Archive for category: Archive

AUTHOR: Dawa L Sherpa

ABSTRACT

Rice and fish go together as food in many parts of the world and so is in Bhutan. The synchronous system of fish cum rice culture is adopted for productive utilisation of land both for crop and fish production to supplement the income to the farmers. Pursuant to this view, two years experiment was carried out at Bajo, Wangdue to validate the information generated by fishery researchers afresh. The plots were renovated by excavating canals, pools or trenches to retain water. This would provide shelter to fish and stored water could be used for the irrigating crops. ‘I” shaped trenches were dug with depth of 80cm and width of 60 cm on top on both sides of the plots.

The two years experiment indicated that the growth rate of Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) was found to be much higher compared to Grass carp (Ctenopharyngondon idella). The first year results revealed that Common carp weight ranged between 170-410 gm compared to 30-80 gm only from that of Grass carp within a period of 90 days. In total, Common carp yielded 11.2 kg and 3.5 kg Grass carp. During the second year of experiment, the yearlings were reared instead of fingerlings. About 200 Common Carp and Grass Carp were released in the field. The fish were harvested at 110 days of growth period in the rice field. On the day of harvest 190 out of 200 Common Carp were counted which yielded 15 kg in total. Out of a total of 200 Grass Carp yearlings released only 60 were found available on the day of harvest. The total yield from Grass Carp was only 3 kg. Further it was noted that their growth rate was optimal and overall survivability was found to be quite good amongst the species. Some degree of predation was noticed by aquatic birds which was unavoidable. The fingerlings might have also escaped through the holes of the bunds made by insects and rodents especially during night time that ultimately contributed to over loss. However during the entire trial period no major mortality and diseases occurrences were observed.To validate existing information and draw suitable future recommendation, more research needs to be conducted on-farm.

KEYWORDS:

Rice fish culture, integrated, grass carp, common carp, feeding, yield, comparative

REFERENCES

Pradhan B.B. (1979). Fish culture in Rice Field, Nepal, Fisheries Development Division, Harihar Bhawan, Lalitpur, Nepal.

Thingh B, (1998). Carp Culture at National Warm Water Fish Culture Centre National Livestock Research Coordination Workshop Proceedings, 1998, RNRRC Jakar, Bumthang.

S. C. Agarwal, (1994). A Hand Book of Fish Farming, Narendra Publishing House, Maliwara, Delhi, India.

Parker Chris, 1992, Weeds of Bhutan, NPPC Simtokha, Royal Government of Bhutan.

AUTHOR: Shivaraj Bhattarai

ABSTRACT

Water samples collected from diverse habitats in Bhutan, mainly from the eastern Dzongkhags, were analysed for basic water qualities during the period from February 2000 to January 2002. Most of the sampled water bodies depicted their sub-tropical nature with their waters ranging from typically acidic to circum-neutral to slightly alkaline and with poor to moderate mineral contents. They are mostly well oxygenated and moderately hard to soft confirmed by methyl orange alkalinity, total hardness as well as by low calcium, magnesium and chloride contents, thereby also suggesting a need to supplement the water bodies with essential mineral nutrients in case of any future plans to harness them for biological productivity. Comparisons in water quality are also made with available reports from the Himalayan Region.

KEY WORDS:

Bhutan, Himalayas, Freshwater, Water bodies, Water quality

REFERENCES

Anon, (1992). Bhutan towards sustainable development in a unique environment. National Environment Secretariat, Planning Commission Thimphu. 71 pp.

A.P.H.A. (1992). Standard Methods for Examination of water and wastewater (18th Ed.). American water Works Association and Water Pollution Control

Federation, New York. 1198 pp. (Eds. Arnold E. Greenberg, Lenore S. Clesceti and Andrew D. Eaton.).

Arora, R. K. (1990). Water pollution: studies on nitrite in Kanglung waters. In: Bhutan and Its Natural resources, Vikas Publishing House Pvt Ltd., New Delhi.

Barbosa, F.A.R. (1981). Variacos diuarnas (24 horas) de Parametros limnologicose da Productividae Primaria do fitoplancton na Lagos Carioca-Parque Florestral do Rio Doce-MG-Brasil. Ph.D. Thesis. Univ. Fed. S. Carlos.

Chandler, D.C. (1942). Limnological studies of western lake Erie. III. Phytoplankton and physical chemical data from November 1939 to1940. Ohio Journal of Scence, 42: 24-44.

Dhendup, T. and Boyd, C. E. (1994). Chemical features of water and soil farming areas in Bhutan. Journal of Aquaculture in the Tropics, 9: 35-41.

Gyeltshen, T. (2001). Bhutan Water Partnership launched. In: Kuensel, Bhutan’s National Newspaper. Vol.XVI. No.34.

Horne, Alexander J. and Goldman, Charles R. (1994). Limnology (2nd ed). McGraw-Hill Inc., New York. 576 pp.
Jain, A, Rai, S.C., Pal, J. and Sharma, E. (1999). Hydrology and nutrient dynamics of a sacred lake of Sikkim Himalaya. Hydrobiologia, 416: 13-22.

Kaushik, S. and Saksena, D.N. (1999). Physico-chemical Limnology of certain In: water bodies of central India. Freshwater Ecosystems of India. (Ed. K. Vijayakumar), Daya Publishing House, Delhi. 2-58.

Pandit, A.K. (1999). Trophic Structure of Plankton Community in some Typical Wetlands of Kashmir, India. In: Limnological Research in India (Ed. S.R. Mishra), Daya Publishing House, Delhi. 190-224.

Payne, A.R. (1986). The ecology of tropical lakes and rivers. John Wiley & Sons. New York. 301 pp.

Quadri, M.Y. and Yousuf, A.R. (1988). A comparative study of the Limnology of three typical water bodies of Kashmir. In: Recent Advances in Fish Ecology, Limnology and Eco-conservation (Ed. Surendra Nath), Creative Publishers, New Delhi, pp 176.

Sarwar, S.G. (1999). Water Quality and Periphytic Algal Component of Anchar Lake in Kashmir. In: Freshwater Ecosystem of India (ed. K. Vijayakumar). Daya Publishing House, Delhi. 237-250 pp.

Sharma, B.K. (2001). Water Quality of Subtropical lentic biotopes of Meghalaya. In: Water Quality Assessment, Biomonitoring and Zooplankton Diversity.

(Ed. Prof. B.K Sharma), Department of Zoology, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya. 10-22 pp.

Sharma, B.K. and Bhattarai, S. (2005). Hydro-biological analysis of a peat bog with emphasis on its planktonic diversity and population dynamics in Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary: eastern Bhutan. Limnology 6: 183-187.

Singh, S.P., Pant, M.C., Sharma, P.C. and Purohit Rekha. (1982). Limnology of Shallow Water zones of lakes in Kumaon Himalaya (India). In: Proc. First International Wetlands Conference (Eds. B. Gopal, R.K. Turner, R.G. Wetzel and D.F. Whigham), Jaipur, India. 39-49.

Swar, D.B. and Fernando, C.H. (1979). Cladocera from Pokhara valley, Nepal with notes on distribution. Hydrobiologia 66:113-128.

Venkateswarlu, V. (1983). Taxonomy and ecology of algae in the river Moosi, Hyderabad, India. II. Bacillariophyceae. Bibliotheca Phycologica (Ed. J. Cramer). 66: 1-44.

Wetzel, R.G. (1983). Limnology. W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia,767pp.

Webber, W.J.Jr. and Stumm. (1963). Mechanism of hydrogen ion buffering in natural waters. Journal of American Water Works Association, 155: 1553.

AUTHOR: Karma, Mahesh Ghimiray

ABSTRACT

This study reports on the rice cultivation practices under rainfed environment in Bhutan based on a rapid farm survey conducted in 2003. Although rainfed lowland rice system accounts for major portion of rice growing area, it contributes least in terms of production due to uncertainty of irrigation water, soil fertility and pest problems. About 33 traditional or introduced local varieties are cultivated by farmers. Traditional varieties are characteristically white preferred for their taste but are susceptible to diseases. About 17 local varieties are reported to be lost. Mean yield of rough rice is estimated at 680 kg/acre. The rate of adoption of improved varieties is about 44%. Use of chemical fertilizers is limited to 13.2% and tethering is the common practice of manure application. Adoption of the use of herbcides and pesticides is low. Weed, diseases and pests are major problem in rainfed rice ecosystem and estimated to reduce 2-50% of total yield. Vertebrate pest, especially elephant, is a nuisance in rice crop, often destroying the crop completely. Storage losses due to rodents, weevils and grain moth are estimated at 2-50% of total production. Approximately, 97 men-days of labor are required to carry out various cultural operations. An additional labor of 60 men-days per season is spent in guarding the crop against vertebrate pest. Recommendations include evaluation of suitable varieties for the rainfed ecosystem together with component technologies, better soil and pest management and the use of labour-saving technologies.

KEYWORDS:

Rainfed rice, rainfed rice environments, local varieties, pests, storage losses

REFERENCES

RNRRC Bajo, (2001). National Field Crops Research Strategy and Program Ninth Five Year Plan (2002-2007). DRDS, MoA.

Kouffman et al. (1994). Improving Rainfed lowland rice. International Rice Research Institute. Philippines.

Mackhill et al. (1996). Rainfed lowland Rice System. International Rice Research Institute. Philippines.

Shrestra et al, (2003). An Economic Impact Assessment of Rice Research Program in Bhutan. International Rice Research Institute. Philippines.

AUTHOR: Chencho Dorji, Phuntsho Loday

ABSTRACT

The apple fruit borer Argyresthia conjugella Zeller (Yponomeutidae:Lepidoptera) is found to be a serious pest of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) in the high altitude apple growing areas in Bhutan. More than 80% of fruits can be infested in a particular season. Adult moths were caught by first week of May and infestation on fruits was first detected by mid week of July when the average size of fruits was between 30 to 45 mm in diameter. Two timed cover sprays with Chlorpyrifos 20% EC, at two week interval has been found to give effective control of the fruit borer. Three wild host plants (Malus baccata, Malus sikkimensis, and Pyrus pashia) all belonging to the Rosaceae family are confirmed to be the hosts of the fruit borer.

KEYWORDS:

Apple fruit borer, pests, wild host plants, chemical efficacy

REFERENCES

Belosel’s Kaya, Z.C. (1963).The mountain-ash moth Argyresthia conjugella Zell. (Lep. Yponomeutidae) as a pests of the fruits of apples and mountain-ash. Ent. Obozr., 4: 720-29.

Edland, T. (1965). Apple fruit moth, Argyresthia conjugella Zell. Binomica and control, a preliminary report. Gartneryrket 55: 430-436.

Edland, T. (1969). Apple fruit moth (Argyresthia conjugella Zell.). Factors affecting attacks upon apples, and an evaluation of control recommendations. Gartneryrket 59(21): 482-490.

Grierson A.J.C. & Long D.G. (1987). Flora of Bhutan, (Volume 1, Part 3), Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.
Khajuria, D.R., Sharma, J.P., Dogra, G.S. (1992). Biology of apple fruit moth, Argyresthia conjugella Zell. In Himachal Pradesh. J. Insect Sci. 5 (1): 93-94.

Khajuria, D.R., Sharma, J.P., Dogra, G.S. (1989). Seasonal incidence of apple fruit moth in relation to temperature and humidity in Himachal Pradesh. Indian J. Ecol. 16-(1): 56-59.

Khajuria, D.R., Sharma, J.P., Dogra, G.S. (1987). Studies on varietal preferences of apple fruit moth, Argyresthia conjugella Zell. (Yponomeutidae: Lepidoptera). Indian Journal of Horticulture 44(3-4): 289-293.

Khajuria, D.R., Sharma, J.P., Dogra, G.S. (1986). Incidence of apple fruit moth (Argyresthia conjugella Zell.) in Himachal Pradesh, India. Tropical Pest Management 32 (4): 350.

Sharma, J.P., Khajuria, D.R., Dogra, G.S. (1988). Chemical control of apple fruit moth, Argyresthia conjugella Zell. (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae). Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 58 (5): 378-81.

AUTHOR: Wangchuk K, Roder W, Gyeltshen

ABSTRACT

Farmers in temperate areas were recommended to use mixtures containing white clover, Italian ryegrass, tall fescue and cocksfoot. Strong dominance of white clover in fields seeded with these mixtures induced the search for alternative species or establishment methods. Two experiments were conducted across a range of temperate environments from 1996-2002 to evaluate grass-legume mixtures for species composition and dry matter yield and the effect of seed rates on contribution of species to the total species composition. Except for Khangkhu the dry matter yield was not affected by the mixture components and the seed rates of tall fescue, cocksfoot and Italian ryegrass. The dry matter yield of lotus mixture was comparatively lower than white clover and lucerne mixtures. Lucerne mixture yielded higher at Khangkhu. Seed rates of grass species did not affect the frequencies of individual species. Cocksfoot frequency increased consistently over 6 years and cocksfoot affected the frequency of tall fescue. The frequency of lucerne, Prairie grass and Dallis grass increased at Khangkhu while the persistence of these species was poor in grass-legume mixtures at Bathpalathang.

The current extension recommendations need to be revised taking into consideration the strong competition by cocksfoot and variations in dry matter yield and species composition of mixtures between locations. It is proposed that specific mixtures should be identified for specific locations.

KEYWORDS:

Mixture, dry matter yield, frequency, seed rate, cocksfoot, tall fescue, white clover.

REFERENCES

Droslom, P.N., and Smith, D. (1976). Adapting species for mixtures, In: Papendick, R.I., Sanchez, P.A., and Triplett, G.B. (eds.) Multiple Cropping, Madison, Wisconsin, American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of America: 223-234.

Grant, S.A. (1981). Swards components, In: J. Hodgson, R.D. Baker, A. Davies, A.S. Laidlaw, J.D. Leaver (eds.) Sward Measurement Handbook, British Grassland Society: 71-91.

Kemp, P.D., Condron, L.M., and Mathew, C. (1999). Pasture and soil fertility, In: J. White, and J. Hodgson, (eds.) New Zealand Pasture and Crop Science, Oxford University Press, Auckland, New Zealand: 67-82.

McKenzie Jr, J.D. and Goldman, R. (2005). The Student Guide to Minitab Release 14, Pearson education Inc., Sydney, Australia.

Norris, I.B. and Thomas, H. (1982). Recovery of ryegrass species from drought, Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 98: 623-28. Pearson, C.J. and Ison, R.L. (1997). Agronomy of Grassland System, 2nd edn. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

Roder, W. (1996). White Clover a dangerous weed? In Proceedings of the 1st Annual National Feed and Fodder Research Workshop: 53-56, RNR-RC Jakar, Bathpalathang, Bumthang.

Roder, W, Thinley, P., Wangdi, K. (1997). Experiences with temperate mixtures – review, Proceedings of the 2nd Annual National Livestock Research Workshop: 6978

Roder, W., Wangdi, K., Gyamtsho, P. and Dorji, K. (2001). Feeding the Herds: Improving Fodder Resources in Bhutan, ICIMOD, Kathmandu, Nepal.

AUTHOR: M.R. Moktan, L. Norbu, H. Nirola , D.B.Chhetri, T.B.Rai, Rinchen

ABSTRACT

This paper consolidates impact of traditional migratory system of cattle management on their household economy, and describes the interaction between sustainable livestock, forest and pasture resources development. Livestock remain as main livelihood source contributing 71% and 84% of the gross household incomes of herders from Haa and Merak respectively. Seasonal movement of livestock is in direct response to cold temperatures, acute shortage of green forages and income opportunities. In dry valleys, transhumance often makes best sustained use of grassland resources. Mutual understanding regulates grazing between the upstream and downstream cattle owners. The sustained use of grazing resource requires accommodation of traditional rights and clarity on ownership and management of rangeland in the existing legislations. Temperate and subtropical rangelands and forest along migratory cattle routes exhibit signs and symptoms of over-grazing. Rangeland management should be based on availability of forage resources, ecosystems stability and an ability to control livestock numbers. Rest periods and rotational grazing are essential particularly in severely depleted ranges to suppress the growth of unpalatable species.

KEY WORDS:

Migratory herders, rangeland, ecosystem approach, livestock, pasture development.

REFERENCES

Dorji, P and Wangdi, R (2001). Migration. In proceedings of the National Grazing Policy Workshop Bumthang, (21-24 August 2001). Ministry of Agriculture, Royal Government of Bhutan supported by Forestry Institutional Development Initiative.

Davidson, J. Moktan, M.R, Gyeltshen, J. Pradhan, R. and Wangdi, T (1999). Observations on the regeneration of the broadleaved forests of eastern Bhutan. Paper presented to IUFRO 1.07 Workshop on Silviculture and Sustainable Management of Mixed Broadleaved Forests in the Himalayas, (15-23 November 1999), Lobesa, Bhutan. Page 38.

DALS (2002). Livestock Sub-Sector 9th Five Year Plan Document (2002-2007) Department of Agriculture and Livestock Support Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Thimphu.

Gyaltshen, T and Bhattarai, B. N. (2003). Bhutan Case study 2: Transhumant Cattle rising in Western Bhutan. In proceeding on Transhumant Grazing Systems in Temperate Asia, Food and Agriculture Organizations of the United Nations, Rome Chapter XV, and pp 267-275.

Gyaltshen, T and Dorji, S (1998). Observations on Alpine Grazing in Bhutan. In proceeding of the Third Temperate Asia Pasture and Fodder Network (TAFON) Pokhara, (9-13 March 1998), Nepal. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Rome.

Gyamtsho, P (1996). Assessment of the Condition and Potential for Improvement of High Altitude Rangelands of Bhutan. Doctoral thesis for the Degree of Natural Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich.

Kuensel (2004). Bhutan’s National Newsletter. (January 10, 2004), Kuensel Corporation, Thimphu, Bhutan
Mongar, T.B and Gyeltshen, T (2001). High Altitude Tsamdrog. In proceedings of the National Grazing Policy Workshop Bumthang, (21-24 August 2001). Ministry of Agriculture, Royal Government of Bhutan supported by Forestry Institutional Development Initiative.

MoA (2001). Proceedings of the National Grazing Policy Workshop Bumthang, (21-24 August 2001). Ministry of Agriculture, Royal Government of Bhutan supported by Forestry Institutional Development Initiative.

Norbu, L. Pradhan, N. K and Dukpa, D (2003). Rights and Benefits for poor people in the traditional cattle grazing system in Tobesa Geog in Western Bhutan. Paper presented in the Regional Workshop on Policy Advocacy for Enhancing Equity and Rights in the Common Property Resources in the Hindu Kush Himalayas, (48 August), ICIMOD, Kathmandu, Nepal.

NCD (2004). Bhutan Biological Conservation Complex. A Landscape Conservation Plan: a way forward. Department of Forest Services, Ministry of Agriculture with support from WWF Bhutan Programme, (February 2004), Thimphu.

Norbu, L and Dorji, S (2001). Sub-tropical Tsamdrog. In proceedings of the National Grazing Policy Workshop Bumthang, Group III, (21-24 August 2001). Ministry of Agriculture, Royal Government of Bhutan supported by Forestry Institutional Development Initiative.

Rinchen, D (2004). Study on Grazing, Cattle Migration and Tseree/Pangzhing in Thrumshingla National Park-Phase I, (April 2004). A Draft Report by R. C. Consultancy

Rinchen, D and Pushparajah (1994). Management Plan for Haa East Forest Management Unit, Haa Dzongkhag. Forest Resources Development Section, Forest Resources Management and Institutional Development Project FAO/UNDP BHU/ 91/002.

Ura, K (2001) Herdsmen’s Dilemma. In Proceedings of the National Grazing Policy Workshop Bumthang, (21-24 August 2001). Ministry of Agriculture, Royal Government of Bhutan supported by Forestry Institutional Development Initiative.

Ura, K (2002). The Herdsmen’s Dilemma. Journal of Bhutan Studies. Centre for Bhutan Studies, Thimphu. Volume 7 Wangchuck, S (2003). An Overview and analysis of conservation threats, issues and opportunities. A background paper presented during the workshop on Operational Planning for Bhutan Biological Conservation Complex, (13 October), River View Hotel, Thimphu.

Wangchuck, S (2001). Grazing Management in National Parks and Protected Areas. In proceedings of the National Grazing Policy Workshop Bumthang, 3.3 Technical session IVb, (21-24 August 2001). Ministry of Agriculture, Royal Government of Bhutan supported by Forestry Institutional Development Initiative.

Wangchuck, T (1995). Competition of forage between Blue Sheep and domestic Yak in Jigme Dorji National Park: Tsenden 5(1): 15-21, Thimphu.