A survey was conducted to carry out an in-depth value chain analysis of honey bee subsector in the Chitwan from January 2019 to May 2019. Seventy-two respondents, including 60 beekeepers, 2 intermediaries, 2 cooperatives, 2 wholesalers cum processor, 3 retailers and 3 consumers were selected for interview using simple random sampling technique. Each beekeeper with more than 20 beehives was taken as respondents. The average number of beehives per farm was 56.80, and the average honey production per annum was 24.064 kg Hive -1 . The gross return per hive and benefit-cost ratio in the study area was found to be NRs. 9247.69 and 1.56, respectively. The price spread was calculated as NRs. 151.3 per kg and producers share was 69.6% on an average. The marketing efficiency was found highest when sold directly to the retailers (2.57) followed by the involvement of wholesalers cum processors (1.75) and found lowest when various intermediaries were involved (0.48). Furthermore, the low availability of foraging areas and high competition with foreign honey was identified as the major production and marketing problem, respectively. This research explored the existing scenario of the value chain in honey bee products and its major constraints in the study area.

An experiment was conducted in the Horticulture Farm of Agriculture and Forestry University to demonstrate the effects of different fertilizers on the yield and yield parameters of okra (var. Arka Anamika). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) consisting of seven treatments and three replications. The various treatments used in the experiment were goat manure, sesame cake, mustard cake, synthetic fertilizer (NPK), poultry manure, vermicompost and untreated control. The required dose of nitrogen was fulfilled by the fertilizer itself whereas insufficient amount of phosphorous and potassium was fulfilled by addition of single super phosphate and muriate of potash respectively. The fertilizers were applied on the basis of recommendation given by the Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC). The effect of poultry manure on number of open flowers and number of fruits at 40 DAS was found superior. The effect of poultry manure on plant height, number of leaves, plant diameter was found superior at 50 DAS. Goat manure produced the superior result on number of open flowers at 50 DAS. Poultry manure on the number of leaves and plant height produced the significant result at 60 DAS. Synthetic fertilizer responded well to number of fruits at 60 DAS. Sesame cake produced the superior results at 70 DAS on number of buds. Poultry manure responded well to all the parameters and produced the yield of 200 qt./ha with the BC ratio of 1.77. This experiment suggests the farmers to use the poultry manure to get the highest economic return. Vermicompost and mustard cake producing the superior and significant yield in this research are not recommended as they have low BC ratio unless effective measures are encouraged to reduce the cost of this fertilizers.

The pteridophytes comprising ferns and fern allies constitute an important part in Nepalese flora. Pteridophyte flora of the Himalayan region is considered to be the basic requirements for the knowledge of pteridology. This paper aims to provide the overview of fern and fern allies present in the Nubri valley and its adjoining areas of Manaslu Conservation Area (MCA), Central Nepal. A total of 105 species belonging to 45 genera were recorded, with Dryopteris as the largest genera including twelve species followed by Athyrium, Pteris and Polystichum. With regard to habitats, most of the species were terrestrials followed by lithophytes and epiphytes.

The aim of this study was to know the commonly available medicinal plants and to document their usages. Study was carried out around periphery of 'Gyaneswor Community Forest' of Bharatpur-16 of Chitwan district of Nepal. Altogether, forty household were selected by random sampling, and key informant interview was carried out with community forest personnel's and leading farmers. Most of the respondents of Bharatpur-16 were found to be dependent on medicinal plants for their primary health care. Because of no side effect, easy availability and cost effectiveness of medicinal plants, most people were found satisfied using it. However, the use of and preference for medicinal plant was found limited to minor diseases only. The findings of this study revealed that there are many medicinal plants in our periphery that can be used as an alternative for allopathic medicines, but they need to be systematically managed and conserved. SAARC J. Agri., 16(2): 129-141 (2018

Tree species are the dominant component of forest ecosystems which influence most structural and functional attributes of these ecosystems. This study aims to document distribution pattern of forest types and their composition from tropical region at Hetauda (550 m asl) to temperate region above Simbhangyang (2500 m asl) of Makawanpur district, central Nepal. The carbon stock in the living biomass of tree  species was estimated using an allometric equation while the biodiversity index was calculated using Shannon-Wiener Biodiversity index. A total of 62 species of trees belonging to 51 genera was recorded. Shorea forest was dominant in lower elevation while Quercus forest, Alnus-Rhododendron, Quercus-Lyonia and Quercus-Symplocos forests at higher elevation. Similarly, Castanopsis tribuloides has the widest distribution range (570 m to 2240 m asl) followed by Shorea robusta, Lagerstroemia parviflora, Trichilia connaroides, Syzigium jambos, Castanopsis indica, Schima wallichii etc. The highest number of tree species was recorded at 550 m elevation. Estimated carbon stocks were ranged from 0.85 — 53.37 t/ha with the mean value 24.98 t/ha. The values of Shannon-Wiener Biodiversity index ranged from 1.23— 2.78. There was positive relationship between carbon stock and biodiversity index (R2 = 0.40, p = 0.03). People have been practicing community forest management to support sustainability of harvesting in the study area.Banko JanakariA Journal of Forestry Information for NepalVol. 28, No. 1, 2018, page: 20-25