5 research outputs found
Citrus growers' knowledge, attitudes, and implementation towards Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) in Palpa, Nepal
No full textThere is a high demand of citrus fruits in mid-hills region of Nepal. To increase its productivity, it is important to incorporate sustainable practices into orchard management. Therefore, the study was conducted in summer 2022 to understand commercial citrus farmers' knowledge on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and correspond production methods of GAP aware farmers with GAP standards in the Palpa, Nepal. Altogether, 64 commercial citrus growers were interviewed with pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires for the data collection. The farmers were categorized into GAP aware and unaware based on the criteria made by the group discussion with the leading farmers and GAP standards. The result revealed that out of ten selected standards, adoption of GAP standards by GAP aware farmers are positive in relation to orchard management practices (99%), plantation (90%), harvest and storage (90%), soil management and fertilization (63%), and hygiene and environment management (61%)— with human welfare (100%) adopted by all of the aware respondents and GAP related to documentation and records (25%) were found to be least adopted. The entire aware respondents agreed to the fact that GAP produced fruit have a better appearance and improved quality, satisfies national and international standards and enhances the export potential of fruits but 97% of respondents didn’t agree that adopting GAP helps in providing incentives or support from governmental organizations. The understanding of GAP among the citrus growers is limited and hence, it is crucial to organize awareness programs and provide supplementary training sessions to enhance their understanding and adoption of GAP practices
EVALUATION OF SPLIT APPLICATION OF POTASSIUM AND NITROGEN ON THE PERFORMANCE OF WINTER MAIZE HYBRID AT RAMPUR, CHITWAN
No full textNutrient management practices significantly impact crop productivity and economics. A field experiment was conducted in the winter season of 2019-2020 in the sub-tropical climate of inner Terai, Nepal, using a split-plot design with three replications. The main plots included three potassium application methods: 0 kg K2O ha-1, 60 kg K2O ha-1 as basal, and 60 kg K2O ha-1 in two splits. The subplots involved five nitrogen application methods: 0 kg N ha-1, and 180 kg N ha-1 applied in different splits. Data on growth, yield attributes, yield, economics, nutrient use, uptake, and efficiency were collected. The results showed that grain and stover yield did not vary with different potassium application methods. The highest grain yield (6896.40 kg ha-1) was achieved with 90 kg N ha-1 at 15 DAS followed by 45 kg N ha-1 each at knee-high and tasseling stages. This yield was statistically similar to the method with 90 kg N ha-1 at basal and 45 kg N ha-1 each at knee-high and tasseling stages. Overall, yield attributes were similar across nitrogen treatments. The highest nutrient uptake was observed with the same nitrogen application method that produced the highest yield. Thus, applying 90 kg N ha-1 at 15 DAS followed by 45 kg N ha-1 at knee-high and tasseling stages is recommended for similar soils and climates as in Chitwan
Effect of nitrogen levels on growth and yield of popcorn maize (Zea mays var. everta) in Mid Hills, Parbat District, Nepal
No full textA field experiment was conducted from March to July 2020 to investigate the impact of varying nitrogen levels on the growth and yield of popcorn maize in Parbat. The experiment was laid out in single factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) comprising nine levels of nitrogen: 0, 50, 75, 100, 120, 125, 150, 175 and 200 kg ha-1 as treatment with three replications. "Lumle Yellow" variety was cultivated in an acidic (pH 4.9) clay loam soil with moderate levels of total nitrogen (0.19%), high levels of available phosphorus (126.6 kg ha-1), potassium (427.68 kg ha-1), and moderate organic matter content (4.36%). The findings showed that an increased N-level significantly increased plant height and the leaf area index, reaching a maximum at 175 kg N ha-1. While number of cob plant-1 and kernel row cob-1 were non-significant, yield attributing parameters such as cob length, cob diameter, number of kernel rows-1, thousand grain weight, and grain yield were significant and determined to be maximum at 150 kg N ha-1. With subsequent increases in N to 175 and 200 kg N ha-1, the yield-attributing features did not show an increase. The highest grain yield (4.97 Mt ha-1) produced from 150 kg N ha-1 was 98 percent higher than the yield obtained from control (2.5 Mt ha-1) and 28 percent higher as compared to lowest level of N (50 kg ha-1). However, reduction in grain yield was found with increase in N levels above 150 kg ha-1
Factors affecting awareness on good agriculture practices among citrus growers in Palpa, Nepal: Through binary logistic regression approach
No full textBeing an indigenous high-value commodity, with significant market demand in the mid-hills of Nepal, citrus requires the incorporation of sustainable techniques in orchard to increase fruit production. For farmers in Nepal, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) is a novel concept. The majority of farmers are unaware of it, and those who are aware also have not fully embraced the techniques. Therefore, the study was conducted in summer 2022 to assess the factors that affect the awareness of GAP among the farmers at Palpa, Nepal. Rainadevi Chahara and Ribdikot rural municipality of Palpa district, Nepal was purposively selected, and altogether, 64 commercial citrus growers from the municipalities were taken by simple random sampling technique. The binary logistic regression model was used for analyzing the effect of different variables on the awareness of GAP among citrus growers. Different demographic and socioeconomic variables have been found associated for odds of being GAP aware. The findings revealed that, farmers’ who are GAP aware have an access to trainings and contact with extension agents, 4.164 and 10.293 times higher than those farmers who are GAP unaware respectively. Therefore, the study suggests that farmers knowledge on GAP can be further expanded through trainings and frequent contact with extension agents as they are the major factors affecting commercial citrus growers’ awareness to GAP in Palpa district, Nepal
