Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University Research Articles

Performance of BSMRAU-developed vegetables under fruit tree-based agroforestry systems

Many field crop lands are being transformed to fruit orchards in different locations of Bangladesh. There is an ample scope to cultivate intercrops in the orchards following scientific manner and proper technology including suitable varieties. In this study, mango and orange orchards were transformed to agroforestry system in Kotchandpur upazila under Jhenaidah district to investigate the performances of selected vegetable varieties (bottle gourd, stem amaranth, papaya, cauliflower, and country bean) developed by the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU). Randomized complete block design was used to compare agroforestry (mango and orange orchards) and non-agroforestry (open field) treatments for identifying suitable tree-vegetable combinations. The results indicated that yields of the tested vegetables were higher in the non-agroforestry system (crop field without trees) compared to the agroforestry system. Yields of bottle gourd stem amaranth, cauliflower, and country bean in agroforestry systems decreased by 21, 7, 18, and 19%, respectively, compared to non-agroforestry system. On the contrary, yield reductions were 7.9, 15.7, 3.9 and 4.6% in mango-based agroforestry than orange-based agroforestry for bottle gourd, stem amaranth, cauliflower, and country bean, respectively. The findings suggested that although all the tested vegetables can be grown in agroforestry, but creeping type vegetables are less suitable. Despite the observed reduction in yields, the fruit tree-based agroforestry system demonstrated its potential as a viable alternative, offering to reduce crop failure risk to the farmers and optimizing land utilization. The order of the suitability of the tested vegetables are stem amaranth > cauliflower > country bean > bottle gourd in agroforestry systems. Ann. Bangladesh Agric. 27(2):191-199

Morpho-physiological Alteration of Mangifera indica L. in Response to Sea Water Induced Salt Stress

Salinity is one of the biggest challenges in the southern part of Bangladesh, which is affecting the coastal ecosystem adversely. A pot experiment was conducted to find out the morpho-physiological changes in mango (Mangifera indica L.) seedlings in response to sea water induced salt stress at the Agroforestry and Environment research field of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five replications, where four treatments, viz 4, 8, 12 dS m-1 salinity level (prepared from sea water), and the tap water (control) were imposed. The results indicated that plant height of mango shortened with the higher level of salinity and the declining magnitude was 28.44% over control at maximum salinity level. Number of leaves per plant of mango were reduced by 27.51% at 12 dS m-1 salinity level compared to that tap water, and the size of mango leaf was also reduced for salinity. Both shoot and root biomass of mango seedlings were significantly reduced due to salinity. The Salt tolerance index in mango was 56.76 only at 12 dS m-1. In case of physiological parameters, the lowest relative water content (RWC) was found in 12 dS m-1, while water saturation deficit (WSD) and water uptake capacity (WUC) were found to be the lowest in control for this plant. Water saturation deficit and water uptake capacity were increased with the increment of salinity level. Total chlorophyll and carotenoid content of mango were decreased by 66.27% and 61.07%, respectively, at the highest salinity level. Proline content of mango increased by 73.07% at 12 dS m-1 salt level in comparison to that of seawater devoid control plants. Considering the overall results, it can be concluded that, although mango seedlings were significantly affected by high salinity (12 dS m-1), but can survive up to moderate salinity (8 dS m-1) at sapling stage.

Performance of sunflower at different pruning regimes in Acacia albida based agroforestry system

A study was conducted in albida (Acacia albida) based agroforestry research field of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU) from November/2020-March/2021 to evaluate the performance of sunflower at different light intensity created by pruning off the albida canopy at different levels. The experiment was set up in a single-factor Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Five different treatments of the experiment were as follows; T1: albida tree (no pruning) T2: albida tree (25% pruning), T3: albida (50% pruning, T4: albida (75% pruning) and T5: sunflower sole cropping in open field. The results revealed that T1 treatment produced the tallest plant (100.72cm) followed by T2 (97.48cm) while the treatment T5 produced the shortest (72.95cm) plant. The fresh weight (81.67g) and dried weight (13.95g) of sunflower leaves were found maximum in T4 and the minimum fresh weight (53.48g) and dry weight (8.34g) were recorded in T1 treatment. The highest CGR (1.169mg/cm2/day) and RGR 66.58 (mg/g/day) values were found in T5 and was not significant with T4. The yield parameters of sunflower such as head diameter (15cm) and 1000 seeds weight (43.34g) were found maximum in T5 (open field) which was statistically similar to that of T4 treatment. The T5 yielded the highest (1.13t/ha) sunflower seeds followed by T4 (1.09t/ha). The study indicated that sunflower can be grown successfully under the albida tree canopy with 75% trimming. Ann. Bangladesh Agric. 27(2): 119-128

Morphophysiological Changes Of Mungbean Under Different Water Regimes

Drought stress can severely affect crop growth and productivity by altering several physiological processes. This experiment was carried out to explore the drought tolerance ability of four mungbean varieties based on their water relation and performance of some growth parameters. The experiment was conducted in pot at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur from 27th March to 15th May 2017, under a semi-controlled (vinylhouse) condition. Three different water regimes 50 to 60% field capacity (FC), 70 to 80% FC, 90 to100% FC and four mungbean varieties namely BARI Mung-5, BARI Mung-6, BU mug 2, BU mug 4 were used as treatment variable. Among the three water regimes, 50%-60% FC was considered as the severe drought stress. Results indicated significant variations in different traits of both water and growth parameters of the varieties under severe drought stress (50%-60% FC). Among the four mungbean varieties BARI Mung-6 showed superior performance with higher xylem exudation, chlorophyll content, shoot dry matter and lower water uptake capacity at 50%-60% FC (severe drought stress) whereas BU mug 2 showed the lowest performance. Results of this experiment conclude that BARI Mung-6 can be considered as a more water stress tolerant variety than the other three and recommended for cultivation under water limited conditions.
 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 47(3): 257-267, September 2022

Effect of Soil Moisture Level and Nutrient Management on Yield, Bio-Chemical Properties and Water Productivity of Black Cumin

A field experiment was conducted at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur farm during rabi season of 2017-2018 to evaluate the effects of soil moisture levels and nutrient management on yield, bio-chemical properties and water productivity of black cumin (cv. BARI Kalozira-1) in the Shallow Red-Brown Terrace Soil of Salna series under AEZ-28 (Madhupur Tract). The experiment was set up in a Randomized Complete Block Design (factorial) with three replications comprising 9 treatment combinations having 3 soil moisture levels (Irrigation at 10%, 20% and 30% depletion of soil available water at field capacity) and 3 nutrient management packages: 100% RDF (80-45-50-20-5-2 kg ha-1 of N-P-K-S-Zn-B), 75% RDF + 25% N from cowdung and 50% RDF + 50% N from cowdung. The highest seed yield (1027 kg ha-1), biomass yield (2303 kg ha-1), thymoquinone (3286 mg kg-1 seed), thymol (149 mg kg-1 seed), fixed oil (28.7%), essential oil (0.85%), total consumptive use of water (112 mm) and water productivity (20.5 & 9.14 kg ha-1 mm-1, on the basis of biomass & seed yield, respectively) were obtained from irrigation at 10% depletion of available water along with 75% RDF + 1.98 t ha-1 cowdung. The application of irrigation water at 10% depletion of available water (112.22 mm) with N, P, K, S, Zn and B @ 60, 45, 50, 20, 5 and 2 kg ha-1, respectively + 1.98 t ha-1 cowdung (for supplementing 25% N requirement) appeared to be the best suited treatment package for black cumin cultivation in the study area.
 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 47(3): 309-321, September 2022

Genetic variability and agronomic performances of rice genotypes in different growing seasons in Bangladesh

Genetic variability is a key factor in the selection of suitable genotypes in rice breeding programs. To evaluate the genetic variability of 11 rice genotypes, a study was carried out in the field of agronomy at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur, during 2019–2020. These genotypes were characterized for 11 traits and analyzed to determine the level of genetic and agronomic diversity as well as the degree of association existing between grain yield and its related component traits. The results revealed significant differences (P ≤ 0.001 and 0.05) among the rice genotypes for the studied traits in all growing seasons. Furthermore, it was noted that the phenotypic coefficient of variation was more pronounced than the genotypic coefficient of variation, highlighting the environmental impact on each trait. The majority of the traits had moderate to high heritability and genetic advance across the three seasons, showing additive gene action. The principal component analysis showed that the first three principal components accounted for the greatest variability, with the majority of the evaluated traits significantly influencing the genetic variability. The mean value of studied traits exhibited that there was seasonal variation of grain yield by the genotypes, such as BU-R-ACC-08 and BU-R-ACC-11 genotypes, which produced higher yield in Aus, BU-R-ACC-05 and BU-R-ACC-06 in Aman, and BU-R-ACC-07 and BU-R-ACC-06 in Boro season, where several genotypes mature earlier in all growing seasons, viz., BU-R-ACC-05, BU-R-ACC-01, BU-R-ACC-10, and BU-R-ACC-11. The correlation analysis revealed that there were significant, strong positive or negative correlations among the traits. The results suggest that agronomical traits that were positively correlated with grain yield could be useful in selecting desired rice genotypes.

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT BIO-RATIONAL INSECTICIDES ON THE INFESTATION OF POD BORER ATTACKING YARD LONG BEAN

The present study was conducted during March to July 2021 in the experimental field of the Department of Entomology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur to evaluate the effect of some biorational insecticides on pod borer infestation in yard long bean. The study was laid out by Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replications. The treatment comprised Vermitec 1.8 EC (Abamectin) @ 1.0 ml/L, Tracer 45 SC (Spinosad) @ 0.4 g/L, Bio-Action 1.5 SL (Matrine) @ 1.5 ml/L of water, Ecomec 1.8 EC (Azadiractin) @ 1.5 ml/L and Phytoclean (Potassium salt of fatty acid 40%) @ 1.5 ml/L of water at 15 days interval along with an untreated control for comparison. The study revealed that the lowest rate of inflorescence infestation, the highest reduction of flower shedding, lowest rate of pod infestation by pod borer as well as the highest fruit sets and marketable yield (10.7±0.3 MT/ha) was recorded with the bio-rational management approach comprising 3 sprays of Tracer 45 SC (Spinosad) @ 0.4 g/L of water

Heterosis Studies in Snake Gourd (Trichosanthes Cucumerina Var. Anguina L.)

An investigation was carried out on snake gourd at the research farm of the Department of Horticulture, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Bangladesh during March to June 2019. Significant heterosis was observed for most of the characters studied to find out high heterotic combination for better hybrids. Both positive and negative heterosis were found for different characters of the F1 hybrids over better parents. The best better parent heterotic performance was exhibited by early flowering and fruit fly infestation in P2 x P7 and P6 x P7, respectively while P3 x P7 for higher individual fruit weight; P1 x P3, P2 x P6, P3 x P7, P4 x P6 for number of fruit bearing; P1 x P3, P2 x P3, P2 x P7, P3 x P7, for higher fruit yield per plant and hectare; P1 x P3, P2 x P3, P2 x P6, P3 x P7 for maximum fruit length P2 x P6, P4 x P6, P4 x P7 for fruit diameter as well as for increasing 100-seed weight the cross combinations were P2 x P3, P4 x P6. Based on all the characters and heterotic performance, the crosses combinations viz., P1 x P3, P2 x P6, P3 x P7 and P6 x P7 can be selected to exploit improved hybrid lines.
 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 47(1): 1-12, March 2022

Combining Ability of Quantitative Traits in Snake Gourd (Trichosanthes Cucumerina Var. Anguina)

The present study was carried out on snake gourd having seven diverse genotypes (TC 01, TC 05, TC 24, TC 33, TC 02, TC 46 and TC 53) used as parental lines and their 21 crosses generated from 7 × 7 half-diallel fashion at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU) during March to June 2019 following RCBD with three replications. The aim of the study was to determine general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) for fruit yield and its related traits including fruit quality traits. General prediction ratio (GPR) of these 14 traits was greater than 0.5 (50%), indicating predominance of additive gene effects over non-additive gene effects. The estimates of GCA for 19 quantitative traits revealed that the genotypes P2 and P6 were good general combiners for promoting earliness as well as most other important characters viz., number of fruits/ plant, individual fruit weight and fruit yield/ plant/ hectare; P2 and P6 were also good for fruit length and fruit diameter, respectively whereas, P4 was good for main vine length and number of nodes on main vine while, P3 was superior for long fruit and 100-seed weight whereas, P5 was good for number of seeds/ fruit and P1 good for less fruit fly infestation including individual fruit weight and fruit length. The most promising specific combiners for fruit yield, quality and yield components were from the 13 crosses viz., P1 × P2, P1 × P3, P1 × P4, P1 × P7, P2 × P3, P2 × P5, P2 × P6, P2 × P7, P3 × P7, P4 × P5, P4 × P6, P4 × P7 and P5 × P7. Out of 13 crosses only two crosses namely, P1 × P2 and P2 × P6 had both the good general combiner parents (high × high). These two crosses were therefore, amenable for improvement of the respective traits through pedigree selection. Remaining 11 crosses displaying high SCA effects for different traits were observed to be derived from parents having various types of GCA effects (high × medium, high × low, medium × low and low × low). The results of 13 crosses therefore, indicate the operation of additive × additive, additive × dominant and/ or dominant × dominant gene interactions for the genetic control of expression of the relative traits.
 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 46(4): 491-510, December 2021

Yield and Nutrient Uptake of T. Aman Rice as Influenced by Fertilizer Management and Preceding Crop Combinations in Vegetable-Vegetable-Rice Cropping Sequence

In recent years awareness of fertility status of soil and the nutrients requirement for crops according to cropping arrangement has increased. In this context, the study was carried out over 2 years (2018 and 2019) at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU) research farm to assess the influence of fertilizer management and preceding crop combinations on yield and yield contributing attributes of subsequent T. Aman rice; to determine the amount of nutrient concentration and taken up by the subsequent T. Aman rice regarding the preceding crops combinations and fertilizer treatments in vegetable–vegetable–rice cropping sequence. Treatments consisted of three prior crop combinations, i.e., before planting T. Aman rice (Potato-Stem Amaranth, Garlic-Stem Amaranth and Cauliflower-Stem Amaranth) including for each, four replications of two fertilizer treatments: commercial organic fertilizer (N based organic compost) and inorganic fertilizer (Soil test based inorganic fertilizer without cow dung). The subsequent T. Aman rice (BRRI dhan75) yields and yield contributing characters were not significantly affected by the interaction effect of preceding crop combinations and fertilizer application. Furthermore, fertilizer treatments had no significant effect on yields and yield components of T. Aman rice (BRRI dhan75) excluding plant height. Preceding crop combination had significant effect on grain panicle-1 of T. Aman rice (BRRI dhan75). At the end of two years, results clearly indicated that yield contributing parameters of BRRI dhan75 performed better under both preceding crop combinations as P2 (Garlic-Stem Amaranth) and P3 (Cauliflower-Stem Amaranth) with F2 (soil test based inorganic fertilizer management). Whereas yield was found greater under both preceding crop combination, P1 (Potato - Stem Amaranth) with F1 (N based organic compost alone) and P2 (Garlic-Stem Amaranth) using F2 (soil test based inorganic fertilizer). The interaction of preceding crop combination and fertilizer application demonstrated significant effect on nutrient concentration (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) in grain and straw of T. Aman. The application of inorganic fertilizer using the soil test-based method significantly increased N uptake by grain under both preceding crop combination as P2 (Garlic-Stem Amaranth) and P3 (Cauliflower-Stem Amaranth) compared with a sole application of N based organic compost. Yet, it is too quick to create a decisive remark based on only these very few numbers of preceding crops combinations and fertilizer treatments in vegetable-vegetable-rice cropping sequence. Therefore, a detailed study with a huge number of organic and inorganic fertilizer treatments applied under large number of vegetable-vegetable-rice cropping sequence is obviously needed to reach a precise conclusion.

Determination of Optimum Rate of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium and Boron for Leaf and Seed Yield of Lettuce

The experiment was conducted at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur, during October 2012 to May 2013 to determine the optimum rate of nutrients for sustainable lettuce production. Nineteen treatment combinations were considered with five levels of each elements such as nitrogen viz. 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1; phosphorus viz. 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 kg ha-1; potassium viz. 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha- 1; boron viz. 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 kg ha-1. Results revealed that treatment T3 (N100P50K100B1.0) showed the maximum leaf and seed yield of lettuce. Fertilizer doses under T3 also showed the highest gross margin Tk. 305825 and Tk. 2816675 ha-1 and BCR 7.50 and 70.0 for leaf and seed yield, respectively. But, from regression analysis optimum doses of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and boron for maximum leaf yield (23.11 ton ha-1) and seed yield (571.5 kg ha-1) were N143P74K95B1.26 and N136.4P67.8K118.0B1.0, respectively that could be recommended as the best combination of nutrients for achieving higher leaf and seed yield of lettuce.
 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 45(4): 455-471, December 2020

Occurrence and Diversity of Insect Pests Attacking BU Mung Bean4

The study was conducted during March to June 2021 in the field and laboratory of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur to know the prevalence of the insect pests and their status on mung bean variety BU Mung- 4. In total 12 species of insects were found as pest, of which 4 species were hemipteran, 3 species were lepidopteran, 2 species were coleopteran, 2 species were dipteran, and one species was thysanopteran. Pod borer (84.4%), flea beetles (66.6%), thrips (48.8%), jassid (37.7%) and whitefly (25.2%) were found as major pests. Leaf miner, aphid, epilachna beetle, green stink bug, hairy caterpillar and stem fly were categorized as minor pests having 13.3%, 8.8%, 17.7%, 2.2%, 15.5%, 11.1% infestation, respectively. The pest insects were most abundant in middle April (94.9±6.1) when the plants were at seedling to pre-flowering. Both the richness and diversity of the insect pests were the maximum during early May (1.2±0.1 and 1.7±0.1, respectively). The abundance did not show any change in relation to temperature and relative humidity but influenced only by the growing stages of the crop.Ann. Bangladesh Agric. (2021) 25 (2) : 77-85

Effect of Direction and Distance of Moringa oleifera on Growth and Yield of Cabbage (Brassica oleracea)

A field experiment was conducted at the moringa-based experimental farm of the Department of Agroforestry and Environment, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur from November 2020 to September 2021. The aim of the study was to assess how well cabbage performed and adapted to various orientations and distances from the moringa tree. The experiment was carried out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Four different directions along with one control plot were used as factor A and different distances from tree base was treated as factor B. The data of some ecophysiological parameters like maximum light intensity and soil temperature were noticed in south direction and the widest distance from tree base. The highest soil moisture was found at north direction. Most of the growth parameters showed better performance in open field compared to shade condition. In the case of interaction effect, the south direction and the widest distance (180 cm) from moringa tree base showed the highest number of outer leaves, head length, width, head diameter, head length, and head weight compared to other directions and distances. Concurrently, the maximum total yield and marketable yield were recorded from 180 cm in south direction whereas the lowest yield was found at the closest distance (80 cm) and east direction. The marketable yield of south, west, north, and east directions were reduced by 8.43, 14.87, 23.86 and 31.52% as compared to open field. At 130 cm and 80 cm distance the yield was reduced by 16.42 and 32.26% as compared to 180 cm distance from tree base. The current findings suggested that cabbage may be grown in partial shade in moringa-based agroforestry production systems without enduring significant yield losses.

Effect of Organic Manures and Mineral Fertilizers on Soil Properties and Yield of Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Aims: Under the intensive agriculture system, it is crucial to maintain the soil fertility for the sustainability of crop production. Therefore, the study was conducted in the experimental field of the Department of Soil Science of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur to investigate the effect of different manures in combination with synthetic inorganic fertilizers on growth, yield and yield contributing characters of BARI Mistimorich 1 (Capsicum annuum L.), a variety of sweet pepper. Nutrient content of capsicum and soil fertility status were also assessed.
 Materials and Methods: The field trial was established following a randomized complete block design (RCBD) having four replicates. Treatments of the field trial included T1= 100% recommended dose of chemical fertilizers (RDCF), T2= 10t/ha cowdung (CD) + IPNS based chemical fertilizers (CF), T3=10t/ha poultry manure (PM) + IPNS based chemical fertilizers (CF) and T4= 10t/ha vermicompost (VC) + IPNS based chemical fertilizers (CF).
 Results: Experimental results reveal that application of organic manures in combination with chemical fertilizers produced significantly higher plant height, plant weight, number of branches per plant, number of flowers per plant, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter, total yield and nutrient content and uptake in sweet pepper. Organic manures (CD, PM and VC) in combination with chemical fertilizers ensured higher nutrient uptake when compared with the sole application of inorganic fertilizers. Among the treatments, vermicompost treated plots gave the higher yield of sweet pepper and improved the post-harvest soil nutrient status.
 Conclusion: Vermicompost was found to be suitable as substitute of other organic manures for the production of capsicum.

Efficacy of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Growth, Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Cauliflower in Acidic Soil of Bangladesh

Soil acidity is considered as one of the limiting factors in agricultural production because it affects plant growth and development by reducing the availability of essential nutrients. Therefore, a field trial was carried out at the experimental field of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur, Bangladesh from September 2021 to January 2022 to evaluate the effect of various organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth, yield, and nutritional quality of cauliflower. The experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design with seven treatments viz. Control, Recommended dose of chemical fertilizers (RDF), Poultry Manure (PM) (3 t ha-1) + RDF, Vermicompost (VC) (3 t ha-1) + RDF, Cowdung (CD) (5 t ha-1) + RDF, Rice Husk Biochar (1 t ha-1) + RDF and Household waste compost (3t ha-1) + RDF with three replications. Among different treatments, the highest value for plant height (49.25 cm), number of leaves plant-1 (21.50), curd circumference (39.87cm), curd diameter (18.07 cm), marketable curd weight (777.57g plant-1), marketable curd yield (32.41 t ha-1), N, K, S content (1.92%, 1.87% and 0.33 % respectively) and K and S uptake ( 79.57 kg ha-1 and 13.92 kg ha-1) were recorded from the Household waste compost (3t ha-1) + RDF whose effect was statistically similar to the treatment Poultry Manure (PM) (3 t ha-1) + RDF. The maximum value for curd height (11.10 cm), N uptake (81.81 kg ha-1) and P content and uptake (0.32% and 13.97 kg ha-1 respectively) were recorded from poultry manure along with RDF. Whereas, the minimum value for all growth parameters, yield attributes, nutrient content and uptake were observed from unfertilized control. Therefore, integrated application of organic manures with synthetic chemical fertilizers can be practiced for attaining higher yield and better-quality curds compare to the sole application of inorganic fertilizers in acid soils of Bangladesh.

Performance of Radish in Aonla based Multistoried Agroforestry System

An experiment was conducted in a 19-years old aonla orchard from October 2019 to January 2020 at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU) research farm to determine the performance of different radish varieties in aonla based multistoried agroforestry systems. The study consisted of two factors viz. four agroforestry systems (aonla + carambola, aonla + lemon, aonla only, and open field) and four radish varieties (BU mula-1, BARI Mula-1, BARI Mula-2 and Rocky 45) laid out in a two factorial randomized complete block design with three replications. Findings exhibited that light availability in the open field was 727.02 µmol m-2s-1 which was significantly higher over the aonla based multistoried agroforestry systems. Light received by the aonla + lemon, aonla, and aonla + carambola systems were 74.13, 65.57, and 52.77% of the open field, respectively. The highest (276.47 g) leaf fresh weight produced by Rocky 45 was noticed in aonla + carambola system and the lowest leaf weight produced by BU mula-1 was found in an open field. The highest root fresh weight (592 g) was produced by Rocky 45 in the open field, and the lowest root fresh weight (102.60 g) was produced by BU mula-1 in aonla + carambola based system. The highest root yield (39.47 t/ha) of Rocky 45 was produced in an open field and a higher leaf yield (18.43 t/ha) was reported in BU mula-1 among four radish varieties. Among four radish varieties, Rocky 45 performed better yield in open field conditions and aonla based agroforestry system.

DIVERSITY AND FUNCTIONS OF ANTS (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE) IN BANGABANDHU SHEIKH MUJIBUR RAHMAN AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY CAMPUS OF BANGLADESH

Ants play a crucial role as ecosystem engineers and natural enemies of insect pests in different forests and agroecosystems. Bangladesh’s varied agroecosystem harbors a diverse ant community, it can be utilized to track recent changes to the agricultural environment. However, it’s utilization is deemed due to insufficient taxonomic checklist of ant fauna and their diversity pattern in various ecosystems in Bangladesh. This research aimed to measure the taxonomic and functional diversity of ants in an agroecosystem. Sampling was done by time-unit sampling (TUS) during March- April 2021 in different cropland habitats in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU) campus. A total of 172 individuals of 20 genera under 5 subfamilies were identified, of which Myrmicinae was the richest subfamily with 9 genera, while Camponotus is the most dominant genus in the ecosystem. Four habitats from BSMRAU campus significantly contributed on ant species richness and diversity matrix as revealed through Principal component analysis (PCA). The functional diversity of identified ant genera was explained using the results retrieved from Shannon Diversity Index, Species Evenness index and Effective number of species (ENS). The Shannon-Wiener diversity index of Field pathway (2.5202) is highest, followed by Entomology field (2.38086), agroforestry field (1.37315) and lowest in rice field (0.16794). Field pathway had the highest value due to comprising several types of vegetation alongside and non-ploughed soil. Rice field has only rice crops that were grown in a wetland; hence, water causes the lowest value. The evenness index (>0.75) implies the probability of stable communities in all the tested habitats except in rice field (0.242), which indicates a depressed community structure and is strengthened by the ENS value as 12.4, 10.8, 3.9, and 1.18 in the field pathway, in entomology field, agroforestry field, and rice field, respectively. The findings generated a comprehensive ant checklist and diversity indices with indicator species to measure the land type transformation and restoration in the agroecosystem of Bangladesh for future research.

Growth and Yield of Cowpea as Influenced by Different Phosphorus Levels

The experiment was carried out at the research field of the Department of Agronomy of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur during December 2016 to April 2017 to investigate the effect of different phosphorus levels (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg P ha-1) on the growth and yield of four selected cowpea genotypes (BARI Felon-1, A-06008, VI046192 and VI034386). The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized complete block design with three replications. The results indicated that, among the genotype, BARI Felon-1 required minimum days to 1st (96 DAS) and 50% flowering (108 DAS) showing the highest absolute growth rate (0.71 g day-1), crop growth rate (23.69 g m-2 day-1), relative growth rate (0.047 g g-1 day-1), net assimilation rate (1.40 g m-2 day-1), leaf area index (6.68), SPAD value (51.03), seed length (0.71 cm) and breadth (0.54 cm). But the genotype, A-06008 gave the highest grain yield (0.62 t ha-1). Application of phosphorus at 90 kg ha-1 showed the highest leaf area index (6.67), SPAD value (50.98), pod length (14.33 cm), seed length (0.70 cm), seed breadth (0.50 cm) and grain yield (0.34 t ha-1). In terms of growth and yield, the cowpea genotype A-06008 showed the best performance at the phosphorus level of 90 kg ha-1. Bangladesh Agron. J. 2021, 24(1): 25-36

Gerbera Genotypes as Performed Under Different Soil Amendments

Cultivation of gerbera is a promising practice among the flower growers. Proper soil preparation can substantially improve their productivity. Finding the appropriate gerbera genotype performing better in a suitable soil combination is a potential field of study. On this aspect, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth and performance of Gerbera genotypes with soil amendments during the period from November 2014 to July 2015 at the field research site of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur-1706, Bangladesh. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. There were five treatments viz. T0 (control), T1 (Cowdung), T2 (Mustard oil cake), T3 (Urea+ TSP+ MOP), T4 (Organic+ Inorganic) along with five genotypes (G1 = White double, G2 = Yellow double, G3 = Light orange single, G4 = Light pink spider G5= Deep red double). Significant variation among the genotypes and treatment were observed either in single or in combination. Genotype G3 produced the maximum leaf number, flower number (32.4), whereas genotype G5 had the maximum diameter of flower stalk and produced larger flower as well (9.2cm). However, genotype G1 showed the maximum vase life (9.47days). These all were happened when organic and inorganic fertilizers (T4) applied combined. Among all, G3 produced the maximum leaf and flowers numbers which was dwarf at the same time and in case of interaction effect, G3T4 was observed to produce maximum number of leaves and flowers.
 

Short-term effect of rice straw application on soil fertility and rice yield

The study was conducted at the experimental field of the Department of Soil Science of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur, Bangladesh during July to November 2015 in transplanted aman (T. aman) season to evaluate the influence of rice straw application on growth and yield of rice (BINA dhan7) and soil fertility. The experimentation was established following a randomized complete block design (RCBD) using 3 treatments (T1= Inorganic fertilizer dose as per STB, T2= rice straw + inorganic fertilizer as IPNS basis and T3= Farmer’s practice). Results of the experiment showed that application of rice straw along with inorganic fertilizers as IPNS basis did not produce any significant (p<0.05) variation in yield and yield regulating parameters of T. aman rice but ensured higher filled grains panicle-1 (96.68), 1000- grain weight (23.23g), straw (6.97 t/ha) and grain yield (6.32 t/ha) as compared to other treatments. Short term addition of rice straw in soil did not create any significant influence on post harvest soil nutrient status except K which was found high. Significantly highest N contents in grain and straw were observed in straw added plots, which further contributed to higher nutrient uptake by grain and straw.