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Invasive alien plant species (IAPS) pose a growing ecological threat, disrupting native ecosystems and biodiversity while challenging traditional conservation efforts. Ageratina adenophora, Chromolaena odorata, and Mikania micrantha, belonging to the Banmara species, pose a significant threat to agriculture, resulting in crop loss and increased production costs. Their detrimental effects on floral, faunal organisms, and ecosystems make them a substantial menace to biodiversity. Out of 219 alien flowering plant species, 30 are identified as invasive, resulting in adverse environmental outcomes and impacting agricultural production. Remarkably, two notable Banmara species, C. odorata and M. micrantha, rank among the world's top 100 most invasive alien species in agroecosystems and rangelands. Additionally, A. adenophora is on the alert list of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO). The presence of Banmara species is more prevalent in central and eastern Nepal, particularly in the Tarai, Siwalik, and Middle Mountain regions, showing a high degree of invasion. A. adenophora and C. odorata have invaded the High Mountain region and the High Himalayas, while M. micrantha is more prevalent in the Terai and upper hilly regions of Nepal. These invasive species disrupt forests, shrublands, wetlands, and agricultural ecosystems, causing ecological imbalances, habitat degradation, and adverse effects on biodiversity. The negative impacts resulting from the biological invasion of Banmara species seem to be on the rise in Nepal; however, national policy and management responses appear insufficient to address the issue adequately. The findings of this study highlight the urgent need to address the challenges posed by these invasive plant species. This comprehensive review synthesizes current knowledge regarding Banmara species, emphasizing their ecological consequences and the pressing need for effective management strategies. By comprehending these repercussions and implementing robust management strategies, the impact of Banmara species can be minimized, safeguarding native biodiversity and ecosystem integrity.

Liriomyza sativae (Diptera: Agromyzidae) is a cosmopolitan, polyphagous pest of horticultural crops and many are resistant to insecticides. Cucumber producers in the Katahari, Biratnagar in the Eastern region of Nepal, have been facing severe challenges in recent years due to infestations by the leafminer. This pest has emerged as a major concern for local cucumber farmers, adversely affecting plant health, yield, and economic viability. The objective of this study is to investigate the efficacy of various insecticides for controlling Liriomyza and the impact of these treatments on the growth, yield, and economic aspects of cucumber cultivation. Research plots were sprayed with profenophos + cypermethrin, emamectin, chlorantraniliprole, Btk + S. spinosa, spinetoram, azadirachtin, and a water spray control. Insecticide efficacy was monitored by examining the collected leaf samples for leafminer stings, larval mines, larvae number, and rate of injury. Chlorantraniliprole and spinetoram significantly reduced the number of leafminer stings, larval mines, and the average number of larvae, resulting in lower injury rates compared to the water spray control. The insecticide treatments exhibited varying effects on plant height, number of leaves per plant, male and female flower counts, and the sex ratio. Likewise, chlorantraniliprole application led to the highest fruit number per plant, resulting in the highest yield. Other treatments also influenced these parameters but to a lesser extent. The economic analysis revealed that chlorantraniliprole had the highest total cost of cultivation but also generated the highest gross return, net return, and benefit-cost ratio. Overall, this study demonstrates that chlorantraniliprole exhibited the most promising results in terms of pest control, plant growth, yield parameters, and economic returns. These findings provide valuable insights for cucumber farmers and can aid in developing effective strategies for managing cucumber leafminers.

Any program aimed at improving rice quality must investigate and comprehend the variety and heterogeneity of germplasm genotypes. Genetic variability analysis aids the breeders in determining the best criteria and selection procedure to be utilized in order to enhance the desired attributes. Twenty genetic materials were used in a two-year (2021-2022) field experiment at the G.P. Koirala College of Agriculture and Research Center in Morang, Nepal. This study aimed to determine the genetic diversity by principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis, as well as to assess the path coefficient (PC), genetic deviation, and character association based on grain yield (GY) and other yield-attributing variables. For all the parameters under study, variance analysis across all genotypes showed substantial differences (P

AbstractThe Yellow Stem Borer (YSB), Scirpophaga incertulas Walker, (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a devastating pest that significantly affects the yield of spring rice crops. Insecticides have been the primary method used to control YSB, but comparative efficacy studies of different insecticides against YSB in Nepalese rice production systems are limited. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of seven insecticide treatments against YSB on the Hardinath-1 variety of rice during the period of February to June 2022. A Randomized Complete Block Design was employed, and the efficacy of the treatments against YSB was evaluated by monitoring the mean values of dead hearts and white heads, recorded at different intervals of post-treatment. The results showed that Chlorantraniliprole 18.5SC (0.4 ml/l) and Chlorpyriphos 20EC (2.0 ml/l) were the most effective treatments, as they outperformed all other treatments, not only in terms of controlling dead heart and white head but also in their effect on yield. The yield of rice plants treated with Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC and Chlorpyriphos 20 EC was 3.31 t/ha and 3.24 t/ha, respectively. These results suggest that the application of these two insecticides can provide effective control against YSB and protect rice plants from damage caused by dead heart and white head. However, despite the positive results obtained in this study, it is important to note that the efficacy of the tested insecticides needs to be tested on a larger scale, as well as in different ecological regions.

AbstractThe panicle architecture is a critical determinant of the reproductive success of rice plants and has a direct impact on grain production. In this study, we evaluated the genetic variation of panicle parameters in fifteen rice genotypes and compared them with five commonly grown cultivars in the study area to assess their potential for crop improvement initiatives. The selection of the 15 genotypes was based on specific criteria, including diversity in origin, grain type, and adaptation to local conditions. Significant morphological variations were observed among the rice accessions for panicle parameters, including panicle length, weight, test weight, panicle number, grains/panicle, chaffs/panicle, and flag leaf area. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the first two axes explained 59.8% of the total variance, indicating substantial variability in panicle features across the genotypes. Panicle length, panicle weight, and flag leaf area were identified as significant variables contributing to phenotypic variation. Multiple correlation analysis indicated that panicle weight was strongly positively correlated with panicle length, flagleaf area, grains/panicle, and test weight but was negatively correlated with panicle number, chaffs/panicle, and panicle angle. Genetic advance as a percentage of the mean (GAM) ranged from 7.226% for panicle number to 70.728% for chaffs/panicle. Traits such as grain/panicle, panicle length, flag leaf area, chaffs/panicle, and test weight exhibited high GAM and heritability, highlighting their significance for selection during crop improvement. Certain rice accessions, namely SVIN123, IR106523-25-34-3-2-13-1-2, Radha-13, and IR15L17315, demonstrated superior panicle weight, larger grains/panicle, and panicle length, making them attractive candidates for future rice breeding projects.

The research was conducted following a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) to investigate the effects of seed priming using various chemical treatments on the germination and growth parameters of two rice cultivars, BRRI Dhan-66 and IR 80991-B-330-U-1. Ten different priming agents, including H3BO3, CaCO3, CuSO4, DAP, FeCl2, MoP, PEG (5 %), PEG (10 %), Urea, and ZnSO4, were applied to treat the seeds, each treatment being replicated three times. A control group underwent hydro-priming. The seeds were soaked in the treatments for 24 h. After the priming treatments, the seeds were subjected to a redrying process at a temperature of 26 ± 2 °C until they regained their original weight before being transplanted onto blotting paper. Germination parameters such as germination percentage, germination speed, germination energy, and vigor index were recorded for seven consecutive days. Growth parameters including root length, shoot length, fresh seedling weight, and dry seedling weight were measured at 10, 20, and 30 days after sowing. The results indicate significant variations among the treatments for germination parameters (p ≤ 0.001). Similarly, significant variations were observed in growth parameters, including shoot length, fresh weight, and dry weight (p ≤ 0.001). Among the rice varieties, BRRI Dhan-66 exhibited better results for germination percentage (81.58 %), germination speed (62.78 %), germination energy (52.06 %), vigor index (1312), fresh weight (0.807g), and dry weight of seedlings (0.053g). In contrast, the FeCl2 treatment showed the best results, inducing respective increases of 25.19 %, 93.35 %, 94.95 %, and 29.07 % for germination percentage, speed, energy, and vigor index compared to the control, respectively. For growth parameters, the DAP and CuSO4 treatments demonstrated better results. Our findings highlight that improved germination of primed rice seedlings is associated with germination energy, speed, vigor index, and the fresh weight of the seedlings. Furthermore, Pearson's correlation coefficient revealed there is significant positive correlation between germination percentage, speed, energy and vigor index but the strongest correlation exists between germination speed and germination energy (R = 0.94***) followed by germination percentage and vigor index (R = 0.92***). Based on our findings, we propose that seed priming significantly enhances rice seedlings' germination and growth parameters. BRRI Dhan-66, along with seed treatment using FeCl2, can be effectively employed to achieve improved germination and growth in rice cultivation.

Fish consumption choices are impacted by the socioeconomic aspects of customers. A field survey was done in 2022 with the purpose of (i) measuring the frequency of fish consumption, (ii) studying the socioeconomic characteristics of customers and their preferences; and (iii) researching the variables impacting the consumption of fish by consumers in the Siraha district. A sample size of 102 individuals was selected randomly from the Siraha district, including the Lahan Municipality, Dhangadhimai Municipality, and Golbazar Municipality, to ensure representation across diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Data was collected using a questionnaire administered to the participants. Respondents (58.8%) overwhelmingly prefer to eat fish more than twice a week, throughout the year or particularly in winter. Rohu (Labeo rohita) and carp (Cyprinus carpio) are the most often eaten fish species. The frequency of fish-consumption shows a strong connection with income level and education level. The stepwise multiple regression model explained 58.1% of the overall variation in fish consumption. The market structure is not sanitary, the price of fresh fish is expensive, and the consumption frequency of customers is impacted, particularly for poor socio-economic groups. boosted by a variety of various legislation, marketing, and advertising methods. In addition, consumers should be dispersed throughout the year rather than exclusively in particular seasons.

Cannabis sativus L. is an annual, deciduous, dimorphic, flowering plant that is distributed all over the world. Despite its tremendous and handy usage in medicinal and other areas, the cultivation, production, and trade of cannabis are illegal in most of the countries. It is so because of some of its harmful side effects on human health when consumed haphazardly or addictively. Following the declaration made by the UN Assembly, some countries, including the Republic of South Africa, Canada, Germany, Australia, Colombia, and Indonesia, have legalized the indoor cultivation and production of cannabis, as well as cannabis-based products. Cannabis can thrive in a wide range of climatic and ecological conditions. Cannabis can be propagated via seeds, cuttings, grafting, micropropagation, etc. The plants are mainly cultivated for their chemical constituents like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol, cannabinol, etc., which are extracted from their dried flowers. This study illustrates the production technology, current legal status, and botanical characteristics of Cannabis sativus. [Fundam Appl Agric 2023; 8(1.000): 458-474]

In the agronomical field, different internal and external factors are responsible for substantially diminished crop harvest. A hindrance that can be listed in those factors is insect pests. African bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) is a significant polyphagous, rapacious feeder, and the serious pest of agricultural cosmos. This pest can infest a wide array of species (almost 180 plant species) and a diverse range of families regarding it to be the most versatile and economically important nuisances for crops. H. armigera is widely far-reaching throughout the globe mostly in the Asian domain. Likewise, the subsequent number of instars makes it more detrimental and positively influences its existence pattern. The biological parameters like high fecundity, reproducibility, and comparatively long-life period support in the incitement of damage threshold (DT). Thusly, this article depicts the presentation and control tactics against H. armigera, and further incorporates science and damage to acquaint this pest and access raise in production.

Between 2020 and 2021, an experimental investigation was conducted in Tropical conditions to assess the effects of varying levels of nitrogen fertilization (0 kgNha−1, 0.5 kgNha−1, 1 kgNha−1, 1.5 kgNha−1, and 2 kgNha−1) on the growth and yield parameters of two strawberry cultivars (Sweet Sensation and Rubygem) in a sandy loam soil. The results demonstrated that the application of nitrogen positively influenced both vegetative (such as plant height, leaf number per plant, canopy spread, and crown diameter) and reproductive (such as number of flowers and fruits per plant, fruit yield, and TSS content) traits of both strawberry cultivars. Furthermore, the findings indicated that Sweet Sensation responded more positively to higher nitrogen doses than Rubygem in all aspects. The data showed that the utilization of 2 kgNha−1 resulted in the highest fruit yield (0.390–0.508 t/ha) and quality traits, including TSS (7.89–9.21%). While there were no significant variations in TSS content among the plants treated with different nitrogen levels, significant differences were observed between the two strawberry cultivars.

As the adverse consequences of the industrial/modern agricultural framework, which encompasses high-input agrarian production and intensive cultivation, are increasing, an alternative is essential. Permaculture is a bunch of sustainable practices that incorporate an assortment of components and promote comprehensive and multi-polycultures including perennial plants, high degrees of biodiversity, crop-animal integration, whole watershed management, and self-sustaining on-site energy production, all of which straightforwardly affect the sustainable approach and promote ecological parameters. This case study attempts to better comprehend the local knowledge in terms of planning and fostering a permaculture system that considers their work, culture, and environmental concerns. In particular, this research focuses on the combined ideology, actual practices, and co-opting nature of three Nepalese permaculturists. The current study employs the notion of imaginaries to comprehend how permaculture may supplant the present agricultural system. Therefore, the study promotes and urges agricultural actioners to create profound and emotional associations with the planet, as well as their creativity and imagination, to impact good natural change.

The global population tend to increase rapidly, especially in developing and underdeveloped countries. The increasing population demands more food items, ultimately prompting abuse of our resources. Additionally, the unsystematic usage of antibiotics, anti-toxins, anthelmintic, and synthetic acids in livestock farming has represented an unbelievable degree of wellbeing peril to humans. With much admittance to education and learning, safe and healthy food is preferred by the soaring populaces. Food from animal sources like poultry meat, generally organic, is supposed to serve the worldwide interest. In light of this, organic poultry farming is likely to become a fastgrowing industry in the coming days. Instead of intensive poultry, organic poultry meat is always demanding in the market due to higher consumer preferences. Likewise, the market price involved for such food is also higher due to the main issues taken for the production framework. The organic production system for poultry birds comprises strict sets of organic standards to be followed by organic poultry farmers. Different management issues such as health, hygiene, feeding, diseases, housing etc., are to be foreseen for utmost results during the production cycle. Better production practices improve poultry health and performance that benefits both the producers and the consumer without compromising poultry health and welfare. This review aims to delineate the pertinent data, including key necessities, current status, possibilities, and consumer discernment, and conclusively highlight the barriers to organic poultry production. [Fundam Appl Agric 2022; 7(2.000): 150-167]

Soil is a fundamental part of successful agriculture, and its quality has to be improved to maximize crop yield and soil fertility. To increase crop productivity and soil fertility, biochar can be applied to the soil. Biochar is a solid carbon-rich product produced from biomass of agricultural crop residues, wastes, and wood, through pyrolysis in an oxygen-deficient condition. Carbon sequestration through biochar is important because of its potential applications in recycling wastes, retaining nutrients in the soil and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. In this review, we explore the various applications of biochar to ensure the safe and sustainable improvement of soil fertility. This review provides an overview of biochar properties, production technology, and its employment in the agriculture. This review would be a useful resource for researchers, farmers, and academics who are interested in the utilization of biochar.

The agribusiness has been confronting a wide array of complications encompassing; stasis crop yields, climatic variation, water inaccessibility, agrochemicals buildup, less supplement use proficiency, reduced soil organic matter which has subsequently influenced the worldwide food demand. For the annihilation of those aforesaid concerns, there is a prerequisite of a pioneer innovation, such as Nanotechnology to be incorporated in the plant breeding sector, which can alleviate those snags alongside securing environmental parameters. Basically, nanotechnology is an emerging innovation that is doled out at a sub-atomic level, particle by iota for fabricating a structure, apparatuses, or gadgets forced with a new sub-atomic collection that can sustain and remediate the current status of plant breeding. The application of nanotechnology in plant breeding comprehends; disease and vermin control, seed technology, plant genetic modification, monitoring of plant growth stages, incitement of hormonal impacts, and precise farming. Other than this wide relevance of nanotechnology, a few investigations show that nanotechnology imparts phytotoxicity effects, which can be a restrictive risk for the environment, beings, and natural boundaries. However, if we can vanish the potential risks and outcomes of this innovation, it can potentially reform the entire agricultural cosmos. Furthermore, this review apportions the synopsis of innumerable nanotechnological applications in plant breeding, recompensing specific consideration to its current utilization, and moreover, scans the opportunities, potential advantages, associative risks, deterrents, and conceivable prospective changes. [Fundam Appl Agric 2021; 6(4.000): 403-414]

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa), the family Rosaceae, is a small fruit that has great importance. It is triggered by a number of physiological, genetic, and biochemical processes. Phytohormones or plant growth regulators are organic substances produced naturally in many plants and responsible for controlling growth and other physiological functions. Therefore, plant growth regulators such as Gibberellin, NAA (auxin) and triacontanol, and chlormequat are essential factors that cause strawberry ripening, maturity indices, and determine the quality of fruits. Moreover, Gibberellin stimulates cell division and breaks dormancy whereas NAA (auxin) stimulates root growth. Similarly, triacontanol plays a special role in plant growth and development. Additionally, chlormequat is effective in controlling the height of the plant. The main objective of this review is to study the effect of various plant growth regulators that have a great potential effect on growth, development, and fruit yield.