Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute Research Articles

Economic assessment of maize (Zea mays L.) – Spinach (Basella alba L.) intercropping system for improving the livelihood of smallholders’ in South-Asia

Economic assessment of maize (Zea mays L.) – Spinach (Basella alba L.) intercropping system for improving the livelihood of smallholders’ in South-Asia

A Study on Morpho-Nutritional Variability Among Lablab Bean Genotypes

To evaluate the morphological and nutritional variability among six lablab bean (Lablab purpureusL.) genotypes, a study was carried out at Sylhet Agricultural University, Bangladesh and at Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) during mid-July 2014 to mid-March 2015. Significant morphological variations were noted in both seedling and vegetative stages in their growth. In addition, there were three distinct flower and flower wings color viz. white in SB003; violet in SB010, Rupvan, Auto, and Kanchan; and light violet in SB011 were noted among the genotypes. Further, 8 or 9 layers of flower wings were observed among the genotypes and the inflorescence length varied from 46.40 cm (SB011) to 42.40 cm (SB010). Considering the pod characteristics, pod length and breadth varied from 14.13 cm (SB011) to 8.13 cm(SB010), and 2.68 cm (Auto) to 2.43 cm (SB010), respectively. Significant variations were also noted for pod yield characteristics. The genotype of Kanchan had the highest number of pod/plant (202.7), whereas Auto had the highest pod yield (23.05 t/ha) followed by Kanchan (19.26 t/ha).The study also revealed that pod yield (t/ha) was positively correlated with the number of pods/plant (0.71), pod weight/plant (1.00), individual pod weight (0.65) and pod yield/decimal (1.00) among the genotypes. Furthermore, significant variations were also noted for the nutrient compositions among the genotypes. The analytical experiment shows that Auto had the highest proportion of Cu (15.28 ppm), Fe (122.22 ppm), Mn (40.74 ppm), B (60.60 ppm), S (0.158 %) and Ca (1.67%). In contrast, the genotype of SB003 had the highest amount of Zn (61.86 ppm) and SB011 had Mg (785 %) content. Therefore, the genotypes of Auto and Kanchan would be recommended for cultivation in the Sylhet region of Bangladesh.

Diversity of Potato Varieties in Bangladesh

A study based on completely randomized design with three replications was carried out at Tuber Crops Research Centre (TCRC), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur with a view to evaluating and classifying agro-morphological traits in 12 potato varieties to enumerating the genetic diversity. Discriminant function analysis (DFA) was done to determine the set of discriminatory functions contributed to separating 12 potato varieties into four distinct clusters. Discriminant function analysis showed that, function 1 explained 78.21% and function 2 explained 21.79% of total variance. The first function was more related to leaf area (having coefficient value of 0.661) and second function was more related to minituber per plant and plant height (having coefficient value of 0.644 and 0.523, respectively). Among 4 clusters, cluster II showed the highest distance (29.79) with cluster III followed by the distance between clusters III and IV (24.70) so the varieties in these clusters were genetically diverse. Based on mean value of the six quantitative characters for each of the four clusters and the inter cluster distance the cluster III and IV might be selected for future breeding program as a better parent to get positive heterosis. Cluster III contained six varieties BARI Alu 29, BARI Alu 35, BARI Alu 36, BARI Alu 37, BARI Alu 7 (Diamant), BARI Alu 8 (Cardinal) and which were characterized by lowest plant height and average values for other characters. Cluster IV contained three potato varieties BARI Alu 41, BARI Alu 46 and BARI Alu 53 which was characterized by highest plant height and second highest leaf area.

The first GM crop in Bangladesh – Bt Eggplant

Eggplant (Solanum melongena) commonly called Brinjal is the most popular vegetable in Bangladesh. It is extensively cultivated around homesteads and in commercial fields throughout the year. It is estimated that nearly 67 percent of the eggplant crop yield in Bangladesh is lost due to the damage caused by Leucinodes orbonalis also known as eggplant fruit and shoot borer (EFSB). EFSB is reportedly the most serious pest of eggplant. To overcome this EFSB problem Bt eggplant project has been initiated in 2004. The Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project II (ABSPII) is a USAID-supported project that has funded the development of Bt eggplant in Bangladesh under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) received the Event EE-1 eggplant in Mahyco and backcrossed into nine popular eggplant varieties of Bangladesh selected based on the regional consumer preference. The efficacy of cry1Ac gene in providing effective resistance to the target pest was also assessed in terms of productively (fruit yield increase) which was studied in 9 Bt eggplant lines for a period of 7 years from 2008 to 2015. To launch the best 4 varieties, BARI applied to the National Technical Committee on Crop Biotechnology (NTCCB). For release of GM crop variety, first of all follow the recommendation of NTCCB, then submitted to the National Technical Committee on Crop Biotechnology (NTCCB) Core Committee and then to the National Committee on Biosafety (NCB). The Bangladesh government approved four varieties namely, BARI Bt Begun-1 (Uttara), BARI Bt Begun-2 (Kazla), BARI Bt Begun-3 (Nayantara) and BARI Bt Begun-4 (BARI Begun-6 or ISD006) on 30 October 2013 and these got momentum countrywide. On 22 January 2014, Bt seedlings were distributed among 20 farmers in four districts of Bangladesh as the first genetically modified (GM) crops. After the government of Bangladesh approved the cultivation of Bt eggplant in 2013, its popularity is increasing day by day and the socio-economic condition of the farmers is also improving. Bt eggplant started its journey in 2014 with only 20 farmers, in seven years it has grown to about 27012 farmers and from 8 acres to about 5,000 acres. This advancement of Bt eggplant has also faced opposition from different quarters at different times. Today, the progress of Bt eggplant continues by overcoming all obstacles. Field days, trainings, various publications, documentary making, use of mass and social media, observations, workshops, stewardship activities are acting as important regulators of this progress.

Farmers’ Preference, Yield, and GGE-Biplot Analysis-Based Evaluation of Four Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) Varieties Grown in Multiple Environments

The study aimed to select high-yielding, farmers-preferred quality sweet potato varieties that are suitable to grow in various environmental conditions in Bangladesh. In this context, four popular sweet potato varieties (viz., ‘BARI Mistialu-8′, ‘BARI Mistialu-12′, ‘BARI Mistialu-14′, and ‘BARI Mistialu-15′) were used in the study. These varieties were released by Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI). In the first season (2018–2019), these varieties were evaluated at nine locations, and in the second season (2019–2020), the same varieties were tested further, but only in three locations. The trial was set up in a randomized complete block design and repeated three times. After two years of observation, it was found that the fresh root yield was varied significantly due to the environment (E), genotypes (G), and their (G × E) interaction (p ≤ 0.01) by using genotype and genotype x environment (GGE) biplot analysis. The E and G × E interaction effects were found to the greater than the genotypes effect solely. In the first year, three varieties, namely ‘BARI Mistialu-8′, ‘BARI Mistialu-12′ and ‘BARI Mistialu-14′, were identified as balanced and comparatively higher in yield in nine locations. These three varieties also showed a similar trend with respect to root yield in tested three locations in the second year. Among the four varieties, ‘BARI Mistialu-12′ was found to be the highest root yielder, followed by ‘BARI Mistialu-8′ and ‘BARI Mistialu-14′. Across the locations, these varieties showed 57.89%, 61.50% and 44.30% higher yield than the local check cultivar. Therefore, these three varieties may be recommended as the best varieties of sweet potato throughout the country.

Optimum Sowing Window and Yield Forecasting for Maize in Northern and Western Bangladesh Using CERES Maize Model

Determination of the optimum sowing window not only can improve maize yield significantly but also can fit maize in the existing cropping pattern. To get the advantages of sowing maize at the optimum time, a study was designed and carried out at the research field of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Rangpur, Bangladesh during 2015–2017. Another aim of the study was to forecast the yield of maize for the northern and western regions of Bangladesh using the CERES-Maize model. The study considered 5 November, 20 November, 5 December, 20 December, and 5 January as sowing dates for maize to identify the optimum sowing window. Three hybrid maize varieties, viz., BARI Hybrid Maize-9 (BHM-9), NK-40, and Pioneer30V92 were used. The study was laid out in a split-plot design, assigning the sowing dates in the main plot and the varieties in the sub-plot. To forecast the yield, the daily weather data of 2017 were subjected to run the model along with thirty years (1986–2015) of weather data. The genetic coefficients of the tested maize varieties were obtained through calibration of the model by using the observed field data of 2015–2016 and through validation by using the data of 2016–2017. The seasonal analysis was done using the DSSAT CERES-Maize model to confirm the experimental findings for optimizing the sowing window for maize at the northern region (Rangpur) of the country and subsequently adjusted the model for the western region (Jashore). The model performances were satisfactory for crop phenology, biomass, and grain yield. The NRMSE for anthesis was 0.66% to 1.39%, 0.67% to 0.89% for maturity date, 1.78% to 3.89% for grain yield, and 1.73% to 3.17% for biomass yield. The optimum sowing window for maize at the Rangpur region was 5 November to 5 December and 5 to 20 November for the Jashore region. The CERES-Maize model was promising for yield forecasting of the tested maize varieties. It gave a realistic yield forecast at approximately 45 days prior to the harvest of all the tested varieties. The study results are expected to be useful for both the farmers and the policy planners to meet up the future maize demands.

Yield and Physiological Indices of Lentil Genotypes Against Drought Stress

Four lentil genotypes/varieties BLX-010014-9, ILI-5143, BARI Mosur-3 and BARI Mosur-2 were given irrigation regimes (with and without irrigation) to evaluate the physiological indices of genotypes against drought stress. The experiment was conducted during rabi (winter) season of 2017-18 under pot culture at the Plant Physiology Division of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI). The experimental design was randomized completed block (RCBD) with six replications. Irrespective of genotypes/varieties, physiological parameters as well as seed yield were greatly affected due to irrigation regimes. Based on physiological parameters like accumulation of chlorophyll, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidantthe genotype BLX-010014-9 was found to be drought tolerant due to its higher and lower values of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant indices (greater CAT, POD, APX and lower MDA) across the irrigation levels treatment. This genotype may be further explored to characterize its genes and mechanisms against drought stress for increased lentil production and way to developing the drought tolerant variety/varieties.
 Bangladesh Agron. J. 2020, 23(2): 97-102

Sowing Time and Management Effects on Phenology, Growth and Yield of Garden Pea

The experiment was conducted at the research field of the Agronomy Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur and Regional Agricultural Research Stations (RARS), Burirhat during two successive rabi seasons of 2015 and 17 to find out the relation between different development events of garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) and the sowing time based temperature, and also to minimize the yield reduction by adopting appropriate management practices. The treatments comprised with three sowing dates (30 November, 15 December and 30 December) and three management practices (low, medium and high). Under high management, Nov. 30 sowing took maximum days (64 days in 2015-16 and 58 days in 2016-17 at Joydebpur and 58 days in 2015-16 and 57 days in 2016-17 at RARS, Burirhat) to reach harvesting maturity. The results indicated that the number of days required for attaining different phenological stages decreased with delay of sowing. Late sowing took minimum time from flowering to fresh pod maturity (51 days and 49 days in two years at Joydebpur, and 49 days and 46 days in two years at Burirhat) due to increase in minimum temperature. The results revealed that the highest pod yield (14.77 t ha-1in 2015-16 and 13.09 t ha-1in 2016-17 at Joydebpur and 9.63 tha-1 in 2015-16 and 10.33 t ha-1in 2016-17 at Burirhat) was recorded from 30 November sowing with high management practices which was followed by 15 December with the same management. Yield reduction in late sowing was reduced to some extent by high management practices. The two year results revealed that 30 November sowing with high management practices (extra 20% recommended fertilizer dose, HRC + two irrigation at pre flowering and pod development stage + seed treatment + one weeding at 21 DAE) showed better pod yield than other combinations.
 Bangladesh Agron. J. 2020, 23(2): 13-22

Production Potential and Weed Dynamics in Maize + Legumes Intercropping System

The experiment was carried out at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur during summer season of 2012 to identify suitable legume crops for growing with maize in a maize + legume intercropping system for better weed suppression, system productivity and economic benefits in kharif season. There were 17 treatments, viz.T1= Sole maize (no weeding), T2= Maize + Mungbean (no weeding), T3= Maize + Mungbean (weeding at 20 DAE), T4= Maize + Mungbean (weeding at 40 DAE), T5= Maize + Mungbean (weeding at 20 and 40 DAE), T6= Maize + Soybean (no weeding), T7= Maize + Soybean (weeding at 20 DAE), T8= Maize + Soybean (weeding at 40 DAE), T9= Maize + Soybean (weeding at 20 and 40 DAE), T10= Maize + Blackgram (no weeding), T11= Maize + Blackgram (weeding at 20 DAE), T12= Maize + Blackgram (weeding at 40 DAE), T13= Maize + Blackgram (weeding at 20 and 40 DAE) T14 =Sole maize (weed free), T15= Sole Mungbean (weed free), T16= Sole Soybean (weed free) and T17= Sole Blackgram (weed free) were studied. Intercropping systems significantly reduced the weed population and weed dry biomass in comparison to sole cropping of maize under unweeded situation. Among the three different intercropping systems, maize + mungbean with two hand weedings produced the lowest weed dry weight (184.30 g at 20 DAE and 14.07 g at 40 DAE) and the highest weed control efficiency (87% at 40 DAE) followed by maize + soybean and maize + blackgram intercropping systems. The highest grain yield was obtained from weed free sole maize (8.05 t ha-1) than unweeded sole maize (6.48 t ha-1) treatment. Among all intercropping, maize + mungbean along with two hand weedings gave the highest yield (maize: 7.18 t ha-1; 572.6 kg ha-1 mungbean), resource complementarity and profitability (MEY = 10.62 t ha-1, LER = 1.81 and BCR = 2.47). From the study it was concluded that maize + mungbean with two hand weedings at 20 and 40 DAE would be the best in reducing weed growth, producing maximum yield and getting net return in intercropping systems during kharif season.
 Bangladesh Agron. J. 2020, 23(2): 1-12

Integrated Nutrient Management on the Yield and Profitability of Cauliflower

Field experiments were conducted at Multi Location Testing (MLT) sites of Chandina and Debidwer of Cumilla district, and Kasba of Brahmanbaria district under on-farm research division (OFRD), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Cumilla during 2016-18 to find out the appropriate dose of fertilizer for the maximum productivity of hybrid cauliflower varieties. Five integrated nutrient management packages such as T1= Recommended fertilizer dose for high yield goal (HYG), viz. 40-20-38-7-0-0 NPKSZnB Kg ha-1, T2= T1 + 1.5 t ha-1 vermicompost, T3 = T1 + 5 t ha-1 cowdung, T4= STB (107-61-107-30-3.0-1.0 NPKSZnB Kg ha-1 and T5= Farmers practices (114-74-123.5-0-0 NPKSZnB Kg ha-1) were used in the trial. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block (RCB) design with six dispersed replications. The result revealed that the highest curd breadth (21.68 cm), individual curd weight (1.86 Kg) and curd yield (44.14 t ha-1) was obtained from T2 treatment followed by T3 and T4 treatments. The lowest yield was found from farmers practice. Similarly the highest gross return (Tk. 626669.00 ha-1) and gross margin (Tk. 493869.00 ha-1) were also found from T2 treatment and the lowest (Tk. 457734.00 ha-1 and 438066.00 ha-1) respectively from farmer's practice T5.
 Bangladesh Agron. J. 2020, 23(2): 45-49

Selection of Suitable Potato Genotypes for Late-Sown Heat Stress Conditions Based on Field Performance and Stress Tolerance Indices

International Potato Center (CIP), -bred potato genotypes produce various yields under heat stress conditions due to being sown late. To explore options for achieving this, a replicated experiment was conducted at the field of Tuber Crops Research Sub-Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Bogura, Bangladesh to evaluate the performance of fourteen CIP-bred potato genotypes with two controls (Asterix and Granola). The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with three replications. Several indices were applied to find out the suitable genotypes under heat stress. The plant height increased by 34.61% under heat stress, which was common in all the potato genotypes. Similarly, other yield-participating characters like stem per hill, canopy coverage (%), plant vigor, and tuber number per plant were also increased under heat stress conditions. However, the tuber yield was decreased by 6.30% and 11.41%, respectively when harvested at 70 and 90 days after plantation. Moreover, “CIP-203” yielded the highest (40.66 t ha−1) in non-stressed whereas, “CIP-118” yielded the highest (32.89 t/ha) in stressed conditions. Likewise, the bred “CIP-218” and “CIP-118” performed better under both growing conditions and yielded >35.00 t ha−1. According to a rank-sum test, among the fourteen potato genotypes, “CIP-218”, “LB-7”, “CIP-118”, “CIP-232”, and “CIP-112” were selected as heat-tolerant potatoes and can grow in both growing conditions with higher yield potential.

Evaluation of Different Chaba (Piper chaba) Germplasm for Growth and Yield Performances

Genetic diversity is the base for survival of plants in nature and for crop improvement. Diversity in plant genetic resources provides opportunity for plant breeders to develop new and improved cultivars with desirable characteristics. Therefore, an experiment was employed to determine the genetic variability and evaluate the growth performing parameters of different Chaba germplasm at the research field of Regional Spices Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Magura during kharif 1 season in 2018-19 following completely randomized design with three replications. Six germplasm namely PCmag-001, PCmag-002, PCmag-003, PCmag-004, PCmag-005 and PCmag-006 were collected from khulna region of Bangladesh and transplanted adjunct to different tree species mainly mango. Among the six germplasm heighest plant height (450 cm), number of branch (35), number of leaves (350), internodes length (16 cm) and vine diameter (2.5 cm) after one year of planting was recorded from PCmag-001 germplasm followed by PCmag-002 while the lowest plant height (450 cm), number of branch (35), number of leaves (350), internodes length (16 cm) and vine diameter (2.5 cm) were found from the germplasm PCmag-005. Through the observation of one year field trail in terms of growing characteristics the germplasm PCmag-001 and PCmag-002 can be chosen for future breeding material to release a commercial variety in southern part of Bangladesh.

Mulch Effect on Growth and Yield of Vine Vegetables

An experiment was undertaken to identify the suitable mulch paper for different high value vegetables during the winter season of November 2019 to March 2020 at the research farm of Olericulture Division, Horticulture Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh. The experiment was randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Three vegetables varieties viz., netted melon, watermelon, cucumber and 3 mulch treatments viz., T1=Silver over black mulch; T2= Black mulch; T3= No mulch were included in this study. Different vegetables responded differently with the changes of mulches irrespective of different characters. Considering relationship between the soil moisture content and fruit number it was clear that fruit number, average fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter was strongly related with soil moisture content. The effect of different plastic mulches on fruit weight per plant and yield (t/ha) were significant. Mulching produced higher fruit yield per plant and fruit yield per hectare than for the control, indicating that the mulch had positive effect in generating increased fruit yield. Silver over black plastic mulch produced the highest fruit yield viz., 24.22 t/ha (cucumber), 26.37 t/ha (netted melon), 43.59 t/ha (watermelon) followed by black and no mulches. Obviously, control plot produced the lowest fruit yield.

Estimation of Magnitude of Heterosis and Heritability in Sunflower in 8X8 Half Diallel Population

Selected eight inbreed line were used in crossing as half diallel fashion to find out different genetic parameter as well as targeting superior combination for hybrid vigour. Sunflower first introduce in Bangladesh 1980 by Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute and Mennonite Central Committee. BARI Sunflower-1(Kironi) and BARI Sunflower-2 is only two released variety. But major obstacles for sunflower cultivation are both varieties are more than 1.50m height and require > 100 days for maturity. As this country is facing climate change unfavorable weather, sunflower cannot withstand in stormy weather. Specially at the time of prematurity stormy weather causes lodging due to over height, it is essential to develop dwarf stature plant. Due to strong crop competition in winter it cannot fit in major cropping pattern T-Aman-Mustard-Boro due to it long duration. Bangladesh has accessible land of 0.85 million hectares in saline areas (Banik et al., 2011). These lands can be used for sunflower cultivation as it is moderately saline tolerant (Rahman et. al. 2018). On the other hand in different part of Bangladesh (e.g. Cumilla, Manikgonj, Sherpur, Jamalpur, Netrokina, Tangail, Dinajpur, etc.), a huge amount of lands are kept fellow after T. Aman harvest. These current fellow lands can be easily used by sunflower cultivation if short duration varieties are available. Both plant height and days to maturity were considered as favorable for negative heterosis to obtain dwarf plant stature and short duration plant to fit in existing cropping pattern in Bangladesh. Positive heterosis is considered desirable for other yield contributing traits. The hybrid HE15, HE17 and HE16 showed significant negative heterosis both for mid parent and better parent. Negative heterosis for plant height is desirable to adopt hybrid in unfavorable weather condition. The Hybrid HE15 showed both for significant negative mid parent and better parent heterosis. High heritability along with significant mid parent and better parent heterosis indicate scope of utilization of hybrid as commercial and further use in breeding programmes. Several outstanding cross combinations, HE17, HE16, HE14, HE15, and HE18 showed significant and desirable heterosis for seed yield per plant over mid parent and better parent. The hybrid combinations HE17, HE16 and HE14 could be utilized to exploit the heterosis as well as commercial multiplication of seed to get direct benefit by the farmers.

Analyses of Ecological Footprint at Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) Residential Area

Ecological Footprint (EF) assessment helps to identify what activities are having the biggest impact on nature and opens up possibilities to reduce our impact and live within the means of one planet. The introduction of EF has been very necessary for the context of Bangladesh especially in the industrial areas such Gazipur as the endless demand and the unplanned consumption pattern of the population here have been producing a very unsustainable situation. Thus this study intends to initiate it by calculating the Ecological Footprint of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), one of the important residential area of Gazipur and major consuming areas of that city as a sustainability indicator. Basic equation for assessing EF has been done according to Nunes et al. (2013). EF has been calculated for these components: energy, food, waste and building material consumption. Questionnaire survey has been conducted to gather information about consumption pattern for different components in the households of BARI residential area. The study also identified consumption of natural gas for household purpose as the most contributing factor in the footprint of BARI residential area followed by waste, building materials and electricity consumption.
 Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 12(1&2): 143-149, 2019

Heritability and Genetic Advance Estimates from the Parental Lines of Hybrid Maize (Zea Mays L.)

Twenty-two genotypes of maize parental line were grown during 2017-2018 at the Research field of Plant Breeding Division, Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Rahmatpur, Barisal, Bangladesh. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Heritabilty, coefficients of variability and genetic advance values were computed for days to tasseling, days to silking, days to maturity, plant height (cm), ear height (cm), cob length (cm) and diameter (cm), number of seed rows per cob, number of seeds per row, number of seeds per cob, thousand grain weight (g) and yield (g/plant). Among all the traits higher phenotypic coefficient of variation (44.53) and genotypic coefficient of variation (44.18) were observed for yield/plant. The uppermost heritability was observed in case of yield per plant (98.41) followed by 1000 seed weight (96.91). Genetic advance was highest for seeds/cob (197.87) followed by 1000-kernel weight (176.86).Greater magnitude of heritability coupled with higher genetic advance in characters under study provided the evidence that these plant parameters were under the control of additive genetic effects. Indicating that selection should lead to a fast genetic improvement of the material.
 Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 12(1&2): 33-36, 2019

Frequency percentage of soil fungi and diversity of Trichoderma spp. in the rhizosphere soil of selected vegetable crop fields

An attempt was undertaken to detect the soil fungi and diversity of Trichoderma spp in the rhizosphere soil of selected vegetable crops. A total of fifteen fungi viz., Alternaria sp., Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, A. ochraceus, Aspergillus sp., Colletotrichum sp., Curvularia sp., Fusarium sp., Mucor sp., Penicillium sp., Rhizoctonia solani, Rhizopus sp., Trichoderma sp. and Syncephalastrum sp. were isolated from rhizospheric soil of brinjal, chili, cucumber, cabbage and onion in Naogaon district. Except Syncephalastrum sp., all the above mentioned fungi including Monilia sp., were isolated from rhizospheric soil of brinjal, cabbage, chili and tomato of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur. A total of eight types of Trichoderma spp belonging to four species viz., Trichoderma harzianum, T. koningii, T. reesei and T. viride were isolated from nine vegetable fields from Naogaon district and BARI. These Trichoderma spp. may be used in the management of soil borne diseases of vegetable crops.
 Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 30(1): 104-114, 2021 (January)

Evaluation of Organic and Vermi Composts for Mass Culturing of Trichoderma Harzianum to be Used Against Soil-Borne Pathogen Sclerotium Rolfsii of Groundnut

The experiments were conducted in the fields of Plant Pathology Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur during 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 cropping years to evaluate the organic and vermi composts for mass culturing of biological control agent Trichoderma harzianum and toobserve the effect of formulated T.harzianum designated as Tricho-vermi-compost and Tricho-organic-compost as well as organic compost, vermi-compost and chemical fungicide Provax 200 WP against soil-borne pathogens, Sclerotium rolfsiiof groundnut causing foot and root rot/stem rot disease. The pathogen inoculated field soils were treated with Tricho-vermi-compost and Tricho-organic-compost, organic compost and vermi-compost 7 days before seed sowing where as seeds were treated with Provax 200 WP at the time of seed sowing. From this study it was revealed that all the treatments performed in reducing seedling mortality and increasing plant growth and yield of groundnut compared to control. Among the treatments, soil treatment with Tricho-vermi-compost and Tricho-organic-compost are the best treatments in reducing seedling mortality and increasing plant growth parameters and yield of groundnut which was significantly differed from the other treatments including control. Seed treatment with chemical fungicide Provax 200 WP and soil treatment with only vermin-compost and organic compost also promising treatments for management foot and root rot disease and increasing plant growth parameters as well as yield of groundnut compared to control.

Evaluation of Tomato Varieties Against Resistance to Fruit Borer (Helicoverpa Armigera Hub.)

Sixteen tomato varieties were evaluated against fruit borer (Helicoverpa armigera) to find out borer resistant tomato varieties. The eight varieties were collected from Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) and eight varieties from the farmer’s field of South-west Bangladesh. This field experiment was conducted in a protected net house suitable for inoculation of the fruit borer at germplasm center of Khulna University for two years (2018 and 2019). Data were collected on fruit physical characters, and borer infestation. The genotypes BARI Tomato-18, BARI Tomato-16, Ruma-VF, Pusa Ruby and Guli had the minimum weight of infested fruit (3.57%, 3.63%, 4.83%, 7.17% and 7.67%, respectively ) as well as the minimum number of infested fruits (both were bellow10%) with the minimum number of larvae of H. armigera (0.23, 0.28, 0.27, 0.54 and 0.60 larvae plant-1, respectively). BARI Tomato-8, BARI Tomato-17 and Paltola were found as more susceptible (29.71%, 26.01% and 28.95% infestation, respectively) than the others. Maximum fruit weight plant-1 was recorded from the genotypes BARI Tomato-18, BARI Tomato-19, Surakha and Paltola (2603g, 2687g, 2755g and 2731g respectively) and among these BARI Tomato-18 and Suraksa gave maximum fresh yield plant-1 (2512.77 g and 2476.53 g, respectively). The fruit infestation rate was significantly and positively correlated with fruit weight loss plant-1 (r = 0.971), larvae plant-1 (r = 0.789), fruit diameter (r = 0.567) and individual fruit weight (r = 0.545). On the other hand, the fruit shape index (r = -0.44) and the number of fruit plant-1 (r = -0.498) were significant and negatively correlated with fruit infestation rate. It could be concluded that BARI Tomato-18 and BARI Tomato-16 are resistant as well as high yielding varieties.
 SAARC J. Agri., 18(2): 87-99 (2020)

Genetic Diversity for Yield and Yield Contributing Characters of Short Statured Maize Inbred Lines

Genetic diversity is one of the useful tools to select appropriate lines for hybridization. Twenty short-statured maize inbred lines were taken for present study, which were collected from CIMMYT India and Mexico through Plant Breeding Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur. This experiment was conducted from November 2015 to April 2016 to identify parental lines to produce single cross short statured maize hybrids. From the genetic diversity studies, the importance of both additive and non-additive gene actions for the expression of yield and yield contributing characters were found. Values of vector I and II revealed that both the vectors had positive values for date of silking, plant height, rows/cob, grains/row and yield. These results indicated that these five characters had highest contribution towards divergence. Based on the relative magnitude of D2 values; 20 inbred lines were grouped into five clusters. Seven inbred lines were selected on the basis of genetic diversity and per se performance which will be crossed separately in a half-diallel fashion to develop hybrids.