Growth and yield responses of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) to biochar

Saabunud / Received 19.06.2020 ; Aktsepteeritud / Accepted 18.09.2020 ; Avaldatud veebis / Published online 18.09.2020 ; Vastutav autor / Corresponding author: Kalika Prasad Upadhyay e-mail: [email protected] response of five types of biochar (Lantana camara, Ipomoea carnea, rice husk, sawdust, no biochar) on growth and yield attributes of potato was evaluated. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with six replications in rainfed areas of two different environments (Jiri in 2018 and Pawati in 2019) of Nepal. The popular early maturing potato variety 'Desiree' was used in the experiment. The spacing was maintained 60 cm between rows and 25 cm between plants in the plot size of 7.2 m2. Seed tubers were planted in the 1st week of February and harvested in the 4th week of May. Recommended fertilizers (100:60:60 kg ha–1 NPK + 20 t ha–1 farmyard manure) and biochars at 2 t ha–1 were applied to the soil. Seed tubers were completely covered with an equal amount of biochar before covering with the soil. The results revealed that the total yield and marketable yield of potato varied with biochars types. The potato tuber yield was found higher and red ants infestation was lower in plots applied with biochars as compared to control plots (without biochars). The use of biochars derived from Lantana camera produced the highest number of tubers (6.1 tubers plant–1), the greatest weight of tubers (286.1 g plant–1) and the least damage of red ants on tubers (4.7%) followed by sawdust (6.0 tubers plant–1, 263.6 g tuber weight plant–1 and 7.8% damaged tubers by red ants). The findings provide new information on the understanding of biochar effect on increased marketable yield of potato in rainfed lands by reducing damage from red ants

Evaluation of Locally Available Botanicals for the Management of Maize Weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motsch.) in Room Storage Condition

From April to July 2019, an experiment was conducted in Khumaltar, Lalitpur (27°39.312′N, 85° 19.586′E, and 1322 m above sea level) to assess the effectiveness of plant materials on maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motsch.) control under laboratory conditions (maintained room temperature of 28.5 ± 2°C, and relative humidity of 72 ± 5%) treatments were Acorus calamus (rhizome powder) @ 5 g·kg−1, Melia azadirach (rhizome powder) seed) @ 5 g·kg−1, Curcuma domestica (rhizome powder) @ 5 g·kg−1, mustard oil @ 2 mL·kg−1, Gingiber officinalis (rhizome powder) @ 5 g·kg−1, rice husk ash @ 5 g·kg−1, and an untreated control. These treatments were evaluated in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. At four months, the grains treated with Acorus calamus had the least weight loss (6.66%), and grain damage (1.23%). Grain damage (18%), and weight loss (62.33%) were the highest in the control treatment. Similarly, grains treated with Acorus calamus had the fewest number of exit holes (3.10 per 100 g of maize seed), while the control treatment had the largest number of exit holes (45.10 per 100 g of maize seed). There was a significantly higher number of weevils in the control treatment (55.80 per 250 g maize grains), but only a few numbers of weevils in the Acorus calamus-treated grains (2.50 per 250 g maize grains). In contrast with other plant materials treated grains, the maize weevil showed a reduced preference for Acorus calamus- treated grains with low weight loss, and grain damage. These findings can be used to promote locally accessible botanicals for maize weevil control in Nepal

Effects of Neem (Azadirachta indic) and Custard Apple (Annona reticulata) Diets on Sterility of House Rat (Rattus rattus)

Three different plant products diets – i) neem (Azadirachta indic A. Juss) oil mixed diet (neem oil mixed @ 80 ml/kg of normal diet), ii) neem seed powder mixed diet (neem seed powder mixed @ 80 g/kg of normal diet) and iii) custard apple (Annona reticulata L.) seed powder mixed diet (custard apple seed powder mixed @ 80 g/kg of normal diet) were separately fed to mature rats (Rattus rattus) with single dose feeding of 80 g per pair in a day on 13th week-age during the experimenting years, 2012/013 and 2013/014. In control group only normal diet without neem and custard apple constituents were fed. Sterility test of rat was conducted up to 38 and 28 weeks-age in first and second year, respectively. The test rats were fed normal diet during whole experimenting periods except the one day when they were fed only the neem or custard apple mixed diet on the age of 13th week. Efficacy of the mixed diets on rat-sterility was determined based on pregnancy and parturition by the rats. The two years' results confirmed that all the tested three mixed diets – neem oil mixed diet, neem seed powder mixed diet, and custard apple seed powder mixed diet were effective to stop pregnancy and parturition in rats during whole experimenting periods up to 38 and 28 weeks-age with single dose feeding of 80 g per pair (40 gm/rat) in a day on 13th week-age of the rats; whereas the pregnancy and parturition were observed in the rats that were fed only the normal diet. It is expected, neem and custard apple mixed diets can be utilized in reducing the economically important rodent populations in rice-wheat cropping system in future

Congenital rubella syndrome surveillance in India, 2016–21: Analysis of five years surveillance data

Background: In India, facility-based surveillance for congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) was initiated in 2016 to estimate the burden and monitor the progress made in rubella control. We analyzed the surveillance data for 2016–2021 from 14 sentinel sites to describe the epidemiology of CRS. Method: We analyzed the surveillance data to describe the distribution of suspected and laboratory confirmed CRS patients by time, place and person characteristics. We compared clinical signs of laboratory confirmed CRS and discarded case-patients to find independent predictors of CRS using logistic regression analysis and developed a risk prediction model. Results: During 2016–21, surveillance sites enrolled 3940 suspected CRS case-patients (Age 3.5 months, SD: 3.5). About one-fifth (n = 813, 20.6%) were enrolled during newborn examination. Of the suspected CRS patients, 493 (12.5%) had laboratory evidence of rubella infection. The proportion of laboratory confirmed CRS cases declined from 26% in 2017 to 8.7% in 2021. Laboratory confirmed patients had higher odds of having hearing impairment (Odds ratio [OR] = 9.5, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.6–16.2), cataract (OR = 7.8, 95% CI: 5.4–11.2), pigmentary retinopathy (OR = 6.7, 95 CI: 3.3–13.6), structural heart defect with hearing impairment (OR = 3.8, 95% CI: 1.2–12.2) and glaucoma (OR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.2–8.1). Nomogram, along with a web version, was developed. Conclusions: Rubella continues to be a significant public health issue in India. The declining trend of test positivity among suspected CRS case-patients needs to be monitored through continued surveillance in these sentinel sites