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A field investigation was carried out during July 2008 to April 2009 in a farmer's field at Gunjanagar-5, Chitwan, Nepal to evaluate the influence of time and intensity of pruning on growth and flowering behaviour of cut rose cv. Super Tata (Rosa hybrida). The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized block design with nine treatment combinations and replicated thrice. The treatments comprised of three dates of pruning i.e. 30th July, 15 th August and 30th August and three pruning intensities i.e. heavy (6 buds per plant), medium (12 buds per plant) and light (18 buds per plant). Both time and intensity of pruning significantly affected growth and yield attributing parameters. The plants pruned heavily on 30 th July produced highest plant height, number, length and diameter of canes. Similarly, stem bud as well as floral initiation were also earlier as compared to other treatments. On the other hand, fresh and dry weight of leaf and leaf area index were highest from the plants pruned heavily on 15 th August. Flower stem diameter was higher in July 30 th pruned rose plants while, flower stem length was found longer (47.67 cm) in August 15 th pruned ones. Heavily pruned plants produced earlier floral initiation (45.48 days). Flower stem length (50.33 cm) and diameter (0.60 cm), length (2.91 cm) and diameter (2.29 cm) of floral buds were found highest from heavily pruned plants. Number of flowers per plant was recorded higher (22) from earlier (30 th July) and lightly pruned rose plants. The longest duration of flowering (212.8 days) was observed from earlier and heavily pruned (198.1 days) plants. Sequential pruning can produce rose flowers at desired time.

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of vermicompost and chemical fertilizers on the performance of Pak choi (Brassica rapa CV. Hong Tae) in Chitwan Nepal during November 2012 to January 2013. Four levels of vermicompost (0, 5, 10 and 15 t/ha) and four levels of NPK equivalent in the form of inorganic fertilizer (100, 50, 25 and 0% of recommended doses of 100:60:60 Kg/ha) in 16 combinations were assessed for yield, yield contributing parameters of Pak choi and microbial activities of soil. All levels of chemical fertilizers increased plant height, leaf number and chlorophyll content of leaves but they had no effect in increasing root length. Chemical fertilizers at 100:60:60 kg NPK/ha increased biological and economic yield of Pak choi. However, all levels of chemical fertilizers were found strongly suppressing in soil microbial activities. Vermicompost on the other hand increased root length, leaf number, biological and economic yield and more significantly increased soil microbial activities resulting in increased level of soil respiration. Chemical fertilizers were effective in increasing plant growth but suppressed microbial activities of soil. Vermicompost on the other hand was effective in long run through slow release of plant nutrients and improving soil health by increased soil microbial activities.Journal of the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science. Vol. 33-34, 2015, page: 243-250

An experiment was carried out to study the effect of post-harvest dipping and various packaging materials on quality traits of mandarin at the laboratory of Project Implementation Unit (Citrus zone) Udayapur, Katari from January to February 2019. The parameters observed were physiological loss in weight, juice content, titrable acidity, total soluble solids, TSS/TA ratio and shelf life. The packaging materials include individual newspaper wrapping, perforated polyethene and corrugated box. Gibberellic acid with a concentration of 100 ppm was used as a dipping material. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 8 treatment replicated 3 times. The result showed that among eight treatments combination, fruits treated with GA3 in combination with perforated polyethene recorded minimum physiological loss in weight (1.99%) and control (19.08%). High retention of juice content (40.30%), total soluble solids(12.83 brix) and titrable acidity (0.60%) was recorded in fruits treated with GA3 in combination with perforated polyethene in 24 days of storage. Fruits treated with GA3 in combination with perforated polyethene attained shelf life of 48 days followed by perforated polyethene with a shelf life of 44 days. Finding of the experiment may prove to be helpful in rural area to store mandarin with minimum loss as markets are far from the village.

This study was conducted to assess the fertility status of different altitude of apple orchard and their effect upon soil nutrients and to study the relationship between different altitude and their availability. Seven different orchards located in 2800, 2700 2600, 2500, 2400, 2300 and 2200 at Apple Zone, Raskot, Kalikot were selected as treatments. They were replicated three times in Randomized Complete Block Design. Composite soil samples were collected in each study site from 0-3 ft soil depth in ‘W’ pattern from each plot. Analyses of soil samples were done in regional soil testing laboratory, Surkhet for chemical properties. There was a significant effect (p<0.05) of altitude on soil macronutrients except available potassium level. Maximum amounts of soil organic matter, acidic and soil rich in nitrogen and phosphorus were found in 2800 masl whereas more basic soil , poor soil organic matter and soil poor in nitrogen and phosphorus were found in 2200 masl. Result showed that in altitude of 2200 masl has poor soil nutrients compared to apple orchards in higher altitude. Kalikot is the top producer of apple in Nepal. This assessment will helps apple growers for adopting better nutrient management plan in their orchards according to the altitude in the district. Further, it is recommended to conduct soil nutrient assessments for all other apple growing regions in the country.