An experiment was done at Rambagh, Chitwan during March to May 2018 with the objective to evaluate the effect of plant growth regulators on growth, flowering and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus.) cv. Malini. The experiment consisted of nine treatments viz., control (no spray), silver nitrate 250 ppm spray, ethephon 250 ppm spray, gibberellic acid (GA3) 300 ppm spray, napthalene acetic acid (NAA) 50 ppm spray, silver nitrate 500 ppm spray, ethephon 250 ppm spray, gibberellic acid (GA3) 500 ppm spry, and napthalene acetic acid (NAA) 100 ppm spray; each treatment was replicated thrice. Findings revealed that use of plant growth regulators significantly affected growth, flowering and fruit yield of cucumber. The highest plant height was measured for GA3 300 ppm spray whereas lowest plant height was measured for NAA 100 ppm spray. Likewise, GA3 300 ppm spray had produced highest number of lateral branches. On the other hand, highest number of male flower was recorded in control, but highest number of female flower was recorded for ethephon 250 ppm spray whereas it was lowest for control (14.00). The highest and lowest fruit length was recorded if GA3 500 ppm and ethephon 250 ppm were sprayed, respectively. Likewise, the highest fruit numbers per plant was recorded in GA3 300 ppm application whereas the control had the lowest number of fruit produced. The highest fruit yield was produced from the application of GA3 300 ppm (109.7 t/ha) while the lowest fruit yield was recorded in control (40.53 t/ha). The B: C ratio was high in GA3 300 ppm (4.37) application as well. These results indicate the benefit of spraying GA3 300 ppm to have a better performance and fruit yield of cucumber compared to the other treatments with varied concentrations of NAA and GA3.

With the aim to assess major constraints and opportunities in commercialization along with the study of control measures and apposite services provided by stakeholders, the survey among 75 households from 5 different clusters in major citrus producing Dudhkoshi and Thulung Dudhkoshi regions during 2018 was conducted. The result from the pilot study portrays that – despite the long-term farming experiences in citrus, mandarins were unproductive in their orchards. Lack of technical knowledge, input supply, road and market access regarding commercial citrus farming has been major limiting aspect for orchard management and production. Likewise, condition of mechanical tools and record keeping was found poor from direct observation. 49.33% did not have storage facility for the fruit; problem on post-harvest and marketing was followed by poor transportation facility. The market for mandarin was the local market for 34 respondents where the price per kg was NRs. 77.94 which was significantly higher than the farmgate price (NRs. 49.02) at 5% level of significance. The fruit has invincible quality and taste. The development of collection centers, frequent monitoring and trainings for progressive farmers and input supplies management from government and private sectors are suggested, which can promote the productivity of citrus; thus, farming of mandarin can enhance livelihood and can be sustainable venture for the study area.

Laboratory research was conducted to study the effect of wax amended coating on the shelf life of Citrus sinensis Osbeck during 2017-18 at Rampur, Chitwan. The experiment was conducted in single factor Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with nine treatments and four replications. The treatments consisted of carbendazim and three essential oils viz. lemongrass, mentha and eucalyptus oil at two different concentrations of 0.1% and 0.5%, all of them infused with 10% wax emulsion. The wax treatment devoid of fungicide and essential oils served as control. The application of essential oils with wax improved shelf life and enhanced juice retention, firmness, titratable acidity, vitamin C and disease reduction. But total soluble solid was found higher in fruits treated with wax emulsion only. The highest shelf life and disease control was obtained with wax with 0.5% carbendazim but waxing with 0.5% eucalyptus oil and 0.5% lemongrass oil can be better alternatives considering their superior performance in environmental aspects, consumer preferences and quality parameters like juice retention, firmness, titratable acidity and vitamin C.

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.

Potato germination is highly sensitive to ecological conditions. High altitude and low annual average temperature results in tuber dormancy and poor sprouting. Dormancy has become a significant constraint for lowering potato production that hinders the possibility of growing two crops per year. An experiment was conducted from February to April 2020, where two major potato varieties (Desiree and Cardinal) were treated with four concentrations of Thiourea (0, 1, 2, and 3%) in a two factorial completely randomized block design with three replications. Results showed that Thiourea has a significant effect on all observed attributes as per varieties of potato. For Desiree variety, Thiourea (1%) decreased breaking of dormancy by 22 days compared to control (Desiree*Thiourea 0%) and produced the longest average sprout of 7.36cm at 49 days after treatment (DAT). On the other hand, for the Cardinal variety, Thiourea (3%) decreased tuber dormancy by 27 days compared to control (Cardinal*Thiourea 0%) and produced a sprout of 7.75 cm at 49 DAT. In conclusion, for breaking dormancy and enhancing sprouting of potato varieties Desiree and Cardinal, Thiourea concentration of 1% and 3% is recommended, respectively.