Horticulture Research Centre Research Articles

Integrated management of fusarium wilt of gladiolus

Integrated management of Fusarium wilt of gladiolus was studied at Horticulture Research Centre (HRC), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur during 2011-2013 following RCB design with four replications. Seven treatment such as (1) Corm treated with Bavistin @ 0.1% for 15 minutes, (2) Corm treated with hot water @ 54oc for 5 minutes, (3) Corm treated with hot water @ 52oc for 10 minutes, (4) Poultry refuse @ 5t/ha, (5) Mustard oil cake @ 600 kg/ha, (6) Bio-pesticide @ 64kg/ha, (7) Bavistin @ 0.1% as soil drenching were evaluated in nine different combinations against the Fusarium wilt of gladiolus (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. gladioli) under naturally infested field condition. Corm treated with Bavistin (0.1%) for 15 minutes + Poultry refuse @ 5t/ha in soil application 25 days before corm sowing + Bavistin @ 0.1% as soil drenching at 45 days after corm sowing gave best integrated management option for reducing Fusarium wilt of gladiolus and thereby resulting maximum germination, spike length, rachis length, florets spike-1, flower sticks, corm and comel yield. Besides, integration of Bavistin (0.1%) as corm treatment for 15 minutes + Mustard oil cake @ 600 kg/ha in soil application 25 days before corm sowing + Bavistin (0.1%) as soil drenching at 45 days after corm sowing was also better option for combating Fusarium wilt of gladiolus. The alternate option was integration of Bavistin (0.1%) as corm treatment for 15 minutes + Bio-pesticide in soil application 7 days before corm sowing + Bavistin (0.1%) as soil drenching at 45 days after corm sowing was effective against the disease incidence as well as better spike length, rachis length, florets spike-1, flower sticks, corm and cormel yield.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 43(1): 13-23, March 2018

Response of strawberry to NPKS on yield in terrace soil

Strawberry (Fragaria X annanassa Duch.) is highly exhaustive and responsive to chemical fertilizers. An experiment on strawberry was conducted in fruits research field of Horticulture Research Centre, BARI, Gazipur over three consecutive years, 2009-2010, 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 to find out the suitable combination of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sulphur (S) for yield maximization of strawberry. Fourteen treatment combinations were tested in this trial comprising four levels each of N (0, 90, 115 and 140 kg ha-1), P (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg ha-1), K (0, 85, 110 and 135 kg ha-1) and S (0, 15, 25 and 35 kg ha-1) with blanket dose of 4 kg Zn ha-1, 2 kg B ha-1 and 10 t cowdung ha-1. The experiment was set up in randomized completely block design with three replications. Results showed that treatment combination N115P40K110S25 (underscript represent kg ha-1) produced higher strawberry fruit yield (9.59 t ha-1) followed by N90P40K110S25 kg ha-1 and N140P40K110S25 kg ha-1 treatment combinations. The lowest fruit yield (6.05 t ha-1) was found in control (N0P0K0S0) treatment. Therefore, the combination of N115P40K110S25 kg ha-1 may be considered as suitable dose for strawberry cultivation in terrace soils of Bangladesh.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 43(1): 89-97, March 2018

Efficacy of fungicides in controlling fusarium wilt of gladiolus

The efficacy of fungicides in controlling Fusarium wilt of gladiolus was studied at Horticulture Research Centre (HRC), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur during 2010-2012 following RCB design with four replications. Six fungicides such as Bavistin (0.1%), Provax (0.2%), Mancozeb (0.2%), Rovral (0.2%), Chlorax (10%) and Cupravit (0.7%) were evaluated against the Fusarium wilt disease of gladiolus (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. gladioli) under naturally infested field condition. Bavistin was very effective in reducing the disease incidence and thereby resulting maximum corm germination (99.98%), spike length (73.90 cm), rachis length (43.70 cm), florets spike-1 (12.63), flower sticks plot-1 (38.75) and corm plot-1 (60.23) and cormel yield ha-1 (2.51 t) of gladiolus. Provax and Cupravit were also effective in inhibiting the disease incidence as well as better spike length, rachis length, florets spike-1, no of flower sticks, corm and cormel yield.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 42(4): 599-607, December 2017

A study on the Physico-Chemical characteristics of different cultivars of mango (Mangifera Indica L.) Under Western Uttar Pradesh Conditions

The present investigation entitled “A study on the physico-chemical characteristics of different cultivars of mango (Mangifera indica L.) under western Uttar Pradesh conditions” was conducted at Horticultural Research Center (HRC) of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh during 2015 and 2016 with a view to evaluate the pattern of physico-chemical properties of different mango varieties. The experiment was carried out on twenty two important mango cultivars. Observations were made on different fruit characteristics, physical and chemical properties. Wide range of variability was observed among the cultivars with respect of different physico-chemical characteristics. Maximum fruit weight was observed in variety Sorav (380.70g and 380.12g) followed by Rasgulla (307.09g and 308.59g) and minimum in Husanara (117.19g and 111.56g). Maximum stone weight was recorded in Sorav (60.88g and 59.47g) which was significantly higher among the varieties evaluated followed by Rasgulla (60.46g-59.04g). The highest TSS content was found in cultivar Alphonso (24.27 per cent and 23.00 per cent) which was significantly higher among the other varieties evaluated. However, minimum TSS was recorded in the cultivar Husanara (12.15 per cent and 13.30 per cent). While, total sugar content recorded in fruits of different varieties varied from 10.38–20.11 per cent and 9.88–19.62 per cent. It is concluded that some varieties like Langra, Burma Surkh, Bombay Green, Samar-e-Behist Chausa, Sorav and Ratol were superior in most of the traits.

Population dynamics of pests on Jasminum Multiflorum

Jasminum multiflorum is infested majorly by bud borers, eriophyid mite, shoot web worm and thrips. Study on the population dynamics of these focusing on their seasonal incidence, correlation and multiple regression analyses with weather factors was carried out at the Regional Horticultural Research and Extension Centre and Department of Entomology, College of Horticulture, Bengaluru. The results revealed that morning relative humidity was the best predictor of bud worm incidence with significant negative correlation. Similarly, rainfall was identified for the shoot web worm with positive correlation, maximum temperature for thrips with positive correlation, and both morning and evening relative humidity for eriophyid mite with negative correlation. The incidence of bud and shoot worm had no significant correlation with any of the considered weather parameters.

Assessment of Newly Released and Well-Established Rabbiteye Blueberry ( <i>Vaccinium ashei </i>Reade) Cultivars in North Alabama

Many cultivars of rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade) have been recently developed with diverse vegetative and cropping characteristics, but scientific data on their performance in Alabama is limited. An experiment was established at the North Alabama Horticulture Research Center, Cullman, AL (lat. 34°11'N, long. -86°47'E), USDA Hardiness Zone 7B, to evaluate the performance and horticultural value of the following rabbiteye blueberry cultivars: “Alapaha”, “Baldwin”, “Brightwell”, “Climax”, “Ira”, “Montgomery”, “Onslow”, “Powderblue”, “Premier”, “Tifblue”, and “Yadkin”. Cultivar flowering and ripening season, yield potential, fruit quality characteristics, and vegetative growth were investigated during 2009 and 2010. “Alapaha”, “Climax”, and “Premier” were found to have early ripening in north Alabama. “Alapaha” flowered later than the earliest flowering cultivars, but ripened consistently early, and this later flowering can serve to protect “Alapaha” crop from late freeze damage. Cultivars were not found to differ with respect to their cumulative yield in their fifth and sixth leaf. “Brightwell” and “Climax” had the firmest berries, while “Climax” and “Premier” had the sweetest berries.

Impact of integrated nutrient management on yield and economic parameters on cab bage (brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) in western U.P. conditions

A Field experiment was conducted for two years at Horticultural Research Centre of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut during the rabi season 2005–06 and 2006–07 to find out the response of different integrated nutrient management (INM) in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) using “Golden acre ”variety. The results revealed that out of fifteen treatment combinations including control, the treatment T12 (80 kg N+80 kg P2O5 + 60 kg K2O+20 kg ZnSO4+5 t VC ha−1) gave statistically more yield (301.13 qt ha−1) and significantly superior as compared to control in terms of yield and economic parameters.

STUDY OF CUCUMBER MOSAIC VIRUS GENE EXPRESSION IN CAPSICUM ANNUUM

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is a plant pathogenic virus in the genus Cucumovirus, family Bromoviridae. It has the potential and reputation of having the widest host range of any known plant virus including monocotyledons and dicotyledons, herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees. CMV is one of the major diseases in Capsicum annum (chilli). Chilli plant samples exhibiting virus-like disease symptoms were collected from Taman Pertanian Indera Mahkota (location 1) and Greenhouse 12 of Horticulture Research Centre, Serdang (location 2). Viral disease was detected based on symptoms like mosaic-mottling, yellow ringspots and cholorotic that appeared on the leaves. The isolation of total RNA was done by using Vivantis GF-1 total RNA extraction kit. RT-PCR technique was used to detect the presence of virus disease symptoms gene in chillies. Identification of causal agents was based on cDNA amplified product size, using virus-specific oligonucleotides. Actin was used as the internal PCR control. The product size of the DNA fragment was 315 bp. From RT-PCR, the expression of CMV can be detected in chilli plants that exhibited the virus-like disease symptoms. This research revealed that some of the chilli plants at the Taman Pertanian Indera Mahkota and Greenhouse 12 of Horticulture Research Centre have been affected by this viral disease.

Effect of hot water treatment in controlling fusarium wilt of gladiolus

The experiment was conducted at the Horticulture Research Centre (HRC), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur during 2010-12 following two factors RCB design with four replications. The levels of Factor A (Duration): were i) T1 = 5 minutes, ii) T2 = 10 minutes and iii) T3 = 15 minutes. Factor B (Water temperature): i) A1 = 500C, ii) A2 = 520C, iii) A3 = 540C, iv) A4 = 560C and v) A5 = Control (normal water). The treatment combinations were evaluated against the wilt disease of gladiolus (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. gladioli) under naturally infested field condition. Corm treated with hot water at 540C for 5 minutes was very effective in inhibiting the wilt disease incidence and thereby resulting better corm emergence, flower sticks plot-1, corm plot-1 and comel yield of gladiolus. Corm treated with hot water at 520C for 10 minutes appeared moderately effective against Fusarium wilt as well as better flower, corm and cormel yield of gladiolus under field condition.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 42(3): 393-401, September 2017

Development of technologies to extend the durian production period

To find alternative procedures for off-season durian production to extend the marketable period, methods of durian flower induction were researched in an experimental field at Chanthaburi Horticultural Research Center during producing years 2010-2013. The applied methods included induction of early flowering using 1) 1000 ppm paclobutrazol, 2) 1000 ppm mepiquat chloride and 3) foliar spray of 1000 ppm chlorate in the first year followed by 2.5 g L-1 0‑42-56 fertilizer in the second year. For induction of late flowering, the following treatments were applied: 4) applying 16-16-16 fertilizer in the dry period, continued watering over the in-season flowering period until physiological mature leaves were produced, which were foliar-sprayed with 1000 ppm PBZ, to induce flowering about 30 days after normal in-season flowering, compared with 5) normal in-season flowering (control). The results revealed that, with the application of 1000 ppm paclobutrazol, all treated trees flowered approximately 9-36 days earlier than the normal in-season flowering, with larger numbers of flowers (7808 flowers tree-1), fruit (31 fruits tree-1), yield (108.59 kg tree-1) and fruit weight (3.60 kg fruit-1). The control treatment had 4614 flowers tree-1, 26 fruits tree-1, 93.43 kg fruit tree-1 and fruit weight 3.86 kg fruit-1. The late flowering method delayed flowering by 28-43 days after the normal in-season flowering. These results indicated that the durian marketable period could be extended by 9-36 days earlier and 28-43 days later than the normal regular time of bearing by using these alternate flower induction methods.

Conservation of genetic resources of durian in Nonthaburi province affected by flooding

Nonthaburi, the oldest durian-planting area in Thailand, was damaged by flooding in 2011. Approximately 464 ha were destroyed. The Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperative established a project to support a project initiated by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to help farmers, and assigned the Department of Agriculture (DOA) to execute the project. Two activities were conducted during 2011-2014: 1) to conserve and release old cultivars of durian to farmers and identify simple characteristics of durian cultivars, and 2) to demonstrate good cultural practices using the integration of DOA technology and farmers' knowledge. The Chanthaburi Horticultural Research Center (CHRC) and the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) were able to conserve 15 cultivars from flooded areas and propagate them at CHRC. CHRC has propagated 25,000 plants from 73 cultivars that originated from Nonthaburi province and planted them at the Plant Genetic Conservation Project under the Royal Initiation of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (RSPG) at CHRC. These plants were released to Nonthaburi durian farmers between September 2012 and April 2013 in order for them to re-establish their durian orchards. A total of 160 ha of durian were grown. To identify cultivars, three classes of fruit characteristics were used: 1) external criteria including shape, size, spine shape, ridge between locules, apex and peduncle length, 2) internal criteria including flesh colour, firmness, odour and taste, and 3) maturity criteria including early, medium and late harvesting. New technologies for growing durian were applied on four farms in Nonthaburi province, three of which farmers were from Amphoe Mueang Nonthaburi and one was from Amphoe Pak Kret. Chemical fertilizers recommended by soil analysis, phosphate-solubilizing microbes as biofertilizer, plant-protection technologies and knowledge of cultural practices of farmers were used. During the early stages of durian growth, intercrops such as vegetables and banana were grown. Two years after transplanting, the durian trees were taller than 2 m. Farmers had income from intercrops of 133-166 USD month-1. They will get income from durian plants in 3-4 years.

Integrated management of root rot and foot rot disease of durian

Integrated management of root rot and foot rot disease of durian was conducted at Chanthaburi Horticultural Research Center (Eastern Region Economic Fruit Development Center) during October 2008 to August 2010. The management consisted of five methods: 1) metalaxyl; 2) chitosan together with LDD3 (Trichoderma spp.); 3) chitosan together with metalaxyl and LDD3; 4) Immunplus (immunity stimulant) together with LDD3; and 5) Immunplus together with metalaxyl and LDD3. All five methods were able to control root and foot rot disease with disease reduction of 77.7, 44.4, 77.7, 66.6 and 66.6%, respectively. When healing wounds in the second round, all methods could heal wounds. Recommendations for integrated management to control durian root rot and foot rot comprise a reduction of soil-borne pathogens (Phytophthora spp.) using antagonistic fungus (Trichoderma spp.), and phosphorus acid injection to durian trunk to provide trunk rot protection, which should be done as soon as the diseases are found. If small wounds are found on durians antagonistic fungus can be applied.

Genetic evaluation of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) strains for different growth yield, quality and seed parameters

Thirteen strains of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) were evaluated at Horticultural Research Centre, Department of Horticulture, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Srinagar (Garhwal), Uttarakhand (India) to study the variability, heritability and genetic advance for growth, yield, quality and seed parameters. The analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences for almost all the characters. The perusal of present investigation indicated that the values of phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were higher than the genotypic coefficients of variation (GCV) for all characters studied. The genotypic coefficients of variation and phenotypic coefficients of variation were moderate to low for all the characters except number of nodes bearing first male flower (33.02%, 33.66%). The high magnitude of heritability high estimated genetic advance over mean were found highest for length of fruit (100%, 58.40%), weight of fruit (99%, 39.92%), length of vine (98%, 36.12%), number of seeds per fruit (98%,50.16%), number of nodes per vine (97%, 53.57%), number of fruits per vine (97%, 44.33%), number of nodes bearing first male flower (96%, 66.74%), TSS (96%, 44.25%), calcium content (95%, 21.75%), number of nodes bearing first female flower (94%, 58.36%), duration of harvesting (93%, 36.04%), total fruit yield per vine (92%,35.93%) and diameter of fruit (92%, 35.80%) thus indicating that these characters had additive gene effect and therefore, they are more reliable for effective selection

Newly introduced strawberry genotypes for Nordic Baltic conditions

Eight recently introduced strawberry genotypes ‘Chambly’, ‘Clery’, ‘Darselect’, ‘Delia’, ‘Harmonie’, ‘Matis’, ‘Sallybright’, ‘Salsa’ and ‘Senga Sengana’ (standard cultivar) were evaluated at the Polli Horticultural Research Centre of the Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Phenology, winter hardiness, strawberry blossom weevil (Anthonomus rubi) injury, yield, fruit weight, soluble solids, sugar, acid and ascorbic acid content of the fruit were determined. Genotypes more suited to the Estonian climate conditions are the winter hardy, late-yielding cultivars ‘Salsa’ and ‘Harmonie’. ‘Salsa’ has a good, high quality yield with large attractive fruit. The fruit of ‘Harmonie’ contains much ascorbic acid, but the sugar-acid ratio is less balanced. Early genotypes ‘Chambly’, ‘Clery’, ‘Darselect’, ‘Delia’, ‘Sallybright’ and the late genotype ’Matis’ have a lower yield than the standard cultivar ‘Senga Sengana’.

Effect of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium Fertilizers on Yield and Yield Attributes of Marigold (<i>Tagetes patula</i> L.)

An experiment was conducted at the research field of Horticulture Research Centre, BARI, Gazipur during Rabi season of 2012-13 to 2014-15 to evaluate the yield and yield attributes of Marigold (var. BARI Marigold-1) to different doses of N, P and K fertilizers and to find out the optimum and economic doses of NPK for maximizing flower yield. Eleven treatments as T1, T2, T3, ,T10 and T11 comprising with four levels of fertilizer nutrients each of N (0, 60, 90 and 120 kg ha-1), P (0, 30, 40 and 50 kg ha-1) and K (0, 60, 90 and 120 kg ha-1) along with a blanket dose of 2 kg B and 4 kg Zn ha-1. The experiment was conducted assigning the treatments in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Flower yield and yield attributes of marigold significantly increased with NPK fertilizer for all three years. The significantly highest flower yield (22.25, 27.38 and 25.15 ton ha-1) was obtained from T3 treatment applying the nutrients N90P40K90 kg ha-1 along with blanket dose of 2 Kg B and 4 kg Zn ha-1 for the years 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15, respectively which was statistically identical with T4 treatment (N120P40K90 kg ha-1) for the year 2012-13, but significantly different from all other treatments for the years 2013-14 and 2014-15, respectively. Flower yields were increased in T3 treatment (N90P40K90 kg ha-1) by 81.34, 62.53 and 49.53%; 146.00, 119.39 and 108.84% and 121.20, 92.13 and 84.11% over their control in respect to the years 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15. The highest benefit-cost ratio 7.14 was obtained from T3 (N90P40K90 kg ha-1) followed by T4 (6.53) treatment. From the quadratic regression equation averaging three years data the optimum and economic doses 103.75 and 102.44 kg N; 36.67 and 36.31 kg P and 90.10 and 88.43 kg K, respectively were found which could be recommended for marigold production in Grey Terrace Soil of Joydebpur under AEZ 28.The Agriculturists 2017; 15(1) 101-109

Effect of N, P and K fertilizer on the flower yield of Chrysanthemum

An experiment was conducted at the research field of Horticulture Research Centre, BARI, Gazipur during Rabi season of 2012-13 to 2014-15 to evaluate the response of different doses of N, P and K on the yield and yield attributes of chrysanthemum (var. BARI Chrysanthemum-1) and to find out the optimum and economic doses of NPK for maximizing yield of chrysanthemum. Treatments comprising four levels each of N (0, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1), P (0, 50, 75 and 100 kg ha-1) and K (0, 90, 135 and 180 kg ha-1) along with blanket dose of 2 kg B and 4 kg Zn ha-1 were used. The treatments were assigned in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The combined effect of NPK significantly increased yield and yield attributes of chrysanthemum for each of the yearly experiments as well as the average of three years results. Significantly, the highest flower yield (12.45, 11.47 and 11.96 t/ha) was obtained with the application of N150P75K135 kg ha-1 (T3) along with blanket dose of 2 kg B and 4 kg Zn ha-1 for the years of 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15, respectively and it was statistically identical with T4 (N200P75K135 kg ha-1) treatment. Application of 150 kg N, 75 kg P and 135 kg K increased yield by 52.76, 42.29 and 36.51%, 152.08, 126.23 and 99.13% and 88.35, 51.30 and 60.75%, respectively, over their control in respect to the years. The highest benefit-cost ratio 5.54 followed by 5.14 was obtained from T3 (N150P75K135 kg ha-1) followed by T4 treatment, respectively. From the quadratic regression equation averaging three years data the optimum and economic doses 155 and 151.8 kg N, 79.3 and 77.68 kg P and 118.75 and 115.7 kg K, respectively were found which could be recommended for chrysanthemum production in Grey Terrace Soil of Joydebpur under AEZ 28.The Agriculturists 2017; 15(1) 58-67

Results of a Study of the Vegetative Growth, Yield and Fruit Quality of Different Grafting Combinations of the Apple Cultivar ‘Krista’

Abstract Long-term field trials with the apple cultivar ‘Krista’ on different vegetative rootstocks were held at the Polli Horticultural Research Centre (58°07`N, 25°32`E) in Southern Estonia in 2005-2015. Trees were grafted on 13 rootstocks: M26, M27, P59, E75, B9, B396, B491, MTT1, Supporter 1, Supporter 2, Supporter 3, Supporter 4, and MM106. The apple cultivar ‘Krista’ is well suited for growing in the climatic and soil conditions of Estonia. The cultivar performs best on vegetative rootstocks that are well-adapted to the Estonian climate: MM106, E75, B396, M26, M27, and P59. The rootstocks Supporter 1, Supporter 2, Supporter 3, and Supporter 4 did not turn out to be suited for growing in Estonia. The trees grafted on rootstocks MM106, E75, MTT1, and M26 grew taller, had a bigger crown spread and crown volume. In dense orchards with the planting scheme 4 × 1.5 m, trees with a smaller crown diameter may be grown on rootstocks MM27, P59, and Supporter 4. During the trial, the largest yields were harvested from trees grafted onto rootstocks MM106, MTT1, B396, M26, E75, and B9. Some rootstock combinations appeared to be positively related to average fruit weight in some years, but the same cannot be concluded for the whole duration of the trial.

Optimum sampling plan of yield contributing characters of pointed gourd

To improve efficiency in collecting data from field experiment on fruit attributes of pointed gourd (Patal) the sample size was studied for determining optimum sample size at Olericulture Division, Horticulture Research Centre (HRC) of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) Gazipur during 2013-14. Fruit length, breadth and weight data were used to design optimum sampling plan for equal number of observations per cell. The observation on fruit length (cm), breadth (cm) and weight (gm) were taken from 7 plots/treatments at random. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 2 replications and seven treatments/varieties were used in this experiment. A sampling plan of selecting 3 plants at random and measuring 9 fruits per selected plant (27 fruits per plot and plots were 5m2 i.e. 2.5m long and 2m wide) was found to be optimum and economy for the measurement of fruit attributes of pointed gourd. It saves time required for constant vigilance opening of flower and subsequent observations.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 42(2): 301-307, June 2017

Organic seed production of lettuce (Lactuca sativaL.) in Turkey

Organic seed production needs intensive knowledge on both seed production and organic management system. This study was carried out to deliver organic lettuce seed production knowledge for seed companies and farmers. The experiments were performed during the spring and autumn seasons in an organic field at Ataturk Central Horticultural Research Institute (Yalova, Turkey) with ('Grise Maraichere') lettuce cultivar in 2013-2014. Yield, weight of 1000 seeds, number of seed g-1 and germination rates were determined. The performance of the autumn growing season was better in terms of organic seed yield (185 kg ha-1) than the spring seed yield (115 kg ha-1). The results showed that 1000 seed weighed 1.02 g, and there were 1001 seeds in 1 g in autumn season. These properties were found as 0.91 g and 1048 seed, respectively in the spring season. The germination rate was found high in both seasons (90-100%). The major problems appeared as the fungal diseases. The main limitation was due to grey mould (Botrytis cinerea Pers.) for organic lettuce seed production in Yalova because of its rainy and highly humid climate condition.

Comparison between Vermicompost and Conventional Aerobic Compost Produced from Municipal Organic Solid Waste Used in Amaranthus viridis Production

The study was conducted to determine the performance of vermicompost and conventional aerobic compost produced from municipal organic solid waste used in Amaranthus viridis production during the period from October 2014 to June 2015 at the Horticulture Research Centre of the Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh. In this study, three compost varieties (vermicompost, conventional aerobic compost, combination of vermicompost and conventional compost) and three levels of compost treatments (0, 100 and 150 g/m2) with three replications were applied. The plots were arranged in randomized complete block design. Vermicompost was prepared by using Eisenia fetida. Different composts (vermicompost and conventional aerobic compost) and plant sample were taken first for chemical and physical analysis to find out the effect of these composts on the growth of amaranth. The result of the study showed that different compost varieties significantly affected the chlorophyll content, dry matter content, height per plant, numbers of leaves, weight per plant, nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, potassium, total phosphorus positively in favour of vermicompost application and sulphur content, sodium, moisture content in conventional aerobic compost application. Vermicompost application showed higher result for growth and yield indices and nutrient content compared with conventional aerobic compost.J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 9(2): 43-49 2016