Agronomy Field Laboratory Research Articles

Yield and yield components of wheat as affected by phosphorus fertilization

The experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field laboratory, Department of Agronomy and Agricultural Extension, University of Rajshahi to study the yield and yield components of wheat as affected by phosphorus fertilization. The experiment consisted of two factors i.e. (i) three wheat varieties viz., Shatabdi, Bijoy and Prodip and (ii) five levels of phosphorus viz. 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 kg P2O5 ha-1. A RCBD design was used for the experiment with three replications. The effect of variety was significant on all the yield components and yield except plant height. Prodip gave the highest grain yield (3.67 t ha-1) followed by Bijoy (3.45 t ha-1) and Shatabdi (3.28 t ha-1). Yield and yield components of wheat were significantly influenced by different levels of phosphorus. The highest grain yield (4.47 t ha-1) was recorded from P4 (120 kg P2O5 ha-1) and the lowest one (2.43 t ha-1) from the control treatment. The highest grain yield (4.80 t ha-1) was obtained from Prodip at 120 kg P2O5 ha-1 and the lowest one (2.3 t ha-1) was found in Shatabdi at control treatment. The results suggest that the combination of V3P4 (Prodip with 120 kg P2O5 ha-1) is the best for obtaining higher yield of wheat.

Effect of irrigation and sowing method on yield and yield attributes of mustard

The experiment was carried out at Agronomy Field laboratory, Department ofAgronomy and Agricultural Extension, university of Rajshahi, to study the effect of irrigation and sowing method on yield and yield attributes of mustard. The experiment consists of two factors i) irrigation viz. no irrigation (I0), one irrigation (I1)and two irrigations (I2) ii) sowing method viz. line sowing method (M1) and broadcasting method (M2). A split- plot design was used for the experiment by assigning the irrigation on the main plots and sowing method to the sub plots with three replications. Irrigation had significant effect on all the yield and yield contributing characters. The highest plant height, number of branches plant-1, filled siliqua plant-1, sliqua length, number of seed siliqua-1, 1000-seed weight and stover yield were obtained from I2 (two irrigations) and consequently it produced the highest seed yield. Sowing method also had significant influence on almost all the yield and yield contributing characters. All the yield contributing characters except number of unfilled siliqua plant-1were found best at line sowing method (M1) and consequently it produced the highest seed yield. However it could be noted from the study that the combination of two irrigations with line sowing method is better to get higher yield of mustard.

Varietal performance of modern transplant Aman rice subjected to level of nitrogen application

An experiment was carried out at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during June to December 2012 with a view to finding out the effect of variety and nitrogen fertilizer application on the growth and yield of transplant Aman rice. The experiment comprised four varieties viz. BRRI dhan33, BRRI dhan34, BRRI dhan39 and BRRI dhan46, and four levels of nitrogen viz. control (no urea), prilled urea (50 kg N ha-1), one pellet (0.9g) of USG/4 hills of two adjacent rows (30 kg N ha-1) was applied at 10 DAT and two pellets of USG (0.9g each) one applied at 10 DAT and the other at 45 DAT/4 hills of two adjacent rows (60 kg N ha-1). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results of the experiment showed that variety and level of nitrogen application had significant effect on yield attributes and yield of transplant Aman rice. At maturity the tallest plant (122.60 cm) and the highest number total tillers hill-1 (12.72) were observed in two pellets of USG/4 hills providing 60 kg N ha-1. The highest number of tillers hill-1 (10.08) was obtained from BRRI dhan34 and the lowest one (9.88) from BRRI dhan33. The highest grain yield was obtained from BRRI dhan46 (4.56 t ha-1) and the lowest one (3.27 t ha-1) was obtained from BRRI dhan34. The interaction reveals that the highest grain yield (5.61 t ha-1) was obtained from the treatment combination of BRRI dhan46 with two pellets of USG (0.9g each) applied one at 10 DAT and the other at 45 DAT.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v12i1.21239 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 12(1): 55-60, June 2014

Effect of variety and method of USG placement on the yield performance of transplanted aman rice

A field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during the period from July to December 2011 to evaluate the effect of variety and placement method of urea super granule (USG) on the yield performance of T. aman rice varieties. The experiment consisted of three aman rice varieties viz., Pajam, BR11, BRRI dhan40 and four placement methods viz., broadcasting method of prilled urea (PU), USG placement by hand, by BAU USG applicator and by BARI USG applicator. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The highest value of grain yield (5.13 t/ha), straw yield (5.90 t/ha) and biological yield (11.04 t/ha) were found in BR11. On the other hand, the lowest grain yield (3.54 t/ha) was produced in variety Pajam. The highest grain and straw yields (5.13 and 5.21 t/ha, respectively) were obtained from the hand placement method of USG. Regarding the interaction of variety and USG placement method, BR11with hand placement method appeared as the best method among others. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v12i1.21183 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 12(1): 7-12, June 2014

Intercropping AUS rice with different seed rates of Blackgram as fodder

A field experiment was conducted to explore the feasibility of blackgram fodder production in Aus rice as intercropping system at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh from March to July 2009. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The fodder crop was sown at various densities as sole crop for comparison. Growth parameters, yield components and yields were higher in sole cropping. Economic analysis reveals that intercropping systems showed better performance in terms of gross, net return and benefit cost ratio compared to sole cropping of main or fodder crop at various plant populations per unit area. Intercropping blackgram as fodder with 50 kg seed ha-1 in Aus rice row sowing of 25 cm would be the promising fodder production with minimum grain yield loss of rice with higher profit. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sja.v12i1.21108 SAARC J. Agri., 12(1): 9-19 (2014)

Effect of herbicide Prechlor on the performance of T. aman rice

An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh during the period from July to December 2012 to find out the effect of herbicide Prechlor 500 EC on weed control and performance of transplant aman rice. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The experiment consisted of two varieties viz., BRRI dhan41 and Nizershail, and four levels of Prechlor @ 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 L ha-1. Monochoria vaginalis, Nymphaea nouchali, Paspalum scrobiculatum, Echinochloa crusgalli and Scirpus juncodies were the major weeds in the experimental plots. Prechlor 500EC @ 1.5 L ha-1 showed the best performance in reducing weed density, weed dry weight and increased weed control efficiency but reduce grain yield. Variety had significant influence on all the yield and yield contributing characters of rice. Higher grain yield (3.09 t ha-1) was obtained from BRRI dhan41. Different levels of Prechlor also had significant effect on yield and yield contributing characters such as number of total tillers hill-1, number of effective tillers hill-1, panicle length, spikelets panicle-1, grains panicle-1, grain yield, straw yield and harvest index. Prechlor @ 1.5 L ha-1 showed best performance with respect to most yield attributes, grain and straw yields and the lowest grain yield was obtained from Prechlor @ 0 L ha-1. The interaction effects of variety and herbicide Prechlor had significant effect on all yield attributes except plant height, effective tillers hill-1, panicle length, 1000-grain weight and harvest index. The highest grain yield (3.62 t ha-1) was obtained from variety BRRI dhan41 with Prechlor @ 1.5 L ha-1. The results suggest that farmers can be advised to use herbicide Prechlor @ 1.5 L ha-1 to boost up the production of BRRI dhan41 controlling weeds during aman season under the agro-climatic condition of the study area. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i2.19923 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(2): 257-264, 2013

Performance of transplant Aman rice as influenced by tiller seedlings and nitrogen management

An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during the period from July to December 2012 to observe the effect of variety, age of tiller seedling used for transplanting and nitrogen management on the yield performance of transplant Aman rice. The experiment consisted of two varieties viz. BRRI dhan49 and BRRI dhan51, two ages tiller seedling viz. 25- and 35-day old, five nitrogen management viz. control (no urea), application of prilled urea @ 215 kg ha-1 (1/2 at 15 DAT+1/2 at 30 DAT), prilled urea @ 215 kg ha-1 (1/3 at 15DAT+1/3 at 30DAT+1/3 at 45DAT ), urea super granules (USG) 1.8 g and USG 2.7 g four-hill-1 in every alternate row. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. The results revealed that higher plant characters, straw yield and harvest index were obtained from BRRI dhan49 compared to BRRI dhan51. Older seedlings (35-day old) produced higher grain yield to younger seedlings. The highest yield contributing characters and grain yield were obtained when 1.8g USG was applied. The grain yield was highest in 35-day old tiller seedlings of BRRI dhan51 while fertilized with 1.8g USG. This value was lowest when 25-day old tiller seedlings of BRRI dhan51 were fertilized with prilled urea in two split applications. It may be concluded that 35-day tiller seedlings of BRRI dhan51 fertilized with USG 1.8 g four-hill-1 could be used for achieving higher yield of transplant Aman rice. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i2.19903 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(2): 249-256, 2013

Influence of seed rates and levels of NPK fertilizers on dry matter accumulations and yield performance of foxtail millet (Setaria italica L. Beauv.)

A study was carried out in the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Old Brahmaputra Flood Plains Soil (AEZ-9) during December 2001 to April 2002 to find out the effect of seed rates and NPK levels on dry matter accumulation and grain yield of foxtail millet (Setaria italica L. Beauv.). Four seed rates viz., 8,10,12, and 14 kg/ha and five levels of NPK fertilizers viz., N0P0K0, N10P8K5, N20P16K10, N30P24K15, and N40P32K20 were included in a split plot design with three replications. Dry matter accumulation pattern was determined by harvesting 10 plants randomly at 30, 60, 80, and 102 DAS (days after swing). The yield and yield contributing characters of foxtail millet were influenced by seed rates and NPK levels except tillers per plant and 1000-grain weight significantly. Generally its production rate was 0.86 t/ha when it was grown in char lands in sandy loam soils, the highest grain yield (1.62 t/ha) was produced by 10 kg seeds/ha, which was identical with 12 kg seeds/ha. In case of NPK levels, the treatment was N30P24K10. In case of interaction, the treatment combination 12 kg seeds/ha and N30P24K15 produced the highest grain yield (1.77 t/ha. In case of interaction, the treatment combination 12 kg seeds/ha and N,sub>30P24K15/ha gave the highest grain yield. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v38i4.19661 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 38(4): 689-704, December 2013

Physiological Attributes of Transplant <i>Aman</i> Rice (Cv. Brri Dhan52) as Affected by Tiller Seedlings and Urea Super Granules

The experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh to investigate the effect of age of tiller seedlings, number of tiller seedlings hill-1 and application of urea super granules (USG) on some physiological attributes of transplant Aman rice cv. BRRI dhan52. The experiment consisted of two ages of tiller seedlings viz. 25- and 35-day old, three levels of tiller seedlings hill-1 viz.1, 3 and 5 seedlings hill-1 and three USG levels viz. 0, 1.8g and 2.7g USG per four hills in every alternate row. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The effect of age of tiller seedlings, number of tiller seedlings hill-1 and USG application were significant on crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR) and leaf area index (LAI). The highest CGR and RGR were found by transplanting 35-day old tiller seedlings during the period at 15-30 and 60-75 DAT when 5 tiller seedlings hill-1 were transplanted. The highest NAR was observed at 60-75 DAT with transplanting 5 tiller seedlings hill-1 and the lowest one was recorded at 30-45 DAT. The highest LAI was found at 35-day old tiller seedlings during the period at 60 and 75 DAT when 5 tiller seedlings hill-1 were transplanted. CGR and RGR were found highest by applying 1.8 g USG at 45-60 and 60-75 DAT while NAR was the highest with application of 2.7g USG at 60-75 DAT and lowest one was found in control (0 g USG) at 45-60 and 60-75 DAT. The highest LAI was found by applying 1.8g USG at 15, 30, 45 and 60 DAT and the lowest one was found at 60 DAT in control and at 15, 30 and 45 DAT when 2.7g USG was applied. The highest LAI and CGR were found in older tiller seedlings (35- day old) by transplanting five tiller seedlings hill-1 fertilized with 1.8g USG whereas the highest RGR and NAR were obtained in younger tiller seedlings (25-day old) by transplanting single tiller seedling hill-1 fertilized with 1.8g USG per four hills of every alternate row.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v24i1-2.19094 Progress. Agric. 24(1&2): 17 - 27, 2013

Effect of Seedling Age and Method of Transplanting on the Yield of Aman Rice

An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh from June to December 2012 with a view to finding out the effect of seedling age and method of transplanting on the yield of Aman rice. Four seedling ages (10, 20, 30 and 40 days) and two transplanting methods (line and haphazard) were used as experimental treatments with four replications in a randomized complete block design. Seedling age, transplanting method and their interaction significantly influenced most of the yield components and yield of transplant Aman rice cv. BRRI dhan41. The highest total tillers, effective tillers hill-1, grains panicle-1, grain yield, straw yield and harvest index were obtained from 30-day-old seedlings. Line transplanting method produced the highest total tillers, effective tillers hill-1, grain yield and harvest index. The highest total tillers, effective tillers hill-1, grain yield and harvest index were obtained from 30-day-old seedlings with line transplanting method. Results revealed that 30-day-old seedlings under line transplanting method could be used to obtain maximum yield of transplant Aman rice cv. BRRI dhan41.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v24i1-2.19092 Progress. Agric. 24(1&2): 9 - 16, 2013

Effect of variety and weeding regime on the yield components and yield of Aus rice

A field experiment was carried out at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, during the period from April to July 2012 to study the effect of variety and weeding regime on the yield components and yield of Aus rice. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The experimental treatments comprised four varieties viz. BR 26, BRRI dhan27, BRRI dhan48 and Pariza; and five weeding treatments viz. no weeding, one hand weeding at 20 DAS(Days after sowing), two hand weeding at 20 DAS and 30 DAS, three hand weeding at 20, 30 and 40 DAS and weed free. Here broadcasting method of planting was used. Results revealed that varieties had significant effect on plant height, number of total tillers hill-1, number of effective tillers hill-1, number of non-effective tillers hill-1, number of grains panicle-1, number of unfilled spikelets panicle-1, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, straw yield, biological yield and harvest index. Grain yield was the highest in BRRI dhan48. Weeding regime had also significant effect on all the studied crop parameters except 1000-grain weight. The highest grain yield was obtained from weed free condition followed by three, two and one weeding conditions. Interaction between variety and weeding regime significantly influenced all the studied crop parameters except 1000-grain weight and harvest index. In interaction it was observed that the highest grain yield was obtained from BRRI dhan48 under two weeding condition. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i1.18198 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(1): 17-21, 2013

Effect of weeding on the growth, yield and yield contributing characters of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.)

An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh to assess the effect of weeding on growth, yield and yield contributing characters of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) cv. BINA mung- 4 during October 2011 to February 2012. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The trial comprised seven treatments namely, T1 = no weeding, T2 = one-stage weeding (Emergence-Flowering), T3 = one-stage weeding (Flowering-Pod setting), T4 = one-stage weeding (Pod setting- Maturity), T5 = two-stage weeding (Emergence-Flowering and Flowering-Pod setting), T6 = two-stage weeding (Flowering-Pod setting and Pod setting-Maturity) and T7 = three-stage weeding (Emergence-Flowering and Flowering-Pod setting and Pod setting-Maturity). The growth parameters such as relative growth rate (0.075 g g-1 day- 1) and net assimilation rate (0.075 g m-2day-1) showed the best performance with T2 at one-stage weeding condition (Emergence-Flowering). Three-stage weeding ensured the highest plant height (58.62 cm) as well as the highest number of branches (4.45) and leaves (10.34) plant-1. Dry weight plant-1 (12.38g) was highest from three stage weeding and the lowest from no weeding treatment. The highest number of pods (22.03) plant-1, the longest pod (5.95 cm), the highest number of seeds (17.07) pod-1 and the highest seed yield (1.38 t ha-1) were obtained from three-stage weeding (Emergence-Flowering and Flowering-Pod setting and Pod setting-Maturity) in mungbean. On the other hand, the lowest seed yield was obtained under no weeding condition. The highest seed yield resulted in higher biological yield (4.70 t ha-1) and the highest harvest index (37.15%) in three-stage weeding and the lowest from no weeding. Number of pods plant-1, length of pod, number of seeds pod-1 and 1000-seed weight showed highly significant positive correlations with seed yield. These parameters strongly influenced the growth, yield and yield contributing characters of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i1.18209 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(1): 53-60, 2013

Diet and Feeding Habits of Cyprinus carpio in Relation with Water Quality of Integrated Rice-Fish Farming Ecosystem

This study describes the diets and feeding habits of Cyprinus carpio in integrated rice-fish farming system in the Agronomy Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Central Bangladesh during May 1999 to August 1999. Percentage of frequency of occurrence and percentage in number methods were applied for the qualitative and quantitative estimation of plankton. The water quality parameters recorded during the study were within the suitable range for optimal fish growth and plankton populations were also abundant in the water of the rice plots. The phytoplankton population recorded from the gut contents of C. carpio was under 4 groups (viz., Chlorophyceae, Euglenophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Bacillariophyceae) and the zooplankton under 3 groups (viz., Rotifera, Cladocera, Copepoda). Bacillariophyceae and Chlorophyceae were the dominant phytoplankton group while Rotifera was the dominant zooplankton group in the gut contents of C. carpio. This study also revealed that, gut contents of C. carpio was composed of 48.47% phytoplankton and 51.53% zooplankton indicating omnivorous nature of the fish. The availability of plankton population in the rice plots and the food and feeding habits of C. carpio suggest that, this fish could be a vital candidate for integrated rice-fish aquaculture.

Effect of Variety and Level of Phosphorus on the Yield and Yield Components of Lentil

The experiment was carried out to study the effect of variety and level of phosphorus fertilizer on the yield and yield components of lentil at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during October 2009 to March 2010. Three lentil varieties viz. BINA masur 2, BINA masur 3 and BARI masur 4 and four levels of phosphorus viz. 0 kg P ha-1 (P0), 15 kg P ha-1 (P15), 30 kg P ha-1 (P30) and 45 kg P ha-1 (P45) were used in this experiment. Varieties showed significant influence on the all characters except plant height. The highest seed yield (1165 kg ha-1) was observed in BARI masur 4, and the lowest seed yield (1028 kg ha-1) was found in BINA masur 3. Phosphorus fertilizer had a significant effect on all the plant characters studied except 1000 seed weight. The highest seed yield (1222kg ha-1) was observed in P45 (45 kg P ha-1) treatment and the lowest seed yield (893 kg ha-1) was found in P0 treatment. In case of interaction, effect of cultivar and phosphorus fertilizer doses had a significant effect on all the plant characters studied except seeds pod-1 and 1000-seed weight. The highest seed yield (1317 kg ha-1) was obtained in V3 X P45 treatment, and the lowest seed yield (830 kg ha-1) was observed in V2 X P0 treatment combination. Among the varieties BINA masur 2 and BARI masur 4 were superior to BINA masur 3 in respect of yield performance with 30 kg P ha-1. BARI masur 4 fertilized with 30 kg P ha-1 produced the highest seed yield. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 3 (1): 78-82, June, 2013 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v3i1.16097

Food and Feeding Habits of the Mola Carplet Amblypharyngodon mola (Hamilton, 1822) in Rice Field Ecosystem with Consideration of Water Quality Parameters

The present investigation was conducted in the Agronomy field laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh during May 1999 to August 1999 to reveal the food and feeding habits of Amblypharyngodon mola in the rice field ecosystem. Percentage of frequency of occurrence and percentage in number methods were used for the qualitative and quantitative estimation of plankton population. Results showed that, during the present study, the water quality parameters were within the suitable range for optimal fish growth and plankton population was abundant in the water of the rice plots. Gut content analysis of A. mola revealed a sum of 32 genera of phytoplankton belonging to Chlorophyceae (17), Euglenophyceae (2), Cyanophyceae (7) and Bacillariophyceae (6) and 8 genera of zooplankton under Rotifera (3), Cladocera (2) and Copepoda (3). In general, Navicula, Fragilaria, Chlorella, Chrysococcus, Closterium, Oscillatoria and Gomphosphaeria were found abundant both in the water of the rice plots and in the gut contents of A. mola indicating that, these genera are preferred food of this fish in the rice field ecosystem. Gut content analysis also exposed that, phytoplankton was the major food item constituting 94.38% of the gut contents’ composition of A. mola whereas zooplankton comprised only 5.62%. The results of this study conclude that, the A. mola is planktivorous in nature, feeding mostly on phytoplankton and could be a suitable species for integrated rice-fish farming.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/on.v11i1.8245 Our Nature Vol.11(1) 2013: 61-75

Effect of Sowing Date on Germination and Vigour of Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr) Seeds

An experiment was carried out at the Agronomy Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during three consecutive seasons in 2004-2006 to find out the effect of sowing date on physiological quality of soybean seed. The experiments included six sowing dates viz. 4 Nov, 24 Nov, 14 Dec, 3 Jan, 23 Jan and 12 Feb and two cultivars namely G-2 and PB-1 in Rabi 2004-05; four sowing dates viz. 25 Jul, 14 Aug, 3 Sept and 23 Sept and three cultivars namely G-2, PB-1 and BS-5 in Kharif II 2005; four sowing dates viz. 26 Nov, 16 Dec, 5 Jan, and 25 Jan, and two cultivars viz. G-2 and PB-1 in Rabi 2005-06. The experiments were conducted in split-plot design with three replications. Results revealed that cultivar G-2 had higher germination and vigour than cultivar PB-1 or BS-5 in all the three seasons. November and December sowing produced seeds with higher germination and vigour for all the cultivars in Rabi season. On the other hand, September sowing produced seeds with high germination and vigour during Kharif II. The study indicated that soybean seeds with high germination and vigour could be obtained by sowing during November to December in Rabi season and August to September in Kharif-II season. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/agric.v11i1.15245 The Agriculturists 2013; 11(1) 67-75

Effect of Row Spacing and Cultivar on the Growth and Seed Yield of Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merrill) in Kharif-II Season

An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during Kharif-II season 2005 to investigate the effect of row spacing and cultivars on the growth and yield of soybean. Three soybean cultivars: (1) Bangladesh Soybean -4 (G- 2), (2) BARI soybean -5 (BS-5) and (3) Shohag (PB-1) and four row spacings, (1) 20 cm, (2) 30 cm, (3) 40 cm and (4) 50 cm were used in the experiment in a split-plot design with row spacing in the main plot and cultivars in the sub-plot. Seeds were sown on 26 July 2005 at specified rows maintaining 5 cm plant to plant distance. The highest seed yield was obtained from 20 cm spacing and yield decreased with increased spacing irrespective of cultivars. Among cultivars the highest yield was given by cultivar BS-5 which was followed by PB-1. It was concluded that the soybean cultivars BS-5 and PB-1 could be selected for sowing in Kharif-II season and should be planted at 20 cm apart rows for achieving higher yield. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/agric.v11i1.15239 The Agriculturists 2013; 11(1) 33-38

Effect of Variety and Weed Management Practices on Yield and Yield Attributes of Wheat

An experiment was conducted at Agronomy Field Laboratory of Rajshahi University to evaluate the effect of variety and weeding regime on yield and yield components of wheat. Four varieties viz. Prodip -V1, Gourab -V2, Shatabdi -V3, Bijoy -V4 and five weeding regime viz. a) No weeding -W0, b) Weed free -W1, c) One hand weeding at 20 DAS -W2, d) Two hand weeding (1st at 20 DAS and 2nd at 42 DAS) -W3 and e) Lintur 70 WG @ 250 g ha-1 -W4 were included as treatments in the experiment. The experiment was laid out in a Split-plot Design with three replications. The results revealed that Prodip produced the highest grain yield (5.33 t ha-1) followed by Gourab (4.85 t ha-1), while the lowest grain yield (3.98 t ha-1) was obtained from Shatabdi. The highest grain yield (5.09 t ha-1) was obtained in Weed free (W1) followed by W3 (Two hand weeding) (4.89 t ha-1) and the lowest grain yield (4.13 t ha-1) was obtained in no weeding treatment (W0). The highest grain yield (5.64 t ha-1) was obtained from the combination of Prodip and weed free treatment (V1W1) and the lowest (3.57 t ha-1) was obtained from the combination between Shatabdi and no weeding treatment (V4W0).DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jesnr.v5i2.14800 J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 5(2): 91-96 2012

Effect of spacing and number of seedlings per hill on the performance of aus rice cv. NERICA 1 under dry direct seeded rice (DDSR) system of cultivation

An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during the period from April to August 2011 to find out the effect of spacing and number of seedlings hill-1 on the performance of Aus rice cv. NERICA 1. Four spacing viz. 25 cm × l5 cm, 20 cm × l5 cm. 20 cm × 10 cm and 15 cm × 10 cm and four number of seedlings hill-1 viz. 2, 3, 4 and 5 were included in the experiment. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The highest number of total tillers m-2, number of effective tillers m-2, number of grains panicle-1, grain yield, straw yield, biological yield and harvest index were obtained from 20 cm × 10 cm spacing. Plant height and 1000- grain weight were not significantly affected by spacing. Number of seedlings hill-1 exerts a significant effect on plant height. The highest value of total tillers m-2, number of effective tillers m-2, total grains panicle-1, grain yield, straw yield, biological yield and harvest index were obtained from five seedlings hill-1. The interaction between spacing and number of seedlings hill-1 significantly influenced yield and plant characters. The highest number of effective tillers m-2, grains panicle-1, grain yield, straw yield and biological yield were recorded from the interaction between 20 cm × 10 cm and five seedlings hill-1. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v10i2.14681 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 10(2): 191-195, 2012

Effect of date of planting on the growth and leaf yield of Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana)

An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh from December 2009 to March 2011 to determine the effect of date of planting on growth and leaf yield of Stevia. The experiment comprised 24 dates of planting in the year of 2010 viz. 1 January (T1), 15 January (T2), 1 February (T3), 15 February (T4), 1 March (T5), 15 March (T6), 1 April (T7), 15 April (T8), 1 May (T9), 15 May (T10), 1 June (T11), 15 June (T12), 1 July (T13), 15 July (T14), 1 August (T15), 15 August (T16), 1 September (T17), 15 September (T18), 1 October (T19), 15 October (T20), 1 November (T21), 15 November (T22), 1 December (T23) and 15 December (T24). The experiment was laid out in a Complete Randomized Design with three replications. Twenty four dates of planting were included in the experiment in 72 earthen pots (24 X 3) of 30 cm diameter X 30 cm height. Stem cuttings were placed in shaded seed bed for root initiation. Twenty one - day old stem cuttings were used as planting material. Stem cuttings were transplanted in the pots on the specific dates. Different dates of planting had significant effect on the growth and yield parameters. 1 April 2010 (T7) planting proved to be the superior to the other treatments i.e. plant height (68.50cm), number of leaves plant-1 (142.33), number of primary branches plant-1 (37.33), fresh weight of leaves plant-1 (14.11g), fresh weight of primary and secondary branches plant-1 (11.06g and 20.91g), dry weight of leaves plant-1 (3.38g) which might be due to warm environmental conditions like clear sunshine and high temperature. The overall results suggested that stevia seedlings may be planted from 15 February to 30 April for better yield of leaves. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v10i2.14684 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 10(2): 205-210, 2012