Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Genetic variability in a crop population is important for successful plant breeding. Eight cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) genotypes namely Green Long, Simran, Bhaktapur Local, Saihni-2, Ninja-179, Garima, Farmer’s variety and  wild genotype were evaluated at Lamahi Municipality, Dang district of Nepal to estimate the magnitude of their genetic variability and heritability. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for growth and yield traits. The estimates of genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were highest for weight of fruit whereas traits namely fruit length, fruit diameter and days to maturity had medium value for both GCV and PCV. Broad sense heritability estimates  ranged from 0.74 for fruit diameter to 0.98 for days to germination. Fruit yield showed high significant positive correlation with fruit diameter (r= 0.649) and negative significant correlation (r= -0.538) with days to flowering. Traits namely weight per fruit, days of germination, no. of flower and days to flowering can be used effectively in selection process of crop improvement program as they had high GCV, PCV and heritability along with high genetic advance as percentage of mean

Effects of potassium levels on growth and productivity of potato varieties in inner terai of Nepal

Potassium is an essential nutrient for potato due to its direct effects on the growth, yield and quality of potato tubers. This study was carried out at Lamahi, Dang Nepal during winter season of 2018. Two potato variety (Local and Cardinal) and five levels of potassium (30, 40, 60, 80 and 100 kg K2O/ha) were evaluated in two factorial randomized block design with three replications. The application of potassium at 100 kg/ha produced significantly highest plant canopy, stem diameter and leaf length for the both varieties. The highest tuber number per plant (10.3 for Local and 17.6 for cardinal) and tuber weight (19.7 g for Local and 49 g for Cardinal) were obtained with the application of 100 kg K2O/ha. The highest gross margin was found with this level of potassium. Therefore, farmers should apply 100 kg K2O to potato to achieve maximum production and benefit.&nbsp

Lindernia rotundifolia (Linderniaceae), Picria fel-terrae (Linderniaceae), and Limnophila aromatica (Plantaginaceae): three new records for the flora of Nepal

Lindernia rotundifolia (L.) Alston (Linderniaceae), Picria fel-terrae Lour. (Linderniaceae), and Limnophila aromatica (Lam.) Merr. (Plantaginaceae) are newly reported from Jalthal forest, eastern Nepal. Picria Lour. is a new generic record for Nepal. Descriptions of all the species based on Nepalese specimens are provided, along with notes on diagnostic features, color photographs of the species, distribution maps, and notes on habitats

The use of Self Supporting Capacity of Rock Mass for Sustainable Hydropower: An Analysis of the Middle Marsyangdi Headrace Tunnel, Nepal

The history of hydropower development in the Himalaya indicates that many tunnels have suffered from cost overruns and delays. These issues are directly dependent on the quality of rock mass and the permanent rock support applied in underground excavation. Right judgment and proper evaluation of the self supporting capability of the rock mass and the use of optimum rock support systems help considerably in reducing construction cost and delays. This paper examines such issues as geological conditions in the Himalayas and varying approaches and costs in tunnel construction. An assessment is made regarding the exclusion of permanent concrete lining in the headrace tunnel of the 72MW Middle Marsyangdi Hydro Project in Nepal. The project has 5.2 km fully concrete lined headrace tunnel that passes through fair to poor rock mass. The evaluation is based on the use of actually recorded rock mass quality of the headrace tunnel during construction and rock support principle used at the comparable Khimti Hydro Project headrace tunnel. The evaluation includes calculation of equivalent tunnel section for similar headloss, stability analysis, assessment of possible water leakage, and required injection grouting measures. We conclude that the headrace tunnel without permanent concrete lining was possible and would have been equally stable, at considerable financial savings