Bangladesh Institute Of Nuclear Agriculture Research Articles

Potentiality of light source and predator for controlling brown planthopper

Experiments were conducted at the net house and laboratory of the Entomology Division of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) to determine the effectiveness of four light sources for light trapping, and performance of three predators for controlling brown plant hopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stal.).The light intensity and sources were 30-50 lux (candle light), 80-100 lux (kerosene lamp), 180-200 lux (bulb) and 380-400 lux (energy saving lamp). The predators, ladybird beetle, carabid beetle and wolf spider, Light traps of 380-400 lux from energy saving lamp showed maximum effect in reducing the pest brown planthopper. Other light sources had little effect on brown planthopper. Light source of 30-200 lux reduced only a few brown planthopper. The predator wolf spider, Lycosa pseudoannulata consumed all the prey individuals of Nilaparvata lugens in three days exposure period indicating its high predation potentiality. Performance of ladybird beetle, Micraspis discolor was moderate and the carabid beetle, Ophionea indica was poor in controlling brown planthopper. The findings of these experiments indicate that light trapping with a source of 380-400 lux, predation by Lycosa pseudoannulata are the promising options in reducing brown planthopper population successfully and it could be an important part of IPM that is essential for the sustainable management of this deleterious brown planthopper in rice cultivation.
 Progressive Agriculture 30 (3): 275-281, 2019

Assessment of rice genotypes for salt stress at seedling and reproductive stage by using phenotypic and molecular markers

Screening of salinity tolerance genotypes of rice on the basis of its phenotypic performance alone is not much reliable and will take more time in progress in breeding process. Molecular marker-based screening eases this process. An experiment was carried out with 22 diverse rice genotypes in Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Mymensingh to study their salt tolerance at both seedling and reproductive stages. On the basis of yield and yield contributing traits, genotypes were categorized as tolerant, moderately tolerant and susceptible. The genotypes RC 227, RC 229, RC 191, Binadhan-8, Binadhan-10, Binadhan-11 and FL-478 were found as tolerant, while Binadhan-7 and BRRI dhan39 were found as susceptible. Grain weight hill-1 was found highly significant. Plant height, total tiller hill-1, grain weight panicle-1, 1000 grain weight and all other traits except sterile spikelets panicle-1 were showed a positive correlation with grain weight hill-1. Selected four salt linked SSR markers viz. AP3206f, RM1287, RM7075 and RM10793 were used to determine salinity tolerance. The genetic diversity was ranges from 0.6116 to 0.7810 with an average of 0.6663. The highest PIC value was 0.7524 and the lowest was 0.4762 from AP3206f and RM7075, respectively. The UPGMA clustering system generated four genetic clusters. The highest genetically dissimilarity of (Cluster 1) vs (Cluster 3) and the crossing would be helpful for salt tolerant rice development. Thus, selected SSR primers and genotypes would be useful in marker assisted selection (MAS), quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, gene pyramiding and ultimately improvement of salt tolerant rice varieties.
 Asian Australas. J. Biosci. Biotechnol. 2019, 4 (3), 176-183

Transplanting date adjustment in Boro rice cultivation as a strategy to reduce groundwater withdrawal in Bangladesh

Abstract Due to intensive irrigated rice cultivation during dry season, declining trend of groundwater level is observed in many parts of Bangladesh. Field experiments were conducted in 2015 and 2016 at four experimental stations of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture, Bangladesh to evaluate the performance of some Boro rice cultivars in different planting dates with respect to yield and irrigation water requirement, and to optimize between yield and irrigation water requirement, with a view to reduce groundwater withdrawal and hence reducing mining of groundwater. The transplanting dates were 21th January (T1), 15th February (T2), 7th March and 30th March. Four rice cultivars were used. The results showed that the rice growth period was shortened with the later dates of transplanting. Generally, the yield of all cultivars at first and second transplanting (i.e. in T1 & T2) are good, and decrease at the later transplanting dates (T3, T4) and hence could not be recommended among farmers. When we consider the irrigation savings in T2 compare to T1, the irrigation savings varies with location and year, but the general tendency is that the second transplanting can save irrigation water. By considering economic (intrusion of additional rabi crop between two rice crops) and ecological factor (irrigation reduction, and hence reducing groundwater withdrawal), we recommend that the most suitable transplanting time for Boro rice should be 15th February. As such, we can effectively achieve good yield, reduce irrigation requirement, and creating opportunity for possible intrusion of addition Rabi crop between two rice crops. Overall, the findings of the present study can provide effective transplanting time and cultivar to reduce groundwater withdrawal in the present agro-ecosystem of northwestern Bangladesh and other similar areas.

Heavy metal accumulation in tomato and cabbage grown in some industrially contaminated soils of Bangladesh

Heavy metal accumulation in environmental compartments is a potential risk to the living system because of their uptake by plants and subsequent introduction into the food chain. A study was carried out to investigate the heavy metal contents in industrially contaminated soils collected from six different locations of Dhaka and Mymensingh districts and their effects on two important vegetables namely tomato and cabbage. Pot experiment was conducted using contaminated soils at the net house of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Mymensingh following completely randomized design (CRD) with three replicates. The higher level of heavy metal contents was found in the soil samples of Hajaribag and Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ). The highest Ni, Cd, Cr, Cu and Fe contents were 59.45, 18.79, 67.57, 40.81 and 1619.61 µg g−1 which were much above the recommended level except Cu contents. The highest yield of vegetables was obtained grown in Maskanda soil of Mymensingh district and the lowest from DEPZ soil of Dhaka. The highest Ni, Cr and Fe contents were 8.91, 7.22, 419.65 µg g−1, respectively in tomato fruits grown in the soil of Hajaribag whereas the highest Cu content (3.38 µg g−1) was obtained from Seedstore soil, Mymensingh and highest Cd content (2.88 µg g−1) was from Mitford ghat soil, Dhaka. In cabbage, the highest Ni (17.52 µg g−1) and Fe (411.25 µg g−1) contents were found in the soils of DEPZ whereas the highest Cr (9.17 µg g−1), Cd (3.52 µg g−1) and Cu (8.51 µg g−1) were obtained in the plants grown in the soils of Hajaribag, Mitford ghat and Maskanda, respectively. Concentrations of all the tested heavy metals except Cu in both vegetables were above the maximum allowable limit prescribed by the World Health Organization. Among the metals, the accumulation of Ni was found as higher amount (0.39 and 0.71 for tomato and cabbage, respectively) based on plant concentration factor or transfer factor. The results showed a positive correlation between concentration of the metals present in soils and in vegetables and the highest correlation was found with Cr in tomato and Fe in cabbage. However, both the soils and grown vegetables were consistently observed to pose a risk to human health. So, it can be recommended that government should take necessary action so that heavy metals used in the industries cannot come into the nearby agricultural field to ensure food safety as well as food security.
 J Bangladesh Agril Univ 17(3): 288–294, 2019

Long-term fertilization effect of organic carbon and total nitrogen on floodplain soil

Soil organic matter is the most often reported indicator of soil quality and productivity and an evidence of previous soil management. Therefore, in 2017, a laboratory incubation study was carried out in the experimental filed of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Mymensingh, Bangladesh under control condition at 25°C for 104 days to investigate the influence of long term manuring and fertilization on soil respiration by means of C mineralization. Soil samples were collected from floodplain soil with rice-rice cropping pattern at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) experimental farm having eight treatments. Long term (33 years) application of fertilizers and manure resulted in significant differences in soil organic carbon, total N content, and soil pH KCl between the treatments. The soil organic carbon and total N content varied among the different treatments from14.9 g OC kg-1 to 17.0 g OC kg-1 and1.60 g N kg-1 (control) to 1.78 g N kg-1 (application of NPK). The soil pH varied among the different treatments from 5.65(application of NK) to 4.89 (application of N). This result indicates that more stable organic carbon was formed in NPK treated soil which is less prone to decomposition if present crop management has been changed.

Transplanting date adjustment in Boro rice cultivation as a strategy to reduce groundwater withdrawal in Bangladesh

Due to intensive irrigated rice cultivation during dry season, declining trend of groundwater level is observed in many parts of Bangladesh. Field experiments were conducted in 2015 and 2016 at four experimental stations of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture, Bangladesh to evaluate the performance of some Boro rice cultivars in different planting dates with respect to yield and irrigation water requirement, and to optimize between yield and irrigation water requirement, with a view to reduce groundwater withdrawal and hence reducing mining of groundwater. The transplanting dates were 21th January (T1), 15th February (T2), 7th March and 30th March. Four rice cultivars were used. The results showed that the rice growth period was shortened with the later dates of transplanting. Generally, the yield of all cultivars at first and second transplanting (i.e. in T1 & T2) are good, and decrease at the later transplanting dates (T3, T4) and hence could not be recommended among farmers. When we consider the irrigation savings in T2 compare to T1, the irrigation savings varies with location and year, but the general tendency is that the second transplanting can save irrigation water. By considering economic (intrusion of additional rabi crop between two rice crops) and ecological factor (irrigation reduction, and hence reducing groundwater withdrawal), we recommend that the most suitable transplanting time for Boro rice should be 15th February. As such, we can effectively achieve good yield, reduce irrigation requirement, and creating opportunity for possible intrusion of addition Rabi crop between two rice crops. Overall, the findings of the present study can provide effective transplanting time and cultivar to reduce groundwater withdrawal in the present agro-ecosystem of northwestern Bangladesh and other similar areas.Keywords: Boro rice, irrigation requirement, transplanting date, groundwater withdrawal, ecosystem

Binamasur-10, the first drought tolerant lentil variety registered in Bangladesh

from International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) including some advanced lines from Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture in 2006. During Preliminary Yield Trial, the genotype LG-208 produced 18.62% and 29.47% higher seed yield than the check variety BARI Masur-5 at Ishurdi and Magura respectively. Through advanced yield trials, regional yield trials, on-station and on-farm trials from 2010-11 to 2015-16, it was found that exotic germplasm LG-208 showed better performance than check (BARI Masur-5). Genotype LG-208 had significantly highest seed setting and harvest index under 20% polyethylene glycol (PEG) induced drought and considered as the drought tolerant which showed similar performance with field trials in drought-prone areas (Chapainawabganj and Rajshahi). Based on the superior performance of exotic germplasm LG-208 line, BINA has decided with the National Seed Board (NSB) of Bangladesh to register this line as a high yielding drought tolerant lentil variety, named as Binamasur-10 in 2016.
 Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.6(2): 253-262, August 2019

Performance of organic manures on the growth and yield of red amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor) and soil properties

The experiment was carried out at the research farm of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture, Mymensingh, Bangladesh during December 2015 to January 2016 to evaluate the effects of cow dung (CD), poultry manure (PM) and mustard oil cake (MOC) along with NPK fertilizer amendments on the growth and yield performances of red amaranth in silty loam soil. The treatments were (i) NPK (control), (ii) NPK + CD, (iii) NPK + PM and (iv) NPK + MOC. All three types of manures significantly increased the plant height and numbers of leaves plant-1, thereby fresh weight, yield compared with the control (NPK). The best results in terms of vegetable fresh yield were obtained in the following order: NPK > CD > PM > MOC. Application of MOC is not beneficial due to 30 times higher price than CD and PM. PM added NPK fertilizer combination showed higher vegetable yield (10.87 t ha-1) than CD added NPK fertilizer combination (10.17 t ha-1). PM added fertilizer combination also had almost equal investment and cost-benefit ratio in comparison with CD. The lowest marginal benefit-cost ratio (1.09) was observed in MOC added NPK fertilizer combination though it showed higher vegetable yield (11.08 t ha-1). The farmers’ can be recommended to follow NPK + CD fertilizer combination. Manures applied post soil analysis showed improves the soil physiochemical properties.
 Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.6(2): 263-269, August 2019

Effect of different accessions on yield contributing characters and yield of strawberry under different growing condition

An experiment was conducted at Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Horticulture Division farm, BINA, Mymensingh on effect of different accessions on yield contributing characters and yield of strawberry under different growing conditions during October, 2016 to April, 2017. The twofactor experiment had two levels of planting conditions (Factor A) and three strawberry accessions (Factor B) as follows –Factor A- Planting conditions: a) pot condition and b) field condition and Factor B – strawberry accessions: accession-1( RABI strawberry-1), accession-2 (New York, USA) and accession-3(Kagawa, Japan). The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Results showed that accession-2 revealed the highest results almost all yield contribution characters and yield parameters. The tallest plant (29.78 cm), the highest number of leaves (46.35), longest leaf (26.58 cm), no. of inflorescences (15.95), number of flowers per inflorescence (8.21), number of fruit per inflorescences (7.45), diameter of fruit (4.25 cm), fresh weight of fruit (22.17 g), total soluble solids (18.54 %), yield (g/plot) (400.3 g) and yield per hectare (21.72 t/ha) were recorded from accession-2. But number of seeds per fruit (217.0) was observed from accession -1. The lowest values were found on all the mentioned parameters in accession-3.The significant difference between the growing conditions was observed on all the mentioned parameters. The highest yield (20.12 t/ha) per hectare and yield contributing characters were noted in field condition and the lowest values on all the mentioned parameters were obtained in pot condition. Statistically significant variations were found on all the mentioned parameters due to combined effect. The tallest plant (30.33 cm), highest number of leaves per plant (47.36), longest leaf (27.64 cm), number of inflorescences (16.66), number of flowers per inflorescences (8.99), number of fruit per inflorescences (7.68), individual weight of fruit (25.19 g), total soluble solids (18.98), yield per plot (482.6 g), yield per hectare (24.37t/ha) were found in accession-2 under field condition. The highest diameter of fruit (4.50 cm) was found in accession-3 in field condition which was statistically similar with accession-2 both in field condition and pot condition. The maximum number of seeds per fruit (217.0) was recorded from accession-3 both in pot and field condition. But accession-2 gave the minimum number of seeds per fruit (118.0) under field condition.
 Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.6(2): 171-179, August 2019

Evaluation of Some Tomato Genotypes against Tomato Fruit Borer Infestation, Growth Parameters and Some Chemical Constituents

A field experiment was conducted at Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) Farm, Mymensingh from October 2007 to March 2008 with a view to evaluate the physical and chemical properties, nutrient content and infestation rate of tomato fruit borer of different mutants and varieties. The treatments consisted of six mutants viz; TM-13, TM-105, TM-110, TM-133, TM-152, TM-155 and two varieties BARI tomato-7 and BINA tomato-5. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The infestation of tomato fruit borer varied significantly among the mutants/varieties. The number of fruit borer was 2.15-5.98. The following growth parameters, yield contributing characters and chemical composition of the tomato mutants/varieties were studied which were 1.03-1.40 cm stem diameter, 14.9-19.5 cm2 leaf area, 10.08-20.10 mm-2 leaf hair, 36.7-52.0 number of leaves plant-1, 13.86-24.67 number of fruits plant-1, 24.1- 60.2 g single fruit weight, 3.69-4.0 pH, 17.1 -25.2 mg 100 g-1 vitamin-C, 0.307-0.408% TA, 2.34-2.75% reducing sugar, 0.93-1.20% non-reducing sugar. Tomato fruit borer infestation was negatively correlated with leaf hair and number of fruit plant-1 but positively correlated with stem diameter, leaf area, leaf number plant-1 single fruit weight, non-reducing sugar, pH and titrable acidity. It is concluded that TM-133 and TM-13 mutants were the best among the tested verities respectively.

Effects of non-chemical treatments on postharvest diseases, shelf life and quality of papaya under two different maturity stages

Papaya is a climacteric fruit and highly perishable in nature, which trigger ethylene production and hence, its consumption period is very short after harvesting. The experiment was conducted at the Laboratories of the Departments of Horticulture and Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University; and Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Mymensingh during the period from March to June 2018 to study the effect of non-chemical treatments on postharvest diseases, shelf life and quality of papaya under two different maturity stages. The two-factor experiment consisted of two maturity stages viz. (i) Maturity stage 1 (M1: mature green colour) and (ii) Maturity stage 2 (M2: 0-10% yellowing); and six non-chemical treatments viz. (i) Control (T0), (ii) Hot water treatment @ 50°C for 10 minutes (T1), (iii) Gamma irradiation @ 0.08 kGy for 10 minutes (T2), (iv) Chitosan coating @ 2% (T3), (iv) Hot water + gamma irradiation (T4), and (vi) Hot water + chitosan coating (T5). The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design (CRD) with 3 replications. The combined effect of maturity stages and non-chemical treatments were significant on all the parameters studied viz. external colour, weight loss, pulp to peel ratio, pulp pH, total soluble solids (TSS), disease incidence and severity, and shelf life of papaya. The papaya fruits under combined treatment of hot water plus gamma irradiation showed better appearance and external colour than the others at both maturity stages. The maximum weight loss was recorded in M1T0 (17.96%) followed by M2T0 (16.58%) while the minimum was found in M1T5 (3.69) followed by M2T5 (3.91). The highest pulp to peel ratio was observed in M1T4 (3.82) followed by M1T5 (3.78), while the lowest (3.00) was recorded in control under both maturity stages. The highest pulp pH was observed in M2T4 (6.15) followed by M2T5 (6.07) while the lowest was found in M2T0 (4.83) followed by M1T0 (5.05). The maximum disease incidence and severity were recorded (100%) in M1T0 and M2T0, whereas the minimum disease incidence (81%) and severity (12.36%) was found in M1T4. The longest shelf life (16.50 days) was obtained in M1T4 followed by M2T4 (15.25 days) and the shortest shelf life (8.65 days) was observed in M2T0 followed by M1T0 (9.25 days). Thus, hot water plus gamma irradiation followed by hot water plus chitosan coating under both maturity stages could be used to significantly reduce postharvest fungal infection, extend shelf life and improve quality of papaya.
 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 17(1): 14–25, March 2019

Screening of yard long bean genotypes for resistance to legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata F.

The research work on the evaluation of yard long bean genotypes for resistance to legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata F. was carried out in two consecutive seasons viz., kharif 2015 and rabi 2015-16 in randomized complete block design (RCBD) in the field of the Department of Entomology, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh and chemical analysis of sugar, protein and phenol of yard long bean were carried out at Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Professor Mohammad Hossain Central Laboratory and laboratory of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecularbiology, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh. Nine genotypes of yard long bean were evaluated and reacted distinctly to M. vitrata with significantly different levels of infestation to flowers, pods and yield. The genotype Long Red Mollika was categorized as moderately resistant to legume pod borer in both kharif and rabi seasons. Genotype YL 305 was found susceptible in both the seasons. The plant attributes, both vegetative and reproductive, of yard long bean did not show any significant correlation in favour of resistance to M. vitrata. Yard long bean genotypes also did not show resistant reaction to M. vitrata in respect of sugar and phenol but particularly protein showed antibiosis against M. vitrata.
 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 16(3): 424–428, December 2018

Growth and yield performance of Aloe vera grown in different soil types of Bangladesh

Plant requires suitable soil for higher yield, quality growth and desired crop productivity that differ with soil characteristics, availability of the nutrient elements and overall soil fertility. Aloe vera, a documented medicative plant, is used for numerous medical and cosmetic applications since very beginning of the civilization. An experiment was conducted in Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Mymensingh to find out the most appropriate soil for A. vera cultivation. Seven types of soils viz., acid, calcareous, non-calcareous, charland, saline, peat and acid sulphate were collected from different locations of Bangladesh. Eighteenth month old Aloe vera seedlings were collected from Shomvogonj, Mymensingh and planted during last week of May, 2017 following completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Most of the soils were light grey in colour, acidic to neutral in nature and clay to clay loam in texture except non-calcareous and charland soils. Bulk density, particle density and field capacity ranged from 1.23−1.45 g cm−3, 2.20−2.58 g cm−3 and 27.07−30.20%, respectively. The ranges of pH, EC and organic matter contents were 3.8 to 7.8, 0.25 to 14.04 dS m−1 and 0.88 to 16.40%, respectively. The organic matter content was found as low to moderate except peat soil. Total N, exchangeable K, available P and S contents ranged from 0.05−0.95%, 0.17−0.73 cmol kg−1, 3.09−12.10 and 11.06−735.12 µg g−1 soil, respectively. Growth and leaf biomass yield of A. vera was significantly influenced by different soil types. The highest plant height, leaf number, leaf area and leaf fresh weight were recorded from the plant grown in non-calcareous soil whereas maximum fresh gel weight, dry leaf weight and yield increase over acid sulphate soil were found from the plant grown in calcareous soil. The highest fresh leaf gel weight (907 g plant−1) was obtained from the plant grown in calcareous soil which was identical with the gel weight (880 g plant−1) of the plant grown in acid soil. The yield increase of acid, non-calcareous, charland, saline1 (6.32 dS m−1) and saline2 (8.14 dS m−1) soils over acid sulphate soil were 718, 712, 394, 144 and 86%, respectively. The overall performance of the soils in relation to leaf biomass yield was of the following order: calcareous ≥ acid ≥ non-calcareous > charland > saline1 (6.32 dS m−1) > saline2 (8.14 dS m−1) > peat > acid sulphate soil. The results suggest that farmers could be advised to grow A. vera either in calcareous or acid soils of Bangladesh. Since calcareous and non-calcareous soils are mostly used for growing cereals, pulses, cash crop like sugarcane, fruits etc., acid soil could be used for cultivating this important medicinal crop considering the socio-economic conditions of the country.
 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 16(3): 448–456, December 2018

Effects of fresh rice straw and water levels on CO2-C gas emission, soil organic carbon content and rice production

An experiment was conducted at Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) farm, Mymensingh, Bangladesh during 2010-2011 to find out the effect of different water and organic residue levels on rice production and soil organic carbon content. Organic carbon rates from rice straw (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 t C ha-1 including control) were evaluated under alternate wetting and drying (AWD) and continuous flooding (CF) systems. Each treatment also received the recommended dose of chemical fertilizers excluding control. Factorial experiment was laid out in a complete randomized design with three replications. Results revealed that, maximum plant height, filled grains per tiller, 1000 grains weight, grain and straw yield were also observed in continuous flooding system in combination with 2.0 t C ha-1 in 2010 and 2011, respectively. Combined use of chemical fertilizers, 2.0 t C ha-1 fresh rice straw and continuous flooding system performed better results to reduce CO2-C gas emission, increased organic carbon and rice production with maintaining optimum soil pH level. Continuous flooding with 2.0 t C ha-1 as fresh rice straw is an effective way to reduce CO2-C emission, optimize soil pH and contribute to sustainable rice production for food security.Jahangirnagar University J. Biol. Sci. 7(1): 45-53, 2018 (June)

Effect of foliar and soil application of nitrogen on the growth and yield of wheat

A pot experiment was conducted at the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture, Mymensingh during the period from November 2013 to March 2014 to examine the effect of nitrogen application methods on the growth and yield of wheat. Two application methods (Foliar spray and soil application) and three varieties viz. Sotabdi, Kanchan and BAW56 were included and experimental test crop. From the study it was found that plant height. Total tillers plant-1,effect tillers plant-1,root dry weight plant-1,grains panicle-1, 100 grain weight, grain weight plant-1, straw weight plant-1, biological yield plant-1, and harvest indexwere significantly higher by foliar spray method than the soil application of nitrogen, Higher grain yield (9.01 g plant-1) was observed by the foliar spray application and lower grain yield was 6.07 g plant-1 obtained from the soil application. Among 3 varieties Sotabdi was found to be better yielding ability and produced comparatively higher plant height, total tillers plant-1, effective tillers plant-1,root dry weight plant-1, grains panicle-1, 100 grains weight, grains weight plan-1, straw weight plant-1, biological yield plant-1, in respect of harvest index values. BAW56 was observed as medium performed variety and Kanchan was the least. Regarding interaction effect of the variety Sotabdi also showed the highest plant-1, total tillers plant-1, effective tillers plant-1, root dry weight plant-1, grains panicle-1,100 grains weight, grains weight plant-1, straw weight plant-1, biological yield plant-1 and harvest index by foliar spray. The results indicated that all the varieties gave higher grain yields under foliar spray application method.Progressive Agriculture 28 (4): 287-294, 2017

Effects of plant extracts on controlling wheat blast disease caused by Magnaporthe oryzae Pathotype triticum in Bangladesh

The present research work was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of twelve plant extracts viz. Neem (Azadirachta indica), Bishkatali(Polygonum hydropiper), Nishinda (Vitex negundu), Allamonda (Allamanda cathertica), Acasia (Acacia auriculiformis), Tulsi (Ocientific tenuiflorum), Mehendi (Lmetawsonia alba), Datura (Datura metel), Bishkochu (Alocasia fornicate), Black cumin (Nigella sativa), Garlic (Allium sativum), Mehogoni (Swietenia macrophylla) @ 1:10 along with two fungicides Provax and Nativo @ 0.2% as check against Magnaporthe oryzae Pathotype triticum which is responsible for wheat blast disease at Department of Plant Pathology, Bangladesh Agricultural University and Plant Pathology Division, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Mymensingh-2202. This experiment was conducted in two phases viz. laboratory and pot experiment. In the laboratory experiment, the efficacies of plant extracts were evaluated by the measurement of percent inhibition of radial mycelial growth of M. oryzae Pathptype triticum. The highest percentage of mycelial inhibition (93.75%) was recorded in case of four plant extracts namely Tulsi, Mehendi, Datura and Garlic followed by Black cumin seed extracts (90%) at 10 days after inoculation, where as Allamonda leaf extract showed lowest percentage of mycelial growth inhibition (7.5%). On the basis of in vitro test five plant extracts were selected to conduct pot experiment to evaluate the disease incidence and severity, and some yield contributing parameters in treated and control plants. Minimum percentage of disease incidence and severity were recorded in case of Garlic clove extract ( 16.28 and 3.5) treated plants and the Mehendi leaf extract treated plants showed highest % of disease incidence and severity (66.0% and 68.0%). Garlic clove extracts also showed best performance for yield contributing parameters namely ear length (9.20 cm), number of ear/pot (13.25), number of healthy ear/pot (13.0), number of total and healthy spikelets/ear (34.20 and 33.40),number of total and healthy grains/ear (23.00 and 21.80) and weight of 1000 total and healthy grains/pot (56 and 52 gm) followed by Black cumin, whereas Mehendi leaf extract treated plants showed lowest value for all the yield contributing parameters among the plant extracts used in this experiment. Both in in vito and pot experiment Garlic extract showed best performance and it might be used for the eco-friendly management of blast disease and increase the yield of wheat.

Variation in morpho-physiological characters of four lentil genotypes of Bangladesh

Morpho-physiological growth analysis is very important for the study of growth, development and yield of a crop. In order to study the growth indices and yield performance of lentilfield experiments were carried out at two locations (Sub-stations- Magura & Ishurdi) of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) with two varieties (Binamasur-3 and Binamasur-4) and two mutants (N4I-404 and E4I-925) of lentil during rabi season (November – March) 2014. Experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Growth parameters, physiological data and yield components were evaluated following standard formula and software. At both locations, absolute growth rate (AGR) was higher in mutantline E4I-925 at 75 DAS (days after sowing).The relative growth rate (RGR) was also found higher in mutant E4I-925 at 60 DAS followed by mutant line N4I-404. Total dry matter (TDM) was higher in mutants thanvarieties at both the locations at final harvest. For both the locationsthehighestTDM accumulation was also observed in mutantlineE4I-925. Seed size was higher in mutants and the mutantline E4I-925 showed the highest seed weight plant-1at both the locations (2.1 kgha-1 at Magura; 2.3 kgha-1 at Ishurdi).Regression analysis confirmed that all the morphological and physiological parameters were positively correlated with yield. On the basis of morpho-physiological characteristics the mutant line E4I-925 was found superior among four genotypes of lentil.

Determination of Feeding Performance of Mustard Aphid, Lipaphis Erysimi (Kalt) on different Mustard Varieties at Water Stress Condition

The more feeding of plant sap by aphid, the more secretion of honeydew. Determination of the amount of honeydew secreted by aphids in a specific crop variety is one of the best ways to assess the susceptibility of aphid infestation to the variety. An experiment was conducted in glass house and controlled growth room of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) at 25°C, RH 65–70% and 12:12 hrs daylight on 15 November 2016. Six mustard varieties were evaluated to determine the intensity of honeydew excretion by aphids for assessing susceptibility of aphids in mustard varieties under different water stress condition likely 100% field capacity (control), 50% field capacity (moderate drought) and 30% field capacity (severe drought). Aphid feeding and honeydew secretion were remarkably negatively affected by water stress. Weight of honeydew secreted by a mustard aphid during 24hrs was reduced by 13% and 25% when subjected to moderate and extreme drought respectively compared to that at non-stressed control. The weight of honeydew secreted by a mustard aphid in 24hrs in the varieties of Brassica campestris, B. napus and B. juncea was measured ranging 7.65 to 8.85mg; 4.81 to 5.15mg and 8.87 to 9.17mg, respectively. It may be concluded that feeding performance of aphid and honeydew secretion were more in susceptible varieties and negatively affected by water stress. The varieties of B. napus are more resistant to aphid infestation.

Evaluation of yield and yield contributing traits for submergence tolerance of rice

Ten rice genotypes were evaluated for association studies of yield and its contributing traits to select the traits for yield improvement in submerged condition. An experiment was conducted in the experimental field of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) and 15 morphological traits Viz. Days to flowering (days), plant height (cm), Tiller number plant-1 , (Nos.), effective tiller number plant-1 (Nos.), 100 seed weight (g), harvest index (%) etc. were studies to measure nature of association between these traits and yield. Correlation studies showed total tiller number plant-1 (0.661), effective tiller number plant-1 (0.694), flag leaf breadth (0.651), fresh weight (0.705), dry weight (0.700) and harvest index (0.689) had significantly positive relationship on yield. Path co-efficient studies indicated direct positive association of tiller number plant-1 (2.481), panicle length (2.431), Unfilled grain panicle-1 (0.033), fresh weight (0.0451), dry weight (0.166), harvest index (1.255) and chlorophyll content (1.72) with yield. Breeding for submergence tolerance of rice genotypes considering these characters could be useful for improvement yield in future.Progressive Agriculture 28 (1): 7-11, 2017

Phenotypic performance of rice landraces under salinity stress in reproductive stage

An experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design to explore the performance of rice landraces under salinity stress condition at Plant Breeding Division, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Mymensingh. The experiment was consisted of five replication and three different salt treatments viz., EC-6 dSm-1, EC-8 dSm-1, EC-12 dSm-1 with one control condition. Analysis of variance for yield and yield contributing traits showed significant (p<0.01) variation among the genotypes. The performance of all the landraces with respect to yield and yield contributing traits differed from each other under saline condition. Hogla, TalMugur, Nona Bokhra were identified as tolerant to salinity compared to check Binadhan-8, Binadhan-10 and BRRI dhan47 at 12 dSm-1 salinity treatment. All the traits under this study reduced in the salt stress except days to 50% flowering. In higher salt stress landrace Tal Mugur showed maximum yield followed by Ghunshi and Hogla. The findings of this study can be used for further study and also for developing salt tolerant rice varieties.Progressive Agriculture 28 (1): 1-6, 2017