Seed Yield and Quality of Broccoli as Affected by Different Levels of Nitrogen and Boron, and Main Head Harvesting in Plain Areas of Chitwan.

A study was conducted during the winter season of 2011/12 to find out the suitable measures for quality seed production of broccoli cv. Calabrese. The experiment was laid out in three factorial RCBD with three replications. Treatments consisted of four levels of nitrogenous fertilizer viz. 100, 150, 200, 250 kg ha-1 N, two levels of Boron viz. 15 kg ha-1 borax and no borax, two levels of head harvesting viz. head harvest at marketable stage and no head harvest. The results revealed that nitrogen levels, application of boron and head harvest significantly influenced the seed yield of broccoli. The highest seed yield (1296 kg ha-1) was obtained with 200 kg ha-1 N applied along with 15 kg ha-1 borax and main head harvesting. The seed quality parameters like test weight, germination percent and vigor index were also influenced by treatments. Significantly higher test weight was obtained with 200 kg ha-1 N, borax @ 15 kg ha-1 and head harvesting. Similarly, germination percent and vigor index of seed were significantly higher with 150- 200 kg ha-1 N application, borax @ 15 kg ha-1 and harvesting of main head. Comparing these treatments nitrogen 200 kg ha-1 along with borax 15 kg ha-1 and main head harvesting was found superior and economical for seed production of broccoli with B:C ratio of 4.79.

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome in various ethnic population of Nepal.

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome is an ocular condition characterized by a distinctive deposition of fibrillar material in the anterior segment of the eye. Pseudoexfoliation syndrome is frequently associated with glaucoma. Though it is seen in all the population, prevalence varies considerably in different races. A hospital based study done in Nepal by our group showed that Gurung population is frequently affected by this disease than any others. To determine the fact a larger population based study was necessary. Thus a research was designed to survey the various populations in the community. Different population from Kathmandu valley, Kavrepalanchowk, Pokhara, and Ghandruk were evaluated in two different phases to include major ethnic population living in Nepal. Household surveys done to bring all the targeted population to base hospital and detail examination including anterior segment evaluation after dilatation of pupil, optic disc evaluation, intraocular pressure measurement, gonioscopy, visual field recording and photographic documentation was done. Total of4430 population surveyed while only 2135 fulfilled the criteria for inclusion. Gurungs irrespective of their place of residence showed higher prevalence of Pseudoexfoliation syndrome accounting for 7.8% in Kathmandu valley while 12.0% in Ghandruk. Tamangs were affected very rarely by this disease accounting only for 0.3%. Gurungs are at higher risk of developing Pseudoexfoliation syndrome than any others in Nepal.

Prevalence of refractive error in mentally retarded students of Kathmandu Valley.

Mental retardation also known as 'mentally handicap' means a delay or insufficient development of mental capacities. The prevalence of mental retardation in Nepal is 4.1%. Vision being the best sense for their education and daily activities, a cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted to find out the refractive error among the students in the schools for mentally retarded people. A total of 134 clinically diagnosed cases of mentally retarded students from three different schools of Kathmandu Valley were examined. Distance visual acuity was taken with the help of Cat Ford Vision Drum, SG chart and Kay Picture Test method but first preference was given to SG chart. Cyclo-retinoscopy and fundus examination under mydriasis were done in all the cases. Examination revealed that more than half of the examined had one or more ocular disorders with refractive error being the most common type of ocular morbidity followed by ocular motility disorders. Refractive errors were found in 34.4% in which the most common type of refractive error was simple hypermetropia. In conclusion refractive error was seen commonly among mentally retarded people of Kathmandu Valley.