Comparative Study of Impact of Azotobacter and Trichoderma with Other Fertilizers on Maize Growth

Biofertilizers may be a better eco-friendly option to maintain soil fertility. The study was conducted to investigate the effect of Azotobacter and Trichoderma on the vegetative growth of maize (Zea mays L.) plants. The experiment was carried out in medium sized pots, at IAAS, Lamjung (Feb 2017 - May 2017) in completely randomized design (CRD), consisting eight treatments and three replications. Treatments were namely T1 (control), T2 (Azotobacter), T3 (Trichoderma), T4 (Azotobacter + Trichoderma), T5 (NPK), T6 (Azotobacter + Trichoderma + FYM), T7 (Azotobacter + Trichoderma + FYM + NPK), T8 (FYM). Azotobacter showed a positive increase in plant height, stem girth, dry shoot weight, root length and width, and root weight while Trichoderma displayed either negative or minimal impact. Effect of FYM was lower than Azotobacter but considerably higher than Trichoderma. Trichoderma seriously inhibited the expression of Azotobacter when used together. Trichoderma even suppressed the outcome (except shoot weight) of FYM when used together. Root length was the longest in Azotobacter inoculation. The highest number of leaves was in T7 followed by Azotobacter (T2) and NPK (T5). Unlike leaf width, Azotobacter showed a negligible increase in leaves length while Trichoderma wherever present showed the negative impact. Minimum chlorophyll content was found in Azotobacter or Trichoderma after 73 days. Azotobacter treatment showed early tasseling than Trichoderma. The association of Azotobacter and Trichoderma increased the biomass. Azotobacter has significant effects on growth parameters of maize and can supplement chemical fertilizer, while Trichoderma was found to inhibit most of the growth parameters

Feasibility of implementing public-private mix approach for tuberculosis case management in Pokhara Metropolitan City of western Nepal: a qualitative study

BackgroundThe Public-Private Mix (PPM) approach is a strategic initiative that involves engaging all private and public health care providers in the fight against tuberculosis using international health care standards. For tuberculosis control in Nepal, the PPM approach could be a milestone. This study aimed to explore the barriers to a public-private mix approach in the management of tuberculosis cases in Nepal.MethodsWe conducted key informant interviews with 20 participants, 14 of whom were from private clinics, polyclinics, and hospitals where the PPM approach was used, two from government hospitals, and four from policymakers. All data were audio-recorded, transcribed, and translated into English. The transcripts of the interviews were manually organized, and themes were generated and categorized into 1. TB case detection, 2. patient-related barriers, and 3. health-system-related barriers.ResultsA total of 20 respondents participated in the study. Barriers to PPM were identified into following three themes: (1) Obstacles related to TB case detection, (2) Obstacles related to patients, and (3) Obstacles related to health-care system. PPM implementation was challenged by following sub-themes that included staff turnover, low private sector participation in workshops, a lack of trainings, poor recording and reporting, insufficient joint monitoring and supervision, poor financial benefit, lack of coordination and collaboration, and non-supportive TB-related policies and strategies.ConclusionGovernment stakeholders can significantly benefit by applying a proactive role working with the private in monitoring and supervision. The joint efforts with private sector can then enable all stakeholders to follow the government policy, practice and protocols in case finding, holding and other preventive approaches. Future research are essential in exploring how PPM could be optimized

High resolution mapping of QTLs for fruit color and firmness in Amrapali/Sensation mango hybrids

IntroductionMango (Mangifera indica L.), acclaimed as the ‘king of fruits’ in the tropical world, has historical, religious, and economic values. It is grown commercially in more than 100 countries, and fresh mango world trade accounts for ~3,200 million US dollars for the year 2020. Mango is widely cultivated in sub-tropical and tropical regions of the world, with India, China, and Thailand being the top three producers. Mango fruit is adored for its taste, color, flavor, and aroma. Fruit color and firmness are important fruit quality traits for consumer acceptance, but their genetics is poorly understood.MethodsFor mapping of fruit color and firmness, mango varieties Amrapali and Sensation, having contrasting fruit quality traits, were crossed for the development of a mapping population. Ninety-two bi-parental progenies obtained from this cross were used for the construction of a high-density linkage map and identification of QTLs. Genotyping was carried out using an 80K SNP chip array.Results and discussionInitially, we constructed two high-density linkage maps based on the segregation of female and male parents. A female map with 3,213 SNPs and male map with 1,781 SNPs were distributed on 20 linkages groups covering map lengths of 2,844.39 and 2,684.22cM, respectively. Finally, the integrated map was constructed comprised of 4,361 SNP markers distributed on 20 linkage groups, which consisted of the chromosome haploid number in Mangifera indica (n =20). The integrated genetic map covered the entire genome of Mangifera indica cv. Dashehari, with a total genetic distance of 2,982.75 cM and an average distance between markers of 0.68 cM. The length of LGs varied from 85.78 to 218.28 cM, with a mean size of 149.14 cM. Phenotyping for fruit color and firmness traits was done for two consecutive seasons. We identified important consistent QTLs for 12 out of 20 traits, with integrated genetic linkages having significant LOD scores in at least one season. Important consistent QTLs for fruit peel color are located at Chr 3 and 18, and firmness on Chr 11 and 20. The QTLs mapped in this study would be useful in the marker-assisted breeding of mango for improved efficiency

Relationship of Sanitation Parameters with Microbial Diversity and Load in Raw Meat from the Outlets of the Metropolitan City Biratnagar, Nepal

The main aim of this study is to assess the microbial load of raw meat from outlets of Biratnagar and its relationship with several sanitation parameters. Samples were taken from meat outlets, and required microbiological procedures were followed as per guidelines. Approximately 63.6% of microbes were present in meat with poor sanitation while 36.4% were present in meat with good sanitation. Fungal contamination in poorly kept mutton was one and half times greater than chicken/mutton of good sanitation. Fungi such as Penicillium (21.3%), Mucor (16.3%), Aspergillus (15%), and Trichosporon (13.8%) were most predominant. 73.8% of meat samples contained Staphylococcus spp., 61.3% contained E. coli, 48.8% of Pseudomonas spp., and 37.5% samples contained Salmonella spp. Outlets selling both types of meat showed no significant difference in microbial types. Mean of TVC of meat is 8.2 log CFU/g. Mean TVC of mutton (7.6 log CFU/g) is lower than mean TVC of chicken/meat (8.5 log CFU/g) and differed significantly. Tiled outlets showed comparatively lower bacterial contamination than cemented outlets which was statistically significant (t = −3.16, p=0.002). With the difference among microbial type and few sanitation parameters being statistically significant, it can be suggested that outlets should be tiled (p=0.002), showcased (p=0.001), and the meat-handling employee must wear washed apron (p=0.013). Proper cleaning of water supply and use area (p≤0.001) and drainage (p=0.048) maintain a good meat sanitation (p≤0.001) which reduces microbial contamination significantly. To diminish microbiological load on meat sold in the Biratnagar city, standard operating methods should be practiced

Comparative study of impact of Azotobacter and Trichoderma with other fertilizers on maize growth

Biofertilizers may be a better eco-friendly option to maintain soil fertility. The study was conducted to investigate the effect of Azotobacter and Trichoderma on the vegetative growth of maize (Zea mays L.) plants. The experiment was carried out in medium sized pots, at IAAS, Lamjung (Feb 2017 - May 2017) in completely randomized design (CRD), consisting eight treatments and three replications. Treatments were namely T1 (control), T2 (Azotobacter), T3 (Trichoderma), T4 (Azotobacter + Trichoderma), T5 (NPK), T6 (Azotobacter + Trichoderma + FYM), T7 (Azotobacter + Trichoderma + FYM + NPK), T8 (FYM). Azotobacter showed a positive increase in plant height, stem girth, dry shoot weight, root length and width, and root weight while Trichoderma displayed either negative or minimal impact. Effect of FYM was lower than Azotobacter but considerably higher than Trichoderma. Trichoderma seriously inhibited the expression of Azotobacter when used together. Trichoderma even suppressed the outcome (except shoot weight) of FYM when used together. Root length was the longest in Azotobacter inoculation. The highest number of leaves was in T7 followed by Azotobacter (T2) and NPK (T5). Unlike leaf width, Azotobacter showed a negligible increase in leaves length while Trichoderma wherever present showed the negative impact. Minimum chlorophyll content was found in Azotobacter or Trichoderma after 73 days. Azotobacter treatment showed early tasseling than Trichoderma. The association of Azotobacter and Trichoderma increased the biomass. Azotobacter has significant effects on growth parameters of maize and can supplement chemical fertilizer, while Trichoderma was found to inhibit most of the growth parameters

Investigating aquifer contamination and groundwater quality in eastern Terai region of Nepal

Abstract Objective This study aims at assessing the groundwater quality of the three districts of Eastern Terai region of Nepal viz. Morang, Jhapa, Sunsari using physicochemical characteristics and statistical approach so that possible contamination of water reservoir can be understood. pH, temperature, conductivity, turbidity, color, total dissolved solids, fluorides, ammonia, nitrates, chloride, total hardness, calcium hardness, calcium, magnesium, total alkalinity, iron, manganese, arsenic have to be analyzed to know the present status of groundwater quality. Results Results revealed that the value of analyzed parameters were within the acceptable limits for drinking water recommended by World Health Organization except for pH, turbidity, ammonia and iron. As per Nepal Drinking Water Quality Standards, fluoride and manganese too were not complying with the permissible limit. Electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, chloride, total hardness, calcium hardness, manganese, and total alkalinity show good positive correlation with major water quality parameters. Calcium, magnesium, total hardness, calcium hardness and total alkalinity greatly influences total dissolved solids and electrical conductivity. ANOVA, Tukey, and clustering highlight the significance of three districts. Groundwater can be considered safe, but there is always a chance of contamination through chemical wastes in the heavily industrialized area of Morang and Sunsari Industrial corridor

The Politics of Social Protection in Nepal: State infrastructural power and implementation of the Scholarship Programme

This paper explores the dynamics shaping the implementation of Nepal’s School Scholarship Programme, an educational assistance programme that provides cash stipends to primary and secondary students of marginalised communities. Drawing on fieldwork in four districts – Ilam, Saptari, Lalitpur and Jumla – this paper makes two distinct arguments. First, it highlights the importance of infrastructural power to the implementation of social transfers – especially the limited capacity of higher levels of the state to monitor effectively the actions of lower levels. Second, it concludes that programme design can compensate for some of the limitations of state infrastructural power – especially the use of categorical targeting to distribute scholarships that has emerged from social justice framing of the scholarship programme. The limitations of state infrastructural power are especially keenly felt with respect to the disbursement of scholarships. As such, limited state infrastructural power leads to delayed and reduced payments that are likely to undermine the potential of the programme to effect social justice

Informed consent in patients undergoing eye surgery: A qualitative study assessing their attitude, knowledge and anxiety level in a community based hospital of Nepal

Introduction and purpose: Informed consent means the process whereby patients are informed of all the necessary information about health care and subsequent treatment plans. In socioeconomically developing semi-urban setting, where most of the patients are illiterate, we wanted to assess knowledge, attitude and anxiety of patients towards informed consent. Methods: Patients were recruited from the waiting list for ophthalmic surgery at the department of Ophthalmology, Dhulikhel Hospital. A detail optometric and ophthalmologic evaluation was carried out. Data were collected through a 12-item questionnaire and an 8-item Likert scale. Statistics included regression analysis, chi-square test as well as frequency and percentages. Results: Of 42 questionnaire responders, female participation was high (64.3%). Sixty two percent of patients wanted the physician to decide for or against the surgery. Most of (69%) patients thought that by signing the consent they were agreeing for surgery and few (16.7%) thought that the consent was a legal document. Twenty two patients (52.4%) gave importance to the surgical intervention even though there were chances of serious complications. The preoperative anxiety was affected by surgical outcome (81%), complication (40.5%) and anaesthesia (9.5%). The patients prioritized the preoperative information on nature of illness, need for operation and the chances of vision improvement after surgery. Conclusion: Most of patients wanted the doctor to decide their treatment. Many patients wanted to know about the disease, treatment and the success rate of surgery. The success of the operation, the anaesthesia and the long list of complications tended to provoke anxiety

Effect of Stress Relief Annealing on Microstructure & Mechanical Properties of Welded Joints Between Low Alloy Carbon Steel and Stainless Steel

Two types of welded joints were prepared using low alloy carbon steel and austenitic stainless steel as base materials. In one variety, buttering material and weld metal were Inconel 82. In another type, buttering material and weld metal were Inconel 182. In case of Inconel 82, method of welding was GTAW. For Inconel 182, welding was done by SMAW technique. For one set of each joints after buttering, stress relief annealing was done at similar to 923 K (650 A degrees C) for 90 minutes before further joining with weld metal. Microstructural investigation and sub-size in situ tensile testing in scanning electron microscope were carried out for buttered-welded and buttered-stress relieved-welded specimens. Adjacent to fusion boundary, heat-affected zone of low alloy steel consisted of ferrite-pearlite phase combination. Immediately after fusion boundary in low alloy steel side, there was increase in matrix grain size. Same trend was observed in the region of austenitic stainless steel that was close to fusion boundary between weld metal-stainless steel. Close to interface between low alloy steel-buttering material, the region contained martensite, Type-I boundary and Type-II boundary. Peak hardness was obtained close to fusion boundary between low alloy steel and buttering material. In this respect, a minimum hardness was observed within buttering material. The peak hardness was shifted toward buttering material after stress relief annealing. During tensile testing no deformation occurred within low alloy steel and failure was completely through buttering material. Crack initiated near fusion boundary between low alloy steel-buttering material for welded specimens and the same shifted away from fusion boundary for stress relieved annealed specimens. This observation was at par with the characteristics of microhardness profile. In as welded condition, joints fabricated with Inconel 82 exhibited superior bond strength than the weld produced with Inconel 182. Stress relief annealing reduced the strength of transition joints and the reduction was maximum for specimen welded with Inconel 82. (C) The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society and ASM International 201