Five rice varieties newly adopted in NARC were studied for their varietal differences in relation to quality characteristics such as physicochemical and cooking qualities. In physical analysis bulk density, density, thousand kernel weight and length to breadth ratio were recorded as highest in ‘Lumle-2’ (0.602gm/ml), ‘Lumle-2’ (27.789gm), ‘UPLRI-5’ (1.361gm/ml) and ‘IET-16775’ (4.710) varieties respectively. The milling and head rice recovery were recorded maximum in ‘Lumle-2’ (78.821%) and ‘UPLRI-5’ (78.282%) respectively. Protein, fat, amylose, crude-fiber and total-ash were ranged from 8.292-13.346%, 1.147-1.872%, 24.541-27.396% and 0.707-1.379% respectively. Iron, phosphorous and calcium content were estimated in the range 1.016-2.325mg/100g, 204.036-336.532mg/100g and 16.189-29.813mg/100g respectively. From organoleptic test, ‘IET-16775’ variety was scored as strongest aroma. ‘Lumle-2’, ‘Chhomrong’, ‘Machapuchhre-3’ varieties were shown as intermediate gelatinization-temperature and ‘UPLRI-5’ and ‘IET-16775’ varieties were recorded as high gelatinization-temperature. Water uptake ratio, cooking time, elongation ratio and gruel loss were found in the range 1.696-2.667, 18-25minutes, 1.252-1.428, and 2.477-6.188% respectively.

Seven tomato varieties, Ahmita, BL-410, Ceres, Dalila, Makish, Srijana and Winsari were evaluated for physicochemical properties and fruit yield under plastic house condition during rainy seasons of two consecutive years 2012 and 2013 at the Regional Agriculture Research Station, Lumle, Kaski . The experiment was laid out in a complete randomized block design with four replications. The physicochemical analyses revealed that BL-410 had the highest total soluble solid (5.22 oBx) while Srijana had the highest tritrable acidity (0.903%) and vitamic C content (32.32 mg/100 g). It showed that Srijana was the most useful variety from nutritional perspective. BL-410 took least time to flowering (22.00 days), fruiting (28.00 days) and first harvesting (72.00 days) after transplanting. Ahmita produced maximum number of fruits per cluster (8.43). Ceres produced largest size (122.0 g) fruit while Winsari measured the tallest plant (120.5). Winsari produced highest marketable yield (105.8 t ha^-1). Thus, it has been recommended for commercial production. Srijana, which has highest nutritional value needs to be promoted with increasing its productivity.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/njst.v15i2.12106 Nepal Journal of Science and Technology Vol. 15, No.2 (2014) 17-22

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of degree of milling on various rice parameters such as proximate composition, and cooking properties using mathematical model. The experiments were performed in the laboratory of Food Research Division, Nepal Agricultural Research Council. The three different medium type rice varieties of Nepal (Lumle-2, Chhomrong and Machhapuchre-3) were exposed to five different degrees of milling (0%, 6%, 8%, 10% and 12%). The degree of milling (DM) level significantly (P≤0.05) affected the milling recovery; head rice yield, nutrient content as well as cooking properties of the rice. Increase in DM resulted in further reduction of protein content, fat content, minerals, milled rice and head rice yield after bran layer was further removed. A positive correlation between DM used in present model, amylose content, kernel elongation and gruel solid loss was observed, however, with an increase in DM; amylose content, kernel elongation and gruel solid loss were found to be increased. Adopting 6 to 8% DM for commercial milling of rice might help to prevent quantitative, qualitative and nutritional loss along with retention of good cooking characteristics.

In 2021, this study has attempted to analyze the trend of pesticide import over two decades in Nepal. Secondary data obtained from Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Center were analyzed to know the pesticide import trend. The result showed that the import of pesticides was in increasing trend and the average annual increase in import was 30.48 tons (a.i.) over the last twenty-two years. Fungicide had the highest import followed by insecticide, herbicide and these three groups comprised more than 90% of the pesticide import. The import of insecticide, fungicide, herbicide, organophosphate, mix group pesticide was in increasing trend while that of rodenticide, bactericide was in decreasing trend. The import of synthetic pyrethroid, carbamates, and some new groups like nicotinoids had been increasing in recent years. Although the import of chemical pesticides was increasing in huge amount; import of biopesticide also seems to be in increasing trend. The use of pesticide is still low in Nepal as compared to the global average or other countries however, the effects of its use are greater and hazardous which indicates the need for strong policy implementation for the safe import and use of pesticides.