A field experiment was conducted at Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality of Khotang district during April 14 to May 28 of 2018 to evaluate the effect of molasses and organic fertilizer in soil fertility and yield of Spinach (Spinacia oleracea var 'patane local'). The effect of molasses and organic fertilizer in soil fertility and yield of spinach was evaluated by using RCBD (Randomized Complete Block Design) with five treatments and five replications. The five treatments were soil application of molasses, foliar application of molasses, molasses+organic fertilizer, organic fertilizer and controlled soil. The field was divided into 25 plots, each having an area of 1.2×1.2 m2 and distance between each plot was 0.5m. Spacing of 30×15 cm2 was maintained. The mean comparison was done through Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Molasses+organic fertilizer had highly significant result in soil organic carbon content (SOC), nitrogen, potassium, soil PH and yield of Spinach. Higher soil organic carbon (4.51%), nitrogen (0.24%), potassium (557.80 mg/kg) and yield (3.08kg) was obtained at molasses+organic fertilizer whereas soil application of molasses had significantly low PH (5.54). Poor soil fertility, lack of sustainable soil management, lack of chemical fertilizers was problems for declining crop productivity in Khotang district. The experiment suggests that, farmers could be benefitted by application of molasses and organic fertilizer as it improves soil fertility and increases the yield of spinach. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 7(1): 49-53

A study was conducted for comparative analysis of demographic, production economics and determinants of potato production between Kakani rural municipality and Bidur municipality of Nuwakot district. Altogether 120 potato producers, 56 from Kakani and 64 from Bidur were randomly selected. Pretested semi-structured questionnaire was administered to randomly selected farmers. Potato growers were interviewed using face to face interview method in the month of October 2018. All the data were entered into SPSS and Microsoft excel and analysis was done by using Microsoft excel, STATA and SPSS. Average productivity in the research area was 14.69 ton per hectare. Average cost of production and profit was Rs 8614.61 per ropani and Rs 6083 per ropani respectively. B/C ratio in the research area was 1.71. 10% increase in organic manure (FYM and poultry manure), pesticide and tuber resulted in 1.88%, 1.99% and 0.05% increase in income respectively. 10% increase in labor and chemical fertilizer resulted into 0.1% and 0.5% decrease in output. Labor and chemical fertilizer was over utilized resource for potato production. The probability of cultivation of potato in large scale was found to be 56.92% higher for those with access to extensive service and 47.89% higher for those who have received training.  Most of the farmers don not use improved seed thus distributing improved seed, providing training and extension services help to increase profit of potato production in Nuwakot district. 100% increase in all the factor of production would result in 32.39% increase in potato production. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 7(1): 62-68

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is one of the most important vegetable crop of Nepal. Its yield and growth parameters are affected by different cultural practices. This study was conducted at Olericulture Farm of Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal during April 29 to July 9 of 2018. The field experiment was carried out in split plot design using three replications. The treatments consisted of three intra row spacing (30, 45 and 60 cm) and four different mulching materials (Silver plastic, Panicum repens, Lantana camara and bare soil). The objective of this experiment was to assess the effects of various intra-row spacings and mulching materials on growth and yield of okra. The effect of mulching materials on okra yield was found significant. The okra yield was highest (8104 kg/ha) under silver plastic mulch followed by control (5161kg/ha), Panicum repens (3901kg/ha) and Lantana camera (3701kg/ha), respectively. Silver plastic mulch enhanced the growth parameters like canopy length, plant height, leaf number, leaf length, girth and yield of okra. The spacings provided non significant effect on okra yield, however the yield of okra was highest (7295 kg/ha) under 30×30 cm spacing followed by 45×30 cm (4660 kg/ha) and 60 cm × 30 cm spacing (3703 kg/ha), respectively. Combination of silver plastic mulch along with 30 cm × 30 cm spacing provided the highest okra yield. This study suggests that farmers of the Chitwan should grow okra at spacing of 30 cm × 30 cm and under silver plastic mulch to produce higher yield.

Abstract. Maize is one of the top agricultural commodities that has great share in the Agricultural Government Development Plan of Nepal. Despite being a major crop, productivity of maize is quite lower than global average. In this context, a study was undertaken to determine the extent of technology adoption between improved and local seed users of Arghakhanchi district of Nepal. A pretested semi-structured questionnaire was administered among 120 randomly selected farmers during the month of January 2018. The extent of technology adoption was measured on sowing time, seed replacement, variety change, seed rate, application of fertilizer, weeding and plant protection. The empirical evidence suggested that, extent of technology adoption and benefit cost ratio were magnificently higher for improved seed users than local seed users. So, there is still a gigantic scope to improve maize productivity in the area by adoption of recommended technology of maize farming. The probability of adoption of recommended technology (improved seed) for maize farming was found to be higher for those with access to extensive service. Overall, our study pointed out that extension facility is a key strategy to make famers aware of the new technologies and a crucial factor to increase the chance of adoption.

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Climate change is one of the most challenging problems for the agricultural development. The purpose of this study is to analyze perception of climate change, its impacts and determinants among vegetable growers and to identify major adaptation strategies used by them. The study was based on survey of 75 vegetable growers; 34 from Benighat Rorang rural municipality and 41 from Siddhalek rural municipality of Dhading district of Nepal. Data were collected using face to face interview. The study provided empirical evidence of decreased in intensity, duration and frequency of rainfall and increase in annual temperature, drought duration and frost severity. Incidence of disease and pest, decline in soil fertility, scarcity of water and severe frost/hailstones were major problems. The 45.33% vegetable growers were compelled to change planting and 54.67% of them to change harvesting due to climate change effect. The adaptation practices such as mulching (24%), green/plastic house (29.3%), drip irrigation (8%), IPM (12.5%), change in crop variety (31.3%) and cropping pattern were found common practices adopted by farmers. The probability of adapting climate change mitigating factors was 70.26% higher for those who had received training in vegetable cultivation. Use of new climate smart agricultural technologies and providing training about vegetable cultivation were found suitable strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change. SAARC J. Agri., 17(2): 239-251 (2019)

Mango is one of the major fruit crops of Terai region of Nepal; however, farmers are experiencing poor productivity. Therefore, a study was conducted to determine the factors affecting the productivity and major constraints of the mango production in Saptari district of Nepal. Pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was administered among randomly selected 106 farmers from the district of Nepal. Face to face interview was scheduled to obtain the data from sampled farmers from March 26 to May 25, 2020. Multiple regressions were used to access the various factors affecting the productivity of the mango. The regression model depicted that the total number of productive trees and training on commercial mango production was found statistically significant at 1% level of significance. A unit change in the total number of productive trees was found to change the productivity by 0.94 units. Additionally, one-unit change in the trainings regarding commercial mango farming caused the change in productivity by 0.53 units. Further, incidence of diseases and pests, poor access to market, lack of irrigation facility, incidences of natural hazards and modicum of fertilizers on orchard were the major production constraints of mango in Spatari district of Nepal. Therefore, the study has suggested indispensable need training on commercial mango cultivation practices in Saptari district of Nepal.

The study was conducted to determine the resource use efficiency, profitability and demography of maize farming in Sindhuli district. This study was conducted in 120 maize producers, 60 from Kamalamai Municipality (KMC) and 60 from Marin rural municipality. Pretested semi-structured questionnaire was administered to randomly selected farmers. Maize producers were interviewed using face to face interview method in the month of October 2018. All the data were entered into SPSS and Microsoft excel and analysis was done by using Microsoft excel and SPSS. Cobb- Douglas production function was used to determine the resource use efficiency of maize production. Benefit cost ratio in the research area is 1.20 which indicates that maize production was profitable and farmers of Sindhuli get additional 20 paisa with investment of one rupee in maize farming. Productivity, cost and income per hectare of maize farming in Sindhuli was 1.98 tons, Rs 42423.3 and Rs 50805 respectively. 10% increase in chemical fertilizer, FYM and seed cost resulted in increase in income by 7.21%, 2.43% and 0.6% respectively. 10% increase in labor and animal power resulted into 0.2% and 0.07% decrease in output. For optimal allocation of resource expenditure on seed and chemical fertilizer were need to be increased by 89.93% each. Labor, animal power and FYM were over utilized resources for maize farming. The sum of coefficients was 0.983 which implied decreasing return to scale, 100% increase in all the factor of production included in the model would result in 98.30% increase in maize production. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 7(2): 257-263