Historically Nepal has never been a major food deficit country. But since the 1980s it has become increasingly dependent on cereal imports. The number of malnourished people is in rise. Whenever the monsoon fails the country has to reel under hunger due to reduced food availability caused by low agricultural production. Never before the threat of starvation has been so greater than it is today in the country. The threat is not due to the country’s reduced capacity to food production. Indeed, the capacity is greater today than it ever been and will continue to grow as the new vistas of science keep unfolding by the research scientists. The problem lies in the lower adoption of the modern technologies compounded by spiraling population growth and lack of adequate fund for agricultural research.....................

Historically Nepal has never been a major food deficit country. But since the 1980s it has become increasingly dependent on cereal imports. The number of malnourished people is in rise. Whenever the monsoon fails the country has to reel under hunger due to reduced food availability caused by low agricultural production. Never before the threat of starvation has been so greater than it is today in the country. The threat is not due to the country’s reduced capacity to food production. Indeed, the capacity is greater today than it ever been and will continue to grow as the new vistas of science keep unfolding by the research scientists. The problem lies in the lower adoption of the modern technologies compounded by spiraling population growth and lack of adequate fund for agricultural research.....................

Soil testing is the basis for soil fertility management that maintains the productivity of soil and improves the quality of crops. It promotes more efficient use of fertilizers at a lower cost, and prevents environmental pollution from excess fertilizer. Unbalanced use of chemical fertilizer is a common problem in Nepal. In particular, much nitrogen fertilizer is often applied at the expense of other nutrients in major vegetable pocket areas.............................

Soil testing is the basis for soil fertility management that maintains the productivity of soil and improves the quality of crops. It promotes more efficient use of fertilizers at a lower cost, and prevents environmental pollution from excess fertilizer. Unbalanced use of chemical fertilizer is a common problem in Nepal. In particular, much nitrogen fertilizer is often applied at the expense of other nutrients in major vegetable pocket areas.............................

Soil delivers services to humans’ wellbeing and ecological balance. In extracting services human has overexploited soil and now we are facing “the tragedy of global commons”. Thus, the challenge for civilization is to reconcile the demands of human development in tolerances with nature......................

Soil delivers services to humans’ wellbeing and ecological balance. In extracting services human has overexploited soil and now we are facing “the tragedy of global commons”. Thus, the challenge for civilization is to reconcile the demands of human development in tolerances with nature......................

Soil is the most important natural resource for all kind of living beings (plants, animals and organisms). Soil has been degraded over years. Degradation of soil resources include soil erosion by water and soil fertility decline (deterioration in soil physical, chemical and biological properties). The major processes involved in the soil fertility decline are the lowering of soil organic matter, degradation of soil physical properties (structure, aeration, water holding capacity), reduction in the availability of major nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium), micronutrient deficiencies, and development of nutrient imbalances as well as acidification through increased use of nitrogen fertilizer alone..........................

Soil is the most important natural resource for all kind of living beings (plants, animals and organisms). Soil has been degraded over years. Degradation of soil resources include soil erosion by water and soil fertility decline (deterioration in soil physical, chemical and biological properties). The major processes involved in the soil fertility decline are the lowering of soil organic matter, degradation of soil physical properties (structure, aeration, water holding capacity), reduction in the availability of major nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium), micronutrient deficiencies, and development of nutrient imbalances as well as acidification through increased use of nitrogen fertilizer alone..........................

Soil and society are two inseparable entities on this planet Earth. Soil Science provides eyes and ears to the society to translate dreams into reality. Without soil, there is no life and without life, there is no soil. Soil is the foundation of all living entities and the fertility of the soil corresponds to human health. Better the fertility of soil, healthier is the society and healthy society always maintains fertility to attain higher production and productivity. But the quality of soil in recent decades has been declining due to haphazard use of agro-chemicals, erosion, increase in soil acidity and inadequate remedial measures. Soil has been polluted with contaminants, high use of pesticides and rapid urbanization. National policies on land act and phyto-sanitary measures are very weak to address these problems. In order to detoxify all these toxic chemicals, phytoremediation or bioremediation, which involves use of microorganisms  in association with plant host, soil amendments and agronomic techniques rendering soil less contaminated should be the research priority in maintaining healthy soils. Soil Science Division, NARC, with its limited resources has been facilitating researcher to broaden their vision but the number of projects in soil science across the country are diminishing with slight increment in budgets. However, recently the importance of soil has been aptly addressed in Nepal by UN and honorable Prime Minister of India posing considerable challenges to the Soil Scientists of Nepal. Future focus of research should address micronutrient replenishment, nanotechnology and sustainable soil fertility management.

Soil and society are two inseparable entities on this planet Earth. Soil Science provides eyes and ears to the society to translate dreams into reality. Without soil, there is no life and without life, there is no soil. Soil is the foundation of all living entities and the fertility of the soil corresponds to human health. Better the fertility of soil, healthier is the society and healthy society always maintains fertility to attain higher production and productivity. But the quality of soil in recent decades has been declining due to haphazard use of agro-chemicals, erosion, increase in soil acidity and inadequate remedial measures. Soil has been polluted with contaminants, high use of pesticides and rapid urbanization. National policies on land act and phyto-sanitary measures are very weak to address these problems. In order to detoxify all these toxic chemicals, phytoremediation or bioremediation, which involves use of microorganisms  in association with plant host, soil amendments and agronomic techniques rendering soil less contaminated should be the research priority in maintaining healthy soils. Soil Science Division, NARC, with its limited resources has been facilitating researcher to broaden their vision but the number of projects in soil science across the country are diminishing with slight increment in budgets. However, recently the importance of soil has been aptly addressed in Nepal by UN and honorable Prime Minister of India posing considerable challenges to the Soil Scientists of Nepal. Future focus of research should address micronutrient replenishment, nanotechnology and sustainable soil fertility management.

Soil Management Directorate along with Regional Soil Testing Laboratories in diferent Region under Government of Nepal has the mandate to test soil sample across the country. A report on soil fertility status of Nepal was prepared based on the result obtained from seven soil testing laboratories in the fiscal year 2070/71. In this FY, a total of 1700 soil samples were analyzed to determine the status of soil nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P2O5), potash (K2O), Organic Matter (OM) and pH. The results revealed that majority of the soil samples were found to be acidic (53%). Similarly, OM range from low to medium and majority of the samples have low content of soil nitrogen, phosphorus and potash. While comparing the soil fertility status of five development Regions of Nepal, soil pH was found to be dominated by acidic condition except for Far- Western Developmental Region. The organic matter content of the majority of the sample from Eastern Development and Far-Western Development Region was very  low. While the OM content of other Region range from low to medium. The nitrogen results also range from low to medium across all the Regions. The status of phosphorus and potash is low in Eastern Region whereas low to high in other Regions. The paper also explored the average status of soil fertility of 38 districts which were mapped by Soil Management Directorate in coordination with respective District Agriculture Development Office. The status of soil nutrient content is declining throughout the nation but the rate of declining is higher in eastern part of Nepal. In this context the technologies to manage soil fertility status should be disseminated throughout the nation. The Government should facilitate to develop its manpower and appropriate technologies.

Soil Management Directorate along with Regional Soil Testing Laboratories in diferent Region under Government of Nepal has the mandate to test soil sample across the country. A report on soil fertility status of Nepal was prepared based on the result obtained from seven soil testing laboratories in the fiscal year 2070/71. In this FY, a total of 1700 soil samples were analyzed to determine the status of soil nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P2O5), potash (K2O), Organic Matter (OM) and pH. The results revealed that majority of the soil samples were found to be acidic (53%). Similarly, OM range from low to medium and majority of the samples have low content of soil nitrogen, phosphorus and potash. While comparing the soil fertility status of five development Regions of Nepal, soil pH was found to be dominated by acidic condition except for Far- Western Developmental Region. The organic matter content of the majority of the sample from Eastern Development and Far-Western Development Region was very  low. While the OM content of other Region range from low to medium. The nitrogen results also range from low to medium across all the Regions. The status of phosphorus and potash is low in Eastern Region whereas low to high in other Regions. The paper also explored the average status of soil fertility of 38 districts which were mapped by Soil Management Directorate in coordination with respective District Agriculture Development Office. The status of soil nutrient content is declining throughout the nation but the rate of declining is higher in eastern part of Nepal. In this context the technologies to manage soil fertility status should be disseminated throughout the nation. The Government should facilitate to develop its manpower and appropriate technologies.

An Experiment was conducted on a farmer field at Torikhet Chitwan, Nepal, during 2011/2012 in order to know      the soil properties and wheat productivity influenced by nitrogen levels and sowing dates under zero tillage. The experiment consisted four nitrogen levels (60, 100, 140 and 180 N kg ha-1) and three sowing dates (Nov. 25, Dec. 10 and Dec. 25) and laid out in split plot design. The plant characters, soil physical and chemical properties, yield attributes and yields were significantly influenced by different treatments. The result showed that the highest grain yields (4.84 t ha-1 and 4.97 t ha-1, respectively) were obtained from the crop sown on Nov. 25 and from the application of 140 N kg ha-1. The highest chlorophyll value was recorded on the crop sown on the same Nov.25 and from the application of 140 N kg ha-1. Nitrogen dynamics including total nitrogen uptake, total soil N, residual N and unaccountable N were found highest on the crop sown on Nov. 25 and from the application of 180 N kg ha-1 but was the lowest (30.59 N kg ha-1). The highest total phosphorus uptake, total soil phosphorus, residual phosphorus and unaccountable phosphorus were observed on the crop sown on Nov. 25. The net income were highest (NRs. 49,640 ha-1 and NRs. 52,510 ha-1, respectively) on the crop sown on Nov. 25 and from 140 N kg ha-1.

An Experiment was conducted on a farmer field at Torikhet Chitwan, Nepal, during 2011/2012 in order to know      the soil properties and wheat productivity influenced by nitrogen levels and sowing dates under zero tillage. The experiment consisted four nitrogen levels (60, 100, 140 and 180 N kg ha-1) and three sowing dates (Nov. 25, Dec. 10 and Dec. 25) and laid out in split plot design. The plant characters, soil physical and chemical properties, yield attributes and yields were significantly influenced by different treatments. The result showed that the highest grain yields (4.84 t ha-1 and 4.97 t ha-1, respectively) were obtained from the crop sown on Nov. 25 and from the application of 140 N kg ha-1. The highest chlorophyll value was recorded on the crop sown on the same Nov.25 and from the application of 140 N kg ha-1. Nitrogen dynamics including total nitrogen uptake, total soil N, residual N and unaccountable N were found highest on the crop sown on Nov. 25 and from the application of 180 N kg ha-1 but was the lowest (30.59 N kg ha-1). The highest total phosphorus uptake, total soil phosphorus, residual phosphorus and unaccountable phosphorus were observed on the crop sown on Nov. 25. The net income were highest (NRs. 49,640 ha-1 and NRs. 52,510 ha-1, respectively) on the crop sown on Nov. 25 and from 140 N kg ha-1.

Micronutrient deficiency is one of the major constraints in producing pulse crop in Nepal. Field experiments were conducted in light textured soil to assess the effect  of  Boron  and  Molybdenum  on  grain  yield  and  yield  components  of soybean during summer season of 2012 and 2013 at the field of Grain Legumes Research Program, Rampur Chitwan……………..

Micronutrient deficiency is one of the major constraints in producing pulse crop in Nepal. Field experiments were conducted in light textured soil to assess the effect  of  Boron  and  Molybdenum  on  grain  yield  and  yield  components  of soybean during summer season of 2012 and 2013 at the field of Grain Legumes Research Program, Rampur Chitwan……………..

Programmes to improve traditional soil management on the very small farms in the mid-hills of Nepal have previously recommended inorganic fertilizers as the main means of eN hancing soil fertility. Farmyard manure (FYM)   applied mainly to improve soil physical properties. Since 2000, the Sustainable Soil Management Programme has promoted sustainable soil management practices giving greater prominence to FYM as a nutrient fertilizer by promoting improvements in its management and quality. FYM improvement involves: careful collection, layering, turning and moistening of the manure; shading heaps from sunlight to minimize N-volatilization; protecting heaps from rainfall to reduce nutrient loss through leaching; and the systematic collection and admixture of cattle and buffalo urine……………….

Programmes to improve traditional soil management on the very small farms in the mid-hills of Nepal have previously recommended inorganic fertilizers as the main means of eN hancing soil fertility. Farmyard manure (FYM)   applied mainly to improve soil physical properties. Since 2000, the Sustainable Soil Management Programme has promoted sustainable soil management practices giving greater prominence to FYM as a nutrient fertilizer by promoting improvements in its management and quality. FYM improvement involves: careful collection, layering, turning and moistening of the manure; shading heaps from sunlight to minimize N-volatilization; protecting heaps from rainfall to reduce nutrient loss through leaching; and the systematic collection and admixture of cattle and buffalo urine……………….

Precision agriculture technologies have developed optical sensors which can determine plant’s normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI).To evaluate the relationship between maize grain yield and early season NDVI readings, an experiment was conducted at farm land of National Maize Research Program, Rampur, Chitwan during winter season of 2012. Eight different levels of N 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 and 210 N kg ha-1 were applied for hybrid maize RML 32 X RML 17 to study grain yield response and NDVI measurement. Periodic NDVI was measured at 10 days interval from 55 days after sowing (DAS) to 115 DAS by using Green seeker hand held crop sensor……………..

Precision agriculture technologies have developed optical sensors which can determine plant’s normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI).To evaluate the relationship between maize grain yield and early season NDVI readings, an experiment was conducted at farm land of National Maize Research Program, Rampur, Chitwan during winter season of 2012. Eight different levels of N 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 and 210 N kg ha-1 were applied for hybrid maize RML 32 X RML 17 to study grain yield response and NDVI measurement. Periodic NDVI was measured at 10 days interval from 55 days after sowing (DAS) to 115 DAS by using Green seeker hand held crop sensor……………..

A long-term fertility experiment in rice-wheat system was initiated in 1997/98 to study the effects of application of different combinations of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on soil properties and crop yield of rice and wheat in at National Rice Research Program, Hardinath, Dhanusha. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with twelve treatments replicated three times. Recent two years statistical analysis revealed that the use of 100:30:30 kg ha-1of N:P2O5:K2O produced significantly higher grain yield of rice (3.02 t ha-1) followed by 150:45:45 N:P2O5:K2O of kg ha-1 (3.00 t ha-1) and 100:30:30 kg N:P2O5:K2O +25 kg ZnSo4 (2.99 t ha-1)……………………

A long-term fertility experiment in rice-wheat system was initiated in 1997/98 to study the effects of application of different combinations of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on soil properties and crop yield of rice and wheat in at National Rice Research Program, Hardinath, Dhanusha. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with twelve treatments replicated three times. Recent two years statistical analysis revealed that the use of 100:30:30 kg ha-1of N:P2O5:K2O produced significantly higher grain yield of rice (3.02 t ha-1) followed by 150:45:45 N:P2O5:K2O of kg ha-1 (3.00 t ha-1) and 100:30:30 kg N:P2O5:K2O +25 kg ZnSo4 (2.99 t ha-1)……………………

The long-term experiment in wheat (Triticumaestivum) – common bean (Phaseolusvulgaris) cropping system was initiated in Vijayanagar, Jumla since 2010. With six different doses of nutrient and three replications, research was designed in randomized complete blocks. Results showed that there was no significant change in soil chemical properties due to different nutrient treatments during the four years period. Plant height (p value <0.02) and grain yield (p value <0.001) were significantly different among the treatments in both wheat and common bean……………….

The long-term experiment in wheat (Triticumaestivum) – common bean (Phaseolusvulgaris) cropping system was initiated in Vijayanagar, Jumla since 2010. With six different doses of nutrient and three replications, research was designed in randomized complete blocks. Results showed that there was no significant change in soil chemical properties due to different nutrient treatments during the four years period. Plant height (p value <0.02) and grain yield (p value <0.001) were significantly different among the treatments in both wheat and common bean……………….

The majorities of poor people in Nepal rely mostly on agriculture for employment and spend a high proportion of their income on food. Population densities continue to increase and resource available for maintaining people’s livelihood is becoming increasingly scarce. The available lands have decreased their productivity, which has not been able to address livelihoods and food security issues. Thus sustainable increase in land productivity in agriculture, through effective use of underutilized resources such as crop residues, rice husk, animal left over and biomass of invasive plant species (such as Eupatorium) continue to be crucial means through which both poverty reduction and economic growth are sought. In order to address this issue, ADB funded project, Sustainable Rural Ecology for Green Growth has tested the feasibility of using biomass of Eupatorium species for making biochar that refers to materials produced through Pyrolysis…………………

The majorities of poor people in Nepal rely mostly on agriculture for employment and spend a high proportion of their income on food. Population densities continue to increase and resource available for maintaining people’s livelihood is becoming increasingly scarce. The available lands have decreased their productivity, which has not been able to address livelihoods and food security issues. Thus sustainable increase in land productivity in agriculture, through effective use of underutilized resources such as crop residues, rice husk, animal left over and biomass of invasive plant species (such as Eupatorium) continue to be crucial means through which both poverty reduction and economic growth are sought. In order to address this issue, ADB funded project, Sustainable Rural Ecology for Green Growth has tested the feasibility of using biomass of Eupatorium species for making biochar that refers to materials produced through Pyrolysis…………………

The soil and land resources play a vital role in the local livelihoods of rural communities as well as in the national economy. With much of the arable land already under cultivation and the ever-increasing demands for food and fiber, agriculture has already  moved towards intensification. Yet, producing greater numbers of crops and quantities of food, fibre and other materials on the same parcel of land often leads to soil fertility and productivity decline with overall degradation of soil quality.  Therefore, ways and means to intensify agriculture to eN hance productivity without degrading the soil and land resource base have become imperative.  To this end, agro-forestry, agro-slivi-pastoral systems, and the adoption of a variety of crop, soil and water management and conservation practices offer potential to deliver multiple benefits without sacrificing the very resource upon which the human population depends………………………..

The soil and land resources play a vital role in the local livelihoods of rural communities as well as in the national economy. With much of the arable land already under cultivation and the ever-increasing demands for food and fiber, agriculture has already  moved towards intensification. Yet, producing greater numbers of crops and quantities of food, fibre and other materials on the same parcel of land often leads to soil fertility and productivity decline with overall degradation of soil quality.  Therefore, ways and means to intensify agriculture to eN hance productivity without degrading the soil and land resource base have become imperative.  To this end, agro-forestry, agro-slivi-pastoral systems, and the adoption of a variety of crop, soil and water management and conservation practices offer potential to deliver multiple benefits without sacrificing the very resource upon which the human population depends………………………..

An experiment was conducted at Oilseed Research Program, Nawalpur Sarlahi during 2007-08. It comprised of three activities. It was laid out in RCB design with various treatments and various replications. Preeti variety of tori was used in the experiments. In activity titled integrated nutrient management practice for sustainable toria seed yield, seeded on Kartk 3, data on siliqua per plant, seeds per siliqua and seed yield were statistically significant. The maximum 185 siliqua per plant was recorded by the treatment in which recommended dose of N, P2O5 and K20 (100%) + Boron (1kg ha-1) were applied. Similarly the maximum 13.6 and 13 seed per siliquae were recorded in which recommended dose of N, P2O5 and K20 (100%) + Sulphur (30 kg ha-1) and N, P2O5 and K20 (100%) + Boron (1kg ha-1) were applied respectively…………………..

An experiment was conducted at Oilseed Research Program, Nawalpur Sarlahi during 2007-08. It comprised of three activities. It was laid out in RCB design with various treatments and various replications. Preeti variety of tori was used in the experiments. In activity titled integrated nutrient management practice for sustainable toria seed yield, seeded on Kartk 3, data on siliqua per plant, seeds per siliqua and seed yield were statistically significant. The maximum 185 siliqua per plant was recorded by the treatment in which recommended dose of N, P2O5 and K20 (100%) + Boron (1kg ha-1) were applied. Similarly the maximum 13.6 and 13 seed per siliquae were recorded in which recommended dose of N, P2O5 and K20 (100%) + Sulphur (30 kg ha-1) and N, P2O5 and K20 (100%) + Boron (1kg ha-1) were applied respectively…………………..

A study was conducted for assessing nutrient status of vegetable growing area in Naubise, Jeevanpur and Kebalpur VDCs of Dhading district. These sites are pocket areas popularly for the vegetable production. A total of 36, 20 and 26 soil samples were collected from farmers’’ field at 0-20 cm depth by using soil sampling auger from Naubise, Jeevanpur and Kebalpur, respectively. Laboratory analysis for the determination of soil pH, OM, N, P2O5 and K2O was done following standard method in the laboratory of Soil Science Division, Khumaltar. The soil test data revealed that mean  soil pH (5.95±0.061) of Naubise site was slightly acidic, low in organic matter (OM) (2.45±0.15%), medium in total nitrogen (0.11±0.004%), very high in phosphorus (372.6±43.26 kg ha-1) and medium in potassium (245.3±59.3 kg ha-1)……………………..

A study was conducted for assessing nutrient status of vegetable growing area in Naubise, Jeevanpur and Kebalpur VDCs of Dhading district. These sites are pocket areas popularly for the vegetable production. A total of 36, 20 and 26 soil samples were collected from farmers’’ field at 0-20 cm depth by using soil sampling auger from Naubise, Jeevanpur and Kebalpur, respectively. Laboratory analysis for the determination of soil pH, OM, N, P2O5 and K2O was done following standard method in the laboratory of Soil Science Division, Khumaltar. The soil test data revealed that mean  soil pH (5.95±0.061) of Naubise site was slightly acidic, low in organic matter (OM) (2.45±0.15%), medium in total nitrogen (0.11±0.004%), very high in phosphorus (372.6±43.26 kg ha-1) and medium in potassium (245.3±59.3 kg ha-1)……………………..

A study was conducted for assessing nutrient status of vegetable growing area in Naubise, Jeevanpur and Kebalpur VDCs of Dhading district. These sites are pocket areas popularly for the vegetable production. A total of 36, 20 and 26 soil samples were collected from farmers’’ field at 0-20 cm depth by using soil sampling auger from Naubise, Jeevanpur and Kebalpur, respectively. Laboratory analysis for the determination of soil pH, OM, N, P2O5 and K2O was done following standard method in the laboratory of Soil Science Division, Khumaltar. The soil test data revealed that mean  soil pH (5.95±0.061) of Naubise site was slightly acidic, low in organic matter (OM) (2.45±0.15%), medium in total nitrogen (0.11±0.004%), very high in phosphorus (372.6±43.26 kg ha-1) and medium in potassium (245.3±59.3 kg ha-1)……………………..

A study was conducted for assessing nutrient status of vegetable growing area in Naubise, Jeevanpur and Kebalpur VDCs of Dhading district. These sites are pocket areas popularly for the vegetable production. A total of 36, 20 and 26 soil samples were collected from farmers’’ field at 0-20 cm depth by using soil sampling auger from Naubise, Jeevanpur and Kebalpur, respectively. Laboratory analysis for the determination of soil pH, OM, N, P2O5 and K2O was done following standard method in the laboratory of Soil Science Division, Khumaltar. The soil test data revealed that mean  soil pH (5.95±0.061) of Naubise site was slightly acidic, low in organic matter (OM) (2.45±0.15%), medium in total nitrogen (0.11±0.004%), very high in phosphorus (372.6±43.26 kg ha-1) and medium in potassium (245.3±59.3 kg ha-1)……………………..

An experiment was conducted at RARS, Parwanipur in rice wheat cropping system for two years from 2012 to 2013with nine treatments and four replication with an objective to compare the effect of different sources of organic manure and high analysis chemical fertilizer. Results of the combined analysis revealed that wheat yield and yield attributing parameters such as plant height and panicle length differed significantly with the treatments of the experiment. The highest grain yield (2599 kg ha-1) of wheat was obtained from the plot treated with recommended dose of chemical fertilizer followed by combined application of chemical fertilizer (half of the RDF) and poultry manure @ 10 t ha-1 (2435 kg  ha-1).  Parameters no. of tillers and  test  weight  were non-significant. Unexpected high yield obtained in combined application of vermicompost, FYM and poultry manure.

An experiment was conducted at RARS, Parwanipur in rice wheat cropping system for two years from 2012 to 2013with nine treatments and four replication with an objective to compare the effect of different sources of organic manure and high analysis chemical fertilizer. Results of the combined analysis revealed that wheat yield and yield attributing parameters such as plant height and panicle length differed significantly with the treatments of the experiment. The highest grain yield (2599 kg ha-1) of wheat was obtained from the plot treated with recommended dose of chemical fertilizer followed by combined application of chemical fertilizer (half of the RDF) and poultry manure @ 10 t ha-1 (2435 kg  ha-1).  Parameters no. of tillers and  test  weight  were non-significant. Unexpected high yield obtained in combined application of vermicompost, FYM and poultry manure.

A long-term soil fertility trail on rice wheat crop rotation was studied in Agricultural Research Station Pakhribas since 2054. There were seven different treatments replicated four times. The treatments allocated were (a) full control (b) full inorganic (c) full organic (d) 50% organic plus 50% inorganic (e) 50% inorganic (f) 50% organic (f) 25% organic plus 25% inorganic. Data on plant height, no. of tillers, no. of filled grain or unfilled grain per panicle, panicle length, biomass, straw weight, grain yield etc. were recorded………………

A long-term soil fertility trail on rice wheat crop rotation was studied in Agricultural Research Station Pakhribas since 2054. There were seven different treatments replicated four times. The treatments allocated were (a) full control (b) full inorganic (c) full organic (d) 50% organic plus 50% inorganic (e) 50% inorganic (f) 50% organic (f) 25% organic plus 25% inorganic. Data on plant height, no. of tillers, no. of filled grain or unfilled grain per panicle, panicle length, biomass, straw weight, grain yield etc. were recorded………………

Boron is a unique micronutrient with narrow margin between deficiency and toxicity. It is considered to be phloem immobile or to have only limited phloem mobility in many higher plant species, where it is transported along the transpiration stream and accumulates in the margins of leaves. However, one would expect a phloem transport of boron if the back diffusion into the xylem in some way be prevented. The back diffusion into the xylem may only be possible under reduced transpiration. In the present research, the distribution of foliar-applied B in green gram plants (Vigna radiata L.) under varying transpiration rates was evaluated in the Plant Nutrition greenhouse at the University of Bonn, Germany, between July and September 2009. The experiment was laid out in a Complete Randomized Block Design (CRBD) comprising three moisture levels (75, 50 and 25 % WHC), two boron levels (100 and 0 mM B)…………………….

Boron is a unique micronutrient with narrow margin between deficiency and toxicity. It is considered to be phloem immobile or to have only limited phloem mobility in many higher plant species, where it is transported along the transpiration stream and accumulates in the margins of leaves. However, one would expect a phloem transport of boron if the back diffusion into the xylem in some way be prevented. The back diffusion into the xylem may only be possible under reduced transpiration. In the present research, the distribution of foliar-applied B in green gram plants (Vigna radiata L.) under varying transpiration rates was evaluated in the Plant Nutrition greenhouse at the University of Bonn, Germany, between July and September 2009. The experiment was laid out in a Complete Randomized Block Design (CRBD) comprising three moisture levels (75, 50 and 25 % WHC), two boron levels (100 and 0 mM B)…………………….

Field experiments were conducted during the rice seasons for two consecutive years (2070 and 2071) in ARS, Belachapi to evaluate the optimal level of nutrient for better and sustainable rice grain production under Rice-Tomato cropping system. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used with twelve treatments of four N levels (0, 80, 120 and160 kg ha-1) and three level of P (0, 40 and 80 kg ha-1). The plot size was 12 sq. m. and rice variety Hardinath-1 was for the study. The highest rice grain yield (4854 kg ha-1),  plant  height  (108.23  cm)  was  recorded  in 160:80:40:  N:  P2O5:  K2O  kg  ha-1. Statistically, both grain and straw yield were significantly higher as compared to other treatments………………………

Field experiments were conducted during the rice seasons for two consecutive years (2070 and 2071) in ARS, Belachapi to evaluate the optimal level of nutrient for better and sustainable rice grain production under Rice-Tomato cropping system. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used with twelve treatments of four N levels (0, 80, 120 and160 kg ha-1) and three level of P (0, 40 and 80 kg ha-1). The plot size was 12 sq. m. and rice variety Hardinath-1 was for the study. The highest rice grain yield (4854 kg ha-1),  plant  height  (108.23  cm)  was  recorded  in 160:80:40:  N:  P2O5:  K2O  kg  ha-1. Statistically, both grain and straw yield were significantly higher as compared to other treatments………………………

Due to over mining of plant nutrients, soils in the Terai region have been depleted and to overcome this problem, it is necessary to add additional elements in the field. Long-term soil fertility experiment in Parwanipur was started since 1980/1981 to evaluate the long- term effect of organic manure and inorganic fertilizer on crop yield and soil properties. The effect of different level of fertilizer for high production in rice wheat system was the objective of this experiment. The experiment was conducted in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications and twelve treatments……………….

Due to over mining of plant nutrients, soils in the Terai region have been depleted and to overcome this problem, it is necessary to add additional elements in the field. Long-term soil fertility experiment in Parwanipur was started since 1980/1981 to evaluate the long- term effect of organic manure and inorganic fertilizer on crop yield and soil properties. The effect of different level of fertilizer for high production in rice wheat system was the objective of this experiment. The experiment was conducted in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications and twelve treatments……………….

Biochar, the final product of pyrolysis of biomass, can be used as a soil amendment to increase plant growth, yield, improve water quality, increase soil moisture retention and availability to plants, reduce soil emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), reduce leaching of nutrients, reduce soil acidity, and reduce irrigation and fertilizer requirements. These properties of soil are very dependent on the properties of the biochar, and may depend on site specific ecological conditions including soil type, condition (depleted or healthy), temperature, and humidity. Biochar can be used in the reclamation of degraded and spoiled lands (acidic, alkaline, sodic and saline soils)…………………………..

Biochar, the final product of pyrolysis of biomass, can be used as a soil amendment to increase plant growth, yield, improve water quality, increase soil moisture retention and availability to plants, reduce soil emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), reduce leaching of nutrients, reduce soil acidity, and reduce irrigation and fertilizer requirements. These properties of soil are very dependent on the properties of the biochar, and may depend on site specific ecological conditions including soil type, condition (depleted or healthy), temperature, and humidity. Biochar can be used in the reclamation of degraded and spoiled lands (acidic, alkaline, sodic and saline soils)…………………………..

Iron-ore-slime is the waste product of iron and steel industries which has the particle size of below 15mm and is being discarded as waste during the mining and processing stages of iron ore. Laboratory incubation experiment was conducted in the laboratory in 2011 to investigate the effect of organic matter (OM) on soil physico-chemical properties amended with iron- slime with four different treatments replicated four times. Results of characterization study of iron-slime revealed that it is neutral in  reaction, contains considerable amount of available plant nutrients and is fairly good enough in its fertility status. Addition of iron-slime influenced soil reaction in maintaining towards neutrality as that of organic matter……………………

Iron-ore-slime is the waste product of iron and steel industries which has the particle size of below 15mm and is being discarded as waste during the mining and processing stages of iron ore. Laboratory incubation experiment was conducted in the laboratory in 2011 to investigate the effect of organic matter (OM) on soil physico-chemical properties amended with iron- slime with four different treatments replicated four times. Results of characterization study of iron-slime revealed that it is neutral in  reaction, contains considerable amount of available plant nutrients and is fairly good enough in its fertility status. Addition of iron-slime influenced soil reaction in maintaining towards neutrality as that of organic matter……………………

Maize crop is one of the heavy feeder of plant nutrients. Different varieties of maize (Zea mays L.) have different potentiality and requirements of plant nutrients. Hybrids require high dose of mineral fertilizers and manures as compared to those of open pollinated improved varieties (OPV) and the locals. In order to investigate the effects of different rates of fertilizers (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassic fertilizers) and farmyard manures on grain yield and yield attributing traits of different maize varieties, field experiments were conducted at the farm of National Maize Research Program, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal during winter seasons of 2009/10 and 2010/011 employing randomized complete block design with three replications…………………..

Maize crop is one of the heavy feeder of plant nutrients. Different varieties of maize (Zea mays L.) have different potentiality and requirements of plant nutrients. Hybrids require high dose of mineral fertilizers and manures as compared to those of open pollinated improved varieties (OPV) and the locals. In order to investigate the effects of different rates of fertilizers (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassic fertilizers) and farmyard manures on grain yield and yield attributing traits of different maize varieties, field experiments were conducted at the farm of National Maize Research Program, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal during winter seasons of 2009/10 and 2010/011 employing randomized complete block design with three replications…………………..

Cowpea (vignaunguiculata l. walp), a short-day plant when sown in rainy season produced excessive vegetative growth and less grain, and usually high incidence of insect pests. introduction of short duration cowpea variety makes possible to grow cowpea in post rainy season under  subtropical climate of central inner  terai. as a legume, cowpea fixes its own nitrogen, however, there has not been any fertilizer recommendation for short duration cowpea variety in nepal. field experiments consisting of four sowing dates starting from first week of august at 10 days intervals, and three nutrient management: chemical fertilizers @ 20:40:20 n:p2:o5:k2o kg ha-1, farmyard manure 10 t ha-1  (fym), and half dose of chemical fertilizer + 5 t ha-1  fym were carried out in determinate cowpea var. surya to evaluate the optimum time of sowing and nutrient source under subtropical climate of rampur from 2008 to 2010…………………….

Cowpea (vignaunguiculata l. walp), a short-day plant when sown in rainy season produced excessive vegetative growth and less grain, and usually high incidence of insect pests. introduction of short duration cowpea variety makes possible to grow cowpea in post rainy season under  subtropical climate of central inner  terai. as a legume, cowpea fixes its own nitrogen, however, there has not been any fertilizer recommendation for short duration cowpea variety in nepal. field experiments consisting of four sowing dates starting from first week of august at 10 days intervals, and three nutrient management: chemical fertilizers @ 20:40:20 n:p2:o5:k2o kg ha-1, farmyard manure 10 t ha-1  (fym), and half dose of chemical fertilizer + 5 t ha-1  fym were carried out in determinate cowpea var. surya to evaluate the optimum time of sowing and nutrient source under subtropical climate of rampur from 2008 to 2010…………………….

Farm Yard Manure (FYM) is an integral component of agricultural input in small holder Nepalese farming communities where mixed cropping system (agriculture and livestock integration) is practiced. Despite of quality of FYM produced in farm level appropriation of right dose in farmers' field is not achieved yet. So, to quantify appropriate level of FYM in farmer field this experiment was conducted at research farm of IAAS from October 2012 to May 2013 catching major two crop growing seasons i.e. winter and spring season in which broccoli and Mung bean were cropped, respectively. Six treatments (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 t ha-1 FYM) were replicated four times. In each plot 100 earthworms were released in one square meter earthworm inoculation unit. Soil organic carbon (SOC) and earthworm growth rate was significantly influenced by FYM levels of 30 t ha-1 in both seasons. EC1:5, nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen also achieved highest at this dose in winter and spring seasons. Hence, once application of 30 t ha-1 FYM is sufficient to maintain earthworm population and soil properties in the field growing cole crops followed by legumes in rotation.

Farm Yard Manure (FYM) is an integral component of agricultural input in small holder Nepalese farming communities where mixed cropping system (agriculture and livestock integration) is practiced. Despite of quality of FYM produced in farm level appropriation of right dose in farmers' field is not achieved yet. So, to quantify appropriate level of FYM in farmer field this experiment was conducted at research farm of IAAS from October 2012 to May 2013 catching major two crop growing seasons i.e. winter and spring season in which broccoli and Mung bean were cropped, respectively. Six treatments (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 t ha-1 FYM) were replicated four times. In each plot 100 earthworms were released in one square meter earthworm inoculation unit. Soil organic carbon (SOC) and earthworm growth rate was significantly influenced by FYM levels of 30 t ha-1 in both seasons. EC1:5, nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen also achieved highest at this dose in winter and spring seasons. Hence, once application of 30 t ha-1 FYM is sufficient to maintain earthworm population and soil properties in the field growing cole crops followed by legumes in rotation.

Phosphorus (P) is considered as a primary limiting nutrient for faba bean (Vicia faba L.) production in Nitisol (Western and South-western Ethiopian highlands) due to strong adsorption of P to Al and Fe (hydr)oxides. The objective of this research was to differentiate the P into various pools on the basis of its plant availability with respect to different depths. The soil was collected in the bulk as well as at three depths from an agricultural field. A modified Hedley sequential P  fractionation was carried out to differentiate phosphorus into different fractions. Sum of all the P fractions [Pt(sum)] ranged from 648 to 1024 mg P kg-1 at 25 and 5 cm depth, respectively. Concentration of Fe in the soils extracted via dithionite-citrate (Fed) ranged from 37 to 41 g kg-1. The amounts of Al extractable by dithionite-citrate (Ald) and ammonium-oxalate (Alox) were not different with depth and had an average value of 3.13 and 2.31 g kg-1 respectively up to 30 cm depth…………………….

Phosphorus (P) is considered as a primary limiting nutrient for faba bean (Vicia faba L.) production in Nitisol (Western and South-western Ethiopian highlands) due to strong adsorption of P to Al and Fe (hydr)oxides. The objective of this research was to differentiate the P into various pools on the basis of its plant availability with respect to different depths. The soil was collected in the bulk as well as at three depths from an agricultural field. A modified Hedley sequential P  fractionation was carried out to differentiate phosphorus into different fractions. Sum of all the P fractions [Pt(sum)] ranged from 648 to 1024 mg P kg-1 at 25 and 5 cm depth, respectively. Concentration of Fe in the soils extracted via dithionite-citrate (Fed) ranged from 37 to 41 g kg-1. The amounts of Al extractable by dithionite-citrate (Ald) and ammonium-oxalate (Alox) were not different with depth and had an average value of 3.13 and 2.31 g kg-1 respectively up to 30 cm depth…………………….

A long-term soil fertility experiment under rice-rice-wheat system has been conducted by nwrp, bhairahawa to evaluate the long-term effects of inorganic fertilizer and manure applications on soil properties and grain yield of crops since 1978.the experiment  was  laid  out  in  randomized  complete  block  design  (RCBD) with 9 treatments replicated 3 times. From 1990 onwards, periodic modifications have been made in all the treatments splitting the plots in two equal halves of 4m x 3m (12 sq.m.) Leaving one half as original. In the original treatments, the recent data revealed that the use of fym @10 t ha-1 gave significantly higher yield of 3243 kg ha-1 in normal rice and 2091 kg ha-1 in wheat whereas control plot gave the lowest grain yield of 563 and 447 kg ha-1 in rice and wheat respectively…………………….

A long-term soil fertility experiment under rice-rice-wheat system has been conducted by nwrp, bhairahawa to evaluate the long-term effects of inorganic fertilizer and manure applications on soil properties and grain yield of crops since 1978.the experiment  was  laid  out  in  randomized  complete  block  design  (RCBD) with 9 treatments replicated 3 times. From 1990 onwards, periodic modifications have been made in all the treatments splitting the plots in two equal halves of 4m x 3m (12 sq.m.) Leaving one half as original. In the original treatments, the recent data revealed that the use of fym @10 t ha-1 gave significantly higher yield of 3243 kg ha-1 in normal rice and 2091 kg ha-1 in wheat whereas control plot gave the lowest grain yield of 563 and 447 kg ha-1 in rice and wheat respectively…………………….

Long-term soil fertility trial (LTSFT) was initiated in the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Khajura, Banke since 1978. The experiment was designed in Randomized Complete Block Designwhich consisted nine treatments with different fertilizer doses and with three replications. Soil analysis results from rice – wheat system collected through 1998 to 2006 and 2014 were used. Results revealed treatments had significant effect in soil organic matter (p value = 0.0046) and soil available phosphorus (p value = 0.013) content. Soil pH trend in long-termwas significant (p value < 0.05) positive in all treatments except two i.e. control and only nitrogen (100 kg ha-1) applied treatments Soil organic  matter  (SOM)  trend  line  along  the  time  was  significantly  positive  for  all treatments   (p value<0.001)   except   (100:00:30   N P2O5 K2O   kg   ha-1),   (100:30:30 N P2O5 K2O kg ha-1) and (50:00:00 N P2O5 K2O kg ha-1)……………………………

Long-term soil fertility trial (LTSFT) was initiated in the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Khajura, Banke since 1978. The experiment was designed in Randomized Complete Block Designwhich consisted nine treatments with different fertilizer doses and with three replications. Soil analysis results from rice – wheat system collected through 1998 to 2006 and 2014 were used. Results revealed treatments had significant effect in soil organic matter (p value = 0.0046) and soil available phosphorus (p value = 0.013) content. Soil pH trend in long-termwas significant (p value < 0.05) positive in all treatments except two i.e. control and only nitrogen (100 kg ha-1) applied treatments Soil organic  matter  (SOM)  trend  line  along  the  time  was  significantly  positive  for  all treatments   (p value<0.001)   except   (100:00:30   N P2O5 K2O   kg   ha-1),   (100:30:30 N P2O5 K2O kg ha-1) and (50:00:00 N P2O5 K2O kg ha-1)……………………………

Organic matter is the heart of the soil and it is the foundation of all living entities in soil. Considering this value as centre point, a research was conducted using tribeni organic complexal with 8 different treatments and 3 replications in both potato and rice. The field trial was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design in the clayey soils of Khumaltar, Lalitpur. Results revealed that plant height, no. of stem per plant and tuber yield differed significantly with the treatments. Plant height and tuber yield were observed highest in the soil treated with recommended dose of NPK plus 20t FYM ha-1, followed by full dose of chemical fertilizer plus Tribeni organic complexal (TOC) @675 kg ha-1…………………………

Organic matter is the heart of the soil and it is the foundation of all living entities in soil. Considering this value as centre point, a research was conducted using tribeni organic complexal with 8 different treatments and 3 replications in both potato and rice. The field trial was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design in the clayey soils of Khumaltar, Lalitpur. Results revealed that plant height, no. of stem per plant and tuber yield differed significantly with the treatments. Plant height and tuber yield were observed highest in the soil treated with recommended dose of NPK plus 20t FYM ha-1, followed by full dose of chemical fertilizer plus Tribeni organic complexal (TOC) @675 kg ha-1…………………………

Nematodes can be used as bio-indicators of soil health because they are ubiquitous and have diverse feeding behaviors. A handful of soil contains 50 different species of nematodes and millions of individual can occupy in 1 sq.m, The nematodes residing in soil that do not feed on higher plants some feed on fungi or bacteria; others are carnivorous or omnivorous. It is common belief that nematodes are pathogenic but most nematodes are non-pathogenic and a rich source of organic carbon in marine, freshwater and terrestrial agricultural practices; they eN hanced microbial activity in soil and play a pivotal role in decomposition of soil organic matter, mineralization of plant nutrients and nutrient cycle Bacterial feeding nematodes have a higher carbon: nitrogen (C: N) ratio and while preying bacteria they take N proportion excessively high than their body structure……………………….

Nematodes can be used as bio-indicators of soil health because they are ubiquitous and have diverse feeding behaviors. A handful of soil contains 50 different species of nematodes and millions of individual can occupy in 1 sq.m, The nematodes residing in soil that do not feed on higher plants some feed on fungi or bacteria; others are carnivorous or omnivorous. It is common belief that nematodes are pathogenic but most nematodes are non-pathogenic and a rich source of organic carbon in marine, freshwater and terrestrial agricultural practices; they eN hanced microbial activity in soil and play a pivotal role in decomposition of soil organic matter, mineralization of plant nutrients and nutrient cycle Bacterial feeding nematodes have a higher carbon: nitrogen (C: N) ratio and while preying bacteria they take N proportion excessively high than their body structure……………………….