The market demand for uniformity and productivity of commercial carrot roots has prioritized hybrid materials over open-pollinated varieties. In this sense, the objective of this work was to estimate the combining ability of carrot genitors for root productivity and resistance to leaf scorch. The experiments were conducted in Gama, DF, in the agricultural years 2012/13 and 2013/14. We evaluated 33 carrot hybrids, originated from crosses between three male-sterile populations, with 11 male-fertile S2 lines, all the genitors being of tropical origin. At 90 days after sowing, the severity of the leaf blight disease was estimated in the plots. At 100 days after sowing, harvesting was performed and root yield characters were evaluated. Analysis of variance and partial diallel analysis were performed for each year and jointly for both years. It was found that additive and non-additive genes are important in the manifestation of root yield and leaf blight resistance traits in carrot hybrids. The male-sterile parents with higher overall combining ability for root productivity are strains LM-649 and LM-650 and, among the male-fertile, strain LM-555-2-2. The best hybrids for root yield and leaf blight resistance are LM-649 × LM-555-11-1, LM-650 × LM-555-7-1 and LM-650 × LM-554-8-1.

This study aims to determine the effects of monosodium glutamate (MSG) dosage on the yield of long beans (Vigna sinensis L.) of the Peleton variety. The use of MSG as a food ingredient has been a topic of debate, but research on its impact on plant growth is still limited, especially regarding long beans. Therefore, this research is important for providing further understanding of the influence of MSG on long beans plants. The study was conducted from July to October 2023 in Mata Air Village, Central Kupang District, Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province. The research method used was a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 9 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments included: No MSG, MSG at doses of 2.5 g/plant, 5 g/plant, 7.5 g/plant, 10 g/plant, 12.5 g/plant, 15 g/plant, 17.5 g/plant, and 20 g/plant. Parameters observed included flowering age (days), number of pods (pieces), pod length (cm), and pod weight (g). Based on the results and discussion, it can be concluded that MSG application had a significant effect on the number, length, and weight of pods, but had a non-significant effect on flowering age. The treatment of 15 g/plant was identified as the optimal MSG dosage for the plants, resulting in the highest number of pods (16.2), longest pod length (60.4 cm), and highest pod weight (256.4 g/plant). This research is innovative in exploring the potential use of monosodium glutamate (MSG) on long beans plants, particularly the Peleton variety. The focus on MSG application as a growth stimulant is an innovative step that has been less studied previously. The discovery of the optimal MSG dosage (15 g/plant) for achieving the best results provides valuable information for farmers to enhance productivity efficiently, sustainably, and environmentally friendly. Information about MSG’s potential as a plant stimulant can serve as a starting point for more sustainable agricultural strategies aimed at optimizing available resources.

The present study assessed the potential of sediment loading in Beteni, Lauruk, Andheri, and Harpan sub-watersheds of Phewa Lake and estimated the sediment yield in the year 2020. Morphometry, land use/land cover, geology, climate, and human and development factors of the sub-watersheds were studied to assess the potential of sediment loading in the sub-watersheds. SRTM DEM was used for the computation of morphometric parameters and land use/land cover maps were prepared by using Landsat imagery. Geology, rainfall data, census data, and road maps were collected from various secondary sources. The sediment yields of the four sub-watersheds in the year 2020 were estimated by measuring the sediment volume deposited in the sediment retention ponds at the outlet of each sub-watershed. Results indicated that Beteni had the highest potential for sediment loading, while Harpan had the lowest. Likewise, the sediment yields for Beteni, Lauruk, Andheri, and Harpan sub-watersheds in 2020 were estimated at 1,420.67 m³/km²/year, 2,280.14 m³/km²/year, 1,666.77 m³/km²/year, and 766.42 m³/km²/year, respectively. To reduce sedimentation in Phewa Lake, it is recommended to regularly maintain siltation dams and construct check dams along the drainage slopes, alongside other soil conservation measures and appropriate land use practices in the upstream areas of the sub-watersheds.

Vegetable production is an important sector of economy for farmers in Nepal. The analysis was carried out to explore the trends in vegetable production sector in Nepal along with the recent trend of some major vegetables in terms of area, production and yield. The time series data from 1977/78 to 2016/17 (40 years) of vegetables production and 5 years data (2011/12 - 2015/16) of major vegetables were collected from reliable source and analysis was done through Microsoft Excel. The results show that between 1977/78 and 2016/17 the area under vegetables cultivation has jumped by 222.8% while production is increased by 728.21% and productivity is increased by 156.6% during this course. The result also reveals that during the period of 5 years (2011/12 - 2015/16), solanaceous and cruciferous vegetables has an increasing trend in area, production and yield except for the area under cultivation for eggplant (declined by 5.2%) and for radish (declined by 6.0%) respectively while cucurbitaceous vegetables has increasing trend in area and production but an declining trend in yield except for the yield of cucumber (increased by 15.8%). However, the trend of other major vegetables is seen highly fluctuating over the years. 

With the purpose of identifying the characteristics of variation in fruit size and seed production (potential and efficiency) of Cedrela odorata L. between sites and progenies established in the ejido La Balsa, municipality of Emiliano Zapata, Veracruz, fruits were harvested from 20 trees in February 2013, preserving the identity of each one. Fruit length and width were measured, seed was extracted and developed and aborted seeds were counted to calculate Seed Production Potential (SPP) and Seed Efficiency (SE). The results showed significant differences between sites and between progenies and for fruit length between sites. The mean values found were: 32.52 mm (fruit length), 18.73 mm (fruit width), 39.9 seeds per fruit (SPP) and 57.51% (SE). The seed of this species for its use should be selected taking into account the production characteristics of crops and outstanding individual trees, in addition, due to the current regulatory restrictions on seed collection, the establishment of trials and plantations for germplasm production is a viable option for forest management of the species.

In this study, ‘Xinli No. 3’, ‘Shengli rootstock’, ‘Shenli rootstock’ and ‘Shengzhen No. 1’ were used as rootstock, and ‘Jinchun No. 39’ cucumber was used as scion to study the effects of different rootstock on the yield and quality of grafted cucumber, and to select high quality rootstock suitable for cucumber grafting. Different rootstock affected the survival rate, phenology, the height of plant, stem diameter, growth potential, yield and quality of cucumber grafting. Among them, the survival rate of ‘Shenli rootstock’ grafted cucumber is the highest, and the growth of ‘Shengzhen No. 1’ grafted cucumber is relatively the strongest. There was no significant difference in fruit tuber, melon edge, thorn color and pulp crispness between self-rooted seedling (CK) and each rootstock grafting combination. The average yield of ‘Xinli No. 3’ grafted cucumber plot was not significantly different from that of self-rooted seedlings (CK). The length of ‘Shenli rootstock’ and ‘Shengli rootstock’ grafted cucumber was significantly higher than that of self-rooted seedlings (CK), and the length of ‘Shengzhen No. 1’ Grafted Cucumber was significantly higher than that of self-rooted seedlings (CK). The contents of vitamin C and soluble protein of ‘Shengli rootstock’, ‘Shenli rootstock’ and ‘Shengzhen No. 1’ grafted cucumber were significantly higher than those of self-rooted seedlings (CK), and the contents of soluble sugar were lower than those of self-rooted seedlings (CK). Therefore, ‘Shengzhen No. 1’ and ‘Jinchun No. 39’ have strong compatibility with cucumber. As rootstocks, the grafted cucumber plants not only have strong growth potential and high yield, but also significantly increase the content of soluble protein and vitamin C.