Malnutrition, hunger, and rural poverty in Nepal are prevalent issues that have been exacerbated ... more Malnutrition, hunger, and rural poverty in Nepal are prevalent issues that have been exacerbated by the negative impacts of climate change on crop production. To create a more sustainable and resilient food system, it is crucial to explore alternative options beyond the small number of input-intensive crops that the country currently relies on. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive investigation of six underutilized food crops—amaranth, buckwheat, finger millet, foxtail millet, naked barley, and proso millet—in four mountainous districts of the Karnali province, Nepal. Using several approaches that included a literature review, key informant surveys, focus group discussions, and direct observations, we explored the production and utilization aspects of these crops, as well as their potential for improving nutrition and food security. Our findings indicate that these underutilized crops continue to be a vital element of the diets of people residing in Karnali and play an import...
A Field experiment using two determinate hybrid varieties of okra (Venus and Nitya) was conducted... more A Field experiment using two determinate hybrid varieties of okra (Venus and Nitya) was conducted at Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan during summer of 2021 to examine the impact of different fertilizer combinations on the dietary fiber content and vegetative characteristics of okra. This study was laid out in a split-plot design and comprised three replications; there were two main plots of Okra varieties, and each main plot contained four sub-plots of fertilizer combinations (Inorganic fertilizer + Poultry manure, Inorganic fertilizer + Vermicompost, Inorganic fertilizer + FYM, and Inorganic fertilizer alone). The experimental results revealed that the Venus variety had a higher dietary fiber content (3.52%) than the Nitya variety (2.98%). Venus variety (6.6 t/ha) had a higher yield as compared to the Nitya variety (5.3t/ha). It was observed that Inorganic fertilizer + Poultry manure (3.80%) followed by Inorganic fertilizer + Vermicompost (3.46 %) had a superior...
Field research was carried out to examine the biochar effect on growth, tuber quality, and yield ... more Field research was carried out to examine the biochar effect on growth, tuber quality, and yield of the potato crop. Treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with 7 treatments of different combinations of biochar and urea (BC100%, BC80%+Urea20%, BC60%+Urea40%, BC40%+Urea60%, BC20%+Urea80%, Urea100%, BCC) as nitrogen source with 4 replications, where all treatments supply recommended dose of fertilizer except control treatment (BCC). The tested variety of potato was Janakdev. The recorded observations showed that biochar mixed with chemical fertilizer had a significantly superior effect on growth (height, branches number, canopy), marketable tuber weight and number, tuber size, yield, and dry matter % as compared to sole biochar (BC100%), sole chemical fertilizer (Urea100%), and control (BCC) treatments. Among the treatments, BC40%+Urea60% (Biochar applied @ 10 t/ha) had resulted significantly higher marketable tuber weight and number, tuber size, yield, and dry matter %. Our results thus demonstrate that the application of chemical fertilizer in combination with biochar could effectively enhance the plant growth, tuber quality, and yield of the potato crop.
International journal of Horticulture, Agriculture and Food science, 2020
A field experiment was conducted in vegetable research farm of Agriculture and Forestry Universit... more A field experiment was conducted in vegetable research farm of Agriculture and Forestry University, Chitwan to study the intercropping efficiency of okra and cowpea. The experiment was arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. One row of okra and two rows of okra was intercropped with cowpea. Data collected was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the least significant difference (LSD) test was carried out at the 5% probability level. Intercropping efficiency was measured using Total okra yield equivalent, Land Equivalent Ratio, Percentage land saved and Land Equivalent Coefficient. Result revealed that 1:1 intercropping system as most efficient one that gave highest yield of 21.15 ton/ha with LER of 1.48 saving 32.43% of land. Economic analysis was also carried out using benefit to cost ratio analysis. Sole cowpea gave highest B: C ratio of 1.47 followed by 1:1 intercropping with the value of 1.37 and least B: C ratio was found in sole okra. This study suggested that 1:1 intercropping as beneficial and is recommended for okra growers while sole cropping is recommended for cowpea growing farmers.
Malnutrition, hunger, and rural poverty in Nepal are prevalent issues that have been exacerbated ... more Malnutrition, hunger, and rural poverty in Nepal are prevalent issues that have been exacerbated by the negative impacts of climate change on crop production. To create a more sustainable and resilient food system, it is crucial to explore alternative options beyond the small number of input-intensive crops that the country currently relies on. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive investigation of six underutilized food crops—amaranth, buckwheat, finger millet, foxtail millet, naked barley, and proso millet—in four mountainous districts of the Karnali province, Nepal. Using several approaches that included a literature review, key informant surveys, focus group discussions, and direct observations, we explored the production and utilization aspects of these crops, as well as their potential for improving nutrition and food security. Our findings indicate that these underutilized crops continue to be a vital element of the diets of people residing in Karnali and play an import...
A Field experiment using two determinate hybrid varieties of okra (Venus and Nitya) was conducted... more A Field experiment using two determinate hybrid varieties of okra (Venus and Nitya) was conducted at Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan during summer of 2021 to examine the impact of different fertilizer combinations on the dietary fiber content and vegetative characteristics of okra. This study was laid out in a split-plot design and comprised three replications; there were two main plots of Okra varieties, and each main plot contained four sub-plots of fertilizer combinations (Inorganic fertilizer + Poultry manure, Inorganic fertilizer + Vermicompost, Inorganic fertilizer + FYM, and Inorganic fertilizer alone). The experimental results revealed that the Venus variety had a higher dietary fiber content (3.52%) than the Nitya variety (2.98%). Venus variety (6.6 t/ha) had a higher yield as compared to the Nitya variety (5.3t/ha). It was observed that Inorganic fertilizer + Poultry manure (3.80%) followed by Inorganic fertilizer + Vermicompost (3.46 %) had a superior...
Field research was carried out to examine the biochar effect on growth, tuber quality, and yield ... more Field research was carried out to examine the biochar effect on growth, tuber quality, and yield of the potato crop. Treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with 7 treatments of different combinations of biochar and urea (BC100%, BC80%+Urea20%, BC60%+Urea40%, BC40%+Urea60%, BC20%+Urea80%, Urea100%, BCC) as nitrogen source with 4 replications, where all treatments supply recommended dose of fertilizer except control treatment (BCC). The tested variety of potato was Janakdev. The recorded observations showed that biochar mixed with chemical fertilizer had a significantly superior effect on growth (height, branches number, canopy), marketable tuber weight and number, tuber size, yield, and dry matter % as compared to sole biochar (BC100%), sole chemical fertilizer (Urea100%), and control (BCC) treatments. Among the treatments, BC40%+Urea60% (Biochar applied @ 10 t/ha) had resulted significantly higher marketable tuber weight and number, tuber size, yield, and dry matter %. Our results thus demonstrate that the application of chemical fertilizer in combination with biochar could effectively enhance the plant growth, tuber quality, and yield of the potato crop.
International journal of Horticulture, Agriculture and Food science, 2020
A field experiment was conducted in vegetable research farm of Agriculture and Forestry Universit... more A field experiment was conducted in vegetable research farm of Agriculture and Forestry University, Chitwan to study the intercropping efficiency of okra and cowpea. The experiment was arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. One row of okra and two rows of okra was intercropped with cowpea. Data collected was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the least significant difference (LSD) test was carried out at the 5% probability level. Intercropping efficiency was measured using Total okra yield equivalent, Land Equivalent Ratio, Percentage land saved and Land Equivalent Coefficient. Result revealed that 1:1 intercropping system as most efficient one that gave highest yield of 21.15 ton/ha with LER of 1.48 saving 32.43% of land. Economic analysis was also carried out using benefit to cost ratio analysis. Sole cowpea gave highest B: C ratio of 1.47 followed by 1:1 intercropping with the value of 1.37 and least B: C ratio was found in sole okra. This study suggested that 1:1 intercropping as beneficial and is recommended for okra growers while sole cropping is recommended for cowpea growing farmers.
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