An experiment was done to evaluate the effect of mulching materials on growth and yield characters of cucumber (var: Malini) under drip irrigation condition during February to May 2018 in Chitwan district, Nepal. The experiment was done by using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Accordingly, four different mulching materials, viz. silver on black polyethylene mulch, black polyethylene mulch, rice straw mulch, and rice husk mulch were used as treatments. Each treatment was replicated four times. Un-mulched plot served as control. Mulching improved growth and yield characters of cucumber. Plant height and number of leaves were significantly higher (p<0.05) if silver on black polyethylene mulch was used. Similarly, highest number of male (69.50) and female (33.50) flowers per plant were recorded in silver on black polyethylene mulch used. Male flowers were minimum (29.80) in rice husk mulch used treatment whereas female flowers were minimum (10.30) in the control treatment. Sex ratio was the highest (3.43) in control and it was lowest (1.81) for rice husk mulch used treatment. Number of fruit per plant was significantly higher (p<0.05) (15.85) in silver on black polyethylene mulch treatment. Likewise, longest fruit length (18.42 cm) was measured in silver on black polyethylene mulch treatment whereas shortest (15.24 cm) length was measured in control. Yield of silver on black polyethylene mulch and black polyethylene mulch was almost three-folds and two-folds to that of the control, respectively. B: C ratio shows the use of silver on black polyethylene mulch and black polyethylene mulch economically more beneficial in cucumber production with highest benefit. Findings of this experiment thus clearly suggest the benefit of using silver on black polyethylene mulch, as well as black polyethylene mulch in cucumber cultivation compared to the other common mulching materials.

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

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.

People have collected knowledge based on their experience and have been using such knowledge to develop new technologies. Every invention in today’s World is the result of empirical knowledge that our precedents collected which is also known as indigenous knowledge. In this paper, we have intended to study the indigenous knowledge and practices of a Nepali community. A study was conducted in Phedi Khola Rural Municipality, Syangja, Nepal to investigate indigenous knowledge and practices of the Gurung Community residing in the study area. The study covers various indigenous technologies used by the Gurung community in aspects such as seed management, crop management, disease pest management, storage, and other indigenous practices. Farmers had rich knowledge regarding the seed selection of different crop varieties. From the result, we can conclude that farmers often conserved local varieties of the crops by using their indigenous knowledge. The existing indigenous knowledge of farmers on crop insect pests and diseases management was not sufficient to secure food in the area. However, the rate of adopting new chemical pesticides and insecticides was negligible. There were various indigenous technologies of the Gurung community with great indigenous knowledge holding from generation to generation. They had both cultural and livelihood importance. The farmers possessed a great deal of local knowledge that can be documented, disseminated, and utilized. The survey provided the fact that these villages had road connections. It has been considered that once the area is totally connected or accessible to the market economy the valuable indigenous knowledge possessed by its inhabitants would be eroded forever. Hence, it was an urgent necessity to conduct a comprehensive study on the indigenous knowledge systems.

The measurable quantitative (weight or volume) and qualitative (changed physical condition or characteristics) loss of agricultural products after harvest is considered as a post-harvest loss. Microbiological postharvest loss is one of the major types of postharvest loss and it refers to losses caused by microorganisms like moulds, yeasts, and bacteria. Microorganisms have a cosmopolitan distribution in the terrestrial ecosystem and are responsible for the contamination of agricultural products. Poor post-harvest management of agricultural products makes them susceptible to microbial contamination. Different genera of fungi, bacteria, protista even viruses are responsible for spoilage of food agricultural products rendering them unsuitable for consumption. Some microorganisms like Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium expel or produce mycotoxins on food material which is detrimental to human health. Thus, appropriate control measures should be applied to minimize microbial post-harvest loss for not only reducing risk to human health but also obtaining sustainable food security.