Archives of Agriculture and Environmental Science
Archives of Agriculture and Environmental Science (eISSN 2456-6632; abbreviation: Arch. Agric. Environ. Sci.) is a multidisciplinary, quarterly, rigorously peer reviewed journal focused on maintaining the agricultural sustainability for global food security, conservation and restoration of environmental quality for clean and green planet for all. The journal providing a platform for disseminating fundamental evidence based scientific information on sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation. Aims and Scope The journal publishes original research articles, reviews, mini reviews, short communication, and scientific opinions, case studies across the field of biosciences, agricultural sciences and environmental sciences which report the findings of agriculture sustainability, conservation and restoration of environmental quality. The journal also covering the contemporary issues such as sustainable agriculture, global food security, climate smart agriculture, land reclamation, environmental impacts, conservation, ecosystem restoration, emerging contaminants, biodegradation and remediation, green fuel production, carbon sequestration, climate change mitigation, green and circular economy, organic and natural farming etc. Journal Metrics Launched Year: 2016 | Quarterly Frequency: March, June, September, and December | Submission to First Decision: 07 days | Submission to Acceptance: 45 days | Acceptance to Publication: 15 days Article Processing Charges Indian Authors: 3000 INR | Foreign Country Authors: 35 USD (Equivalent to 3000 INR) Abstracting and Indexing Google Scholar, JGate India, PKP-PN, AGRIS – Food and Agriculture Organization, CORE - Open University and Jisc, BASE (Bielefeld Academic Search Engine), OAI-PMH, EuroPub, WorldCat Library, CrossRef, CrossMark (Article Version Updates), ScienceGate, OpenAlex, and Dimensions Catalogue. View more about indexing information here.
Agriculture and Environmental Science Academy, Haridwar, India
Evaluation of different growing media on the growth and development of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) seedlings in the mid-hill region of Nepal
The experiment evaluating different growing media on the growth and development of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) seedlings in the mid-hill region of Nepal was conducted under polyhouse conditions using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with six treatments and four replications in Tehrathum district. The treatments included various combinations of organic and inert components, i.e. soil, FYM, cocopeat, vermicompost, poultry manure, vermiculite, and perlite in different ratios. Parameters recorded included germination percentage, plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, root length, secondary root number, fresh weight, and dry weight at different growth stages. Results revealed significant differences among treatments for all parameters except for germination. All treatments demonstrated high and comparable germination rates, ranging from 92.66% to 96.66% with the highest germination recorded in T2 (cocopeat + soil, 4:1) at 96.66% and the lowest in T4 (vermicompost + poultry manure + soil, 1:1:2) at 92.66%. The combination of vermicompost + poultry manure + soil (1:2:1) i.e. T4 produced the most vigorous seedlings, with maximum seedling height (18.65 cm), leaf numbers (9.46), stem diameter (0.38 cm), fresh weight (2.47 gm), dry weight (0.27 gm), root length (86.12 cm) and secondary root numbers (13.87). Seedlings grown in T2 (Soil + cocopeat, 1:4) exhibited the poorest performance across all parameters, with significant differences at the 5% level of significance. The findings suggest that nutrient-rich organic growing media with proper aeration and moisture-holding capacity are optimal for nursery production of chilli in the mid-hill region of Nepal.
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Farmers' perceptions and responses to wildlife crop damage: A case study from Palpa district, Nepal
Wildlife crop damage has been a serious problem for rural farming communities globally, including Nepal. To understand the perception of farmers of wildlife interventions, a survey was conducted in Bagnaskali Rural Municipality, Palpa district, Nepal, using a structured questionnaire. The responses were collected from 73 randomly sampled individuals (farmers). The findings revealed that rice, maize, and vegetables were the major crops cultivated in the region. The most followed farming system was rice-wheat-maize, with 70%, and maize-rapeseed-wheat with 16%. The post-sowing period was identified as the peak time for wildlife damage by the majority, i.e. 63 respondents. Monkeys, rabbits, and deer were the primary animals causing major damage to the crops. The random attack from these animals was found to be the most dominant issue for farmers. A majority (52%) of the respondents reported losses ranging from 10% to 30% due to the intervention of these wild animals. Furthermore, only 15% mentioned that the trend of wildlife damage in crops over the last 5 years has decreased, while 85% fully agreed that the damage is increasing daily. Regarding preventive measures, it was found that 31.5% used scarecrows, 16.4% used noise/light methods, and 32.9% used no significant mitigation strategy. These strategies were perceived to be ineffective by 70% of the farmers, while 27% found them effective, and 3% were unsure. The findings suggested the urgent need for government intervention to address this issue in Palpa district of Nepal.
Evaluation of Nano urea on growth and yield parameters of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) in Chitwan, Nepal
Granular urea has low nitrogen use efficiency and poses environmental risks. As a response, Nano urea is emerging as an innovative substitute. A field experiment conducted at Chitwan, Nepal to explored the effect of Nano urea on growth and yield parameters of cowpea, and its potential to substitute granular urea. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design, with eight treatments and three replications: control, 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through granular urea, single and double spray of Nano urea at 0.2% and 0.4%, and combination of 50% of RDN with 0.2% and 0.4% Nano urea. Various growth and yield parameters such as plant height, canopy diameter, leaf area index, number of primary branches, pod yield, pod length, pod diameter, pod per plant were recorded, which were found significantly affected by the treatments. Results revealed that 50% RDN granular urea + NU (0.2%) recorded the highest canopy diameter (97.43 cm), primary branches (5.92) leaf area index (0.38), pod yield (12.59), and pods per plant (30.6), with single spray of 0.2% of Nano urea at flowering stage being the most effective. Therefore, the study demonstrated that Nano urea has potential to substitute 50% of conventional granular urea, contributing to sustainable cowpea production.
Value chain analysis of Taxus (Yew) species and its affecting factors in Makwanpur district, Nepal
Taxus, commonly known as Yew, is an ecologically vulnerable but economically valuable medicinal tree widely harvested in Nepal for the production of 10-deacetylbaccatin III (10-DAB III), a key precursor of the anti-cancer drug paclitaxel. Despite its growing commercial importance, systematic assessments of the Taxus value chain remain limited. This study analyzes the structure, factor dynamics, governance systems, and economic performance of the Taxus value chain in Makwanpur District of Nepal. Using a mixed-method approach, we mapped actor roles, examined costs and margins, and evaluated determinants of value-chain performance. Results showed a strongly hierarchical, buyer-driven chain in which collectors perform the most labor-intensive tasks yet capture less than 5% of final value. Local and district traders mediate quality control, aggregation, and pricing, while processing industries retain the highest value share through technologically intensive extraction of 10-DAB III. Harvesting practices, although largely selective, exhibit inconsistent adherence to sustainable pruning guidelines, posing ecological risks to a slow-growing species with poor natural regeneration. Regression analysis revealed that value chain performance is significantly influenced by timely raw-material availability, farmers’ socio-economic conditions, trader education, processing quality, and policy clarity, whereas pre-processing treatment at the household level showed no significant effect. Overall, the study highlights structural inequities, ecological vulnerabilities, and governance bottlenecks within the Taxus value chain. Strengthening Community Forest User Group (CFUG) oversight, improving post-harvest handling, enhancing market transparency, and streamlining regulatory procedures are critical for advancing sustainable management while improving livelihood benefits for forest-dependent communities.
Preparation of muffin incorporated with sweet potato paste and its quality evaluation
This study examines the development of low-gluten sweet potato muffins, focusing on process optimization, sensory evaluation, and proximate composition analysis. Raw materials were selected based on freshness, quality and processed through sorting, grading, boiling, mashing, baking, and cooling steps. Five formulations (A- 0%, B-30%, C-40%, D-50% and E-60% of sweet potato paste) were prepared based on survey data, from which the best formulated one was selected through 9-point hedonic scale. The study examined how varying levels of steam-cooked sweet potato paste influenced the muffins’ chemical and nutritional properties. Sample D was identified as the best formulation based on sensory tests, showing superior qualities in color, scent, taste, texture, and overall acceptability. The moisture, protein, fat, ash, crude fiber and carbohydrate content of best formulated product was 29.7, 5.38, 17.23, 1.62, 2.85 and 43.19%, respectively. Also, beta carotene content and calcium content were 4.49 mg/100 g and 11.64 mg/100 g, respectively. The nutritional profile and sensory quality of the low-gluten muffins were significantly (p<0.05) improved by adding 50% sweet potato paste, while maintaining a reasonable price. According to the study, sweet potatoes can be used as a functional ingredient to create nutrient-rich baked goods that will appeal to consumers and have potential commercial value.
Comparing Sentinel-2 vegetation indices for optimal estimation of aboveground carbon stock in a tropical community forest of Nepal
Accurate monitoring of forest carbon stocks is essential for effective climate change mitigation. This study aimed to identify the optimal Sentinel-2 vegetation index (VI) for estimating aboveground carbon (AGC) stock in the Raktamala Namuna Community Forest, Nepal. Field data from 53 circular plots (500 m² each) were used to compute AGC based on tree-level dendrometric measurements and species-specific wood density. Ten VIs, including traditional (e.g., NDVI, EVI) and red-edge-based indices (NDVIre1–NDVIre4), were derived from a cloud-free Sentinel-2 Level-2A image (April 7, 2023). Five regression models (linear, logarithmic, quadratic, power, and exponential) were tested for each VI–AGC relationship. The average AGC was 63.88 t·ha-¹. The red-edge index NDVIre1 (using Band 5, 705 nm), modelled with a logarithmic function, yielded the highest predictive accuracy (R² = 0.7205, r = 0.848, p < 0.001), outperforming traditional indices like NDVI (R² = 0.609). This study demonstrates the superior sensitivity of Sentinel-2’s red-edge band (705 nm) to canopy structure in dense tropical forests. The study concluded that the NDVIre1 logarithmic model provides a novel, cost effective tool for operational and scalable carbon monitoring in community-managed forests, directly supporting REDD+ implementation and localized forest management.
Evaluation of growth and yield performance of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica L.) under conventional urea, nano urea and azotobacter biofertilizer
Conventional urea, while being the predominant nitrogen source in Nepalese agriculture, presents significant challenges including import dependency, low nitrogen use efficiency, and environmental pollution. A field experiment was conducted in Tulsipur, Dang, during 2024-25 season to evaluate Nano urea and Azotobacter biofertilizer as potential partial or complete substitutes for conventional urea in broccoli cultivation. The study employed a randomized complete block design with three replications and nine treatments, including reduced (75%, 50%) doses of recommended conventional urea supplemented with Nano urea and Azotobacter, using full conventional urea (N 100% PK full) as control. The treatment with 75% conventional urea and both supplements produced a significantly (p<0.05/0.01) superior plant height (56.31 cm) and the largest canopy diameter (57.97 cm) at harvest, while 50% conventional urea with Nano urea resulted in longest leaves (38.30 cm) and broadest leaves (19.82 cm) of broccoli at harvest. The combination of 50% conventional urea with Azotobacter achieved the highest economic yield (26.96 t/ha), while 75% conventional urea with both supplements yielded maximum biological production (67.2 t/ha) of broccoli. Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.947) between head diameter and economic yield which was further quantified by a linear regression model (y = -18.44 + 2.87x, R² = 0.896), confirming head diameter as a key predictor for yield of broccoli. Hence, the study concludes that integrating Nano urea or Azotobacter can reduce conventional urea use by 25-50% without compromising yield, offering a sustainable strategy that addresses both import dependency and environmental concerns.
A review on phytochemistry, traditional uses, and pharmacological potential of Morinda citrifolia (Noni)
For centuries, the noni plant (Morinda citrifolia) has been a cornerstone of traditional medicine across Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, used to treat a vast array of ailments. Today, this tropical fruit has captured global attention, moving from ancient remedies to modern health food stores. This review paper critically evaluates the science behind the hype, exploring noni's rich phytochemical makeup and its promising pharmacological potential. The paper compiles evidence showing that nearly 200 beneficial compounds including anthraquinones, flavonoid, and iridoids have been identified in different parts of the noni plant. These compounds contribute to a broad spectrum of biological activities. Research suggest that noni and its extracts possess anticancer (significant inhibition of breast, lung and colon cancer), anti-microbial (inhibition of Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus), analgesic (162-212% increased pain tolerance in rodents), anti-inflammatory, cardio-protective, and blood-sugar-lowering (hypoglycemic) properties. While the historical use and a growing body of preclinical studies are compelling, the authors conclude that high quality clinical trials are limited. Such research is crucial to confirm its effectiveness, establish proper dosage, and ensure long-term safety. This review concludes that, with the unique combination of historical value, nutritional richness, and diverse therapeutic potential, noni stands as an invaluable resource for the future of nutraceuticals and modern medicine while well designed human trials must establish clinical efficacy, optimal dosage, and sustained safety in humans.
Organo-mineral nitrogen fertilizer enhances growth, nitrogen use efficiency and protein content in red amaranth
Red amaranth is a popular vegetable in Bangladesh because of its high nutritional value and pleasant flavor. Efficient nitrogen (N) management is vital for sustainable crop production, but conventional urea fertilizers often cause significant N losses. In recent years, organo-mineral fertilizers (OMFs) have gained popularity for improving crop yield and soil fertility. This study examined the effect of brown Coal Urea (BCU) as an organo-mineral N fertilizer, on growth, fresh biomass yield, N use efficiency (NUE), and protein content of red amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.). A pot experiment, conducted under a completely randomized design, assessed five N application rates (0, 50, 75, 100, 150 kg N ha-¹) delivered through urea, DAP, BCU applied as topdressing, and BCU applied as a basal treatment. The results showed that BCU treatment significantly (p<0.05) improved all parameters compared to urea. The highest plant height and fresh biomass yield were found with BCU basal application at 150 kg N ha-1, while the greatest NUE (77.29%) and FNUE (56.84%) were achieved at 50 kg N ha-1. The improved performance was attributed to slow-release and humic-rich nature of BCU, which enhances N retention and uptake efficiency. Overall, BCU effectively increased yield and N efficiency in red amaranth, highlighting its potential as a sustainable alternative to conventional fertilizers.
Effectiveness of salt licking sites for wild animals in Bardia National Park, Nepal
Salt licks are naturally occurring spots vital to numerous wildlife species worldwide. This study aimed to examine the use of natural salt licks by wild animals inside Bardia National Park (BNP), Nepal. Five camera traps were installed at five selected salt licks for a period of 18 days. A total 6 families and 10 species, were recorded at the salt lick sites were recorded during the investigation. The sites, Baghaura A and Baghaura C emerged as the most diverse salt licks in terms of species richness. The Shannon-Weiner diversity index was highest at Baghaura C, while the species evenness index was also highest there and lowest at Patthar Bandha South. The Simpson diversity index was highest in Patthar Bandha South and lowest at Baghaura B. Spotted deer, followed by rhino, were the most frequent visitors with the highest Capture Frequency (CF) and Relative Abundance Index (RAI). Carnivores and omnivores were least abundant. Temporal activity pattern was varied with species and habitat, with maximum activity during the day. The soil analysis also showed the highest pH and exchangeable sodium at Patthar Bandha South and the lowest at Baghaura A. Among the five identified threats, Habitat destruction and human interference were identified as the most severe threats. Disease transmission and poisoning ranked high and medium threats, respectively. Therefore, this study provides science-based evidence for the protection of salt lick sites for effective wildlife management in Bardia National Park, Nepal.
A review on determinants and optimization strategies in prime editing in cereal and non-cereal crops
Prime editing provides precise base changes, minute insertions (Small insertions ≤3 bp showed efficiencies of 2–8%) or deletions, and more defined substitutions without cutting both DNA strands or finding a donor. This is clearly better for safety and control. Plants have quickly taken on, but not in identical way. Changing editor backbones, reshaping pegRNAs, and evaluating out different delivery methods have often made things more efficient, but these improvements don't always work for all species or tissues. Simple design choices like PBS length, RTT layout, adding a 3′ structural tail, or employing paired pegRNAs can have greater implications on results than the editor itself. Editing efficiencies in rice protoplasts ranged from 0.26% to 2.2% for different targets. Rice showed that it was possible, as subsequent initiatives certain of which turned out far more successful than others—propelled into wheat, several dicots, and even some trees. While improvements in editor engineering, more advanced promoters, and computational design all got better, functionality still varies from locus to locus and genotype to genotype. In the real world, the transformation techniques and the local target context often define the outcome. This review summarizes collectively the greatest developments about plant prime editing, focusing on how it can be deployed for specific crops, how procedures can be strengthened, and design guidelines. The degree to which prime editing has been utilized in breeding and functional genomics will depend on further study on pegRNA stabilization, backbone variations, and various methods of delivering it.
Woody plant diversity and carbon sequestration in fruit agroforestry systems in the Guinean high savannah zone of Adamawa, Cameroon
Fruit agroforestry systems are important not only for improving human living conditions but also for natural resource management. The objective of this study was to assess the woody plant diversity and carbon stocks of fruit agroforestry systems in the Adamawa region. The methodological approach was based on floristic inventories. For this, plots measuring 50 metres long by 20 metres wide were explored. A total of 250 plots were set up, at a rate of 50 plots per division. Dendrometric parameters such as diameter at breast height, crown diameter, and tree height were measured. Carbon stocks were estimated using allometric equations. The study found that a total of 2986 individuals, grouped into 17 species, 14 genera, and 11 families, were recorded. The density of fruit trees varies from 60.8 stems/ha in the Faro-et-Deo division to 227 stems/ha in the Vina division. Fruit agrosystems show low diversity overall, but with higher diversity in Mayo-Banyo (H’ = 0.81 bits). M. indica (IVIE=163.5%), T. cacao (IVIE=49.61%) and P. americana (IVIE=48.71%) are the most important species. The most important families are Anacardiaceae (FIVI=160.88%), Rutaceae (FIVI=68.43%) and Lauraceae (FIVI=48.43%). The vegetation stands are distributed in an L-shape and bell-shaped pattern. The carbon sequestration potential is 209.13±114.35 tCO2eq/ha and the economic value is 2075043.42 CFA francs. Thus, fruit agrosystems are not very diverse but contribute to carbon storage in the fight against climate change. It would be necessary to encourage the establishment of fruit agrosystems to resolve environmental problems in Cameroon.
Determinants and perceptions of women’s participation in community forest management: Evidence from Western Nepal
Community forestry in Nepal has significantly contributed to forest restoration, livelihood enhancement, and local governance since its initiation in the late 1970s. Despite policy mandates for gender inclusion, women’s effective participation in community forest management remains limited. This study examined the demographic and socio-economic determinants of women’s participation and their perceptions of community forest management in Manakamana Community Forest of Western Nepal. Data were collected from 82 randomly selected women community forest users using household surveys, supplemented by key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Binary logistic regression was employed to identify predictors of participation, while perceptions were assessed using a Likert scale. Results revealed that out of 10 independent predictors studied age, years of schooling, executive committee membership, and proximity to the Community Forest Office were significant predictors of participation, explaining 53.4% of the variance. Education had the strongest effect, with the probability of participation increasing from less than 5% among uneducated women to more than 90% among those with secondary education or higher. Similarly, old-aged women and women from households with executive committee representation were nearly twice as likely to participate compared to others, while distance to the community forest office posed a strong spatial barrier. Perception analysis showed that women were highly involved in labor-intensive tasks such as plantation programs and forest product collection but were excluded from strategic roles including operational plan preparation, fund mobilization, and monitoring. The study highlights a persistent gap between women’s representation and actual influence in community forestry governance.
Effect of calcium chloride and gibberellic acid as post-harvest treatments on quality and shelf life of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. Var. Srijana) in Chitwan, Nepal
The research entitled, effect of calcium chloride and gibberellic acid as post-harvest treatments on quality and shelf life of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) var. Srijana in Chitwan, Nepal, was conducted to find out the best concentration of calcium chloride (CaCl2) and Gibberellic acid (GA3) for better quality and shelf life of tomato under ambient room conditions (28±5°C, 64% RH). The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design, which comprised six treatments: control (water), CaCl2 @2%, CaCl2 @4%, CaCl2 @6%, CaCl2 @8%, GA3 @1.5% GA3 @3% each replicated three times. Different postharvest parameters were assessed over a 12-day storage period. Results demonstrated that CaCl2 @4%, CaCl2 @6%, GA3 @1.5%, and GA3 @3% were found to be more effective in maintaining the quality and longer shelf life of tomatoes. On the 12th day of storage, the lowest decay loss was observed with CaCl2 @6% (0), GA3 @3% (0), followed by CaCl2 @4% (6.67%) and GA3 @1.5% (6.67%). The minimum TSS was observed in CaCl2 @4% (3.33˚Brix). Treatments GA3 @1.5% (1.12 kg/cm²), GA3 @3% (1.11 kg/cm²), CaCl2 @4% (1.08 kg/cm²) CaCl2 @6% (0.94 kg/cm²) effectively maintained the firmness of tomatoes fruits. Physiological loss in weight was minimum in CaCl2 @6% (4.50%) which was at par with CaCl2 @4%, GA3 @1.5%, GA3 @3%. Thus, it can be concluded that CaCl2 @4%, CaCl2 @6%, GA3 @1.5%, and GA3 @3% are effective in maintaining post-harvest quality and prolonging the shelf life of tomato. In addition to this, enhance marketability without reliance on cold storage.
Economics of production and marketing of coffee in Bethanchowk Rural Municipality, Kavre, Nepal
This study was conducted to assess the profitability of coffee production and marketing, find its constraints, and identify major marketing channels of coffee in Bethanchowk rural municipality in Kavre district, Nepal. Random and snowball techniques were used for sampling. For data analysis, MS Excel and IBM SPSS 26 were used. A total of 72 coffee farmers, 2 collectors, 6 pulpers, and 2 processors were surveyed from the study area, along with conducting FGD and KII. Coffee was grown in 0.0514 hectares (1.01 ropani; 1 hectare = 19.66 ropani) of land on average, where the farmers’ overall landholding was 0.7214 hectares (14.18 ropani). The total variable cost per hectare was NPR 235783.8 (US$ 1661.22), and the total fixed cost per hectare was NPR 30038.37 (US$ 212.30). The gross margin per hectare was found to be NPR 332159.5 (US$ 2340.24). B:C ratio was calculated to be 2.14 at a 12% discount rate. The returns to scale of coffee production was 1.563, which showed increasing returns to scale in the study area. The most significant factors that affected coffee farming were the area under coffee cultivation, the number of productive plants, and labor. Farmers faced challenges due to frequent infestation from diseases and pests and having inadequate water supply access in the study area. But if the concerned authorities address those problems, coffee farming can be a great source of income, especially for rural farmers.
Fusarium wilt of banana (Tropical Race 4) in Nepal: Distribution, epidemiology, and integrated management strategies
Banana (Musa spp.) is a key smallholder crop in Nepal, ranking third in production (≈282,000 t yr-¹) and fifth in area (≈19,000 ha), yet it faces a growing threat from Fusarium wilt (Panama disease) caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (TR4). Unlike earlier epidemics that devastated ‘Gros Michel’ (Race 1), TR4 infects Cavendish and many cooking cultivars, persists in soil for over 30 years, and spreads through contaminated planting material, soil, water, and tools. This review aims to synthesize global and regional evidence on TR4’s etiology, history, distribution, symptoms, and epidemiology, and to evaluate management options relevant to Nepal’s smallholder systems following the country’s first detections in 2023 (e.g., Kailali, Tikapur). Information was compiled systematically from peer-reviewed literature (Elsevier, Springer, Wiley), institutional reports (FAO, IPPC, NPPO), and verified bulletins (2000–2024). The synthesis indicates that curative control is unreliable, whereas integrated exclusion and containment strategies—certified disease-free planting material, field sanitation, and movement restrictions—can reduce disease incidence by 60–80%. Biological control, nutrient management, and tolerant cultivars show potential as supportive, not substitutive, measures. Therefore, establishing national diagnostic and surveillance capacity, strengthening on-farm biosecurity and clean-seed systems, and aligning regional quarantine and seed-certification policies should be needed on urgent priorities in Nepal. This study provides the first comprehensive synthesis of TR4’s threat to Nepal, offering an evidence-based roadmap for safeguarding banana livelihoods and sustaining the national value chain.
Impact of various Rhizobium application methods on production and nodule formation in cowpea
The study aimed to determine the effect of various Rhizobium inoculation methods on the yield, growth, and reproductive characteristics of two cowpea varieties under field conditions in the tropical region of Tikapur, Kailali. With four replications, the study was carried out in a two-factorial Randomized Complete Block Design from April to August of 2024. Four different Rhizobium inoculation methods were tested on two cowpea varieties, Aakash and Prakash: T1 (Control), T2 (seed inoculation), T3 (seed + soil inoculation), and T4 (soil inoculation). The majority of parameters were significantly influenced by the variety, inoculation methods and their interaction. While Aakash showed better physiological growth, the Prakash variety performed better in reproductive attributes and had a greater grain yield (1.39 t/ha). With the highest plant height (92.74 cm), number of leaves (52.75), branches (5.54), effective nodules (84.69), pods per plant (21.29), seeds per pod (12.10), thousand-grain weight (138.95 g), and grain yield (1.98 t/ha), T3 (seed + soil inoculation) regularly outperformed the other treatments. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between effective nodulation and yield-related traits. These results indicate that integrated Rhizobium treatment may greatly increase cowpea productivity, especially by combining both seed and soil inoculation. The study offers a cost-effective, promising method for enhancing the performance of legumes, which is particularly advantageous for smallholder farmers. To confirm the scalability and consistency of these findings, the study suggests more extensive long-term research in other agro-ecological zones.
Response of variety and sulphur on yield attributes and yield of boro rice in Haor area of Bangladesh
The haor region of Bangladesh offers substantial scope to enhance boro rice productivity through improved soil nutrient management and adoption of high-yielding varieties. This study aimed to evaluate the interactive effects of rice variety and sulphur application on growth and yield performance under haor conditions. A field experiment was conducted at Dhoronti Haor, Nasirnagar, Brahmanbaria district of Bangladesh during January–April 2023 using four varieties—BRRI dhan28, BRRI dhan29, BRRI dhan89, and Hira-2 (Hybrid)—and five sulphur levels (0, 55, 110, 165, and 220 kg S ha-¹) with recommended fertilizer doses. The experiment followed a split-plot design with three replications, assigning varieties to main plots and sulphur levels to subplots. Results revealed significant (p < 0.05) main and interaction effects of variety and sulphur on most growth and yield traits. The hybrid Hira-2 produced the highest filled grains panicle-¹ (323.0), panicle length (22.0 cm), thousand-grain weight (28.79 g), and grain yield (9.24 t ha-¹), whereas BRRI dhan28 showed the lowest performance. Sulphur application significantly improved yield attributes, with the optimum yield (7.42 t ha-¹) obtained at 165 kg S ha-¹, beyond which no further increase was observed. Variety × Sulphur interaction indicated that Hira-2 and BRRI dhan89 were most responsive to moderate sulphur levels, while BRRI dhan28 showed limited response. The integration of hybrid rice variety Hira-2 with an optimum sulphur rate of 165 kg S ha-¹ can substantially enhance grain yield and resource-use efficiency, offering a sustainable intensification strategy for the haor agroecosystem.
Ancient natural farming: Way forward to sustainability in modern agricultural practices
The modern agricultural system is directly associated to the food security to provide food materials to all on the planet earth. In this, the precision agriculture, hydroponics, aquaponics and vertical farming are most prevalent methods of modern agricultural system. It is directly dependent on the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, high yield varieties (HYVs), and modern machineries. The excess use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides contaminated and deteriorated the soil and cultivated agricultural crops. Thus, its consequences are soil, water, air pollution, reduction in the soil fertility and loss in the biological diversity, health issues due to the consumption of contaminated food items. The essential components for the sustainability in the agriculture are, fertile land, nutrients input, pest and pathogen repellents, irrigation water sources etc. Therefore, in most of the countries the farmers are looking for the natural farming (Rishi Kheti or Zero budget farming) and organic farming in place of modern agricultural system. The natural farming and organic farming is mostly dependent on the locally available resources such as panchagavya (cow milk, yogurt and ghee, cow manure, cow urine), plans based formulations, green manuring, crop rotation, mulching etc., that are beneficial for maintaining of soil health, water conservation, climate resilience and the produce are also free from contaminants and thus, beneficial for the human consumption and health. In this paper, we have discussed the essential components of ancient natural farming, organic farming and modern farming and have tried to made a comparative analysis of these farming systems.
Effect of nitrogen and sulphur on the growth and yield of T. Aman rice (BRRI Dhan 87)
Efficient use of nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) is crucial for enhancing rice productivity in Bangladesh, where nutrient deficiencies significantly limit yields. This study aimed to evaluate the combined effects of N and S fertilization on the growth, yield, and soil fertility of traditional T. Aman rice (BRRI Dhan 87). A field experiment was conducted during the 2019 T. Aman season at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, following a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 12 N-S fertilizer combinations and three replications. Results revealed that N and S significantly (p<0.05) influenced plant growth, yield attributes, and soil properties. The highest grain yield (5.67 t ha-¹) and straw yield (6.88 t ha-¹) were recorded under the N120S12 treatment, representing a 98.9% yield increase compared to the control (2.85 t ha-¹). The same treatment produced the tallest plants (131.78 cm), highest effective tillers (15.33 hill-¹), filled grains (140.37 panicle-¹), and 1000-grain weight (57.00 g). Post-harvest soil analysis showed improved organic matter (1.42%), total N (0.66%), and available P (27.03 ppm) under N120S12. The findings manifest that an integrated application of 120 kg N ha-¹ and 12 kg S ha-¹ optimizes yield performance and enhances soil fertility while minimizing resource losses. These results provide a sustainable nutrient management strategy for improving rice productivity in Bangladesh in similar agro-ecological zones.
Optimizing silicon fertilization for improved growth and yield in Boro rice
In the present era, sustaining rice productivity is increasingly challenged by various biotic and abiotic stresses, nutrient imbalances, and climate variability, prompting interest in beneficial elements like silicon (Si) for enhancing plant resilience and improving yield. To evaluate the impact of silicon on Boro rice (cv. Binadhan-25), a field experiment was conducted during the 2024 Boro season at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. The study comprised eleven treatments where recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) were applied combining with 0 to 200 kg SiO2 ha-1 in 20 kg increments. This research was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Results revealed that the application of 40 kg SiO2 ha-1 alongside RDF significantly improved plant height, effective tillers hill-1 and grain yield outperforming all other treatments. Grain yield increased by about 25.7% with the application of 40 kg SiO2 ha-1 compared to no silicon application to the soil. These findings emphasize the beneficial role of moderate silicon supplementation in enhancing growth and yield of Boro rice and suggest 40 kg SiO2 ha-1 as the optimum dose for productivity enhancement. Future research should explore the long-term effects of silicon on soil health and crop sustainability across different rice varieties and agro-ecological zones, considering the limitation that this study focused on a single variety under one growing season.
Socio-cultural and economic determinants of clean cooking technology adoption in Uganda
This study examined socio-cultural and economic determinants influencing clean cooking technology adoption, with emphasis on cultural norms, gender roles, income, education, and user perceptions in Uganda. A cross-sectional survey of 480 households from urban, peri-urban, and rural areas in six districts employed structured interviews and questionnaires. Awareness of improved cook stoves and alternative fuels (briquettes, LPG, ethanol) was high (74%), but adoption was low (27%). Major barriers included high upfront costs (68%), limited distribution networks (52%), and perceived incompatibility with traditional cooking methods, especially for staple dishes. Adoption was significantly (p < 0.05) higher among households with at least one adult completing secondary education (42% vs. 18%) and those earning above UGX 300,000 or 83.90 USD /month, who were 3.1 times more likely to adopt. Women were the primary cooks in 93% of households, with girls aged 7–16 frequently assisting. Cultural beliefs, such as firewood enhancing food flavor and symbolizing tradition, further influenced adoption decisions. The findings indicated that accelerating clean cooking adoption in Uganda requires culturally sensitive and gender-responsive interventions, integration of local knowledge, targeted behavior change communication, supportive policy frameworks, and sustained financing. Strengthening supply chains and empowering women as energy entrepreneurs are essential to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) on universal modern energy access.
Effects of variety and sowing dates on yield and yield attributes of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)
Ideal planting time, varietal and suitable cultivar is the most common problem facing by the sesame growers. Accordingly, a field trial was carried out at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, BARI, Cumilla, from February to June 2023 to investigate the response of variety and sowing date on the yield and yield components of sesame. The experiments were based on two factors. Factor A: varieties (i) BARI Til-4 (V1), (ii) BARI Til-6 (V2) and (iii) Binatil-2 (V3) and Factor B: five sowing dates (i) 20th February (T1), (ii) 2nd March (T2), (iii) 12th March (T3), (iv) 22nd March (T4), (v) 2nd April (T5). The experiment was arranged as RCBD with three replications. Results indicated that major traits of sesame: yield and yield components were significantly influenced by variety, sowing date and their interaction The variety Binatil-2 showed higher values for number of capsules plant-¹ (69.7), capsule weight plant-¹ (118.01 g), number of seeds capsule-¹ (59.8), 1000-seed weight (2.28 g), seed yield (859.7 kg ha-¹) and biological yield (3658 kg ha-¹). Sowing of seed on 20th February led to maximum plant height (154.1 cm), capsules plant-¹ (78.4), 1000-seed weight (2.77 g), and seed yield (1205 kg ha-¹). Binatil-2 in interaction with 20th February sown gave maximum 1000-grain weight (3.06 g), seed (1463 kg ha-¹) and harvest index (24.47%) which was advantageous for its better performance under these conditions. Thus, selection of variety played a significant role in the capsule and seed yield of sesame as evidenced in Binatil-2 variety and needs to be grown for more sustainable sesame production.
Profitability of pineapple intercrops in Madhupur upazila of Tangail district of Bangladesh
Pineapple intercropping is a smart and sustainable agricultural practice for enhancing farm profitability and land use efficiency in Bangladesh. This study was conducted to analyze the socioeconomic characteristics and loan profile, determine the profitability, and assess the problems and constraints faced by the farmers in pineapple intercrop production in Madhupur upazila of Tangail district in Bangladesh. Primary data were collected from 90 randomly selected farmers across five villages in the study area. The study focused on three specific intercropping patterns: pineapple-aroid, pineapple-ginger, and pineapple-turmeric, with 30 farmers representing each group. The data were analyzed using tabular and profitability analysis methods. Findings reveal that the majority of farmers were middle-aged (30–64 years), primarily engaged in agriculture, with an average family size of 5.42. Most respondents belonged to the middle-income group and cultivated an average of 85 decimals of land. A significant portion of farmers received agricultural loans and demonstrated high repayment performance. All three intercropping patterns were economically viable, with a total cost per hectare of Tk. 697540.06 (US$ 5837.15) for pineapple-aroid, Tk. 720526.62 (US$ 6029.51) for pineapple-ginger, and Tk. 724033.85 (US$ 6058.86) for pineapple-turmeric. The corresponding net returns were Tk. 963130.66 (US$ 8059.67), Tk. 1206978.03 (US$ 10100.23), and Tk. 1017049.40 (US$ 8510.87), while the Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) stood at 2.38, 2.68, and 2.40, respectively. Although pineapple intercropping is profitable, farmers encounter significant challenges, such as high input costs and pest infestations. The government and relevant authorities must take essential actions to address the challenges and limitations encountered by farmers.
Assessing farmers’ knowledge of good agricultural practices in vegetable farming: A study in northern Bangladesh
Producing vegetables safely, sustainably, and of high quality requires good agricultural practices (GAP). This study thoroughly examined vegetable farmers’ knowledge of GAP, identified the factors influencing their level of knowledge, and explored the problems they encounter in applying GAP in vegetable production in the Rangpur district of northern Bangladesh. Data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire from 240 randomly selected vegetable farmers in the Kursha Union of Taraganj sub-district in Rangpur district. Farmers’ knowledge was evaluated using six levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy, while multiple and stepwise regression analyses identified key influencing factors and their impact. In addition, the Problem Facing Index (PFI) was applied to rank the problems faced by them in implementing GAP. The results indicated that only 3.3% of participants had good knowledge, whereas 46.7% had moderate knowledge, and 50% had poor knowledge. Among the ten examined socio-economic and personal factors of the farmers, educational level, agricultural training experience, and contact with extension media significantly affected farmers’ GAP knowledge. Contact with extension media was the strongest predictor, accounting for 66.7% of the variance in knowledge levels. Regarding implementation issues, 53.3% of respondents reported high problems, followed by 40% experiencing medium problems. The top three problems included a lack of GAP training, a limited understanding of GAP standards, and inadequate knowledge of integrated pest and disease management. The study highlights the need for strengthening extension services and providing targeted training programs to improve farmers’ knowledge and promote effective adoption of GAP in sustainable vegetable farming.
Nutrient management with cow dung and chemical fertilizers enhances leaf yield and gel constituents in Aloe vera
Since ancient times, Aloe vera has been used extensively, including in the cosmetics and food businesses. Commercial cultivation of A. vera is scarce due to lack of information. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to examine the integrated effect of inorganic fertilizer (IF) and cow dung (CD) on the growth, yield, and nutritional composition of A. vera. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications was used for the experiment having total nine treatment combinations of IF and CD viz., IF 0% + CD 0%, IF 100% + CD 0%, IF 75% + CD 25%, IF 50% + CD 50%, IF 40% + CD 60%, IF 30% + CD 70%, IF 20% + CD 80%, IF 10% + CD 90%, and IF 0% + CD 100%. Varying combinations of IF and CD significantly influenced the studied parameters. On average, applications of 30% IF and 70% CD enhanced the leaf yield by 37%, gel yield by 31% and nutritional quality by 28% compared to control. The post-harvest soil characteristics, including the percentage of nitrogen and organic matter, soil pH, exchangeable potassium, available phosphorus, and available sulfur, were found to increase with the higher application of cow dung. Applying both 30% IF and 70% CD showed a substantial increase in growth, yield, gel nutritional quality, and post-harvest soil characteristics compared to other treatments including control. Therefore, application of 30% IF with 70% CD could be a best strategy for obtaining improved growth, yield, and nutritional quality of A. vera.
Impact of sulfur and phosphorus fertilization on growth and yield of perilla oil crop (Perilla frutescens) under net house condition in Bangladesh
The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of sulfur (S) and phosphorus (P) fertilization on the growth and yield of Perilla frutescens, an emerging oilseed crop in Bangladesh. The experiment was conducted under net house conditions at the Agronomy Department, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh from July to December 2024. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) scheme was followed, comprising four sulfur levels (0, 9.25, 18.5, and 27.75 kg ha-¹) and four phosphorus levels (0, 20, 30, and 40 kg ha-¹). Sulfur and phosphorus were supplied through gypsum and triple superphosphate (TSP), respectively. Growth parameters viz. plant height branch number, receme count, 1000-seed weight etc. were recorded along with biological yield and harvest index. The results revealed that both sulfur and phosphorus significantly (p<0.05) influenced perilla productivity. Sulfur application at 18.5 kg ha-¹ produced the highest seed yield (0.90 t ha-¹), while higher or lower levels reduced yield performance. Similarly, phosphorus application at 30 kg ha-¹ maximized yield (1.09 t ha-¹). Notably, the combined application of 18.5 kg S ha-¹ with 30 kg P ha-¹ yielded the highest productivity (1.50 t ha-¹), outperforming sole applications of either nutrient. This interaction shows the synergistic role of balanced S and P fertilization in enhancing seed yield and harvest index. The study provides the experimental evidence on nutrient management for perilla in Bangladesh, indicating that moderate sulfur (100 kg gypsum ha-¹) and phosphorus (150 kg TSP ha-¹) fertilization can significantly improve growth and yield.
Comparative study of various botanical and chemical pesticides against red pumpkin beetle (Aulacophora foveicollis) in summer squash at Bhojpur, Nepal
The red pumpkin beetle (Aulacophora foveicollis) is an invasive pest of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo) that damages seedlings, skeletonize leaves and flower buds, ultimately reducing yield. This study, conducted in Bhojpur, Nepal, examined the effectiveness of selected pesticides for the control of Red Pumpkin Beetle (RPB). A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used with seven treatments; each replicated three times. It assessed the effectiveness of Deltamethrin, Profenofos, Malathion, Emmamectin benzoate, Neem oil, Tobacco extract, and water spray. Data on beetle population and leaf damage severity were collected before spray and at 1, 3, 6, and 10 days after spray (DAS), then analyzed using ANOVA and DMRT. Results indicated that Deltamethrin emerged as the most effective, reducing beetle population to 0.71 beetles/plant and leaf damage to 9.46%. Profenofos demonstrated similar efficacy with 0.90 beetles/plant and 13.06% damage. Malathion and Emmamectin benzoate were moderately effective, while Neem oil and Tobacco extract were least effective but better than water spray, which recorded 3.96 beetles/plant and 48.91% damage. All pesticides reduced beetle populations compared to control, but Deltamethrin and Profenofos were most effective and statistically similar. These findings emphasize the importance of selecting appropriate pesticides and applying correct dosages for effective management of Red Pumpkin Beetle.
Optimizing nitrogen and sulphur nutrition for enhanced yield and yield-attributing traits in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
Optimizing nutrient management is pivotal for the proper growth and development of plants to ensure higher productivity. The present study evaluated the effect of different nitrogen-sulphur levels on the growth and yield of groundnut. The experiment comprised six N-S treatment combinations (F1-6: N 30, 40 and S 0, 20, 30 kg ha-1) with a control (F0: N 0 and S 0 kg ha-1) using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The result demonstrated significant yield improvements of groundnut under N and S applications compared to the control. Notably, Binachinabadam-8 (V2) treated with the highest level of N-S (F6, N 40 and S 30 kg ha-1) demonstrated the best performance, with enhanced plant height (46.67 cm), number of branches plant-1 (8.67), number of pods plant-1 (37.67), weight of pods plant-1 (27.84 g), number of seeds pod-1 (2.10), 100-seed weight (8.67 g), shelling percentage (73.52%), seed yield (1.55 t ha-1), stover yield (3.07 t ha-1), biological yield (5.36 t ha-1) and harvest index (42.66%). Further statistical analyses, such as Pearson correlation analysis, heatmap analysis, and PCA, confirmed trait contributions like number and weight of pods plant-1, shelling percentage, 100-seed weight, plant height, and number of branches plant-1 for yield variation. The cultivation of Binachinabadam-8 with 40 kg N ha-1 (≈87 kg Urea ha-1) and 30 kg S ha-1 (≈167 kg Gypsum ha-1) might offer a promising strategy towards groundnut productivity. The study provides valuable insights for developing nutrient management strategies aimed at sustainable groundnut production in less nutrient soils.
Effect of different priming applications on seed germination and seedling growth of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)
An experiment was conducted in IAAS, Lamjung to determine the effects of different priming treatments on seed germination and seedling growth of brinjal (var. Purple Long). The experiment was laid out under a single factor completely randomized design (CRD) with six treatments and five replications. The seeds of brinjal were primed with distilled water, 10% polyethylene glycol (PEG), 4% Mannitol, 2% sodium chloride (NaCl) and 100 ppm gibberellic acid (GA3) which were compared with non-primed seeds as a control. The seeds of brinjal were primed by direct immersion for 24 hours and were dried for moisture equilibrium recovery after hydration. The result showed that GA3 priming significantly (p<0.05) reduced mean germination time and enhanced germination percentage of brinjal, root length, and vigor index than unprimed brinjal seeds. Priming with distilled water resulted good root length and greater fresh weight of brinjal than other primed and unprimed brinjal seeds. GA3 priming was found better than other treatments as compared to control. Thus, seed priming with GA3 would be beneficial for better seed germination and subsequent growth of seedlings in brinjal.
Influence of different spacing regimes on growth and productivity of BARI tomato-2
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a widely cultivated vegetable crop whose productivity is strongly influenced by its spacing and plant population. A field experiment was conducted at Rajshahi region during December,2024 to April, 2025 to evaluate the effect of different plant spacing’s (D1=40 × 45 cm, D2=50 × 45 cm, and D3=60 × 45 cm) on the growth and yield of tomato (BARI Tomato -2). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Healthy seedlings of BARI Tomato-2 were transplanted in well-prepared plots according to the assigned spacing treatments. Results revealed that wider spacing (D3) significantly enhanced vegetative and reproductive parameters compared to narrower spacings. Plants at D3 cm attained the greatest height, which was 72% higher than those grown at D1 cm. This spacing produced a higher number of primary (24%) and productive branches (62%) compared to D1. Furthermore, proper spacing provides more fruit weight, more fruits per plant (25% more than D1) and increased biological yield (4.3 tha1) compared to closed spacing. Consequently, D3 spacing achieved the highest yield (38%) per hectare, which was 26% higher than D1. Thus, adopting an appropriate spacing (both inter and intra row) regime, particularly D3 is crucial for maximizing tomato growth and yield.
Life cycle of Zygogramma bicolorata and its effectiveness as biocontrol of Parthenium hysterophorus in Lamjung, Nepal
The invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus L. poses a significant ecological and agricultural threat in Nepal, necessitating effective and sustainable management strategies. This study investigates the life cycle and biocontrol efficacy of Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister against P. hysterophorus under greenhouse conditions in Lamjung, Nepal. Detailed observations on developmental biology revealed an average life span of 62–78 days from egg to adult, with females showing longer longevity (43.3±0.72 days) than males (37.0±0.94 days). Each female laid an average of 650±21.45 eggs during its lifespan, with 84.08% hatching success, 81.32% pupal recovery, and 78.69% adult emergence. The beetle exhibited four distinct larval instars, each showing progressive growth and color changes, followed by pupation at 3–5 cm soil depth. Feeding potential varied with the developmental stage and beetle density. Feeding trials revealed that both adults and larvae caused significant defoliation of Parthenium with higher beetle densities leading to faster defoliation. Defoliation was faster at the seedling stage than the flowering stage, with five beetle pairs completing defoliation in 1.13 days and 6.67 days, respectively, compared to 6.67 and 15.67 days with two pairs. Larvae were particularly voracious feeders, contributing more substantially to defoliation than adults. Based on these findings, Z. bicolorata shows strong potential as a biocontrol agent against P. hysterophorus, and further field-based research is recommended to evaluate its establishment and effectiveness across Nepal’s diverse agro ecological zones.
Potatoes for prosperity: Enhancing food security, livelihoods, and climate resilience in Nepal
Potatoes have played a vital role in shaping Nepal’s agricultural economy and food system for many years. It is cultivated across diverse altitudes and climatic zones, and make a substantial contribution to household nutrition, rural livelihoods, and national food security. Focusing on the growing challenges of climate change, population growth, and rising food demand, the potato's short cultivation period, high yield, and adaptability position it as a key component of Nepal’s strategy for sustainable agriculture. This review examines the current state of potato cultivation in Nepal, focusing on its socioeconomic impact, production trends, major challenges, research achievements, and future outlook. It emphasizes the importance of sustainable farming practices, varietal improvement, efficient seed systems, and supportive policies to strengthen the crop’s role in achieving national food security. Recent advancements in potato research and development offer promising solutions to address Nepal’s ongoing food security challenges. The findings of this study are useful for potato researchers, producers, and policy makers for sustainability in potato production in Nepal.
Knowledge and application of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) among cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) growers in Bharatpur metropolitan city, Nepal
A study was conducted to determine the Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) adopted by cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) growers in Ward 27 of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Chitwan, Nepal. For the collection of data, 60 cucumber growers were interviewed through a semi-structured questionnaire. Farmers were categorized as GAP aware farmers and GAP unaware farmers. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistical tools, such as t-test and binary logit regression analysis. The results revealed that only 25% of the farmers were aware of GAP. Although, majority of farmers were not aware of GAP, i.e., 75%, yet they managed to apply various good agricultural practices on their farms. 70% of farmers planted the recommended variety, 70% practiced mulching, and 60% applied the recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF). Likewise, almost all (93.33%) integrated organic nutrients alongside chemical fertilizers, whereas 81.7% applied irrigation water free from harmful contaminants. The results revealed that 65% farmers used PPE while handling chemical fertilizers and 61.7% adopted IPM. Very few, 29% of respondents kept the record, which was determined to be the least adopted among other practices. From the result of the binary logit regression analysis, none of the independent factors were found to be statistically affecting GAP awareness. Poor access to government services, followed by inadequate access to GAP input, were found to be the major problems related to GAP adoption. Limited knowledge and training, and limited market incentives were other major problems faced by farmers.
Reducing environmental pollution through improved medical waste management: An Assessment of practices and strategies in Patuakhali Municipality, Bangladesh
Effective medical waste (MW) management is crucial because of its significant effects on human health and the environment. In Patuakhali Municipality, improper handling of medical waste in various healthcare facilities is contributing to increased vulnerability to the spread of diseases such as diarrhea, hepatitis, and various skin infections. The aim of the study is to categorize different types of medical waste, determine their generation rates, evaluate current waste management practices, and identify shortcomings by comparing them with standard procedures. The study was conducted across 14 selected healthcare establishments (HCEs) that contribute substantially to the municipality’s total medical waste. A descriptive research methodology was used, involving field surveys and interviews with hospital authorities and waste management personnel. Findings revealed that these facilities generate approximately 1495 kg of medical waste per day, of which 1328.6kg/day (88.7%) is non-infectious and 166.4 kg/day (11.13%) is infectious. The average waste generation rate is 1.54 kg per bed per day or 0.30 kg per patient per day. The study highlights the absence of systematic and regulated medical waste management. Key barriers identified include lack of awareness among staff, insufficient financial resources, and limited institutional willingness to improve practices. Furthermore, the existing system lacks proper segregation, storage, and disposal measures. Some examples of proper medical waste management are provided, along with identified gaps in the current system. Therefore, Patuakhali Municipality and HCEs authorities should adopt appropriate policies and implement training programs for personnel involved in medical waste handling to improve overall management practices.
Effects of restricted feeding regimes on greenhouse gas emission, production and economics of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) monoculture in pond
This study evaluated the effects of different feeding regimes on water quality parameters, fish growth, feed performance, economic returns and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) in Oreochromis mossambicus monoculture. Three treatments were applied viz. T1: regular feeding (twice daily); T2: feeding off 1 day/week and T3: feeding off 2 days/week, each with two replications. Significant variations (P<0.05) were found in water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen (4.59±0.24 to 6.31±0.22 mg/L), pH (5.51±0.08 to 6.60±0.01), CO2 (4.59±0.24 to 6.31±0.22 mg/L) and total dissolved solids (520.68±3.74 to 554.57±3.78 mg/L), while temperature remained within the optimal range (29.06 to 29.320C). Growth performance was highest in T1 (final weight: 249.65 g; SGR: 2.08%) and lowest in T3 (190.63 g, SGR: 1.74%). FCR ranged from 1.67 to 1.87, and survival rate from 80.50% to 87.50%. Net profit was highest in T2 (454322.78 BDT/ha) followed by T1 and T3, indicating 16.7% increase over T1 and 50.2% over T3. Cost-benefit ratio was also highest in T2 (0.70), suggesting economic viability of moderate feed deprivation. Importantly, GHGs emissions were maximum in T1 (8.75 kg/ha/year), and minimum in T3 (6.62 kg/ha/year), showing a 24.3% reduction with intermittent feeding. These findings highlight that moderate feed restrictions (T2) can optimize production performance, enhance profitability, and reduced environmental impact, offering a sustainable strategy for tilapia aquaculture. This dual benefit approach supports economic efficiency and environmental sustainability, aligning with global goals for climate-smart aquaculture.
Plant growth and phosphate uptake of two leafy vegetables (Trigonella sp. and Spinacia sp.) as influenced by phosphate solubilizing fungi
The present work was focused on improving the growth and phosphate uptake in leafy vegetables by supplying phosphate bioinoculants. A total of 41 isolates from 50 rhizospheric soil samples were isolated through the serial dilution method by Pikovskaya’s medium. Among them 6 PSF with maximum solubilization index (3.08 to 3.86) selected and further evaluated. They showed good results in decreased pH (4.0 to 3.1 from an initial pH of 6.89), titrable acidity (30.16g/L to 38.08g/L), and phosphate concentration in culture broth (60µg to 25µg). Isolate PSF 39 showed maximum plant height (7.8cm at 15 days after sowing and 10.1cm at harvest), root length (5.5cm), biomass (2.11g of fresh weight and 1.01g of dry weight), leafy vegetable weight (2.01g), plant phosphorus uptake (0.393%) and available P in rhizosphere soil (346.96Kg/ha) in Trigonella sp. PSF 38 produced the most plant height (15.7cm at 15 days after sowing and 30.6cm at harvest), root length (10.9cm), biomass (11.23g fresh weight and 3.82g dry weight), leafy vegetable weight (10.32g), plant phosphorus uptake (0.369%) and available P in rhizosphere soil (346.29 Kg/ha) in Spinacia sp. From the results, the PSF inoculants can be recommended as phosphate solubilizers in the agricultural field as able to promote plant growth in leafy vegetables.
Tomato production in Nawalparasi East district, Nepal: Socio-economic, marketing, institutional, and constraint analysis
A survey was conducted to assess the socio-economics, marketing, institutional involvement and problems of the production of tomato in Nawalparasi East District, Nepal. Among the tomato farmers of Kawasoti Municipality - 17 and Madhyabindhu Municipality - 1, 94 farmers were selected for the survey. Data were collected through a household survey using a semi-structured questionnaire, and analyzed using Excel and IBM SPSS Statistics software. Various descriptive methods, like mean, standard deviation, and frequency, were used in the analysis of data and diagrams like bar graphs and charts for the visualization of the data. Cost, net return, gross return, and benefit-cost ratio were calculated to understand the economics of tomato production. The average cost of tomato production in the study site was NRs. 3,90,500.15 (2808.42 USD) per hectare. Human labour, fertilizer, and mulching were significant contributors to the cost of production of tomatoes. Similarly, net margin and benefit-cost ratio were found to be NRs. 127534.85 (917.21 USD) per hectare and 1.33. Producer → Wholesale Market → Retailer → Consumer was the most dominant, and 60 % of the farmers have received training for the production of tomatoes through different organizations. Also, 69 % of them were getting some kind of subsidy on seed, mulching, and irrigation facilities through different institutions. The major production and marketing problems were incidence of disease and pests, unavailability of quality seeds, high middleman margin, and price fluctuation. However, the study indicated that tomato production is a highly potential agricultural enterprise for the study area.
Yield performance of wheat genotypes for resistance to spot blotch caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana (Sacc.) Shoemaker
Spot blotch of wheat, caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana (Sacc.) Shoemaker, is an important wheat disease in Nepal. The purpose of the study was to assess wheat genotypes for resistance to the spot blotch and their yield potential in field conditions. A field trial was conducted with 100 wheat genotypes using an alpha-lattice design with two replications, under natural conditions at the National Maize Research Program, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal. Disease assessment was performed using both double-digit (recorded four times at eight-day intervals) and single-digit (recorded three times at three-day intervals) scales. The single-digit visual scoring for the flag and flag-1 leaves began 97 days after sowing. Genotypes were categorized based on the final disease severity of the flag leaves. The genotypes differed significantly (p<0.001) for resistance to spot blotch. Of the 100 genotypes, one (NRN35) was found moderately resistant, 19 were moderately susceptible, 60 were susceptible, and 20 were highly susceptible. The plot grain yield (482 g) of NRN35 was the second highest among genotypes. A significant negative correlation (p<0.001) between the Area under disease progress curve and yield-attributing traits was found. In addition, a strong positive correlation (r = 0.762, p<0.001) was found between the disease incidence in the flag-1 and flag leaves. This study identifies NRN35 as a promising genotype that combines moderate resistance with high yield, making it a valuable candidate for wheat improvement programs. Its performance under natural disease pressure underscores the potential for developing spot blotch-resilient varieties through strategic breeding.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the agronomic practices of rice farmers: A case study in Mymensingh district of Bangladesh
This study was conducted to determine the changes occurred in agronomic practices during the COVID-19 pandemic among rice farmers in rural and peri-urban areas of Mymensingh district of Bangladesh. A survey was conducted among 64 farmers including 32 from rural areas and 32 from peri-urban areas. This study examined the characteristics of farmers, the extent of changes in agronomic practices adopted, problems faced by farmers during the pandemic, strategies adopted to cope with the pandemic situation, and possible solutions. There were significant differences in agronomic practices between rural and peri-urban farmers, with education, training exposure, and extension personnel contact being substantial factors for both the groups. Farmers faced different problems related to agronomic practices; however, rural farmers faced more problems compared to peri-urban farmers. In terms of strategies, rural farmers emphasized local sourcing for agricultural inputs, while peri-urban farmers emphasized on marketing via mobile phone calls. Both rural and peri-urban farmers suggested that more incentives from the government would be the most effective solution during the post-pandemic time. Rural farmers had more stable rice yields than peri-urban farmers despite making more changes in agronomic activities during the pandemic. Most of the rural farmers changed their fertilizer application techniques and patterns, while majority of the peri-urban farmers changed their seed selection and planting techniques to cope with the pandemic. The findings of the present study will help to formulate strategies to cope with similar situations in the future to ensure food security in the country and livelihood of the farming community.
Techno-economic analysis of clean cooking technologies and fuels in Uganda
Access to clean, affordable, and efficient cooking energy is a key development challenge in Uganda, with over 90% of households and institutions relying on traditional biomass fuels. This study was focused on techno-economic assessment of cooking technologies and fuels through Controlled Cooking Tests (CCTs), surveys, and interviews across household and institutional settings to evaluate fuel consumption, cooking time, cost, and user preferences across wood, charcoal, briquettes, LPG, and electric stoves. The results showed that electric hot plates and LPG stoves were the most energy-efficient, consuming 10.42 MJ and 13.28 MJ, respectively, cooking of 1 kg of beans compared to 38.81 MJ for improved wood stoves and 102.44 MJ for traditional three-stone fires. Cooking time, the improved institutional wood stove was the fastest (129 min), followed by LPG (151 min), traditional stoves (153 min), and electric hot plates (174 min). Fuel cost per kg of beans cooked was highest for LPG (Ugx 5,506) and electricity (Ugx 4,393), while improved briquette stoves were the cheapest (Ugx 302), though their adoption remains limited due to availability issues. Improved biomass stoves demonstrated up to 62% energy savings compared to traditional devices, offering a cost-effective and scalable transition option. This study provides the first comprehensive performance comparison across multiple fuel-stove combinations in Uganda and highlights critical trade-offs between energy efficiency, cost, and accessibility. Strategic policy actions including targeted subsidies, investment in clean fuel supply chains, and behaviour change campaigns are recommended to accelerate adoption and support Uganda’s energy, climate, and development goals.
Economic analysis of maize production in traditional and mechanized farming systems in Nilkantha Municipality, Dhading, Nepal
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the economic analysis as costs and profitability of maize production in traditional and mechanized farming systems. For this, a purposive random sampling of 101 maize farmers, comprising 30 using traditional methods and 71 employing mechanized systems was selected for structured household surveys. Cobb-Douglas production function, independent sample t-test, chi-square test, and descriptive statistics was performed using MS Excel and STATA software. Farmers under traditional and mechanized systems produced maize on average on 6.18 and 5.46 ropani, respectively. In mechanized systems, the mini tiller was the main tool used for the land preparation, while urea and farmyard manure (FYM) were the main suppliers of nutrients. Weeding was the most expensive operation in maize production. Traditional farming incurred higher costs for land preparation, planting, and plant protection. The net return per ropani was NRs. 1158.98 (8.47$) for traditional farming and NRs. 1597.44 (11.67$) for mechanized farming. The benefit-cost ratios were 1.42 for traditional and 1.57 for mechanized systems, respectively. Although the difference in returns per area between the two systems was not statistically significant, but mechanization effectively reduced production costs and enhanced profitability, representing a viable approach to improving maize farmers' financial circumstances. Cobb-Douglas production function analysis revealed a coefficient sum of 0.756 for traditional systems and 1.248 for mechanized systems, indicating decreasing and increasing returns to scale, respectively. Therefore, adoption of mechanization for maize production is recommended for cost minimization and profit maximization in Dhading district of Nepal.
Risk assessment of a Disinfection By-Product (DBP) on mitotic chromosomes using Allium root-tip bioassay
The process of disinfection of water, using chemicals like chlorine, bromine or iodine, leads to formation of certain chemicals called Disinfection By-Products (DBPs). These chemicals were once considered potentially harmless but as their levels are increasing in potable water, concerns over their toxic effects are growing worldwide. Chlorinated DBPs are of highest concern in case of swimming pool waters as they provide greatest exposure to skin, eyes and mouth of the swimmers. This study was therefore planned with an aim to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of DBPs on mitotic chromosomes of Allium cepa roots under controlled laboratory conditions. For this study, Trichloroacetic Acid (a common DBP) was dissolved in water in concentration levels that are common in swimming pool waters. This was used as a medium to grow roots in A. cepa bulbs. The cells of the roots grown in exposure of Trichloroacetic acid (TCAA) were then cytologically analysed. Results showed mitotic abnormalities like micronuclei, bridge formation, fragmentation, stickiness etc. with total abnormalities reaching up to 26.81%. Active Mitotic Index showed a dose dependent reduction with a mito-inhibition of 41.68% at highest treatment dose. Such an assessment of cytotoxic potential of TCAA on plant cell mitosis has rarely been attempted which makes the study novel. This bioassay showed that DPBs definitely have the mutagenic potential even under short term exposure and can become a bigger problem with successive bio-magnification. Hence, it proves the effectiveness of Allium mitosis bioassay in testing cytotoxicity of DBPs.
Effect of sowing methods and spacings on growth and yield attributes of spring maize (Zea mays L.) in Parbat, Nepal
The study was conducted in Phalewas Municipality, Parbat district, Nepal to assess the effect of two sowing methods (ridge bed and raised bed) and four plant spacings (60×15 cm, 60×20 cm, 60×25 cm and 60×30 cm) on growth and yield characteristics of spring maize for improving the maize yield. This experiment aimed to identify adequate sowing method and optimum spacing using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results of this study showed that yield attributing characteristics per plant was significantly (p<0.05) impacted with decrement in plant spacing up to 60×15 cm. Likewise, number of cobs per plant, ear length, ear circumference, number of kernels per row, grains per cob was found significantly at par up to 60×20 cm spacing but significantly (p<0.05) higher than 60×15 cm. 60×20 cm spacing was found to have the highest impact on biometrical as well as yield attributes. The grain yield (6.53 Mt/ha) was significantly (p<0.05) higher at 60×20 cm than at 60×25 cm and 60×30 cm but at par with 60×15 cm. There was no discernible effect of the sowing method on the metrics of grain yield between ridge bed and raised bed sowing. However, both bed sowing methods significantly (p<0.05) improved the grain yield of maize (5.78 Mt/ha), compared to the farmer's practice in Parbat district. Therefore, this study suggested that farmers of Parbat can combine 60×20 cm plant spacing with bed sowing methods to maximize the production of maize.
Comparative analysis of microbial contamination in vegetables sourced from farms, markets and street vendors in cape coast, Ghana
Safety of fresh vegetables has become a critical public health concern, especially in urban centers where contamination can occur at multiple points along the food supply chain. This study enumerated the microbial load of some selected vegetables (lettuce, cabbage, green pepper, and carrot) collected from farms, markets, and street food vendors within the Cape Coast metropolis. A total of 24 fresh vegetables were conveniently sampled from 3 locations and analyzed for certain microbial contaminants such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella species. Standard microbial techniques were used for the culture and identification of the selected microbes. Results showed E. coli counts ranged from 4.53 log10 CFUg-1 (UCCSM-L) to 2.23 log10 CFUg-1 (UCCBV-L) while S. aureu ranged from 3.68 log10 CFUg-1 (UCCBV-L) to 0 log10 CFUg-1 with six of the samples recording the least count. Aerobic Mesophilic counts ranged from 3.23 to 6.72 log10 CFUg-1. Salmonella species were present in 16.67% samples, while L. monocytogenes was absent in all samples. The cabbage, carrot and lettuce samples collected from the Cape Coast Metropolis had high microbial loads followed by green pepper samples. Therefore, the detection of pathogenic microorganisms such as E. coli, S. aureus, and Salmonella spp. underscores a serious public health concern. The presence of these pathogens suggests poor hygienic practices during transport and vending of these vegetables.
Assessment of levels of heavy metals in some common local spices sold in two markets in Cape Coast Ghana
The study examined levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) in ten spices sold in Abura and Kotokoraba markets, Cape Coast-Ghana to determine their safety for consumption. Samples of spices were collected from the markets and analyzed for Pb, Cd and Cu using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. A one-way analysis of variance was used to compare mean levels of metals in spices from these markets, followed by Tukey’s post hoc test to identify specific pairwise differences among the spices. Mean Cd levels were below detectable limits. Mean Pb levels did not differ significantly between markets (F = 1.004, p = 0.450), indicating similar contamination patterns. Mean Cu levels differed significantly (F = 3.472, p = 0.002), with ginger showing markedly higher Cu levels than garlic, rosemary, aniseed, grains of paradise, negro pepper, bay leaf, cloves, and chili pepper. Results suggest that differences found in Cu levels may depend on the type of spice rather than location of market. While Pb contamination appears uniform across both markets, the Cu disparity underscores the need for commodity-specific control strategies. The study recommends targeted monitoring of high risk spices particularly ginger through source tracing, vendor education, and stricter regulatory checks. This research provides a comparative market analysis of heavy metals in Ghanaian spices, offering evidence to strengthen public health protection and ensure safer spice trade practices.
Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of algae-mediated zinc oxide nanoparticles
The current study investigates the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles synthesized using an algal extract as a green, eco-friendly reducing and stabilizing agent. The biosynthesized nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy (UV, absorption peak 330 nm) XRD (24 nm crystalline size), SEM (rod shaped morphology) and FTIR (Zn-O bond at 671cm-1). Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using the bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein denaturation method showing dose dependent inhibition (28.4-88.0 % at 100- 500 ug/ml; IC50 = 251.64 ug/ml), comparable to ibuprofen (IC50 = 233.60 ug/ml). Antioxidant activity of green synthesised ZnO nanoparticles was evaluated using DPPH free radical scavenging assay (28.8-88.0% at 100- 500 ug/ml; IC50 = 200.06 ug/ml) attaining ~ 85% efficacy of ascorbic acid (IC50 = 171ug/ml). Results showed that ZnO NPs exhibited strong, concentration-dependent anti-inflammatory activity, inhibiting BSA denaturation by 28.4% to 88% over a range of 100–500 µg/mL, with an IC50 value of 251.64 µg/mL, closely comparable that of ibuprofen (IC50=233.6 µg/mL). Moreover, the nanoparticles showed substantial antioxidant activity, with DPPH radical scavenging ranging from 28.8% to 88.9% within the same concentration range, and an IC50 of 200.06 µg/mL—comparable to ascorbic acid (IC50=171 µg/mL). The bioactivities are likely enhanced by the phytochemicals present in A. platensis, such as phenolic compounds and C-phycocyanin. Thus, algae-mediated ZnO nanoparticles exhibit significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting their potential as bioactive agents for pharmaceutical and therapeutic applications.
Assessment of physicochemical parameters and heavy metals concentration of leachates from dumpsite around Idemili River, Obosi Nigeria
Leachates originating from solid waste dumpsites pollute water bodies, especially in Nigerian urban areas. This study aimed to assess the concentrations of heavy metals and physicochemical parameters in leachates from dumpsite around the Idemili River in Obosi, Nigeria. Physicochemical parameters (pH, temperature, EC, TDS, DO, BOD, turbidity, chloride, nitrate, phosphate, sulphate), heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cd, Cu, Fe, As) and bacteriological parameters (total and faecal coliforms) were analyzed in leachate and Idemili River water. ANOVA, Tukey’s post-hoc and Pearson correlation were applied to find spatial variations and relationships between physicochemical properties and heavy metals concentration in leachate and water samples. Results revealed significant (p<0.05) contamination, with EC, sulphate, phosphate, nitrate, Fe, Cd and Pb in leachate samples exceeding WHO/NSDWQ limits. Leachate contained significantly higher levels of Fe (4.430±3.231 mg/L), As (4.455±3.1465 mg/L) and Cd (2.8783±2.794 mg/L), suggesting potential leachate infiltration, thereby influencing water quality. Also the leachate and water samples had elevated levels of total and faecal coliforms, exceeding the WHO standards of 10 cfu/mL and 0 cfu/mL, respectively. Results also revealed significant spatial variations in the physicochemical, heavy metals, and bacteriological parameters across various sampling points in leachate and water samples. Therefore, water samples from Idemili River are unsafe for human consumption, and aquatic ecosystems, due to leachates infiltration. It is recommended that governments should adopt inclusive approaches to reducing amount of wastes reaching dumpsites.
Determinants of milk composition and somatic cell count in buffaloes from the Terai belt of Nepal
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between somatic cell count (SCC) and various milk quality parameters of buffaloes in the Chitwan district of Nepal during the year 2024. A total of 122 buffalo-owned households were selected using a cross-sectional survey design. Results indicated that average daily milk yield was highest during the first lactation (4.74 kg/day), followed by the second (4.54 kg/day), and third lactation (3.21 kg/day). Conversely, milk fat content showed a decreasing trend across successive lactations. Lactation stage significantly (p<0.05) influenced the milk’s fat, solid-not-fat (SNF), protein, and lactose content. While parity exhibited a marginal correlation with lactose concentration, it did not significantly affect milk yield, fat, SNF, or protein content. A notable finding was that high-yielding buffaloes had significantly (p<0.01) lower fat content than low-yielding counterparts. In contrast, SNF, protein, and lactose percentages were significantly (p<0.01) higher in high-yielding groups compared to low and medium-yielding ones, indicating a substantial impact of production level on milk composition. No statistically significant (p>0.05) differences were observed in SCC and electrical conductivity (EC) across varying levels of milk production, parity, or lactation stages. These findings suggested that SCC and EC are not strongly influenced by these factors under current management conditions. Key challenges identified in the study area included poor hygiene of feeding and milking equipment, unbalanced feeding practices, inadequate waste management, limited infrastructure for milk marketing, and slow adoption of modern dairy technologies.
Performance of rice variety Binadhan-12 as affected by nitrogen management practices under different submergence conditions
An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during the Aman (summer season) season from August to December to find out the effect of different N management practices on the performance of Binadhan-12 under submerged condition. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design where submergence levels were allocated in the main plots and nitrogen levels were distributed in sub plots with three replications. Four submergence levels (S0=Control, S1=Submergence up to 15 days after seedling establishment, S2 = Submergence up to 20 days after seedling establishment, S3 = Submergence up to 25 days after seedling establishment) and five Nitrogen levels (N0 = Control, N1 = 100 kg N ha-1 in 3 splits after submergence, N2 = 150 kg N ha-1 in 3 splits after submergence, N3 = 100 kg N ha-1 in 2 splits after submergence, N4 = 150 kg N ha-1 in 2 splits after submergence) were used as treatments. All the crop characters showed significant differences due to the application of nitrogen. When 150 kg N/ha was applied, it showed superior performance for all the crop characters and highest grain yield (2.82 t ha-1) was obtained from this treatment. In case of submergence level maximum yield (3.49 t ha-1) was obtained in no submergence condition. However, in submergence situation, the grain yield of 2.77 t ha-1 was obtained when 150 kg N/ha was applied with three equal splits until the plants were submerged for 15 days after submergence.
Metals contamination and its ecological risk assessment in the coastal sediments of Badagry Creek, Nigeria
This study was carried out to assess heavy metals contamination and potential ecological risk in Badagry Creek, Nigeria. Concentrations of six heavy metals associated with environmental pollution were determined in the sediments using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The evaluation of heavy metals pollution was determined using the geo-accumulation index (Igeo), modified degree of contamination and potential ecological risk index. Results showed the ranking order of heavy metals in the sediment was iron (Fe) > chromium (Cr) > lead (Pb) > zinc (Zn) > copper (Cu) > cadmium (Cd). Among sampling stations, Fe, Cu, and Zn concentrations was found to be significantly (p<0.05) varied, whereas the concentration of Pb, Cr, and Cd was found insignificantly (p>0.05) different. The Igeo results suggested that the sediment pollution level was found in the category of unpolluted to moderately polluted. Based on the modified degree of contamination, sediments categorized from non-contamination to slight contamination with heavy metals. The potential ecological risk to the biological community was recorded from low to moderate risk of heavy metals pollution. Among different heavy metals, Cd posed the most substantial risk across the sampling stations. Consequently, there is urgent requirement of appropriate regulation and management by the relevant regulatory bodies in order to stop the indiscriminate dumping of sewage and untreated waste into the creek.
Effect of cold air plasma and seaweed extract treatment on wheat seed germination and gene expression under salt stress conditions
This study investigated the potential of cold air plasma (CAP) and seaweed extract (SWE), individually and in combination, to enhance wheat seed germination and molecular responses under salinity stress. A factorial CRD experiment was conducted using four treatment types (control, cold air plasma (CAP), seaweed extract (SWE), CAP+SWE) and four salinity levels (0, 4, 8, and 12 dS/m), with detailed physiological and gene expression analyses. The dual CAP+SWE treatment significantly outperformed all other treatments across key parameters. Germination percentage increased from 63.59% in untreated seeds to 89.42%, while mean germination time decreased from 4.53 to 3.56 days. Radicle length improved from 4.23 cm to 5.44 cm, and total chlorophyll content rose from 34.24 to 40.57 SPAD units. Enzymatic activity also increased, with α-amylase rising from 3.00 to 3.96 U/mg protein and SOD from 84.08 to 92.86 U/g fresh weight under CAP+SWE. At the molecular level, RT-qPCR analysis revealed that the CAP+SWE treatment significantly upregulated salt-responsive genes: P5CS (3.42-fold), NHX1 (3.14-fold), and APX1 (3.18-fold), compared to control levels. Notably, the highest gene expression values were observed at 8 dS/m salinity, suggesting optimal stress-induction synergy. These findings showed that combining physical (CAP) and biological (SWE) priming produces complementary physiological and molecular responses, hence improving the salt stress resistance in wheat. In saline conditions, this combined priming technique is a sensible, environmentally friendly way to raise seed vigour and early growth performance.
Comparative socio-economic analysis of manual and mechanized transplantation method of spring rice (Oryza sativa) production in Chitwan, Nepal
This study aimed to assess and compare the socioeconomic aspects of mechanized and manual transplantation methods in spring rice production. A survey was conducted in 2024 through pre-tested interview schedules and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) to collect primary data, while secondary data were collected from relevant publications. A total of 90 farmers (45 using manual transplantation and 45 using mechanized transplantation) were selected through simple random sampling from two purposively chosen municipalities. Among the respondents, 51.1% continued using the traditional manual transplantation method, while 48.9% adopted the mechanized transplantation method, citing cost-effectiveness as a key factor. Similarly, 36.69% of labour cost was accounted for total cost of production in manual transplantation method whereas only 23.45% of labour cost was accounted for total cost of production in mechanized transplantation method. The average gross margin per hectare in mechanized transplantation method (NPR 93325.25/ USD 681.58) was higher than the manual transplantation method (NPR 64654.561/ USD 472.19). Using mechanized transplantation method was more profitable (BCR: 1.76) than using manual transplantation method (BCR: 1.50) in spring rice production. The findings indicated that mechanized transplantation method significantly (p<0.05 reduces dependence on labour and enhances profitability in spring rice production. Therefore, I creased promotion of mechanization, along with policy measures and access to appropriate machinery, could reverse the productivity decline and improve the economic resilience of rice farmers in Chitwan, Nepal.
Morphological and genetic diversity of local Sudanese lines of snake melon (Cucumis melo var. flexuosus)
Snake melon (Cucumis melo var. flexuosus), an underutilized cucurbit with nutritional and cultural significance, is widely cultivated in Sudan but lacks comprehensive morphological and genetic characterization. This study aimed to assess the morphological diversity and genetic relationships among seven Sudanese snake melon genotypes using standardized descriptors and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Field experiments were conducted during the 2022 winter season in Khartoum North under arid-zone conditions. Both qualitative traits (fruit skin and flesh colour, shape, pubescence,) and quantitative traits (fruit number, weight, size, stem length, and node count) were recorded. Significant (p<0.05) morphological variation was observed among genotypes. Genotype HsD11644 exhibited the highest fruit weight (635.33 g), length (48.57 cm), and vegetative vigor (stem length 181.4 cm), while HsD11555, though compact (stem length 84.67 cm), produced the same number of fruits per plant (11.00) as HsD11644. PCA revealed that the first two principal components explained 97.1% of the total phenotypic variation, with PC1 (81.96%) correlating strongly with fruit size and vegetative traits, and PC2 (15.16%) with fruit number. The PCA biplot showed distinct clustering, effectively differentiating genotypes based on their trait profiles. This study provides the first integrated morphological and multivariate analysis of local snake melon lines in Sudan. The identified genetic variability will support the conservation and genetic enhancement of snake melon in Sudan and similar agro-ecological conditions.
Diversity assessment of rice varieties in Khairahani Municipality, Chitwan District, Nepal
The study aims to assess varietal diversity in the Khairahani municipality of Chitwan district of Nepal. A cross-sectional survey and stratified random sampling were employed, surveying 100 households across all 13 wards. The survey focused on examining the effectiveness of varieties cultivated by farmers. Rice, the main staple crop in the Chitwan district, was found to consist of 19.20% of hybrid seeds, 9.74% of local seeds, and 71.06% of improved seeds. All hybrid seeds surveyed were registered, with 77.42% improved seeds and 20.59% of local seeds. Additionally, Chaite-5 was the most prevalent variety, followed by Sabitri and Hardinath-1 among the improved varieties, while Gorakhnath 509 dominates the hybrid category. The study applied the Shannon-Wiener Index to analyze genetic diversity, evenness, and richness among rice varieties. The diversity index for the rice genotype in Khairahani was 2.87, indicating an effective number of varieties of 17.71, a richness score of 32, and an evenness score of 0.49, suggesting moderate to high rice diversity. Agro-vets are the main suppliers of seeds, which were found to be 47%, 15% from preserved seeds, 49% from both agro-vet and preserved sources, 15% from co-operatives, and 13% from neighbors. The study suggested that registered hybrids varieties are prevalent due to higher yields, and easy accessibility, but local landraces are at risk due to their low production. Therefore, approaches aimed at promoting local rice varieties are essential for protecting genetic diversity in Khairahani municipality, Chitwan district.
Farmer’s perception and adaptation strategies to climate change on potato farming in Narayan Municipality of Dailekh district, Nepal
This study was aimed to assess farmer’s perceptions of climate change and their adaptations in potato farming in Dailekh District, Nepal. A total of 97 randomly selected respondents were selected for the study. Primary data was collected through focus group discussions, direct observation, semi-structured questionnaires while secondary data was collected through review of relevant literature. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, time series regression, Logit, and Seemingly Unrelated Regression model (SUR). By analyzing the farmer perception of climate change, 75.26% of the respondent experience climate change. In contrast to 84.5% farmer perceived increased temperature, 94.85% believed decrease rainfall duration with increase in rainfall intensity. The key variables determining the climate change perception of farmer were: socio-economic variables (education, farming experience, and family size) and bio-physical variables (increase in drought, change in insect pests and diseases and lack of irrigation). Based on the study, 58.76% of the farmers adopted climate adaptations. Farmers primarily adapted to climate change through changing potato variety (61.86%), adjusting planting/harvesting time (64%), changing planting method (71.13%), pest’s management, irrigation, fertilizers, and crop rotation. Logistic regression revealed higher education and attainment of training increased adaptation by 9% and 18.54%, respectively. A link was found between farmers’ perception of climate change and the implementation of some adaptation options. Thus, socioeconomic and biophysical variables have a significant association with adaptation, as well as investment in education, extension training, and access to credit, and can be considered to increase climate change adaptation to improve farmers' well-being.
Impact of human activities on Ganga River water during Kanwar Mela 2024 in Rishikesh-Haridwar region, Uttarakhand, India
The present investigation was conducted to study the water quality of the Ganga River during Kanwar Mela 2024 concerning physicochemical and microbiological characteristics in the Rishikesh-Haridwar region. Water samples were collected from fifteen designated sites, including six in Rishikesh, seven in Haridwar, and two outlet points—one from the main river stream and one from the Ganga canal. Among all sites, Har ki Pauri Ghat (HKP) exhibited the highest average levels of several key indicators of pollution: TDS (125.04 ± 34.18 mg/l), pH (7.52 ± 0.14), alkalinity (94.06 ± 10.31 mg/ml), total hardness (117.56 ± 16.43 mg/ml) BOD (2.41 ± 0.58 mg/l), COD (7.41 ± 0.87 mg/l). This site also recorded the lowest average level of DO (9.81 ± 0.63 mg/l) and the highest microbial contamination, with total coliform (2008.81 ± 188.25 MPN/100ml) and E. coli (884.8 ± 57.62 MPN/100ml), marking it as the most polluted location. The second most polluted site, Purnanand Ghat (PG) in Rishikesh, showed the highest concentration of fluoride (0.10 ± 0.09 mg/l). These findings indicated that mass bathing and associated religious activities during the Kanwar Mela significantly impacted the water quality of the Ganga River, particularly in densely visited pilgrimage zones, contributing to elevated levels of pollution. The outcomes of this study underscore the urgent need for robust water quality monitoring, public health risk assessment, and the implementation of sustainable water management policies during mass gatherings to protect the ecological integrity of the river and safeguard the health of millions who rely on it for religious, domestic, and agricultural purposes.
Dietary crude protein optimization for enhanced growth performance in indigenous chickens during the starter phase
Formulating diets that meet the nutrient requirements of indigenous chickens during the starter phase is essential for optimal growth, feed efficiency, profitability, and sustainability in poultry production. This study aimed to evaluate the growth response of indigenous chickens to varying crude protein (CP) concentrations in starter diets and to determine the optimal CP requirement during this phase. A total of 240 days-old chicks were randomly assigned to four iso-caloric starter diets containing 16%, 18%, 20%, and 22% CP, with three replicates per treatment. The birds were housed in deep-litter floor pens with 20 birds per pen, provided ad libitum access to feed and water, and monitored for eight weeks. Weekly data collection included body weight (BW) and feed intake, from which average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. Results showed that increasing dietary CP significantly improved growth performance. Final body weight, feed intake, and ADG increased with higher CP levels, with the 22% CP diet yielding the highest final weight (380.8 g) and ADG (12.3 g/day). However, the lowest performance was observed with the 16% CP diet. Feed intake peaked at 1300.9 g for the 22% CP diet, and FCR decreased with increasing CP content. Regression analysis suggested that FCR was optimized at 20.5% CP. These findings highlight the importance of precise CP formulations to enhance growth efficiency and profitability in intensive indigenous chicken production systems.
Environmental factors affecting Trichoderma spp. and their biocontrol potential in post-harvest disease management
Trichoderma species are filamentous fungi inhabiting soil environments and employed in agriculture due to their capacity to enhance plant growth, disease resistance, and tolerance to adverse environmental conditions. This research aimed to examine the influence of NaCl concentration, temperature, pH, and photoperiodicity on the growth of four Trichoderma species, and to evaluate the potential of Trichoderma spp. as a biological control agent against five post-harvest fungal pathogens under laboratory conditions. Mycelial growth of Trichoderma species exhibited a negative correlation with salinity. Maximum growth rates (4.35-4.59 cm) were observed at control salinity (0 µM). Potato Dextrose Agar media consistently supported significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher mycelial growth (4.33-4.35 cm) than Malt Extract Agar, Carrot Agar, and Komada for all Trichoderma species. The optimal temperature for mycelial growth of Trichoderma spp. ranged from 25-30°C, with maximum growth rates of 4.12-4.40 cm. Temperatures below 20°C and above 35°C resulted in substantial growth reduction, demonstrating temperature's critical influence on mycelial development. Besides, the optimal pH for mycelial growth of Trichoderma spp. ranged from 5 to 7, with maximum growth rates of 4.12-4.43 cm. Mycelial growth of Trichoderma spp. was significantly enhanced under a 12-hour light/dark cycle (4.33-4.43 cm) compared to continuous light (2.24-2.79 cm) and continuous darkness (2.28-2.56 cm) conditions. Therefore, Trichoderma spp. treatments significantly inhibited the mycelial growth of five fungal pathogens compared to the control group, among them, T. koningii demonstrated the highest level of inhibition, ranging from 0.28 cm (B. cinerea) to 1.65 cm (A. niger).
Effect of different postharvest treatments on shelf life and quality of banana (Musa spp.) at Charikot, Dolakha, Nepal
This experiment was carried out in the laboratory of Rural Development Tuki Association, Charikot, Dolakha, Nepal to study the shelf life and physio-chemical parameters of banana. The design of the experiment was completely randomized design (CRD) with 7 treatments and 3 replications with 7 destructive and 5 non-destructive samples. Samples were kept under different packaging materials. The treatments included as control, unperforated bag, perforated bag, unperforated bag with KMnO4, perforated bag with KMnO4, unperforated bag treated with CaCl2, perforated bag treated with CaCl2. The data were collected from the destructive and non-destructive sample in 2 days’ interval and MS-EXCEL and R-STUDIO was used for the data analysis. The highest physiological weight loss of banana was in control (23.33%)and lowest in unperforated polybag (0.66%), unperforated polybag with CaCl2 (0.73%), unperforated polybag with KMnO4 (1.53%) in 12 days after treatment. The highest shelf life of banana was in unperforated bags with KMnO4 (19 days) while the lowest shelf life was observed in control (9 days). The highest pulp to peel ratio was observed in control (2.23) while the lowest pulp to peel ratio was in unperforated bags with KMnO4 (1.46). The pH showed insignificant result and similarly TSS showed insignificant result till 6 DAT while control showed highest (14) and lowest was found in unperforated polybag with KMnO4 (9.33) and unperforated polybag (9.33) at 12 days after treatment. Thus, unperforated polybag with KMnO4 could be used to enhance post-harvest life of banana.
Pesticide use in banana cultivation: Insights into farmers’ knowledge and practices in Nawalparasi west, Nepal
Banana is one of the most important fruit crops in Nawalparasi West Nepal’s serving as a significant production hub. This study was aimed to investigate the knowledge and practices of 100 randomly selected banana farmers regarding pesticide use in two rural municipalities of Nawalparasi West, Nepal. The data was collected through structured survey and were analyzed using MS- Excel and Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS). The study revealed a significant (p<0.05) gap in knowledge with 45% farmers unaware of pesticide labels and only 33% farmers being knowledgeable of Restricted Entry Interval (REI). Despite the widespread reliance on chemical pesticides, only 29% farmers had received training on safe handling practices while 70% farmers had no knowledge on banned pesticides in Nepal. Also, Sigatoka leaf spot and Banana leaf and fruit scarring beetle was highlighted as the major disease and insect affecting banana farming. Among protective measures were insufficient, 82% farmers using only masks but fewer adopting gloves (4%) or aprons (3%) during application of pesticides. Health issues such as burning sensation and skin irritation were commonly reported due to pesticide exposure. Additionally, unsafe storage of pesticide cans and containers were observed, and only 30% farmers storing them in separate storage houses. The study underscores the urgent need for targeted training programs to promote Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and safe pesticide handling practices. Enhancing farmers’ awareness through extension activities and policy interventions is critical to mitigate health risks and environmental damage.
Growth performance of Eucalyptus camaldulensis across two distinct sites in Sindhuli district of Nepal
This study evaluated the site-specific growth performance of Eucalyptus camaldulensis plantations in Nepal’s Sindhuli district, comparing -terraced agricultural land (Site 1) and flatland (Site 2) over nine years. The aim was to quantify differences in growth parameters and soil properties to perform sustainable plantation management. Diameter at breast height (DBH), height, basal area, volume, and above-ground total biomass (AGTB) were measured for 314 trees, alongside soil nutrients analysis (pH, organic carbon, N, P, K) from 43 plots. Statistical analyses (Welch’s t-test, regression) were employed to assess site variations. Results revealed significantly (p < 0.001) superior growth in Site 2, with higher mean DBH (9.00 ± 2.61 cm vs. 6.95 ± 3.71 cm), height (7.88 ± 0.80 m vs. 7.01 ± 1.97 m), and AGTB (26.96 ± 17.11 kg vs. 20.48 ± 34.16 kg) compared to Site 1. Volume distribution also significantly (p < 0.001) favored at Site 2 across all diameter classes (e.g., >15 cm: 0.16 m³ vs. 0.12 m³). Soil pH was significantly lower in Site 2 (4.72 vs. 5.48, p < 0.05), likely due to Eucalyptus litter acidity, though other nutrients remained comparable. Regression confirmed DBH and height as robust predictors of volume (R² = 0.955). The findings highlighted the flatland topography as optimal for E. camaldulensis productivity, driven by favorable microclimatic and edaphic conditions. Therefore, this study recommends strategic site selection prioritizing flatlands and pH-adjusted soil management to enhance carbon sequestration and timber yields, offering actionable insights for agroforestry resilience in Nepal’s mid-hills.
A comprehensive review on drought stress in wheat: Causes, mechanism and management practices
Plant health is cornerstone for agricultue productivity and food security. Severe impacts have been observed in wheat crop including physiological, morphological and bio chemical components as a result of water insufficiency. Seedling growth aspects such as seedling length, length of primary roots, seedling dry weight, and germination percentage are also affected whenever water scarcity prevails in the soil. Early flag leaf senescence decreased the grain yield of wheat while a delay in flag leaf senescence enhanced the grain yield of wheat under drought stress. Physiological phenomena like chlorophyll content, photosynthesis rate, rate of evapotranspiration, and relative water content in wheat are affected by water scarcity in soil. Proline content, osmotic adjustment, and abscisic acid accumulations are affected in periods of water deficit in wheat. Escape, avoidance, recovery, and tolerance meachanism appear in the wheat crop to sort out drought stress. More effective and suitable drought-resistant wheat cultivars producing through advanced techniques are pivotal to combat against drought stress as well as for higher yield and sustainability purposes. In this paper we discussed the causes, mechanism and management practices of drought stress in wheat.
Prospecting the potential of black turmeric herbal tea: Cultivation, processing, preparation and marketable characteristics
Curcuma caesia Roxb. locally called Kali Haldi in India, is a well-known medicinal herb, traditionally used in the management of many health problems including high blood pressure, stomach pain, diarrhea, muscle stiffness, nerve injury, ulcer, cancer, acidity, stomach bloat, gastric, weight management and joint pain. This herb is found to be gown in almost all Indian kitchen yard without any product to be sold in market. The present work explores the potential of unexplored C. caesia in the domain of sustainable agro-farming, the herbal tea industry, its cultivation, processing, preventive medicine, and marketable features for the employment generation. The major objectives of this study were to explore the potential of the shoot parts of the C. caesia as an herbal tea and explore the potential of C. caesia as a means of alternative livelihood, development of a healthy alternative beverage. Manual labour activities were used in cultivation, hybrid methods of dehydration and maceration were used in the processing of herbal tea and packaging were done manually, Door to door marketing and word of mouth were used in the marketing of C. caesia herbal tea. For the first time, the study reports the leaves of C. caesia as a source of herbal tea, the study also reports potential of C. caesia in relation with agro industry prospects, sustainable development, preventive medicine, employment generation and healthy beverage. The present study is a contribution to the mankind in the introduction of C. caesia as herbal health tea and put forwards the lines “Let Tea Be a Medicine and Medicine Be a Tea”.
Enhancing wheat yield through strategic irrigation management
To assess the irrigation strategies, an experiment was conducted with three wheat varieties viz. BARI Gom-19, BARI Gom-21, and BARI Gom-24 and four levels of irrigation viz. no irrigation (control), one irrigation at the crown root initiation (CRI) stage [17 days after sowing (DAS)], two irrigations at CRI (17 DAS) and the booting stage (52 DAS), and three irrigations at CRI (17 DAS), the booting stage (52 DAS), and the heading stage (67 DAS). Variety, irrigation and their association revealed notable impact on the yield of wheat. Within the three varieties tested, BARI Gom-24 demonstrated the highest performance, producing the greatest total tillers/hill (4.43), effective tillers/hill (3.75), grains/spike (40.55), 1000-grain weight (53.93 g), and grain yield (4.41 t/ha). Regarding irrigation, the best results were achieved with three irrigation applications, resulting in the tallest plants (96.22 cm), the highest total tillers/hill (4.79), effective tillers/hill (4.17), grains/spike (44.36), 1000-grain weight (55.38 g), and grain yield (4.35 t/ha). When combining variety and irrigation, BARI Gom-24 with three irrigations produced the tallest plants (99.13 cm), the highest total tillers/hill (4.93), effective tillers/hill (4.33), grains/spike (46.39), 1000-grain weight (55.80 g), and grain yield (4.41 t/ha). All these parameters showed significantly lower performance under no-irrigation conditions. The findings suggest that providing thrice irrigations at the CRI, booting, and heading stages is the optimal strategy for maximizing wheat yield with BARI Gom-24.
Evaluation of maize hybrids for agro-morphological traits and grain yield during winter season at Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal
Maize is a vital cereal crop in Nepal, contributing to food security and livestock feed. Enhancing its productivity through high-yielding maize hybrids is essential to meet the increasing demand. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of maize hybrids based on agro-morphological traits, yield-attributing parameters, and flowering attributes to identify promising hybrids for cultivation in maize growing regions of Nepal. The experiment was conducted during the winter season of the year 2023 at the National Maize Research Program (NMRP), Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal, using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Data were collected on days to 50% flowering and silking, plant height, cob height, ear number per hectare, kernel rows per cob, kernel count per row, and grain yield. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and correlation analysis were performed to assess variability and trait relationships with yield. Results showed the significant (p<0.05/p<0.01) differences among hybrids, with the commercial hybrid SULTAN achieving the highest grain yield (11.00 t/ha), followed by CML161/RML96 (10.68 t/ha) and RML36/RML2244 (9.87 t/ha), both statistically on par with SULTAN. These hybrids outperformed the national checks Rampur Hybrid 10 (4.82 t/ha) and Rampur Hybrid 16 (7.11 t/ha). Correlation analysis indicated strong positive associations between grain yield and plant height, cob height, kernel rows per cob, and kernel count per row. Therefore, maize hybrids demonstrating superior yield potential and favorable trait combinations will advance to multi-location trials, holding promise as future recommendations for the inner terai maize-growing zones of Nepal.
Evaluation of yield and agronomic traits of spring rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes in sub-tropical zone of Sunsari, Nepal
Rice is a high-value economic crop and a primary food source for a large portion of the global population. Enhancing its potential yield is crucial to meet the growing food demands driven by population increase and changing climatic conditions. This research work was aimed to evaluate the phenological, morphological, and yield-contributing characters of seven genotypes of rice, a check variety (Chaite-5), under the prevailing spring season conditions to choose good genotypes with better productivity for potential cultivation in such agro-climatic regions. The experiment was conducted in spring season during the year 2024 under a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications on the research farm. Phenological, morphological, and yield traits like yield, biomass production, harvest index, grains/spike, and sterility percentage were taken into consideration. Statistical analysis with correlation coefficients was carried out to ascertain the relationship between traits and grain yield. The results revealed significant (p<0.05) genetic variability among the genotypes. Among them, IR 17L 1420 was recorded with highest biomass and grain yield, while IR 16L 1619 exhibited the highest harvest index of rice. In contrast, the check variety Chaite-5 demonstrated lower productivity and higher sterility. Correlation analysis showed significant and positive relationships between grain yield and traits such as biomass, harvest index, and grains per spike of rice. These findings suggest that selecting genotypes with high biomass, superior harvest index, and low sterility rates could effectively enhance rice productivity. The study provides valuable insights for rice breeding programs and cultivar improvement under spring-season cultivation conditions.
Soil loss estimation and mapping of water erosion management strategies in the Northern region of Rwanda
This study was conducted in Gakenke, Musanze and Rulindo districts in northern province of Rwanda from December 2019 to October 2021 to determine Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) status, mapping soil erosion areas, annual estimation of soil loss and spatial distribution in northern Rwanda. The study used Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model based on erosivity index, erodibility of soil, slope steepness, slope distance, vegetation covers and conservation practice parameters generated through arc GIS. The utilized data included the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for production of slope steepness. Landsat 8 have been processed in ERDAS Imagine 2014 for land use and land cover. Field data for conservation practice factor and rainfall data for soil erosivity in Google Earth Pro and ArcGIS respectively have been produced. The results indicated that the forest was identified as the largest area covering of 84.08% followed by built up areas with 10.43%, radical terraces account for 4.45 %, bare soil (3.23%), agroforestry (0.77%), waterbodies (0.727%), riverbanks (0.38%), and wetland (0.35%). The average rate of water erosion was discovered as 72 t. ha–1. y–1 and observed that soil erosion is more severe in steep areas than in other places. Inadequate erosion control management results as the cause of spatial distribution of erosion. Thus, it is advisable to prioritize soil and water management practices in steep and mid-elevation unprotected areas before applying them to lower elevations.
Quality assessment of commercial tomato paste in Kurdistan region of Iraq: Implications for agripreneurship and market standards
A study was conducted to compare the physiochemical properties of various popular tomato paste brands (TP). The canned tomato paste samples were procured from local markets in Sulaimani, Kurdistan-Iraq, during the year 2023-2024. The physiochemical composition of six tomato paste samples, representing different brands (TP1, TP2, TP3, TP4, TP5, and TP6), was assessed. The analyzed parameters included such as pH level, titratable acidity (TA) %, total solids (T.S) %, oBrix, moisture content %, total sugar, and ash %. The results showed that the pH values spanned from 4.14 (TP2) to 4.377 (TP3) brands, while the titratable acidity ranged between 1.34% and 2.41%. The TP3 brand had the highest total solids (34.95%) and the lowest moisture content (65.05%), whereas TP5 had the lowest total solids (28.64%) and the highest moisture content (71.36%). Moreover, the maximum Brix and total sugar were noted with TP4 (29.26) but total sugar in TP6 (1.38%), and the minimum Brix was recorded from TP5 (26.50) but total sugar in TP3 (0.92%). Ash content, indicating mineral content the Ash in tomato paste were indicated by using Furnace at 600 oC, the TP6 brand was the highest level of ash about 5.20%, but the lowest level in TP5 (3.47%). These results indicated that tomato paste was safe to consumption. This study helps to raise consumer awareness and offers useful insights for improving local tomato paste production to enhance product quality, support the local businesses, and benefit of both the producers and buyers economically.
Impact of agricultural subsidy on three cereal crops cultivated in Dailekh district, Nepal
This study aimed to investigate the impact of agricultural subsidies on the three primary cereal crops—rice, maize, and wheat in Dailekh district of Karnali province, Nepal and to evaluate the current status of subsidies, their impact on agricultural cultivation, and the variables affecting their allocation. The data was collected through a scheduled of semi-structured surveys and interviews from Narayan municipality of Dailekh district. Data was collected from 100 respondents, among them 60 were subsidy recipients and 40 were non-recipient, using a random sampling technique. A logistic regression model was used to determine the main factors affecting access to subsidies, such as gender, cooperative membership, farm size, and educational attainment. The results showed that the cost NPR 12,283 (90.94$) and NPR 17,625 (130.49$) on land preparation for rice cultivation; NPR 2,737 (20.26$) NPR 9,973 (73.84$) on land preparation for maize cultivation, while NPR 7,010 (51.90$) and NPR 9,417 (69.72$) on land preparation for wheat cultivation was found to be significantly (p<0.01) different among the subsidy recipients and subsidy non-recipient’s farmers, respectively. Similarly, cost of seeds of rice, maize and wheat was also found to be significantly (p<0.05) different between the subsidy recipients and subsidy non-recipient’s farmers. The findings emphasize that targeted and effective subsidy programs should be required to increase the cereal production in Dailekh district of Nepal. Thus, policymakers should concentrate on enhancing marginalized farmer’s access to subsidies, guaranteeing distribution transparency, and launching training programs in order to optimize the advantages of agricultural support programs.
Agroforestry and traditional knowledge: Lessons from indigenous practices in South Asian Countries: A review
Agroforestry is deeply rooted in South Asian tradition as an important and dynamic land-use system that integrates agriculture and forestry. The review sums up indigenous agroforestry practices in South Asian countries, drawing attention to the multi-dimensional benefits obtained through such practices: food security, biodiversity conservation, and economic resilience. Systems such as multifunctional home gardens, Agri silviculture, silvopasture, and the Taungya system represent the innovative approaches developed in the region to integrate trees, crops, and livestock. The traditional knowledge contributing to such sustainable management is often passed down through generations. These indigenous practices, including home gardens and alley cropping, have ensured continued adaptation to evolving environmental and socioeconomic pressures, and lessons learned contribute to modern-day land management in the face of climate change and urbanization. Active women's involvement secures ecological balance and economic stability, representing the sociocultural dimensions of agroforestry. However, globalization, population pressure, and gaps in policies have confronted these practices, which has marginalized indigenous communities and shifted them towards more market-driven agricultural systems. Countries like Nepal and India have provided a policy impetus to agroforestry yet lack of integration and support remains one of the major obstacles. This review signals the importance of policy reforms that integrate traditional knowledge for sustainable development. Integration of indigenous knowledge with modern techniques of agroforestry could contribute to food security challenges, ecological resilience, and cultural heritage in South Asia. The authors call for increased institutional support and inclusive governance to mainstream agroforestry as a sustainable land-use strategy in the region.
Integrated nutrient management for watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb) cultivation in Rapti riverbed, Dang, Nepal
A field experiment was conducted at riverbed of Rapti River, Dang, Nepal from January to June, 2019 to assess the integrated nutrients management (INM) for watermelon cultivation at riverbed. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications and eight treatments (compost manure + chemical fertilizer, vermicompost + chemical fertilizer, neem seedcake powder+ chemical fertilizer, poultry manure+ chemical fertilizer, cattle manure+ chemical fertilizer, 100% from chemical fertilizer alone, control, and farmers practice).“Mastana” variety of watermelon was used for evaluating various combination of organic and inorganic fertilizer for yield, nutrient uptake and residual soil nutrient status. Among these treatments, neem seedcake powder (55 N kgha-1) + N, P2O, K2O (55:40:40 kgha-1) from inorganic fertilizer was better with growth parameters such as vine length, number of branches, number of leaves and yield parameters like fruit weight/plant and yield (tha-1) than other treatments and significantly superior to control plot. Effect of INM on soil parameters like soil pH, total nitrogen (%), available phosphorus (kgha-1) and available potassium (kgha-1) at 0-20 and 20-50 cm depth and organic manure (%) at soil depth 20-50 cm were non-significant. The organic manure content at 0-20 cm depth was highest when neem seedcake powder+ chemical fertilizer was applied which was statistically similar with other treatments of INM but significantly higher than full dose of NPK from chemical fertilizer and control. Therefore, integration of neem seedcake powder (55N kgha-1) with chemical fertilizer NPK (55: 40: 40 kgha-1) would be best fitted for watermelon, in riverbed cultivation.
Evaluation of sunflower germplasms for salt tolerance based on morpho-physiological and yield attributes
The effects of salinity on sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) germplasms growth, morpho-physiological traits and yield attributes among six varieties was studied to identify potential salt-tolerant sunflower varieties for cultivation in saline-prone areas of Bangladesh. For this, an experiment was conducted at Bangladesh Agricultural University in a net house from January 2019 to May 2019. Results showed that all varieties of sunflower exhibited significant (p<0.05) alterations to morphological characteristics aside from stem diameter under salt stress conditions. The physiological changes were also induced, except for one measure of photochemical efficiency. Notably, relative chlorophyll content, photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, and total chlorophyll content shifted in a variety dependent manner. However, maximum photochemical efficiency did not statistically differ between varieties impacted by saline soils. Additionally, salt exposure impacted seed yield aspects such as filled and sterile seed counts per head, total seed weight per individual flower, and 1000-seed mass, with prominent variations among the tested varieties of sunflower. Therefore, out of the six varieties of sunflower evaluated in this assessment of salt tolerance, Hysun 33 was emerged as the most resilient to adverse impacts of salinity on growth and productivity of sunflower in salinity affected regions of Bangladesh.
Impact of organic and synthetic fertilizers on chili: A growth and nutrient utilization perspective
Chili production is highly dependent on nutrient management, and the choice between organic and synthetic fertilizers significantly influences plant growth and soil health. An investigation was accomplished at field research laboratory of Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Bangladesh, between January and April 2022 to assess the impact of compost-based fertilizers and chemical fertilizers on chili growth, yield, and nutrient absorption. The study followed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications and six treatments: T1 (100% Poultry Manure), T2 (100% Cow dung), T3 (100% NPKS - Recommended dose), T4 (50% Poultry Manure + 50% NPKS), T5 (50% Cow dung + 50% NPKS), and T6 (Control). Growth and yield parameters, along with plant and soil nutrient analysis, were statistically analyzed and the means were compared via DMRT at a 5% significance level. The collective application of poultry manure and chemical fertilizers (T4) significantly improved plant height, branch count, fruit diameter, fruit length, total fruit weight, individual fruit weight, and overall yield (31.77 t ha-¹). This treatment also enhanced nutrient content (N: 1.24%, P: 0.047%, K: 0.147%, S: 0.051%) and uptake (N: 39.55 kg ha-¹, P: 1.49 kg ha-¹, K: 4.66 kg ha-¹, S: 1.62 kg ha-¹). Additionally, the combined treatments slightly improved soil organic matter, soil pH, and nutrient levels (N, P, K, S). NPKS findings highlight that integrating compost-based and chemical fertilizers, particularly poultry manure with NPKS, is a promising approach to maximizing chili productivity while sustaining soil fertility. The study bridges the existing research gap by providing empirical evidence on the optimal fertilization approach, offering valuable insights for sustainable chili cultivation in Bangladesh and similar agroecological regions.
Integrating microbial consortia into biofertilizers for sustainable agriculture: Enhancing plant productivity and soil health
Sustainable agriculture focuses on maintaining the soil health, minimizing environmental impact, and promoting plant productivity. Biofertilizers, using beneficial microbes, have become a powerful tool in biofertilizer formulations, enhancing plant productivity and soil health. Microbial consortia, composed of bacteria, fungi, and algae, play a crucial role in biofertilizer formulations by improving soil health and structure, converting atmospheric nitrogen into plant-accessible forms, breaking down insoluble phosphorus, mobilizing micronutrients, and promoting plant growth through growth-regulating hormones and bio control. Benefits of microbial consortia include enhanced plant productivity, reduced environmental impact, soil health restoration and resilience to environmental stress. However, their effectiveness can be affected by factors like environmental conditions, storage and microbial species compatibility. Careful formulation and application of microbial consortia are essential for their success. Regulatory approval is crucial for large-scale implementation and understanding the interactions between different microbes is necessary to design effective consortia that maximize benefits and minimize negative outcomes. This review emphasizes the crucial role of beneficial soil microorganisms in managing the rhizosphere, promoting plant growth and yield through a cost-effective, non-toxic, and eco-friendly approach.
Effect of water spraying time on nutritional quality of mung bean sprouts
The study evaluates the effect of spraying time on growth and nutritional quality of sprouts from two mung bean varieties. The experiment was conducted using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four replications. This study used two factors experiment (variety and spraying time) comprised three treatments for the two mung bean varieties, BARI Muge Bean 2 and BARI Muge Bean 5. The water spraying times were categorized T1 (15 seconds), T2 (18 seconds) and T3 (20 seconds). Data were collected in the Plant Biotechnology Lab and Post Harvest Lab, PSTU. Significant variations were observed in the result; the highest sprout shoot length (6.05 cm) and root length (1.10 cm) were recorded in T3. Additionally, the highest fresh sprout weight was with T3 measuring (25.90 g). Regarding chemical parameters, the highest values were noted as follows: pH in T3 (6.49), Total Soluble Solids (TSS) in T1 (7.22%,), vitamin C in T3 (13.20 g), anthocyanin in T3 (77.50 mg), antioxidants content in T3 (126.40 mg), phenol content in T3 (146.72 mg), carbohydrate in T3 (6.08 g), total sugar in T1 (4.22 g) and reducing sugar in T1 (2.17 g). In conclusion, the combination of longer spraying time and the BARI Mung Bean 5 variety produced higher quality sprouts and enhanced biochemical content, with the exception of pH, TSS, and sugar levels. Future research should explore additional factors affecting sprout quality.
A review on the impact of wildfires on ecosystems, water quality, and health risks to humans
Due to global warming, climatic changes, and enhanced anthropogenic activities (due to population growth) over the past 20 years, the number and intensity of wildfires have increased manifold around the world. Although forest fire is integral to shaping the forest’s flora and fauna and maintaining the environment’s health, frequent fires and their severity are causing several adverse impacts on the environment, aquatic organisms, wild animals, and humans. Wildfire releases the volatile organic pollutants in the environment (in the form of smoke), inducing changes in soil physicochemical properties and affecting the hydrological cycle. The pH values of soil and surface water are altered due to ash, which adversely impacts the aquatic organisms and soil microbes. The soil’s water retention capacity significantly reduced (35-45%). The smoke generated during wildfires adversely affects the health of wild animals and humans. Trends that are predicted to continue are not only a natural disturber of forests and ecosystems but also significantly affect human and wild animals’ health adversely. Wildfires not only damage forests and have a negative impact on human and animal health but also threaten water security, increase the probability of flooding, and increase economic losses. In-depth research and understanding on this topic are urgently needed for the better management of forest ecosystems. In this review research information publish after 2019 was considered and we have discussed the recent update in wildfire and forest fire, their causes, impacts on the soil quality, water resources, biodiversity and human health, and this article will serve as the basis for future wildfire research.
Effect of different packaging materials and calcium chloride on post-harvest longevity of banana
Nepal produces large amount of bananas annually but suffers significant losses owing to inappropriate postharvest management. The objective of the study was to determine the influence of polythene and fiber bag packaging, and calcium chloride treatment on bananas quality and shelf life. The two-factor experiment involved treatments that included bananas wrapped in a polythene and fiber bag of size 60 cm × 60 cm, and an open space, combined with calcium chloride concentrations of 1%, 3%, and 5%, along with untreated fruits kept in open space without using any bag as a control. Each treatment was replicated three times in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The research was conducted for 16 (sixteen) days and the observation taken were physiological weight loss, ripening percent, titratable acidity (TA), and total soluble solid (TSS). Polythene bag with 5% CaCl2 reduced 89.6% weight loss than that of open space with 0% CaCl2. Similarly, polythene bag with 5% CaCl2 reduced ripening percentage by 10.72% compared to open space with 0 % CaCl2. Polythene bag also reduced ripening percentage by 4.14% compared to fiber bag at 16th Day of study. On the 16th Day, ripening percentage was reduced by 5% by 5% CaCl2 concentration compared to 0% CaCl2. A longer time to reach ripening stage was observed in polythene than those of fiber bags and open space. Thus, the polythene bag with 5% CaCl2 fruits had the highest TSS content (23.2 0Brix).
In vitro comparative toxicity of chemical insecticides and botanicals against ladybird beetle (Micraspis discolor F.) in Nepal
Micraspis discolor F. is the most abundant ladybird beetle in rice crop ecosystems and an effective natural predator of several economically significant agricultural pests. However, the widespread use of non-selective insecticides has disrupted natural enemy populations, highlighting the need for safer alternatives to integrate into pest management strategies. Limited research exists on the toxicity of commercial and bio-rational insecticides on beneficial insects. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of various insecticides and botanicals in a laboratory setting to determine which pesticide is safest for M. discolor and to assess its mortality. The experiment followed a completely randomized design with five treatments: Azadirachtin 0.03% EC, garlic extract, Dimethoate 30% EC, Chlorpyrifos 50% EC + Cypermethrin 5% EC, and a control, each replicated five times. Mortality rates were recorded at 24, 48, and 72 hours’ post-exposure. The results showed that M. discolor was significantly affected by Chlorpyrifos 50% EC + Cypermethrin 5% EC, which caused the highest mortality (86%) after 72 hours, followed by Dimethoate (74%). Among the tested substances, garlic extract was the safest, with a mortality rate of 54%, although still higher than the control, which exhibited no mortality. These findings highlight the potential of botanical extracts as safer alternatives for pest management, aiding in the conservation of beneficial insect populations. Furthermore, in order to promote sustainable agriculture, future research should concentrate on developing safer substitutes that reduce damage to pollinators, parasitoids, and natural predators while preserving efficient pest control.
Genetic variability, character association and path analysis of yield and yield attributes of rice genotypes at Lalitpur, Nepal
Rice is a staple for over half the world’s population. Location-specific varietal trials help identify suitable genotypes with desirable traits. A study in Lalitpur, Nepal, evaluated 12 rice genotypes in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications to assess genotypic variability, character association, and path analysis for yield-related traits. Observations from five randomly selected plants per plot were analyzed statistically. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for most traits, indicating ample genetic variability. Grain yield (20.26) showed the highest genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), while effective tillers (24.26%) had the highest phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV), followed by grain yield, straw yield, and tiller number. High heritability and high genetic advance as percent of mean were noted for days to flowering (35.15), total grain per panicle (34.84), tiller number (33.39), and panicle weight (31.55), suggesting additive gene control and selection potential. Grain yield was positively correlated with panicle length (r = 0.47**), total grain per panicle (r = 0.40*), panicle weight (r = 0.43**), tiller number (r = 0.34*), and straw yield (r = 0.62*). Path analysis showed total grain per panicle (2.55) had the highest positive direct effect on yield, alongside days to flowering, plant height, effective tillers, unfilled grains per panicle, and straw yield. Khumal-4, Khumal-8, and Taichung-176 emerged as superior genotypes. Hence, it is strongly advised that these traits be chosen in rice breeding programs to further enhance production. Khumal-4, Khumal-8, and Taichung-176 were the most promising genotypes.
Impact of reduced rate of pre-emergence herbicide with aqueous extract of mustard crop residues on different weed management indices and yield of transplanted aman rice
Effective weed management with herbicides and crop extracts boosts rice yield and growth. In this respect, a field experiment was conducted from July to December 2023 at the Agronomy Field Laboratory (AFL), Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, to evaluate the effect of mustard crop residue extract combined with reduced herbicide doses on the yield and attributes of T. aman rice. The study involved three rice varieties BRRIdhan49, BRRI dhan87, and Binadhan-7 and seven treatments: no weeding (control), recommended dose of herbicide at pre-emergence (RDHP), mustard crop extract (MCE), 80% RDHP + MCE, 70% RDHP + MCE, 60% RDHP + MCE, and weed-free conditions. Results showed the highest weed growth in control treatment and the lowest in the weed-free treatment, with 80% RDHP + MCE showing the second-lowest weed growth. The weed-free treatment achieved the highest weed control index (WCI), weed control efficiency (WCE), and herbicide efficiency index (HEI), while minimizing weed index (WI), weed population index (WPI), weed mass index (WMI), and the Ammonia Index (AMI), followed by 80% RDHP + MCE. BRRI dhan87 produced the highest grain yield (5.36 t ha-¹), while BRRI dhan49 had the lowest (4.54 t ha-¹). The highest yield was recorded in the weed-free treatment (5.80 t ha-¹), followed by 80% RDHP + MCE (5.35 t ha-¹), and the control produced the lowest yield (2.63 t ha-¹). The study concludes that using 80% RDHP combined with MCE is an effective weed control strategy that enhances T. aman rice yield by reducing herbicide dependency.
Prospects and constraints of coffee production, processing and marketing in Syangja, Nepal
Coffee is a major plantation cash crop in the mid-hills of Nepal. Syangja is one of the leading districts for coffee production and export in Nepal. This research was aimed at assessing the production potential, processing constraints, and marketing challenges of coffee in the Syangja district. The study was conducted in three rural municipalities of Syangja, namely Arjunchaupari rural municipality, Biruwa rural municipality, and Putalibazar municipality. A total of 120 samples were selected using a mixed sampling technique, combining purposive and random sampling methods. Face-to-face (FtF) interviews were conducted using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using the Relative Importance Index (RII) and forced ranking methods. The major production constraint was infestation by white stem borer (RII = 0.846), while improper cherry picking (RII = 0.9) was the most significant processing challenge. In terms of marketing, low profit margins (0.74) and price fluctuations (0.635) were identified as key constraints. Despite challenges, Syangja has strong coffee-growing potential due to its favourable climate and high economic returns. The study highlights that coffee cultivation has strong potential to enhance rural incomes in Syangja, but existing challenges in production, processing, and marketing need to be addressed. Poor government support and inadequate market linkages have resulted in dissatisfaction among farmers. Therefore, integrated interventions, including improved pest management, enhanced processing techniques, and cooperative-based marketing models, should be introduced by the Nepal government to improve the sustainability and profitability of the coffee sector in Syangja.
Neglected and underutilized fruits in Nepal: Importance, Challenges and Conservation approaches
This paper investigates the neglected and underutilized fruits (N&U fruits) of Nepal, aimed to explore the potential of N&U fruits in Nepal, examining their importance, challenges, and conservation strategies. The study employs a comprehensive review of N&U fruit species in Nepal, focusing on their ecological distribution, socio-economic significance, and barriers to conservation and utilization. Key findings indicate that certain indigenous fruits, grown at altitudes ranging from 60 m to 4700 m, have the potential to contribute up to 5-10% of local agricultural income and can significantly boost rural economies. These fruits also provide ecological benefits, such as soil erosion prevention and increased biodiversity, with deep root systems that stabilize soils, particularly in the hilly regions. Additionally, N&U fruits are highly nutritious, providing essential carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds that aid in addressing malnutrition and preventing health issues such as cardiovascular diseases. Despite these advantages, challenges such as insufficient research, shifting preferences toward exotic varieties, and climate change hinder their cultivation and commercialization. Conservation strategies like on-farm, in-situ, and ex-situ methods have been implemented, with approximately 30% of local crop diversity being conserved through on-farm strategies. Strengthening research and improving market access could increase the utilization of these fruits by up to 50%, contributing to both economic development and environmental sustainability. This study highlights the urgent need for interdisciplinary research and the development of comprehensive conservation frameworks to ensure the sustainability of these valuable genetic resources for future generations.
Impact of agricultural credit on profitability and efficiency of onion cultivation in a selected area of Bangladesh
Onion is one of the most important commercial spice crops in Bangladesh, grown and consumed almost all over the country. The purpose of this study was to look at the socioeconomic factors, loan profile, profitability and efficiency, as well as the effect of credit on onion production in Bangladesh's Pabna district. Stochastic production frontier method and profitability analysis was used in this study. Primary data were collected through a field survey of 120 onion farmers using a semi-structured interview schedule. The major findings of this study revealed that the majority of the sample farmers were between the ages of 30 and 64; the average family size and annual household income were 5.36 persons and Tk. 264,450 (US$ 2409.57). About 85 percent of the loan money was used for onion cultivation in the study area. Onion production was profitable in the study area. Per hectare, total cost, total return, gross margin, net return, and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) were Tk. 384090.5 (US$ 3499.69), 973657 (US$ 8871.59), 671957.5 (US$ 6122.62), 589566.5 (US$ 5371.90), and 2.53, respectively, for the credit group and Tk. 378412 (US$ 3447.95), 895920 (US$ 8163.28), 599761 (US$ 5464.79), 517508 (US$ 4715.33), and 2.37, respectively, for the non-credit group. The mean farmer's technical efficiency was 94 percent. The impact of credit on onion cultivation was positive. The coefficient value was 0.081. Thus, the study area has tremendous potential for onion production; relevant authorities need to ensure the smooth, timely, and hassle-free flow of sufficient credit to the onion farmers.
Optimizing soil quality and mustard (Brassica juncea) yield through spacing and sesbania incorporation
Soil fertility is an important variable in achieving higher production scales. Sesbania is frequently utilized as an alternate material for soil fertility improvement since it improves the chemical characteristics of soil and supplies plant nourishment after decomposition. An experiment was conducted at Khulna Agricultural University to investigate the way plant spacing and sesbania incorporation affect mustard yield, yield characteristics, and soil fertility. The study laid out randomized complete block design included six treatments, which consisted of three different spacing’s, along with the incorporation of sesbania green manuring crops as a soil fertility improver and using BARI-14 sarisha as the test crop. The findings of the experiment showed that the majority of the yield and yield components notably varied with variation of spacing and sesbania application. Results showed that sesbania incorporated soil with optimum (30 × 20 cm) plant spacing positively impacted highest mustard yield (1.66 tha-1), 5% more oil content and 2.4% more siliqua plant-1 compared to no green manuring plot. On the other hand, plants set up widely (30 × 30 cm) brought in more siliquae plant-1, seeds siliqua-1 and 1,000-seed weight than closer spacing. Furthermore, inclusion of sesbania resulted in improvement of organic matter (7%), available nitrogen (30%), phosphorus (30%) and potassium (50%) in soil compared to non-incorporated soil. Therefore, an optimal spacing of 30 × 20, along with the integration of sesbania (5t/ha), is required to achieve enhanced mustard yield and oil content, as well as improved soil fertility.
Effect of different concentrations of Ethephon on ripening and postharvest quality of banana (cv. Malbhog) in Chitwan district, Nepal
The present investigation on the effect of different concentrations of Ethephon on ripening and postharvest quality of banana (cv. Malbhog) in Chitwan district, Nepal, was conducted to find out the best concentration of Ethephon on ripening and quality parameters after harvest under ambient room temperature (28±5°C) and 64% RH. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD), which comprised five treatments: Control, Ethephon @200 ppm, Ethephon @400 ppm, Ethephon @600 ppm, and Ethephon @800 ppm replicated four times. Different postharvest parameters were recorded on alternate days for 9 days. The use of Ethephon @600 ppm and Ethephon @800 ppm was found more effective regarding banana ripening. On the 9th day after storage, firmness decreased significantly with ripening, with the lower firmness recorded in bananas treated with Ethephon @800 ppm (1.23 kg/cm²) and Ethephon @600 ppm (1.35 kg/cm²). Similarly, the highest pulp-to-peel ratio (3.71) was recorded with Ethephon @800 ppm. The maximum TSS (23.75 ˚Brix) was recorded in bananas treated with Ethephon @800 ppm, which was at par with the effect of other concentrations of Ethephon. TA also peaked in bananas treated with Ethephon @800 ppm (0.67%). Moreover, Ethephon significantly accelerated ripening, with bananas treated with Ethephon @800 ppm requiring only 5.50 days and Ethephon @600 ppm requiring 6.00 days. Thus, in this study, the respondent gave higher scores for bananas treated with Ethephon @600 ppm and @800 ppm, with better sweetness and flavour compared to the control.
Production and marketing system of mustard (Brassica juncea) in some selected areas of Bangladesh
The paper provides an estimate of the marketing efficiency of BINA Sarisha-11, the mustard variety of Brassica juncea, developed by BINA and grown in Rangpur, Jamalpur, and Magura. It looks at various aspects of marketing: the cost of cultivation and returns, the identification of participants in the marketing chain, marketing costs, margins, and efficiencies at different levels. A total of 180 respondents were selected through stratified random sampling comprising 90 farmers and 90 traders. The statistical tools used included profitability and marketing efficiency models. The results showed that the cultivation of BINA Sarisha-11 was profitable as an average net return of BDT 51,291 (423.64 USD) per hectare was estimated with a benefit-cost ratio of 1.94. Marketing efficiency varied among the chains; the Farmer to Retailer to final Consumer chain was the most efficient, least costly, and had the highest producer share of 64.61%. On the contrary, longer chains were costlier and offered reduced producer shares. Farmers complained of seed unavailability, high prices of fertilizers, and lack of training, while traders complained of unstable prices and high costs of transportation as major challenges. The study identifies that there is a need for policy intervention to smoothen the marketing chains, improve access to inputs, and reduce problems related to market infrastructure. This will ensure the value chain of BINA Sarisha-11 is profitable and efficient, adding to the overall sustainability in mustard cultivation within Bangladesh.
Status of large cardamom in Nepal: Trend of production, marketing, challenges and prospects
Large cardamom (Amomum subulatum) grown mainly in the hilly regions of Nepal, is a valuable export commodity that fetch higher prices compared to other agricultural products. Its cultivation which was once restricted to country's eastern regions has now spread to 53 districts of Nepal. There is an increasing trend in both the acreage and production of large cardamom over the past 12 years in Nepal with peak production and productivity recorded in the year 2019 and 2020 which were 9545 Mt. and 0.58 t/ha, respectively. However, various challenges such as diseases and insects has reduced the potential of its production. Thus, the study focuses on identifying the requirements for improving large cardamom production, including disease management, suitable cultivars, and orchard management techniques. The problems associated with the marketing system and challenges related to price instability of large cardamom are also discussed, along with potential solutions. Also, the study proposes future goals to enhance productivity and evaluates the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of the large cardamom production and marketing in Nepal.
Synergy of biochar and organic fertilizer improves soybean (Glycine max L.) growth by alleviation nutrient stress in strongly acidic Taiwanese soil
The potential of biochar and organic fertilizer to enhance soil fertility, promote crop growth, and increase yield is driving their growing popularity in modern agricultural practices. This research investigated the effects of applying a combination of biochar and organic fertilizer on soil physico-chemical properties and the growth attributes of soybean (Glycine max L.) in the strong acidic soil of Taiwan. The study was conducted in a greenhouse using a pot experiment arranged in a randomized complete block design with two factorial treatments, replicated three times. Fifteen days after soil amendment, treatment B35F140 had a significant increase in soil pH of 5.54 compared to the control group. Similar treatment resulted in higher P available in soil of 19.11 mg kg-1. In addition, 45 days after soil amendment, organic matter, available potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, and zinc increased by 19.59%, 236.36%, 38.39%, 112.76%, 7.01%, and 44.59% in the application of treatments B70F140, B35F140, B35F105, B70F140, and B35F70, respectively, compared to control. The tallest soybean plants were seen on the application of treatment B70F140 with a maximum height of 112.75 cm, while treatment B35F140 produced many soybean plant leaves — 51 leaves per plant. Moreover, root hairs extensively grew on soybean plants grown on the amended soils than those of the control treatment. Conclusively, our findings have statistically demonstrated that the combination of biochar and organic fertilizer can improve soil quality and soybean growth characteristics under conditions of strongly acidic soil, as evidenced by a short-term pot and greenhouse study.
Growth and yield response of groundnut cultivars to selected rates of phosphorous and soil amendments in the Southern Guinea Savanna of The Gambia
A field experiment was conducted at The Gambia College Research Farm in the wet season from June to November, 2022. The aim was to determine the growth and yield response of groundnut cultivars to selected rates of phosphorous and soil amendments in The Gambia. A split-plot design was used with two groundnut cultivars assigned to the the main plots and sixteen rates of phosphorous fertilizer and organic soil amendments allocated to the subplots. The treatments were replicated three times. The treatments were applied and incorporated into the soil two weeks before planting. Sowing was done at a depth of 5 cm and the plants were spaced at 50cm between rows and 12cm between stands within the row with one seed per stand. The application of phosphorus (P) at 30 kgha-1 + Farm Yard Manure (FYM) at 5,000 kgha-1 recorded the highest number of branches (18.67) and largest canopy (57.93cm), highest pod weight (1088.70 kg ha-1) and kernel yield (1025.50 kg ha-1), followed by P at 30 kgha-1 + Biochar at 2500 kgha-1 and P at 60 kgha-1. The study concluded that application of P at 30 kgha-1 + FYM at 5,000 kgha-1 significantly increased the production of pod and kernel yields than rest of the treatments tested on groundnut. Therefore, this treatment is recommended for adoption by small-scale farmers to increase groundnut production and P availability in Gambian soils.
A review on co-composting of biosolids and its use in crops cultivation for agriculture sustainability
Generation and disposal of biosolids (solid and semisolid materials left after the wastewater treatment) has becoming a challenge globally. A large number of objectionable components like heavy metals, pesticides, detergents and pathogens restricts the direct application of biosolids in the cultivation of agricultural crops as it contaminates the soil as well as the cultivated crops and causes health issues. Co-composting of biosolids can be a viable option to utilize the biosolids in a definite proportion along with different types of biodegradable materials (co-substrate) such as, kitchen waste, agricultural residues, forestry waste and waste from the animal husbandry etc. Co-composting improves the nutrients status of the composted biosolids and reduce the risk of accumulation of toxic heavy metals and pathogens in the soil and cultivated crops. The application of biosolids compost in to the soils significantly improve the physical structure, nutrients composition and microbial profile of the soils and subsequently enhance the crops productivity. It also reduces the risk of contamination of the soils and cultivated agricultural crops in comparison to the direct use of biosolids in soil amendment. In this paper we discussed the use of biosolids in agriculture, co-composting of biosolids with different co-substrates and their application in the cultivation of different agricultural crops for sustainable agriculture production.
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Effect of technological interventions on yield gap analysis and profitability of winter onion (Allium cepa L.) varieties
The present study was conducted in growing onion through front line demonstrations (FLDs) by Spices Research Sub-Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Faridpur, Bangladesh during winter season of 2023-2024. The experiment was set up at five farmers’ fields under five villages such as Ramchandrapur, Bajarkandi, Bisnudia, Chilarkandi and Narasinghdia of Faridpur district. Under the present investigation, two high yielding recent varieties (BARI Piaz-4 and BARI Piaz-6) with improved management practices was intervened to exhibit its performance, to find out yield gaps and to assess profitability of onion. A local variety with farmers’ traditional practices was grown (as check) adjacent to the demonstration plot. The study revealed a large average yield gap (5.33 t/ha). The demonstration variety produced higher average yield (20.01 t/ha) as compared to the local variety (16.67 t/ha). The average demonstration yield was 19.97% higher than that of local variety. The technology gap and extension gap had higher in BARI Piaz-4 (2.22 & 3.66 t/ha) as compared to those of BARI Piaz-6 (1.76 & 3.01 t/ha), respectively. The technology index of BARI Piaz-4 and BARI Piaz-6 were 9.65 and 8.38%, respectively. Lower technology index proves the strength of new technology with recommended package of practices. Adoption index value of BARI Piaz-6 was higher (77.78%) than that of BARI Piaz-4 (66.66%). The demonstration varieties performed also better over control based on the quality parameters. Demonstration variety gave higher average gross return (Tk. 927770 ≅ $7731), net return (Tk. 690110 ≅ $5751) and benefit-cost ratio (3.90) over local variety (Tk. 707000 ≅ $5892, Tk. 463450 ≅ $3862 & 2.90), respectively. Considering yield, quality and profitability; farmers expressed their satisfaction to the performance of BARI Piaz-4 and BARI Piaz-6 with improved management practices. But farmers preferred BARI Piaz-6 over BARI Piaz-4 based on quality and market price of onions.
Influence of sowing dates and weeding regimes on growth attributes and maize dry fodder yield
Effective agricultural practices are pivotal for ensuring optimal crop yields and sustainable farming. Two critical factors that significantly influence crop productivity are the date of planting and the weeding regime. An experiment was carried out to investigate how the timing of planting and the frequency of weeding impact the growth characteristics and fodder yield of maize. The study involved three planting dates viz. 15 November (D1), 15 December (D2) and 14 January (D3) along with five different weeding regimes viz. no weeding (W0), two hand weedings at 15 and 30 days after sowing (DAS) (W1), pre-emergence herbicide (pendimethalin) + one hand weeding at 30 DAS (W2), post-emergence herbicide (pyrazosulfuran-ethyl) + one hand weeding at 30 DAS (W3), and pre-emergence herbicide (pendimethalin) + post-emergence (pyrazosulfuran-ethyl) herbicide (W4). The growth characteristics and the amount of dry fodder produced were notably affected by the timing of planting, the method of weeding and how these factors interacted. At harvest, the tallest plant (138.48 cm) and total dry matter production plant-1 (37.32 g) were recorded in the plants sown on 15 November with the application of pre-emergence herbicide (pendimethalin) + one hand weeding at 30 DAS. The maximum number of leaves plant-1 (13.33) and leaf chlorophyll content (116.60) were obtained from15 November with the application of pre-emergence herbicide (pendimethalin) + post-emergence (pyrazosulfuran-ethyl) herbicide and 14 January with the application of pre-emergence herbicide (pendimethalin) + one hand weeding at 30 DAS. The highest dry fodder yield (4.14 t ha-1) was achieved with maize planted on 15 November and treated with pre-emergence herbicide (pendimethalin) + one hand weeding at 30 days after sowing. Based on the study, it can be concluded that planting on November 15 using a pre-emergence + one hand weeding 30 days after sowing may result in the tallest plants, maximum total dry matter production and the maximum dry fodder yield of maize.
A study on family farm-enterprise of producers in rural communities of the Gambia
The agricultural systems of the Gambia entirely depend on rain-fed agriculture, and it propels economic growth. Agriculture's contribution to the Gambia's GDP is 22%. The Gambia's economy heavily depends on agriculture and provides 30–40% of the country's foreign exchange earnings. Family farm enterprise is a lucrative business, but limited research work has been done to determine its economic contributions in improving the livelihoods of producers. The problem statement of the research work is to identify knowledge gap, finance, and markets of family farm producers to enhance production capacity, yield and income. The objective identifies the contribution of family enterprise to the economy, and to address the challenges that affects profitability. The study applied a purposive sampling technique for qualitative and quantitative approaches. The methodology of data collection was focus group discussion, key informants’ interviews and review of secondary data from other research work. A total of (5) focus group discussions, (90) interviews and (10) key informants was conducted in 3 agricultural regions. The results showed female participates immensely in family farm production than male of 443 and 25 respectively. The result showed positive contribution in socio-economic development were North Bank Region scored D2, 709,225 while lowest income earned was Central River Region amounting to D279,700.00 respectively. In conclusion, family farm enterprises can boost local economy of rural communities enhancing livelihoods. Thus, recommend government to create easy access to finance, market and training on business management skills for the family members engaged in agriculture as a business entity.
Assessments and identification of major insect pests on sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) in the field at Darasalaam district, Somaliland
A field survey was carried out in 2024 to assess major insect pests of sweet orange in Darasalaam district. Among three extensive sweet orange-growing villages namely Maluugta, Horri-Haadlay, and Kal-Qoray were selected. A total of 214 sweet orange orchards were assessed and the study applied a purposive sampling technique for both qualitative and quantitative approaches. In order to quantify qualitative phenomena related to the ranking of the common insect pests on sweet orange orchards, indexing was carried out. The obtained data was coded and subjected to SPSS version 20. The result showed, that a leaf miner, mealy bugs, brown scale insects, citrus black flies, fruit-sucking moths, and pysllids were identified as major insect pests on all range farms. These major insect pests were ranked by individual respondents of farmers with 6 as the highest rank and 1 as the lowest rank. Weightage was given for the ranked position as 1.6, 1.1, 0.79, 0.42, 0.20, and 0.06 for first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and six positions respectively. Likewise, according to major reasons for incidence, climate change received an index of 1.40, placing it in the first rank, followed by poor management practices, lack of knowledge, weak planting material and poor soil fertility status were indexed 0.41, 0.19, 0.08 and 0.02, respectively. This study provides benchmark information about major insect pests of sweet oranges in the field in order to develop an effective and safe insect control strategy for the orange farms in Darasalaam district.
Evaluation of intercropping legumes and green manuring on soil properties in maize field
A field experiment was conducted at Lamjung campus, Sundarbazar from March to July of the year 2023 to find out the effect of different legumes and green manuring on the improvement of soil moisture. The experiment was set up in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five treatments which are maize, Maize + Cowpea, Maize + French bean, Maize + Soybean and Maize + Green manuring and 4 replications. It was observed that the use of green manuring was better than the control treatment in increasing moisture content by more than 2.34 times (p<0.05). The control treated plots had higher bulk density which also meant that there was less moisture in the soil. The use of green manuring was seen to decrease the soil temperature by about 1.17 times as compared to the control. As compared to the control system, green manuring enhanced the organic carbon content by more than 2.21 times that of the control. Maize plant growth with the help of green manuring was excellent, ear length was about 20.72 cm and diameter was 3.22 cm and 2.25 % nitrogen content was found in the green manuring treatment and it is a requirement for cell division and elongation. These results indicate that green manuring notably improves maize productivity by substantially increasing soil moisture retention, maintaining soil temperature, and raising organic carbon content of soil. Therefore, green manuring is a sustainable and successful agricultural technique that improves soil qualities and crop yields, according to the study's findings.
Genetic diversity and morphological characterization of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) landraces in Nepal
This study examined the genetic diversity and phenotypic characteristics of 60 wheat landraces from 24 districts across Nepal. The study was conducted at the National Agriculture Genetic Resources Centre (NAGRC) in Khumaltar, where it employed a non-replicated augmented block design to assess eight qualitative and sixteen quantitative traits based on Bioversity International descriptors. The Shannon-Weaver diversity index (H') for wheat landraces varies from 0.457 to 0.979 across qualitative traits. Tillering capacity shows the highest diversity at 0.979, and glume hairiness has the lowest diversity at 0.457. The coefficient of variation (CV) for the quantitative traits of wheat landraces varied widely; percentages ranged from 7.58% for days of heading, suggesting relatively low variability, to 36.56% for spike exertion, indicating high variability among the samples. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with an eigenvalue greater than 1 revealed that five principal components accounted for 70.95% of the variability, with traits like plant height and spike exertion playing pivotal roles in genotype differentiation. A dendrogram generated using a UPGMA clustering approach organized the landraces into two groups. Cluster-I consists of 56 accessions (93.33%), and Cluster–II consist of 4 Accessions (6.67%) separated by 2374.99, indicating phenotypic differentiation between the groups. These findings underscore the importance of targeted breeding programs based on specific trait performance, supported by further correlation analysis to identify optimal characteristics for breeding. This research highlights the need to continue evaluating these landraces through environmental trials and biotechnological approaches to fully capitalize on their genetic potential for improving wheat cultivation.
Probiotics in aquaculture: A pathway to safer and healthier fish farming
Aquaculture benefits greatly from probiotic bacteria, which are also very helpful in preventing a number of infectious diseases. They can be use in place of antibiotics and antimicrobials. Fish that take probiotics have stronger immune systems and grow faster. They aid in the elimination of heavy metals in addition to fostering fish development. Although probiotics can be extracted from a variety of sources, the fish's own stomach is the best source for probiotics. The source of putative probiotics is the same as that of the organism ingesting them. Potential probiotics can flourish in the fish gastrointestinal tract since they are already acclimated to the conditions of the fish gut. Numerous bacteria have been used as probiotics in various experiments, primarily as a feed supplement at varying concentrations. Fish treated with probiotic bacteria have shown positive effects such as improved growth with lower production costs, improved reproductive performances, improved immunology, and disease resistance. When utilized in place of commercial antibiotics and antimicrobials, which can lead to resistance against bacterial species when overused, probiotics can be advantageous for fish farmers. In this paper, aquaculture probiotics, their types, work of mechanism and their uses have been discussed for sustainable aquaculture productivity.
Environmental and human factors affecting Indian major carps' spawning in Halda River, Bangladesh
The spawning success of Indian major carps (IMCs) in the Halda River is intricately linked to favorable environmental and hydrological conditions, which have shown significant variability in recent years. This research aimed to investigate the environmental and anthropogenic factors driving to decline in IMC spawning and propose sustainable management strategies. Field investigations were conducted across four key spawning sites, analyzing hydrological parameters, climatic trends, and anthropogenic influences. Results revealed a sharp decline in IMC spawning success in the year 2021, with egg production dropping to 8,580 kg and fry yield to 105.73 kg which reductions of 66% and 73.3%, respectively, compared to 2020. Key environmental stressors included rising temperatures (contributing 90% of observed variation), reduced rainfall (86%), decreased hill water runoff (84%), and saline intrusion (76%). Anthropogenic disturbances, such as pollution (76%), river bend cutting (80%), rubber dams’ installation (78%), and abandoned sluice gates (84%), intensified these challenges. This study reveals climatic and anthropogenic impacts on IMC spawning decline in the Halda River, stressing the need for ecosystem-based conservation. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted mitigation measures, including minimizing anthropogenic disturbances and restoring natural river dynamics, to enhance the resilience of IMC spawning habitats and ensure sustainable fisheries in the Halda River.
Econometrics analysis of consumers’ willingness to purchase organic fruits and vegetables in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal
The number of people interested in environment-friendly products and becoming health-conscious has increased. The tendency of consumers to buy organic fruits and vegetables is growing gradually. Nonetheless, the number of people consuming organic fruits and vegetables is low in the case of Nepal due to the higher price of organic products. As a response to the problem, a study was conducted among 159 people who were randomly surveyed consumers of Kathmandu Valley to determine the various factors affecting the willingness of consumers to pay for organic fruits and vegetables. We used general linear regression model was applied to determine the consumers’ willingness to purchase organic vegetables and fruits. The analysis shows that 46 percent of consumers are willing to pay up to 24 percent for conventional products. The study found that the factors like Income, and Education were significant factors in determining the willingness of consumers to purchase organic vegetables and fruits. Consumers' health awareness is critical in determining the attitude, intention, and frequency of purchasing organic vegetables and fruits However, this study shows that in underdeveloped nations like Nepal, health issues and environmental issues are not significant factors in consuming organic products, whereas higher income plays a significant role in purchasing organic products.