Sweet Gourd Research Articles

Suitabilityof Different Winter Vegetables with Sweet Gourd

The experiment was conducted at Joydebpur and Rajbari Farm of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute during two successive rabi seasons (2014-16) to find out the suitable vegetable for intercropping with sweet gourd for higher productivity and economic return. Six intercrop combinations of sweet gourd and vegetables viz., T1 = Sole sweet gourd, T2 = Sweet gourd (2 m x 2 m) + cabbage (50 cm x 50 cm), T3 = Sweet gourd (2m x 2m) + cauliflower (50 cm x 50 cm), T4 = Sweet gourd (2 m x 2 m) + radish (20 cm x 25 cm), T5 = Sweet gourd (2 m x 2 m) + lettuce (50 cm x 50 cm), T6 = Sweet gourd (2 m x 2 m) + tomato (50 cm x 50 cm) were tested at Joydebpur and Rajbari. The highest mean sweet gourd yield (31.37 t ha-1 at Joydebpur and 34.54 t ha-1 at Rajbari) was recorded in sole sweet gourd over the years. The highest mean vegetable yield (42.87 t ha-1 at Joydebpur and 61.40 t ha-1 at Rajbari) was recorded in sweet gourd + cabbage combination. Maximum mean sweet gourd equivalent (SEY) yield (72.55 t ha-1), highest gross return (Tk. 362775 ha-1 and BCR (2.98) were recorded in sweet gourd + cabbage combination over the years at Joydebpur. The maximum mean SEY (79.38 t ha-1), highest gross return (Tk. 396905 ha-1) and BCR (3.25) were recorded in sweet gourd + cauliflower combination at Rajbari. Two year results revealed that sweet gourd + cabbage and cauliflower might be suitable intercrop combination for getting maximum yield and economic return
 Bangladesh Agron. J. 2018, 21(2): 7-11

Effects of weather on the abundance and infestation of major insect pests of sweet gourd in Gazipur

The study was to assess the infestation of red pumpkin beetle, epilachna beetle and fruit fly on 12 germplasm of sweet gourd Cucurbita moschata. The study also investigated the effect of weather parameters on the abundance of the insects. Red pumpkin beetle, epilachna beetle and fruit fly showed the highest level of infestation during 3rd week of December, 3rd week of January and 4th week of February, respectively. All the insects revealed the lowest level of infestation on BD274 and BD277 germplasm. Relative humidity had insignificant positive correlation with all the insects. Red pumpkin beetle showed significant positive correlation with temperature. Epilachna beetle exerted significant positive correlation with rainfall. The weather parameters jointly contributed 35.2% abundance of red pumpkin beetle and temperature individually depicted the highest effect (18.9%). Rainfall revealed the highest contribution (44.4%) on the abundance of epilachna beetle and the combined effect of the weather parameters was 66.5%. Temperature, relative humidity and rainfall showed 43.2% contribution on fruit fly abundance and the individual effect of relative humidity was the highest (27.0%).
 Bangladesh J. Zool. 47(2): 285-291, 2019

The effect of diet and radiation on the bacterial symbiome of the melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett)

BackgroundSymbiotic bacteria contribute to a multitude of important biological functions such as nutrition and reproduction and affect multiple physiological factors like fitness and longevity in their insect hosts. The melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett), is an important agricultural pest that affects a variety of cultivated plants belonging mostly to the Cucurbitaceae family. It is considered invasive and widespread in many parts of the world. Several approaches are currently being considered for the management of its populations including the environmentally friendly and effective sterile insect technique (SIT), as a component of an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy. In the present study, we examined the effect of diet and radiation on the bacterial symbiome of Z. cucurbitae flies with the use of Next Generation Sequencing technologies.ResultsMelon flies were reared on two diets at the larval stage, an artificial bran-based diet and on sweet gourd, which affected significantly the development of the bacterial profiles. Significant differentiation was also observed based on gender. The effect of radiation was mostly diet dependent, with irradiated melon flies reared on the bran diet exhibiting a significant reduction in species diversity and richness compared to their non-irradiated controls. Changes in the bacterial symbiome of the irradiated melon flies included a drastic reduction in the number of sequences affiliated with members of Citrobacter, Raoultella, and Enterobacteriaceae. At the same time, an increase was observed for members of Enterobacter, Providencia and Morganella. Interestingly, the irradiated male melon flies reared on sweet gourd showed a clear differentiation compared to their non-irradiated controls, namely a significant reduction in species richness and minor differences in the relative abundance for members of Enterobacter and Providencia.ConclusionsThe two diets in conjunction with the irradiation affected significantly the formation of the bacterial symbiome. Melon flies reared on the bran-based artificial diet displayed significant changes in the bacterial symbiome upon irradiation, in all aspects, including species richness, diversity and composition. When reared on sweet gourd, significant changes occurred to male samples due to radiation, only in terms of species richness.

Control fruit fly for profitable sweet gourd production

A field experiment was conducted in the farmer’s field at Salaipur, Mithapukur, OFRD, Rangpur during 2015-2016 to control cucurbit fruit fly effectively through the use of sex pheromone trap. The trial was conducted among six farmers. Three treatments viz., T1 (Sex pheromone+Poison bait+Sanitation (9 spot)), T2 (Sex pheromone+Poison bait+Sanitation (16 spot)) and T3 (Farmers practice) were compared. The total land area was 7200m2. The higher fruit yield (25.86 t/ha) was obtained from T2 (Sex pheromone+Poison bait+Sanitation (16 spot). The lower fruit yield (21.43 t/ha) was obtained from T3. The gross margin (Tk.96375/ha) and BCR (3.92) was also higher with the use of T2 (Sex pheromone+Poison bait+Sanitation (16 spot). The findings related to control of fruit fly of sweet gourd will be an important role in pest management safely and it will be play important for farmer’s profitability.
 Progressive Agriculture 30 (2): 173-178, 2019

A review on underexploited nutrient rich perennial vegetables

Vegetables are rich in essential nutrients, vitamins, amino acids and minerals. They are huge suppliers of antioxidants too. Hence, they are termed as 'protective food'. Some vegetables like asparagus, artichokes, chekurmanis, drumstick, pointed gourd and rhubarb are perennial in growth habit and have a high nutritional profile. Globe and Jerusalem artichokes have 10.5 and 17.4 g 100 g(-1) carbohydrates, respectively, in their tubers. The fruit of breadfruit (15.8 g 100 g(‑1)), chekurmanis leaves (11.6 g 100 g(‑1)), and drumstick leaves (12.5 g 100 g(‑1)) also contain a fairly good amount of carbohydrates compared to any other annual leafy vegetable. The energy supply by chekurmnis (103 kcal 100 g(‑1)) and drumstick leaves (92 kcal 100 g(‑1)) is comparable to the energy supplies by potato (97 kcal 100 g(‑1)). High dietary fibre content was observed in sweet gourd (5.9 mg 100 g(‑1)) followed by globe artichoke (5.4 g 100 g(‑1)), drumstick (3.2 g 100 g(‑1)) and pointed gourd (3.0 g 100 g(‑1)). Chekurmanis followed by drumstick leaves are rich in minerals such as calcium (570 and 400 mg 100 g(‑1)), phosphorus (200 and 70 mg 100 g(‑1)) and iron (28 and 7 mg 100 g(‑1)), respectively. The calcium content in chekurmanis and drumstick leaves is higher than any other commonly grown leafy vegetable in India such as 330 mg 100 g(‑1) in amaranthus, 380 mg 100 g(‑1) in palak and 310 mg 100 g(‑1) in radish leaves. Basella (12276 IU 100 g(‑1)), drumstick leaves (11187 IU 100 g(‑1)) and chekurmanis (9510 IU 100 g(‑1)) contain high levels of vitamin A with other annual vegetables such as amaranthus (9108 IU 100 g‑1), spinach (8100 IU 100 g(‑1)) and carrot (1000 IU 100 g(‑1)). Chekurmanis stands first in the thiamin content among all the vegetables with a value of 0.48 mg 100 g(‑1) (Pandey, 2008) followed by drumstick (0.5 mg 100 g(‑1)), pea (0.35 mg 100 g(‑1)), palak (0.26 mg 100 g(‑1)) and lima bean (0.24 mg 100 g(‑1)). They can steadily supply vegetables year after year and they provide more income per unit area. Their cultivation helps in socio economic development and uplifting the rural societies. They improve soil health; prevent soil erosion and also help in carbon sequestration.

Fluctuations in fruit fly abundance and infestation in sweet gourd fields in relation to varied meteorological factors

AbstractThe study was conducted with the aim of furthering our understanding of seasonality in the population dynamics and infestation rates of the fruit fly Bactrocera spp. in sweet gourd (Cucurbita moschata) during winter and summer in 2017. We also investigated the effects of using methyl eugenol traps on fly abundance and infestation. Two fruit fly species, namely, B. cucurbitae and B. dorsalis, were present in the sweet gourd field, and we observed fluctuations in their abundance. Compared to B. dorsalis, B. cucurbitae was significantly more abundant in both winter and summer. Infestation level was found to be the highest in fields lacking methyl eugenol traps in both seasons. Fruit fly larval population per infested fruit was higher in summer than in winter. Fly abundance was significantly and positively correlated with mean temperature and rainfall but significantly and negatively correlated with light intensity. Relative humidity was insignificantly but positively correlated with fly abundance. The temperature, light intensity, relative humidity, and rainfall individually explained 48.9, 24.1, 0.8, and 1.6% of variation in fruit fly abundance, respectively. The combined effect of the weather parameters on fruit fly abundance was 75.4% and was significant predictor of fruit fly abundance.

Nutrients Content in Some Vegetables Grown in South-Central Coastal Regions of Bangladesh

Soil salinity is one of the most important abiotic stresses for crop production. A study was conducted to analyze the relationship between salinity level and nutrient contents in some popular vegetables grown in some selected tidal areas of Barguna and Patuakhali districts of Bangladesh. Samples of six different vegetables such as bottle gourd leaf (Lagenaria siceraria), sweet gourd leaf (Cucurbita maxima), radish leaf (Raphanus sativus), bean (Lablab niger), red amaranth (Amaranthus gangeticus) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea) were collected along with soils from different locations of the study areas and were analyzed for phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulphur (S) contents. Soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC) were determined. In saline areas, comparatively lower amounts of P, K, Ca, Mg and S were detected in most of the collected vegetables than those of non-saline areas. Conversely, bottle gourd leaf, radish leaf and bean accumulated comparatively higher amount of Ca at higher salinity levels. The uptake of P by bottle gourd leaf and radish leaf, Mg by bottle gourd leaf and red amaranth was also higher in the saline soil. The inconsistent uptake of Ca, Mg and P were found in some vegetables due to the differences of fertilizer application and intercultural operation. The vegetables could tolerate moderate soil salinity (soil EC up to7.9 dSm-1) and might be recommended to grow in the tidal saline areas of Barguna and Patuakhali districts of Bangladesh.
 The Agriculturists 2018; 16(2) 43-57

Physico-chemical properties of mixed jam from pineapple and sweet gourd

This study investigated the preparation of mixed jam from sweet gourd and pineapple. The proximate compositions of sweet gourd pulp were: moisture content 90.3%, ash 0.33%, sugar 3.24% and ascorbic acid 2.97 mg/100g. Pineapple pulp contained 74.6%moisture, 0.3%ash, 9.95% sugar and 78.79 mg/100 gascorbic acid. The keeping quality and shelf life of the prepared mixed jam were studied. For the case of mixed jam, the highest sugar content (62.54%) was in sample with 60% pineapple and 40% sweet gourd. Organoleptic test showed that overall acceptability of 60% pineapple +40% sweet gourds was better than that of other mixed jam. The highest score (8.0) was found from the sample with 60% pineapple + 40% sweet gourd, and the lowest score (6.0) was from the sample with 50% pineapple + 50% sweet gourd. During storage period, TSS, reducing sugar, non-reducing sugar and pH decreased for all cases. Fading of color was observed at 90 days of storage for some samples.J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 16(2): 309-314, August 2018

Chitosan and yeast elicitor in suppressing seed-borne fungi of cucurbitaceous vegetables

Experiments were conducted under laboratory condition to examine the efficacy of Chitosan and Yeast Elicitor to suppress the growth of seed-borne fungi of cucurbitaceous vegetables. Seeds of bottle gourd, sweet gourd, snake gourd, wax gourd and cucumber were collected from seed traders of Mymensingh districts and different seed borne fungi were isolated, purified and identified. Fourteen fungal species belonging to twelve genera consisting of Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium moniliforme, Fusarium oxysporum, Phoma exigua, Rhizopus stolonifer, Macrophomina phaseolina, Penicillium spp., Curvularia lunata, Chaetomium spp., Colletotrichum spp., Cercospora spp. and Alternaria alternata were isolated and identified. Four concentrations of Chitosan and Yeast Elicitors solutions (200, 500, 1000 & 2000 ppm) including one positive control Vitavax-200 WP (0.35%) were evaluated for controlling seed-borne fungi. Among the seed treating agents Chitosan (2000 ppm) and Yeast Elicitor (2000 ppm) showed better performance in suppressing the seed-borne fungi. Chitosan (2000 ppm) showed superior performance than Yeast Elicitor (2000 ppm). Results from the present study revealed that application of elicitors as seed treatment is a potential alternative of chemical fungicide for selective vegetables.J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 16(2): 187-192, August 2018

OCCURRENCE, DISTRIBUTION, HOST PREFERENCE AND DAMAGE SEVERITY OF RED PUMPKIN BEETLE- A Review

The red pumpkin beetle has been found to be widely distributed throughout all zoogeographic regions of the world except the Neoarctic and Neotropical regions and all over the South-East Asia, Africa, Mediterranean region towards the west and Australia in the East. It was also found to occur in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afganistan, Ceylon, Burma, Indo-China, Iraq, Iran, Persia, Palestine, Greece, Turkey, Israel, South Europe, Algeria, Egypt, Cyprus and the Andaman Island. The red pumpkin beetle has been found to be abundant in April and May. The highest incidence of the red pumpkin beetle was found to appear at around 9 am. The highest incidence of red pumpkin beetle was recorded on muskmelon, which was followed by sweet gourd and cucumber at seedling, vegetative and reproductive stages of cucurbit plants. Cucurbits, sweet potato and some legumes were found to be the hosts of this beetle. Among all hosts, sweet gourd and muskmelon were found to be the most preferred hosts followed by cucumber and khira while bitter gourd, snake gourd, sponge gourd and ribbed gourd were found to be least or non-preferred hosts by the red pumpkin beetle. It was found to cause damage up to 35-75% on cotyledons at seedling stage, around 70% on leaves and 60% on flowers by making irregular holes on infested plant parts.

Chryseobacterium chungangensis sp. nov., a bacterium isolated from soil of sweet gourd garden.

A novel bacterial strain, named MAH-7T, was isolated from a soil sample of a Korean sweet gourd garden and was characterized using a polyphasic approach. Cells were Gram-staining negative, orange colored, non-motile and rod shaped. The strain was aerobic and catalase, oxidase positive, optimum growth temperature and pH were 28-30°C and 7.0, respectively. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain MAH-7T belongs to the genus Chryseobacterium and is most closely related to Chryseobacterium formosense CC-H3-2T (97.96%) and Chryseobacterium zeae JM-1085T (97.19%). In DNA-DNA hybridization tests, the DNA relatedness between strain MAH-7T and its closest phylogenetic neighbors were below 45.0%. The DNA G+C content was 37.6mol% and the predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6 (MK-6). Flexirubin-type pigments were found to be present. The major cellular fatty acids were C15:0 iso, C17:0 iso 3OH, C17:1 isoω9c and summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c). The DNA-DNA hybridization results and results of the genotypic analysis in combination with chemotaxonomic and physiological data demonstrated that strain MAH-7T represented a novel species within the genus Chryseobacterium, for which the name Chryseobacterium chungangensis is proposed. The type strain is MAH-7T (= KACC 19293T = CGMCC 1.16232T). The NCBI GenBank accession number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain MAH-7T is KY964274.

Sweet gourd production under sandbar cropping practices: a case study in Sundorganj of Gaibandha District in Bangladesh

The present study analyzed the profitability of sweet gourd production under Sandbar Cropping Practice (SCP) and its impact on livelihood improvement of the farmers in Sundorgonj of Gaibandha district in Bangladesh. A total of 60 sweet gourd farmers were selected using stratified random sampling technique. Evidence showed that sweet gourd production under SCP was highly profitable and had a positive impact on livelihood improvement of farmers. Per hectare gross return of sweet gourd production for all sampled farmers was BDT 230506 and the net return was BDT 136391. The net return was the highest for small farmers and this was the lowest for large farmers. It was found that all kinds of livelihood assets of sampled farmers increased due to sweet gourd production under SCP. The availability of high quality HYV seeds was required to sustain sweet gourd production. The labour saving technology affordable by the farmers is suggested in addition to appropriate training facilities and sufficient extension services for the betterment of farmers.Progressive Agriculture 27 (3): 320-326, 2016

Standard Heterosis in Cucurbita moschata and Cucurbita pepo Interspecific Hybrids

ABSTRACTPumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) has a bush-type habit and sweet gourd (C. moschata Duch.) has high levels of carotenoids. It may be that these high-quality traits may be expressed in an interspecific hybrid generated from these crops through heterosis breeding. The study was undertaken to examine standard heterosis and broad sense heritability in vegetative, fruit yield, yield components, and qualitative characteristics in hybrids from fruit-type groups in C. pepo and C. moschata. Highest and lowest broad sense heritability were for yield·ha−1 (33.2%) and flesh thickness (25.5%). The highest standard heterosis in relation to the standard C. moschata variety (MO6) was from the MO11 ×P25 hybrid, the former from C. moschata and the latter from C. pepo for stem length of plants with the C. moschata fruit type. The highest standard heterosis in relation to the standard C. pepo variety (P1) was from the P1 × MO9 hybrid, the former from C. pepo and the latter from C. moschata for plant weight with the pumpkin fruit type. In plants with the zucchini fruit type the highest, and lowest, standard heterosis in relation to the standard C. pepo variety in this type (P25) was from the P5 ×MO3 hybrid, the former from C. pepo and the latter from C. moschata, for fruit yield and plant weight, respectively. Specific crosses between C. pepo and C. moschata and some interspecific hybrids have superior yield and qualitative traits. Dominant variance is more important than additive variance there for hybridization for seed production. For yield, selection to generate a high recombinant line can probably be accomplished due to high heritability.

Effect of different management tactics on the incidence and movement of red pumpkin beetle, Aulacophora foveicollis on the leaves of sweet gourd, Cucurbita moschata

Incidence and movement of red pumpkin beetle (RPB), Aulacophora foveicollis on the leaves of sweet gourd, Cucurbita moschata were examined against different management tactics. Result revealed that no significant difference was observed on the number of red pumpkin beetle on young leaf among the plots treated with different management tactics. Mature leaf support more number of RPB compared to that of young leaf and the population of RPB gradually increased from 1st to 3rd week. The mean number of RPB per plant was higher on upper leaf surface as compared to lower leaf surface in all the treated plots during early hours of the day before 10 am. The highest number of RPB was observed at 7:00 am on the upper surface and at 1:00 pm on the lower surface of leaves. The percent reduction of RPB over control on both surfaces of leaf was maximum (100 %) by the use of mosquito net barrier (T3) treated plot at 7:00 and 10:00 am, respectively compared to control. The percent reduction of RPB over control at 1:00 pm ranged 94% to 98% on upper leaf surface and at 4:00 pm ranged 94% to 96% on lower surface in T3 treated plot. The minimum acceptable level of percent reduction (above 87%) of RPB population over control was achieved by application of forwatap 4G @ 4g/plant, Nitro 505 EC @ 1 ml/L, hand picking of adult RPB and planting of musk melon as trap crop. The movement of the adult RPB as expressed through the distribution of the beetles on the upper and lower leaf surfaces of sweet gourd during different hours of a day could be helpful for devising the mechanical and chemical control strategies.Jahangirnagar University J. Biol. Sci. 3(2): 73-80, 2014 (December)

Economic feasibility of intercropping of chili with sweet gourd

A field experiment was conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Ishurdi, Pabna during two consecutive years of 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 to find out the suitable combination of intercropping of chili with sweet gourd for increasing the productivity and economic return. The treatments were T1=100% sweet gourd (2m x 2m) + 40% chili (50cm x 100cm) + 100% recommended fertilizer (RF) of chili, T2=100% sweet gourd (2m x 2m) + 40% chili (50cm x 100cm) + 75% RF of chili, T3=100% sweet gourd (2m x 2m) + 40% chili (50cm x 100cm) + 50% RF of chili, T4=100% sweet gourd (2m x 2m) + 50% chili (50cm x 80cm) + 100% RF of chili, T5=100% sweet gourd (2m x 2m) + 50% chili (50cm x 80cm) + 75% RF of chili, T6=100% sweet gourd (2m x 2m) + 50% chili (50cm x 80cm) + 50% RF of chili, T7=Sole sweet gourd, T8= Sole chili. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Fruit yield was calculated for sweet gourd and chili in ton per hectare considering the whole plot as harvested area. Results revealed that the yield of both sweet gourd and chili significantly affected by plant population and fertilizer dose in the intercropping systems. The highest equivalent yield of sweet gourd (21.21 t ha-1), land equivalent ratio (1.59), gross return (Tk. 318150.00 ha-1), gross margin (Tk. 237935.00 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (3.97) were obtained from 100% sweet gourd (2m x 2m) + 50% chili (50cm x 80cm) + 100% RF of chili (T4). Sole crop of chili (T8) gave the lowest equivalent yield of sweet gourd (7.38 t ha-1), gross return (Tk. 110700.00 ha-1), gross margin (Tk. 37455.00 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (1.51). Therefore, sweet gourd (100%) and chili (50%) with recommended fertilizer (100%) of chili might be economically profitable for chili with sweet gourd intercropping system.Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 5 (2): 64-69, December, 2015

Genetic variability and field performance of some sweet gourd (Cucurbita moschata Duch) accessions

Genetic variability and field performance of some sweet gourd (Cucurbita moschata Duch) accessions

Performance of sweet gourd as relay with transplanted aman rice under rainfed ecosystem in Sylhet region

This study was carried out to evaluate the economic benefits of sweet gourd relay with transplanted aman rice under farmer’s field condition at Farming System Research and Development (FSRD) site, Jalalpur and Multi Location Testing (MLT) site, Zakigonj of Sylhet region during 2012-2013 and 2013-2014. The treatment combinations T1: T. aman rice / sweet gourd (var. Mollika), T2: T. aman rice / sweet gourd (var. Hatirpara) local, T3: Sweet gourd (var. Mollika) sole, T4: Sweet gourd (var. Hatirpara) sole and T5: T. aman rice sole (var. Binadhan-7) was maintained. The study was based in a randomized complete block (RCB) design with six dispersed replications. Results in terms of the crops yield, rice equivalent yield, gross return and net return with benefit cost ratio showed higher in sweet gourd / transplanted aman rice relay cropping system. So, sweet gourd relayed with transplanted aman rice could be an economically viable technology, instead of sole cropping, for best utilization of fallow land with residual soil moisture in Sylhet region.Bangladesh Agron. J. 2014, 17(2): 47-53

Intercropping chili with sweet gourd at varying plant population

The experiment was conducted at the experiment stations of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) at Joydebpur and Jamalpur during two consecutive seasons of November 2010 to June 2012 to find out the appropriate plant population of chili (var. Manikgonj local at Joydebpur and Jamalpur local at Jamalpur ) for intercropping with sweet gourd (var. BARI Sweet gourd 2) for higher productivity and economic return. The treatments were : T1= Sole sweet gourd (2.0 m x 2.0 m), T2=Sole chili (50 cm x 40 cm), T3= Sweet gourd (100%) + chili (100%), T4= Sweet gourd (100%) + chili (60%), T5= Sweet gourd (100%) +chili (50%) and T6= Sweet gourd (100%) + Chili (40%). Averaged over the years, fruit yield of sweet gourd was reduced significantly when intercropping with more than 50% chili. Intercropping sweet gourd with chili combination (100%) + chili (40%) gave the highest sweet gourd equivalent yield (35.74 t/ha and 17.95 t/ha), gross return (Tk. 357400/ha and Tk. 179500/ha), gross margin (Tk. 274346/ha and Tk.124600/ha) and benefit cost ratio (4.30 and 3.27), respectively at Joydebpur and Jamalpur. The maximum land equivalent ratio (1.52 at Joydebpur and 1.56 at Jamalpur) was also obtained from sweet gourd (100%) + chili (40%) intercropping system. The results revealed that 40% chili population (20,000/ha) might be optimum for intercropping with sweet gourd (100%) for higher productivity and economic return. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v39i4.22533 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 39(4): 579-589, December 2014

Temporal Variability of Soil and Water Salinity and Its Effect on Crop at Kalapara Upazila

Salinity is a serious threat to the crop production in the southern region of Bangladesh and it is especially important during dry period of a year. A study was undertaken to examine the changes in water and soil salinity over the period from February to April, 2014 at Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali district. Water samples were periodically collected from lake, pond, earthen well, deep tube-wells (5, 15 and 30 km away from the sea) and rivers (Tulatoli, Khaprabhanga, Sonatala and Andharmanik). Soil sampling was done from different crop fields (mustard, sweet gourd, potato, chilli, Khira-cucumber) and water melon and also from Sonatala and Andharmanik River flooded soils inside and outside polders. The electrical conductivity (EC) value of lake and pond waters was below 4 dS/m showing quite safe for irrigation while the EC value of earthen well exceeded 4 dS/m which are suitable in April. Water salinity of deep tube-wells (DTWs) increased as the DTW was closer to the sea, however all EC values were below 4 dS/m that suitable for irrigation, but not suitable for drinking purpose. Salinity level of all rivers tended to rise with the advancement of drying period, and for all dates of sampling, the EC value showed more than 4 dS/m. Soil salinity varied between inside and outside polder, and between mustard and sweet gourd fields, the higher EC values were observed outside polder and in the sweet gourd field. Soil EC levels were all above 4 dS/m particularly in April, crops showed varying degrees of leaf injury depending on the types of crops and extent of soil salinity. The EC values were positively correlated with Na and K contents of soil.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jesnr.v7i2.22218 J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 7(2): 111-114 2014

Crop Diversification and Intensification through Community Vegetable Production Trial in a Village of Dingaputa Haor

A study was conducted at Purba Tethulia village, in Dingaputa haor of Mohangonj Upazila in Netrakona district during the period from April 2011 to March 2012. The objective of the study was to diversify and intensify crops in the research site, to utilize waste/fallow area of homestead land and to utilize family labour during the lean season. The study included community production trials on year round vegetable (Indian spinach, sweet gourd, ash gourd, snake gourd, country bean, bottle gourd) covering all 462 households of the research site. The highest gross margin (Tk 640 farm -1 ) was obtained from country bean during the winter and Tk 399 farm -1 for snake gourd during the summer. The homestead vegetables production round the year may be extended to the haor areas of similar environment for food security as well as for the income generation of the poor and extreme poor people. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jesnr.v7i1.22145 J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 7(1): 59-61 2014