International Journal of Agricultural Research, Innovation and Technology

1-5

Authors: MK Islam, MS Mahfuz, MAI Sarker, S Ghosh, ASMY Ali

The experiment was conducted during kharif II in 2006 & 07, rabi in 2006-07 & 07-08 and kharif I in 2007 and 2008 at ARS, Burirhat, Rangpur in RCB design to understand the influence of season and location specific environment effect on growth and yield of hybrid maize and selected suitable variety(s). Four hybrid maize varieties V1=BARI hybrid Maize (BHM)-2, V2=BHM-3, V3= BHM-5 and V4= Pacific-984 (as check) were tested during kharif II in 2006 while seven varieties V1= BHM-2, V2= BHM-3, V3= BHM-5 and V4= Pacific-984, V5= Pacific-60, V6= Pacific-11 and V7= Prolin were during the other seasons except rabi, 07-08, where variety Pacific-555 was used in V7 instead of Prolin. Seeds were sown on August 30 and August 11 for kharif II of 2006 and 2007, respectively, November 28 and 17 for rabi 2006-2007 and 2007-08 and March 08 and 12 for for kharif I 2007 and 2008. The crops were harvested on January 25, 2007 and January 12, 2008 in the two consecutive kharif II seasons; May 10 and April 29 in rabi 2006-07 and 2007-08, and July 01 and 05 in kharif I 2007 and 2008, respectively. Yield parameters were mostly varied significantly. The highest yield was obtained from BHM-5 (9.03 t ha-1), which was followed by Pacific-984 (8.89 t ha-1), BHM-3 (8.81 t ha-1) and BHM-2 (8.58 t ha-1) in kharif II, 2006 while in kharif II, 2007 the highest significant yield was noted in Pacific-984 (9.22 t ha-1). In rabi, 2006-07, significant highest grain yield was obtained from Pacific-60 (11.03 t ha-1), which was statistically identical with Prolin (10.20 t ha-1). The yield of Prolin was also statistically identical with Pacific-11 (10.01 t ha-1), BHM-5 (10.00 t ha-1), BHM-3 (9.92 t ha-1) and BHM-2 (9.51 t ha-1). Comparatively lower temperature during ear initiation (mean 29.6oC in rabi and 31oC in kharif II) and silking (mean 18.2oC in rabi and 20.2oC in kharif II) contributed much for higher trend of yield in rabi over kharif. In kharif I, 2007, the highest yield (9.55 t ha-1) was recorded from Pacific-60, which was identical to Pacific-984 (9.25 t ha-1), BHM-5 (9.11 t ha-1) and BHM-3 (8.89 t ha-1). All the BARI hybrid maize varieties were suitable to grown in kharif I, kharif II and rabi season although BHM-3, BHM-5, Pacific-60 and Pacific-984 were better in Kharif I and Pacific-60, BHM-5, Prolin and Pacific-555 were found better in Rabi season.

11-15

Authors: MA Hosen, M Shahjahan, MS Rahman, MJ Alam

A study on the effects of artificial feeds on growth and production of fishes along with some limnological conditions were conducted in polyculture system. Species of Indian major carp (Cirrhinus mrigala) and exotic fishes (Hypophthalmicthys molitrix and Oreochromis niloticus) were stocked in six ponds under two treatments, each with three replications. Stocking rate in both treatments was 100 fish per decimal at the ratio of silver carp: tilapia: mrigal = 2: 2: 1. Fertilization and artificial feeds were given in Ttreatment 1 (T1) and only fertilization was done in Treatment 2 (T2). Wheat bran, rice bran and soybean meal were given daily as artificial feed in T1 in the ratio of wheat bran: rice bran: soybean meal = 2: 2: 1 (by wt). Urea, T.S.P and cow dung were applied fortnightly at the rate of 60 g deci-1, 90 g deci-1 and 2 kg deci-1 respectively. Water temperature, transparency, pH, dissolved oxygen, free CO2, total alkalinity, PO4-P and NO3-N were determined fortnightly and phytoplankton and zooplankton were studied fortnightly. These limnological conditions were more or less similar in the ponds under two treatments and were within suitable ranges. Calculated gross and net yields of fish were 16.56 and 12.48 ton ha-1 respectively in case of fertilization and artificial feeding application (T1) and 9.99 and 5.91 ton ha-1 respectively in case of only fertilization (T2). Application of artificial feed in T1 significantly increased the growth and production of fish more than two times which indicates that artificial feeding in polyculture is very useful for increasing fish production.

22-28

Authors: GKMM Rahman, MSI Afrad, MM Rahman

The present study was carried out to assess the existing status of compost usage on vegetable production and determine the overall effect of household waste compost (HWC) on growth and yield of vegetables and enhancement of soil fertility in the monga areas of Bangladesh. A field survey was conducted on 152 sampled farmers during 2010 to 2011. Questionnaire containing both closed and open-ended questions were used to assess existing production practices of vegetables using compost in both homestead and field conditions. Three field trials at Badargonj and Kawnia upazilas of Rangpur district were conducted taking four treatments i.e. control, recommended doses (RD) of fertilizers, HWC at the rate of 10 tha-1, and HWC 10 t ha-1 plus RD as IPNS based with Lal shak, Palong shak, Pui shak and Tomato. Base line survey results indicated inadequate knowledge of the farmers on use and preparation of the household waste compost. Yield data of all vegetables i.e. Tomato, Lal shak, Palong shak and Pui shak indicated that the combined application of nutrients using organic and inorganic sources were significantly better than that of solitary application of inorganic fertilizers. The potential of household waste compost applied @ 10 t ha-1 along with inorganic fertilizers applied was found highly satisfactory in producing Tomato, where yield was recorded 75 t ha-1 in the study area. The fresh yield of Palong shak was found 16 t ha-1 when recommended doses of inorganic fertilizers were applied, but it was about 19 t ha-1 under combined application of HWC @ 10 t ha-1 and inorganic fertilizers following IPNS concept. The fresh yield of Pui shak was found about 49 t ha-1 under combined application of organic and inorganic nutrients. Considering the availability and costs of different composts, it is evinced that HWC contained good amount of NPK which indicates its potentiality to be used as a soil amendment, improving soil fertility and crop productivity. It can be an alternative to chemical fertilizer to increase soil microbial populations and enzyme activities and to promote the soil nutrient for horticultural crops in the unfertile areas especially in the monga areas of Bangladesh.

35-40

Authors: MK Islam, MS Mahfuz, S Ghosh, ASMY Ali, MZ Hasnat

The experiment was carried out to compare the improved cropping patterns against the farmers existing potato based cropping patterns having no mungbean/brown manure crop for higher yield, economic return and income generation in agricultural field in the off period following RCBD design with three replications at farmer’s field at Paikan Gangachara, Rangpur district during September-October. The treatments (cropping patterns) were T1 = T. aman rice (BINA 7) - Potato - Mungbean (BARI mungbean 6) (Improved pattern), T2 = T. aman rice (BR11) - Potato - Fallow (Farmers pattern), T3 = T. aman rice (BINA 7) - Potato + Maize intercrop - Mungbean (Improved pattern) and T4 = T. aman rice (BR11) - Potato / Maize relay (Farmers pattern). The highest yield (4.16 t ha-1) was recorded in T2 (BR11) which is statistically at par with T4 (4.15 t ha-1) but higher than the other treatments. Early planting sole potato (T1) gave highest yield (26.10 t ha-1) which was significantly higher than all other treatments. Late planting sole potato (T2), intercropped early potato (T3) and relay potato (T4) showed similar yield (23.61 – 24.79 t ha-1). Intercropped (T3) and Relay (T4) maize did not vary significantly in the studied parameters and yields were 8.21 and 7.92 t ha-1, respectively. Mungbean after sole potato (T1) gave higher number of pods/plant (17.25), and yield (1.47 t ha-1) which is significantly higher than those of T3 (14.89 and 1.28 t ha-1, respectively). Highest gross return (GR) (Tk. 417720) and gross margin (GM) (Tk. 220220) were calculated in improved pattern T3 and the lowest of those (Tk. 289670, Tk. 146020) in farmers pattern T2 . The other improved pattern T3 was the second highest performer considering GR and GM. But BCR (2.21) was highest in T1 and second highest in T3. The results indicated that the improved patterns (T1, T3) were better than farmers pattern (T2, T4). The improved pattern (T1) gave GR Tk. 67890 and GM Tk. 51785 higher than farmers pattern (T2). Similarly, the other improved pattern (T3) showed Tk. 51870 and Tk. 37395 higher than farmers pattern (T4). The improved pattern T1 and T3 created 45 working day job for the labour for harvesting early matured rice in the Monga/ jobless period (October) while farmers’ pattern gives only 3 days work. The mungbean included improved cropping patterns can be suggested for increased production, economic return and Monga mitigation (work opportunity in off period) in Rangpur.

46-52

Authors: FA Prodhan, MSI Afrad

The primary purpose of the study was to assess the extent of knowledge and perception of extension workers towards ICT utilization and to determine the relationship between the selected characteristics of the respondents and knowledge and perception of extension workers towards ICT utilization in extension service delivery. The study was conducted in Gazipur district and comprised proportionate random sample of 90 extension workers from five upazila of Gazipur district. A pre-tested interview schedule was used to collect data from the respondents. To measure the knowledge on ICT utilization 35 statements were selected regarding 7 ICT with five possible answer of each tools and a score of one was given to the right answer and zero to the wrong answer alternatively to measure the perception of the respondents rated each of 10 statements ICT utilization in agriculture on a 5-point Likert type scale and the total of these ratings formed perception index. The result of the study showed that out of seven ICT tools the knowledge of extension workers was highest in case of MS Word this was followed by internet/ web service and the lowest knowledge was found in case of Geographical Information System. It is observed that an overwhelming majority (88.9%) of agricultural extension workers in the study area had low to medium knowledge towards ICT utilization. Findings reveal that the respondents had top most perception on the ICT utilization in respect of ‘Extension work can be greatly enhanced by ICT’ followed by on ‘The benefits of ICT use outweigh the financial burden involved’. The result also indicated that more than fourth-fifth (84.4%) of the respondents had medium to high perception towards ICT utilization. There were significant relationship between service experience and use of the information sources of the respondents with their knowledge towards ICT utilization conversely innovativeness, cosmopoliteness and job satisfaction of the respondents showed positive significant relationship with their perception towards ICT utilization.

55-60

Authors: S Tamiru, H Ashagre

In Ethiopia, wheat productivity is constrained by water stress especially at germination and seedling stage. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of moisture stress on bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars. Four wheat cultivars (Danda’a, Kubsa, Huluka and Local) were treated with six levels of water stress (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 g L-1) using PEG-6000. The experiment was arranged factorally in completely randomized design with three replications. Data on germination and growth indices were collected and analyzed using one way ANOVA. The result revealed that highest germination percentage (99.7%), germination rate (14.6 plants day-1) and seedling vigor index (9.67) were obtained from the local cultivar. Progressive increase in water stress had also significantly reduced germination indices. There was no significant difference among the cultivars in producing taller root and shoot length. The local cultivar had significantly produced highest root number (4.3 plant-1), shoot fresh weight (0.214 g), seedling fresh (0.314 g) and dry weight (0.097 g). Even though, all the growth parameters of wheat cultivars showed a diminishing trend with increasing the level of PEG-6000 induced water stress, a highly significant decrease in the parameters were observed starting from 150 g L-1 PEG concentration. Higher shoot length inhibition was observed for Danda’a cultivar followed by Huluka. Huluka’s root growth was more inhibited than Danda’a. According to the growth and germination indices results, the local cultivar is the drought tolerant wheat cultivar.

70-75

Authors: MA Imran, MA Baten, BS Nahar, N Morshed

The study was undertaken at six divisions of Bangladesh to investigate the CO2 emission from brickfields. to explore the rate of carbon emission over the last 10 years, based on existing technology for brick production. The finding reveals that there were more than 45,000 Brick kilns in Bangladesh which together account for about 95% of operating kilns including Bull's Trench Kiln, Fixed Chimney Kiln, Zigzag Kiln and Hoffman Kiln. These kilns were the most carbon emitting source but it varies on fuel type, kiln type and also for location. It has been found that, maximum carbon emission area was Chittagong, which was 93.150 with percentage of last 10 years and 9.310 per cent per year. Whereas Sylhet was lower carbon emission area indicating percentage 17.172 of last 10 years and 4.218 percent per year. It has been found that total annual amount of CO2 emission for 4 types brick kilns from Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulana, Sylhet and Barisal were 8.862 Mt yr-1, 10.048 Mt yr-1, 12.783 Mt yr-1, 15.250 Mt yr-1, in the year of 2002, 2005, 2007 and 2010 respectively. In Mymensingh district, the maximum CO2 emission and coal consumption was obtained in Chamak brick field, which was 1882 tons and 950 tons, respectively and minimum was obtained in Zhalak brick field, which was 1039.5 tons and 525.0 tons, respectively during the year of 2013. The percentage in last 10 years of CO2 emission was 72.784 and per cent per year 7.970, which is very alarming for us. The estimates obtained from surveys and on-site investigations indicate that these kilns consume an average of 240 tons of coal to produce 1 million bricks. This type of coal has a measured calorific value of 6,400 KJ, heating value of coal is 20.93 GJ t-1 and it produces 94.61 TJ t-1 and 56.1 TJ t-1 CO2 from coal and natural gas, respectively.

82-86

Authors: MA Hoque, MA Hannan

The study was conducted at Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) farm on clay loam soil during Rabi season of 2010-2011. The treatments consisted of laser land leveling (T1) and control (non-leveled) (T2). A preliminary field survey was done using staff gage. Initially a base station was established to dispense laser ray uniformly. The laser ray erected from base station guided the sensor of the stuff gage and the leveler. Elevation data was collected from the different points of the field and made an average. The maximum gage reading were 247.0 cm and the minimum gage reading was 219.2 cm. Average gage readings of the laser leveled plot was 235.66 cm that was settled for auto adjustment. Therefore, huge amount of soils (16.46 cm high) was cut from the highest point and subsequently had to fill to the low points. Finally, an equal gage reading of 235.66 cm was observed after leveling the plot. The laser leveler (Leica MLS700) was used hitching with a TAFE tractor. The field was leveled with manual control initially and finally it was operated with auto adjustment. Two operators, 25 litter diesels and total 6 hours time were required during this leveling. Wheat was cultivated in leveled land (T1) and non-leveled land (T2). Laser leveling was insured for improvement in nutrient use efficiencies, option for precision farming, reduces weed problems, and improves uniformity of crop maturity. There was better distribution of water in leveled plot, which helped to reduce irrigation application time 1 hour. Due to uniformity of moisture content improved germination and crop establishment was found which reflected in higher plant population (239 m-2). Maximum yield (3.41 t ha-1) was obtained in T1 due to longer panicle (10.89 cm), more grain per plant (27.47) and 1000 grain weight (47.38 g) compared to yield of T2 (2.62 t ha-1).

1-10

Authors: MK Hasan, MAA Mahmud

The study estimated the benefit and rates of returns to investment on turmeric research and development in Bangladesh. The Economic Surplus Model with ex-post analysis was used to determine the returns to investment and their distribution between the production and consumption. Several discounting techniques were also used to assess the efficiency of turmeric research. The adoption rate was found increasing trend over the period. The yield of BARI Developed Modern Varieties of turmeric was 41 to 73% higher than those of the local variety. Society got net benefit Tk 9333.88 million from the investment of turmeric research and extension. The net present value (NPV) and present value of research cost (PVRC) were estimated at Tk 1200.84 and 157.88, respectively. The internal rate of return (IRR) and benefit cost ratio (BCR) were estimated to be 68% and 10.45, respectively indicated investment on turmeric research and development was a good and profitable investment. Seed production programme of turmeric should be taken largely to increase production by increasing area adoption.

16-23

Authors: A Mureva, T Nyamugure, C Masona, SM Mudyiwa, P Makumbe, M Muringayi, G Nyamadzawo

The health of urban forest communities not only depend on the government and non-governmental organisations, but also strongly rely on local community stewardship. A study was carried out to assess community perceptions on the establishment of an urban forest plantation among urban residents in Dzivaresekwa, an urban area in Harare. Randomized systematic sampling was used to select 150 households and one resident per household was interviewed using a pretested questionnaire with both closed and open-ended questions. The objectives of the study were to determine how age and gender and employment status variables, were related to the urban residents’ perceptions towards establishment of a forest plantation in an urban area. Most females (58.3 %) viewed the plantation as a threat while most men (51.7%) viewed the plantation as a recreational area. The highest proportion (61.9%) of the middle age group (21-40years) perceived the plantation as a source of employment. There was a statistically significant relationship (p = 0.040) between gender and the general perception of establishing a forest plantation in the urban area. However, there was no statistically significant relationship (p = 0.203) between age groups and the perception of establishing a forest plantation in the urban area. It is concluded that the community had diverse perceptions on urban community forestry.

28-31

Authors: Mehreen Hassan, Sana Hanif

What better gift of nature would be than good quality water? In order to assess the quality of water of Rawal Lake, following research was carried out. Rawal lake is a source of drinking water supplied to many areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad’ the capital city of Pakistan. Water of this lake is being highly polluted by the local communities alongside the lake through solid waste dumping. Samples of surface water were collected, tested and analyzed in the laboratory on the basis of physical, chemical and microbiological parameters. The results showed uncertainties in many of the selected parameters. Microbiological analysis revealed high contamination of E. coli, fecal coliform and total coliform in the samples proving it unfit for drinking. It was found that the concentration of all physical parameters such as nitrates, chloride, pH and conductivity were within the normal limits. The level of heavy metals like lead, iron, chromium etc. was also found low. Turbidity at some points exceeded the maximum acceptable limit as per WHO statement.

36-39

Authors: Naima Sultana, MSI Afrad

The main purpose of this study was to determine women’s participation in rice mills of Sherpur sadar upazila of Bangladesh. Ninety respondents were selected using cluster random sampling method. The researchers personally collected data from August to September 2012. Aimed at explaining the assessment of the present status of women worker of rice mills and explored the relationship between their selected characteristics and extent of participation. Majority of the respondents had long experience in working in the rice mill and almost everybody had participation around the year. Women were mostly involved in drying and on an average spent time for helping in husking machine operating (3.02 hours) followed by final drying of paddy (2.05 hours), drying the paddy before boiling (1.25 hours), piling the paddy (1.12 hours), cleaning the threshing floor (1.05 hours), packing the rice (1.02 hours) per day. They worked about 8-10 hours per day. Results show that the women worker’s performance decreased with the increase of their age.

44-52

Authors: Francisco M Iglesias, Daniel J Miralles

Little knowledge exists about the degree of source, sink and source: sink limitations on mean seed weight in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.). The objective of this work was to analyze the nature and magnitude on seed weight response to assimilate availability during the effective seed-filling period in oilseed rape. Three Argentinean varieties, Eclipse, Impulse, and Master, were grown under field conditions, and at the beginning of the effective seed filling period, a broad range of source: sink manipulation combinations were produced. Source manipulations consisted of two incoming radiation (R) level reductions: 0% (Rn) and ~50% (Rs) combined with three different sources: sink treatments were applied: C, control; PR, ~50% pod removal, and D, 100% defoliation. Rs significantly reduced yield (15%) and MSW (12%) with respect to Rn, without significant effects on the rest of the sub yield components. Source:sink manipulation treatments significantly affected all yield components. PR diminished yield by 29%, reducing ca. 40% seeds pl-1 by reductions pods pl-1 (41%) with respect to Rn, whereas PR increased MSW by 19%, counterbalancing the reduction in seeds pl-1 and thereby in yield. When considering different seed positions along the main raceme, Rs reduced MSW by 12% independently of seed positions onto the raceme. On the contrary, PR increased MSW in average 17% with respect to C. Results reported here suggest that oilseed rape has source: sink co-limitation during the effective seed filling period, which is apparently higher than wheat and lower than maize.

57-63

Authors: N Hamzehpour, MK Eghbal, P Bogaert, N Toomanian

Drying of Urmia Lake in the north-west of Iran threatens all the agricultural lands around the Lake. Therefore, soil salinity appears to be the major threat to the agricultural lands in the area. The aim of the present study was to investigate the spatial variation of top soil salinity by taking into account of underground water quality data as secondary information. The research was performed on a grid of 500 m in an area of 5000 ha. Soil samples were gathered during the autumn of 2009 and were repeated in the spring of 2010. Electrical conductivity of soil samples was measured in a 1:2.5 soil to water suspension. Then covariance functions were build for each data set and soil salinity prediction were done on a grid of 100 m using kriging estimator with taking into account the mean variation. Afterwards sodium activity ratio derived from underground water quality database was used as covariate to develop cross-semivarograms in prediction of top soil salinity using co-kriging method. Results demonstrated that soil salinity varied from values lower than 0.5 to more than 35 dSm-1 as a function of distance to the Lake. Cross-validating the results from salinity predictions using only kriging estimator to that of cokriging with sodium activity ratio data revealed that kriging offered better estimations with ME of 0.04 for autumn 2009 and -0.12 for spring 2010. Cokriging estimator had more smoother and diffused boundaries than that of kriging and resulted in more bias estimations (ME= -0.11 and -0.21 for first and second data sets). Although kriging method had better performance in top soil salinity prediction, but cokring method resulted in smoother boundaries and reduced the negative effects of mean variation in the area.

70-76

Authors: KU Ahamed, B Akhter, MR Islam, MR Humaun, MJ Alam

Genetic divergence of 110 lentil germplasm with checks was assessed based on morphological traits using multivariate analysis. Mahalanobis generalized distance (D2) analysis was used to group the lentil genotypes. Significant variations among lentil genotypes were observed in respect of days to 1st flowering, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, and number of pods per peduncle, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, 100 seed weight and yield per plant. Considering the mean values, the germplasm were grouped into ten clusters. The highest number of genotypes (17) was in cluster X and lowest (5) both in cluster II and IV. Cluster IV had the highest cluster mean for number of pods per plant (297.08), number of seeds per plant (594.16), 100 seed weight (1.44 g) and yield per plant (8.53 g). Among them, the highest inter-cluster distance was obtained between the cluster IV and I (24.61) followed by IV and III (22.33), while the lowest was between IX and II (1.63). The maximum value of inter-cluster distance indicated that genotypes belonging to cluster IV were far diverged from those of cluster I. The first female flower initiation was earlier in BD-3812 (49 days) in cluster I and cluster IV had highest grain yield per plant (8.53). BD-3807 produced significant maximum number of pods per plant (298.40) in cluster IV.

88-97

Authors: A Ngakou, H Koehler, HC Ngueliaha

Compost teas are fermented watery extracts of composted materials used for their beneficial effect on plants. A study was conducted in the field to compare the efficacy of cow dung and kitchen manure composts and their derived non-aerated compost teas on disease symptoms expression and severity of Lycopersicon esculentum. The experimental layout was a complete randomised block design comprising six treatments, each of which was repeated three times: the negative control plot (Tm-); the positive control or fungicide plot (Tm+); the cow dung compost plot (Cpi); the kitchen manure compost plot (Cpii); the compost tea derived cow dung plot (Tci); and the compost tea derived kitchen manure plot (Tcii). Compost tea derived cow dung was revealed to be richer in elemental nutrients (N, P, K) than compost tea from kitchen manure, and significantly (p  0.0001) enhanced fruit yield per plant. Similarly, the two composts and their derived compost teas significantly (p  0.0001) reduced the incidence and severity of disease symptoms compared to the controls, with the highest efficacy accounting for cow dung compost and compost tea. Although the non-aerated compost teas were not amended with micro-organisms, these results suggest that the two compost teas in use were rich enough in microbial pathogen antagonists, and therefore, are perceived as potential alternatives to synthetic chemical fungicides. Future work will attempt to identify these microbial antagonists with highly suppressive activity in the non-aerated compost teas.