Participatory Varietal Selection of Wheat for Micro-Niches of Kathmandu Valley

Abstract

The diversity of agro-environmental conditions among wheatbased farming systems in the mountainous regions of Nepal may favor the development and production of multiple narrowly adapted varieties over a few broadly adapted varieties. Sixteen genotypes were tested using Participatory Varietal Selection (PVS) trials at farmers' fields in three districts in the Kathmandu Valley.Grain yield was the trait most preferred by farmers, followed by tillering, resistance to diseases, drought, and lodging. Farmer selection of optimal genotypes varied over time and location depending on agronomic and climatic pressures, indicating a preference by farmers for growing multiple, narrowly adapted varieties. Production potential of PVS genotypes averaged up to 142% greater than the most widely grown variety, RR21. With farmer participation in the selection process in different agroecological micro-niches of Nepal, both yield potential and yield stability of wheat should increase significantly, thereby providing farmers with the economic means to sustain the current smallscale agriculture suited to the mountainous terrain.

Wheat Stripe Rust Virulence and Varietal Resistance in the Foot Hill Himalayas of Nepal

“…Several stripe rust resistant lines developed by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and the national programs, like Annapurna-1, Annapurna-3, Annapurna-4 and Kanti, were deployed for Nepal hills. However, these varieties showed poor adoption by farmers [5] and became susceptible when Yr9 virulent race appeared. Some varieties like BL1473 had wider coverage in Kathmandu valley, but became susceptible to the rust due to occurrence of a new race [5].…”

“…However, these varieties showed poor adoption by farmers [5] and became susceptible when Yr9 virulent race appeared. Some varieties like BL1473 had wider coverage in Kathmandu valley, but became susceptible to the rust due to occurrence of a new race [5]. During 2000-2004, there was relatively lesser incidence of the rust due to wider coverage of the resistant cultivar Nepal 297.…”

“…(Pst) has posed a great threat to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivation in South [1,2], West [3] and Central Asia [4]. The farmers of mid and high hills in Nepal had been facing significant wheat yield losses due to rust and sometimes abandoned the crop when the rust occurred at seedling stage [5]. The wheat agro-ecosystem in Nepal is broadly divided into lowlands (Terai), foothills including valleys, mid-hills and high hills.…”

“…During 2000-2004, there was relatively lesser incidence of the rust due to wider coverage of the resistant cultivar Nepal 297. Due to lack of farmers' preferred criteria in the new cultivar, the varietal replacement in the hills of Nepal was slow, resulting in growing the same old cultivars RR21 and Nepal 297 till the end of the 20th century [11] and until the early years of this century, resepectively [5]. Inoculum source from susceptible cultivars, congenial environment, less genetic diversity and occurrence of virulent race resulted in epidemics during the 2004-2007 wheat growing seasons [12].…”

“…Due to climatic diversity in Nepal, wheat crop is grown in the field throughout the year [6], and thus presents a unique set of environments favouring survival and development of the rust. The seriousness of wheat stripe rust in the hills is reflected through several epidemics of the rust in Nepal in the past 25 years [5]. High humidity caused by heavy dew in the winter months and cool temperatures during spring season creates conducive environment for frequent outbreak of the rust in the hills and high hills, and occasionally in the lowlands [7].…”