Interaction of nitrogen doses and establishment methods in lowland rice at Parwanipur, Bara, Nepal

The experiment was laid out in split plot design: three establishment methods were designed (Puddled transplanted rice, Non- puddled transplanted rice, Conventional dry tillage +DSR) as a main plot and four levels of nitrogen rate (0, 60, 120, 180) as sub plot and replicated three times during summer season of 2015 and 2016 at RARS, Parwanipur. Grain yield and other yield attributes like plant height, penicle length and number of tiller per m2 of rice was observed significantly differed (p<0.05) between different establishment methods and nitrogen levels. In 2015 there was not significant effect of establishment practices on grain yield but significantly highest grain yield (4603 kg/ha) was obtained from application of nitrogen@120 kg/ha and grain yield decreased with increased of nitrogen application @ 180 kg/ha (4365 kg/ha). Results reveled that significantly higher grain yield was obtained under non puddled transplanted rice (3314 kg/ha) than puddle transplanted rice (3280 kg/ha) which were at par with conventional tillage plus DSR (2123 kg/ha) and significantly highest grain yield (3424 kg/ha) was obtained from application of nitrogen@180 kg/ha during 2016. In both years the highest grain yield was obtained from puddled transplanted rice with the nitrogen application @ 120 kg/ha. Based on two years results, it can be concluded that N is limiting factor for the productivity of rice in Parwanipur. Therefore 120 kg/ha nitrogen could be optimum dose for puddled transplanting and direct seeded rice at Parwanipur condition

Performance of Dual Purpose Maize Line for Grain, Green Fodder, Stover Yield under the Semi-Arid Condition

Maize is the third most important cereal crop of the world and so also in India (Nadagoud et al., 2012). The diverse use of maize is rapidly increasing the demand of the crop and is replacing crops such as rice, sorghum, legumes and wheat in some areas (CIMMYT, 2013). Maize is largely treated as a single-purpose crop grown for grain, ignoring its potential for stover. Utilization of maize as dual purpose can meet the demand of both the poultry industry for grain and good quality stover for cattle feed. Maize stover the part of the crop left over after grain harvest, provides a promising option for feeding livestock in India (CIMMYT, 2013). The performance of line may not be same under different environments or years. But, a line may be said to be good if its performance is consistence. The newer maize lines/ hybrids have higher buffering capacity as well as disease tolerance than the older one. Keeping this in view, the present investigation was carried out to evaluate the maize lines for dual purpose

Stability Analysis in Dual Purpose Maize Line

Utilization of maize as dual purpose has increased the economic value of the crop. Dual purpose maize not only meets the demand of grain but also the stover for cattle. The genetic improvement in dual purpose maize should combine breeding for grain with specific needs of forage [Barrière et al., 2005]. Stability in dual purpose maize production is an essential component for sustainable production. The selection of dual type maize should be based on the genotype × environment interaction (GEI) and stability/ adaptability. Parametric models, such as Eberhart and Russell (1966) based on simple linear regression analysis are among cultivars, which explain the variance of the regression deviations as to detect cultivar stability and the linear regression coefficient to detect cultivar adaptability. Genotype × environment interactions (GEI) are of major importance for identification and development of superior cultivars. Keeping this in mind, the present study was undertaken with the objective to (i) to quantify the effects of the environmental and genetic variation for grain yield, green fodder yield and stover yield (ii) to identify the consistence performing lines under environmental changes

Monitoring of organochlorine pesticide residues from bovine milk in Patna (Bihar), INDIA

 The milk has high nutritional properties and is widely used as baby food in different forms. The present study was undertaken to evaluate pesticide contamination in bovine milk samples from Patna district of Bihar. Out of 24 samples analyzed during 2012, 18 samples (75 %) were found to be contaminated with HCH residues varying from ND-0.178 mg kg-1 (mean value 0.135 mg kg-1). Seven samples (29.2 %) had HCH exceeding MRL of 0.01 mg kg-1. DDT residues were detected in 20 samples (83.3 %) and ranged from ND-0.132 mg kg-1 (mean value 0.122 mg kg-1). Five samples (20.8 %) contained DDT residues above the prescribed MRL of 0.05 mg kg-1. Out of 24 samples of bovine milk analyzed during 2013, 16 samples (66.7 %) were found to be contaminated with HCH and 15 samples (62.5%) with DDT residues. The residues of HCH varied from ND-0.154 mg kg-1 (mean value 0.053 mg kg-1) and DDT from ND-0.120 mg kg-1 (mean value 0.122 mg kg-1). The residues of HCH and DDT were above MRL in four samples (16.7 %) and three samples (12.5 %) respectively. The management practices of animals and legal punishment on using banned pesticides are the alternatives to reduce pesticide contamination incidences in milk

Fluctuation induces evolutionary branching in a modeled microbial ecosystem

The impact of environmental fluctuation on species diversity is studied with a model of the evolutionary ecology of microorganisms. We show that environmental fluctuation induces evolutionary branching and assures the consequential coexistence of multiple species. Pairwise invasibility analysis is applied to illustrate the speciation process. We also discuss how fluctuation affects species diversity.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures. Submitted to Physical Review Letter

Seasonal and Altitudinal Prevalence of Fascioliasis in Buffalo in Eastern Nepal

Buffalo is the most important livestock commodities for milk, meat production and several other multipurpose uses distributed densely from southern tarai to northern mid-hills in Nepal. Among several internal parasitic diseases fascioliasis is highly economic one caused by Fasciola in buffaloes. However, there are only few studies carried on prevalence of fascioliasis emphasizing buffaloes in relation to seasonal (summer and rainy, and winter) and altitudinal variations. Therefore, we examined prevalence of fascioliasis seasonally and vertically. For the purpose, we selected two districts of eastern Nepal and sampled from low altitude area known as Madhesha ranging from 175-200, Dhankuta from 800-1200 m, and Murtidhunga from 1800-2200 m elevation from the sea level, representing tarai, mid hills and high hills, respectively. Altogether from February 2013 to January 2014 at every two months interval we collected 798 fecal samples from buffaloes; 282 from Murtidhunga, 239 from Dhankuta and 277 from Madhesha. The samples were examined microscopically for the presence of Fasciola eggs using sedimentation technique. Results showed that overall prevalence of fascioliasis in buffaloes was 39.9% (319/798), ranging highest 42.6%in Madhesha followed by 39.7% in Murtidhunga and 37.2% in Dhankuta, respectively. The prevalence of fascioliasis was found to be significantly (p <0.05) high in winter (44.9%) comparing to rainy season (34.4%). The prevalence of fascioliasis in buffaloes was relatively higher in low altitude than high altitude, although it was not statistically significant (p <0.05). In our findings the female buffaloes showed higher prevalence for fascioliasis than in male. Since the fascioliasis in buffaloes is highly endemic, thus strategic deworming in high risk period is recommended along with measure to prevent pasture contamination with buffalo feces

Mapping and Assessing Fire Damage on Broadleaved Forest Communities in Big Cypress National Preserve

Within Big Cypress National Preserve (BICY), oak-dominated forests and woodlands as well as tropical and temperate hardwood hammocks are integral components of the landscape and are biodiversity hotpots for both flora and fauna. These broadleaved forest communities serve as refugia for many of the Preserve’s wildlife species during prolonged flooding and fires. However, both prolonged flooding and severe fires, which are important and necessary disturbance vectors within this landscape, can have deleterious effects on these forested communities. This is particularly true in the case of fires, which under extreme conditions associated with drought and elevated fuel loads, can burn through these forested communities consuming litter and understory vegetation and top killing most, if not all, of the trees present

Tree Mortality following Prescribed Fire and a Storm Surge Event in Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii var. densa) Forests in the Florida Keys, USA

In fire-dependent forests, managers are interested in predicting the consequences of prescribed burning on postfire tree mortality. We examined the effects of prescribed fire on tree mortality in Florida Keys pine forests, using a factorial design with understory type, season, and year of burn as factors. We also used logistic regression to model the effects of burn season, fire severity, and tree dimensions on individual tree mortality. Despite limited statistical power due to problems in carrying out the full suite of planned experimental burns, associations with tree and fire variables were observed. Post-fire pine tree mortality was negatively correlated with tree size and positively correlated with char height and percent crown scorch. Unlike post-fire mortality, tree mortality associated with storm surge from Hurricane Wilma was greater in the large size classes. Due to their influence on population structure and fuel dynamics, the size-selective mortality patterns following fire and storm surge have practical importance for using fire as a management tool in Florida Keys pinelands in the future, particularly when the threats to their continued existence from tropical storms and sea level rise are expected to increase