International Journal of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology

160-165

Authors: Sangam Panta, Dipika Parajulee

The world vision of no hunger target, food security, and zero poverty followed by raising standards of living of rural people through agricultural transformation is the greatest challenges faced by the agricultural planners worldwide. Due to the alarming state of population growth and cultivable land scarcity, change in agronomic practices which could bring a significant effect on crop production and productivity is urgently needed. The concept of using different sources of plant nutrients combined to check nutrient depletion, maintain soil health, and crop productivity, called INM, has a bright solution in this area. Recently several researchers introduced that integrated use of inorganic fertilizers, organic fertilizers, green manure, and bio-fertilizers is becoming an effective practice not only for increasing crop production and productivity but also for the better crop and soil health. In addition, INM helps to increase the activity of soil microorganisms and improves the soil physical, chemical and biological properties. So, INM create an economic eco-friendly environment by reducing the dependence on inorganic chemical fertilizers and improving the soil fertility, optimizing crop yield, maximizing profitability and ultimately making the agriculture sustainable. Lastly, INM is one of the good agricultural practices which needs to be followed by every conscious individual in order to maintain soil health, nutrient balance and to make the agriculture and environment more sustainable

169-175

Authors: Preeti Sharma, Namarata Thapa Magar, Mahesh BK

Thyroid disorder, such as goiter, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism, are leading health problems in Nepal. Owing to geographical and environmental factors, iodine deficiency is prime cause of thyroid disorder. The objective of study to estimate the prevalence of thyroid disorder in residents of western region of Nepal (Pokhara valley). Materials & Methods: The study design was hospital based retrospective study. The data of T3, T4, TSH was collected from subject visiting Department of Biochemistry at Gandaki Medical College Teaching Hospital and Research Centre, Nepal. The samples was collected, serum was separated and thyroid hormones was assayed by Enzyme linked Immunosorbent assay kit from RFLC (India). Result: The total study population was 2248 cases of which 580 (male) and 1668 (female) were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of thyroid disorder was 22.42 % in western region. Subject with hypothyroidism was 12.41% (279) & subject with hyperthyroidism were 10.41% (234) respectively. Female subject of age (15-44) years had a hypothyroidism, i.e. 52.83% (112). About 73.15% (109 out of 149 subjects) were female cases suffered from subclinical hypothyroidism. The thyroid disorder found most prevalent in reproductive age group in female residents in our study. Conclusion: Hypothyroidism is prevalent in all age group of female residents of western region of Nepal.Our study conclude that hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism found more prevalent in reproductive age group in residents of western region of Nepal.

187-192

Authors: Pramod Gairhe, Sandesh Bhandari, Hom Prasad Sitaula, Beautina Karki, Hira Kaji Manandhar

A study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro efficacy of different essential oils in the management of post-harvest fruit rot of banana. It was carried out in completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications and six treatments at Nepal Plant Diseases and Agro Associates (NPDA). The each of six treatments: cinnamon oil (Cinnamomum verum), mustard oil (Brassica oleracea), castor oil (Ricinus communis), neem oil (Azadirachta indica), coconut oil (Cocos nucifera) and control were used at concentrations 200ppm, 500ppm and 1000ppm respectively. The radial growth of mycelium (mm) and percent growth inhibition (%) of Colletotrichum spp. was recorded. The decrease in the radial growth and increase in the percent growth inhibition was found in all the treatments except control as their concentration was increased, in which the lowest radial growth and the highest percent growth inhibition was found at 1000 ppm concentration. At 1000 ppm concentration, cinnamon oil shows the lowest radial growth and the highest percent growth inhibition (1.67mm and 98.15%) followed by mustard oil (54.00mm and 40.00%), neem oil (55.17mm and 38.70%), castor oil (55.83mm and 37.96%), coconut oil (61.17mm and 32.04%) and control (90mm and 0.00%) respectively.Thus, cinnamon oil is considered as a good essential oil in regards to a management of post-harvest disease of banana.

203-212

Authors: Krishna Raj Pant, Biplov Oli

For the quantitative evaluation of the efficacy of Nitrogen through different plant nutrient sources in the growth and yield of radish, the field experiment was conducted from March 2020 to June 2020 in an Inceptisol with sandy loam soil of the research field of G. P. Koirala College of Agriculture and Research Centre, Gothgaun, Morang, Nepal. The experiment was carried out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with eight treatments (Biogas Byproduct, Poultry Manure, Goat Manure, Farmyard Manure, Vermicompost, Packaged Organic Manure, Recommended Dose of Chemical Fertilizer, and Control) and four replications. Forty Day (released in 1994 AD) variety of radish was used as a test crop. The recommended 100 kg N per hectare was supplied from each treatment, calculated based on the nitrogen content of each nutrient source. Results showed that there was a significant difference in almost all studied parameters from all treatments over control (P≤ 0.05). The highest total fresh biomass yield (123.415 Mt/ha) and highest delta fresh shoot yield (22.806 Mt/ha) were recorded from the application of a recommended dose of fertilizer, and the highest delta fresh root yield (30.127 Mt/ha) was obtained from the application of FYM. The experiment suggests that the application of FYM significantly increased root yield and was positively correlated with other parameters, which might be a good alternative for chemical fertilizers.

220-226

Authors: Bishow Regmi, Tirtha Raj Binadi, Sarb Narayan Jha, Rajib Kumar Chaudhary, Bhoj Raj Poudel, Surendra K. Gautam

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been synthesized by green synthesis using Azadirachta indica leaf extract as both reducing and stabilizing agent. Synthesis of colloidal AgNPs was monitored by UV- visible spectroscopy. The UV- visible spectrum showed a peak at 455 nm corresponding to the plasmon absorbance of the silver nanoparticles. Crystallite structure of silver nanoparticles was studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis which revealed the face-centered cubic structure (FCC) with average particle size of 8.9 nm, calculated using Debye-Scherrer’s equation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image revealed the agglomeration of small grain with particle size ranging from 2 to 14 nm. FCC crystalline nature was also evident from selected area electron diffraction (SAED) analysis. High purity of as-synthesized AgNPs was analyzed using energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. Band gap energy was calculated to be 2.7 eV from UV- Visible spectra. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was stabilized by AgNPs which reveals its antioxidant efficacy. Well diffusion method showed 7 mm to 12 mm zone of inhibition (ZOI) against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, respectively confirming the antibacterial potential of AgNPs.

94-97

Authors: B.P. Mishra, S. Bhatta

Agricultural information is very essential for smallholder farmers to increase farm production and productivity. However, there is no proper access to accurate and adequate agricultural information to smallholder farmers. This paper attempts to identify the existing agricultural information source and the agricultural information need of the smallholder farmers along with usefulness of the provided agricultural information. Household level data were obtained from four wards of Bharatpur metropolitan of Chitwan district during 2019. The result showed agrovet shops as most common source of agricultural information for smallholder farmers. The most needed agricultural information was about input market and prices followed by disease and pest control. Moderately useful agricultural information was provided to smallholder farmers. Findings of this research suggest that context specific agricultural information should be provided through the existing channels to the smallholder farmers.

107-112

Authors: Anita Mishra, Aparna Alia

The tea powder produced from plant Camellia sinensis (L), is popular as a daily beverage drink among the Indian population. The tea plant produces large number of metabolites which are of medicinal value. In the present study, the activity of tea leaf extract was studied by disk diffusion method against the bacterial strains, Streptococcus mutans, Enterobacter fecalis, Escherchia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Psudomonas aeruginosa isolated from the oral swab. From the disk diffusion assay, the tea extract has shown better activity against S. mutans and P. aeruginosa at the concentration, 25 mg/ml. It is effective agaisnt E. fecalis and S. aureus at higher concentration, 75 mg/ml and 100 mg/ml. Thus, the tea leaf can be considered as effective antibacterial agent against the oral pathogens.

122-127

Authors: Sujata Khanal

Azadirachta indica which is commonly known as neem plant has one of the most promising medicinal properties having a wide spectrum of biological activity. Fresh matured leaves, stem-bark and seeds of A. indica (neem) were collected, air dried and aqueous-extract was used to screen for some active chemical constituents. Phytochemicals of neem plant parts were extracted and screened both qualitatively and quantitatively. The screening of A. indica was carried out at Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Paklihawa Campus, Rupandehi in a quest to evaluate the phytochemicals. Among the qualitative tests done for the presence of secondary metabolites; alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, flavonoids were found to present in all of the tested parts whereas steroids, polyphenols and tannins were present only in leaves and stem-bark. Glycosides and coumarins are absent in all of the tested parts. Quantitative screening was also done by using gravimetric method. Alkaloids were found in all the parts of A. indica with the highest amount of alkaloids were obtained in stem-bark (12.8%) and lowest in leaves (10.67%). Highest flavonoids percentage was revealed in leaves (13.8%) and lowest flavonoids in stem-bark (12.8%). Similarly, seeds (2.53%) contained saponins % while it was lowest in stem-bark (2.50 %). Terpenoids % were similar in both i.e. leaves and stem-bark (13.13%), whereas lowest in seeds (12.77%). More research on secondary metabolites will be helpful to the chemical industries to produce plant-based chemicals and minimize the environment degradation from different synthetic chemicals.

133-137

Authors: Anita Pathania, Archana Saini, Sadhana Tandon

Emergence and spread of COVID-19 pandemic which is caused by novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is threatening the whole world. The virus originated in bats and was transmitted to humans through unknown intermediate animal host in Wuhan, Hubei province, China in December 2019. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak needed to be put to an end and we can do this by understanding the situation better. It was of prime importance that masses particularly youngsters should have maximum knowledge of this disease in detail to check its rapid spread. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the knowledge and perceptions of students about COVID-19. With this kind of awareness, each respondent updating one’s scientific realization about this deadly virus and how to cope with this. For this purpose, an online survey was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire using a multiple-choice questions method. A total of 1,111 responses were received. total 840 (75.60%) students from different colleges/universities and 271 (24.39%) school students have participated in this survey. The responders had a moderate level of knowledge about the COVID-19 infection and adequate knowledge about its preventive aspects. The attitude towards COVID-19 showed students' willingness to follow government guidelines on quarantine and social distancing. There is a need to intensify the awareness and address the issues of safety of students about this COVID-19 pandemic as this is still spreading at an alarming rate in India.

16-22

Authors: Emebet Mohammed Abdu, Abeba Haile Mariamenatu

Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a positive-sense RNA virus that possesses four genes that encode the spike (S), membrane (M), nucleocapsid (N), and envelope (E) proteins. The virus was originated in seafood market selling live animals and responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The initial case was traced to the city of Wuhan in the province of Hubei, China, reported as an emerging respiratory virus, the outbreak was reported to WHO on December 31, 2019, and soon after identified the causative pathogen as a beta coronavirus named as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); Furthermore, It is a highly contagious virus that spreads swiftly outside of China in March and the World Health Organization had to declare COVID-19 pandemic on March 11, 2020, and as of August 15, 2020, more than 21 million confirmed cases have been reported, with > 755 786 deaths worldwide. This day’s novel coronavirus-2019 is the most infectious virus with high infectivity and low mortality rate where a high mortality rate was observed among people above the age of sixteen (60) years and with the pre-existing health condition. To date, there is no clinically approved antiviral drug or vaccine available to be used against COVID-19. However, Preventive measures such as masks, hand hygiene practices, avoidance of public contact, case detection, contact tracing, and quarantines have been discussed as ways to reduce transmission. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to summarize the basic biological properties of novel coronavirus 2019.

32-37

Authors: Farhana Shikder Lamia, Roushney Fatima Mukti

Many natural products such as fruits and vegetables are promising amends as safe, effective and affordable approaches to control cancer development and progression, since they are inexpensive and available without any hazards. For instance, the aqueous extract of Ajwa dates (Phoenix dactilyfera) has been found to improve liver function through the restoration of anti-oxidant enzymes, liver enzymes, and cytokines balance and gene expression to normal levels. As the treatment and prognosis of Hepatocellular carcinoma, one of the leading causes of cancer associated deaths globally, has been found to be better if the liver function of the patient can be preserved, Ajwa date extract has been used together with the conventional therapeutics for the treatment of this disease. However, no study has been conducted so far on the anticancer activity of Bangladeshi wild date palm fruits (Phoenix sylvestris) despite the fact that it contains apigenin, quercetin, glucans, luteolin, and iron and vitamin complex. Therefore, in this review we discussed an idea that potential anticancer agents can be isolated from the extract of these fruits, which can eventually be used as an indigenous substance for the treatment of Hepatocellular carcinoma in our country and also the liver cancer inhibitory effects of the aqueous extract of these dates can be evaluated in rat model.

45-53

Authors: Shuma Rani Ray, A. K. M. Aminul Islam, M. G. Rasul, M. M. Hasan Aminul Saikat, J. U. Ahmed

Rice is a staple food for more than half of the world’s population and to increase the yield potential of rice would be a key factor for mitigating global demands of about 810 million tons of rice by 2025. To exploit the economic importance of heterosis, quantitative valuation was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications for 16 agronomic traits of 5x5 half diallel populations during boro season of 2017-2018. Diallel populations were generated by using five selected parents (P1: BRRI dhan28, P2: BRRI dhan74, P3: BINA dhan10, P4: IR59418-7B-21-3 and P5: BRRI dhan67) where, P1 was considered as standard check to estimate the economic heterosis. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant variability among the genotypes for most of the traits except grain length and length-breadth ratio. The results showed that none of the hybrid combination performed better for all the traits over the three types of heterosis. The highest relative heterosis was recorded in P3×P4 followed by P4×P5 for grain yield plant-1, filled grains panicle-1, effective tillers plant-1. Majority of the cross combinations (>60%) revealed highly significant positive heterosis for grain yield plant-1 over mid parent. Heterobeltiosis for grain yield plant-1 was observed significant for 50% cross combinations and could be utilized in hybrid breeding. Whereas, more than 70% crosses exhibited undesirable negative standard heterosis for grain yield plant-1. Only two cross combinations (P3×P5 and P3×P4) among ten revealed significant positive economic heterosis for grain yield plant-1 and those could be exploited in rice breeding.

65-74

Authors: Mukti Ram Poudel, Padam Bahadur Poudel, Ramesh Raj Puri, Hema Kumari Paudel

Assessment of variability and traits association in crop help to enhance selection efficiency. Therefore, the present investigation entitled “Variability, Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis for Agro-morphological Traits in Wheat Genotypes (Triticum aestivum L.) under Normal and Heat Stress Conditions” was carried out during winterseason of 2019/2020 at Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS), Bhairahawa, Nepal to identify traits that highly contribute to grain yield and suitable for its further improvement. The experiment was laid out following alpha lattice design with two replications. The twentygenotypes of wheat was sown in two different environments viz., irrigated and heat stress in November 29, 2019 and December 25, 2019 respectively. It was found that under normal condition, moderate GCV and PCV were recorded in SW, TGW, NGPS, and WGPS. Under heat stress condition, high GCV and PCV were observed in GY. High heritability and high GAM was observed in TGW & GY, NGPS, WGPS, TGW under normal and heat stress condition respectively. Under normal condition SW exhibited positive correlation and high positive direct effect on GY at genetic level and WGPS at phenotypic level. And under heat stress condition SW exhibited positive correlation and high positive direct effect on GY. Whereas, at phenotypic level, WGPS and PH exhibited high positive direct effect on grain yield. Hence it is clear that spike weight and weight of grains per spike are important traits for grain yield improvement.

394-399

Authors: Bijay Kumar Shrestha, Jenish Shakya

Candida albicans is a member of the healthy human microflora, colonizing several niches in the body and can cause opportunistic infection under host debilitated and immunocompromised condition. The present study aimed to investigate the in-vitro hemolytic activity of C. albicans isolated from oral cavity and screen biofilm through three different methods. During the study, 200 oral rinse samples from general human population were analyzed in microbiology laboratory of Central Campus of Technology, Tribhuvan University, Hattisar, Dharan. Nepal. Candida albicans were isolated and identified by conventional microbiological procedures. The hemolytic activity was evaluated through two different Sabouraud dextrose broth media (SDB) containing 7% defibrinated human blood, one supplemented with 3% glucose (SDBwG) and the other without glucose (SDBwoG). The biofilm formation was screened through congo red agar, tube method and tissue culture plate method. In this present study, 42 (21%) isolates of Candida albicans were isolated from 200 oral rinse samples. Isolated Candida albicans exhibited mean hemolysis activity of 28.66% on human blood SDB without glucose and 43.55% on human blood SDB with 3% glucose. Tissue culture plate method was considered sensitive, specific and accurate method for quantitative screening of biofilm in comparison to tube method and congo red agar method. This research concluded that Candida albicans exhibited greater hemolytic activity in human blood with glucose (SDBwG) than in human blood without glucose (SDBwoG). This finding explains that an increased blood glucose concentration may contribute to increased hemolysis activity of Candida albicans that could play pathogenic role for inducing infection like oral candidiasis in debilitated host like diabetic patients. Tissue culture plate method can accurately screen biofilms than tube and congo red agar method.

410-416

Authors: Srinivasa Murthy Kotilingam

Identification of termites is a challenging task due to variable morphological differences among species and their eusocial behaviour with different caste system. A method for easy and accurate species-level identification at any life stage is required. In this study, a 658-base pair region of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene was used to explore its utility in the identification of important subterranean termites. Termite specimens collected from 25 locations from various states, were characterized using specific primers for their identification. Sequence analysis and divergence among the species was assessed. The composition of the mitochondrial sequence of the COI gene in the present study was expectedly AT biased. GenBank accession numbers were obtained for the species. Sequence analysis and divergence among the species was assessed, which revealed significantly high percentage of A+T base composition. Molecular sequence information from NCBI revealed relatedness in all the collected termites, accurately as revealed by their morphological characters. The studies indicate the relevance of DNA sequencing to match different forms of termites and address ambiguities in morphological identification. The information on species diversity would help plan strategies for management of termites.

422-426

Authors: Pushpa Karna Mallick

In present investigation karyotype of mitotic chromosomes were determined, two species of the genus Spilanthes, namely Spilanthes acmella (L.) Murray and Spilanthes calva DC. from plants transplanted in earthen pots collected from different localities from Central Nepal in my home garden. The somatic chromosome number determined in present study were 2n=36 for both species, Spilanthes acmella (L.) Murray and Spilanthes calva DC. The chromosomes total length ranged from 0.6 to 1.6 µm in Spilanthes acmella (L.) Murray and 0.4 to 2.1µm in Spilanthes calva DC. The relative length ranged from 2.3 to 12.1 µm in the species Spilanthes calva and 2.0 to 8.5 µm in the species Spilanthes acmella. The Karyotype formula were M16+m2+sm16+st2 in Spilanthes calva DC. and M22 +sm14 in Spilanthes acmella (L.) Murray cytologically obtained by using 2% aceto-orcein. The karyotype of the two species shows considerable variation exists in morphology of chromosome and structure. The variation in karyomorphology shows evolved nature of this species which play a great role in evolution.

432-436

Authors: Prashant Bhatt, Pratibha Bist, Laxmi Narayan Ojha

Kailali is the second highest district regarding wheat production and area coverage. A study was carried out in the Kailali district for preference of farmers on different wheat varieties that were being cultivated in the district. The objective of the study was to assess farmers’ preference and perception on the different improved wheat varieties in the area. Five commonly grown wheat varieties and seventeen important wheat varietal traits were selected through focus group discussion, key informant interview and preliminary survey. Sixty households were selected for face-to-face personal interview, twelve for each selected variety, at random from Ghodaghodi Municipality, Gauriganga Municipality and Kailari Rural Municipality of Kailali. The weightage of the seventeen selected traits were determined using an online survey conducted among individuals from different designation with the agricultural background who were well known about wheat cultivation practices in Kailali district. Yield, flour quality and tillering were found to be the trait of higher weightage and stem thickness was the trait of lowest weightage. The preferences of the farmers were measured using wheat preference index (WPI). The varieties Vijay, NL-971, HD-2967, Gautam and Aditya were ranked as I, II, III, IV and V respectively. The incorporation of farmers' preferred traits in future wheat varieties would increase the likelihood of adoption of the varieties. Similarly, proper participatory field trial of new improved wheat varieties would also help in the selection of the suitable varieties in the area concerning the farmers’ criteria of selection.

448-453

Authors: Prakash Acharya, Punya Prasad Regmi, Devendra Gauchan, Dilli Bahadur KC, Gopal Bahadur KC

A study was conducted in Jhapa, Sunsari and Bardiya district of Nepal to assess the benefit cost (BCA) analysis of small farm machineries (transplanter, reaper and power tiller) used for rice cultivation. Out of total respondents of 274 under mechanized farm category selected using Raosoft Software of sample size determination, 74% reaper owner (20), 67% power tiller owner (20) and 100% transplanter owner (09) were selected for analyzing benefit cost analysis using simple random sampling. BCA analysis showed that the NPV, B/C ratio, IRR and Payback Period of investing in transplanter were NRs 452743.62, 1.61, 24% and 2.75 years at 12% discount rate respectively. Similarly, NPV, B/C ratio, IRR and Payback period for reaper and power tiller were NRs 422541.93, 2.89, 123% and 1.14 years and NRs 619,719.34, 2.32, 65% and 1.46 years at 12% of discount rate respectively. The investment on reaper and power tiller would be profitable for their higher Benefit Cost ratio and IRR, and lower payback period. The results of sensitivity analysis showed that investments in reaper and power tiller would be profitable even if decrease in benefit or increase in cost or decrease in benefit and increase in cost by 20% is considered. However, in case of transplanter, the IRR would be less than the discount rate when benefit decreases by 20% and cost increases by 20%. Due to high investment at the initial stage, the payback period was longer and IRR was also less than 30% per annum in transplanter which indicated that investment would not be made for transplanter unless price of transplanter is lowered through regulation of price and provision of subsidy. It is suggested to motivate farmers for adoption of small farm machineries in rice cultivation through provision of differentiated rates of subsidy and technical capacity build up.

289-304

Authors: Ratna Silwal Gautam, Sudha Joshi Shrestha, Ila Shrestha

A review was done on the wild edible fruit plants of Nepal. Altogether 199 wild edible fruit plant species belonging to 139 genera representing 67 families documented from west Nepal to east Nepal. Study shows that people are using the wild edible fruits collected from forest resources as a part of their livelihood. People consume those wild fruits in different forms such as raw fruit, vegetables, pickles, spices and oil. Some species are taken in more than one form.

310-317

Authors: Saurabha Koirala

Mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (L.) Kaltenbach (Homoptera: Aphididae) is the most notorious, cosmopolitan louse-like and obligate ectoparasite, which causes a bulk of the qualitative and quantitative loss of rapeseed-mustard crops. This article reviews the general overview of biology, damages, and the management of mustard aphids. Biologically, L. erysimi adults are soft bodies, varying in color mostly yellowish-greenish, small to medium-sized, globular, pear-shaped, manifesting wing dimorphism based on the resource availability. Plasticity in reproductive mode either sexually or asexually stimulated as an adaptive response to cope with seasonal fluctuations, maximizes the chance of survival from predators being outnumbering. Mustard aphid infested host plant in three major ways, firstly by sucking the plant phloem through stylets, the needle-like piercing-sucking mouthparts which manifest injury like curling and yellowing of the leaf, stunting and drying up of the plants. Secondly, by excreting a sticky substance (honeydew) on which 'sooty mold' growth, which blocks the process of photosynthesis. Thirdly, it causes secondary plant injury by transmission and dissemination of viruses including turnip mosaic viruses. The appearance, multiplication, and disappearance of mustard aphid are largely regulated by weather variations. Its prolific multiplication greatly thrives by cool, wet, and cloudy weather. The mustard aphid can be eschewed more so if the crop is sown before 20th October. Applications of the recommended dose of fertilizers, irrigation, resistant varieties are some cultural practices to cope with the aphid population. Natural enemies are effective and impressive nowadays for crop protection. Ladybird beetles viz., Cocciniella septempunctata, Hippodamia variegata, and Cheilomones vicina are active predators of this pest. Chemical control includes the application of systemic insecticides below the ETL (Economic Threshold Level). Some major insecticide includes are Imidacloprid 17.8% @ 0.25 ml/l, Thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 0.2g/l and Dimethoate 30EC @ 1 ml/l of water.

323-335

Authors: A. Ojha, B.R. Ojha

A set of twenty wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes was evaluated to assess morpho-physiological, yield and yield attributing traits related to post-anthesis drought in wheat genotypes under rainfed condition in a Randomized completely block design with three replications at research farm of Faculty of Agriculture, Rampur, Chitwan, during winter season of 2016/2017. The result revealed highly significant genotypic effects for number of tillers per m2 area, plant height, spike length, number of grains per spike, weight of grains per spike, 1000 kernels weight, days to booting, days to heading, days to anthesis, days to flag leaf senescence, days to maturity, SPAD meter reading, peduncle length, grain filling duration and reproductive growth period. Significant genotypic effects were found for grain yield, biological yield and harvest index and an array of variation was found among the genotypes for each trait. But non-significant genotypic effect was found for canopy temperature depression. WK2373 gave highest grain yield kg/ha (3035 kg/ha) and biomass yield kg/ha (8080 kg/ha). This study presented WK2373, WK2379, WK2380, WK2386, WK2388, WK2383, WK 2378 and WK1481 the best genotypes governing different valuable traits. These potential genotypes for valuable traits found in different clusters. Crossing genotypes belonging to different clusters could maximize the opportunities for transgressive segregation as there is a higher probability that unrelated genotypes would contribute unique desirable alleles at different loci. Therefore, this study can help breeders to increase genetic diversity by selecting materials of divergent parentage for crosses, thereby reducing vulnerability to diseases and climate changes.

343-354

Authors: N.R. Acharya, S.K. Sah, A.K. Gautam, A.P. Regmi

An experiment was conducted for response of nutrient omission to irrigation scheduling in hybrid maize during winter season of 2015 at farmer’s field Khajura, Banke where intense summer and severe winter occurs. Soil is sandy loam and climatically humid sub-tropical with average annual rainfall of 1000-1500 mm. The experiment was replicated 3 times with split plot design having plot size of 3 x 3.6 m2. There were three irrigation level as main plot; (30 -35 DAS, tasseling stage), (30-35 DAS, tasseling, grain filling stage), (tasseling stage) and six level of fertilizer dose as sub-plot; farmer fertilization practice (27.6:27.6:18 N-P-K kg ha-1), recommended dose of fertilizer (160:60:40 N-P-K kgha-1), 50 percent above recommended dose (240: 90: 60 N-P-K kg ha-1), N0PK (60:40 P-K kg ha-1), NP0K (160:40 N-K kg ha-1), NPK0 (160:60 N-P kg ha-1). 3 level of irrigation increased the grain yield (4333 kg ha-1) by 33.7% than 2 level of irrigation (3240.6 kg ha-1) and 78.4% than single irrigation (2428.8 kg ha-1). Similarly, 182.4% grain yield could be increased with RDF (4994.9 kg ha-1) than N0PK (1768.6 kg ha-1). Grain nutrient uptake was recorded 80.4% N (56.3 kg ha-1), 79% P (18.8 kg ha-1), 88.8% K (15.1 kg ha-1) higher with three levels of irrigation than single irrigation N (31.2 kg ha-1), P (10.5 kg ha-1), K (8 kg ha-1) and 184% N (64.6 kg ha-1), 183.7% P (21 kg ha-1) and 188% K (17 kg ha-1) was recorded higher with RDF than (N0PK) N (22.7 kg ha-1), P (7.4 kg ha-1), K (5.9 kg ha-1).

363-367

Authors: Rupak Kandel, Deepak Subedi, Chet Narayan Kharel

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of Chlamydia abortus in dairy cattle of selected areas in Chitwan, Nawalpur, and Rupandehi districts, Nepal from November to December 2018. A total of 92 serum samples were collected and screened by Indirect ELISA from ID vet. Out of 92 samples, three samples were positive resulting overall prevalence of 3.27%. As there is no practice of vaccination, overall seroprevalence was from natural infection. Significantly (p=0.034) all samples were seropositive from the Rupandehi district. Sero-prevalence was higher in Jersey crosses (4.22%) as compared to Holstein Friesian (HF) crosses (0%) and cattle of age >3 years were found to be more seropositive (6.97%) as compared to cattle of age ≤3 years (0%). There was no statistically significant association of seroprevalence with breed and age group. Thus, the cattle population of Rupandehi District are at high risk of acquiring chlamydia infection. Strict quarantine and good biosecurity can prevent the possibility of a disease outbreak.