Postharvest loss is one of the major problems in tomato production. This study was conducted to assess the post-harvest practices and losses of tomato at the farmers’ fields in three districts namely Kathmandu (Kavresthali), Lalitpur (Lubhoo, and Lamatar), and Bhaktapur (Tathali and Kaushaltar). By using a simple random sampling method, the sample size of 60 respondents was chosen. A pre-tested questionnaire, group conversation, and key-informant survey were applied in this study. The results revealed that 10.3% of the respondents produced the tomato on a small scale whereas 58.8% of respondents produced on large scale. 10% of total losses were found from harvesting to marketing. In the field, during harvesting and packaging, there was a 2% loss. The tomato loss was negligible during grading and washing. 4% loss was found during the transportation of tomato and 2% of the loss during the storage of tomato. To the producer level, the insufficient knowledge about the storage, packaging, transportation, and random harvesting led to the maximum loss of tomato. In the study area, the producers played important role in reducing the postharvest loss of tomato, therefore, public awareness should be increased through mass media about the proper harvesting and storing of tomato.

Abstract. Global food production needs to be increased in order to feed the world’s growing population and at the same time, the reliance on inorganic fertilizers and pesticides should be minimized. To accomplish this goal, the various beneficial associations between plants and soil microorganisms should be explored. The soil microbes are bacteria, actinomycetes, viruses, fungi, nematode, and protozoa. They have an important soil function that has fulfilled several useful tasks in the soil system. Microbes support biological nitrogen fixation of different biological transformations that support the accumulation and utilization of key nutrients, support root and shoot growth processes, disease control, and improve soil quality in crop cultivation. Soil microbes offer nutrient-dense nourishment improved crop production and recycle soil solutions. They play an essential role in decomposing organic matter, cycling nutrients, and fertilizing the soil. Besides, they improve plant growth on various physiological parameters of plants by a number of mechanisms. The mechanism involved in growth promotion includes plant growth regulators, production of different metabolites, and conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia in direct and indirect ways. In addition, soil microbes offer resistance against diseases. This review outlines the significant impact of soil microbes on sustainable agricultural growth, the benefits of microbes in maintaining soil health, and their interactions.

A survey was undertaken in five Village Development Committees (VDCs) of Lamjung District, Nepal from June to August 2018 to investigate major insect pests and their management practices in cucurbits. A total of ninety-five cucurbit growers were selected and interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. The study revealed that the major insect pests attacking cucurbits were fruit fly, red pumpkin beetle, aphid, whitefly, epilachna beetle, cucurbit sting bug, cutworm, and blister beetle. The majority of farmers responded that fruit fly was the most prevalent insect pest, followed by aphid and red pumpkin beetle. Most of the farmers used chemical methods, that includes biological, mechanical, and cultural techniques to control the insects. For the mechanical method, they used sex-pheromone traps i.e. cue-lure. Among botanical pesticides, Neem (Azadirachta indica), Malabar Nut (Justicia adhatoda), Chinaberry (Melia azedarch), Mugwort (Artemisia spp.) were used. Commonly used insecticides by farmers were Cypermethrin, Dimethoate, Malathion, and Endosulfan. The indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides resulted in pest resistance, resurgence, and sometimes outbreak of insect pests. Majority of farmers were using chemical methods to control pests. Apart from this, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) was also adopted for good agricultural practices (GAP) to prevent chemical hazards on human health and the environment. To control insect pests, trained farmers should be encouraged to follow the sanitation of fields and protection of natural enemies by avoiding the use of pesticides a long as possible.

Late the blight  of  potato is  a  devastating  and  one of  the  economic diseases  of potato  and  other plants  belonging  to family Solanaceae. Late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, is one of the most threatening pathogenic diseases which not only results in direct crop losses but also cause farmers to embrace huge monetary expenses for disease control and preventive measure. It was first reported during the Irish Potato Famine, leading to massive starvation in Ireland and other parts of Europe during the middle of 19th century. Phytopthora harms the foliar portion in the field and also the tuber in the storage that can result in complete crop failure in potato. The pathogen has distinct survival mechanisms and two life cycles infection processes. The development of a sexual spore known as oospore includes two types of pairs, A1 and A2. The spores are introduced to good plants by wind and rain. Different methods for prevention of crops from late blight has been developed and used worldwide. An integrated disease management strategy includes successful control of this disease. Cultural control, chemical management, and advanced disease management are the most effective interventions. Integration of late blight control in tropical regions with abundant fungal inoculants in most months of the year was also seen as one of the best choices in disease management. This paper reviews the significance of late blight of potato and controlling strategies adopted for minimizing yield losses incurred by this disease by the application of synthetic fungicides and different organic amendments.

Invasive alien plant species (IAPS) are a significant threat to agriculture, resulting in crop loss and increased production cost. Because of their detrimental effects on floral and faunal organisms and their ecosystems, they pose a significant threat to biodiversity. There are 219 species of alien flowering plants native to Nepal, 26 of which have been reported to be invasive with negative environmental impacts, including agricultural production. Four of them (Lantana camara L., Mikania micrantha Kunth, Chromolaena odorata (L.) King & Robb. and Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms) are among the 100 of the world's worst invasive alien species in agroecosystems and range lands. The current status and impacts of invasive alien plant species are discussed in this paper.