International Journal of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology

12-16

Authors: Chalinda Koshitha Beneragama, Ganege Don Kapila Kumara

Drought responses of turf-type Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) and Bahia grass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) in relation to their growth, carbon allocation and accumulation of nonstructural carbohydrates were investigated. Seedlings were exposed to a 20 day terminal drought, followed by 20 day recovery with irrigation. Leaf dry matter was lower in water-stressed plants than control plants by the end of drought, but did not differ in roots. For both species, more carbon was allocated towards roots in response to drought. Total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) concentration in shoots was increased in drought-stressed plants of both species. However, root TNC concentrations in Bahia grass were decreased after drought. TNC pool sizes also showed a similar variation, hence correlated with TNC concentrations. Bahia grass maintained a better quality than Bermuda grass after the drought, having recorded a higher aesthetic score, higher relative water content and a lower electrolyte leakage. Results suggest that, both species are considerably tolerant to short-term drought though Bahia grass seems more promising.

23-26

Authors: Doj Raj Khanal, Eliza Ranjit, Sanjeev Kumar Adhikari, Bimal Ghemosu, Meera Prajapati, Swoyam Prakash Shrestha

Mycoplasmas are amongst the avian pathogens that causes chronic respiratory and joint diseases incurring a huge economic loss to poultry industry of Nepal. Among different species of Mycoplasmas, we investigate Mycoplasma gallisepticum-synoviae from the serum samples of the poultry using Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) and dot-ELISA test of ImmunoComb. These tests rely on the antibodies present in the serum samples which binds to the pre-coated antigen in the ELISA/developing plates. A total of 92 sera samples were collected, of which 62 were from broiler and 30 were from layers. Of the 92 samples taken from different farms of Bhaktapur in early 2017, thirty (32.6%) were found positive on standard or routine ELISA and fifty-four (58.7%) on dot-ELISA. It further indicates high rate of infections in broiler (42 on dot-ELISA and 24 on standard ELISA) than in layers (12 in dot-ELISA and 6 on standard ELISA) to M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae. The present result indicates higher efficacy of dot-ELISA over standard one as the latter could not efficiently detect the infections as compared to the dot-ELISA. Furthermore, this finding poses an alarming threat to the commercial poultry industries of Nepal where there is lack of effective biosecurity practices and preventive vaccination policy.

38-44

Authors: Ram Das Chaudhary, Bisheswar Prasad Yadav, Santosh Raj Tripathi, Padam Prasad Poudel, Govinda KC, Dinesh Kumar Yadav, Indrapal Singh

Regional Agricultural Research Station Nepalgunj (RARS/N) has its four major outreach sites in Satbariya Village Development Committee (VDC) of Dang, Betahani VDC of Banke, Mahammadpur VDC of Bardiya, Patharaiya VDC of of Kailali and model village in Mainapokhar VDC of Bardiya district for test and verify the acceptance of new released varieties under farmers' field condition and provide an opportunity to the farmers to select most suitable variety on their own choice based on performance. Seed was distributed throughout the OR sites and model village for newly released varieties for self seed sufficiency. New most recent varieties of rice and wheat released in the previous year from concerned commodity research programme, National Rice Research Programme (NRRP), Hardinath and National Whear Research Programme (NWRP), Bhairawaha respectively, were selected. The yield attributing characters, total yield, percentage yield used as seed in the next fiscal year were recorded. Response of the participating farmers for various varieties with respect to various attributes of yield and other important criteria for sustainable cultivation were recorded in individual sheet. Agronomic management practices were done according to recommendation practices for particular crop. Rice varieties of Sukkha series adoption rate was increasing trend. Among them Sukkha Dhan 1, Sukkha Dhan 2 and Sukkha Dhan 3 adoption rate was higher. Wheat variety Gautam adoption rate was higher followed by NL 971.