Kailali is the second highest district regarding wheat production and area coverage. A study was carried out in the Kailali district for preference of farmers on different wheat varieties that were being cultivated in the district. The objective of the study was to assess farmers’ preference and perception on the different improved wheat varieties in the area. Five commonly grown wheat varieties and seventeen important wheat varietal traits were selected through focus group discussion, key informant interview and preliminary survey. Sixty households were selected for face-to-face personal interview, twelve for each selected variety, at random from Ghodaghodi Municipality, Gauriganga Municipality and Kailari Rural Municipality of Kailali. The weightage of the seventeen selected traits were determined using an online survey conducted among individuals from different designation with the agricultural background who were well known about wheat cultivation practices in Kailali district. Yield, flour quality and tillering were found to be the trait of higher weightage and stem thickness was the trait of lowest weightage. The preferences of the farmers were measured using wheat preference index (WPI). The varieties Vijay, NL-971, HD-2967, Gautam and Aditya were ranked as I, II, III, IV and V respectively. The incorporation of farmers' preferred traits in future wheat varieties would increase the likelihood of adoption of the varieties. Similarly, proper participatory field trial of new improved wheat varieties would also help in the selection of the suitable varieties in the area concerning the farmers’ criteria of selection. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 8(4): 432-436

The efficacy of different management practices comprising cowpea/sorghum intercropping, microbial insecticide: Spinosad, neem-based botanical pesticide: neemix and synthetic insecticide: Chlorpyriphos 50 + Cypermethrin 5 were evaluated against pod borer and pod sucking bugs of cowpea. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized block design at Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Nepal. All the treatments except cowpea/sorghum intercropping significantly reduced the flower infestation of pod borer larvae. The lowest number of infected flower and number of larvae per flower was observed in Spinosad treated plot. Also, the highest percentage of reduction in flower infestation was observed in Spinosad treated plots. Similarly, Chlorpyriphos 50 + Cypermethrin 5 treated plots showed the least number of pod bug infestation followed by Spinosad. The highest yield and lowest weight of damaged pod was recorded in Spinosad treated plots along with the lowest percentage infestation of pods by weight. The highest net income per hectare of land was recorded in Spinosad followed by Chlorpyriphos 50 + Cypermethrin 5 treatment. The marginal benefit cost ratio showed that the highest profit per unit rupee spent over control was obtained in Chlorpyriphos 50 + Cypermethrin 5 treatment followed by Spinosad. Considering the results obtained, Spinosad an eco-friendly, safe and less hazardous bio-pesticide has been recommended as a good approach for the management of cowpea pod borer and pod sucking bug.

Dolpa is the largest district and one of the major apple-producing districts of Nepal. It had seemingly an increasing trend of production and productivity of apple despite having low productivity than the national average. A study was carried out to study the production and marketing status of the district. Preliminary studies were done and a household survey was carried out among 125 apple-growing farmers from different wards of Tripurasundari and Thulibheri Municipality. 10 commercial farmers in Juphal along with five wholesalers and retailers each based in Nepalgunj were also interviewed to observe the marketing status of apple. 16.59 % of the income was generated through apple production behind government jobs and other agricultural activities. Apple farming was found profitable with BC ratio of 1.39. Training, technical assistance, experience, and landholding were found to have a positive influence on the apple-growing farmers. The overall productivity of apple in the area was 7.55 MT per ha, which was lower than the national average. Improper Post-harvest handling and storage facility had created a post-harvest loss of 14.33 %. Most of the produce was marketed within the district only due to lack of good roads. Lack of irrigation and insect pest attack were the major production problems whereas lack of storage and poor transportation as the major marketing problems. Increasing the frequency of extension works, technical assistance and good transport of the produce were needed to be focused.