In this study, we developed a solar-powered integrated wireless soil moisture meter that can easily measure in situ soil moisture, soil temperature, and hydrogen potential (pH) using nature's solar energy. Knowledge of soil moisture content and other relevant soil-specific parameters is essential for irrigation scheduling, fertilizer selection, and fertigation. Also, considering that the electricity supply in some developing countries is either erratic or unavailable, this research aims to bridge the gap in electricity availability and ease of measurement and integrate more soil-specific parameters. The sensor system was developed using the frequency domain (FD) technique for fast response. These parameters were measured sequentially at an interval of about 5 seconds, with the readings displayed simultaneously on a Bluetooth-connected device (e.g., an Android phone) located about 50 meters away from the developed system. The different sensors are classified and adequately labeled to identify the parameter to be measured. The performance evaluation carried out indicated a reasonably functioning device that is cost-effective. The results obtained showed that the system was resourceful as it not only measured the parameters of interest (soil moisture, temperature, and pH) but also gave a prompt response in measurement and transmission. Overall, the developed wireless soil moisture meter provides instantaneous data on pH, moisture, and temperature circulation across soil layers. The system is promising as it can be integrated into large-scale automated irrigation systems for agricultural lands.

An experiment was conducted from February to June 2022 to determine the effectiveness of different insecticides in controlling fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda: FA) under field conditions. The experiment followed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 5 treatments and 4 replications. Insecticides were applied three times at 7-day intervals. The treatments included: T1 - untreated or control (water spray), T2 - Cypermethrin 5% + Chlorpyriphos 50% EC, T3 - Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC, T4 - Emamectin Benzoate 5% SG, and T5 - Spinetoram 11.7% SC. Data were collected for the number of live larvae, damage to the top four leaves and whorls, and yield attributes. The results showed that the lowest FA infestation was observed in the plots treated with Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC, while the highest infestation was observed in the control group. The highest yield (7.52 t/ha) was obtained from the Emamectin Benzoate treatment, while the lowest yield (5.74 t/ha) was recorded in the control group. Among the different control measures, spraying Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC at 7-day intervals was found to be the most effective method to control FA in spring maize variety TX-369, achieving 100% efficacy. These results provide valuable guidance to growers in selecting effective insecticides for FA control. This study addresses the challenge of FA management in maize crops while aligning with multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

An experiment was conducted from February 19, 2022, to July 4, 2022, in the farmer's field of Itahari Sub-metropolitan city in Nepal under well water and drought conditions to screen thirty drought-tolerant spring rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes using various drought tolerant indices for its cultivation under rainfed and drought areas. Analysis of variance revealed that grain yield under both conditions were significantly different and yield under well-watered condition was higher than yield under drought condition. The greater value of tolerance index (TOL) was reported in Chaite-2 and IR-80991-B330-0-2 and the minimum value of TOL was reported in IRE16L1661 and IR16L1004. The lowest value of stress susceptibility index (SSI) was reported in IRE16L1661, the maximum value of yield susceptibility index (YSI) was reported in IRE16L1661, and the maximum values of mean productivity index (MP), geometrical mean productivity (GMP), and stress tolerance index (STI) were reported in IRE 1621661. Correlation analysis revealed that the high-yielding genotype under well-watered conditions also yielded higher under-stress conditions. For grain yield, analysis of variance and principal component analysis revealed that IRE 1621661 is suitable for both conditions and genotype IRE16L1661 is stable under drought conditions based on drought tolerance indices. Thus, these two genotypes can be recommended under drought stress in the inner plains of Nepal with appropriate agronomic practices.

Sulfur plays an important role in the growth and yield of rapeseed plants. A field experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with seven levels of sulfur (60 kg/ha, 50 kg/ha, 40 kg/ha, 30 kg/ha, 20 kg/ha, 10 kg/ha, and 0 kg/ha in three replicates) to evaluate the effect of different doses of sulfur on the growth and yield of rapeseed (Brassica campestris var. Lumle Tori) in Khairahani, Chitwan. Plant height, number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, pod length, grain per pod, pod weight, fresh weight, dry weight, stover weight, harvest index, and grain yield were recorded.  Significant differences were observed in plant height, yield-related traits, and grain yield. The results showed significant differences between the growth and yield-related traits of the different treatments. Plant height and number of branches increased with increasing sulfur dose, reaching a maximum of 60 kg/ha. The maximum number of pods per plant was observed at 20 kg/ha, and the maximum pod length and grain per pod were observed at 60 kg/ha. Grain yield and harvest index were maximum at 20 kg/ha. The results showed that the maximum grain yield could be obtained by applying 20 kg/ha of sulfur. These findings provide valuable guidance for optimizing agricultural practices to meet the increasing global demand for oilseeds.

Field experiment was conducted from March to July 2022 to identify the eco-friendly management of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) by using different soil amendments. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block design with three replications and seven treatments viz., mustard oil cake at 1.41 kg/2m2 plot, poultry manure at 5.6 kg/2m2 plot, goat manure at 3.25 kg/2m2 plot, vermicompost at 4.30 kg/2m2 plot, nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) at 125:110:110 g/2m2, Cartap hydrochloride 4% granule (GR) at 10 g/2m2 plot and control. Disease parameters such as root gall index and number of galls per plant, fresh shoot weight, and fresh root weight were recorded at 72, 105, and 120 days after sowing. Fruit yield was recorded after the final pod harvest. Cartap hydrochloride 4G, poultry manure, and mustard oil cake significantly reduced the root gall index as compared to the control. However, goat manure, vermicompost nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) did not give satisfactory results in reducing root gall index. The maximum yield of okra was recorded in the NPK treated plots although the root gall index was not much reduced. The research results indicated that the most effective treatment for reducing root-knot nematode disease and improving vegetative growth and yield of okra was poultry manure. Therefore, poultry manure along with mustard oil cake could be used as an alternative to highly hazardous and persistent chemical nematicides for the management of root-knot nematodes in okra.

Onion (Allium cepa L.) suffers a rapid deterioration in quality during storage due to physiological changes and pathological damage. This experiment evaluated the effects of different plant extracts and curing days on the postharvest quality of onion. The experiment was laid out in a two-factor complete randomized design with three replications. One factor was the curing, 0, 5, and 10 days; and another factor was botanical extracts, coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) (2%) oil, neem oil (Azadirachta indica L.) (2%), and aloe vera gel (Aloe vera L.) (2%). At 80 days of storage, the use of neem extract showed the minimum loss in physiological weight (10.57%), the minimum sprouting (38.88%), the minimum rotting (35.55%), minimum sprout length (12.89 cm), maximum total soluble solids content (8.43%), minimum titratable acidity (0.50 g/L), and minimum visual color rating (1) due to minimum loss in original color followed by coconut oil and aloe vera gel. Additionally, curing for a duration of 5 days yielded improved outcomes. Consequently, onions that underwent a 5-day curing process and were treated with neem extract exhibited superior quality and an extended shelf life. This approach can be advocated as the optimal method to uphold quality standards and enhance the longevity of onions.

Seed-borne pathogens can negatively affect wheat crop germination, plant health, and yield, making it essential to routinely test and treat seeds. Therefore, identifying seed-borne pathogens in commonly cultivated wheat varieties is vital to ensuring sustainable food production. The study sought at the Central Agriculture Laboratory in Lalitpur, Nepal, aimed to identify seed-borne pathogens in five commonly cultivated wheat varieties and evaluate their seed health. The study utilized the Standard Blotter Method to assess various parameters, including germination percentage, pathogen incidence percentage, shoot length, and seedling vigor index, in a controlled environment. The experiment used a complete randomized design with four replications and five treatments. Five wheat varieties (Gautam, Aaditya, Bijaya, Dhaulagiri, and NL971) were sown in Petri dishes containing blotting paper wetted with sterilized distilled water to assess the incidence and severity of Bipolaris sorokiniana. The data obtained were tabulated in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using Gen Stat. The study found that Gautam had the highest Bipolaris infection (18.25%), while NL971 had the lowest (11.25%), followed by Bijaya, Dhaulagiri, and Aaditya. Dhaulagiri had the highest germination percentage (99.50%), followed by Aaditya, Bijaya, and NL971, while Gautam had the lowest (79%). Aaditya demonstrated the highest shoot and root weight, shoot length, and seedling vigor index, while Gautam had the lowest. The study concluded that Gautam was vulnerable to low seed health, while Aaditya and other varieties demonstrated stronger seed health and resistance to the pathogen. These findings are crucial for improving seed health and ensuring sustainable food production in Nepal.

Dark chocolate is a very popular confectionary product among children, made by combining cocoa (55%) with cocoa butter (7.5%) and sugar (42%) has high antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and free-radical scavenging properties. Chocolates also have a high concentration of cocoa and flavanols contents which is very beneficial for human health. The nutritional value of the dark chocolate samples prepared was further enhanced by using unripe banana peel powder. The peel of banana fruit is a waste material, but it also has antioxidant, antibacterial, and antibiotic properties which encourages its use in industries like pharmaceuticals. So, after considering the nutritional value of unripe banana fruit peel, the powder of unripe banana peel was added to the dark chocolate in the concentration of 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9% to increase the nutritional value of dark chocolate. The premix powder containing iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 was also added to the dark chocolate samples in the concentration of 2% in all the variants. The nutritional value of chocolate samples made by using unripe banana peel powder and premix increased significantly but the color of the product decreased significantly as the concentration of banana powder increased.

The lakes of the Kashmir valley, India are under continuous pressure due to increasing anthropogenic activities. In the present study, an attempt has been made to monitor the quality of two important lakes (Dal and Nigeen) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), India. These lakes hold significant ecological, cultural, and economic value, attracting many tourists and serving as vital sources of fresh water for local communities. Five sampling sites were selected in the study area, out of which three are in Dal Lake and two in Nigeen Lake. A comparison of the water quality of both lakes was made in the present investigation based on selected physicochemical parameters like water pH, conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), chloride (Cl-), sulfate (SO42-), nitrate (NO3-) and phosphate (PO43-). The results revealed that the value of most of the parameters was higher in Dal Lake (BOD, EC, COD, and PO43-) while some parameters were found higher in Nigeen Lake (NO3-, DO, Cl- and SO42-). The student t-test showed significant differences (p < 0.05) between the means of most of the studied parameters of both the lake except EC and NO3-. Although all the parameters were within the limits if the trend of pollution continues, then the water quality of both lakes will become unfit for aquatic plants, animals, and tourist activities also. This study highlights the urgent need for effective water management strategies and conservation efforts to preserve the water quality of Dal and Nigeen Lakes.

Lignocellulosic materials contain two major sugar macromolecules, cellulose and hemicellulose, and polyphenolic lignin. During pulping, lignin and hemicellulose are broken down into smaller molecules such as organic acids, and removed in the black liquor, leaving cellulose fibers for papermaking. Lignocellulose consists of approximately 28–35% hemicelluloses, which are lost during the pulping process in black liquor and are an important source of sugars that can be used to produce bioethanol as a liquid fuel. The hemicellulosic sugars from the Populus deltoides (poplar) lignocellulosic biomass were partially extracted keeping in mind that it does not affect the properties of paper beyond acceptable limits, further converting these extracted sugars by fermentation to bioethanol, followed by pulping the residual biomass and papermaking and determining pulping and papermaking properties. With the increasing demand for lignocellulosic biomass by various industries, an integrated biorefinery approach for maximum utilization of its chemical components with minimum degradation is necessary in the future. The maximum bioethanol yield was found to be 3.58 g/L. On manufactured paper sheets, the mechanical properties tensile index and tear index of pre-extracted biomass were observed as 19.23 Nm/g and 3.5 mNm2/g and slightly lower against the control 21.34 Nm/g and 4.0 mNm2/g. The main objective of the present study is to recover reducing sugars before the pulping process for bioethanol production and to further utilize the remaining residue for papermaking without disturbing its fiber integrity.