Effects of Seedling and Plant Spacing on the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) for Spring Rice (Oryza sativa L. Chaite 2)

System of Rice Intensification (SRI technology) increases rice yields while requiring less water and other inputs. It involves the use of specific management strategies that, when used together, provide rice plants with better-growing conditions than those grown using traditional methods, especially in the root zone. An SRI experiment was conducted from February 27, 2022, to July 11, 2022, in rice farmers\u27 fields in Buddhabhumi Municipality, Nepal, using different spacing and seedlings. Spring rice was grown using the SRI with a variety of seeding and plant spacing. The experiment consisted of three plant spacings: 20 × 20, 30 × 30, and 40 × 40 cm, and two seeding groups: regular seeding and pregerminated seedlings. Characteristics were counted, including the number of tillers per mound, leaves, plant height, tillers per square meter, grain yield, and 1000 kernel weight. The result shows that the 20 cm × 20 cm spacing increased tillers per square meter. The spacing also resulted in much higher grain production of 4.29337 Mt/ha. The 30 × 30 cm plot had the tallest plants at 78.10 cm, much higher than the other plots. Similar crops produced significantly more tillers per mound (22.5) when planted at 40 × 40 cm spacing. Since the crops were planted at 40 × 40 cm, the spacing produced significantly more tillers per mound (22.57) and leaves per mound (73.54). Spacing did not affect test weight, nor did the type of seedlings used

A Review on Ayurvedic Medicinal Herbs as Remedial Perspective for COVID-19

Introduction: Recent outbreaks in a new type of coronavirus, novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease causing respiratory infection have significantly hampered the public health. Medicinal plants used in traditional practices provide enormous scope to bring out viable alternatives against viral diseases, considering non-availability of suitable drug and increasing resistance to existing drug as well as re-emerging viral diseases. The present review on use of plants and related phytochemicals for the treatment of viral diseases particularly COVID-19, preclinical and clinical information is increased concern Methods: The methodological activities involved during a literature review were; (1) designing the review concept, (2) conducting the review on review papers, research papers, bulletins, official websites, (3) analysis of previous publications and (4) writing up the review paper. The integrative literature review and paper preparation process was done from our own practical experience and influenced by various standards and guidelines suggested in the publications. Results: Herbal medicines and their active phytochemicals against some viral pathogens including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) the virus that causes COVID-19 pandemic, middle east respiratory syndrome (MERS-COV), rhinovirus, human herpes virus (HSV-I & II), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), coxsackievirus (CV), enterovirus 71 (EV71), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), herpes simplex virus, influenza A/H1N1 virus, coronavirus (CoV) etc were extensively reviewed. Ayurvedic herbal products could be useful to select as an alternative and integrated approach to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with coronavirus infection and enhance host immunity against viral attack in the context of treatment vaccine of COVID-19 could be years away. Conclusion: The traditional practices and scientific evidence of several medicinal herbs and their phytochemicals against lethal viral infections in-vivo and in-vitro studies could be useful for the future as a novel source of natural products in particular focus on COVID-19

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker initiation on organ support-free days in patients hospitalized with COVID-19

IMPORTANCE Overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may contribute to poor clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Objective To determine whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) initiation improves outcomes in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In an ongoing, adaptive platform randomized clinical trial, 721 critically ill and 58 non–critically ill hospitalized adults were randomized to receive an RAS inhibitor or control between March 16, 2021, and February 25, 2022, at 69 sites in 7 countries (final follow-up on June 1, 2022). INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized to receive open-label initiation of an ACE inhibitor (n = 257), ARB (n = 248), ARB in combination with DMX-200 (a chemokine receptor-2 inhibitor; n = 10), or no RAS inhibitor (control; n = 264) for up to 10 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was organ support–free days, a composite of hospital survival and days alive without cardiovascular or respiratory organ support through 21 days. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model. Odds ratios (ORs) greater than 1 represent improved outcomes. RESULTS On February 25, 2022, enrollment was discontinued due to safety concerns. Among 679 critically ill patients with available primary outcome data, the median age was 56 years and 239 participants (35.2%) were women. Median (IQR) organ support–free days among critically ill patients was 10 (–1 to 16) in the ACE inhibitor group (n = 231), 8 (–1 to 17) in the ARB group (n = 217), and 12 (0 to 17) in the control group (n = 231) (median adjusted odds ratios of 0.77 [95% bayesian credible interval, 0.58-1.06] for improvement for ACE inhibitor and 0.76 [95% credible interval, 0.56-1.05] for ARB compared with control). The posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitors and ARBs worsened organ support–free days compared with control were 94.9% and 95.4%, respectively. Hospital survival occurred in 166 of 231 critically ill participants (71.9%) in the ACE inhibitor group, 152 of 217 (70.0%) in the ARB group, and 182 of 231 (78.8%) in the control group (posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitor and ARB worsened hospital survival compared with control were 95.3% and 98.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this trial, among critically ill adults with COVID-19, initiation of an ACE inhibitor or ARB did not improve, and likely worsened, clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0273570

Phytochemical Screening of Selected Botanicals and their Effectiveness Against Maize Weevil (Sitophilus Zeamais Motsch.) at Paklihawa, Rupandehi, Nepal

Laboratory experiment was done to perform the phytochemical screening of six locally available botanicals (Azadirachta indica Juss, Artemisia dubia Wall, Lantana camara L, Parthenium hysterophorus L, Justicia adhatoda Linn. and Moringa oleifera L.) and their effectiveness to control the maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motsch.) at Agriecology lab of Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Paklihawa Campus, Rupandehi, Nepal. Seven treatments (leaf extract of A. indica, A. dubia, L. camara, P. hysterophorus. J. adhatoda and M. oleifera and distilled water as control) applied at 3 different doses (0.5, 1 & 2g/50g seeds) were arranged in CRD design with 3 replications. Result of mortality test of maize weevil revealed that, at highest concentration of L. camara powder (T17- 2g/50 gm seeds) mortality of maize weevil was observed up to 85% at 45 DAT. Whereas number of damaged grain was lowest in T17 (L. camara powder- 2g/50 gm seeds). The effectiveness of botanicals was found to increase with increasing the concentration. Besides that, Justicia adhatoda (2g/50g seeds) and Artemisia dubia (1g/50g seeds) were also found as good candidates to use for the control of Sitophilus zeamais. Qualitative tests done for the presence of various phytochemicals showed that Azadirachta indica Juss and Artemisia dubia Wall. were found to contain most of the tested metabolites among all botanicals. Most of those phytochemicals were extracted by the aqueous solution rather than other 3 menstrums used (acetone, methanol and petroleum ether). Similarly, quantitative test revealed that percentage of alkaloid was found 18.01%, 17.78%, 17.75%, 11.58%, 8.20%, 6.78% and flavonoid15.32%, 13.63%, 12.86%, 11.36%, 7. 51% 2.85% respectively in L. camara L. P. hysterophorus L., J. adhatoda Linn., M. oleifera L., A. indica Juss. and A. dubia Wall. Leaf extract of L. camera found to contain highest percentage of alkaloid (18.01%) as well as flavonoid (15.32%). So, it was concluded that locally available botanicals extract reach in alkaloid and flavonoid may have insecticidal property and could be use as grain protectant against the maize weevil in cost effective and eco-friendly manner. However, application at proper dose is necessary to maintain the efficacy at higher level

Desert locust invasion in Nepal and possible management strategies: A review

Desert locusts are the harmful pests that feed on every edible substance available on their way. One single mature locust can consume crops equal to its weight. In present condition where various world nations are struggling with the problem of food scarcity, this desert locust invasion has emerged as a considerable setback in achieving the universal goal of food security. Frequent outbreaks have led to tremendous environmental and economic losses. So, different control strategies are introduced in local as well as international level to deal with this dreadful issue. Desert locusts were observed in 55 districts of Nepal causing minimal crop damage compared to the past crop losses in Nepal in 2020. However, for the efficient way of mitigation of desert locust, farmers in developing nation like Nepal have to heavily rely on fast-acting chemicals that deliver rapid results but fail to maintain environmental integrity. A technical taskforce was formed in 26th May 2020, a month before the entry of desert locust in Nepal from India to prevent the possible crop loss. The government of Lumbini Province, Nepal had declared to buy locusts at Rs. 20 per kg so as to encourage the people for their collection. Approaches based on IPM (Integrated Pest Management) that emphasize on effective incorporation of chemical and biological insecticides with prediction and monitoring technologies have been prompted against desert locust. Recent experimental studies and researches are prioritizing on discovering potential solutions through financial coordination from governmental and non-governmental bodies. After reviewing articles from various journals, magazines and proceedings, the authors have highlighted the loss in the agricultural sector due to desert locust attack along with its advanced control and management options. The control and mitigation strategies mentioned in this article would be a useful resource for farmers as well as researchers on assessing this problem

Efficacy of Biorational Compounds against Mustard Aphid (Lipaphis erysimi Kalt.) and English Grain Aphid (Sitobion avenae Fab.) under Laboratory Conditions in Nepal

Mustard aphid (Lipaphis erysimi) and English grain aphid (Sitobion avenae) are among the most important pests in mustard and wheat fields in Nepal. Biocide Manic (Metarhizium anisopliae a.i. = 1 × 109 spores/ml) at 3 ml/l water, Agri Sakti (Beauveria bassiana a.i. = 1 × 109 spores/ml) at 3.3 ml/l water, Varunastra (Verticillium lecanii spores 2% aqueous suspension, 2 × 108 CFU/ml) at 6 ml/l water, Mahastra (Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki 0.5% wettable powder) at 6 g/l water, Neemraj Super (Azadirachitin 0.3% w/w) at 3.3 ml/l water, Tracer (Spinosad 90% spinosyns) at 0.33 ml/l water, and control treatment (pure water) were used to test their efficacy against L. erysimi and S. avenae, using leaf dip and spray methods under laboratory conditions in Rupandehi, Nepal, in the year 2018. Each treatment was replicated four times, and the experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design. Mortality of aphids was recorded at 24, 48, 72, and 98 hours after treatment application. The result revealed highest mortality of mustard aphids with Agri Sakti at 24 hours after treatment (HAT); however, Neemraj Super was found to be the most effective at 48, 72, and 96 HAT with the leaf spray method. With the leaf dip method, Neemraj Super killed more mustard aphids than other treatments at all observed time points. Among tested biorational products, Agri Sakti was found to be most effective against English grain aphids in both leaf spray and leaf dip methods. In all the bioassays, the mortality caused by biorational compounds over control was highly significant. The present study suggests for further verification of the biorational products in the field and development of novel management strategies against different species of aphids

A review on biology and possible management strategies of tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae in Nepal

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), Tomato Leaf Miner (TLM) moth, is one of the notorious oligophagous pests of solanaceous crops that mines primarily on mesophyll of leaves as well bore tomato fruits. In Nepal, T. absoluta, the pest that has a potential to create loss up to 100%, was detected in 2016 in a commercial tomato farm at Kathmandu. So, the farmers and researchers must heed for effective management contrivance to improve the yield of tomato in Nepal. The devastating nature of T. absoluta causes its unusual proliferation so that it needs dire study of its host range, potential damage and sustainable management strategies. We discussed the data and information on T. absoluta available in several research papers comprehensively and provided succinct information on occurrence of T. absoluta in the world, its biology, life cycle, host plants, yield loss due to T. absoluta and several novel control tactics which helps farmers, researchers, policy makers to sustainably rise the tomato production in Nepal as well as in global context to attain food security. Sustainable pest management strategies such as Integrated Pests Management (IPM) approaches incorporating and prioritizing biological control methods with usage of chemical pesticides with less toxic active ingredient can be encouraged to the farmers for controlling the pests sustainably

Efficacy of entomo-pathogenic fungus and botanical pesticides against mustard aphid (Lipaphis erysimi Kalt.) at field condition Rupandehi Nepal

Mustard aphid is the most concerning pest of rapeseed in warm and humid areas of Nepal because of its widespread prevalence and increasing severity. There is increasing use of chemicals, as only resort, to manage this pest. The experiment was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of different bio-friendly management techniques against Mustard aphid, at the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Paklihawa campus. Treatments like “Jholmal” (250 ml/L), Beauveria bassiana (4gm/L) Abamectin @ 1 ml/L of water, Metarhizium anisopliae (2 gm/L), Verticillium lecanii 2% A.S (5 ml/L) and Neem oil (5 ml/L) were used at post-infestation condition. Results revealed that the overall performance of Abamectin was found to be remarkably effective as compared to others. However, the performance of “Jholmal” and Neem was also found similar for both adult and nymph management. Also, the yield and yield attributing characters in “Jholmal”, Neem, and Abamectin treated plots were similar. However, Abamectin was not found to be convincing considering its impact on natural enemies and thus “Jholmal” and Neem are suggested from the experimental results for the management of mustard aphids at the farmer's level

Insecticide residue analysis on vegetable crops through Rapid Bioassay of Pesticide Residue (RBPR) technique in Nepal

Insecticides applied on food crops and vegetables reduce the pest population and leave chemical residues that may result in serious health consequences. In Nepalese context, farmers use pesticides repeatedly to get rid of pests and also don’t consider the waiting period. The study was conducted to evaluate the amount of pesticide residue after application of different organophosphate and carbamate insecticides in vegetable crops. Five insecticides were used in seven different combinations (Dimethoate, Malathion, dichlorvos, Chlorpyriphos, Dimethoate + dichlorvos, Malathion + Chlorpyriphos and Carbofuran) and applied in mustard and broccoli. The residues were assessed using the “Rapid Bioassay of Pesticide Residue technique”. Results exhibited that Chlorpyriphos treated mustard leaves were edible in 3 DAA (Days after application) and in 6 DAA when sticker was applied with treatment. With or without sticker Dimethoate followed by Malathion applied mustard leaves were edible in 6 DAA. With or without sticker Dichlorvos took longest (12 DAA) to reach the safe limits for mustard leaves. In contrary the Dichlorvos treated broccoli was edible in 3 DAA but took 6 DAA when sticker was applied. Malathion treated broccoli, with and without sticker, was edible in 6 DAA. For both crops Carbofuran exhibited anomalous nature showing lower residue level in the beginning and higher later. When both vegetables were applied treatments with stickers, they showed significantly higher residue and longer time to reach edible limit. The applied insecticides took relatively longer to reach safe level in mustard leaf as compared to broccoli. The study suggests use of Chlorpyriphos for mustard leaves and Malathion for broccoli with at least 6 days of waiting period, with or without use of sticker