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An experiment was conducted in factorial design with three replications in Nawalpur, Sarlahi, Nepal in 2018 and 2019 to investigate the impact of calcium and phosphorous application on yield and yield components of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Baidehi variety of groundnut was used. Calcium concentrations in three levels (0, 110, and 165 kg ha-1 from Gypsum) and phosphorous rates in three levels (0, 25, and 50 kg ha-1 from SSP) were used in this study. The application of calcium had a major impact on pod production, quantity of filled pods, and hundred seed weight, with 165 kg ha-1 calcium from gypsum performing significantly better than the others. The highest pod yield (2006 and 2477 kg ha-1) was obtained from calcium 165 kg ha-1 in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Calcium application (165 kg ha-1) increased the mean pod yield by 24% compared to the control. Control plots resulted in more than 13% empty pods (pops) compared to when applied with 165 kg Ca ha-1. Phosphorus was rich in the inherent soil leading to no significant effect on the yield components. According to the findings of this research, efficient fertilizer application, especially calcium and phosphorus, is critical for groundnut nutrition and pod filling.

Improved irrigation use efficiency is an important tool for intensifying and diversifying agriculture in Nepal, resulting in higher economic yield from irrigated farmlands with a minimum input of water. Research was conducted to evaluate the effect of irrigation method (furrow vs. drip) on the productivity of nutritious fodder species during off-monsoon dry periods in different elevation zones of central Nepal. A split-block factorial design was used. The factors considered were treatment location, fodder crop, and irrigation method. Commonly used local agronomical practices were followed in all respects except irrigation method. Results revealed that location effect was significant (p < 0.01) with highest fodder productivity seen for the middle elevation site, Syangja. Species effects were also significant, with teosinte (Euchlaena mexicana) having higher yield than cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). Irrigation method impacted green biomass yield (higher with furrow irrigation) but both methods yielded similar dry biomass, while water use was 73% less under drip irrigation. Our findings indicated that the controlled application of water through drip irrigation is able to produce acceptable yields of nutritionally dense fodder species during dry seasons, leading to more effective utilization and resource conservation of available land, fertilizer and water. Higher productivity of these nutritional fodders resulted in higher milk productivity for livestock smallholders. The ability to grow fodder crops year-round in lowland and hill regions of Nepal with limited water storages using low-cost, water-efficient drip irrigation may greatly increase livestock productivity and, hence, the economic security of smallholder farmers.