Depth-wise variations of soil physicochemical properties in the apple growing area of Mustang district, Nepal

Understanding the soil fertility is an important management tool in assessing the nutrient requirement of the crops. Considering this, a study was done to determine depth-wise soil parameters distribution in the apple growing areas of Gharpajhog Rural Municipality, Mustang during October 2019. The total 68 sampling points were selected randomly in the different sites, and collection was done from three depths viz. 0-20cm, 20-40cm and 40-60cm by using soil sampling auger. The soil separates, pH, organic matter, total N, available P2O5 and K2O were determined following standard methods in National Soil Science Research Centre, Khumaltar. The results of the study revealed that the effect of depth was significant in the sand and silt proportion, while non- significant in clay proportion. The highest (40.17±1.57%) sand content was in 40-60cm depth, meanwhile highest (45.64±1.07%) silt content was in surface (0-20cm) depth. In addition to this, soil pH, OM, total N, available P2O5 and K2O were also affected by the depth. The highest (8.27) pH was determined in the lower (40-60cm) depth. On the other hand, highest OM (4.93±0.2%), total N (0.24±0.01%), available P2O5 (43.47±4.35 mg/kg) and available K2O (95.91±5.8 mg/kg) in surface (0.20 cm) depth. The surface depth possessed strong content of studied soil parameters might be due to in-situ incorporation of leaf litter, residue etc. as well as applied manure in the surface. Finally, we can also conclude that the adopted current nutrient management practice should be continued for apple production in the study area

Geostatistical based soil fertility mapping of Horticultural Research Station, Rajikot, Jumla, Nepal

Geostatistical soil mapping is important for determining spatial distribution of soil parameters. This study was conducted to assess soil spatial distribution of the Horticultural Research Station, Rajikot, Jumla, Nepal. The total 27 samples were collected randomly at a depth of 0-20 cm by using soil sampling auger. A GPS device was used for determination of geographical position of soil sampling points. The collected samples were analyzed following standard analytical methods in the laboratory of National Soil Science Research Centre, Khumaltar. The Arc-GIS 10.1 software was used for the mapping spatial distribution of various soil parameters. The observed data revealed the structure was sub-angular blocky and granular, whereas colour were dark brown to dark grayish brown and dark yellowish brown. The sand, silt and clay content were ranged 24.40-72.10%, 19.40-63.10% and 6.20-14.50%, respectively and categorized loam, sandy loam and silt loam in texture. The soil pH was slightly acidic to moderately alkaline (5.01-8.06), and very low available sulphur (0.59-2.41 mg/kg) and very low to low available boron (0.04-0.87 mg/kg).  Moreover, very low to medium available manganese (2.18-13.46 mg/kg), very low to very high available iron (4.50-138.58 mg/kg), and low to medium available magnesium (7.20-177.60.53 mg/kg) and zinc (0.26-1.66 mg/kg). Similarly, medium total nitrogen (0.09-0.22%), medium to high organic matter (1.71-6.26%) and available calcium (1200-3144 mg/kg), medium to very high available phosphorus (3.71-82.4 mg/kg) and potassium (59.37-173.05 mg/kg). Correspondingly, high to very high available copper (0.78-4.20 mg/kg). The determined soil test data can be used for sustainable soil management as well as developing future research strategy in the farm

Carbon footprint of Nepalese healthcare system: A study of Dhulikhel Hospital [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations, 1 not approved]

Background: Though direct greenhouse gas emissions cannot be observed in health care sectors, there can exist indirect emissions contributing to global climate change. This study addresses the concept of the carbon footprint and its significance in understanding the environmental impact of human activities, with a specific emphasis on the healthcare sector through gate-to-gate (GtoG) life cycle assessment. Transportation, energy consumption, and solid waste generated by hospitals are the primary sources of carbon emissions. Methods: Different standards, guidelines and parameters were used to estimate emissions from both the primary and secondary data. All steps and sub-steps involved in GtoG were accessed and analyzed within the standard ISO 14040:44 guideline. An extensive review of existing literature was carried out for the evaluation and verification of secondary data. Results: The total carbon footprint of generators, electricity consumption, transportation activities, LPG cylinders, PV systems was found to be 58,780 kg-CO2-eq/yr, 519,794 kg-CO2-eq/yr, 272,375 kg-CO2-eq/yr, 44,494 kg-CO2-eq/yr, 35,283 kg-CO2-eq/yr respectively and the emissions from non-biodegradable solid waste was found to be 489,835 kg-CO2/yr. Local air pollutants such as PM10, CO, SO2, NOX, and VOCs generated by generators and transportation were also estimated. The CH4 emissions from liquid waste were 1177.344 kg CH4/BOD yr, and those from biodegradables were 3821.6954 kg CH4/yr. Conclusions: Healthcare professionals and policymakers can take action to reduce the sector's carbon footprint by implementing best practices and encouraging sustainable behavior. This study can be taken as foundation for further exploration of indirect emissions from healthcare sectors not only in Nepal but also in south Asian scenario

Hemipteroseius

Key to species of <i>Hemipteroseius</i> <p>1. Dorsal shield divided; seta s6 present, not on shield........................................................... 2</p> <p>- Dorsal shield undivided; seta s6 absent, if present then on shield................................................ 6</p> <p> 2. Seta J1 present; two pairs of sternal seta on shield and two pairs on integument; one pair of pre-anal setae............................................................................................... <i>H</i>. <i>womersleyi</i> Evans, 1963</p> <p>- Seta J1 absent; sternal setae and position varying; one or two pairs of pre-anal setae................................. 3</p> <p> 3. Two pairs of setae on sternal shield, two pairs of sternal setae in integument; two pairs of pre-anal setae.................................................................................................... <i>H</i>. <i>antilleus</i> Treat, 1965</p> <p>- Sternal setae not as above; one pair of pre-anal setae.......................................................... 4</p> <p> 4. One pair of sternal setae on shield and two pairs on integument, fourth pair absent; macrosetae on genu III and IV with spatu- late/bulbose endings................................................................... <i>H</i>. <i>adleri</i> Costa, 1968</p> <p>- Four pairs of sternal setae present, one pair on shield and three pairs on integument................................. 5</p> <p> 5. Macrosetae of legs spine like; all dorsal setae simple................................ <i>H</i>. <i>indicus</i> (Krantz & Khot, 1962)</p> <p> - All macrosetae and dorsal setae j6, s6 and Z5 with spatulate/bulbose endings................... <i>H</i>. <i>vikrami</i> Menon <b>n. sp.</b></p> <p> 6. Seta s6 absent; J1 absent; sternal shield distinct with one pair of sternal setae on shield and three pairs on integument; two pairs of pre-anal setae; anus terminal........................................................ <i>H</i>. <i>parvulus</i> Treat, 1965</p> <p>- Seta s6 present on dorsal shield; J1 absent; sternal shield indistinct posteriorly, first pair of sternal seta on shield, second, third and fourth pairs surrounded by striated cuticle; one or two pairs of pre-anal setae; anus ventral........................ 7</p> <p> 7. Two pairs of pre-anal setae; three pairs of capitular setae.................................... <i>H</i>. <i>ageneius</i> Treat, 1965</p> <p> - One pair of pre-anal setae; four pairs of capitular setae.................................... <i>H</i>. <i>sabbaticus</i> Treat, 1965 Macrosetae genu III, IV, setae with <i>pd</i> 1 of femur and genu femur I, genu I & II, <i>pd</i> 1 of femur and</p>Published as part of <i>Menon, Pratibha, Joshi, Sushila & Hussain, Mohammad, 2011, A new species of Hemipteroseius (Acari: Otopheidomenidae) parasitic on Dysdercus (Hemiptera: Pyrrhocoridae) in India, pp. 53-63 in Zootaxa 2800</i> on pages 59-60, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/208025">10.5281/zenodo.208025</a&gt

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1289E1D4-B912-4DFE-9D77-729B6FAC1368

www.mapress.com/zootaxa

Assessment of soil fertility status of Agriculture Research Station, Belachapi, Dhanusha, Nepal

Soil test-based fertility management is important for sustainable soil management. This study was carried out to determine the soil fertility status of the Agriculture Research Station, Belachapi, Dhanusha, Nepal. Using soil sampling auger 25 soil samples were collected randomly from a depth of 0-20 cm. Soil sampling points were identified using GPS device. Following standard methods adopted by Soil Science Division laboratory, Khumaltar, the collected soil samples were analyzed to find out their texture, pH, N, P2O5, K2O, Ca, Mg, S, B, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn and organic matter status. The soil fertility status maps were made using Arc-GIS 10.1 software. The observed data revealed that soil was grayish brown in colour and sub-angular blocky in structure. The sand, silt and clay content were 36.03±3.66%, 50.32±2.52% and 25.42±2.25%, respectively and categorized as eight different classes of texture. The soil was acidic in pH (5.61±0.14). The available sulphur (0.73±0.09 ppm) status was very low, whereas organic matter (1.34±0.07%), available boron (0.56±0.10 ppm), available zinc (0.54±0.22 ppm) and available copper (0.30±0.01 ppm) were low in status. The extractable potassium (95.52±13.37 ppm) and extractable calcium (1264.8±92.80ppm) exhibited medium in status. In addition, available phosphorus (33.25±6.97 ppm), available magnesium (223.20±23.65 ppm) and available manganese (20.50±2.43 ppm) were high in status. Furthermore, available iron (55.80±8.89 ppm) status was very high. To improve the potentiality of crops (maize, rice, wheat etc.) for studied area, future research strategy should be made based on its soil fertility status

Carbon footprint of Nepalese healthcare system: A study of Dhulikhel Hospital [version 2; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations, 1 not approved]

Background Though direct greenhouse gas emissions cannot be observed in health care sectors, there can exist indirect emissions contributing to global climate change. This study addresses the concept of the carbon footprint and its significance in understanding the environmental impact of human activities, with a specific emphasis on the healthcare sector through gate-to-gate (GtoG) life cycle assessment. Transportation, energy consumption, and solid waste generated by hospitals are the primary sources of carbon emissions. Methods Different standards, guidelines and parameters were used to estimate emissions from both the primary and secondary data. All steps and sub-steps involved in GtoG were accessed and analyzed within the standard ISO 14040:44 guideline. An extensive review of existing literature was carried out for the evaluation and verification of secondary data. Results The total carbon footprint of generators, electricity consumption, transportation activities, LPG cylinders, PV systems was found to be 58,780 kg-CO2-eq/yr, 519,794 kg-CO2-eq/yr, 272,375 kg-CO2-eq/yr, 44,494 kg-CO2-eq/yr, 35,283 kg-CO2-eq/yr respectively and the emissions from non-biodegradable solid waste was found to be 489,835 kg-CO2/yr. Local air pollutants such as PM10, CO, SO2, NOX, and VOCs generated by generators and transportation were also estimated. The CH4 emissions from liquid waste were 1177.344 kg CH4/BOD yr, and those from biodegradables were 3821.6954 kg CH4/yr. Conclusions Healthcare professionals and policymakers can take action to reduce the sector's carbon footprint by implementing best practices and encouraging sustainable behavior. This study can be taken as foundation for further exploration of indirect emissions from healthcare sectors not only in Nepal but also in south Asian scenario