Energy cane is a specialized sugarcane (Sacharum spontaneum L.) hybrid developed for high lignocellulosic biomass for biofuel production. The optimum planting spacing for energy cane is not known; hence, it has been planted with sugarcane planting spacing. We examined the effect of six plant spacings derived from three inter‐ (1.22, 1.52, and 1.83 m) and two intra‐row (0.61 and 0.91 m) spacings on energy cane growth, physiology, and biomass yield. Energy cane was planted in fall 2012, was harvested after establishment in 2013, and was allowed to ratoon for biomass yield in 2014 and 2015. The plant spacing had varied effects on energy cane growth and physiology, but no effect on biomass yield. Wide spacing resulted in increased tiller and leaf numbers, but spacing had no effect on other growth and physiological parameters at the p < 0.05 level. The results suggested that energy cane possesses the ability to adjust plant growth according to plant spacing without compromising its biomass yield and can effectively use wide spacing (1.83 × 0.91 m) commonly adopted for sugarcane planting. Wide spacing can reduce seeding cost and energy during planting and will allow the use of existing sugarcane farm machinery for energy cane production. The high biomass yield (18.8–25.1 Mg ha−1) of energy cane obtained in this study also suggests that energy cane can be successfully produced for lignocellulosic feedstock.

The present study is based on the secondary sources of inforamation on temperature, rainfall and productivity of four major cereals ( Rice, Maize, Finger Millet and Wheat) in Morang district of Nepal. A total of 17 years data (1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011) on yield of crops, annual total rainfall, annual mean maximum temperature and annual mean minimum temperature is analysed. The suitability analysis of crops shows that all the four cereals found to be suitable for cultivation in temperature range of Morang district, whereas irrgigation is required in addition to recorded rainfall in case of rice and wheat. The production of three cereals except millet (which is almost stable) has increased during the study period. The analysis of correlation coefficient shows that maize yield and minimum temperature have strong positive correlation (0.7755). The linear regression analysis showed that the yield of maize was significant and highly sensitive to combined effect of all three climatic factors (R 2 0.7414). Whereas, the yield of rice, millet and wheat were not statistically significantly related. At individul climatic factors level, yield of maize and wheat were significantly related with annual mean minimum temperature. The yield of these crops can be increased by crop managementmainly by altering the planting time, varieties and irrigation practices.

Community forest has great impact on forest management but it has put a check on important component of family income of farmers who directly benefited from the forest. This was due to various factors affecting the forest income. This study analyzed the forest income determinants in community forestry in Nawalparasi District. Three community forests (Sundaree, Namuna women and Jharahi Plantation) were selected randomly. Ten explanatory variables were examined as determinants of share of gross forest income in gross family income of rural farmers using linear multiple regression analysis assuming all the explanatory variables are significantly related with gross family income. Four variables (economically active female, total land, percent of irrigated land and distance of forest) showed significant relationship with forest income. The paper suggests policy makers for taking proper attention to mainstream forest related programs, which are directly related to rural farmers income in policy formulation and implementation.

Prairie strips on agricultural lands are supported by the Conservation Reserve Program and provide environmental benefits such as reduced soil loss and improved wildlife habitat. The current study measures the value that the public places on those benefits and if that value changes under different policy designs. The policy design varies by who runs the program (state agency vs. nongovernment organization) and who has enrollment priority (historically managed land vs. degraded land). Results from a choice experiment indicate significant overall public support for the expansion and that willingness to pay is highest with priority for land historically managed in conservation-oriented way.