International Journal of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology

395-406

Authors: Gapili Naoura, Mahamat Alhabib Hassane, Djinodji Reoungal, Serferbe Signaboubo, Eva Weltzien- Rattunde

Plant genetic resources and germplasm are fundamental sources for plant breeding, and the assessment of the genetic diversity among germplasm accessions is useful to facilitate the more efficient use of plant genetic resources. The current study was carried out to estimate genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance to select genotypes and traits for breeding. In the experiment undertaken, fifty-three sorghum landraces were evaluated for selected seven qualitative and fourteen quantitative traits using randomized complete block design in three repetitions. There were differences (p< 0.001) among landraces for all assessed traits indicating a high degree of variability. Higher genotypic coefficient of variation and phenotypic coefficient of variation were observed for grain weight of main panicle, number of leaf remain green and weight of main panicle. Estimates of phenotypic variances were higher than genotypic variance for all the studied quantitative traits. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for majority of assessed traits. This study allowed noting a positive relationship between number of day to flowering with plant height and stay green, and a negative correlation between plant height and weight of main panicle. A dendrogram revealed four main clusters of genotypes. The D2 statistics confirmed the highest inter-cluster distance between all clusters. This indicated existence of the possibility to improve genotypes through hybridization from any pair of clusters.

414-420

Authors: Premalatha Shetty, Chaithra Acharya, Nalavi Veeresh

Urea-potash mixture was added to the manured soil at three different concentrations equivalent to 0.8, 1.6 and 2.4g f urea per 10Kg of soil. Nitrate and nitrite N concentration in the soil increased within 24h after addition of urea. The nitrate N content in soil without urea was 17 µg and in urea fertilized soils, it ranged from 39.9-47 µg/g of soil after 19h. . Increase in total mineralizable N was around 67- 160% in urea fertilized soils in comparison to the control. Percent conversion of urea to nitrate and nitrite N decreased at higher concentrations of the fertilizer. Addition of biochar to urea amended soil did not bring about significant change in the available N content. Decrease in total mineralizable N and accumalation of available P was observed over the period of 15 days. Addition of urea resulted in acidification of the soil. Acidification of the soil could be correlated with increase in acid phosphatase concentration. The soil amended with biochar exhibited significant buffering capacity in the region of pH 7.4-9.

429-433

Authors: Anil Kumar Tiwary, Sumit Sharma, Milan Kandel, Manoj Kumar Shah

Induced molting of laying hens is a common husbandry practiced in many commercial farms. This study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of induced molting on production parameters along with production economics of Layers. For this study, Lohmann Brown-Classic hens were reared in a modern cage system from 10 weeks of age. There was no significant difference(P>0.05) in egg production in Hen Day Basis (HDP) before 65 weeks in comparison to standard performance table provided by Lohmann Brown- Classic Layers Management Guide (Cage Housing). A total of 8087 laying hens were divided into two treatment groups after 65 weeks of age; one group (N=4055) without any feed restriction (control=T0) and another (N=4032) had induced molting with 15 days of feed restriction, provided with only water and mineral supplements (T1) followed by five days of exclusive Ground Maize feeding. The average HDP before division of treatment was recorded 83.37%. The T0 and T1 group were reared up to 85 and 109 weeks respectively, in accordance to the economical sustainability. The feed intake per bird, egg production including marketable and non-marketable eggs and mortality along with production economics of both groups were recorded. The T1 group reached its peak egg production (88.48%) on Hen Day Basis (HDP) after 62 days following treatment which was higher (P<0.05) than the T0 group. The ratio of marketable to non-marketable eggs was found higher in T1 (69.32:1) than that of T0 (38.53:1). The production cost per egg was recorded NRs.6.86 and 6.99 respectively for T1 and T0 group with 4.33% more profit on T1 than T0 group. This study suggests that induced molting with feed restriction approach is beneficial to bypass the scarcity period with falling market value of eggs and also increase the ratio of marketable eggs to non-marketable eggs.

440-444

Authors: Amar Kumar Sinha

Type 2 DM is the common and rising on the world wide. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of Type 2 DM in eastern region of Nepal. The objectives of this study ware to find out the prevalence of type 2Diabetes Mellitus in different age groups and gender i.e. male & females of eastern region of Nepal. This was a hospital based retrospective study was carried out between the age group of 0-75 and 76 and above yrs during April 2015 to Feb.2016. Sample size 9,765 subjects who were attended outdoor patient department (OPD) and indoor patient department (IPD) investigated for estimation of blood glucose levels were selected. Family history of Type 2 DM (Diabetes Mellitus) was recorded by questioner. Blood Glucose estimation was performed by Glucose Oxidase Peroxidase (GOD/POD) enzymatic method used. Diagnostic criteria of Type 2 DM recommended by American Diabetes Association and WHO.Statistical analysis was done using Excel. Total of 9,765 patients were included in the study. Among the total population 9,765 found1, 195 patients elevated casesin which 829/5,612 were males and 366/4,153 were females. The highest prevalence of type 2 diabetes 47.03% in the age group of 26-50 yrs and the second highest was 44.77% in 51-75 yrs age group. Male were found to be higher 69.4% in all the age groups than females 30.6%. Out of 1,195 diabetic patients, 27.20% have family history of Type 2 DM (Diabetes Mellitus). It has been observed that Type 2 DM is the most common among the age group of 26-50 yrs. It is also evident that the higher prevalence group was found to be males than female’s. Recently it was found that the prevalence of Type 2 DM (Diabetes Mellitus) was increasing which could be due to ignorance of the problems and poor medical service in the country.

453-458

Authors: Manoj Sharma

This study assessed value chain and marketing performance of vegetable subsector of Sindupalchowk district, Nepal with the objectives of identifying the value chain actors and their roles, analyzing the market channel and identifying the problems related to production and marketing system The study was based on both primary and secondary data. The primary data were collected from 84 households that were selected purposive proportionately. The study showed major vegetable value chain actors as input suppliers, producers, bulk traders, retailers, wholesalers and consumers. The total amount of vegetable production was 29.73 tons with productivity of 7.2 tons/ha transacting 17.92 tons of vegetables through four marketing channels. The channel transacting the vegetables to consumers directly by producers was found to be dominant in terms of volume of vegetable which represented 71.75% of total vegetable supplied by farmers (12.86 tons). The bulk traders supplied 18.97 % of vegetables to Kathmandu and 8.77% to consumers of Sindupalchowk district through retailers. The wholesalers were of least volume transacting actor to consumers through retailers (0.51%). The study suggests that Government of Nepal should focus on development of marketing infrastructures to provide equitable market sharing to actors.