Southern Region Of Bangladesh Research Articles

The Impact of Family Functioning on Self-Esteem and Resilience Among Young Adults in the Southern Region of Bangladesh

Family functioning, such as family adaptability and family cohesion, is a crucial component of every individual’s life, can influence his/her self-esteem and resilience, acting as protective factors in the environment. The present study examined the impact of family functioning on self-esteem and resilience among university students in the southern region of Bangladesh. A cross-sectional survey was carried out on 400 students from four different universities situated at Gopalganj, Khulna, Barisal, and Jessore. Bangla version of Resilience Scale for Adults, Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale, Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale II, and Personal Information Form were used for data collection. Independent sample ‘t’ test revealed significant gender differences in family functioning; Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed significant positive relationship among family functioning, self-esteem and resilience; regression analysis showed both self-esteem and resilience can be predicted by family functioning. The results can inform efforts to strengthen family relationships and enhance communication within families. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 33(2): 87-95, 2024 (July)

Prevalence of Diabetic Retinopathy and Associated Risk Factors in the Southern Region of Bangladesh

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) has already established itself as an important global non-communicable disease with a long-term complication.Objective: To assess the prevalence and risk factors related with diabetic retinopathy (DR)Methods: This cross-sectional study reviewed records of 3299 patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) who attended in retina clinic of eye department of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College, Barishal, Bangladesh from 2017-2021. Age, sex, anthropometric measurements, education, occupation, referral, current treatment protocol, registration history, visual acuity, random blood sugar was recorded from the patients. Logistic regression was done to assess the factors associated with DR.Results: The prevalence proportion of DR was 32.37 (95% CI: 30.78-33.97%). Out of this, 3.6% were proliferative DR (PDR), 10.1% were mild Non-PDR (NPDR), 11.2% were moderate NPDR and 7.4% were severe NPDR. Males (p=0.003), illiteracy (p=0.002), unemployed (p=0.03), registration information (p<0.001), patients on insulin (p<0.001), duration of DM (p<0.001), random blood sugar (p=0.009), BMI (p<0.001) were associated with DR. Middle age with moderate duration (OR=1.72, p=0.02), old age with long duration (OR=1.93, p=0.005), male gender (OR=1.42, p=0.01), random blood sugar (OR=1.07, <0.001) were positively associated with DR, while BMI was negatively associated (OR=0.96, p=0.03).Conclusion: DR is highly prevalent in Bangladeshi population. Health education, provision of employment, registry and regular follow up with DAB, controlling blood sugar and blood pressure and improving BMI could alleviate this important public health burden in our country.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Vol. 08 No. 02 Apr’24 Page: 177-184

Floating Market-Based Slow Tourism: Harnessing Climate-Based Entrepreneurship towards Community Development in the South-Western Region of Bangladesh

Purpose: Slow tourism is a new, alternative form of tourism competing with mass tourism, as tapping its full potential can be utilised in riverine and flood-prone countries. The key purpose of this study is to find the elements of slow tourism in the southwestern part of Bangladesh, known for its serene floating market, and assess its features that are compatible with the principles of slow tourism. 
 Methodology: This research adopted a qualitative approach. Qualitative methods such as narrative interviews, key informant interviews and FGDs were used to collect primary data. The southern region of Bangladesh, is famous for floating market and was selected as a study site.
 Findings: To incorporate the floating market through the broader lens of “Slow Tourism”, synthesising the attributes of slow tourism was significant. As the attributes of the floating market supported the characteristics of slow tourism to a certain degree, the floating markets and adjacent areas were a suitable premise for developing the concept of slow tourism.
 Originality: Since there hasn’t been ample research on slow tourism in Bangladesh, this study can transform the perception of conventional tourism into alternative tourism. It provides tourists with spiritual tranquillity in the desired destinations of floating markets and a leeway to connect with local people, history and cultural products rendering a mutual reciprocity for future research.

Prediction of suicidal ideation with associated risk factors among university students in the southern part of Bangladesh: Machine learning approach

BackgroundThe prevalence of suicidal ideation has become an urgent issue, particularly among adolescents. The primary objective of this research is to determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation among students in the southern region of Bangladesh and to predict this phenomenon using machine learning (ML) models. MethodsThe data collection process involved using a simple random sampling technique to gather information from university students located in the southern region of Bangladesh during the period spreading from April 2022 to June 2022. Upon accounting for missing values and non-response rates, the ultimate sample size was determined to be 584, with 51.5 % of participants identifying as male and 48.5 % female. ResultsA significant proportion of students, precisely 19.9 %, reported experiencing suicidal ideation. Most participants were female (77 %) and unmarried (78 %). Within the machine learning (ML) framework, KNN exhibited the highest accuracy score of 91.45 %. In addition, the Random Forest (RF), and Categorical Boosting (CatBoost) algorithms exhibited comparable levels of accuracy, achieving scores of 90.60 and 90.59 respectively. LimitationsUsing a cross-sectional design in research limits the ability to establish causal relationships. ConclusionMental health practitioners can employ the KNN model alongside patients' medical histories to detect those who may be at a higher risk of attempting suicide. This approach enables healthcare professionals to take appropriate measures, such as counselling, encouraging regular sleep patterns, and addressing depression and anxiety, to prevent suicide attempts.

Profitability of Transplanted Aman rice cultivation in some selected areas of the southern part of Bangladesh

The research aimed to assess the profitability of Transplanted Aman (T. Aman) rice cultivation in the southern region of Bangladesh. Specifically, it sought to identify the most successful service providers and evaluate the financial viability of T. Aman rice cultivation in the study area. Data collection involved 118 randomly selected respondents, including farmers, dealers, and marketers. The overall cost of production per hectare, as determined by primary data analysis, came to Tk. 34,869.76. Furthermore, 2,149.00 kg of T. Aman rice were produced on average per acre. The resultant Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) of 1.26 means that for every taka invested in T. Aman production yielded Tk. 1.26 in return. Gross returns were determined to be Tk. 43,882.58, resulting in net returns of Tk. 9,013.58. The findings underscored the profitability of T. Aman rice cultivation in the southern region of Bangladesh, as evidenced by the favorable results of the cost-benefit analysis. It is recommended to utilize contemporary inputs such as high-quality seeds, fertilizers, efficient labor, power tillers, pesticides, and timely irrigation to enhance output and profitability. Timely and effective utilization of these inputs is crucial for maximizing output and profitability in T. Aman rice cultivation.

Understanding the Nexus: Causes, Hotspots, and Impacts of Crimes Amid Climate Change in the Southern Region of Bangladesh

Understanding the Nexus: Causes, Hotspots, and Impacts of Crimes Amid Climate Change in the Southern Region of Bangladesh

Yield potency assessment and characters association of promising lines of mustard (Brassica rapa L.) in southern region of Bangladesh

Mustard (<em>Brassica spp</em>.) is a major oilseed crop and the world’s third-largest source of vegetable oil. During the rabi season of 2022–2023, the experiment was carried out at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Barishal, to evaluate the performance of 12 genotypes of <em>Brassica rapa</em> L., including the check variety BARI Sarisha-14. The experiment was conducted under a randomized complete block design (RCBD) design with three replications. Analysis of variance demonstrated highly significant (p ≤ 0.01) differences for the traits viz., plant height, no. of primary branches, no. of secondary branches, and no. of seeds per siliqua, whereas no. of siliqua per plant, 1000 seed weight, and yield kg per hectare had a significant difference at p ≤ 0.05. Among the examined accessions, the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) cluster analysis identified four different clusters. Cluster II (28.91%) with only one accession had the highest average yield, followed by Cluster I (26.25%) and Cluster IV (22.68%) with the best agronomic features. Furthermore, we observed 1.6% and 11.93% greater (+) mean yield compared to the grand mean yield (1502.33 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>) for cluster I and cluster II, respectively. Correlation analysis examines the positive and highly significant association among the yield and its related traits. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a total proportion of variation of 54.86% for PC1 and 16.89% for PC2. The genotypes BC-100614(8)–7 gave a 7.20% higher yield than the check variety. Considering the statistical results, maturity period, yield, and yield contributing characters of <em>Brassica rapa </em>L. genotypes BC-100614(8)-7 (1681 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>), BC-100614(8)-1 (1594 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>) and BC-100614(7)-3 (1565 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>) were noted as promising lines among the evaluated genotypes and suggested for future breeding programs.

Foliar Application of Different Levels of Zinc and Boron on the Growth and Yield of Mungbean (Vigna radiate L.)

An experiment was conducted during Kharif-1 of 2022 at Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Substation, Satkhira to know the effect of foliar application of micronutrients (zinc and boron) on the growth and yield of mungbean. There were three levels of zinc (Zn) (0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%) and boron (B) (0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%) along with a blanket dose of urea (35 kg ha-1, triple super phosphate (TSP) (80 kg ha-1), murite of potash (MoP) (40 kg ha-1) and Sulphur (60 kg ha-1). The growth and yield of mungbean was significantly affected by foliar application of different levels of Zn and B. Results revealed that foliar application of Zn at the rate of 0.6% and at the rate of B 0.6% along with recommended dose at 45 days after sowing increases the branches/plant, fresh weight (g), dry weight (g), chlorophyll content, flower/plant, pod/plant, seed/pod thereby increase seed yield. Therefore, the foliar spray of 0.6% Zn significantly increased and influenced 1000 seed weight (g), decreased days to flowering, increased number of seed/pod and yield ton/ha along with blanket dose of Urea, TSP, MoP, gypsum might be considered as suitable dose for mungbean production in southern region of Bangladesh.

Baseline radioactivity in the five candidate sites for the second nuclear power plant in Bangladesh and concomitant hazards assessment

ABSTRACT To meet the increasing energy demands and foresee the shortage of fossil fuels as a source of energy, the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh has decided to install a second Nuclear Power Plant in the southern region of Bangladesh. This study was conducted to assess the baseline radioactivity using the High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector of the five candidate sites to construct a nuclear power plant in the southern regions of Bangladesh and to evaluate the associated radiological hazard parameters. This pioneering study demonstrates that the mean activity concentrations (range) of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in forty-five soil samples collected from the five candidate sites were 28.95 ± 2.72 (2.65–48.75), 30.10 ± 2.95 (10.35–46.65), and 278.82 ± 25.78 (126.05–418.61) Bqkg−1. The evaluated area poses insignificant radiological concerns regarding mean absorbed dose rate, radium equivalent activity, annual effective dose, external and internal hazard indices, and excess lifetime cancer risk values. This study revealed a thorough picture of radioactive dispersion in soil samples from Bangladesh’s southern areas, allowing policymakers to take appropriate measures in identifying viable candidate sites for constructing a Nuclear Power Plant. Moreover, the data of this study can be used as a reliable source of baseline radioactivity in the particular area.

Nexus between human resource management practice and employees’ attitudes and behavior

This study aims to evaluate the impact of human resource management practices (HRMPs) on employee attitudes and behavior (EAB). The population of this study was all employees of cement manufacturing firms (CMC) in the southern region of Bangladesh. Data was gathered using structured questionnaires following convenient sampling technique. The data was analyzed using SPSS-23 statistical package program. A robust and significant linear association between HRMPs and EAB was found. Further, HRM practices, including compensation & rewards (CR) and motivation (MV) were discovered to be dominant predictors of EAB. According to the study, variations in EAB of 77.10% were caused by independent predictors such as recruitment and selection (RS), training and development (TD), performance appraisals (PA), compensation and rewards (CR), motivation (MV), and maintenance (MT) in CMC in the southern part of Bangladesh. Nevertheless, it is apparent from the study's findings that manufacturing organizations that have implemented progressive HRM practices in a systematic and integrated manner are having an enormous influence on EAB. This study only focused on one industry and one type of organizational structure. According to the study, findings should not be extensively generalized. Future research should incorporate other aspects, such as organizational learning and organizational capacity, to construct a new model of HRM practices.

An Empirical Study on Emergency of Distant Tertiary Education in the Southern Region of Bangladesh during COVID-19: Policy Implication.

Many fields have been affected by COVID-19, including education. The pandemic has prompted a change in education due to the requirement for social distancing. Campuses are now closed in many educational institutions across the globe, and teaching and learning are now conducted online. Internationalization has significantly slowed down. A mixed-method study was designed for this research, with the goal of ascertaining the impact of COVID-19 on Bangladeshi students enrolled in higher education during and after the pandemic. A questionnaire with 19 questions on a Google form was used to collect quantitative data using a 4-point Likert scale and was conducted on 100 students from different universities in the southern part of Bangladesh, such as Barisal University, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University. For collecting qualitative data, six quasi-interviews were conducted. A statistical package for Social Science (SPSS) was used to analyze both quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative results demonstrated that during the COVID-19 pandemic, pupils continuously received teaching and learning. The current study's findings revealed a significant positive correlation between the COVID-19 pandemic and teaching, learning, and student achievement and a significant negative correlation between the COVID-19 pandemic and student goals. The study also revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic had a detrimental effect on students enrolled in higher education programs at the universities. The qualitative judgment showed that students faced many problems when joining classes, such as poor Internet connection and insufficient network and technological facilities, etc. Some students live in rural areas and have slow Internet speeds, which sometimes prevented them from joining class. The findings of the study can help policy makers in higher education to review and adopt a new policy in higher education in Bangladesh. It can also help education instructors in universities to develop a proper study plan for their students.

Glaucoma Profile in a Tertiary Eye Hospital of Bangladesh

Background: Glaucoma is a chronic progressive optic neuropathy associated with characteristic optic nerve damage which may lead to certain visual field loss patterns at least some part of which is due to a sub optimal intra ocular pressure. Glaucoma is also known as silent killer of vision.
 Objective: To evaluate the pattern of glaucoma among the patients who were presented to a tertiary eye hospital, in southern region of Bangladesh.
 Method: A prospective observational study was done in outpatient department (OPD) of a tertiary eye hospital from January 2019 to December 2019. All patients with glaucoma were included. Data on age at presentation, gender, laterality, intraocular pressure, cup/disk ratio (C:D) with neuroretinal rim (NRR) and diagnosis were collected from OPD. Patients in age of 1 day - 100 years were included in this study. Patients were grouped into three age groups (0-25 years, 26-50 years and >50 years) and grouped in terms of clinical diagnoses.
 Result: A total of 387 eyes of 292 patients were included. Primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) was the predominant type (45%) followed by primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) (32%), secondary glaucoma (14%) and normal tension glaucoma (6%). Other types including juvenile glaucoma (2%) and congenital glaucoma (1%) were also present but of lower prevalence.
 Conclusion: Primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) was the predominant form of glaucoma followed by POAG suggesting that the pattern in Bangladesh could be quite different from that reported for primary glaucoma in the Western literature.
 EMCJ. July 2022; 7(2): 16-20

Molecular characterization of Streptococcus agalactiae and Streptococcus dysgalactiae causing bovine mastitis in the southern region of Bangladesh.

This study was conducted to validate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as a confirmatory diagnostic tool to find out the presence and frequency of Streptococcus agalactiae (S. agalactiae) and Streptococcus dysgalactiae (S. dysgalactiae) in mastitic milk samples obtained from dairy cows in the southern region of Bangladesh. A total of 196 samples of bovine milk were collected from various dairy farms in the Chattogram metropolitan area of the southern part of Bangladesh. DNA extracted from isolates obtained by culturing California mastitis test (CMT)-positive mastitic milk samples (n = 146) on 5% sheep blood agar was used as a template for PCR. Two sets of specific primers based on the 16S rRNA gene were used to discriminate between S. agalactiae and S. dysgalactiae. Four PCR products were subjected to sequencing, followed by phylogenetic analysis. The PCR analyses revealed that out of the 146 CMT-positive milk samples tested, 29 samples were positive for S. agalactiae (19.86%), while 26 samples were positive for S. dysgalactiae (17.81%). Further sequence analysis of the corresponding PCR products and bioinformatics analysis verified the results. The study proves the efficiency of PCR as a useful diagnostic approach to determine the presence and prevalence of S. agalactiae and S. dysgalactiae in mastitic milk samples obtained from dairy cows.

CLIMATE CHANGE RISK PERCEPTION AND VULNERABILITY OF MUNGBEAN PRODUCTION IN SOUTHERN BANGLADESH

Climate change and its variability cause different stresses that negatively affecting the pulse crop specially mungbean in the southern region of Bangladesh. The present study was conducted to examine the climate change risk perception of mungbean growers and vulnerability of mungbean in the coastal districts of Patuakhali and Barguna in Bangladesh. Using a structured questionnaire with face to face interviews, 120 samples were collected from Patuakhali and Barguna district during the period of 2022-23. The multistage sampling technique was used in selecting the sample. The collected data were analyzed using a combination of descriptive statistics i.e. sum, averages and percentages) and mathematical analyses i.e. Standardized Climate Change Risk Perception Index (SCCRPI) and Vulnerability Index. The study found that farmers in these regions grow mungbean during late Robi and kharif-ii season. In Patuakhali district, the highest SCCRPI value was for drought (77) and lowest value was for salinity (33). In contrast, the highest SCCRPI values in the Barguna district was for drought (75) and lowest value was for salinity (33), respectively. Farmers in both districts identified drought as the greatest concern, followed by insect attack, rainfall, disease infestation, water logging and salinity. The vulnerability index for mungbean in Patuakhali and Barguna district, respectively, is 0.34 and 0.35, which indicates a medium level of vulnerability and indicates that one should use improved technologies, stress tolerant variety that can minimize risk from unfavorable climatic, social, and biological conditions. Farmers responded that three times harvest was the main reason that hinder the production process along with others climatic, biological and social factors. Development of synchronized variety, availability of good quality seed, digging canals, proper use of sluice gate can increase the yield of mungbean in the study areas.

PHENOTYPIC PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF YIELD AND GROWTH TRAITS FOR SELECTION OF SUITABLE MUNGBEAN (Vigna radiata L.) VARIETIES IN THE SOUTHERN REGION OF BANGLADESH

An experiment was conducted at the research farm of Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU), Dumki, Patuakhali, during the period from January to April 2015 to evaluate the growth, development, and yield performance of seven mungbean varieties for obtaining the most productive variety suitable for Patuakhali region. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates. Among the varieties, BARI mung 4 showed better performance in respect of growth, development, and yield contributing characteristics compared to other varieties. The results showed better performance on growth characters namely, the number of leaves per plant (15.62), branches per plant (5.427), leaf area per plant (1079 cm2), and total dry matter weight per plant (9.64 g) were recorded in BARI mung 4. The highest seed yield recorded in BARI mung 4(1.69t ha-1) might be due to superior growth characteristics thereby seed yield. Besides, BARI mung 4 produced a pod number of 24.22 and the maximum number of seeds per pod (6.42). In contrast, the lowest seed yield was recorded in the local variety (0.81 t ha-1) for its inferior growth and yield contributing characters. Therefore, BARI mung 4 may be cultivated commercially in the southern region of Bangladesh.

Mental health of hawkers during COVID-19: a marginal community in Bangladesh

PurposeGlobally, the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the financial condition and the mental health of millions of workers from various informal sectors. This study aims to look into the hawkers’ community’s mental health and living conditions in Bangladesh during COVID-19.Design/methodology/approachThe researchers have applied the purposive sampling technique to choose ten hawkers from Khulna city, a district in the southern region of Bangladesh. An in-depth interview was taken in the Bengali language in an unstructured manner and lasted 30–40 min per respondent.FindingsThe findings showed that the Hawkers’ income reduced, and specifically, during the pandemic, they had earned half of what they usually made before. Besides, they could not open their stores because law enforcement agencies imposed restrictions on opening business centres during the lockdown except for some emergency necessities shops. This restriction led the hawkers to stop selling their products because there was a high chance of spreading the virus through the products they sold. Due to income reduction, they had to eat cheap food, which caused their health problems. Consequently, this community mentally got depressed.Practical implicationsPolicymakers in Bangladesh might think about enacting more effective measures to provide some extrinsic and intrinsic support in improving the mental health of the hawkers’ community.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study on the mental of the hawkers’ community during COVID-19.

Blindness Scenario in the Southern Region of Bangladesh

A cross-sectional, prospective study was conducted in a tertiary level eye hospital in the southern region of Bangladesh, between January and December of 2019, to assess the magnitude of blindness with varying disorders of the eye. All the reported patients irrespective of age and gender were included in this study. Patients were divided into three age groups: 0-25 years, 26-50 years and above 50 years. Demographic variables and eye diseases diagnosed were recorded and analyzed. More than 1.5 lac patients attended the hospital during the study period. Male patients were preponderance 79058 (52.05%) than female 72814 (47.95%). The most common group was above 50 years 75055 (49.42%). Patients related with blindness were 42189 (27.78%). Cataract were the most common disorder of reversible blindness 38662 (91.64%) followed by corneal disorders both reversible and irreversible blindness 1931 (4.57%), and other disorders 1596 (3.78%) with irreversible blindness included ocular trauma, posterior segment disease and glaucoma. Age related cataract (ARC) was 37394 (96.72%) among the patients with cataract, and ARC was found 35272 (83.6%) among the patients related to blindness above 50 years of age. More than 90 percent of the patients 38662 (91.64%) were attended for reversible blindness with cataract. To summarize, age related cataract was the most common cause of reversible blindness among the patients >50 years of age. The causes of irreversible blindness included ocular trauma, corneal ulcer, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.
 CBMJ 2021 January: vol. 10 no. 02 P: 70-74

Screening of Mungbean Varieties for Resistance against Major Insect Pests in Southern Region of Bangladesh

Fifteen varieties of mungbean were evaluated for resistance against major insect pests i.e., leaf folder (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis), flea beetle (Phyllotreta nigripes), thrips (Megalurothrips distalis), gram pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera) and legume pod borer (Maruca vitrata). Screening was done on the basis of incidence of insect pests from first incidence upto harvest. Statistically significant variation on recorded data was observed at different days after sowing. The lowest leaf folder population was recorded on variety BARI Mung-4 (1.08 larvae per plot) while the highest (2.05) on variety BARI Mung-6. The flea beetle population was the lowest on variety BARI Mung-4 (1.67 flea beetles per plot) while the highest (3.04) was recorded on variety BARI Mung-6. The lowest population of thrips was observed on variety BARI Mung-4 (1.43 thrips per 10 opened flowers) and the highest population (2.67) was observed on variety BINA Moog-7. The lowest gram pod borer population was observed on variety BARI Mung-4 (1.03 caterpillars per plot) while the highest gram pod borer population was observed on variety BARI Mung-6 (2.24). The lowest population of legume pod borer was observed on variety BINA Moog-4 (1.18 larvae per plot) while the highest population (2.75) was recorded on variety BARI Mung-6. Among the tested varieties, BARI Mung-4 was proven comparatively the least pest infested and highest resistant variety. On the contrary, BARI Mung- 6 showed least resistance. Rest of the varieties expressed moderately resistance to major insect pests. The results showed that none of the tested varieties was completely resistant to major insect pests. SAARC J. Agric., 19(2): 207-217 (2021)

First record of inflorescence caterpillar: Tirathaba rufivena (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on betel nut in Bangladesh

Betel nut (Areca catechu) is an important cash crop in Bangladesh and several insect pests’ causes severe damage but study related to insect pests of betel nut is scanty in the country. Then the study was carried out scientifically to document the information of insect pests attacking betel nut in southern region of Bangladesh. The productivity of these palms is affected by number of insect pests. Among them a new pest Inflorescence caterpillar or Oil palm bunch moth or Coconut spike moth: Tirathaba rufivena (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is first recorded in Bangladesh during 2020 which causes damage to inflorescence and developing nuts resulting considerably yield loss. Inflorescence caterpillar T. rufivena is differentiated from other species based on the front wing color. The front wing color of T. rufivena is grayish other species like T. mundella is greenish. It is also recorded that the seasonal average percent infestation of developing nuts was 19.44-21.45% in southern part of Bangladesh. Therefore more research should be undertaken to assess crop loss by this pest and to develop appropriate management option. This is the first record of Tirathaba rufivena on betel nut in Bangladesh.

Farmers' agrochemicals usage and willingness to adopt organic inputs: Watermelon farming in Bangladesh

Extensive and improper use of agrochemicals by the farmers is disrupting environmental conditions and endangering human health. The use of organic inputs is the most reasonable solution for ecological sustainability. This study assessed the use of various agrochemicals in watermelon farming in the southern region of Bangladesh and evaluated farmers' willingness to adopt organic inputs. Primary data were collected from 120 watermelon farmers of Khulna district. Adoption Quotient Index was employed to assess farmers' usage of agrochemicals, and a Tobit model was used to determine the factors influencing their usage. In addition, determinants of farmers' willingness to adopt organic inputs were identified through logistic regression. Results revealed that no farmers received any training on the use of agrochemicals. They used overdoses of different fertilizers and crop protective chemicals. The farmers' educational level, farming experience, and extension positively affected the use of agrochemicals, whereas farm size had a negative effect. About 65.8% of the watermelon farmers were willing to adopt organic inputs, and anticipated loss of production is the primary cause for unwillingness in adoption. Farmers' educational level, watermelon farming experience, and training positively influenced their willingness, while annual income had a negative impact. This study suggests conducting proper economic evaluation of watermelon production considering environmental and social costs, educating and providing training to the farmers on appropriate agrochemicals usage and organic inputs for sustainable watermelon production.