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The field was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 5 treatments (T1-no pinching, T2-pinching at 10 DAT, T3-pinching at 20 DAT, T4-pinching at 30 DAT and T5- pinching at 40 DAT) and four replications. Five plants were randomly selected from each treatment to record growth, flowering parameters and economics of marigold cultivation. Among the treatments, T1 (no pinching) recorded the maximum plant height (89.05cm), earliest bud initiation (29.75 days), earliest appearance of first flower (40.25 days) and minimum days to 50% flowering (50 days). Similarly, maximum flower diameter (5.53 g), maximum fresh weight (5.08 g) and maximum dry weight of flower (2.11 g) was also recorded with this treatment. Further, the maximum number of primary branches per plant (19.25), secondary branches per plant (46.25), plant spread (59.20 cm) and maximum number of flowers (124.96), flower yield per plant (549.9 g), flower yield per plot (8.25 kg) and total flower yield (229.14 q/ha) were recorded at T5 (pinching at 40DAT). Hence, it can be concluded that pinching at 40 DAT is the most effective practice for yield and number of flowers and no-pinching can be recommended if early and big sized flowers are required. [Fundam Appl Agric 2024; 9(3.000): 204-212]

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.

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.

A field experiment on LCC-based N management was carried out at Rajapur, Bardiya during the spring season of 2021 to determine the growth and productivity of spring rice varieties. The experiment was laid out in strip plot design with three replications. The treatment consisted of four varieties (Chaite-5, Hardinath-1, Hardinath 1-F1, and Hardinath-3) in horizontal plots and five levels of LCC-based N management practices (Pure LCC, 25% N (basal) + LCC, Recommended dose of fertilizer in three splits, Farmer's dose, and no nitrogen) in vertical plots. The results showed that Pure LCC-based nitrogen management produced the highest grain yield (6.24 t ha-1) followed by 25% N basal +LCC (5.77 t ha-1). LCC-based treatments produced a significantly higher yield than recommended dose applied in three splits. The higher yield in pure LCC was because of higher yield attributes like effective tillers m-2, higher thousand-grain weight, lower sterility percentage, longer panicle length, and higher panicle weight. Hardinath-3 and Hardinath 1-F1 with pure LCC produced significantly higher yields than other treatment combinations. The spring rice varieties Hardinath 1-F1 and Hardinath-3 were high yielders than Hardinath-1 and Chaite-5. The higher yield of Hardinath-3 was due to higher number of effective tillers m-2, longer panicle length, and higher panicle weight. Similarly, the higher yield of Hardinath1-F1 was mainly due to higher thousand-grain weight and higher number of effective tillers m-2 as compared to other varieties except for Hardinath-3. The varieties Hardinath 1-F1 and Hardinath-3 with pure LCC-based N management were high-yielders in Bardiya-like climatic conditions. [Fundam Appl Agric 2023; 8(1.000): 368-376]

Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) is an integrated approach that transforms the agri-food system and mitigates climate change. They connect the use of farming techniques in order to increase food productivity, Climate resilient practice, and decrease greenhouse gases. The main aim of this review is to demonstrate the typical interrelationship between climate and agriculture and get knowledge regarding this. In addition, focus on traditional agriculture along with its mitigating measures for climate agriculture. They approach collective development practices through the efforts of individuals in order to manage agriculture and the food system under climate change. Therefore, there is an increasing need for a strategic plan to balance agriculture and the food system.

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.

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.