Papers by Debendra Shrestha
Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 2019
Vegetable production area is growing rapidly worldwide , yet information on nitrogen (N) losses, ... more Vegetable production area is growing rapidly worldwide , yet information on nitrogen (N) losses, greenhouse gas emissions, and input efficiency is lacking. Sustainable intensification of these systems requires improved understanding of how to optimize nutrient and water inputs for improved yields while minimizing N losses. In this study, a 3-year vegetable crop rotation spanning an intensification gradient is investigated in Kentucky, USA: (1) a low input organic (LI), (2) high tunnel organic (HT), and (3) conventional (CONV) system. The objectives were to (1) characterize soil mineral N pools and NO 3-N leaching, (2) quantify CO 2 and N 2 O fluxes, and (3) relate crop yield to global warming potential (GWP) caused by CO 2 and N 2 O losses in these three vegetable production systems. HT maintained consistently higher soil NO 3-N; the average NO 3-N content during the entire rotations in HT was twice as high as in the CONV and three times as high as in the LI system. Key N loss pathways varied between the systems; marked N 2 O and CO 2 losses were observed in the LI and NO 3 leaching was greatest in the CONV system. The 3-year cumulative CO 2 emission in LI was 50% higher than in the CONV and HT systems. Cumulative N 2 O emission over the 3-year vegetable rotations from the LI was twice as high as in the CONV system, whereas 60% more N 2 O was produced from the HT than from the CONV system. Yield-scaled GWP was greater in the LI for all crops compared to HT and CONV systems.
Scientia Horticulturae, 2013
Human urine, rich in plant nutrients, is a readily available fertilizer but limited information i... more Human urine, rich in plant nutrients, is a readily available fertilizer but limited information is available about the best use of human urine in crop production. A field experiment was carried out in Kathmandu, Nepal during the year 2011 to evaluate the fertilizer value of human urine in different combination and compare the value with compost, urea and their combinations based on plant performance. The experiment was laid out in Randomized complete block design (RCBD) consisting of eight treatments with three replications. Each treatment was fixed to a supply of 100 kg N ha−1. California Wonder, a popular open pollinated sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) variety was selected as an experimental crop. The highest plant height (54.7 cm), number of fruits per plant (9.1), and fruit yield per plant (553.9 g plant−1) were recorded with the plants fertilized with human urine in combination with compost. Human urine supplemented with 50 kg PK ha−1 gave highest fruit weight (67.2 g) and fruit diameter (5.5 cm). Plants fertilized with the combination of human urine and compost showed better growth and yield compared to the application of fertilizer sources alone. The results indicated that the human urine performs better when used in combination with compost, and can be used as a promising fertilizer source in sweet pepper production.
Nepal has great biodiversity, as a result of its extreme variations in altitude, ecology, farming... more Nepal has great biodiversity, as a result of its extreme variations in altitude, ecology, farming systems and varied socio-cultural settings. In Nepal, about 200 plant species are consumed as vegetables. The aim of paper is to point out existing indigenous vegetables in Nepal and how these are utilized for food security and biodiversity conservation. Indigenous vegetables are considered valuable because of their ability to fit into year round production, adaptability to adverse condition and their nutritional value. But, only a very few indigenous vegetables are still cultivated at field scale. Most of them are neglected and, many landraces of vegetables are in the process of being replaced by modern varieties. Along with this, the indigenous knowledge associated with the cultivation, utilization, and conservation of indigenous vegetables is also endangered. But, there has been very limited information available about the identification, occurrence, collection, and utilization of indigenous vegetables in Nepal. In this scenario, promotion, conservation, utilization and commercialization of indigenous vegetables can be a better alternative towards improving the food security and nutritional status of the community, particularly those people residing in remote areas and in the hills.
Urine is a well-balanced nitrogen-rich quick-acting liquid Organic fertilizer. The study aimed to... more Urine is a well-balanced nitrogen-rich quick-acting liquid Organic fertilizer. The study aimed to know the responses of plants in relation to dry matter production and partitioning, and variation in root morphology to organic fertilizers like urine and vermicompost compared with control. Sour lime (Citrus aurentifolia) was selected as planting material. Pot and root box experiments were conducted. The absolute plant growth parameters like shoot dry weight, root dry weight and total plant dry weight were not differ significantly in both pot and root box
experiments compared to control. However, results from both experiments indicated that human urine application in sour lime had different plant growth and development response (promote more shoot biomass than roots, seminal root length, root branching number and total root length) and it might be important in quality sapling production, plant mortality rate reduction during transplanting and quality fruits production.
Drafts by Debendra Shrestha
Nepal has suitable climatic and soil conditions to produce good
quality coffee especially above 8... more Nepal has suitable climatic and soil conditions to produce good
quality coffee especially above 800 meters above sea level. Nepal, its been long time that coffee production has been started. Coffee plants has
been brought from outside, but the commercial production of coffee has not been
started in large scale. Farmers are growing coffee in their home garden but do not
take as a income generation crop due to various factors. There is lack of knowledge
about the suitable area, elevation and many other factors. No research has been
conducted in Nepal regarding the production of coffee. So it is very difficult in
indentifying the suitable location for coffee production. So, this study aims to
generate some ideas about suitable location for coffee production in Nepal.The higher yield per plant was observed in site facing north east than site
facing south east. The location facing north east is found to be more suitable than
tha site facing south east. Coffee cherry can be harvested earlier and in short
duration in site facing south east than site facing north east.
Books by Debendra Shrestha
skmLsf] lr;f] k| zf] wg ljlwdf cg' dflgt kl/jTo{ kl/df0f Fresh /Red Cherry (100 kg.) Pulp (46 kg.... more skmLsf] lr;f] k| zf] wg ljlwdf cg' dflgt kl/jTo{ kl/df0f Fresh /Red Cherry (100 kg.) Pulp (46 kg.) Parchment + Mucilage (54 kg.) PULPING FERMENTATION & WASHING Mucilage (11 kg.) Parchment (43 kg.) DRYING Moisture (20 kg.) Dry Parchment (23 kg.) HULLING Pulp (4.5 kg.) Green Beans (18.5 kg.) SORTING Green Beans (1.8 kg.) Low Qualit y Green Beans (16.7 kg.) Ex port Qualit y ROASTING Roasted Beans (13.9 kg.) Roasted Beans (1.4 kg.) Moisture + Silver Skin (0.4 kg.) Moisture + Silver Skin (2.8 kg.)
Uploads
Papers by Debendra Shrestha
experiments compared to control. However, results from both experiments indicated that human urine application in sour lime had different plant growth and development response (promote more shoot biomass than roots, seminal root length, root branching number and total root length) and it might be important in quality sapling production, plant mortality rate reduction during transplanting and quality fruits production.
Drafts by Debendra Shrestha
quality coffee especially above 800 meters above sea level. Nepal, its been long time that coffee production has been started. Coffee plants has
been brought from outside, but the commercial production of coffee has not been
started in large scale. Farmers are growing coffee in their home garden but do not
take as a income generation crop due to various factors. There is lack of knowledge
about the suitable area, elevation and many other factors. No research has been
conducted in Nepal regarding the production of coffee. So it is very difficult in
indentifying the suitable location for coffee production. So, this study aims to
generate some ideas about suitable location for coffee production in Nepal.The higher yield per plant was observed in site facing north east than site
facing south east. The location facing north east is found to be more suitable than
tha site facing south east. Coffee cherry can be harvested earlier and in short
duration in site facing south east than site facing north east.
Books by Debendra Shrestha
experiments compared to control. However, results from both experiments indicated that human urine application in sour lime had different plant growth and development response (promote more shoot biomass than roots, seminal root length, root branching number and total root length) and it might be important in quality sapling production, plant mortality rate reduction during transplanting and quality fruits production.
quality coffee especially above 800 meters above sea level. Nepal, its been long time that coffee production has been started. Coffee plants has
been brought from outside, but the commercial production of coffee has not been
started in large scale. Farmers are growing coffee in their home garden but do not
take as a income generation crop due to various factors. There is lack of knowledge
about the suitable area, elevation and many other factors. No research has been
conducted in Nepal regarding the production of coffee. So it is very difficult in
indentifying the suitable location for coffee production. So, this study aims to
generate some ideas about suitable location for coffee production in Nepal.The higher yield per plant was observed in site facing north east than site
facing south east. The location facing north east is found to be more suitable than
tha site facing south east. Coffee cherry can be harvested earlier and in short
duration in site facing south east than site facing north east.