NEPAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
PROJECT PROPOSAL FORM
YEAR 2073/74
1 / 7 / 2 / + / 2 / 5 / 0Project No. Two project merge
Funding Source: CORE
Panel / Sub-panel: CROP SCIENCE
01. PROJECT TITLE: Storage and Postharvest Technology Development in Agricultural Crops.
02. RESPONSIBLE ORGANIZATION: Seed Science & Technology Division OFFICE CODE: 309
03. PROJECT LOCATION: Khumaltar
(See Location / Command Area List attached)
04. PROJECT LEADER:
FULL NAME QUALIFICATION POSITION INSTITUTION
Mr/Mrs/Ms Gopal Bhandari M.Sc. Ag T6 SSTD, Khumaltar
05. ACTIVITY LEADER/S:
FULL NAME QUALIFICATION POSITION INSTITUTION
Mr/Mrs/Ms Gopal Bhandari M.Sc. Ag T6 SSTD, Khumaltar
COLLABORATOR/S:
FULL NAME QUALIFICATION POSITION INSTITUTION Mr/Mrs/Ms Binod Kumar Gupta M.Sc. Ag T6 NJR, Itahari
06. PROJECT STATUS: New √ Ongoing Project Duration in Years: Core
Start Date: …08.../…2014… Expected Termination Date:06. /…2020…
mm yy mm yy
If New, Estimated Total Budget for Project Life:
Fiscal Year / 2072/73Total (Rs.'000) / 1303
√07. MULTI-LOCATION PROJECT: YES √ NO
If YES, please fill in an extra sheet for multi-location budget (Attached herewith).
08. Please putdown the resource allocation in percentage in the following project headings:
Project Type / Project Category / Sector1. Research / 100 / 1. Core / 1. Crops / 100
2. Outreach / 2. Technology Generation / 100 / 2. Horticulture
3. Research Support / 3. Socio-economics / 3. Livestock
4. Production / 4. Environment related / 4. Fishery
5. Management / 5. Others / 5.Multi-sector
6. Others / 6. Others
9. COMMODITY AND COMMODITY CODE (See Attached Code List) Select only one
COMMODITY: Crop COMMODITY CODE: Crops
10. DISCIPLINE AND DISCIPLINE CODE (See Attached Code List) Select only one
DISCIPLINE: Seed Science and Technology Division DISCIPLINE CODE: PB
11. PROBLEM TO BE ADDRESSED: (About 300 words)
§ The reliable storage system (reliable storage containers with reliable moisture condition) for various crops’ seeds is under the research process and evaluation. For the better utilization of seed there should have the optimal storage condition along with safe seed moisture, and to maintain this, it has been the challenging task for the farmers, seed producers groups and the researchers.
§ Between 25-50% of the total grain value (quantity + quality) is lost between harvest to consumption in developing countries where storage loss is solely account more than 10% (Gummert and Cabardo, 2013). There is an ample of opportunity to take this loss upto 5%.
§ It is generally accepted that 5-15 % of the total weight of all cereals, oilseeds, and pulses is lost after harvest (Padin et al., 2002) due to poor storage system.
§ It has been estimated that about 15-20% of total post harvest losses in seeds of crops are due to unreliable quality of seed resulting from unreliable storage condition and moisture content during storage period.
§ Seed/Grain with excessive moisture may be invaded by lactate-forming bacteria and yeasts in hermetic storage. Seeds below their critical moisture content are not significantly affected at high CO2 or low O2 atmospheres. However, with increasing grain moisture contents, CO2 rich atmospheres could reduce the physiological quality of grain/seed by interfering with the enzymatic activity of glutamine-decarboxylase which loss the viability for germination (White and Jayas, 1993).
§ The different moisture condition at storage could affect the germination, germination energy (vigor) and longevity of seeds under the prevailing storage condition. Also insect/pests infestation of seeds stored at unreliable moisture condition is high.
§ There is no regular seed testing of the stored seeds under farmer’s condition and no regular regeneration and replacement (renewal) of seed stock being followed, so the quality of seed might drastically be dropped.
12. REVIEW OF PAST WORK: (About 500 words) (Literature review; if the Project is ongoing, please include the output and status of the previous years)
Desired quality of seed can be maintained in storage using the appropriate storage containers. Bareth and Gupta (1989) identified the Jute bag with pesticide application (Deltamethrin 2.5 WP @ 0.001%) as a suitable storage structure for wheat seed. Similarly, Panthee (1997) reported that jute bag with inner plastic lining and tin were the best and safe storage structures in terms of insect infestations and germination. Physical loss of wheat seeds during storage period of eight months was estimated more than 21% under on- farm storage condition. Upadhyay and Rajak (2007) reported that the wheat grain storing in jute sack inside straw heap showed higher germination percentage (91%) compared to other storage system such as mud bins with dried neem leaf and mud bins with chemical fumigants.
Recently the Supergrain bag developed by Grain Pro Inc. had been exploring effectively in Nepali market. This bag has developed unique solutions for storage of agricultural commodities in airtight condition. In the same way the use of PICS bag along with its promotional research activities is in ongoing process. Most agricultural commodities stored in these bags will develop a "modified atmosphere" of low oxygen and high carbon dioxide content. This environment in the "hermetic storage" is created by respiration of living organisms in the commodity such as insects and fungi. Seeds can be stored for prolonged periods without the use of chemicals and refrigeration and without the risk of moisture ingress and preserve germination (www.grainpro.com).
Output, Progress and Status of the Previous Year’s Project Activities:
· The initial seed quality attributes viz. moisture content, seed germination, vigour, EC has been determined after complete sun-drying upto minimum moisture content condition.
· The different storage containers viz. Metal bin, PICS bag, Super grain pro bag, mud bin and commonly used plastic gunny sac were collected according to the objective of the research.
· The seed of both the genotypes (QPM and OPV) were maintained in two moisture content condition as two treatments. In first case, the seed of both the genotypes were sun dried to minimum moisture content of about 10-11% moisture and were placed in various container medium in airtight condition. Similarly, in second case, geolite beads was used in the sundried seed to further reduce the moisture to about 8-9%.
· Four intial lot of seed sample were taken from the total seed quantity in the following way:
S.N. / Seed variety / Moisture condition1 / Manakamana-4 / Complete sundried condition
2 / Manakamana-4 / Minimum moisture condition using geolite beads
3 / Poshilo Makai-1 / Complete sundried condition
4 / Poshilo Makai-1 / Minimum moisture condition using geolite beads
The seed quality attributes testing in the laboratory is in the ongoing process.
13. JUSTIFICATION: (About 300 words)
Food insecurity and hunger is one of the global challenges where as nearly one third of the produced food grains are being wasting. This figure is easily manageable. About 95% of research investments have focused on increasing productivity and only 5% directed towards reducing losses contrary to that, investment on generation of technologies in reducing losses seem frugal way. More than 65% of agriculture occupied population of Nepal still suffered from the food insecurity. Seed is the basic and inevitable input of agriculture. Quality Seed for the well-being of farming families is a motto of seed vision of Nepal 2013-2025 in order to Produce and manage the supply of quality seeds to all farmers through a sustainable and competitive seed system (Seed Vision, 2013). Timely supply of quality seed is equally significant since the contribution of quality seed alone is estimated to be 15- 20% to total crop production. The quality parameters of seed largely affected by the post harvest and storage conditions. Thus the immense establishment of an eco-friendly, socially acceptable and economically viable storage and post harvest technology is the research need of the country.
14. LITERATURE CITED: (Literature used for review, justification, etc.)
Bareth, S. S. and H. C. Gupta. 1989. Efficacy of gunny gags and seed treatment on the natural infestation of Rhizopertha dominica on stored wheat seed Sc. 17:178-181
Christiansen, C. M., Kaufmann, H. H. (1969). Grain storage: The role of fungi quality loss. University of Minnesota Press. ISBN 0816605181, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Hall, C.W. 1980. Drying and storage of agricultural crops. Westport, AVI Publishing Company, Inc.
Padin, S., Dal Bello, G., Fabrizio, M. 2002. Grain loss caused by Tribolium castaneum, Sitophilus oryzae and Acanthoscelides obtectus in stored durum wheat and beans treated with Beauveri abassiana. Journal of Stored Products Research, Vol. 38, No. 1, (January 2002), pp. 69-74, ISSN 0260-8774.
Panthee, D.R. 1997. Identification of a suitable indigenous storage structures for wheat seed storage. Journal of the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science. Vol. 17-18:55-63
Upadhyay, I.P. and R.K. Rajak. 2007. Participatory evaluation of farmers improved practices of wheat seed storage in Bardia, Western Terai Nepal. Proceedings of the 8th National Outreach Research Workshop, 19-20 June 2007, NARC Nepal
15. THE MAIN GOAL OF THE PROJECT
Adoption of the reliable storage conditions for agricultural crops in order to help in the increment in production and productivity, addressing the food and nutrition security at different growing areas of Nepal.
16. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT
· To evaluate the seed quality in terms of germination, viability and vigour of various germplasm of crops.
· To know the appropriate storage containers along with optimum moisture content for the effective storage of maize seeds and grains.
· To check the eco-friendly and cost effective storage technologies amiable for farmers, seed producers and other agricultural stakeholders.
17. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES (Project period)
S.N. / LIST OF ACTIVITIES / BEGIN / END / LOCATION / RESPONSIBLE PERSON1. / Assessment of storability under different containers and MC and their effect on seed quality attributes of different maize genotypes viz. QPM and OPVs / 2014 / 2017 / SSTD, Khumaltar / G Bhandari
SP Poudel
1.1 / Management of seeds of various maize germplasms and storage containers / Completed / NMRP, Rampur and Khumaltar / G Bhandari
T B Chhetri
1.2 / Initial seed quality assessment of different collected maize germplasms / Completed / Khumaltar / Surya P Paudel
G Bhandari
1.3 / Periodic seed quality assessment for different maize germplasms / March, 2015 / March, 2016 / Khumaltar / S P Paudel
G Bhandari
1.4 / Assessment of the elite storage containers and reliable MC for different maize germplasms and analysis of its regeneration capacity studying important traits / February, 2016 / Continue for final fiscal year 2073/74 / Khumaltar / S P Paudel
G Bhandari
1.5 / Field assessment of the different treatments of maize in the storage condition / May, 2016 / June, 2016 / Khumaltar / S P Paudel
G Bhandari
2 / Studies and assessment on seed invigoration techniques for seed quality attributes, seed production and storage condition of different promising olitorius and capsularis genotypes of jute / 2015 / 2018 / Khumaltar
NJR, Itahari / TB Ghimire
SP Poudel
Gopal Bhandari
2.1 / Seed quality assessment of various jute seed collected from different parts of Eastern regions of Nepal / August, 2015 / July2016, / SSTD, Khumaltar / S P Paudel
G Bhandari
2.1.1 / Seed sample collection of nationally enlisted released varieties, landraces and promising genotypes of Jute / August, 2015 / September, 2015 / JRP, Itahari / B K Gupta
G Bhandari
2.1.2 / Seed quality testing for different genotypes at laboratory condition / September, 2015 / July, 2016 / Khumaltar / S P Paudel
G Bhandari
2.3 / Seed production and assessment for suitable storage condition for quality jute seed at JRP, Itahari / May 2015 / November 2015 / JRP, Itahari / TB Ghimire /B K Gupta /B P Chaudhary
2.3.1 / Seed production activities of 6 promising genotypes of jute / April 2015 / May 2015 / JRP, Itahari / B K Gupta / B P Chaudhary
2.3.2 / Harvesting of the Jute seed and evaluation of initial seed quality attributes / September 2015 / October 2015 / JRP, Itahari / G Bhandari / B P Chaudhary /
2.3.3 / Management of different storage containers for jute at ambient condition / June 2015 / August 2015 / JRP, Itahari / G Bhandari B K Gupta
2.3.4 / Periodic seed quality assessment at SSTD Laboratory / November 2015 / November 2016 / SSTD, Khumaltar / G Bhandari J D Neupane
T B Chhetri
3 / Effectiveness of Modified Atmosphere (CO2 fumigation) in Hermetic storage in Different Moisture Contents in quality attributes of Maize (Zea mays). / 2017 / 2019 / SSTD / TB Ghimire
SP Poudel
S Kaduwal
Gopal Bhandari
3.1 / Monitoring and surveillance on seed storage condition and pest effects on seed producing farms of GO, NARC, Seed Company, and farmers groups. / 2017 / 2018 / Various farms all around Nepal. / TB Ghimire
SP Poudel
S Kaduwal
Gopal Bhandari
3.2 / Study of O2 and CO2 level in different container/ bags in different moisture level in storage condition. / 2017 / 2019 / SSTD / TB Ghimire
SP Poudel
S Kaduwal
Gopal Bhandari
3.3 / Study on compressed CO2 fumigation in sealed container. / 2017 / 2019 / SSTD / TB Ghimire
SP Poudel
S Kaduwal
Gopal Bhandari
3.4 / Study and exploration on bio-generated modified atmosphere / 2018 / 2019 / SSTD / TB Ghimire
SP Poudel
Gopal Bhandari
Note: During the fiscal year 073/074, all the above activities will be continued for the final purpose.
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18. CALENDER OF OPERATION (current year):
SN / ACTIVITIES / MONTHS / YEARShrawan / Bhadra / Aswin / Kartik / Marga / Poush / Magh / Falgun / Chaitra / Baisakh / Jestha / Ashad
1. / Assessment of storability under different containers and MC and their effect on seed quality attributes of different maize genotypes viz. QPM and OPVs
1.1 / Management of seeds of various maize germplasms and storage containers / Completed
1.2 / Initial seed quality assessment of different collected maize germplasms / Completed
1.3 / Periodic seed quality assessment for different maize germplasms / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √
1.4 / Assessment of the elite storage containers and reliable MC for different maize germplasms and analysis of its regeneration capacity studying important traits / √ / √ / √ / √ / √
1.5 / Field assessment of the different treatments of maize in the storage condition / √ / √
2 / Studies and assessment on seed invigoration techniques for seed quality attributes, seed production and storage condition of different promising olitorius and capsularis genotypes of jute
2.1 / Seed quality assessment of various jute seed collected from different parts of Eastern regions of Nepal / √ / √ / '√ / √ / √ / √
2.3 / Seed production and assessment for suitable storage condition for quality jute seed at JRP, Itahari / √ / √ / '√ / √ / √ / √ / √
3 / Effectiveness of Modified Atmosphere (CO2 fumigation) in Hermetic storage in Different Moisture Contents in quality attributes of Maize (Zea mays).
3.1 / Monitoring and surveillance on seed storage condition and pest effects on seed producing farms of GO, NARC, Seed Company, and farmers groups. / √ / √ / '√ / √ / √ / √
3.2 / Study of O2 and CO2 level in different container/ bags in different moisture level in storage condition. / √ / √ / √ / √ / '√ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / '√ / √
3.3 / Study on compressed CO2 fumigation in sealed container. / √ / √ / √ / √ / '√ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / '√ / √
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