Terai Region Of Nepal Research Articles

Tornado as a Disaster in Terai Region of Nepal

Tornadoes are a specific type of storm and, being a natural disaster, they cannot be stopped. However, it is possible to reduce their impact. Tornadoes are formed when different types of air mix, creating molecular clouds filled with water vapor. As the clouds with dry air separate, low pressure is formed leading to the occurrence of tornadoes. They primarily occur at sea level when air moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure. To depict the affected areas of Bara and Parsa districts in Nepal, the ARC GIS MAPPING software is utilized to create a map. Tornadoes can be anticipated if there is a presence of dust particles and cloud formations, particularly during the pre-monsoon period. However, accurate and timely severe weather forecasting alone is insufficient to mitigate the impact of these events. The size and speed of a tornado are influenced by various factors, such as the heating system from the land, the release of latent heat within the atmosphere, local geography altitude, seasons, and land or surface features.

Influence of Sowing Date on Phenology, Biometric, and Yield of Mungbean (Vigna radiata) Cultivars in Chitwan, Nepal

Mungbean is a commercially promising legume crop, accounting for a very low productivity of approximately 0.5 tons ha1 in the Terai region of Nepal. This study aimed to achieve the potential yield of mungbean promising cultivars planting at optimum sowing time. An experiment was conducted at the Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU), Rampur, Chitwan, during the spring of 2019 in a split-plot design (SPD) with three replications and 16 treatment combinations. Four sowing dates at 15 days intervals (13th February, 28th February, 15th March, and 30th March) of 2019; cultivars viz. Kalyan, Pratikshya, Pratigya, and Pant-5 are considered as main and subplot factors. The Dunken test was carried out to compare the mean in R-software at p ≤ 0.05 level of significance. The results revealed that earlier planting (Feb 13 planting) resulted in delayed emergence, slower growth, and the lowest yield (1.79 tons/ha). The March 15 to March 30 plantations resulted in significantly faster emergence, germination, and growth showing a higher yield. Pant-5 yielded a higher grain yield, which was statistically at par with Partigya (2.08 tons/ha) and Partikshya (1.983 tons/ha). Vigna radiata plantations from March 15 to March 30 are the optimum sowing times for higher productivity (2.119 tons/hectare) and high potential yield, which can be applied for perfect decision-making in mungbean plantations. Future work on least-squares analysis for understanding the genotypic-environment interaction of economic traits and the effect of different nutrient sources on cultivars has scope.

Impact of adoption of heat-stress tolerant maize hybrid on yield and profitability: Evidence from Terai region of Nepal

Abiotic stresses (drought, heat) are one of the major impediments to enhancing the maize productivity of marginal farmers in the facet of climate change. The present study attempts to investigate the impact of heat-tolerant maize hybrid on yield and income in the Terai region of Nepal. This study uses cross-sectional farm household-level data collected in August 2021 from a randomly selected sample of 404 rural households. We used a doubly robust inverse probability weighted regression adjustment method to obtain reliable impact estimates. Adoption of heat-tolerant hybrid increases yields by 16% and income by 44% in the spring season (a stress condition). Overall, yield increases by 12%, net income by 31%, saving of 40% in seed costs, and per capita food expenditure increases by 8.50%. Hence a conducive environment must be created for scaling up heat-tolerant maize varieties to increase productivity, minimize risk, and transform of the maize sector.

Application of Geospatial Techniques for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater in Ratu Khola Watershed, Central Nepal

Water levels in many existing ponds and shallow tube wells are found lowering day by day in the Bhabar and Terai regions of Nepal. For the sustainable management of the groundwater, development of artificial recharge ponds is considered the best approach in this region. The suitable site selection for the artificial recharge ponds requires surface as well as sub-surface geological investigation along with other land use-related characteristics. The study area is a part of the Ratu Khola watershed in the Mahottari and Dhanusa districts and encompasses parts of the Siwalik, Bhabar, and Middle Terai regions from an aspect of the geological division. The present study has aimed to find suitable sites for the artificial recharge pond. For this purpose, extensive fieldwork was carried out to gather data related to geology, geomorphology, water table, and soil characteristics. However, slope and drainage density maps were developed from the Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The thematic layers of different parameters such as geology, geomorphology, slope, water table, drainage density, land use land cover, and soil type were prepared by using GIS and RS. Based on the field data and prepared maps the suitable sites for artificial recharge ponds were analyzed. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was adopted to assign rank and reclassify the prepared maps. The total area was differentiated into five classes to assess the suitable sites for artificial recharge ponds. These five classes are named as the most suitable, highly suitable, moderately suitable, low suitable, and unsuitable depending on the score of the suitability analysis. The most suitable, highly suitable, moderately suitable, low suitable, and unsuitable area for groundwater recharge is found at about 3%, 7%, 24%, 32%, and 34% respectively. Finally, the ROC/AUC curve was prepared using primary data (point data) collected from the field. An overall accuracy of 82.3% was achieved in this study and is considered satisfactory.

Socio-Economic Status of Kingariya

Analyzing the socioeconomic situation and current circumstances of the Kingariya community of Dalit Muslims in Puraini, Nepalgunj, was the goal of this study. They are a group of traditional dancers and cultural performers from the upper caste of Muslims. Muslims from the Dalit community work as wage laborers in agriculture and construction. Despite spending a lot of time in the Terai region of Nepal, they are poor and landless. The primary goal of this study is to examine the socioeconomic situation of the Kingariya community in Kingariyanpurwa, Puraini, in the Banke district. In this study, a descriptive and exploratory research design was used. The socioeconomic situation of the Kingariya people is generally described in chronological sequence in this study design. Both primary and secondary data are used in this investigation. Interviews were used to gather primary data from the field survey, while secondary data came from the Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan Office, private agencies, government offices, numerous research publications, and other pertinent literature and websites on the internet. The 26 Dalit Muslim households in this study area make up the study's target population. To determine the socioeconomic status of the dalit Muslim community, a purposeful sample technique was chosen. The small population of Dalit Muslims lives in Puraini, Nepalgunj. In the 56 total households for the household survey, there were 26 Kingariya households, or 50% of all households. The study's conclusion is that Muslims live in a socioeconomically deplorable situation. They are hardworking, straightforward, and illiterate, yet they are also poor. High cast has complete control over them in all aspect of life. The socioeconomic status of the Muslim population has had both positive and negative effects over time.

Identification of micronutrient-rich germplasms of barley for mid-hills and Terai region of Nepal

Zinc and iron deficiencies, common in many parts of the world, having risk factors that raise the burden of disease with high child and adult mortality. Breeding efforts for exploring barley grains with higher zinc and iron are underway. A study was conducted during the normal barley growing season of 2017 to identify the barley genotypes with higher concentration of protein, starch, iron and zinc for the mid-hill and Terai conditions of Nepal. An augmented block design was followed, and two improved varieties i.e., Bonus and Solu Uwa were used as repeated checks. The average grain protein, starch, zinc, and iron content were 11.9%, 55.6%, 47.4 mg/kg and 41.4 mg/kg at Dailekh and 11.3%, 53.3%, 46.6 mg/kg and 39.9 mg/kg at Rampur, respectively. The grain protein content was found up to 19.8% (AM-55, AM-45, AM-88 at Dailekh) and 16.6% (AM-81, AM-77, AM-98 at Rampur). Similarly, the highest grain zinc content was found 97 mg/kg (AM-6, AM-138 and AM-125 at Dailekh) and 92 mg/kg (AM-226, AM-99 and AM-227 mg/kg at Rampur). The highest iron content 71 mg/kg ( AM-2, AM-43, AM-4 at Dailekh) and 63 mg/kg (AM-90, AM-168 and AM-92 at Rampur). The identified genotypes with higher grain elements concentration are valuable resources for Nepal's barley breeding program that helps develop quality and nutritious barley varieties.

Correlation coefficient and path analysis of yield and yield attributing characters of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes under reproductive drought stress in the Terai region of Nepal

An experimental trial of nine rice genotypes was conducted in the Agronomy field of the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS) Paklihawa Campus under a randomized block design layout with three replications from July to November of 2022. The aim was to study genetic variability and analyze the character association of yield and yield-attributing components in rice genotypes and their direct and indirect effect on grain yield under reproductive drought stress conditions. Observations on days to flowering (50%), plant height, panicle length, panicle weight, number of grains/panicles, effective panicle/m², grain yield, and 1000 kernel weight were recorded. Grain yield showed a highly positive significant correlation with effective panicle/m² (0.713**), followed by plant height (0.347) and panicle length (0.289). The path coefficient analysis of different traits revealed the highest positive direct effect of the effective panicle per m² (0.748963), followed by panicle length (0.24145) and plant height (0.227505). The highest negative direct effect was shown by the number of grains per panicle (-0.31218). The experimental results revealed that the selection of trait-effective panicle per square meter would be most beneficial for the improvement of yield in rice genotypes facilitating selection and plant breeding programs.

Farm characteristics and sero-prevalence of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) antibodies in pigs of Nepal.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome is a highly infectious disease of swine caused by PRRS virus (PRRSV). To evaluate the prevalence of PRRSV antibodies in the four districts of hilly and terai regions of Nepal. Toassess the farm characteristics through a questionnaire interview of farmersregarding management practices and PRRS. A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2020 to June 2021 to determine the sero-prevalence of PRRSV in pigs. A total of 180 porcine serum samples were collected from 23 pig farms and tested for PRRSV antibodies by ELISA. Alongside, farm characteristics were also assessed through questionnaire to determine the level of biosecurity measures in the farm, knowledge of the disease and possible control mechanisms. Out of 180 samples, 37 were tested positive resulting the overall sero-prevalence of 20.5%. There was significant association between different districts (p < 0.05) and PRRS prevalence. Prevalence of PRRSV antibody was found higher in Kaski district (10.5%) followed by Sunsari (8.8%) district. Based on age groups, highest prevalence was found in age groups of above 18 months (9.4%), followed by 13-18 months age groups (7.7%). Regarding the knowledge level of the disease, 43% of the farmers responded that they have heard about the disease. Biosecurity practices in the farm was found very poor where only 40% of the farms had disinfectant at the entrance of the farm and 25% pig farmers were found using separate boots while dealing with pigs. The findings of this study reveal the presence of PRRSV antibodies in pigs of Nepal. In addition poor biosecurity measures, management practices and poor knowledge level about the disease among farmers highly affect in the control and prevention of disease thereby affecting the pig production and productivity. Therefore, government should develop and implement effective control measures and biosecurity programs.

Cold waves in Terai region of Nepal and farmer’s perception of the effect of fog events and cold waves on agriculture

Cold waves are considered one of the important extreme weather events affecting winter crop production in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP). In spite of media coverage of extreme cold events in the Terai area of Nepal (Nepal section of IGP) in recent years, few studies on this topic were found. This study investigates cold waves and their impact on agriculture during winter in the Terai region of Nepal. Historical daily maximum and minimum temperature data from six stations in the Terai (Dhangadhi, Nepalgunj, Bhairahawa, Simara, Janakpur, and Biratnagar) during 1971–2015 were analyzed to study the occurrence of cold days, cold nights, extreme cold days, extreme cold nights, cold wave days, and extreme cold wave days in the Terai. The average number of cold days per annum ranges from 15.6 to 17.9 days and the extreme cold days per annum ranges from 3.2 to 3.6 days in the Terai. Except for Nepalgunj, all the Terai stations show statistically significant increasing trends in the frequency of cold days and extreme cold days over the last four decades. Similarly, the average number of cold wave days varies from 9.2 to 13.8 per annum and the average number of extreme cold wave days varies from 1.4 to 3.8 days in the Terai region of Nepal. By comparing the co-occurrence of foggy days and cold and extreme cold wave days at Biratnagar, Simara, Bhairahawa, and Nepalgunj airport, it is also observed that most of the cold and extreme cold wave days are also foggy days. The perception of farmers regarding the effect of fog and cold wave events was explored through focus group discussions at Dhanusha and Sunsari districts of Nepal and found that the fog and cold events have significantly affected their winter crops, livestock, and their day-to-day life.

Knowledge and DdeI Based Confirmation of Sickle Cell Anemia Among the Tharu Community.

Sickle cell anemia is an inherited blood disorder caused due to a point mutation at the sixth codon of the ?-globin gene of both alleles. Sickle cell traits occur when the mutation is in one of the two alleles of the ?-globin genes. This study was carried out in the Tharu community, which is an indigenous and minority group mostly residing in the Terai region of Nepal. They are also considered as the most vulnerable group for inheriting Sickle cell anemia. Purposive sampling, which included 130 Tharu individuals of Kanchanpur district of Nepal, was considered for the study. The survey was conducted using a descriptive questionnaire that contained relevant information including the family history of Sickle cell anemia. This was followed by the analysis of blood samples to determine the prevalence of Sickle cell anemia and Sickle cell traits. Primer-mediated enzymatic amplification of target sequences in genomic DNA followed by restriction endonuclease assay with an enzyme DdeI was carried out for the confirmation. Among 130 individuals, only 55.4% had basic knowledge about Sickle cell anemia. After screening for sickle cell anemia from 60 participants, 27 (45%) of them were found to be in the heterozygous state (carrier, Hb AS) and 28 (46.7%) were in the homozygous (normal, AA Hb) state with 5 (8.3%) having the diseased hemoglobin (Hb SS) variant of Sickle cell anemia. This study demonstrated a high prevalence of Sickle cell anemia and Sickle cell traits in the Tharu community. This study may be beneficial for concerned personnel policymakers to reduce sickle cell cases by improving genetic literacy among the Tharu community.

Varietal evaluation of hybrid maize in the summer and winter seasons in terai region of Nepal

Comparing hybrid maize to open-pollinated varieties, the former is widely recognized for its higher producing capacity. However, the production potential of hybrids varies depending on the region and the season. In order to find the high yielding stable genotypes throughout both settings, this experiment was carried out in the summer of 2021 and the winter of 2021–2022, using a Randomized Complete Block Design with 11 genotypes and 3 replications. The tallest genotypes among those evaluated were CP 808 and G-25 in the winter and summer, respectively. Both P3553 in the winter and CP 808 in the summer reported earlier days to anthesis. Grain yield showed a substantial and positive links with cob characteristics and a negative correlation with reproductive traits, according to correlation analysis. When compared to the yield of both seasons, P3355 and Bisco gold 941 showed highest yield in both environments. Thus, genotypes P3355 and Bisco gold 941 are recommended for cultivation in study area over other available hybrids in the market.

Health service utilization among older population in a terai region of nepal

Abstract Introduction The world is heading towards a larger proportion of older population, indicating an increased risk of diseases, disability, and advanced ageing before death as well as the demand for the health system. Methods This study is a community based cross-sectional study, total 329 older people aged 60 years and above were surveyed. Two stage cluster-sampling technique was used. Semi structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Results Current study showed that 63.3% of the older population have utilized health services in the past one year. Multivariate analysis showed that, respondents with basic education and secondary education are 0.3(AOR: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.17-0.56) and 0.14 (AOR: 0.14, 95% CI: 0.83-0.26) times less likely to utilize health services, respectively. Similarly, respondents reporting current personnel income above forty thousand are 2.8 (AOR:2.81 95% CI:1.84-4.31) times more likely to utilize health services. Respondents at risk of malnutrition are 2.1(AOR: 2.18, 95% CI: 1.14-4.17) times more likely to utilize health services, similarly undernourished respondents are 3.3 (AOR:3.35,95% CI:1.50-7.51) times more likely to utilize health services as compared to respondents with normal nutritional status. Respondents with chronic disease condition are 11.8 (AOR: 11.89, 95% CI: 6.81-20.74) times more likely to utilize health services as compared to those with no chronic disease condition when holding other variables constant. Conclusions There is urgent need to highlight the problems faced by the older population as regards health service utilization and dealing with the identified factors associated with health service utilization among the older population should receive high priority. Key messages • Municipality and health facilities should create enabling environment for older population to get necessary health services. • Awareness program targeting the underprivileged ethnic groups and poor houses are recommended.

In Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potency of Mimosa pudica of Nepalese Terai Region: Insight into L-Mimosine as an Antibacterial Agent.

Aim The study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial potency of Mimosa pudica found wildly in the Terai region of Nepal and assess its physicochemical properties, such as total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). Materials and Methods The physicochemical properties of ethyl acetate extract of Mimosa pudica (EAMP), such as extractive value, total ash content, loss on drying, and phytochemical screening, were calculated using standard protocols. The TPC was determined by using the Folin–Ciocalteu method taking gallic acid as standard, and TFC was conducted by using the AlCl3 colorimetric method, using a 96-well plate reader. The in vitro antibacterial activity of different concentrations of the extract against four bacterial ATCC strains was determined by the agar well diffusion method in the Mueller Hinton agar (MHA) medium. The in silico molecular docking model was used to ascertain the antibacterial potency of L-mimosine against the selected strains of bacteria used for the in vitro study by calculating the binding affinity towards the protein of bacteria. Results The preliminary screening of the extract showed the presence of several phytochemicals. The total ash content (7.67%), loss on drying (2.30%), and extractive value (8.966%) were determined by analyzing the crude sample. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were 418.640 ± 0.018 mg GAE/g (dried extract) and 14.126 ± 0.021 mg QE/g (dried extract), respectively. The extract showed a potent free radical scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 158.95 ± 1.12 µg/mL. The plant extract also demonstrated the antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (15 mm) and Bacillus cereus (22 mm) and Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (17 mm) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (16 mm) at 200 mg/mL concentration of extract. There was a noteworthy binding affinity of antibiotics with almost all selected bacterial proteins with binding energy against Escherichia coli DNA gyrase subunit B (−5.7 kcal/mol), Staphylococcus aureus DNA gyrase subunit B (−6.1 kcal/mol), Bacillus cereus metallothiol transferase (−5.2 kcal/mol), and Klebsiella pneumoniaebeta-lactamase (−6.1 kcal/mole), respectively, with the L-mimosine. Conclusion The findings of the current study suggest that Mimosa pudica from the Terai region of Nepal is rich in phenolic and flavonoid compounds, has a significant impact on bacterial growth inhibition, and has a notable potential to scavenge free radicals (DPPH). According to the in silico analysis, L-mimosine is a potent antibacterial compound that might be utilised to discover novel antibacterial drugs to combat antibiotic resistance.

Agro-Morphological Characterization and Estimation of Genetic Parameters of Spring Maize Hybrids in the Inner Plains of Far-West Nepal

Heat resilient maize hybrids are an important input in maize cultivated area coupled with high temperature during the flowering period, with a specific focus on the Terai region of Nepal. The research was conducted in the Dhangadhi district from April 2020 to August 2020 in an alpha-lattice design with 26 genotypes and two replications. Analysis of variance suggests that genotypes were significantly different for all traits except plant height and plant population. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all traits. High PCV and GCV values were found in the anthesis silking interval, ear aspect and grain yield and low values in the anthesis days and silking days. Highly heritable traits were days to 50% tasseling (0.74), days to 50% silking (0.74), ear aspect (0.69), number of rows per cob (0.84), number of grains per row (0.61), cob diameter (0.87), and cob length (0.86). Genetic advance ranged from the lowest in plant height to the highest in anthesis silking interval. Correlation studies revealed that grain yield showed a negative and significant correlation with reproductive traits, while a positive and significant correlation between ear height and number of ears per hectare was observed. Cluster analysis grouped 26 genotypes into 5 major clusters, and the intracluster distance ranged from 4034.3 to 34960.3. Thus, traits having high variation can be used as selection indices for indirect selection for the improvement of maize productivity and suggest genotype like ZH182079, ZH1767, and KH15486 with high yield for commercialization and distribution to farmers.

Detection of Bacillus Species with Arsenic Resistance and Plant Growth Promoting Efficacy from Agricultural Soils of Nepal.

Arsenic contamination in soil and water is one of the major environmental problems in multiple countries including Nepal imposing a serious threat to the ecosystem and public health. Many soil bacteria can detoxify arsenic, including genus Bacillus. With an objective to gauge the plant growth-promoting activities of arsenic-resistant Bacillus species, 36 samples (soil, rice, cauliflower, and beans) were collected from the Terai region of Nepal. For selective isolation of Bacillus species, each sample was heated at 80°C for 15 min before the inoculation into nutrient agar (NA). Following the standard protocol, arsenic-resistant Bacillus species were screened using NA supplemented with 100 ppm sodium arsenate and sodium arsenite. Among 158 randomly selected isolates, only five isolates were able to tolerate sodium arsenite concentration up to 600 ppm. Notably, all five isolates were able to produce indole acetic acid (IAA), a plant hormone, and solubilize phosphate. Based on biochemical analysis and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, isolates N4-1, RW, KR7-12, Bhw1-4, and BW2-2 were identified as B. subtilis subsp. stercosis, B. flexus, B. licheniformis, B. cereus, and B. flexus, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study showing the presence of arsenic-resistant B. flexus in Nepalese soil with plant growth-promoting traits. Possible utilization of these Bacillus strains could facilitate the novel bioremediation pathway to reduce the toxic effect of arsenic from the soil and water in the Terai region of Nepal.

Reterritorialization of Community Forestry: Scientific Forest Management in the Terai and Chure Region of Nepal.

Nepal's community forestry is an example of a decentralized, participatory and autonomous development model. However, recent community forestry practices informed by the concept of scientific forestry in resource-rich and commercially lucrative Terai regions of Nepal have reversed community forestry gains. Scientific forestry, enforced through the Department of Forest has reproduced frontier power dynamics creating reterritorialization of community forestry through commercialization. Discouraging subsistence utilization and increasing commodification of high-value timber resources have been crucial in reconfiguring forest authority and territorial control. Moreover, the Scientific Forestry Programs have informally institutionalized rent-seeking practices at the local level. A local level, power nexus has developed among forest officials, contractors and community elites that systematically undermine local participation, allocation of resources for subsistence livelihoods and local autonomy. In effect, scientific forestry is recentralizing forest authority by legitimizing territorial control and the elite accumulation of benefits.

Banana Production Status and Its Role on Income Generation and Livelihood Improvement in Chitwan, Nepal

The demand of banana fruit is ever increasing and Nepal's Terai region has immense potential for this high value crop. Government has kept it at top most priority where it can be grown like Chitwan district. This study examined the banana production, problems of banana production and about the livelihood improvement of banana farmers in Chitwan district, Province No.3 of Nepal during the year of 2022. Tharu were the dominant ethnic group of these villages. The numbers of respondents selected for this study belong between 22-59 years old. The major occupation of these respondents was farming 91.4 percent and 8 percent were in other services. A survey was conducted from a representative sample size of 60 banana growers. The sample was selected by using simple random sampling technique. Banana producers of Chitwan district are taking good benefit from the banana fruit as income was higher than the cost. It was found that from 1 bigha farmers can have income of Rs 650000 with the cost of Rs 345000. It was found that among different sources of credit, people were mostly reliant on their own fund. People's participation in various social groups such as savings and credit group, farmers group, water user group, cooperatives and other social groups have increased over the time. To enhance more banana production quantity and quality major problems of farmers should be dealt with, which would help to increase their earning resulting in higher living standard day by day and that way we can encourage more production.&#x0D; Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 10(2): 93-98.

Resource Use Efficiency (RUE) in Lentil Production in Terai and Inner Terai Regions of Nepal

A study was carried out to estimate and analyze the profitability and resource use efficiency of lentil grain and seed production in Nepal's terai and inner terai regions. Using a pre-tested questionnaire, primary data and information were collected from 300 lentil grain producing farmers, categorized by local seed users, improved seed users, and 100 seed producing farmers in Kailali, Dang, and Siraha districts. The study revealed that the B:C ratio in lentil seed production was higher (1.59) than in lentil grain production (1.41). The benefit in both grain and seed production realized by farmers was mainly due to increased prices rather than production. Return to scale was found to be increasing (1.016) in lentil grain production using local seed, but it was decreasing at a rate in lentil grain production using improved seed (0.854) and in lentil seed production (0.822). Analysis on resource use efficiency revealed that labor input is excessively overused, reflecting the Marginal Value Product of less than unity in lentil production. To get the maximum profit from lentil grain production using improved seed, input use in land preparation, threshing, and post-harvest should be increased while decreasing the amount of other inputs.

Arsenic removal from groundwater using acid-activated laterite

Groundwater arsenic contamination has been a global threat due to its pernicious health impacts on people. Many studies have revealed the status of severe arsenic contamination and its health hazards in many districts in Terai region of Nepal. Of the many technologies available for arsenic treatment, very few are suitable for rural terai region, and the most widely used Kanchan Arsenic Filters (KAF) have shown inefficient performance by recent studies, depicting the need for enhancement of existing filters or finding better alternatives. This study suggests a better method of arsenic treatment using laterite soil as an efficient adsorbent. Batch study done with adsorbent (treated laterite dose kept in between (0–40) g/L at lab temperature (25 ± 2) °C) showed the most efficient/optimum particle size for treated laterite as 0.165 mm, adsorbent dose 40 g/L and detention time 4 h with initial arsenic concentration of 1000 μg/L. The maximum removal of As(III) (98.84%) and As(V) (99.66%) was observed near pH value of 8 and 3 respectively. The overall reaction was observed to follow pseudo second-order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm curve was best fit for the process data with the highest regression coefficient (R2 = 0.99). Fixed-bed column study was also conducted to access the quality and applicability of laterite soil as filter media for a newly proposed system. The modification viability of existing filter by adding beds of activated carbon and acid-activated laterite for enhancing performance are discussed as well as its application in a new filter system is proposed.

Prevalence of Breast Cancer in different geographical regions: A Retrospective Study from Central Nepal

Background: Breast cancer is the second most common malignancy among Nepalese women with prevalence of 28.5 per 100,000 population. In Nepal due to lack of uniform health resources and awareness, breast cancer cases reporting is different in three geographical regions. This study aims to look at the difference in prevalence of breast cancer in different geographical regions. Materials and Methods: A single center descriptive retrospective study to analyze the prevalence of breast cancer in different geographical regions among patients visiting BPKMCH from January 2014 to December 2018 was designed and patients’ information available at medical record were obtained. Analysis was completed with SPSS Statistics. Results: During the period of 5-year total 2115 cases of breast cancer were seen at the Department of Surgical Oncology at BPKMCH. These cases comprised of 2052 female and 63males. The mean age of presentation was 48 years. Maximum number of cases 65% (1376) were from terai region of Nepal. Conclusions: This study provides clue regarding higher cases of breast cancer among individuals from terai region of Nepal.