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An experiment was done at Rambagh, Chitwan during March to May 2018 with the objective to evaluate the effect of plant growth regulators on growth, flowering and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus.) cv. Malini. The experiment consisted of nine treatments viz., control (no spray), silver nitrate 250 ppm spray, ethephon 250 ppm spray, gibberellic acid (GA3) 300 ppm spray, napthalene acetic acid (NAA) 50 ppm spray, silver nitrate 500 ppm spray, ethephon 250 ppm spray, gibberellic acid (GA3) 500 ppm spry, and napthalene acetic acid (NAA) 100 ppm spray; each treatment was replicated thrice. Findings revealed that use of plant growth regulators significantly affected growth, flowering and fruit yield of cucumber. The highest plant height was measured for GA3 300 ppm spray whereas lowest plant height was measured for NAA 100 ppm spray. Likewise, GA3 300 ppm spray had produced highest number of lateral branches. On the other hand, highest number of male flower was recorded in control, but highest number of female flower was recorded for ethephon 250 ppm spray whereas it was lowest for control (14.00). The highest and lowest fruit length was recorded if GA3 500 ppm and ethephon 250 ppm were sprayed, respectively. Likewise, the highest fruit numbers per plant was recorded in GA3 300 ppm application whereas the control had the lowest number of fruit produced. The highest fruit yield was produced from the application of GA3 300 ppm (109.7 t/ha) while the lowest fruit yield was recorded in control (40.53 t/ha). The B: C ratio was high in GA3 300 ppm (4.37) application as well. These results indicate the benefit of spraying GA3 300 ppm to have a better performance and fruit yield of cucumber compared to the other treatments with varied concentrations of NAA and GA3.

A field experiment was conducted from February to June, 2020 at Bhatkanda, Dadeldhura, Nepal to assess the effectiveness of plastic mulches in potato production. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications comprising of five treatments viz: T1: white plastic mulch (white on black colored), T2: silver plastic mulch (silver on black colored), T3: perforated black plastic mulch, T4: black plastic mulch and T5: control (without mulch). Results revealed that the black plastic mulch significantly increased the rate of emergence while perforated black plastic exhibited highest values of all other studied growth parameters, yield components and quality parameters. The highest marketable tuber yield was obtained in perforated black plastic (6.05 kg/m2) followed by silver plastic (5.62 kg/m2), white plastic (5.46 kg/m2), black plastic (5.14 kg/m2) and lowest marketable tuber yield was obtained in control condition (4.07 kg/m2). Similarly, temperature difference between controlled and mulched condition at 15 cm depth of soil was observed up to 2.8°C with its highest value in black plastic mulch and lowest in control condition. The perforated black plastic mulch was found most economical with maximum value of net return (NRs. 1904.31 thousands/ha) and B: C ratio (5.83). This study concludes that the use of perforated black plastic mulch is most economical with optimum plant growth and yield, producing best quality potatoes under climatic condition of Dadeldhura, Nepal.

Agriculture contributes about one-third to the Gross Domestic Product and is the major source of employment in Nepal. Citrus fruits being cultivated in about 60 districts of the country contributes 22.37 % to total fruit production and share 3 % of total fruit export by volume. Considering the contribution of citrus fruits to food and nutritional security, and improved living standard of farmers, Government has implemented various programs to improve this sector. However, no studies were carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of these programs. This study was conducted to analyze the trend of production and trade of citrus fruits in Nepal useful to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented programs. Mann-Kendall test and Sen's slope method were used for study these trends. The result showed the increasing trend of area, productive area, and production of citrus fruits under study i.e. Mandarins, Sweet orange and lime and their decreasing productivity during the study period from 1999/2000 to 2017/18. Furthermore, their import, both value and quantity showed significant and increased trend whereas the export was negligible and insignificant during the period from 2009 to 2018. This concludes that the increased production of citrus fruits is insufficient to meet the demand of the country and Nepal is losing a huge amount for import of these fruits.

An experiment was done to evaluate the effect of mulching materials on growth and yield characters of cucumber (var: Malini) under drip irrigation condition during February to May 2018 in Chitwan district, Nepal. The experiment was done by using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Accordingly, four different mulching materials, viz. silver on black polyethylene mulch, black polyethylene mulch, rice straw mulch, and rice husk mulch were used as treatments. Each treatment was replicated four times. Un-mulched plot served as control. Mulching improved growth and yield characters of cucumber. Plant height and number of leaves were significantly higher (p<0.05) if silver on black polyethylene mulch was used. Similarly, highest number of male (69.50) and female (33.50) flowers per plant were recorded in silver on black polyethylene mulch used. Male flowers were minimum (29.80) in rice husk mulch used treatment whereas female flowers were minimum (10.30) in the control treatment. Sex ratio was the highest (3.43) in control and it was lowest (1.81) for rice husk mulch used treatment. Number of fruit per plant was significantly higher (p<0.05) (15.85) in silver on black polyethylene mulch treatment. Likewise, longest fruit length (18.42 cm) was measured in silver on black polyethylene mulch treatment whereas shortest (15.24 cm) length was measured in control. Yield of silver on black polyethylene mulch and black polyethylene mulch was almost three-folds and two-folds to that of the control, respectively. B: C ratio shows the use of silver on black polyethylene mulch and black polyethylene mulch economically more beneficial in cucumber production with highest benefit. Findings of this experiment thus clearly suggest the benefit of using silver on black polyethylene mulch, as well as black polyethylene mulch in cucumber cultivation compared to the other common mulching materials.

Economic use of organic and inorganic fertilizers following their availability is necessary for livestock-based Nepalese farming systems. However, how best to integrate these fertilizers in an appropriate manner is not yet clear. Thus, this study was conducted in the horticulture farm of the Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU), Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal from November 2018 to February 2019 to evaluate the effect of organic and inorganic sources of nitrogen (N) on growth, yield, and quality of beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) varieties. The experiment was laid out in a two factorial randomized complete block design with four replications consisting of two beetroot varieties, i.e., Madhur and Ruby Red, and five N source combinations, i.e., N1: 100% poultry manure (PM), N2: 50% PM + 50% urea, N3: 100% farmyard manure (FYM), N4: 50% FYM + 50% urea, and N5: 100% urea (120:80:40 kg NPK ha−1). Results of this study indicated a significant impact of N sources and varieties on the assessed parameters. During harvest, a significantly higher plant height (41.84 cm), number of leaves per plant (14.68), leaf length (34.56 cm), leaf width (11.38 cm), and beetroot diameter (72.15 mm) were observed in the N2 treatment. Likewise, higher economic (49.78 t ha−1) and biological yields (78.69 t ha−1) were also recorded in the N2 compared to other N sources. Out of the two varieties, the Madhur variety was significantly better in most growth and yield parameters. Similarly, the Madhur variety showed a significantly higher economic (44.49 t ha−1) and biological yields (69.79 t ha−1) compared to the Ruby Red variety. However, the physiological weight loss was higher in the Ruby Red variety. Therefore, the current study suggests that an integration of poultry manure along with the combination of N fertilizer and the Madhur variety is the best combination for quality beetroot production in the Terai region of Nepal.

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)

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