Field Screening of Lentil Genotypes Against Aphid Infestation in Inner Tarai of Nepal

Twenty lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) genotypes received from Grain Legumes Research Program, Khajura, Banke were screened for relative tolerance against aphid (Aphis craccivora Koch.) at the research field of National Maize Research Program, Rampur, Chitwan during winter seasons of two consecutive years 2016 and 2017. The design of the experiment was Randomized Complete Block having three replications. The unit plot size was 4m × 1 m with 25cm row to row spacing and continue plant to plant spacing was maintained and net harvested plot was 4 square meters. The recommended dose of fertilizer was 20:40:20 N:P2O5:K2O kg/ha and seed rate 30 kg/ha. Insect data were collected based on aphid population found at apical twigs (10 cm) per plant and scoring was done during flowering and pod formation stage. The grain yield was recorded. All screened genotypes differed significantly (p<0.05) on aphid population and grain yield.  Genotypes, ILL 9924, RL 83, ILL 10856, ILL 6458 and RL 67 were less susceptible with higher grain yield. These results have important implications for the development of aphid tolerant high yielding lentil variety in inner Tarai of Nepal

Overview of holistic application of biogas for small scale farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa

Peer reviewedPostprin

Effect of AA-site size difference on polar behavior in MMBiScNbO6_6,(MM==Na, K and Rb): Density functional calculations

We investigate the effect of $A$-site size differences in the double perovskites BiScO$_3$-$M$NbO$_3$ ($M$$=$Na, K and Rb) using first-principles calculations. We find that the polarization of these materials is 70$\sim$90 $\mu$C/cm$^2$ along the rhombohedral direction. The main contribution to the high polarization comes from large off-centerings of Bi ions, which are strongly enhanced by the suppression of octahedral tilts as the $M$ ion size increases. A high Born effective charge of Nb also contributes to the polarization and this contribution is also enhanced by increasing the $M$ ion size

Agro-environmental project duration and effectiveness in South-east Asia

Considerable emphasis has been placed on developing technologies for agricultural sustainability. Many bilateral projects are working to achieve this outcome. A desk review was conducted to study the importance of project duration for the effectiveness of sustainable agricultural projects. Longer-duration projects were successful in addressing more holistic issues than short projects. However, funding agencies tend to fund shorter-duration projects, so projects become progressively shorter. At the same time, the number of projects implemented each year is increasing. Despite the decrease in total development assistance, increases in project numbers, particularly since 1986, appear to be at the cost of project duration. Short project duration was one of the most cited reasons for not completing essential dissemination activities for wider adoption, whereas longer- duration projects were usually considered more successful in addressing more holistic issues. It is difficult to produce tangible outputs from agricultural and soil conservation projects within five years. Considering the slow changes in the system and in agricultural and environmental sustainability, the authors suggest that project developers should be advised to plan for a minimum of 5–10 years, depending on the nature of activities. It is time for funding agencies to reconsider their tendency to fund shorter-duration projects

What is the potential for biogas digesters to improve soil fertility and crop production in Sub-Saharan Africa?

Acknowledgements We are very grateful to the UK Department for International Development (DFID) New and Emerging Technologies Research Call for funding this work. PS is a Royal Society-Wolfson Research Merit Award holder.Peer reviewedPostprin

New record of earthworm Eukerria kuekenthali (Oligochaeta: Ocnerodrilidae) from Sikkim, India

The earthworm genus Eukerria kuekenthali (Michaelsen 1908) is recorded for the first time from the Sikkimese soil. Inter/ intra specific variations have not been observed. Altitude plays a vital role in the distribution pattern of this species. The photographic descriptions with illustrations are provided

Climate Change and Maize Agriculture Among Chepang Communities of Nepal: a Review

This paper reviews recent literature concerning effects of climate change on agriculture and its agricultural adaptation strategies, climate change impacts on Chepang communities and their maize farming. Climate change is perhaps the most serious environmental threat to agricultural productivity. Change in temperature and precipitation specially has greater influence on crop growth and productivity and most of these effect are found to be adverse. Climate change has been great global threat with global temperature rise by 0.83 °C and global sea level rise by 0.19 m. Poor countries of the world are more vulnerable to changing climate due to different technological, institutional and resource constraints. In context of Nepal, practices like tree plantation, lowering numbers of livestock, shifting to off farm activities, sloping agricultural land technology (SALT) and shifting cultivation are most common coping strategies. Chepang, one of the most backward indigenous ethnic groups of Nepal are also found to perceive change in the climate. Perception and adaptation strategies followed by different farmers of world including Chepang is mainly found to be effected by household head's age, size of farm, family size, assessment to credit, information and extension service, training received and transportation. Maize is second most important crop in Nepal in which increase in temperature is favorable in Mountain and its yield is negatively influenced by increase in summer rain and maximum temperature. Local knowledge of indigenous people provides new insights into the phenomenon that has not yet been scientifically researched. So, government should combine this perceptive with scientific climate scenario and should conduct activities in term of adoption strategies and policies to insist targeted and marginalized farmers