Utilizing Soil Sensors to Assess Soil Health and Investigating Cover Crops Impact on Methane Emission

Soil health is influenced by climate change, cultural practices, topography, crop rotations, cover crops, soil parent materials, and soil biota. Interactions between these factors can improve or reduce soil health. This thesis investigates two topics, using soil sensors to provide a rapid assessment of soil health, and the impact of cover crops on soil biological activity and greenhouse gas emissions. Chapter 1 explores the use of two types of sensors to measure apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) and provides examples on the use of these sensors. Even though both sensors measure ECa using different processes, they provide useful information about temporal and spatial changes in soil health. Chapter 2 explores the use of cover crops to improve environmental health and reduce CH4 emissions. Prior research shows that cover crops impact both carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions. However, missing from this analysis was their effect on methane emissions. Therefore, chapter 2 assessed the impact of dormant seeded rye on methane emission and the carbon dioxide equivalence prior to termination. These results showed that rye as a cover crop reduced soil methane emission in the range of -1.21 to -9.25 g CH4-C (ha×d)-1

Assessment of Pesticide Use in Major Vegetables From Farmers\u27 Perception and Knowledge in Dhading District, Nepal

A field study was carried out to assess the pesticide use status in major vegetable crops from farmers\u27 perception and knowledge in Dhading, Nepal in 2019. Field study was carried with 100 commercial farmer\u27s using semi-structure questionnaire by face to face interview. This study was analyzed by categorization of farmers into small holder (51) and large holder (49) groups on the basis of mean area of vegetable cultivation (6.48 ropani). The highest amount of pesticides is needed in tomato in both large holders and small holders according to the farmer\u27s experience. Among the study farmer\u27s, 41% of them spray the pesticides by making a cocktail or mixed method and 56%  follow the waiting period of 3-5 days in both of the cases. A significant positive correlation was found at 5% level of significance between the knowledge and practice pattern of waiting period of the pesticides and negative correlation was found between the Personal Protective equipment score and health hazard score. Headache was the major health hazards faced by the farmers which was higher in small holders (66.7%) as compared to the large holders (46.9%). Mask was the most used PPE by the farmer\u27s i.e. by 83% in overall. Fourty three percent of the farmer\u27s throw the pesticide containers in secret place after using of it.The use of PPE was seen lower in small holders as compared to the large holders. This study reveals the necessities of suitable program and policies regarding the knowledge, safe handling and use of pesticide among the farmer\u27s level

Effect of different spacing and mulching on growth and yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) in Chitwan, Nepal

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is one of the most important vegetable crop of Nepal. Its yield and growth parameters are affected by different cultural practices. This study was conducted at Olericulture Farm of Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal during April 29 to July 9 of 2018. The field experiment was carried out in split plot design using three replications. The treatments consisted of three intra row spacing (30, 45 and 60 cm) and four different mulching materials (Silver plastic, Panicum repens, Lantana camara and bare soil). The objective of this experiment was to assess the effects of various intra-row spacings and mulching materials on growth and yield of okra. The effect of mulching materials on okra yield was found significant. The okra yield was highest (8104 kg/ha) under silver plastic mulch followed by control (5161kg/ha), Panicum repens (3901kg/ha) and Lantana camera (3701kg/ha), respectively. Silver plastic mulch enhanced the growth parameters like canopy length, plant height, leaf number, leaf length, girth and yield of okra. The spacings provided non significant effect on okra yield, however the yield of okra was highest (7295 kg/ha) under 30×30 cm spacing followed by 45×30 cm (4660 kg/ha) and 60 cm × 30 cm spacing (3703 kg/ha), respectively. Combination of silver plastic mulch along with 30 cm × 30 cm spacing provided the highest okra yield. This study suggests that farmers of the Chitwan should grow okra at spacing of 30 cm × 30 cm and under silver plastic mulch to produce higher yield

Efficacy of fungicides in management of Downy mildew disease of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under open field conditions, in Dhading district of Nepal

Downy mildew (Pseudoperonospora cubensis) is one of the most important disease of cucumber under open field conditions. Hence, the experiment was conducted to study the efficacy of fungicides in management of downy mildew disease of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under open field in Chauradi-7 Dhading during spring season, 2019. Bhaktapur local variety of cucumber was used for the study. The experiment was laid out in single factor randomized complete block design with four replications. Three different bio-fungicides; Trichoderma viride + Trichoderma harzianum, Bacillus subtilis, Verticillium lecanii and one chemical fungicide; Krilaxyl (metalaxyl 8% + mancozeb 64%) were used as treatments. Normal water spray served as control. It was observed that bio-fungicides had insignificant effect in controlling the downy mildew. Pathological observation such as disease incidence percentage, severity percentage and AUDPC in bio-fungicides treated plots were not significantly different from water-sprayed control plots. Similarly, biometric attributes such as number of fruit, length and diameter of fruit, weight of fruit were also non-significant. Krilaxyl resulted significant effect in controlling downy mildew, providing maximum disease reduction (37.48%-50.72%) with lowest disease incidence (1.25-61.25%) and lowest value of AUDPC (138.7). Krilaxyl treated plots had higher number of fruit (6), longer length of fruit (17.15-18.95), higher diameter of fruit (4.16- 4.45 cm) and higher weight of fruit (677 - 759 g). Hence, chemical fungicide Krilaxyl was found better for the management of downy mildew disease in open field cucumber cultivation. Further, researches on bio-fungicides, especially of native strains are required for best result

Assessment of pesticide use in major vegetables from farmers’ perception and knowledge in Dhading district, Nepal

A field study was carried out to assess the pesticide use status in major vegetable crops from farmers’ perception and knowledge in Dhading, Nepal in 2019. Field study was carried with 100 commercial farmer’s using semi-structure questionnaire by face to face interview. This study was analyzed by categorization of farmers into small holder (51) and large holder (49) groups on the basis of mean area of vegetable cultivation (6.48 ropani). The highest amount of pesticides is needed in tomato in both large holders and small holders according to the farmer’s experience. Among the study farmer’s, 41% of them spray the pesticides by making a cocktail or mixed method and 56%  follow the waiting period of 3-5 days in both of the cases. A significant positive correlation was found at 5% level of significance between the knowledge and practice pattern of waiting period of the pesticides and negative correlation was found between the Personal Protective equipment score and health hazard score. Headache was the major health hazards faced by the farmers which was higher in small holders (66.7%) as compared to the large holders (46.9%). Mask was the most used PPE by the farmer’s i.e. by 83% in overall. Fourty three percent of the farmer’s throw the pesticide containers in secret place after using of it.The use of PPE was seen lower in small holders as compared to the large holders. This study reveals the necessities of suitable program and policies regarding the knowledge, safe handling and use of pesticide among the farmer’s level

Prior to Termination, the Rye Cover Crop Increased the Soil Methane Sink

Even though the impact of cover crops on soil moisture has been well documented, little work has investigated the resulting impact on methane emissions. Therefore, the objective was to determine the influence of a dormant seeded rye (Secale cereale) cover crop on soil temperatures, soil moisture, inorganic N, and total CH4-C emission in a well-drained frigid soil from the start of growth in April/May through corn\u27s (Zea mays) V4 growth stage. In this study, soil moisture, temperature, CH4-C, and N2O-N fluxes were measured near-continuously. The rye cover crop: (1) reduced the water-filled porosity in the surface 5 cm in 2018 and 2020; (2) did not influence soil temperature prior to corn\u27s V2 growth stage, increased the soil temperature between the V2 and V4 growth stages in 2019, and reduced the soil temperature in 2020; and (3) reduced (p \u3c 0.01) the CH4 flux prior to corn seed emergence (VE) in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Over the 3 years, rye reduced (p = 0.04) CH4 flux (increased soil methane sink) by 6.4 g (ha × day)−1 prior to VE and reduced (p = 0.02) carbon dioxide equivalence (CO2e) from −1.9 to −11.9 kg CO2e ha−1. These decreases accounted for 22.3% of the CO2e derived from N2O (53.4 kg CO2e-N2O) and suggest that the rye cover crop induced reductions in CH4 emissions need to be considered in carbon intensity calculations

Случай раннего выявления метастазов в бедренной кости у больного раком полового члена

Background. Bone metastasis is very common in the advanced stage of numerous carcinomas. In penile carcinoma, lymph nodes metastasis is somehow common but it is very rare reported to be secondary from penile cancer. till the date, there are only few cases of penis carcinoma reported bone metastasis in literature worldwide.Case Presentation. Herein, We presented a 51-year-old Nepalese male with squamous cell carcinoma of penis. computed tomography (ct) scan of the patient revealed that there was carcinoma involving glans penis and precure with bilateral external & internal inguinal lymphadenopathies. After then, the patient was under gone for partial penectomy and bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy and complete 6-cycle chemotherapy. After one year of treatment, patient developed thigh pain and headache and he advised to have magnetic Resonance imaging (mRi) of brain, 99mTc-MDP whole body bone scan and ct scan of pelvis and thigh. The examination report reveals that there was a sclerotic change in vertex of skull bone and moderate 99mTc-MDP uptake in right proximal shaft of femur just below the neck d/d metastasis. The histopathological examination of the true cut biopsy taken from the lesion of the femur showed metastatic keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma which is rare case of femoral shaft bone metastasis secondary from penile carcinoma. Then patient was sent for surgical reconstruction of femur. Based on the case studies review femur shaft bone metastasis from penile cancer is extremely rare.Conclusion. The best of our knowledge; this is the first early detected bone metastases to shaft of the femur in a patient with penile cancer. early diagnosis helps to radical treatment as well as palliative treatment. surgery is the preferred option of the treatments, especially for metastatic foci in the long bones.Аннотация Метастазы в кости часто встречаются на поздних стадиях разных злокачественных новообразований. Для рака полового члена характерно лимфогенное метастазирование, костные метастазы встречаются очень редко. На данный момент в мировой литературе зарегистрировано лишь несколько случаев рака полового члена с метастазами в кости.Описание клинического случая. Мы представляем описание клинического случая плоскоклеточного рака полового члена у 51-летнего мужчины из Непала. Компьютерная томография (КТ) выявила рак полового члена, локализованный на головке и крайней плоти с двусторонней паховой лимфаденопатией. Пациенту выполнена частичная пенэктомия, двусторонняя паховая лимфаденэктомия, проведено 6 курсов адъювантной химиотерапии. Через один год после завершения лечения у пациента появились боли в бедре и головная боль, рекомендована МРТ головного мозга, сканирование костей скелета с 99mTc-MDP и КТ таза и бедра. Обследование показало наличие склеротических изменений в теменной кости черепа и умеренное накопление 99mTc-MDP в проксимальном отделе правом бедренной кости ниже шейки. Гистологическое исследование биоптата, взятого из очага в бедренной кости, выявило метастаз ороговевающего плоскоклеточного рака, что является редким случаем метастазирования рака полового члена в диафиз бедренной кости. Пациент был направлен на хирургическую реконструкцию бедренной кости. Согласно обзору клинических исследований, метастазы в диафизе бедренной кости при раке полового члена встречаются крайне редко.Заключение. Представлен первый случай раннего выявления костных метастазов в диафизе бедренной кости у пациента с раком полового члена. Ранняя диагностика помогает как радикальному, так и паллиативному лечению. Хирургическое вмешательство является предпочтительным вариантом лечения, особенно при метастатических очагах в длинных костях

A case report of early detection of rare femoral shaft bone metastasis in a penis cancer patient

Background. Bone metastasis is very common in the advanced stage of numerous carcinomas. In penile carcinoma, lymph nodes metastasis is somehow common but it is very rare reported to be secondary from penile cancer. till the date, there are only few cases of penis carcinoma reported bone metastasis in literature worldwide.Case Presentation. Herein, We presented a 51-year-old Nepalese male with squamous cell carcinoma of penis. computed tomography (ct) scan of the patient revealed that there was carcinoma involving glans penis and precure with bilateral external & internal inguinal lymphadenopathies. After then, the patient was under gone for partial penectomy and bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy and complete 6-cycle chemotherapy. After one year of treatment, patient developed thigh pain and headache and he advised to have magnetic Resonance imaging (mRi) of brain, 99mTc-MDP whole body bone scan and ct scan of pelvis and thigh. The examination report reveals that there was a sclerotic change in vertex of skull bone and moderate 99mTc-MDP uptake in right proximal shaft of femur just below the neck d/d metastasis. The histopathological examination of the true cut biopsy taken from the lesion of the femur showed metastatic keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma which is rare case of femoral shaft bone metastasis secondary from penile carcinoma. Then patient was sent for surgical reconstruction of femur. Based on the case studies review femur shaft bone metastasis from penile cancer is extremely rare.Conclusion. The best of our knowledge; this is the first early detected bone metastases to shaft of the femur in a patient with penile cancer. early diagnosis helps to radical treatment as well as palliative treatment. surgery is the preferred option of the treatments, especially for metastatic foci in the long bones

Mechanical Thrombectomy in Medium Vessels Occlusion (MeVOs): An Institutional Experience with M2 Divisions of Middle Cerebral Artery

Background: Mechanical thrombectomy has been established as a safe, standard and effective treatment option for occlusions of the proximal segment of the middle cerebral artery (MCA), as demonstrated in numerous studies. However, performing thrombectomy in the M2 divisions of MCA presents inherent challenges. In this institutional experience, we aim to delineate the recanalisation rates achieved through mechanical thrombectomy in cases involving the M2 segment of the MCA.Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent thrombectomy due to M2 MCA occlusions in the period from January 2018 to December 2021. Various factors affecting recanalisation rates were assessed.Results: A total of 15 patients with M2 segment occlusions of the middle cerebral artery were included in the study, comprising 11 in the superior division and 4 in the inferior division. The successful recanalisation rate was 72.33%, with notably higher success observed in cases of inferior division occlusion. The primary outcome of our study was the mTICI recanalisation status, categorised as successful recanalisation (mTICI = 2b or mTICI = 3) and unsuccessful recanalisation (mTICI = 1 or mTICI = 2a) and mRS at 6 months. None of the predictors assessed reached statistical significance.Conclusions: Mechanical thrombectomy demonstrates favourable efficacy and recanalisation rates in cases of M2 MCA division occlusion. Notably, inferior division occlusions exhibit a higher likelihood of successful recanalisation