Nepal. In order to assess the effectiveness of the four fungicides, namely Bavistin 50 WP (Carbendazim 50%), SAAF (Carbendazim 12% + Mancozeb 63% WP), RIDOMIL-MZ 72 WP (Metalyxl 8% + Mancozeb 64% WP), BAAN 75 WP (Tricyclazole 75%), and two botanicalsermented anaerobically in cattle urine, an artificial epiphytotic field. In the years 2018 and 2019, the experiment was run using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Carbendazim, one of the chosen treatments, had the greatest impact in lowering the AUDPC values for leaf blast (1818, 1191) as well as neck (4,53) and finger blast (10,45) incidence percentage in both 2018 and 2019 years. Tricyclazole, SAAF, RIDOMIL-MZ, and Lantana camara fermented in cow urine were also discovered to be beneficial throughout the year. So it is recommended to deploy fungicides in a controlled manner through rotation and mixed applications, which is advantageous for both grain and seed production even for minor and underutilized crops from an economic aspect
Efficacy of Trichoderma isolates against Sclerotium rolfsii causing collar rot of lentil
Get PDFLentil collar rot disease caused by Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. is an important disease causing significant yield loss in Nepal. Seven Trichoderma spp. isolates collected from different regions of Nepal were tested for their capacity to inhibit mycelial growth of Sclerotium rolfsii in in-vitro condition. Experiment was conducted in Completely Randomized Design with four replications in the plant pathology laboratory of Grain Legumes Research Program, Khajura, Banke during 2020. Dual culture method was performed to assess the efficacy of Trichoderma isolates. Trichoderma spp. isolates inhibited mycelial growth of S. rolfsii to various degrees ranging from 48.33-72.47% after 120 hours of inoculation. Maximum colony inhibition of S. rolfsii (72.47%) was obtained by Kapilvastu isolate followed by Nepalgunj isolate (67.72%). Minimum colony inhibition of S. rolfsii (48.33%) was obtained by Mangalpur, Chitwan isolate followed by Rampur, Chitwan isolate (49.33%). Among seven Trichoderma isolates, two isolates (Kapilbastu and Nepalgunj) showed good antagonistic activity against S. rolfsii and were also highly competitive in in-vitro condition. These isolates would therefore be useful in biological disease management
Nutrient contents in different sources of organic manures used in different farms of Bhaktapur district, Nepal
Get PDFOrganic manure contributes carbonaceous matter to soil, which when decomposed, offers mineral nutrients to plants, also acts as a base exchange material, and helps to improve the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of soil. This study was conducted to assess the amount of total nitrogen, available phosphorous, available potassium, pH, under various organic manure sources. Collected organic matter samples were tested for total nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, soil organic matter, and pH at the soil laboratory of Nepal Polytechnic College, Bharatpur-11, Chitwan, using the NARC, Soil Science Research Centre, Khumaltar, Lalitpur standard rating. The overall nitrogen concentration of goat dung was 1.667%, whereas buffalo manure had the lowest at 0.665%. The available phosphorus content of organic manure in the research area ranged from 0.732% in vermi-compost to 0.432% in compost, with substantial differences amongst manure samples. The goat manure had the highest potassium level (0.853%), whereas buffalo manure had the lowest (0.513%). The pH value of goat manure was 8.4 while the pH content of compost manure was 7.567. The maximum amount of organic matter (54.8) was found in buffalo manure, while the lowest (46.3) was found in vermi compost. The maximum amount of organic matter (54.8%) was found in buffalo manure, while the lowest (46.3%) was found in vermi compost. Modern technology must be adapted for successful and improved manure production. To increase the availability and maintenance of nutrients in organic manure, methods such as covering the manure to protect it from rain and sun, avoiding waterlogged conditions, and correct manure decomposition can be implemented.
 
Growth and yield of different oat (Avena sativa) varieties in Lalitpur district of Nepal
Get PDFOat (Avena sativa) is considered as one of the best fodders to mitigate the present seasonal feed deficit for ruminants in Nepal. The study was undertaken to evaluate eleven oat varieties for fodder and seed yield at the Khumaltar condition from December 2021 to April 2022. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The fodder oat varieties; Ever leaf, Titan, Baler no. 1, Sweet oat, Monida, Qingyin no. 1, Qinghai no. 444, Kona, Swan Pak, Longford, and Netra (as a check variety) were used as the treatments. An experimental unit was a 4 m × 3 m sized plot with the row to row spacing of 0.30 m and continuous sowing within a row. A total of two cuttings were taken for fodder. The observations on growth and yielding characters comprising of plant height, leaf area, number of tillers plant-1, number of leaves/tiller, fodder dry matter, seed and straw yield were recorded. The results showed the fodder dry matter yields ranged from 2.35 to 3.58 t/ha and were not significantly different (p>0.05) among the varieties. The seed and straw yields were obtained statistically different (p<0.05) among the varieties. Netra (2.90 t/ha) and Kona (2.88 t/ha) produced higher seed yields. Similarly, the highest straw yield was produced for the variety Longford (8.73 t/ha)