Azarian Journal of Agriculture
Volume:5 Issue: 1, Feb 2018

To study the effect of different fertilizer sources on yield, growth and soil organic matter in broccoli, a research was conducted at Agriculture and Forestry University, Chitwan, Nepal from Sep, 2015 to Feb, 2016. The research consisted of ten treatments viz; recommended chemical fertilizer, Farm Yard Manure (FYM), Vermi-compost (VC), Cow urine (CU), Bio organic fertilizer (BOF), (NPK 50%+FYM 50%), (FYM 50% + CU 50%), (FYM 50 % + VC 50%),(FYM 50% + BOF 50%) and {25% (FYM+VC+CU+BOF)} in randomized complete block design replicated three times. The study revealed that the curd yield (10.63 t ha-1), dry matter production (6.34 t ha-1) and leaf area index (5.12) were observed highest at recommended NPK treatment. Among the organic treatments, (FYM 50%+cow urine 50%) combination showed the highest curd yield (7.79 t ha-1), dry matter production (5.49 t ha-1) and leaf area index (4.95). The highest soil organic matter content (2.85 %) was found at (FYM 50%+ VC 50%) treatment and lower (2.06%) was recorded in NPK applied treatment. Thus, the result showed that chemical fertilizer produced the higher yield in first season but the ecological benefits of these fertilizers are relatively less than other organic fertilizers.

Seven mungbean genotypes were studied to estimate the genetic variability and path coefficient analysis for yield attributing traits at Agronomy farm of Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS), Paklihawa Campus, Rupandehi, Nepal during summer season of 2017. The experiment was conducted with four replications in a randomized complete block design. Pant-5 and Maya were found high yielding genotypes. High genotypic coefficient of variation was exhibited by secondary branches and seed yield per plant. The low genotypic coefficient of variation was given by pod length, number of grains per pod and days to 50% flowering. High heritability was shown by test weight, secondary branches and seed yield per plant. Yield was correlated positively with days to flowering, pod length, primary branches per plant, test weight, biological, seed yield per plant and number of pods per plant. Biological yield, pod length, days to 50% flowering and no. of grains per pod contributed maximum positive and direct effect on yield indicating these three traits should be given emphasis while selecting high yielding mungbean cultivar for irrigated condition.

The study was conducted in several place of Chitwan, Nepal from where 90 representative farmers and 20 traders were selected randomly as sample. The farmers were categorized into small, medium and large farm based on land holding size. The finding showed average productivity was maximum in medium size farm. Total cost of banana cultivation per bigha (1.5 bigha = 1 hector) was NRs. 239031 (106 NRs. = $1) excluding land rent. The share of planting material was 12.66%, manure 13.55%, fertilizer 16.49%, micro-nutrient 2.59%, pesticides 10.54%, labor 19.48%, animal/ machine 19.23%, marketing & transport cost 2%, and miscellaneous 3.46%. The average return rate found to be highest in large farm and lowest in small farm. The average profit of banana cultivation found to be NRs. 131902.3 per bigha. The average benefit cost ratio was 1.55 in the study area. Producer–Collector–Wholesaler–Retailer–Consumer was the most prevalent marketing channel, through which 94.74% volume was traded. Disease and pest infestation was the major production problem and fluctuation in price for marketing. The average share of banana on annual income for farmers found to be 41.34 %, indicating commercial cultivation in study area.

High temperature has become a global concern because it severely affects the growth and production of crops. It causes an array of morpho-anatomical, physiological and biochemical changes in plants, which affect plant growth and development and may lead to a drastic reduction in economic yield. Plant growth and development involve numerous biochemical reactions that are sensitive to temperature. Heat stress causes an abrupt increase in the expression of stress-associated proteins which provide tolerance by stimulating the defense response in plants. Plants possess a number of mechanisms to cope with high temperature situations. The adverse effects of heat stress can be mitigated by developing crop plants with improved thermotolerance using various genetic approaches. This article reviews the recent information on responses and tolerance to high temperature stress in maize.

To study the effect of different levels of nitrogen fertilizer on silage quality of artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) an experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replications in Isfahan, Iran in 2014. The N application rates were 0, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1. Plants were harvested at vegetative rosette stage and submitted to ensiling in experimental silos for 75 days. The results showed that different levels of N fertilizer significantly affected silage quality. Crude protein (CP), ash, organic matter digestibility (OMD), metabolizable energy (ME) and net energy for lactation (NEL) increased by the increment of N fertilizer application while neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and crude fat (CF) reduced. The highest CP (19.25 %), ash (18.66 %), OMD (49.65 %), ME (7.25 MJ kg-1 DM) and NEL (4.16 MJ kg-1 DM) were obtained by the treatment of 200 kg N ha-1. The control treatment had the maximum values of NDF (35.24 %) and CF (2.25 %). Water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) increased by use of N fertilizer from 0 to 100 kg N ha-1, but more fertilizer consumption decreased its value. In general, the nitrogen fertilizer at the rate of 150 kg N ha-1 can be recommended as the best treatment to obtain high-quality silage.