Supply chain efficiency of Tomato in Kathmandu valley

Past studies kept attention on the supply side or value chain aspects of tomato but not kept attention to the supply chain efficiency. To measure supply-side efficiencies in tomato sub-sector, this survey research organized an interview schedule with the randomly selected eighty households in Kirtipur, Chandragiri, Changunarayan, and Godawori municipalities of Kathmandu valley during April to June 2018 with semi structured questionnaire. Study estimated NRs 8,26,144/ha as net profit of tomato grown under tunnel was nearly 44% higher compared to open field condition. Further five types of marketing channels prevailed for tomato market were; channel first (producer-retailer-consumer), channel second (producer-wholesaler-retailer-consumer), channel third (produce-cooperative-retailer-consumer), channel fourth (producer-collector-wholesaler-retailer-consumer) and channel fifth (producer-wholesaler-processor-wholesaler-retailer-consumer) but most dominant was the fourth one since 45% of the fresh tomato supplied through it especially to save time and avoid all possible drudgery in the market.  The marketing margin per kilogram of tomato was the lowest (NRs.16.55) in the third channel and the highest (NRs. 39.2) in the fifth channel while the highest market efficiency was 1.27 for the third channel. The producer’s share was highest for the third channel (66.33%) and lowest for fifth channel (39.88%). followed by 1st channel (63.72%) and lowest in 5th channel (39.88%). In order to promote a coordinated and most efficient supply chain, the study suggested the most dominant, low marketing margin and highly efficient supply channel for tomato so that tomato producers would get a high share. Rather than a private one, either group marketing or cooperatives are suggested to involve in fresh tomato marketing. &nbsp

Efficacy of fungicides in management of Downy mildew disease of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under open field conditions, in Dhading district of Nepal

Downy mildew (Pseudoperonospora cubensis) is one of the most important disease of cucumber under open field conditions. Hence, the experiment was conducted to study the efficacy of fungicides in management of downy mildew disease of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under open field in Chauradi-7 Dhading during spring season, 2019. Bhaktapur local variety of cucumber was used for the study. The experiment was laid out in single factor randomized complete block design with four replications. Three different bio-fungicides; Trichoderma viride + Trichoderma harzianum, Bacillus subtilis, Verticillium lecanii and one chemical fungicide; Krilaxyl (metalaxyl 8% + mancozeb 64%) were used as treatments. Normal water spray served as control. It was observed that bio-fungicides had insignificant effect in controlling the downy mildew. Pathological observation such as disease incidence percentage, severity percentage and AUDPC in bio-fungicides treated plots were not significantly different from water-sprayed control plots. Similarly, biometric attributes such as number of fruit, length and diameter of fruit, weight of fruit were also non-significant. Krilaxyl resulted significant effect in controlling downy mildew, providing maximum disease reduction (37.48%-50.72%) with lowest disease incidence (1.25-61.25%) and lowest value of AUDPC (138.7). Krilaxyl treated plots had higher number of fruit (6), longer length of fruit (17.15-18.95), higher diameter of fruit (4.16- 4.45 cm) and higher weight of fruit (677 - 759 g). Hence, chemical fungicide Krilaxyl was found better for the management of downy mildew disease in open field cucumber cultivation. Further, researches on bio-fungicides, especially of native strains are required for best result

Intellectual Property Right on Basmati Rice: Current Scenario and Evidences of Origin, Diversity, Cultivation and Use Values of Basmati Rice in Nepal

Basmati rice, also called the king/prince of rice landraces has very special values in Nepalese society as well as in other countries of Indian Subcontinent. With the objectives of collecting, analyzing and documenting Basmati related information in Nepal, we visited different sites; carried out key informant surveys; organized focus group discussions, online interaction and discussion meetings; requested all relevant offices/ persons/ stakeholders through phone, website, and letter to share information; organized high level official meeting, and Basmati rice expert meeting; documented video documentary and did online as well as library search. Because of its high market value at global level, many countries and organizations have been attempting to get intellectual property rights (mainly patent and geographical indication tag) on Basmati rice. India applied for GI tag to Basmati rice in the European Union (EU) in July 2018, and Nepal submitted opposition letter along with proofs and evidences of origin, diversity, cultivation and use values of Basmati rice on 9 December 2020. A total 133 Basmati type rice landraces are grown in 60 districts of Nepal. Basmati rice is traditionally grown, sold, and consumed in geographically localized areas of Nepal since ancient time. International and national scientists have defined lower altitude of Nepal as one of the centers of origin of Basmati rice. Many Nepalese basmati rice landraces have been characterized and evaluated using morphological traits, isozymes and DNA markers. Four basmati type of rice landraces have been registered in National Seed Board. Many community seed banks have maintained different types of Basmati rice landraces. National Agriculture Genetic Resources Center and International genebanks have collected more than 80 and conserved 68 basmati landraces. Basmati rice landraces have geo-linked traits. The historical culture of production, consumption and marketing of native basmati rice in Nepal should always be favored by both national and international rules and regulations. Nepal has ample and valid evidences to get geographical indication (GI) right on Basmati rice

Expression, Characterization, and Evaluation of a RANK-binding Single Chain Fraction Variable: An Osteoclast Targeting Drug Delivery Strategy

A single chain Fraction variable (scFv) employs antibody-like target recognition specificity. Osteoclasts, responsible for bone resorption, express Receptor Activator of Nuclear factor Kappa B (RANK) receptors. This study aimed to express, characterize, and evaluate scFv against RANK receptors that may serve as a platform to target osteoclasts. Using phage display technology, scFv against RANK receptor was expressed and characterized by DNA sequencing, sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), matrix-assisted laser desorption–ionization time-of-flight (MALDI TOF), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blot, and immunocytochemistry. The potential for cytotoxicity was evaluated using an MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay, and its cross reactivity was evaluated using ELISA. Osteoclast-like cells were generated from RAW 264.7 cells, and the osteoclast targeting ability of scFv was evaluated using immunocytochemistry. ScFv’s antiresorptive efficacy was studied using a tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) assay and resorption assay. Anti-RANK scFv was successfully expressed and characterized. No cross reactivity with other tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) members and no cytotoxic effect on a non-RANK bearing cell line were observed. It showed specificity toward a RANK receptor and an inhibitory effect on osteoclast activity. With the increase in development trends for biologics as therapeutics and growing knowledge on the importance of osteoclast targeted therapy, this study may provide a drug delivery strategy to target osteoclasts, thereby leading to a promising therapy for resorptive bone diseases