Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science

Heavy metal (HM) poisoning of agricultural soils poses a serious risk to plant life, human health, and global food supply. When HM levels in agricultural soils get to dangerous levels, it harms crop health and yield. Chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) are the main heavy metals. The environment contains these metals in varying degrees, such as in soil, food, water, and even the air. These substances damage plants and alter soil characteristics, which lowers crop yield. Crop types, growing circumstances, elemental toxicity, developmental stage, soil physical and chemical properties, and the presence and bioavailability of heavy metals (HMs) in the soil solution are some of the factors affecting the amount of HM toxicity in crops. By interfering with the normal structure and function of cellular components, HMs can impede various metabolic and developmental processes. Humans are exposed to numerous serious diseases by consuming these affected plant products. Exposure to certain metals can harm the kidneys, brain, intestines, lungs, liver, and other organs of the human body. This review assesses (1) contamination of heavy metals in soils through different sources, like anthropogenic and natural; (2) the effect on microorganisms and the chemical and physical properties of soil; (3) the effect on plants as well as crop production; and (4) entering the food chain and associated hazards to human health. Lastly, we identified certain research gaps and suggested further study. If people want to feel safe in their surroundings, there needs to be stringent regulation of the release of heavy metals into the environment.

Ecological intensification, or the improvement of crop yield through enhancement of biodiversity, may be a sustainable pathway toward greater food supplies. Such sustainable increases may be especially important for the 2 billion people reliant on small farms, many of which are undernourished, yet we know little about the efficacy of this approach. Using a coordinated protocol across regions and crops, we quantify to what degree enhancing pollinator density and richness can improve yields on 344 fields from 33 pollinator-dependent crop systems in small and large farms from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. For fields less than 2 hectares, we found that yield gaps could be closed by a median of 24% through higher flower-visitor density. For larger fields, such benefits only occurred at high flower-visitor richness. Worldwide, our study demonstrates that ecological intensification can create synchronous biodiversity and yield outcomes.

L.) is a wild herbaceous perennial blooming plant that is commonly known as stinging nettle. It's a common, multi-purpose crop that's sometimes overlooked. Europe, Asia, North Africa, and North America are all home to stinging nettle. It is a plant that's edible and has nutritional and medicinal properties. Young leaves can be used to make curries, herb soups, and sour soups. The root of the stinging nettle is used to treat mictional difficulties associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia, while the leaves are used to treat arthritis, rheumatism, and allergic rhinitis. Its leaves are abundant in fiber, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidant compounds like polyphenols and carotenoids, as well as antioxidant compounds like polyphenols and carotenoids. Stinging nettle has antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, anti-infectious, hypotensive, and antiulcer characteristics, as well as the ability to prevent cardiovascular disease, in all parts of the plant (leaves, stems, roots, and seeds). Stinging nettle improves fish reproductive performance, making it a cost-effective aquaculture plant. Fertilizer and insecticides can be made from the plants. This review examines the nutritional and pharmacological aspects of stinging nettle, as well as its possible health advantages. Scientists, farmers, and academicians interested in stinging nettle collecting, cultivation, research, and development would find this review useful.

This study was conducted to investigate the normal somatic cell count (SCC) and to define subclinical mastitis in Murrah buffaloes. Data were collected from 60 clinically normal buffaloes stationed at five farms of Chitwan Nepal and Buffalo Research Center, Hissar, India. Somatic cell count was measured using the Newman-Lampert staining technique. The upper limit of SCC was determined >or=200 000/ml of milk based on the mean +/- 2SD of a total SCC. Abnormal data of the SCC was repeatedly removed, which lie beyond the values of more than mean + 2SD until all the data come to lie within (mean + 2SD). Averages of SCC of right front and right hind quarters were significantly higher than left front and left hind quarters. Nearly 94% of California mastitis test (CMT) negative quarters were having somatic cells >or=200 000/ml. The mean SCC of CMT positive quarter was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than CMT negative quarters. Subclinical mastitis was diagnosed on the basis of samples with SCCs >or=200 000/ml with positive bacterial cultures. Subclinical mastitis was found in 21.7% buffaloes and 8% of the quarter foremilk samples. Neutrophil counts were significantly higher in subclinical mastitis milk.

Boron (B) deficiency limits reproductive growth more than vegetative growth in cereals such as wheat. The purpose of the present study was to identify the critical stages of anther development of wheat (‘Wilgoyne’) during which B deficiency causes a significant and irreversible decrease of floret fertility in order to formulate timely measures for correcting or preventing this problem. Withdrawing B from the rooting medium for 3 d between premeiotic interphase through meiosis to late tetrad, limited anther elongation and resulted in the loss of pollen viability. The negative effects of B withdrawal on anther length suggest that the role of B in reproductive cell walls is similar to that in vegetative ones. The results indicated that as more florets reached meiosis within the period of B withdrawal, the lower was floret fertility and the number of grains set in a whole ear. For the whole ear, the critical period during which B deficiency causes maximal and irreversible damage to floret fertility was about 7 d, extending from the early emergence of the flag leaf to 2–3 d after its full emergence. The results suggest that there are two phases of pollen development sensitive to boron deficiency: the period from premeiotic interphase through meiosis to late tetrad was the most sensitive stage of microsporogenesis in wheat while the period from mitosis-I to II during which starch accumulation occurred in pollen grains was less sensitive. Copyright 2000 Annals of Botany Company

Spot blotch is an important disease of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) in South Asia. Division of test sites for this disease into homogenous subregions is expected to contribute to more efficient evaluation and better differentiation of cultivars. Data from a collaborative regional program of South Asia conducted by CIMMYT were analyzed to group testing sites into relatively homogenous subregions for spot blotch area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC). Five‐year data of eight locations from Eastern Gangetic Plains Nursery (EGPSN) and five locations of the Eastern Gangetic Plains Yield Trial (EGPYT) conducted in three countries (India, Nepal, and Bangladesh) of South Asia were used. A hierarchical cluster analysis was used to group locations on the basis of genotype × location interaction effects for spot blotch AUDPC. Cluster analysis divided South Asia into two broad regions and four subregions. This classification was not entirely consistent with the geographic distribution of locations, but clusters mostly followed general geographic‐climatic locations. The locations Varanasi (India) and Bhairahawa (Nepal) were identified as the most suitable sites for evaluation of spot blotch, followed by Rampur (Nepal). The major determinant for the clustering was mean temperature. The results suggest that the major wheat region of South Asia can be divided into subregions, which may reduce the cost of resistance evaluation and aid in developing wheat with resistance to this disease.

Insects are viewed from the harmful perspectives and aimed at killing them through several means including indiscriminate use of deadly chemicals. If good judgment made keeping views on sustainable crop production, natural balance and pollution free environment, they are important component of the ecosystem and their beneficial aspects are immense. One of them is that insects provide pollination service to plants. The study showed that over 50 species of insects visited flowers of 17 different species of selected crops during flowering periods. The visiting preferences of insects to flowers of different crops differed among the crop species and insect species as well. In fact, of the total pollination activities, over 80% is performed by insects and bees contribute nearly 80% of the total insect pollination, and therefore, they are considered the best pollinators. The manmade agro-ecosystem exerted pressure and forced to decline pollinators and their diversity, which resulted in reduced agricultural productivity again threatening biodiversity. Management of wide diversities of honeybees and other beneficial insects and flowering plant species occurring in Nepal help to maintain diversity of flora and bee fauna, pollination and reward hive products in the service of mankind. This paper covers honeybees and other insect species visiting various crop flowers. Key words : Pollination, honeybees, insect, flower visitors J. Inst. Agric. Anim. Sci. 27:1-23 (2006)

Digital soil mapping has been widely used to develop statistical models of the relationships between environmental variables and soil attributes. This study aimed at determining and mapping the spatial distribution of the variability in soil chemical properties of the agricultural floodplain lands of the Bara district in Nepal. The study was carried out in 23 Village Development Committees with 12,516 ha total area, in the southern part of the Bara district. A total of 109 surface soil samples (0 to 15 cm depth) were collected and analyzed for pH, organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P, expressed as P2O5), potassium (K, expressed as K2O), zinc (Zn), and boron (B) status. Descriptive statistics showed that most of the measured soil chemical variables (other than pH and P2O5) were skewed and non-normally distributed and logarithmic transformation was then applied. A geostatistical tool, kriging, was used in ArcGIS to interpolate measured values for those variables and several digital map layers were developed based on each soil chemical property. Geostatistical interpolation identified a moderate spatial variability for pH, OM, N, P2O5, and a weak spatial variability for K2O, Zn, and B, depending upon the use of amendments, fertilizing methods, and tillage, along with the inherent characteristics of each variable. Exponential (pH, OM, N, and Zn), Spherical (K2O and B), and Gaussian (P2O5) models were fitted to the semivariograms of the soil variables. These maps allow farmers to assess existing farm soils, thus allowing them to make easier and more efficient management decisions and maintain the sustainability of productivity.

, apple peel powder, carboxymethyl cellulose, lecithin, and tartaric acid, modified atmosphere packages, and use of high-quality packaging materials like polypropylene. Mushrooms can be kept fresher for longer by steeping and canning. Researchers, farmers, and academics interested in mushroom cultivation and its product diversification could benefit from this review.

AbstractA Survey Of The Medicinal Plants Used By The Tharu Tribe Of The Chitwan District, Nepal Was Carried Out In Four Tharu Villages (Meghauli, Bangain, Baghmara and Sauraha) and Their Adjoining Areas In Cooperation With Tribal Medicine Men, Called "Guruwas". A Total Of 71 Plants Were Identified To Be Of Medicinal Use To The Tharus. The Plants Were Used To Treat A Range Of Diseases Including Headache, Diarrhoea, and Problems Associated With Menstruation and Pregnancy. Most Of The Plants Were Commonly Used By All Four Groups Of Tharus.

Abstract Spot blotch caused by Cochliobolus sativus , is an important disease of wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) in the warm areas of South Asia. In the past, efforts have been made to improve spot blotch resistance in susceptible commercial cultivars. It is important to assess how much spot blotch‐induced yield loss still occurs under resource‐limited farming conditions using a newly released wheat cultivar. The outcome could underline further work needed towards breeding for foliar blight resistance. The present 2‐year study was conducted to determine the reduction in grain yield and its components in a newly released Nepali wheat cultivar, Gautam, on resource‐poor farms under a rice–wheat cropping sequence. Spot blotch severity went up to 100% and 70% in 2004 and 2005 respectively. The use of the fungicide Opus (epoxiconazole) reduced disease severity to below 10% suggesting its value in controlling spot blotch in the absence of highly spot blotch resistant wheat cultivars. Grain yield loss due to spot blotch ranged from 4% to 38% and 25% to 43% in 2004 and 2005 respectively. Thousand‐kernel weight and the number of kernels per spike were reduced respectively by 15% and 10% in 2004 and by 18% and 11% in 2005. The study shows that the level of resistance to spot blotch in the new cultivar Gautam represents a partial accomplishment in breeding for resistance over the past decade. The findings underscore the need for further research support for improving genetic resistance against spot blotch in wheat to increase food security among resource‐poor farmers in the eastern Gangetic plains in South Asia and reduce the yield loss caused by this disease.

A field experiment was conducted at the National Maize Research Program (NMRP) Farm, Rampur, Chitwan during winter season, 2008/09 to study the effects of three plant densities (55,555, 66,666 and 83,333 plants/ha) and three nitrogen levels (120, 160 and 200 kg/ha) on yield and yield attribute of hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) varieties Gaurav, (a Nepali hybrid) and Rajkumar (an Indian hybrid). The results showed that plant height increases with increasing plant density and nitrogen level. Similarly, phenology was not influenced by the densities whereas variety and nitrogen levels had a significant effect on tasseling, silking and physiological maturity. Plant density of 66,666 plants/ha produced the higher grain yield (11.19 t/ha) compared to that of 55,555 plants/ha (9.52 t/ha). However, grain yield at 66,666 plants/ha did not show a significant difference with that of 83,333 plants/ha (10.54 t/ha). Increasing plant density from 55,555 plants/ha to 83,333 plants/ha had increased the stover yield, whereas, the Harvest Index (HI) and grain stover ratio were not significantly influenced by plant densities. Similarly, 200 kg/ha N application produced a higher grain yield (10.9 t/ha) than 120 kg/ha N application (9.76 t/ha), but was in par with 160 kg/ha N application (10.59 t/ha). The yield of the two hybrid maize varieties had no significant difference. Plant density with 66,666 plants/ha and 160 kg/ha N application was the most appropriate for inner terai environments of Nepal during winter season.Tropical Agricultural Research Vol. 23 (3): 218-227 (2012)DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/tar.v23i3.4659

This experiment was conducted to find out the effects of Trichoderma viride on growth and yield of wheat at Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Lamjung Campus, Sundarbazar, Lamjung during December 2016 -April 2017. The experiment consisted of seven treatments; (T1: Control; T2: Soil + NPK; T3: Soil inoculated Trichoderma; T4: Trichoderma + FYM; T5: Trichoderma + NPK; T6: Trichoderma + NPK and T7 = Trichoderma + NPK + FYM) laid out in completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The results showed that Trichoderma viride increased the plant height (4.6%), root weight (1.5%), leaf length (0.3%), panicle weight (9.1%), number of grains (3.8%), grain yield (36.5%), biological yield (13.7%), and biomass yield (2.7%) over control; while root length (-17.4%), number of leaves (-8.4%), tiller number (-10.8%), panicle number (-6.7%), panicle length (-8.4%) highlighted the negative impact of T. viride on wheat plant. T. viride displayed antagonism with inorganic fertilizer. When T. viride and NPK were accompanied with farmyard manure, most of the growth and yield parameter showed the highest value. Though Trichoderma viride decreases several growth parameters, it still can be used as biofertilizer which increases the grain yield. Using T. viride with a full dose of NPK during sowing stage may not be efficient and economical in terms of productivity. Introducing farmyard manure to T. viride gives better yield than T. viride alone.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important cereal crop that provides ample nutritious calories for humans and animals. The nutrient plays a vital role in the production of wheat. In this review, previous works were evaluated to investigate the role of nutrients, nutrient deficiency and toxicity in wheat. Both macro and micronutrients are necessary for wheat plants. Every nutrient has its own character and is involved in different metabolic processes of plant life. Nutrient deficiency and toxicity conditions inhibit normal plant growth and exhibit characteristic symptoms. For optimal growth, development, and production, plants need all the necessary nutrients in balance. A balanced application of the primary nutrients (N, P, K), secondary nutrient (S) and some other micronutrients (Zn, B) are needed to enhance wheat production. The soil tests and the demand for crop nutrients should be assessed to identify the quantity of fertilizer recommended for the crop. This study would be a valuable means to wheat growers and researchers for sustainable and higher wheat production.

An experiment was conducted in Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Rampur, Chitwanduring 2003 to find out the effect of harvesting method and calcium chloride treatment on postharvestphysiology of tomato. Tomato (Hybrid Gootya) fruits with stalk and without stalk wereharvested at breaker stage and dipped in distilled water and different concentrations of calciumchloride viz. 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75% and 1% for fifteen minutes. Fruit were then air-dried andstored at ambient condition (24 ± 3°C and 70 ± 5 % RH). Among the tested treatments the leastcumulative physiological weight loss (12.14%) was exhibited by 1% calcium chloride. The shelflife of tomato fruits was significantly affected by harvesting method and calcium treatment.Tomato fruit harvested with stalk had higher shelf-life (15 days) as compared to those harvestedwithout stalk (12.93 days) irrespective to calcium chloride application. The maximum shelf lifewas noticed in 1% calcium chloride treated fruits (16.50 days) followed by 0.75% calciumchloride treated fruits (16.17 days).Key words: Calcium chloride; physiological weight loss; shell life; tomatoDOI: 10.3126/narj.v7i0.1864Nepal Agriculture Research Journal Vol.7 2006 pp.37-41

Abstract Terminal heat and spot blotch caused by Cochliobolus sativus are important stresses causing significant wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) yield losses in the south Asian plains. Recent studies have shown that chlorophyll‐related traits are correlated with heat stress and spot blotch resistance in wheat. This study was conducted to evaluate leaf photochemical efficiency and leaf greenness (measured as SPAD value) for combined selection of spot blotch and terminal heat stress. The efficiency of photosystem II was measured as ratio of variable to maximal chlorophyll fluorescence, F v / F m , using chlorophyll fluorometer build on pulse modulation principle. The study was conducted in three spring wheat populations derived by crossing spot blotch–resistant wheat genotypes ‘Milan/Shanghai#7’, ‘Chirya.3’ and ‘NL971’ with a susceptible cultivar ‘BL 1473’. The F 3 and F 4 generations were grown under natural epiphytotics of spot blotch either in optimal or in terminal heat stress conditions at Rampur, Nepal. The heritability ( h 2 ) of F v / F m , SPAD measurements and their genetic correlation with 1000‐kernel weight (TKW) and area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) were estimated. The h 2 estimates for F v / F m and SPAD measurements were moderate to high. In addition, AUDPC and TKW showed low to high genetic correlation with these traits. These findings suggest that F v / F m and SPAD measurements could be used as complementary traits in selecting for spot blotch resistance and heat tolerance in wheat.

Taenia solium is a zoonotic cestode parasite which causes human neurocysticercosis. Pigs transmit the parasite by acting as the intermediate host. An intervention was implemented to control transmission of T. solium by pigs in Dalit communities of Banke District, Nepal. Every 3 months, pigs were vaccinated with the TSOL18 recombinant vaccine (Cysvax, IIL, India)) and, at the same time, given an oral treatment with 30mg/kg oxfendazole (Paranthic 10% MCI, Morocco). The prevalence of porcine cysticercosis was determined in both an intervention area as well as a similar no intervention control area, among randomly selected, slaughter-age pigs. Post mortem assessments were undertaken both at the start and at the end of the intervention. Participants conducting the post mortem assessments were blinded as to the source of the animals being assessed. At the start of the intervention the prevalence of porcine cysticercosis was 23.6% and 34.5% in the control and intervention areas, respectively. Following the intervention, the prevalence of cysticercosis in pigs from the control area was 16.7% (no significant change), whereas no infection was detected after complete slicing of all muscle tissue and brain in animals from the intervention area (P = 0.004). These findings are discussed in relation to the feasibility and sustainability of T. solium control. The 3-monthly vaccination and drug treatment intervention in pigs used here is suggested as an effective and practical method for reducing T. solium transmission by pigs. The results suggest that applying the intervention over a period of years may ultimately reduce the number of tapeworm carriers and thereby the incidence of NCC.

Nitrogen (N) fertilizer is considered as one of the most important factors affecting growth and grain yield of hybrid maize. This study was conducted to determine the effects of different rates of nitrogen and varieties on growth and yield of hybrid maize in Lamahi Municipality, Dang, Nepal from June to October, 2019. Three levels of hybrid maize varieties (10V10, Rajkumar F1 and NMH-731) and four levels of nitrogen (160, 180, 200 and 220 kg N ha-1) were evaluated using two factorial randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that grain yield and yield attributing traits of hybrid maize varieties increased with the increasing level of nitrogen from 160 to 220 kg ha-1. The application of nitrogen @ 220 kg N ha-1 produced the highest grain yield (10.07 t ha-1), cob length (16.33 cm), no of rows per cob (14.97), no of grains per row (33.37), cob diameter (4.54), thousand grain weight (276.77 g), stover yield (12.91 t ha-1), biological yield (23.00 t ha-1), harvest index (43.80), gross return (NRs. 208940 ha-1), net return (NRs.104488 ha-1) and B:C ratio (2.001). The hybrid maize variety 10V10 produced the highest grain yield (9.35 t ha-1), net returns (NRs. 91740.66 ha-1) and B:C ratio (1.91) accompanied by the highest cob length (16.25 cm), and as number of grains per row (32.35) as compared to other varieties. This study suggested that maize production can be maximized by cultivating hybrid maize variety 10V10 with the use of 220 kg N ha-1 in inner Terai region of Nepal.

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of Azotobacter inoculant on the growth and yield of wheat (variety Gautam) at the premise of Lamjung Krishi Campus, Nepal during the winter season of 2016–17. A completely randomized design was chosen with seven treatments (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, and T7) each replicated three times. The treatments were control (T1), 120:80:80 kg NPK ha−1 (T2), Azotobacter seed inoculated (T3), Azotobacter soil application (T4), Azotobacter + 120:80:80 kg NPK ha−1 (T5), Azotobacter + 10 t FYM ha−1 (T6), Azotobacter + 120:80:80 kg NPK ha−1 + 10 t FYM ha−1 (T7). Root length, root weight, shoot weight, plant height, panicle weight, grain weight, grain yield, total biomass, and biological yield were significantly affected by treatments. Inoculation of Azotobacter only increased 16.5%–19.42% grain yield over control i.e. non inoculated treatments while with other fertilizers increase was of range 19.42%–63.1%. The increase in yield was 23.3% with only chemical fertilizer NPK (T2) over control. So Azotobacter can be used as a biofertilizer for greater yield and the yield is highest with Azotobacter combined with farmyard manure and inorganic fertilizer (NPK).

Nitrogen fertilizer and plant density are considered some of the most important factors affecting phenology and grain yield of maize. Therefore, current study was conducted to assess the effects of nitrogen fertilizer application and plant density on phenology (days to tasseling, silking and maturity) and grain yield of maize (Variety: Rampur Composite) at Mangalpur VDC-3, Anandapur, Chitwan, Nepal during 2006-07 winter season. The five levels of nitrogen as 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg N/ha and three levels of the plant population as 55555, 66666 and 83333 plants/ha were evaluated using two factorial randomized complete block design with three replications. The days of flowering (tasseling and silking) decreased with increasing nitrogen level up to 200 kg N/ha and increased with increasing level of plant population up to 83333 plants/ha). Physiological maturity and grain yield increased with increasing level of nitrogen up to 200 kg N/ha and plant population up to 83333 plants/ha. The highest grain yield (6925.79 kg/ha) was obtained with 200 kg N/ha + 66666 plants/ha. This study suggested that maize production can be maximized by cultivating maize with the use of 200 kg N/ha and maintaining the plant density of 66666 plants/ha.