Mid-hills Of Nepal Research Articles

Drought tolerance screening of rice genotypes in mid-hills of Nepal using various drought indices

ABSTRACT Drought is a major abiotic factor causing rice yield loss in rainfed and drought-prone areas, so screening of the cultivars for drought tolerance is crucial. Our study screens 10 commercial rice cultivars grown in the mid-hills of Nepal and four pipeline genotypes. Our objective is to identify the superior drought-tolerant cultivar and suitable indices for screening. The 14 rice genotypes were evaluated under both drought stress and non-stress conditions in randomized complete block design with three replications. The yield reduction for the cultivars ranged from 12-54% during water-stressed conditions. The drought indices mean productivity, geometric mean productivity and stress tolerance index showed a positive and high correlation with grain yield. Based on drought indices, genotype NR 119 showed the highest mean productivity, geometric mean productivity, stress tolerance index and lowest yield loss. Further, principal component analysis bolsters our results by clustering similar drought indices and drought-tolerant cultivars. The NR 119 is followed by Chaite 5 and Chaite 4 as a drought-tolerant genotype, therefore, we recommend it for drought-prone areas of the mid-hill region of Nepal. We identified mean productivity, stress tolerance index and geometric mean productivity as important drought indices, so we recommend using this for drought screening.

Leopard preyed on Jungle cat: evidence from the mid-hill of Nepal

In the pictures taken by the camera trap, the photo of a leopard hunting a jungle cat is rare. This type of evidence makes it easier to understand the current status of wildlife and also implement further conservation actions. This study was conducted from November 2020 to December 2020 in the mid-hill regions of Nepal. We installed the camera traps in l*1 km grid cell covering about 60 km2. Out of 36 camera trap locations, 1 leopard preying on a jungle cat was captured in one location. Our study concluded that carnivores could capture another sympatric family because of the lack of natural prey species. Therefore, conservation of the natural prey species including small carnivores or mammals is also essential to conserve the leopard population.

Grain Yield Stability of Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids using Ammi Model and GGE Biplot Analysis

Six maize hybrids; Khumal Hybrid-2, KML-5(A) × KYM-33, KML-8(A) × KYM-33, KWM-91 × KWM-93, KWM-92 × KWM-93, Super-951 were evaluated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at Bhotechaur (Sindhupalchowk), Mandan Deupur (Kavrepalachowk), and Khumaltar (Lalitpur), Nepal to identify stable and superior hybrids. Hybrids were found significant (p<0.01) for grain yield. The effects of environment and genotype × environment (G × E) interactions on grain yield were found to be significant (p<0.01). The combined analysis showed that KWM-91 × KWM-93 produced the highest grain yield (8.89 t ha-1) across all locations, followed by KWM-92 × KWM-93 (8.60 t ha-1), which was at par with each other. The hybrids; KWM-92 × KWM-93 (bi=0.84, CV=18.54%, SD=1.59) and KWM-91 × KWM-93 (bi=1.16, CV=22.37 %, SD=1.99) were found to be more stable, with regression coefficient (bi) nearly equal to unity (1) and grain yields above the grand mean yield. The GGE biplot revealed that KWM-91 × KWM-93 was the most responsive hybrid for Mandandeupur and Bhotechaur environments; whereas, KWM-92 × KWM-93 was for the Khumaltar environment. Hybrid KWM-91 × KWM-93 was the most stably yielding hybrid among all hybrids. This study suggests that KWM-91 × KWM-93 can be promoted for cultivation in mid hills of Nepal. SAARC J. Agric., 19(2): 107-121 (2021)

Net precipitation, infiltration and overland flow production in three types of community-managed forest in the Mid-hills of East Central Nepal

It is widely believed that community forest management concurrently improves the social, ecological and economic conditions of local populations. Accordingly, large areas of Nepal's Mid-hills’ forests are used and managed by local Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs). The CFUGs plant seedlings as well as thin and prune forest trees at varying intensities as determined by local forest conditions and the need for forest products (mainly timber, firewood, livestock fodder and compostable litter). However, the hydrological effects of these activities are uncertain. We present results of throughfall (Tf), stemflow (Sf) and overland flow (OF) measurements made between June 2015 and December 2016 (including two consecutive rainy seasons) in three types of community-managed forests subject to different levels of community usage in the Kavre district (East Central Nepal): (i) regenerating natural broad-leaved (BF), (ii) predominantly-planted pine (PF), and (iii) mixed pine-broad-leaved (MF). The BF and MF were used more intensively than the PF. Overall Tf fractions were 72.0%, 73.7% and 77.5% of incident precipitation (P) for the BF, MF and PF, respectively, with corresponding Sf fractions of 1.6%, 1.3% and 0.6%. Overall rainfall interception fractions were 26.4%, 25.1% and 21.9% for the BF, MF and PF, respectively, and reflected the trend in leaf area index. Total amounts of OF constituted 11.4%. 9.8% and 4.7% of net precipitation (Tf+Sf) inputs to the forest floor in the BF, MF and PF, respectively and broadly followed the relative intensity of forest usage. Observed amounts of OF in the study forests represent ca. 50–115 mm of foregone infiltration opportunity per year under average rainfall, implying reductions in the recharge of soil and groundwater reserves of ∼6% in the PF to 12–14% in the MF and BF. Our results thus show that regular harvesting of litter, fodder and firewood combined with surface compaction by human traffic constitute important determinants of hillslope hydrological functioning, particularly regarding amounts of foregone infiltration and runoff as OF in the more intensively used community-managed forests of Nepal's Mid-hills.

Forest—People nexus in changing livelihood contexts: Evidence from community forests in Nepal

Community forestry in Nepal has set an example of people's participation in forest management. The direct dependency of local people on forest resources for livelihood activities has been one of the key adhesive factors for collective efforts in forest management. Changing livelihood strategies from agriculture-based livelihoods to migration (and remittances thereof) and the service sector, introduces a new dispensation which is yet to be sufficiently understood. This paper explores the changing livelihood strategies of forest users and analyses their effects on participation in forest management. The structured household survey (n = 106), key informant interviews (n = 6), and focal group discussions (n = 3) in three community forest user groups in the mid-hills of Nepal were employed to analyze the changing livelihood strategies in the last 15 years, and to underscore their implications for forest management. We followed the recall process, and in order to ease the recall process, the reference events were discussed with the respondent. The result showed an increasing switch to non-forest dependent livelihood strategies, characterized by the emergence of non-agriculture (remittance, business, service) sectors. While there is no change in the number of CF meetings attended, and the average time spent per meeting by user households, a decreasing dependence on forests, as well as the willingness to participate in forest management was recorded. These were associated with the change in livelihood strategies from agriculture to non-agriculture-based practices. This context justifies the need for a re-think on how to stabilize the rural sector to limit rural exodus and the management of community forest resources in the mid-hills of Nepal.

Nutrient use efficiency (NUE) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as affected by NPK fertilization

Nutrient use efficiency is crucial for increasing crop yield and quality while reducing fertilizer inputs and minimizing environmental damage. The experiments were carried out in silty clay loam soil of Lalitpur, Nepal, to examine how different amounts of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) influenced crop performance and nutrient efficiency indices in wheat during 2019/20 and 2020/21. The field experiment comprised three factorial randomized complete block designs that were replicated three times. N levels (100, 125, 150 N kg ha-1), P levels (25, 50, 75 P2O5 kg ha-1), and K levels (25, 50, 75 K2O kg ha-1) were three factors evaluated, with a total of 27 treatment combinations. Grain yields were significantly increased by N and K levels and were optimum @ 125 kg N ha-1 and @ 50 kg K2O ha-1 with grain yields of 6.33 t ha-1 and 6.30 t ha-1, respectively. Nutrient levels influenced statistically partial factor productivity, internal efficiency, partial nutrient budget, recovery efficiency, agronomic efficiency, and physiological efficiency of NPK for wheat. Nutrient efficiency was found to be higher at lower doses of their respective nutrients. Higher P and K fertilizer rates enhanced wheat N efficiencies, and the case was relevant for P and K efficiencies as well. Wheat was more responsive to N and K fertilizer, and a lower rate of P application reduced N and K fertilizer efficiency. This study recommends to use N @ 125 kg ha-1, P2O5 @ 25 kg ha-1 and K2O @ 50 kg ha-1 as an optimum rate for efficient nutrient management in wheat in mid-hills of Nepal.

Seasonal Variation of Water Quality Index of Spring in Mid-Hill of Nepal

Seasonal Variation of Water Quality Index of Spring in Mid-Hill of Nepal

The Covid-19 Pandemic, Migrant Returnees, and the Forest-Dependent Rural Livelihood in Mid-Hills of Nepal

The Covid-19 Pandemic, Migrant Returnees, and the Forest-Dependent Rural Livelihood in Mid-Hills of Nepal

Education and Sustainable Forest Management in the Mid-Hills of Nepal

Education and Sustainable Forest Management in the Mid-Hills of Nepal

Nutritional value and antioxidant properties of Viburnum mullaha Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don fruit from central Nepal

Viburnum mullaha is a popular wild edible fruit widely distributed in Nepal's mid-hills. Locals consume the fruits of the plants raw and use them to treat a variety of diseases. High value of fat (15%) and protein (3.94%) was evaluated in the seed compared to the pulp with fat 2.1% and protein 1.17%. Both the pulp and the seed exhibited high values of total phenolic content (3346.1 1 ± 0.05 and 2331.03 ± 0.02 mg QAEs/100 g respectively). The samples showed weak antioxidant activity when evaluated by diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) antioxidant assay as 50% of radical scavenging activity were 1350 ± 0.01 μg/mL and 1340 ± 0.77 μg/mL, respectively. The presence of minerals (iron, copper, manganese, and zinc) was evaluated by absorption atomic spectroscopy (AAS). The pulp contained iron and zinc whereas the seed contained iron, manganese, and zinc. The pulp methanolic extract at selected concentrations (125, 62.5, 31.25, and 15.63 mg/mL) did not show any inhibitory effect against the tested bacterial strains. These findings suggest the fruit to be rich in fats, total phenolic content, weak antioxidants, possesses micronutrients in trace amounts, and does not hold antibacterial properties at the selected concentrations.

Farmland abandonment decreases soil bioavailable phosphorus but increases organic phosphorus in the mid-hills of Nepal

Global land use changes (LUCs) have been comprehensively modulated by human activities, yet the direction and magnitude of the LUCs’ effects on soil phosphorus (P) cycling in mountain regions remain unclear. Here, the variations in the concentrations and stocks of soil bioavailable phosphorus (Bio-P) and its supply pathways were explored in four land uses (farmland, abandoned land, shrub and forest) from the mid-hills of Nepal. After farmland abandonment, the concentrations of soil Bio-P decreased significantly especially in the forest, while organic P presented an opposite case. Compared with the farmland, the stocks of soil Bio-P in the abandoned land, shrub and forest decreased 30.3%, 42.2% and 73.1%, respectively, and those of organic P in the abandoned land and forest increased 19.2% and 52.2%, respectively. This was mainly attributed to the increased aboveground biomass, while soil microorganisms had a limited role in organic matter decomposition because of the low soil moisture. Relative to the farmland affected by fertilization, more complex factors (e.g., pH, MBP, SOC and clay) regulated soil P fractions in other lands where Bio-P was mainly supplied by secondary mineral P, followed by primary mineral P and occluded P. Soil erosion caused an evident P loss in farmland, while forest had a great potential to conserve soil P. This study provides new insights into the cycling of soil P under the LUCs in mountain regions, which will serve as a foundation for the sustainable use of soil P resources for livelihood and land management.

Evaluation of Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) Genotypes for Spring Season Production in the Mid–Hills of Nepal

Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) is one of the most popular and demanded vegetable in Nepal. Seedlings of seven genotypes of squash gourd; Super Squash Ball, Squash Long, Squash Light, Squash Green Ball, Squash Green House Sondo V (check) and Grey Zucchini (check) were transplanted on second week of March in two consecutive years; 2016 and 2017 in field condition at Khumaltar with a spacing of 90 x 90 cm in four replications. The standard recommended dose of fertilizers (240:180:60 NPK kg/ha + 15 ton FYM/ha) and minimum pesticide and fungicide was applied. The main objective of this experiment was to find out suitable high yielding and insect pest and disease tolerant hybrid Zucchini cultivars for commercial production in mid-hills of Nepal. Crops were evaluated for their vegetative, insect pest and disease, and yield attributing parameters. Among the tested genotypes; Squash Long was found highly uniform, vigorous, least virus and insect damage, significantly higher number of fruits(8.6), and yield (3894 g) per plant and yield (46.89 t/ha) followed by Super Squash Ball having highly uniform, less insect and powdery mildew damage, significantly higher number of fruits (8.5) and yield (2565 g) per plant and yield (29.28 t/ha) as compared to check Sondo V and Grey Zucchini where Sondo V had yield (22.50 t/ha and 1703 g/plant), number of fruits (5.6), per plant respectively. Squash Long and Super Squash Ball have been selected and recommended for cultivation during spring season in mid-hills of Nepal.

Water Resources and Adaptation Strategies to Water Scarcity at Sukajor Village in Ramechhap Municipality

Climate change has stressed water resources. Water availability and its management is critical for rural livelihood including farmers. Decreasing water supplies have been causing negative impact to rural people's livelihoods in mid-hills of Nepal, particularly for crop production during the dry months of the year. People are coping with different adaptation strategies that varies with time, situation, and available technology. In this context, the main objective of this research is to study water resource and adaptation strategies of local people of Sukajor-7, Ramechhap Municipality. Primary and secondary data were collected using GPS survey, household survey, KII, FGD, and field observation. The study result shows water supply has not met the demand, only 74.5 percent of total daily drinking water demand has met. Though traditional water management practice exists, water demand has not fulfilled yet. However, water management system was traditional as they kept water sources open and was not able to store the water so that they had to travel to the water sources located at longer distance. The supply of water is insufficient even though 86 the people had made intake in the sources and operated lift system in Chhatiwane, Agaute and Chimkhi. People harvest rain water as alternative sources of water.

Crab-Eating Mongoose Herpestes urva: Occurrence and its Activity in Mid-Hills of Nepal

Small carnivores are able to adapt to patchy forests and human dominated landscape in proximity to water sources. Small carnivore’s population is declining due to anthropogenic effects, and in most of the areas, their occurrence is little known. We aimed to identify the spatial occurrence of crab-eating mongoose, the factors affecting the occurrence of species and coexistence with other species using camera trap. The crab-eating mongoose mostly preferred the shrub-land habitat (65%) and followed by agriculture land, forest and grassland. Almost all preferred habitats were near to water sources. The occurrence of crab-eating mongoose was influenced by human disturbances. Their occurrences were decreased with increasing disturbances. In addition, the crab-eating mongoose’s occurrence was also decreased with increasing distance to water sources. The movement activities of crab-eating mongoose were varied according to time period (F = 6; df = 14; p < 0.013), and was mostly active at day to mid-night (16.00 to 12.00 hours) and mid-night to early morning (12.00 to 8.00 hours). The crab-eating mongoose co-exists with other carnivores including Leopard, Jungle cat, Masked-palm civet, Small Indian mongoose, Leopard cat, Yellow-throated martin, and Large Indian civet. In addition, its occurrence was affected by human interference. The data available from this study can be used to develop site/species-specific conservation plans that aid stewardship for biodiversity conservation.

Nutrient Use Efficiency Indices in Maize Hybrid as A Function of Various Rates of NPK in Mid Hills of Nepal

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate yield and nutrient use efficiency in maize in response to various rates of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in silty clay loam soil of Khumaltar, Nepal during 2019 and 2020. Three factorial randomized complete block designs with 27 treatment combinations were used in experiments, which were repeated three times. Three factors were N levels (150, 180, 210 N kg ha-1), P levels (40, 60, 80 P2O5 kg ha-1), and K levels (40, 60, 80 K2O kg ha-1). The results recommend to revise fertilizer dose since N210 kg ha-1 and K2O 80 kg/ha were optimum for increased maize production with grain yields of 10.95 t ha-1 and 10.54 t ha-1, respectively. Partial factor productivity, partial nutrient budget, internal efficiency, physiological efficiency, recovery efficiency, and agronomic efficiency of NPK for hybrid maize were mostly influenced by nutrient levels. Application of higher rate of P and K fertilizer improved maize N efficiencies, and case was valid for P and K efficiencies. Maize was more responsive to N and K fertilizer and lower rate of P application limited efficient use of applied N and K. To increase overall NUE, we recommend to revise dose of fertilizer for hybrid maize under mid hill condition of Nepal.

Production Economics of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) in Doti District, Nepal

Ginger is one of the major spice crops that contribute substantially in rural people livelihood across the mid-hills of Nepal. Despite being a high-value crop, it is cultivated at a subsistence level and hence the farmers are less benefited than expected. So, a study was conducted to investigate the economics of ginger farming in Doti district. A total of 60 respondents were selected randomly from the purposive sampling frame of ginger growers in Jorayal rural municipality. A semi-structured questionnaire, Focus Group Discussion (FGD), Key Informant Interview (KII), and field observations were used to obtain primary data. And published documents from governmental and non-governmental organizations were used as secondary sources of data. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS and MS-Excel. The findings revealed that the average area under ginger cultivation as 1.87 ropani with a productivity of 18.18 Mt/ha. The average cost of cultivation was found to be NRs 30669.65 with the B:C ratio of 1.63. The marketing margin of NRs 34.17 was observed with 59.88% of producer share in consumer price. Thus, ginger farming I Doti district was found to be profitable which needs to be commercialized

Human Wildlife Conflict and Impacts on Livelihood: A Study in Community Forestry System in Mid-Hills of Nepal

Human wildlife conflict (HWC) impacts the livelihood of many rural communities worldwide. This study investigated the impact of HWC on people living near community forests (CF) in Nepal. Using databases provided by the Division of Forest Offices and data obtained from surveys between October 2019–March 2020, we quantified the financial loss of HWC to the local people. Between 2015 and 2019, 3315, or 27%, of the livestock owned by the survey respondents were killed by wild predators in the Kaski and Tanahun Districts. Chicken (Gallus spp.) was the most common prey taken (80%), followed by sheep (Ovis spp.) and goats (Capra spp.) (15%), cows (Bos spp.) (2%), pigs (Sus spp.) (2%), and buffalo (Bubalus spp.) (1%). Leopards (Panthera pardus) were the primary predators, followed by golden jackals (Canis aureus), jungle cats (Felis chaus), yellow-throated martens (Martes flavigula), and Himalayan black bears (Ursus thibetanus). The financial loss of livestock during this period was USD $115,656.00, equivalent to USD $142.61 per household. Crops were also damaged and eaten by wildlife, and 2165 crop-raiding events were recorded between 2015 and 2019. Rice (Oryza sativa), followed by maize (Zea mays), millet (Panicum miliaceum), and potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) were the main crops lost. Rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were the most common crop raiders, causing 74% of the damage, followed by Indian field mice (Mus booduga) (12%). From 2015 to 2019, crop losses equated to USD $83,424.00. Forest regeneration on abandoned agricultural land expanded wildlife habitats, enabling wild animals to come within reach of human settlements, which increased the likelihood of HWC events. Although the success of the community forest restoration program resulted in increased forest-cover, marginally increasing biodiversity, the reduced distance between human settlements and wildlife habitat, compounded by a lack of natural prey, may have unwittingly exacerbated HWC in this region. We recommend surveying predator and prey populations in the forest habitat, and implementing a habitat management program to improve prey populations within the community forests. Meantime, we propose establishing a financial relief and insurance program for crop and livestock losses at the local community level to alleviate any financial difficulties to the local communities caused by HWC.

Do National Policies Translate into Local Actions? Analyzing Coherence between Climate Change Adaptation Policies and Implications for Local Adaptation in Nepal

National climate change policy and strategies set out a framework for planning and undertaking climate change adaptation as well as mitigation activities at the national and local levels. In this article, we examine the coherence and contradictions between national policies and plans, and its impacts on the implementation of adaptation measures at the local level. We undertook a content review of key climate change policy documents (n = 4) of Nepal. In addition, we conducted a field study in the Rajdevi Community Forest User Group (CFUG) located in the mid-hills of Nepal, which has developed and implemented a community level adaptation plan of action (CAPA). The field study involved household interviews, focus group discussions, and an in-depth analysis of CAPA implementation. The paper found that while policies are coherent for targeting highly affected areas and communities, they deviate from discerning an appropriate planning and implanting unit. The local adaptation plan of action (LAPA) considers the local government as an implementing unit, while the national adaptation program of action (NAPA) puts an emphasis on the local community groups. It suggests that the existing LAPA implementation breaches the provision of community-level institutions for the implementation conceived in the central framework. Despite little attention to promoting food security in climate change policy, through the CAPA, local communities have planned and implemented adaptation measures envisioned in the thematic areas identified in the climate change policy of Nepal: agriculture and food security; forests and biodiversity; water resources and energy; climate-induced disasters; public health; and urban settlements and infrastructure. Nevertheless, the CAPA is not institutionalized under government policies and the institutional framework as a local level implementing unit. So, the consensus for a local implementing unit in the policies has remained a key issue. We suggest identifying a suitable and acceptable unit for implementing climate change adaptation at the community level. Only if an appropriate implementing unit is identified can the policies be successful with a broader acceptance and desirable outcomes enshrined in the climate change policy.

Factors influencing adoption of major orchard management practices in mandarin orange of Gorkha: A case from mid-hills of Nepal

The mid-hills of Nepal have immense potential for mandarin orange production. However, its productivity is declining over the years despite an increasing trend in the cultivated area. Since the proper adoption of orchard management practices has been associated with increased productivity, it is, therefore, an imminent requirement to sustain the mandarin orange production for long in the country. Therefore, a research survey was carried out to assess the adoption of major orchard management practices and identify factors affecting its adoption so that the insights from this finding would provide potential policy implications for the rejuvenation of the declining orchards. Altogether, 93 households from Gandaki and Sahid Lakhan Rural municipalities, as well as Gorkha Municipality from Gorkha district were chosen for the study using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected with a semi-structured interview which was analyzed using SPSS and Stata software. A seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) logit model was used for triangulating the effect of different variables on the adoption of major mandarin orange orchard management practices. The findings revealed that nearly two-third of the households reported citrus decline in their orchards. Further, the adoption of major orchard management practices was mostly found driven by regular access to extension agents, and the income generated from agriculture. Nevertheless, the adoption was plagued by the prevalence of citrus decline in the orchard. In light of these findings, participatory training programs related to the rejuvenation of declining orchards, regular advisory and extension services, and input subsidies to the smallholding farmers are suggested so that the adoption of major orchard management practices gets increased among the mandarin orange farmers.

Performance Evaluation of Exotic and Local Landraces of Tomatoes for the Mid-Hill Conditions of Nepal

The productivity of tomato in Nepal is very low due to lack of high yielding, disease and pests resistant varieties. An experiment was carried out to evaluate horticultural traits of 50 genotypes obtained from World Vegetable Centre (WorldVeg), Taiwan and SAARC region, and local collections during March to August 2020 in open field conditions at National Horticulture Research Centre, Khumaltar, Lalitpur. The objectives were to identify promising open-pollinated tomato cultivars for high yield, appropriate fruit size, and disease resistant. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed significant differences in yield and yield attributing characters including virus infection. The highest yield (39.6 mt ha-1) was produced by HRA43 and it was followed by HRA33 (26.4 mt ha-1). Among the WorldVeg OP lines, AVTO1429 produced the highest yield (16.21 mt ha-1) and it was followed by AVTO1717 (12.95 mt ha-1), AVTO0922 (11.83 mt ha-1) and AVTO1219 (11.7 mt ha-1) respectively. Most of the WorldVeg lines performed better than the check variety ‘Pusa Ruby’. Genotype HRA43, Red Local and Sindhupalchock Local were not affected by virus while Yellow Local showed 3.3% infection. Among the WorldVeg lines, AVTO1712 (20%), AVTO1717 (20%) and AVTO1718 (13%) and AVTO1219 (15%) showed less than 20% virus infection in the open field conditions. Cluster analysis using the unweighted paired group method with arithmetic mean showed that cluster-1 was the largest cluster comprised of 40 genotypes followed by cluster-2 and cluster-4. Genotypes from cluster-4 showed the higher fruit yield (25.1 mt ha-1) and resistant to the virus and the highest number of fruits per plot (1978 in 4.5 m2 area). The yield was low in cluster-1 which could be due to the heavy rainfall during the vegetative and reproductive stages. Genotypes Red Local and Sindhupalchock Local could be used in future tomato breeding program due to their resistant to TYLCV, higher potential yield and highest plant vigour in open field conditions at the mid-hill of Nepal. Considering the overall performance, genotype HRA43, HRA33 and AVTO1429 were promising lines with performance for yield and other horticultural traits.