Genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and correlation among yield and yield components of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

This study was conducted during summer 2015 at Regional Agriculture Research Station, Dipayal, Doti, Nepal to estimate the genotypic and phenotypic variability, heritability, genetic advance and correlation on grain yield and yield associated traits using 26 advance genotypes of lowland irrigated rice. Analysis of variance revealed the existence of significant difference for days to flowering, maturity, plant height, panicle length, thousand grain weight and grain yield. High heritability was estimated for days to flowering (0.88), maturity (0.79), thousand grain weight (0.48) and plant height (0.43) suggesting these traits are under high genetic control. High phenotypic variation was observed for grain yield (24.87%), number of grains/panicle (22.45%), number of panicles/m2 (20.95%) and straw yield (20.75%) while grain yield had medium (12.02%) and remaining traits showed low genotypic coefficient of variation (<10%). High phenotypic coefficient of variation estimated as compared to genotypic coefficient of variation showed environmental influence on the expression of traits. Grain yield (11.98) and days to flowering (10.32) showed medium and remaining traits sowed low genotypic advance as percent of mean. High to low heritability with moderate to low genotypic advance as percent of mean suggested these traits were governed by non additive gene thus direct selection is not beneficial. Further improvements on yield potentiality and yield traits on these genotypes are suggested by creating variation and selection. Panicle length (r = 0.230), days to flowering (r = 0.247), effective tillers (r = 0.488) and straw yield (r = 0.846) manifested significant positive association with grain yield indicating that yield can be increased if selection applied in favor of those yield components

Agronomic performance and genotypic diversity for morphological traits among early maize genotypes

Detailed information on the genetic diversity between maize germplasm (Zea mays L.) is useful for their systematic and efficient use in breeding programs. Fourteen early maize genotypes were studied to assess their performance and genotypic diversity at Doti, Nepal in 2015. Days to tasseling, days to silking, plant height, ear height, ear length, ear diameter and grain yield were significant among genotypes. Genotype SO3TEY-PO-BM, COMPOL-NIOBP and ACROSS-99402 were found higher yielder with earlier maturity. Days to tasseling (0.85), days to silking (0.82), plant height (0.79), ear length (0.71) and ear diameter (0.66) were found highly heritable traits. Grain yield (0.39) and ear height (0.47) medium and remaining traits showed low heritability. High PCV was observed for grain yield (35.10%), number of plants/plot (34.46%), tesseling silking interval (26.85%), harvested ears/plot (24.45%) and husk cover rating (22.85%) where other traits showed medium to low PCV. Grain yield showed high GCV (21.96%), ear height and husk cover had medium and remaining traits showed low GCV (<10%). Plant height (r₌0.498), harvested plants/plot (r₌0.412), harvested ear/plot (r₌0.762), ear length (r₌0.472) and ear diameter (r₌0.470) showed significant positive correlation with grain yield. The yield can be improved if selection applied in favor of those yield components

Behaviour change in perinatal care practices among rural women exposed to a women's group intervention in Nepal [ISRCTN31137309]

BACKGROUND: A randomised controlled trial of participatory women's groups in rural Nepal previously showed reductions in maternal and newborn mortality. In addition to the outcome data we also collected previously unreported information from the subgroup of women who had been pregnant prior to study commencement and conceived during the trial period. To determine the mechanisms via which the intervention worked we here examine the changes in perinatal care of these women. In particular we use the information to study factors affecting positive behaviour change in pregnancy, childbirth and newborn care. METHODS: Women's groups focusing on perinatal care were introduced into 12 of 24 study clusters (average cluster population 7000). A total of 5400 women of reproductive age enrolled in the trial had previously been pregnant and conceived during the trial period. For each of four outcomes (attendance at antenatal care; use of a boiled blade to cut the cord; appropriate dressing of the cord; not discarding colostrum) each of these women was classified as BETTER, GOOD, BAD or WORSE to describe whether and how she changed her pre-trial practice. Multilevel multinomial models were used to identify women most responsive to intervention. RESULTS: Among those not initially following good practice, women in intervention areas were significantly more likely to do so later for all four outcomes (OR 1.92 to 3.13). Within intervention clusters, women who attended groups were more likely to show a positive change than non-group members with regard to antenatal care utilisation and not discarding colostrum, but non-group members also benefited. CONCLUSION: Women's groups promoted significant behaviour change for perinatal care amongst women not previously following good practice. Positive changes attributable to intervention were not restricted to specific demographic subgroups

Feeding, caregiving practices, and developmental delay among children under five in lowland Nepal: a community-based cross-sectional survey

Background: Nurturing care, including adequate nutrition, responsive caregiving and early learning, is critical to early childhood development. In Nepal, national surveys highlight inequity in feeding and caregiving practices for young children. Our objective was to describe infant and young child feeding (IYCF) and cognitive and socio-emotional caregiving practices among caregivers of children under five in Dhanusha district, Nepal, and to explore socio-demographic and economic factors associated with these practices. Methods: We did a cross-sectional analysis of a subset of data from the MIRA Dhanusha cluster randomised controlled trial, including mother-child dyads (N = 1360), sampled when children were median age 46 days and a follow-up survey of the same mother-child dyads (N = 1352) when children were median age 38 months. We used World Health Organization IYCF indicators and questions from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey-4 tool to obtain information on IYCF and cognitive and socio-emotional caregiving practices. Using multivariable logistic regression models, potential explanatory household, parental and child-level variables were tested to determine their independent associations with IYCF and caregiving indicators. Results: The prevalence of feeding indicators varied. IYCF indicators, including ever breastfed (99%), exclusive breastfeeding (24-hour recall) (89%), and vegetable/fruit consumption (69%) were common. Problem areas were early initiation of breastfeeding (16%), colostrum feeding (67%), no pre-lacteal feeding (53%), timely introduction of complementary feeding (56%), minimum dietary diversity (49%) and animal-source food consumption (23%). Amongst caregiving indicators, access to 3+ children’s books (7%), early stimulation and responsive caregiving (11%), and participation in early childhood education (27%) were of particular concern, while 64% had access to 2+ toys and 71% received adequate care. According to the Early Child Development Index score, only 38% of children were developmentally on track. Younger children from poor households, whose mothers were young, had not received antenatal visits and delivered at home were at higher risk of poor IYCF and caregiving practices. Conclusions: Suboptimal caregiving practices, inappropriate early breastfeeding practices, delayed introduction of complementary foods, inadequate dietary diversity and low animal-source food consumption are challenges in lowland Nepal. We call for urgent integrated nutrition and caregiving interventions, especially as interventions for child development are lacking in Nepal

Institutional delivery in public and private sectors in South Asia: a comparative analysis of prospective data from four demographic surveillance sites

BACKGROUND: Maternity care in South Asia is available in both public and private sectors. Using data from demographic surveillance sites in Bangladesh, Nepal and rural and urban India, we aimed to compare institutional delivery rates and public-private share. METHODS: We used records of maternity care collected in socio-economically disadvantaged communities between 2005 and 2011. Institutional delivery was summarized by four potential determinants: household asset index, maternal schooling, maternal age, and parity. We developed logistic regression models for private sector institutional delivery with these as independent covariates. RESULTS: The data described 52 750 deliveries. Institutional delivery proportion varied and there were differences in public-private split. In Bangladesh and urban India, the proportion of deliveries in the private sector increased with wealth, maternal education, and age. The opposite was observed in rural India and Nepal. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of institutional delivery increased with economic status and education. The choice of sector is more complex and provision and perceived quality of public sector services is likely to play a role. Choices for safe maternity are influenced by accessibility, quantity and perceived quality of care. Along with data linkage between private and public sectors, increased regulation should be part of the development of the pluralistic healthcare systems that characterize south Asia

Variation in grain zinc and iron concentrations, grain yield and associated traits of biofortified bread wheat genotypes in Nepal

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the major staples in Nepal providing the bulk of food calories and at least 30% of Fe and Zn intake and 20% of dietary energy and protein consumption; thus, it is essential to improve its nutritional quality. To select high-yielding genotypes with elevated grain zinc and iron concentration, the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth HarvestPlus Yield Trials (HPYTs) were conducted across diverse locations in Nepal for four consecutive years: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, and 2018–19, using 47 biofortified and 3 non-biofortified CIMMYT-bred, bread wheat genotypes: Baj#1, Kachu#1, and WK1204 (local check). Genotypic and spatial variations were found in agro-morphological traits; grain yield and its components; and the grain zinc and iron concentration of tested genotypes. Grain zinc concentration was highest in Khumaltar and lowest in Kabre. Likewise, grain iron concentration was highest in Doti and lowest in Surkhet. Most of the biofortified genotypes were superior for grain yield and for grain zinc and iron concentration to the non-biofortified checks. Combined analyses across environments showed moderate to high heritability for both Zn (0.48–0.81) and Fe (0.46–0.79) except a low heritability for Fe observed for 7th HPYT (0.15). Grain yield was positively correlated with the number of tillers per m2, while negatively correlated with days to heading and maturity, grain iron, grain weight per spike, and thousand grain weight. The grain zinc and iron concentration were positively correlated, suggesting that the simultaneous improvement of both micronutrients is possible through wheat breeding. Extensive testing of CIMMYT derived high Zn wheat lines in Nepal led to the release of five biofortified wheat varieties in 2020 with superior yield, better disease resistance, and 30–40% increased grain Zn and adaptable to a range of wheat growing regions in the country – from the hotter lowland, or Terai, regions to the dry mid- and high-elevation areas

Cause-specific neonatal mortality: analysis of 3772 neonatal deaths in Nepal, Bangladesh, Malawi and India.

OBJECTIVE: Understanding the causes of death is key to tackling the burden of three million annual neonatal deaths. Resource-poor settings lack effective vital registration systems for births, deaths and causes of death. We set out to describe cause-specific neonatal mortality in rural areas of Malawi, Bangladesh, Nepal and rural and urban India using verbal autopsy (VA) data. DESIGN: We prospectively recorded births, neonatal deaths and stillbirths in seven population surveillance sites. VAs were carried out to ascertain cause of death. We applied descriptive epidemiological techniques and the InterVA method to characterise the burden, timing and causes of neonatal mortality at each site. RESULTS: Analysis included 3772 neonatal deaths and 3256 stillbirths. Between 63% and 82% of neonatal deaths occurred in the first week of life, and males were more likely to die than females. Prematurity, birth asphyxia and infections accounted for most neonatal deaths, but important subnational and regional differences were observed. More than one-third of deaths in urban India were attributed to asphyxia, making it the leading cause of death in this setting. CONCLUSIONS: Population-based VA methods can fill information gaps on the burden and causes of neonatal mortality in resource-poor and data-poor settings. Local data should be used to inform and monitor the implementation of interventions to improve newborn health. High rates of home births demand a particular focus on community interventions to improve hygienic delivery and essential newborn care

Agronomic performance and genotypic diversity for morphological traits among early maize genotypes

Detailed information on the genetic diversity between maize germplasm (Zea mays L.) is useful for their systematic and efficient use in breeding programs. Fourteen early maize genotypes were studied to assess their performance and genotypic diversity at Doti, Nepal in 2015. Days to tasseling, days to silking, plant height, ear height, ear length, ear diameter and grain yield were significant among genotypes. Genotype SO3TEY-PO-BM, COMPOL-NIOBP and ACROSS-99402 were found higher yielder with earlier maturity. Days to tasseling (0.85), days to silking (0.82), plant height (0.79), ear length (0.71) and ear diameter (0.66) were found highly heritable traits. Grain yield (0.39) and ear height (0.47) medium and remaining traits showed low heritability. High PCV was observed for grain yield (35.10%), number of plants/plot (34.46%), tesseling silking interval (26.85%), harvested ears/plot (24.45%) and husk cover rating (22.85%) where other traits showed medium to low PCV. Grain yield showed high GCV (21.96%), ear height and husk cover had medium and remaining traits showed low GCV (<10%). Plant height (r₌0.498), harvested plants/plot (r₌0.412), harvested ear/plot (r₌0.762), ear length (r₌0.472) and ear diameter (r₌0.470) showed significant positive correlation with grain yield. The yield can be improved if selection applied in favor of those yield components

Economic assessment of a women's group intervention to improve birth outcomes in rural Nepal.

We did a cost-effectiveness analysis alongside a cluster-randomised controlled trial of a participatory intervention with women's groups to improve birth outcomes in rural Nepal. The average provider cost of the women's group intervention was US0.75 dollars per person per year (0.90 dollars with health-service strengthening) in a population of 86,704. The incremental cost per life-year saved (LYS) was 211 dollars (251 dollars), and expansion could rationalise on start-up costs and technical assistance, reducing the cost per LYS to 138 dollars (179 dollars). Sensitivity analysis showed a variation from 83 dollars to 263 dollars per LYS for most variables. This intervention could provide a cost-effective way of reducing neonatal deaths