Variety BARI Research Articles

Impact of Foraging Insect Pollinators on Chili Production

The abundance, foraging behavior, and diurnal and seasonal dynamics of the pollinator insects in chili ecosystem, and the impact of the pollinator insects on chili production was studied at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, (BSMRAU) Gazipur, Bangladesh using the chili variety BARI Morich 2. The crop was cultivated in natural, supplemented insect and selfpollination conditions. The lime butterfly, honey bee, carpenter bee and sweat bee were found in the chili ecosystem. Honey bee depicted significantly the highest abundance and visitation frequency and carpenter bee was found as the most rapid forager. The diurnal and seasonal abundance of the pollinator insects was fluctuated and the peak abundance was found at 11.00 hour of the day. Abundance of lime butterfly, honey bee and carpenter bee revealed negative relationship with maximum and minimum temperatures, and positive relationship with relative humidity and rainfall. Abundance of sweat bee was positively correlated with maximum and minimum temperatures and rainfall, and negatively correlated with relative humidity. The chili plants exerted vulnerable response to insect pollination producing significantly the higher number of fruits per plant, fruit length, diameter and weight, number of seed per fruit, seed weight and yield.
 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 46(3): 297-306, September 2021

Regeneration Efficiency Of Five High Yielding Potato Varieties Of Bangladesh

Experiments were conducted to develop an efficient and reliable protocol for in vitro direct regeneration of potato for future transformation. Five varieties of potato viz. BARI Alu-7 (Diamant), BARI Alu-21 (Provento), BARI Alu-24 (Dura), BARI Alu-25 (Asterix) and BARI Alu-26 (Felsina); 3 levels of Zeatin riboside viz. 3, 4 and 5 mg/l ; 2 types of explants viz. internode and leaf from 19-22 days old micro plants were used in this study. Internode explants of BARI Alu-25 produced the highest number of shoots (40.17) within16 days without callus phase in MS medium supplemented with 5 mg/l ZR + 0.2 mg/l GA3 + 0.01 mg/l IAA followed by BARI Alu-21 (38.13), BARI Alu-7 (37.49), respectively. Leaf explants also produced shoots directly without callus phase in the same medium. In this case, the highest number (7.87) of shoots was found from the variety BARI Alu-25 followed by BARI Alu-21(7.42). ½MS medium supplemented with 0.5 – 1.0mg/l IBA resulted the best performance as to the rooting from ZR treated regenerated shoots having 100% plant survival at ex vitro conditions. This protocol may be used for rapid shoot proliferation and genetic transformation in potato. Bangladesh J. Bot. 51(4): 637-645, 2022 (December)

Effect of Salinity (NaCl) Stress on Root-shoot Traits of Tomato in Hydroponic Culture

Background: Tomato is one of the most important and popular vegetable crop grown mainly in dry seasons in Bangladesh. The southern part of the country is suffering from soil salinity problem due to tidal floods. The increasing salinity in the cultivatable land causes huge crop failure. A dozen of tomato varieties have been developed but they are not been tested for salinity tolerance. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the tolerance level of tomato varieties against NaCl salinity stress at the vegetative stage. Methods: The study comprised of four levels of electrical conductivity (EC) based NaCl salinity viz., EC 2 (control), EC 4, EC 6 and EC8 mS/cm and eight varieties of tomato. The two-factor pot experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. NaCl salinity was imposed on the tomato plants through a hydroponic culture system and the effects of salinity on shoot-roots traits were measured. Result: Results showed that morphological traits of tomato plants varied significantly with the salinity levels and variety. It is also noticed that all the vegetative traits reduced as salt concentrations increased in the solution. In combined effects of variety and salinity levels, it was found that BARI Tomato-17 performed superior. It can be concluded that variety BARI Tomato-17 showed comparatively salt tolerant than the other varieties.

EVALUATION OF ADVANCED TOMATO MUTANTS BASED ON GROWTH, YIELD ATTRIBUTES AND YIELD

Field experiment was conducted during November 2009 to March 2010, to investigate growth and yield attributes of advanced tomato mutants (TM-110 and TM-219) along with three cultivars (BARI tomato-3, BARI tomato-14 and BINA tomato-5) following randomized complete block design with three replications. There were significant genotypic differences in respect of morpho-physiological characters (plant height, branch and leaf area, total dry mass, absolute growth rate and relative growth rate), biochemical parameter (nitrate reductase), reproductive characters (number of effective and non-effective flower cluster, number of flowers and reproductive efficiency), phenological characters (days to flowering start, days to first harvest and harvesting duration), yield attributes and fruit yield. In general high yielding genotypes showed superior performance in plant height, branch number, leaf area, total dry mass production, absolute growth rate, nitrate reductase activity and fruit size compared to low yielding ones. Relative growth rate,chlorophyll, photosynthesis, reproductive characters and fruit number had no relationship with fruit yield in tomato. The variety BARI tomato-14 showed the highest fruit yield (77.7 t ha-1) due to its superiority in respect of morpho-physiological, biochemical and larger fruit sizes. In contrast, the mutant TM-110 and the variety BINA tomato-5 produced the lower fruit yield (average 51.2 t ha -1) due to poor performance in growth characters and smaller size of fruits. However, TM-110 matured 4-15 days earlier than the other mutant/varieties. Further, harvesting duration was higher in high yielding genotypes than low yielding ones. The highest harvesting duration was recorded in BARI tomato-14 (28 days) followed by BARI tomato-3 (26 days). This information may be implicated in future plant breeding programme.

English

This study was conducted at farmers’ field with three disperse replicas in three different places viz. Satkhira (AEZ-11), Koyra (AEZ-13), and Bagerhat (AEZ-11) of Khulna division in the Rabi season of 2019-2020 to determine salt tolerant varieties for maximizing mustard yield, as well as farmers’ income. Characterization was done with six varieties namely BARI Sarisha-11, BARI Sarisha-14, BARI Sarisha-16, BARI Sarisha-17, and BARI Sarisha-18 (Canola) and a control variety Tori-7 under saline stress condition in coastal area of Bangladesh. Seed Tori-7, BARI Sarisha-11, BARI Sarisha-16, and BARI Sarisha-18 (Canola) were pingol in color while BARI Sarisha-14 and BARI Sarisha-17 were yellow. The yields range of the varieties was 1.13 to 2.09 t ha-1 and oil was 41.37 to 43.40%. Variety BARI Sarisha-18 (Canola) produced the maximum yield (2.09 t ha-1) followed by BARI Sarisha-16 (1.98 t ha-1) and BARI Sarisha-11 (1.84 t ha-1). Because BARI Sarisha-18 (Canola) and BARI Sarisha-16 are suitable for coastal areas, combining this variety with a coastal area cropping pattern will increase cropping intensity, which will benefit farmers both economically and nutritionally. Key word: Mustard variety, soil salinity, tolerance, growth, yields performance.

Effect of Macronutrients Combination with Plant Spacing on the Growth and Yield of Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.)

An experiment was conducted into the Horticulture Farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka from October 2019 to March 2020 this study the effect of macronutrients combination and plant spacing on growth and yield of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.). Black cumin variety BARI Kalozira-1 was used as planting material in this study. The experiment consisted of two factors: Factor-A: macro nutrient combinations (4 levels): T1= N0P0K0 kg ha-1 (control), T2= N90P50K40 kg ha-1, T3= N135P75K60 kg ha-1; Factor-B: plant spacing (3 levels): S1= 20 cm × 10 cm, S2= 20 cm × 15 cm and S3= 20 cm × 20 cm. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with factorial with three replications. Data on different growth, yield and yield contributing parameter of black cumin were recorded and significant variation was observed from different treatments. In case of nutrient combinations, the tallest plant (54.86 cm) was observed from T3 (N135P75K60 kg ha-1) treatment. The maximum primary branch plant-1 (8.62) and secondary branch plant-1 (12.18), flower plant-1 (22.20), capsules plant-1 (19.69) and 1000 seed weight (2.99 g) was observed from T2 (N90P50K40 kg ha-1) treatment. The highest seed yield ha-1 (1.18 t) was observed from T2 (N90P50K40 kg ha-1) treatment. In case of plant spacing the tallest plant (48.34 cm) was observed from S1 (20 cm × 10 cm) treatment. The maximum primary branch plant-1 (7.80) and secondary branch plant-1 (11.23) flower plant-1 (20.26), capsules plant-1 (18.81), 1000 seed weight (2.99 g) were observed from S3 (20 cm × 20 cm) treatment. The highest seed yield ha-1 (1.09 t) was recorded from S1 (20 cm × 10 cm) treatment. It can be concluded that, sowing of black cumin providing 90 kg N, 50 kg P and 40 kg K nutrient combination with 20 cm × 10 cm plant spacing was recorded to be more suitable practice for getting higher amount and quality of seed yield of black cumin.

Field evaluation of promising mutants of mungbean against Fela Beetle, Aphid and POD Borer

Experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Farm of Patuakhali Science and Technology University to know the morphological characteristics of different mutants of mungbean and to find out tolerant/least susceptible mutant(s) against flea beetle, aphid and pod borer based on the reaction of insect pests to promising mutants of mungbean during the period from April to June, 2015. The mutant MBM-07(S)-2 was found to be the tallest (32.57 cm) with highest number of branches/plant (5.03), highest number of leaves/plant (11.06) among all mutants and check variety while MBM-07-Y-2 (23.40 cm) was the shortest plant height, MBM-656-51-2 had the lowest number of branches/plant (3.73), MBM-347-13 (7.03) had the lowest number of leaves/plant. The mutant MBM-427-87-3 had the highest number of pods (5.00) compared to other mutants but MBM-656-51-2 had the lowest number of pods/plant (3.09). Significantly the highest pod length and the highest number of seeds/pod were recorded in the mutant MBM-07-Y-1 (6.37 cm) while the lowest pod length (5.19 cm) was in MBM-80(LCAL) and lowest number of seeds/pod was in the mutant MBM-390-94-Y (5.34). Mutant MBM-347-13 had the lowest population of flea beetle (18.00) and pod borer (2.00) compared to all other mutants while the lowest number of aphid/plant was observed in mutant MBM-07-Y-1 (1.00). In case of infestation, the mutant MBM-347-13 had the lowest percentage of infestation (20.69%) by flea beetle, (3.18%) by pod borer but the lowest infestation by aphid (3.33%) was recorded in the mutant MBM-390-94-Y while the mutant MBM-427-87-3 had the highest percentage of plant infestation (37.80%) by flea beetle, pod damage (9.69%) by pod borer and variety BARI moog-6 had the highest percentage (34.45%) of plant infestation by aphid. Mutant MBM-347-13 was least susceptible to flea beetle and pod borer while mutant MBM-427-87-3 was highly susceptible to flea beetle and pod borer. However, mutant MBM-390-94-Yand MBM-07-Y-2 were less susceptible to aphid while BARI moog-6 and mutant MBM-427-87-3 were highly susceptible to aphid. SAARC J. Agric., 20(1): 97-106 (2022)

Screening of Different Fungicides in Controlling Wheat Blast in Bangladesh

Wheat blast caused by Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum (MoT) is an aggressive fungal disease threatening wheat production in Bangladesh. In the absence of resistant varieties, fungicide control is a first-hand effort. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of different fungicides against wheat blast in pot conditions and to identify the best one for preventive spray. The efficacy of five fungicides i.e., Nativo 75WG (Tebuconazole 50% + Trifloxystrobin 25%), Trooper 75 WP (Tricyclazole), Two in One (Hexaconazole 3% + Tricyclazole 22%), Opponent 75 WG (Tebuconazole 50% + Trifloxystrobin 25%) and Azonil 56 SC (Azoxystrobin 6% + Chlorothalonil 50%) against wheat blast was evaluated. The blast susceptible variety BARI Gom 26 was planted in pot following CRD with three replications. Wheat plants (52 days old) were inoculated with spore suspension (107 CFU) from 7 days old MoT cultures grown on oat meal agar at 25°C. Fungicides were sprayed at the pre-heading stage (52 DAS) after 48 hours of inoculation. Data on disease incidence and severity were scored for seven times after first appearance of disease symptoms. The results indicate Nativo exhibited the highest level of fungicidal activity against blast with a 40.10% disease incidence and 91.81% severity, followed by Trooper with a 47.36% incidence and 97.45% severity. The diseases incidence for the rest three fungicides ranged from 53.90% to 85.10%. Nativo and Trooper showed 52.88 % and 44.35 % blast reductions respectively. It can be concluded that Nativo and Trooper fungicides can be used to control wheat blast by spraying twice at the 10 days interval at pre-heading stage.

Gladiolus Growth and Flowering: Impact of Chemicals And Plant Growth Regulators

To study the growth and flowering of gladiolus by using different chemicals and PGR, an experiment was conducted at the research field of the Department of Horticulture, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur from September 2019 to May 2020. Medium sized (3.5-4.5 cm) corms of the variety BARI gladiolus-3 were planted at about 6-9 cm depth in a unit plot of 1.8 m X 1.2 m maintaining a spacing of 30 cm X 20 cm following Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replications. Foliar spray with 3 levels of GA3 (150, 200 and 250 ppm), 2 levels of KNO3 (1 and 2%) and 2 levels of Ca(NO3)2 (1 and 2%) along with control (only tap water) was done at 30, 45 and 60 days after planting (DAP). Results revealed that although, the tallest plant (62.9 cm) was observed in T3; where, GA3 was applied at the highest concentration (250 ppm) but it was statistically at par with the height recorded in T2 (60.7 cm) and T4 (59.4 cm); where, GA3 was applied @ 200 ppm and KNO3 was applied @ 1%, respectively. Although, Spike length in T3 (85.7 cm) varied statistically with T2 (75.9 cm) but rachis length in T3 (57.4 cm) was statistically similar with T2 (56.8 cm). Floret length and breadth in T2 (11.3 cm and 11.3 cm, respectively) were higher than T3 (10.7 cm and 10.8 cm, respectively). Number of floret per spike was statistically similar in all treatments except T4 (12.7) and T7 (12.4). The highest leaf area was recorded in T5 (189.5 cm2); where, KNO3 was applied @ 2% and this was statistically similar to all other treatments except T6 (148.9 cm2); where Ca(NO3)2 was applied @ 1%. On overall consideration, gibberellic acid (GA3) @ 250 ppm may be used for better growth and flowering of gladiolus. Ann. Bangladesh Agric. (2021) 25 (1) : 67-78

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)

Evaluation of Salt Tolerant Garlic Cultivars Based on Physiological and Yield Responses

An aggravated salt concentration in soil restricts to intensify the crop productivity. In a salinity tolerance test, five Allium sativum cultivars viz. BARI Rashun-1, BARI Rashun-2, BARI Rashun-3, BARI Rashun-4 and Local (Natore local) were comapared subjecting four level of salt stress viz. 0, 4, 8 and 12 dS m-1. Total dry matter (TDM) (g) plant-1, bulb yield and yield supporting traits of all cultivars were depressed with successively induced salt. But, TDM productions, yield and yield supporting traits were less degraded in BARI Rashun-4 and BARI Rashun-3 at 12 dSm-1 salinity and had a stronger ability to continue constant osmotic potential maintaining the uttermost K+/Na+ ratio. The variety BARI Rashun-4 showed higher activity of antioxidant enzyme and less cell membrane damage at 12 dSm-1 salt level. BARI Rashun-3 and BARI Rashun-4 were considered as a relatively saline tolerant due to higher antioxidant enzyme synthesis, ion homeostasis and less degradation of yield. SAARC J. Agric., 19(2): 181-193 (2021)

Forecasting Tomato Variety for Different Seasons and Regions of Bangladesh

An experiment was carried out at the "Horticulture Nursery and Germplasm Centre", of Patuakhali Science and Technology University, to find out suitable temperature, variety for winter season and promising heat tolerant variety for summer season in different regions of Bangladesh. The experiment comprised of ten varieties of tomato namely, BARI tomato 2 (Roton), BARI tomato 3, BARI tomato 9 (Lalima), BARI tomato 14, Surakkha, BARI hybrid tomato 5, BARI hybrid tomato 6, Mintoo tomato (Lal Teer Seed Ltd.), Tidy tomato (Metal Seed Ltd.) and Roma VF (ACI Seed Ltd) and three temperature conditions viz., normal temperature (10-20°C), medium temperature (21-25°C) and high temperature (26-35°C). All of the treatments were arranged into the pots. There were altogether 30 treatment combinations with three replications. The experiment was laid out in a Split-plot Design. Both different temperature conditions, varieties of tomato independently and also in combination showed significant influence on different parameters of tomato plant. Medium temperature was noticed for healthy growth and flowering but not for higher yield and yield traits. Variety engaged in vegetative acceleration (Tidy, BARI tomato 3), did not convalesced yield and yield attributes. The highest total chlorophyll (1.29 mg/gfw) in leaves and fruit weight per plant (2.06 kg) were recorded from the variety BARI tomato 2. In normal/low temperature conditions the variety Mintoo gave the highest yield (66.68 t/ha) where variety BARI tomato 2 (65.50 t/ha) was identical. Reversely, the lowest fruit weight per plant (40.23 t/ha) was found from the variety Mintoo in the high temperature but the variety BARI tomato 2 provided the highest yield (49.39 t/ha). BARI tomato 2 also afforded higher yield in medium temperature, where Roma VF and BARI tomato 3 were also closely associated. These results indicated the higher heat tolerance ability of BARI tomato 2 and lower tolerance ability of variety Mintoo. Therefore, BARI tomato 2 might be recommend for all seasons and regions of Bangladesh. Meanwhile, variety Mintoo might be recommended only for winter and for northern region whereas Roma VF and BARI tomato 3 for middle-southern region during autumn seasons of Bangladesh.

Soil supplementation with Si, B and Zn and their synergetic effects in reducing severity of wheat blast (Magnaporthe oryzae Triticum)

Wheat blast (Magnaporthe oryzae Triticum) in Bangladesh and South America is recognized as one major limiting factor of wheat production. Its control using chemical pesticides raises concerns about food safety and pesticide resistance, which have dictated the need for alternative blast management approach, nutrient supplementation could be an ecofriendly alternative. Experiments were carried out under confined net house condition for two consecutive cropping seasons. Single doses of the nutrients (Si, B and Zn) were incorporated during soil preparation. Plants of the wheat blast susceptible variety BARI Gom-26 were inoculated with spores (1 x 107 spores ml-1) of Magnaporthe oryzae Triticum at blast vulnerable pre-heading stage of 52 days age. Typical wheat blast symptoms of spike bleaching from top to downward appeared on sight 14 days after inoculation i.e., 66 days age of the crop. Incidence and severity of blast bleaching of spike were scored for four times starting from 68 days age @ three day’s interval. None of the nutrients could stop the incidence of blast on wheat; however, some nutrients reduced the blast incidence significantly. Solo application of Si, B and Zn or combination of two caused significant reduction of spike bleaching. With the mixed application of Si, B and Zn, > 47% reduction of wheat blast severity was obtained. The results revealed that the soil application of silicon, zinc and boron had a synergistic effect on the intensity of blast disease of wheat. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 11(2): 76-84, Dec 2021

​Binasoybean-6: A High Yielding Mutant Soybean Variety Developed through Sustainable Mutation Breeding

Background: Soybean is an important source of food, protein and oil and hence more research is essential to increase its yield under different agro-ecological conditions, including stress. In this regard, four popular soybean varieties viz. Shohag, BDS-4, BAU-S/64 and BARI Soybean-5 were irradiated using Co60 gamma rays to create genetic variation for earliness, higher seed yield and other desirable agronomic traits. Methods: The experiments were conducted at Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) Headquarters farm, Mymensingh during 2006-2009 and 28 elite mutant lines were selected for evaluation. The mutant line, SBM-22 derived from mother variety BARI Soybean-5 irradiated with 300Gy of gamma rays was found to be superior compared to other mutants. Considering the superior performance of mutant SBM-22 including 28 mutants and mother check variety BARI Soybean-5, were evaluated through different trials. The evaluation trials were conducted at different agro-ecological zones of the country during Rabi season (January to April) of 2010-2018. Result: Significant variations were observed both in individual location and over locations for all traits. Reactions to major diseases and insect-pests infestation were also studied. Due to better performance of the mutant SBM-22, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) applied to the National Seed Board (NSB) of Bangladesh for registration as an important soybean variety “Binasoybean-6”. Consequently, the NSB of Bangladesh registered SBM-22 as an improved soybean variety in 2019 as Binasoybean-6 for commercial cultivation.

GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY SEED PRODUCTION OF ONION RESPONSE TO MULCHING AND VARIETIES

Onion (Allium cepa L.) belonging to the family Alliaceae, is one of the most important spice and vegetable crops in the world. In Bangladesh, onion is grown in winter when rainfall is scarce and plants face deficiency of water. The farmers cannot irrigate the land due to shortage of irrigation facilities or acute financial problem. In this situation soil moisture conservation through mulching may ensure sufficient supply to the growing crop. Mulches have various effects on plant growth and yield. There were significant variation exists on bulb, seed yield and seed quality performance among the genotypes. The experiment was conducted to study the effect of mulching and variety on growth, yield and seed production of onion. Two factors: Factor (A) four mulching treatments, no mulch, natural mulch, rice straw mulch and black polythene mulch; Factor (B) five onion variety Taherpuri, BARI piaz-2, Jhitka, BARI piaz- 4 and BARI piaz-1were used in the study. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with twenty treatment combinations and three replications. In the experiment it was revealed that black polythene mulch showed highest results on almost all plant, seed yield (1653.79kg/ha) and seed quality characters and lowest result in control treatment. The performance of the mulches was found in order of no mulch < natural mulch < rice straw mulch < black polythene mulch. In case of variety BARI piaz- 4 showed highest results almost on all vegetative, reproductive, seed yield (1476.04 kg/ha) and seed quality characters and lowest result in parameters and lowest result in Jhitka variety. The performance of the onion varieties was found in order of Jhitka <Taherpuri < BARI-1 <BARI-2 <BARI-4. Among the treatment combinations, black polythene mulch with BARI-4 variety produced the highest result and lowest in Jhitka variety with no mulch treatment. Further trial of this research work in different locations of the country is needed to recommend the result for use at farmer´s level.

ABUNDANCE, DAMAGE SEVERITY OF MAJOR INSECT PESTS OF CHILLI AND THEIR SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT THROUGH IPM BASED MODULES

Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) is a vital and the most essential spice as well as vegetable crop in Bangladesh. Nowadays, the productivity of chilli is being decrease due to attack of insect pests. For the purpose of study on the abundance and damage severity, randomize 10 plants were selected from the experimental field. Besides, a field investigation was conducted at the field laboratory of Department of Entomology, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, Bangladesh in a randomized block design (RCBD) with a plot size of 1m2 with each treatment replicated three times in order to know the feasibility of four IPM based modules against major insect pests of chilli during Rabi season, 2020-2021 where Chilli variety BARI Morich-03 was used as an experimental crop. Results revealed that aphid exhibited the highest number of population (312.89/plant) and it caused damage maximum (36.57%) too which was followed by 264.36, 206.42, 186.95/plant and 32.16%, 23.45%, 19.88% in thrips, mites and jassid, respectively. The rank of incidence and damage was aphid>thrips>mites>jassid. On the contrary, for controlling the insect pests of chilli, of different IPM based modules, M-2 module was found the most promising in reducing the population of aphids (22.47/plant), thrips (53.18/plant), mites (62.45/plant), jassid (54.12/plant) and fruit borer (3.19/plant), where were obtained the greater plant height (72.35cm), highest number of branches (31.02/plant) & green fruits (404.13/plant) per plant, maximum weight of 1000 seed (4.03g) and better yield (8.42 t/ha). Furthermore, the highest benefit cost ratio (BCR) (1:1.56) was recorded by M-2 modules followed by M-4 (1:1.44), M-1 (1:1.12) and M-3 (1:1.09), respectively. Thus, the overall order of effectiveness of various IPM based modules was M-2>M-4>M-1>M-3. From the result, it also may be concluded that the cumulative insect pests per plant was strong as well as negatively correlated with the yield (t/ha) i.e. yield was increased due to decrease of cumulative insect pests per plant in chilli production. Therefore, M-2 can be used to reduction of major insect pests of chilli, environment safely and increased yield of chilli.

Organic Amendments with Poultry Manure and Cow Dung Influence the Yield and Status of Nutrient Uptake in Wheat (<i>Triticum aestivum</i>)

The field experiment cultivating wheat during the winter season from November 2014 to March 2015 was conducted in the “North Eastern Barind Tract Soils” at Kushadaha, Nawabganj, Dinajpur in Bangladesh. The wheat variety BARI Gom 26 was selected in focusing to evaluate the effects of organic amendments using poultry manure (PM) and cow dung (CD) on the growth, yield and nutrient uptake by the plant. The texture of the field soil was clay with acidic nature (pH 5.61). The trials comprise three treatments following a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated thrice. Results showed that significantly greater plant height, number of tillers per hill and straw yield were 98.10 cm, 3.66 and 5425 kg/ha respectively in receiving the treatment T2 than T3 (95.66 cm, 3.38 and 4483 kg/ha) and T1 (control). Spike length, 1000 grain weight and grain yield were 9.23 cm, 39.81 kg/ha and 3100 kg/ha respectively also higher in T2 treatment than T3 (8.76 cm, 38.51 kg/ha, 3091 kg/ha) with no statistical differences among them. Therefore, the treatment T2 (PM) comprised of poultry manure and NPK exhibited as the best treatment for producing the highest in all growth and yield parameters of wheat. In wheat grain, the content of N, P, K, S, Mg, Zn and B ranged from 1.080% to 1.380% N, 0.390% to 0.398% P, 0.780% to 0.840% K, 0.079% to 0.111% S, 0.181% to 0.187% Mg, 25.56 to 29.77 ppm Zn and 10.12 to 12.54 ppm B. Similarly in straw, nutrients content ranged from 0.220 to 0.300% N, 0.045% to 0.074% P, 0.970% to 1.250% K, 0.152% to 0.191% S, 0.097% to 0.101% Mg, 10.78 to 13.23 ppm Zn and 27.98 to 2989 ppm B. Therefore, organic amendment with 5-ton cow dung (CD) ha-1 with a recommended dose of NPK significantly increased the content of N, S, Mg, Zn and B in the grain and straw of wheat. Alternatively, the poultry manure treatment with NPK significantly increased the content of P and K in the grain and straw of wheat. However, results revealed that the treatments T2 and T3 comprising a recommended dose of NPK with poultry manure and cow dung respectively could increase the content of N, P, K, S, Mg, Zn and B in wheat. The overall results expressed that the poultry manure treatment with NPK (T2) exposed as superior for producing the top growth and yield attributes of wheat in the studied area.

Yield performance of radiation induced rapeseed mutants at M8 generation

Rapeseed is the most potential oil seed crops of Indian sub-continent. So higher seed yield potential variety is central choice of rapeseed grower. To verify the yield performances of rapeseed mutants an experiment was conducted at various locations of Bangladesh. Four true breeding (homozygous) mutants obtain from three different radiation doses (600, 800 and 900 Gy) along with the mother variety BARI Sarisha-15 and check variety BARI Sarisha-17 were used for each condition. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Interaction between genotype and location showed significant variations for all the agronomic traits, whereas only non-significant variations were provided from branch plant-1 and siliquae length for location. Mutant RM-20 produces the highest plant height (101.1cm) and matures earlier than all other mutants’ parent and check. At Magura and Ishurdi all the mutants produce significantly higher number of siliquae plant-1 then parent BARI Sarisha-15 and check BARI Sarisha-17. RM-18 and RM-20 produce maximum seeds siliquae-1 (30) whereas the mutant RM-07 produced lowest number of seeds siliquae-1 (22). Combined means over locations showed that mutants namely RM-18 and RM-20 produced significantly higher seed yield (1551.1 and 1385 kg/ha, respectively). This suggests that gamma ray’s irradiation can be fruitfully applied to develop mutants with higher seed yield and other agronomic traits in rapeseed

Biochemical and sensory traits of potato for processing purpose as influenced by vermicompost and potassium sources

Production of low-quality potato is the main constraint for increasing the processing and export scenario in Bangladesh. Hence, application of different sources of potassium and vermicompost may improve the biochemical and sensory quality of potato. The experiment was conducted to assess the effect of potassium sources and vermicompost level on the yield and processing quality of potato. The potato variety BARI Alu-25 (Asterix) was used as test crop for this experiment. The experiment consisted of two factors: Factor A: 3 sources of Potassium as-K1: KCl, K2: KNO3, K3: K2SO4; Factor B: 4 levels of vermicompost as-Vm0: 0 ton, Vm1: 4 ton, Vm2: 8 ton, and Vm3: 12 ton. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with three replications. Results revealed that the highest dry matter content (19.83%), specific gravity (1.090 g/cc), and starch (14.81%) were recorded from K2SO4, whereas, the lowest from KNO3. The firmness, dry matter content, specific gravity, and starch content increased with increasing the vermicompost level. A negative relation was observed in the case of TSS and sugar content. Among the 12 treatment combinations, the highest dry matter content (21.12%), specific gravity (1.103 g/cc), and starch (16.34%) were found from K3Vm3, whereas, the lowest from K2Vm0 treatment. However, K1Vm2, K1Vm3, K3Vm2, K3Vm3 showed statistically similar results regarding quality attributes. But the availability of potassium sources and economic point of view, KCl combined with 8-ton vermicompost ha-1 could be used for the production of good quality potato.

An improved Agrobacterium mediated transformation and regeneration protocol for successful genetic engineering and genome editing in eggplant

Successful genetic manipulation largely depends on effective transformation and regeneration methods. The Agrobacterium mediated transformation has always been the method of choice for crop improvement through genetic engineering and the recently developed CRISPR/Cas9 based genome editing approaches. In this study, we have developed an improved regeneration and Agrobacterium mediated transformation protocols for three high yielding eggplant varieties BARI begun 2, 4 and 6. Several key parameters were intensively studied which include culture media composition, concentration of growth regulators, compatible antibiotic selection, hyperhydricity and rooting process. For the three different explants used in the study, it was found that MS+2.5 mg/l BAP alone is optimal as a hormone supplement for maximum shoot regeneration. Significant reduction (16.67 ± 0.11%) in hyperhydricity was observed when casein hydrolysate along with sorbitol was used at a concentration of 0.2 mg/l and 0.1 mg/l respectively in MS+BAP 2.5 mg/l supplemented medium. Transformation efficiency was found to be highest with an Agrobacterium concentration of 0.6 at OD 600 nm, 10 min of infection and two days of co-cultivation. We found 100 mg/l concentration of kanamycin to be suitable as a selection pressure for screening eggplant transformation events. Rooting media composition standardized in this protocol provides a higher rate of root formation (85%) in both in vitro and ex vitro conditions. Using this protocol, existing problems in eggplant genetic engineering can easily be overcome with higher transformation efficiency.