International Journal of Agricultural Research, Innovation and Technology

10-16

Authors: M.H. Kabir, F.S. Tisha, H.R. Nayan, M.A. Islam, M.A. Kashem, M.I. Uddin, M.R. Islam and M.B. Meah

Wheat blast, caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum (MoT), constitutes one of the major obstacles to the expansion of wheat production in Bangladesh. In the absence of resistant variety, fungicide control is the first-hand effort. Determining an effective and economic fungicide spray schedule in controlling blast disease of wheat was aimed. Ten fungicides were tested during two consecutive cropping seasons of 2018-2019 to 2019-2020. The wheat plants of blast susceptible cultivar BARI Gom 26 were inoculated with spores (107 spores ml-1) of MoT at pre-heading stage of wheat (52 days age). Fungicides were applied both before inoculation and after the appearance of blast symptoms in cocktail for three times starting from booting of wheat at 7 days interval. Plants received the combination of Filia (Tricyclazole 40% + Propiconazole 12.5%) and Seltima (Pyraclostrobin 10%) had significantly lower blast incidence and severity (1.23% and 3.33%) against untreated plants. Cocktail of Nativo and Trooper (Tricyclazole 75 wp) proved 2nd best curative measure. Application of Nativo (Tebuconazole 50% + Trifloxystrobin 25%) alone ranked third in its efficacy. The fungicide spray schedule covered booting, pre-heading and heading stages of wheat. The results indicate a mixture of Tebuconazole + Tricyclazole + Pyraclostrobin is more effective (97% blast reduction) and economic (BCR 1.45) than a single compound application in reducing incidence and severity of wheat blast.

26-28

Authors: S. Shibeshi and D. Kassa

Durum wheat productivity in Ethiopia is hindered by different factors mainly lack of improved adapted varieties for specific locations. This experiment was done to identify the most performing durum wheat varieties in the tested environment. The average productivity of the tested genotypes were evaluated at two locations (Alicho and Analimo) using randomized complete block design with four replication for two consecutive years (2016 and 2017). The experimental material consists of seven improved durum wheat genotypes. The Combined analysis of variance showed significant (P<0.05) difference among tested genotypes on collected parameter indicating the presence of adequate variability. The highest average grain yield recorded was 4446 kg ha-1 from Hitosa variety while the lowest obtained was 3634 kg ha-1 from Denbi variety. Grain yield had strong positive correlations (P<0.01) with plant height, number of seed spike-1 and biomass.

37-48

Authors: A. Dinku, B. Abebe, A. Lemma and M. Shako

The study was designed to analyze beef cattle marketing channel choice under transaction costs. Multistage sampling technique was used to acquire primary data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Multinomial Logit Model. The findings verified that most of the respondents (49%) were selling at the village markets, followed by farm gate and secondary market with 28% and 23%, respectively. The model results revealed that the probability of selling at farm gate and village market versus selling at secondary market increased with season sales, indicating level of market uncertainty. The results affirmed the probability of selling at village market versus selling at secondary market outlet increased with knowledge of buyer and decreased with trust in buyers. Other significant predictors were volume of beef cattle supplied, farmers' experience, and education level. Thus, policies aimed at improving the smallholder farmers’ access to cattle marketing channels should be informed by these factors.

60-68

Authors: B. Lemage, M. Tsegaye and Y. Anmaw

Smallholder farmers influenced from the challenges of production constraints to afford farm family with surplus food. To improve this problem the present study was designed to evaluate legume shrubs hedgerow intercropping with maize. In the present study, the growth performance of Sesbania sesban and Cajanus cajan was evaluated to determine their potential in hedgerow intercropping. The result revealed that Sesbania sesban performs better than Cajanus cajan in terms of biomass provision in the successive pruning, mean height, branching, diameter at breast height and root collar diameter. Biomass produced from Sesbania sesban was significantly higher than Cajanus cajan, this plays great role in soil nutrient improvement and maize yield also increased. There was an increasing trend in soil properties in terms of organic C, total N, in legume treatments especially in Sesbania sesban hedgerow to the initial and control soils. Maize grain yield higher under Sesbania sesban hedgerow plot than Cajanus cajan, maize with fertilizer and control. This should be intensively demonstrated to sustain the agricultural production as an organic farming through integration of easily adapting, less competing with the companion crop, deep rooted and fast growing legume tree/shrub species. Further research is important in areas of determining decomposing rate of different parts, pruned biomass and potential species should be identified.

74-83

Authors: W. Adila, H. Terefe and A. Bekele

Common bacterial blight, caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli, is an economically important disease of common bean and causes significant yield losses in Ethiopia. A field survey was conducted to understand the spatial distribution, relative importance and association of common bacterial blight epidemics with agro-ecological factors in low and mid-land areas of Southwestern, Ethiopia, during the 2018-19 cropping season. A total 85 bean fields were assessed in four common bean growing districts. High diseases incidence and severity was recorded at Debub Ari (77.6 and 52.7%, respectively) while the lowest was from Male (38.5 and 28.0%, respectively). The associations between disease parameters and agro-ecological factors were analyzed using multiple logistic regression models. Agronomic practices including NPS fertilization, preceding crop, weed management and plant population had highly significant (P<0.0001) association with both disease incidence and severity. Also, altitude, seed source and cropping system significantly (P<0.05) influenced disease severity while cropping pattern showed significant (P<0.05) association with disease incidence in the reduced model. Higher mean disease severity (≥40%) had high probability of association with district, absence of NPS fertilization, poor weed management practice, and preceding crops, than their counter parts. Adequate NPS fertilization increases growth performance of the crop in turn decreases disease intensity, weed serve as alternate host for incoming inoculum and previous crops were source for inocula as well as crop rotation used as reduce inoculum load. Therefore, the present study showed that the disease is a major production constraint of common bean, and suggested proper nutrient and weed management practices, and crop rotation to reduce common bacterial blight in the study areas.

92-100

Authors: G. Genemo and T. Seyoum

Flow rate and furrow length are the main irrigation decision variables currently affecting yield and water productivity at farm level. Improper selection of these variables produces an over use of water and loss in crop production. The general objective was to investigate the effect of decision variables on yield and water productivity of onion under conventional furrow irrigation system, with specific objective to analyze the effect of flow rate, furrow length and their interaction on yield and water productivity of onion. The field experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement of three levels of flow rate (0.7, 0.98 and 1.3 L/S) and three levels of furrow length (25, 35 and 50 m) with three replications. Inflow out flow method was used to determine the infiltration characteristics of the soil and Irrigation depth was controlled by using 3-inch Parshall flume. The maximum non-erosive flow rate to the experimental site was fixed through design equation considering soil textural class and furrow bed slope. Effect of furrow length and flow rate on yield and water productivity of the onion were used for evaluation. Their analyses indicated that effect of furrow length and their interaction with flow rate on yield were not significant (p<0.05). However, the flow rate showed highly significant (p<0.01) effect on yield of onion. The ranges of mean yield gained from furrow length and flow rate were F1 (14.75 ton ha-1) to F3 (15.96 ton ha-1) and Q1 (13.59 ton ha-1) to Q3 (19.69 ton ha-1), respectively. The effect of furrow length on crop water use efficiency and field water use efficiency was not significant (p<0.05). However, the flow rate has showed highly significant (p<0.01) effect on crop water use efficiency and field water use efficiency. The range of mean crop water use efficiency and field water use efficiency from furrow length and flow rate were F1 (33.65 kg/ha/mm) to F3 (36.41 kg/ha/mm) and Q1 (30.99 kg/ha/mm) to Q3 (38.65kg/ha/mm) and F1 (2.06 kg/m3) to F3 (2.23 kg/m3) and Q1 (1.89 kg/m3) to Q3 (2.36 kg/m3), respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded that a furrow length of 50 m is suitable to use 1.3 L/S of flow rate for better onion yield and water productivity under similar soil type of study area.

109-116

Authors: Darwel, R. Selvia, F. Fadillah, Mahaza and E. Zicof

Compost can be used to reduce waste, it formed naturally, but it will take a long time, around 6-12 months. Bioactivators accelerate composting process; one of them is a solution of LMO (Local Microorganism) coconut pulp. The purpose of this study to determine the effectiveness of LMO coconut pulp for the composting time. The method in this research is quasi-experimental. This study consists of 3 treatments with 5 replications. Treatment 1 composting with the addition of LMO coconut pulp 50,000 ppm; treatment 2 composting with the addition of LMO coconut pulp 100,000 ppm; treatment 3 composting with the addition of LMO coconut pulp 200,000 ppm. The materials used in this study are vegetables and sawdust and the composting process carried out aerobically. From the observations, the average time to compile with LMO coconut pulp 50,000 ppm is 21.00 (21 days), 100,000 ppm 18.60 (19 days) and 200,000 ppm 18.20 (18 days). Based on the ANOVA test, the p value is 0.0001 (p <0.05) which means that H0 rejected, that there is a significant difference in composting time using LMO coconut pulp 50,000 ppm, 100,000 ppm, and 200,000 ppm. The most significant difference is between compost with LMO coconut pulp 50,000 ppm and compost with LMO coconut pulp 200,000 ppm. It is recommended for the further researchers using other types of waste, and test the quality of compost produced especially C/N compost. The community can use coconut pulp as a bioactivator in accelerating the composting process.

7-14

Authors: A. Alemayhu and G. Yakob

Different studies have shown that the effect of eucalyptus trees on soil physicochemical properties is variable, which indicates that more investigations that focus on different specific geographical locations and eucalyptus tree species are required. The objectives of this study was to evaluate the status of soil nutrients under four eucalyptus tree species planted in hedgerow system in comparison with that in its adjacent open land. To achieve these objectives, soil samples were taken from a soil depth of 0-20 cm from 15-20 spots by using auger and composited for respective treatments. Each soil samples analyzed at Teppi soil laboratory following standard procedures. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and treatments separation were made by using Least Significance Difference (LSD) at 95% probability level. The analysis result indicated that there were no significance differences between Eucalyptus tree species and its adjacent open land in the level of soil nutrients (total N, available P, pH, OM, soil moisture and OC) (p<0.05). The only significant difference recorded between Eucalyptus tree species and its adjacent open land in the level of sand percentage whereas non-significant difference was noticed between the treatments on the level of silt and clay percentage in the study. Finally, the results indicate that the eucalyptus tree species established in hedgerow system on clay soil in high rainfall area have no significant impact on soil physicochemical properties under short rotation period of the tree species.

21-28

Authors: S.T. Siddique, M. Kamruzzaman and S.C. Sharna

The study is conveyed to compare the profitability of chickpea and boro rice in Rajshahi district, which is one of the most drought-prone areas of Bangladesh. In this study, a total of 180 farmers (90 chickpea growers and 90 boro rice growers) are used as sample respondents, and data were collected by using a structured questionnaire in 2019. A probit regression model is used to find out the determinants that affect the cultivation of chickpea and boro rice. The important finding of this study is that the Benefit-Cost Ratio for chickpea and boro rice production is 1.88 and 1.05, respectively. The results indicate that chickpea cultivation is more profitable than boro rice cultivation. Besides, the study reveals that occupation, farm size, and seed have a positive impact while family size, human labor, and irrigation have negative effects on farmer’s decision to cultivate chickpea cultivation rather than boro rice. It is, therefore, concluded that the farmers should be encouraged to grow more chickpea rather than boro rice as a means of increasing farm income through crop diversification program.

35-37

Authors: G. Asefa and M. Beriso

Fourteen black cumin genotypes were evaluated against standard checks for two consecutive years during 2018 to 2019 at Sinana, Goro and Gindhir to investigate high yielder and stable black cumin varieties. The mean total seed yield of genotypes across environment ranged from 24.54 to 16.07 Qt ha-1. The highest total seed yield was recorded from genotypes 242826-2 followed by 242826-2 (24.54 and 23.32 Qt ha-1) while the lowest total seed yield was obtained from local checks. These two genotypes have yield advantage of 22.41 and 14.96% over standard check Derbera. Based on their performance across location over standard checks these two genotypes will be promoted for variety verification for Bale mid altitude and similar agro ecologies.

47-53

Authors: M.R. Islam, M.A.H. Babu, M.J. Uddin, M.L. Khatun and M.S. Islam

Bangladesh faces various types of natural hazards from its birth due to geographical location and physiographic conditions. Flood is the most common event among them. Northeastern part of Bangladesh faces flash flood almost every year with large scale of damage. Tanguar haor, (a famous Ramsar site of Bangladesh) located in Tahirpur upazila of Sunamgonj district. This wetland adjacent area is the most vulnerable zone in terms of flash flood hazard. About more than 80%, people are the direct victim of this hazard. The aim of this study was to assess the risk and resilience status of flash flood at community level. A risk and resilience assessment matrix leads to fulfill the assessment where only primary data were used. A comparative study between those statuses is computed based on Pearson correlation of co-efficient analysis that presents the difference of risk and resilience of the study area that helps to realize the emergence of flash flood risk reduction. The findings of this study will be a pathway for the policy makers, local administrators for the development of sustainable community level risk management, policy-making and its implementations.

59-65

Authors: Kannan Narayanan and Ayele Getachew

This study is based on the quality of wastewater from Hawassa University surroundings, which was assessed to determine its suitability for irrigation purposes during 2019. Grab samples of influent and the treated water were taken for assessing for quality parameters. The study revealed that the treated water could be used for irrigation purpose with some moderate restrictions. Even though Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) permit to irrigate fruit trees and fodder crops, there is a risk of soil degradation due to high value of Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR). Results also indicated that carbonate, potassium and phosphate exceeded the specified limits for wastewater reuse in agriculture. Despite increased nutritive elements, continuous use of treated sewage water for irrigation will make the soil acidic. Analysis of soil parameters indicated that there is an increase in nitrogen, phosphate and potassium nutrient levels considerably to benefit crop production but increase in soil EC is a serious concern.

76-83

Authors: B.N. Sakwa, J.O. Ondiek, A.M. King’ori and O.A. Ndambi

Use of conserved forages and proper ration formulation has great potential to bridge the gap in dairy nutrition and reduce seasonal variations in milk yield. This study determined the effects of various fodder and ration formulation interventions on dairy farm performance in North Rift, Eastern, and Central regions of Kenya. Seventy-two farms were purposively selected as participating farms and assigned into six groups of twelve as follows: two groups on silage production, two groups on ration formulation, and two control groups having similar production systems and in the same geographical locations as the other groups. Data on daily dry matter feed intake and milk yield were recorded while laboratory analysis was done to determine milk butterfat and protein content. The data was analyzed using a multi-linear regression model to assess the relationship between independent and dependent variables. The results showed that farmers using feed rationing with advisory services had the highest average daily milk yield (19.7 kg/cow) compared to maize train silage (16.8 kg/cow) and those with silage support from Service Provider Enterprises (SPE) (13.3 kg/cow) (P<0.05). Daily dry matter feed intake/cow varied significantly across the interventions as well as feed utilization efficiency (P<0.05). Milk butterfat and milk protein content did not differ (P>0.05) across the interventions. In conclusion, use of maize train silage and feed rationing with advisory services increased milk yield and reduced seasonal milk fluctuation.

91-99

Authors: M. Alauddin, G.M. Mohsin, A.H.M.Z. Ali and M.K. Rahman

A field experiment was conducted at the research farm of Charfasson Govt. College, Bhola, Bangladesh in rabi season in 2015-2016 to evaluate the impact of conjunctive use of chemical fertilizers with rice bran on concentration, uptake and seed quality of sunflower cv. BARI-2 (Keroni-2). The experiment was laid out in the randomized complete block design (RCBD) having sixteen treatments with three replications. The size of the plots were 3 m x 2 m. Treatments were T1 Control (- RB and -NPK), T2: 2.5 t RB ha-1, T3: 5.0 t RB ha-1,T4: 7.5 t RB ha-1, T5: N40P30K50 kg ha-1,T6: N80P60K100 kg ha-1, T7: N120P90K150 kg ha-1, T8: 2.5 t RB ha-1 + N40P30K50 kg ha-1, T9: 2.5 t RB ha-1 + N80P60K100 kg ha-1, T10: 2.5 t RB ha-1 + N120P90K150 kg ha-1, T11: 5.0 t RB ha-1 + N40P30K50 kg ha-1, T12: 5.0 t RB ha-1 + N80P60K100 kg ha-1, T13: 5.0 t RB ha-1 + N120P90K150 kg ha-1, T14: 7.5 t RB ha-1 + N40P30K50 kg ha-1, T15: 7.5 t RB ha-1 + N80P60K100 kg ha-1, T16: 7.5 t RB ha-1 + N120P90K150 kg ha-1. Results showed that the concentration, uptake and quality of seeds (oil and protein) of the crop increased with increasing rate of the amendments significantly (P<0.05) over the control and the variation between the treatments were also significant irrespective of the sources of amendments in most of the cases. Generally, combination of the treatments showed better performance than their individual application. Maximum values of NPKS concentration (%) in different organs of sunflower were 1.22, 0.35, 1.90, 0.18 for stem; 1.17, 0.35, 2.41, 0.16 for root; 3.98, 0.43, 4.28, 0.24 for leaf, 1.04, 0.65, 3.00, 0.22 for petiole; 2.16, 0.58, 2.21, 0.26 for inflorescence and 5.24, 0.83, 1.60, 0.47 for seed measured in treatments 5.0 t RB ha-1 + N120P90K150 kg ha-1 and 7.5 t RB ha-1 + N120P90K150 kg ha-1 in most of the cases. However, their uptake pattern also followed the same trend as in concentration and the highest values were found in those treatments in most of the cases. Significantly (P<0.05%) the highest content of oil (51.1%) in seed was measured in the treatment 5.0 t RB ha-1 + N120P90K150 kg ha-1 and protein (33.9%) was found in the treatment 5.0 t RB ha-1 +N80P60K100 kg ha-1. Their lowest values were found in control for oil and in 2.5 t RB ha-1 for protein, which was lower than control treatment. The overall findings of this study indicated that rice bran in combination with chemical fertilizers could be applied to achieve better concentration and uptake in different organs, oil and protein content in seeds of sunflower.

110-115

Authors: P. Hajong, M.S. Rahman, M.A. Islam and G.C. Biswas

The study was designed to assess the extent of pesticide use and profitability of bitter gourd production at farm level in selected areas of Jashore district during January-May, 2019. Average farm size was 0.79 ha and average bitter gourd cultivated area per farmer was 0.07 ha. Most of the farmer cultivated local variety, which is called Gajkorola and some farmer cultivated hybrid korola such as Gonggajoli, Tia and BARI Korola-1 variety. About ninety-nine percent farmers sprayed insecticides and fungicides in their fields to protect crops from different insect pests and diseases. Thirty-nine percent farmers used pheromone trap for crop protection. A farmer averagely used 11.19 times spray in their fields and its range was 5-18 times in a season. The average yield of bitter gourd was 16.74 t ha-1 for non-IPM farmer and 16.16 t ha-1 for IPM farmer. The average total cost of production of bitter gourd was Tk. 203984 ha-1 for non-IPM farmer and Tk. 191246 ha-1 for IPM farmer. Gross return was Tk. 389705 ha-1 and net return was Tk. 185721 ha-1 for non-IPM farmer. While, gross return of IPM farmer was Tk. 360828 ha-1 and net return was Tk. 169582 ha-1. Benefit cost ratio was 1.91 and 1.89 for non-IPM and IPM farmer, respectively that means bitter gourd production was profitable. Cent percent farmer reported that IPM technology was time-consuming method and it was not only the measures to protect pests.

128-136

Authors: S. Sultana, M.S. Rahman, K.A. Jackshay and K. Hasan

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of different amounts of supplementary feeds on growth and production of fishes in polyculture where four different species such as rui (Labeo rohita), mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala), common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were cultured in 6 ponds under three treatments, each with two replications. Eighty fish per decimal were stocked along with the stocking ratio of 1:1:1:1 in all the treatments. Supplementary feeds of rice bran and wheat bran (1:1), at the amount of 5% of body weight were applied in 2 ponds (treatment I) as well as at the amount of 3% of body weight were used in 2 ponds (treatment II) and 2 ponds (treatment III) were as control where no supplementary feed was used. Urea and T.S.P were applied fortnightly at the rate of 60 g decimal-1 and 90 g decimal-1, respectively under all treatments. Physico-chemical and biological factors such as air and water temperature, transparency, rainfall, pH, dissolved oxygen, free CO2, total alkalinity, PO4-P and NO3-N, phytoplankton and zooplankton were studied fortnightly and the limnological conditions were more or less similar in the experimental ponds under three treatments. The calculated gross and net fish productions of fishes under treatment I, treatment II and treatment III were 8.87 and 7.33 ton ha-1 yr-1, 7.12 and 5.58 ton ha-1 yr-1 and 4.69 and 3.16 ton ha-1 yr-1, respectively. Percent increased of net fish productions of treatment I and treatment II were 231.97% and 176.59% higher than that of treatment III (control). The present study reveals that supplementary feeding in fish culture should be done along with fertilization because supplementary feeds are very important to enhance growth of fishes significantly.

146-154

Authors: A.G. Moradi, F. Rahmani, A.S. Aziz and M.F. Qiami

The experiment was conducted to determine the effects of feeding pomegranate peel silage with beet top silage, wheat straw, alfalfa hay, barley, cotton seed cake and mineral plus on feed intake and growth performance of Turkey bred sheep in research farm of Agriculture Faculty, Kabul University. Twelve, two and half years old turkey bred sheep with (57.240 ± 5.28) kg average initial body weight were used in a completely randomized design (CRD). Animals were caged individually in 3 groups and 4 replications. Groups included in this experiment were, first group (Control) or T1 pomegranate peel silage (PPS) 0%, second group or T2 (5% PPS) or 106 g and third group or T3 (10% PPS) or 211 g. In addition, animals were fed with 633 g barley, 633 g alfalfa hay, 211 g cotton seed cake, 106 g beet top silage, 4 g mineral plus with the same amount and wheat straw for control group or T1, T2 and T3, 528 g, 422 g and 317 g in dry matter (DM) basis, respectively once in a day at around 8 am. According to statistical analysis, there was a highly significant difference between groups in feed intake and significant difference in growth performance of sheep. According to L.S.D test, it was shown that the second group (T2) was better in feed intake and growth performance compared to other groups. The FCR of T1, T2 and T3 were 12.43, 7.88 and 15.13, respectively and the FCE were 8.05, 12.69 and 6.61 in control group, T2 and T3, respectively. Results of this study suggest that feeding (5%) pomegranate peel silage with wheat straw, alfalfa hay, cotton seed cake, barley, beet top silage and mineral plus affects the feed intake and growth performance of Tukey sheep.

164-169

Authors: A.K. Ghosh and M.H.K. Sujan

Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries with immense pressure on agricultural land in rural areas. Mainstream of the rural households depend on either agriculture or its associated activities for their livelihood. However, rural land distribution is highly skewed, majority of them are landless. Under such a land scarce situation, farmers in rural areas have been gradually inclining towards land tenancy. Present study steered to explore the nature and volume of temporary land transaction through tenancy agreement in studied areas and to scrutinize its role in aligning land distribution. In 2017, a total of 166 farmers were randomly selected from two different villages in Jashore district for study. Result of the study administrated that land tenancy practice has been significantly mitigating land disparity among rural farmers. Study also explored that comparatively rich farmers are leaning towards tenant out land and most of these lands tenanted in by the landless and marginal farmers. Consequently, on an average landless farm could significantly increases their cultivable land from 0.01 acre to 0.98 acre compared to the marginal farm 0.31 to 0.73 acres. At the same time, cultivable land of medium farm has decreased as of 3.74 acres to 2.83 acres in studied villages.

6-12

Authors: M Mataa, C Musenga, C Hakachite

Rose (Rosa spp.) production for cut flowers is an integral part of the horticultural industry. However, because roses are exotic plants they exhibit serious problems related to poor climatic adaptation. A study was conducted at the School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Zambia to evaluate chemicals to extend flower shelf life. The cultivar ‘Akito’ was used as the test variety. Benzyl amino purine ([6- (benzylamino) purine]) (BAP), a growth regulator and aluminium sulphate (an acidifying reagent) were applied to cut flowers at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg L-l and 0, 400, 800 and 1200 mg L-l, concentration, respectively. BAP was applied to the plants in the greenhouse 2 days before harvest. A randomised complete block design arranged as a two- factor- factorial arrangement with three replications was used. Harvesting was done at the loose open calyx stage. Aluminium sulphate was applied to the holding solution where flowers were kept after harvest. The pH of the holding solution, blossoming (flower opening), leaf color of subtending leaves and bacterial population were monitored. The 400 mg L-l aluminium sulphate treatment caused an increase in acidity. There was concurrent decline in bacterial count in the first three days of application at less than 1 x 106 which was five times lower than the water control treatment. Bacterial population followed the trend of water acidity. The 20 mg L-l BAP application increased shelf life by 35 %. The results showed that BAP and aluminum sulphate treatment could enhance shelf life.

22-27

Authors: M Mogiso, N Nazib

The yield advantage obtained due to intercropping is attributed to a better use of resources by crops grown in combinations, as compared to sole stands. Field experiment conducted at Gimbo and Guraferda during 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons in order to determine the appropriate intercropping row arrangement on maize-common bean yield and economic advantages of the cropping system. Maize variety BH-540 and common bean variety Hawassa dume were used as test crop. The experiment used four treatments (sole maize, sole common bean, 1:1 maizecommon bean and 1:2 maize-common bean intercropping) arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Grain yield of the component crops were significantly varied by locations. The highest maize yield was recorded at Guraferda than Gimbo; whereas, common bean yielded better at Guraferda than at Gimbo. The combined mean grain yield of maize and common bean was significantly (p<0.05) higher for sole stands than intercropping. The highest yield of 6545.7 and 5570.6 kg ha-1 was obtained from sole maize at Guraferda and Gimbo locations, respectively. On the other hand, the highest yield of 3407.2 and 2638.0 kg ha-1 was obtained from growing sole common bean at Gimbo and Guraferda locations, respectively. The yield obtained from 1:1 maize-common bean intercropping was statistically same with sole maize yield at Guraferda. The highest LER of 1.62 and 1.52 with MAI of 15,268.05 and 13.695.90 ETB ha-1 obtained from 1:1 maize-common bean intercropping at Guraferda and Gimbo locations, respectively. Generally, growing 1:1 maize-common bean intercropping found to be more productive and economically profitable than others. Hence, a one row common bean intercropped between the two rows of maize can be recommended in the lowlands of Gimbo and Guraferda areas.

35-39

Authors: J Temesgen, M Ahmed

Biochar application to soil is important for crop production and productivity in Ethiopia mainly where high rainfall is available. This study was conducted in Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine campus during 2019 cropping season to determine the effect of cow urine and water quenched biochar with the biochar application rate on wheat yield and yield components. A wheat pot experiment was sown with two biochar rates (6 t ha-1 and 4 t ha-1 quenched with (cow urine and water). The number of effective tillers, spike length, seeds per spike, above dry biomass and thousand seed weight revealed non-significant differences. However, plant height, yield per pot and harvest index indicated significant variation due to the treatment combination of cow urine quenched, water quenched biochar and biochar rate over the control treatment. Six (6) tones biochar quenched with cow urine showed the maximum result and followed by 4 tones biochar quenched with cow urine. Biochar application has a significant advantage over control treatment.

56-63

Authors: S.C. Sharna, M. Kamruzzaman, A.R. Anik

Chickpea production in Bangladesh has been decreasing over time. Comprehensive farmlevel adoption of modern chickpea varieties can change the scenario. This paper endeavours to ascertain the determinants of adoption and adoption intensity of improved chickpea variety in the high barind region of Bangladesh. The outcomes from Cragg’s double hurdle model showed that organization membership, information sources, crop diversification index, and village location are the crucial factors that positively influenced both the adoption and adoption level. Farmers with organization membership are 15.5% more probable to adopt improved chickpea while by adding one more information source, the adoption probability can be increased by 6.3%. Meanwhile, women’s decisions, training, credit accessibility, and farm size have effects only in favour of initial adoption. The adoption probability is approximately 15% more in the household where women can participate in the decision-making process. Adopters with higher formal education, off-farm income, and mobile usage capability devote a greater proportion of their land to the improved variety cultivation. Strengthen of the network among farmers and their information sources should be emphasized to stimulate the diffusion process of the improved chickpea variety. Besides, training should be available for both female and male of the farm families since women also affect the adoption decision.

71-79

Authors: W. Naba, A. Moges and A. Gebremichael

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of different in-situ water harvesting structures as soil moisture conservation techniques under maize crop production in Abela Sippa kebele Wolaita zone, Ethiopia where rainfall variation is affecting agriculture with prolonged dry spells during critical crop growth stages. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design, with three replications and four treatments. The four treatments used in the study were; Control, Targa, Tie-ridge and Zai pits. Findings from this study revealed that maize grain yield and yield components, such as, grain yield, dry matter biomass, and cob length were highly significant (p<0.05) on Targa. Soil-moisture content over the crop growing season at dry spell periods was significantly higher in Targa and Tie ridges than the control. Maize yield of (7150 kg ha-1), (6190 kg ha-1), (4500 kg ha-1) and (4900 kg ha-1) was obtained from Targa, Tie ridge, Zai pits and Control, respectively. Targa and Tie ridge treatments recorded higher net returns (29712 and 25164 kg ha-1) than Control (20370 kg ha-1) and Zai (14350 kg ha-1) treatments. The results revealed that the in-situ rainwater harvesting techniques could play great role in improving crop yield in dry periods. However, the utilization of the technology is surrounded by various constraints. The major constraints include labour, cost, lack of knowledge and crops planted on bunds. The findings suggest that Targa structure improved water availability during the growing season, thereby protecting crops from dry periods and it needs minimum cost, less labor power ,and easily constructed by local farmers (not require complicated knowledge).

87-93

Authors: H. Bala, A.K. Ghosh, M.M.H. Kazal, M.S. Rahman, M. Sultana and M.H.K. Sujan

Floating gardening acts as a fruitful climate-change adaptation strategy in different wetland areas of Bangladesh. The study accomplished to examine the profitability of floating gardening in Gopalgonj district of Bangladesh in 2018. A total of 100 floating gardeners were interviewed to achieve the objectives. Descriptive statistics and Cobb-Douglas production function were used to investigate the factors influencing yield of floating gardening. The findings reveal that, small and marginal farmers were more involved in floating gardening. Around sixty-five percent of the production costs was contributed by human labour. Floating gardeners of the study area earned a net return of BDT 457,901 per hectare per year. Human labour, fertilizers and support materials significantly affected the yield. More training and improved marketing system could further enhance the profitability.

97-101

Authors: K.K.A. Alate, G. Mawussi, K.D. Ayisah and K. Sanda

Soils fertility declining limits agricultural production in Togo where maize (Zea mays L.) is most cereal cropping and base staple food. Currently, mineral fertilizers are beyond the reach of farmers due to high price and limited availability. This study assessed the response of household urban wastes compost to the growth and yield of maize Ikenne variety. Experiments were performed in rainy season of years 2018 and 2019 at Teaching Research and Demonstration Farm of Agronomy School in University of Lome, Togo. Agronomic trials were set at randomized in complete block design with three replications, where control plots, compost plots at different doses and mineral fertilizers plots constituted the treatments. The growth parameters, including plant height, stem girth, leaf area and number of leaves per plant, were measured at the milky maize stage. The yield parameters, including length and girth of cob, thousand grains weight, grain yield and straw yield, were collected at harvesting. Data were statistically analyzed. The results showed three distinct homogeneous groups of treatments both for growth and yield parameters. Plots treated with compost at 30 t ha-1 and 40 t ha-1 constitute the best group, which differs significantly from the second group formed by plots treated with compost at 10 t ha-1 and 20 t ha-1 and mineral fertilizer plots. Control treatments constitute the last group. Growth and yield parameters values increase with compost dose. Far from being used alone in place of mineral conventional fertilizer, integrated fertilization based on combination of mineral fertilizer and compost of household urban wastes will investigated in maize cropping in southern Togo for optimal compost dose to recommend.

108-116

Authors: Amarullah

The evaluating cassava varieties for productivity necessary to assess the cassava stem characteristics for their suitability as planting material and to improve the capability of cassava farmers to select good quality cassava varieties. Cassava varieties are generally distinguished from each other by their morphological characteristics, which include leaf, stem and tuber colour. The cassava planting material used in this study and some of characteristics by five cassava varieties, consisted of mature stem cuttings of about 20 cm in length, containing between 10 and 12 nodes and planted in a vertical position along the top of the ridges. Each plot consisted of 30 plants, with date being taken from ten plants within each plot. Cassava varieties Malang-6 presented the highest yield average is 13.81 tones ha-1 followed by Singgah and Adira-4 i.e. 11.98 t ha-1 and 11.11 t ha-1 of different varieties 1 yang Ketan, which only weighs 6.63 t ha-1. Harvest index varieties of Adira-4, Malang-6, UJ 5 and Singgah were found 0.78, 0.77, 0.77 and 0.76, respectively higher and significantly different IP varieties of glutinous Ketan is 0.58. Malang varieties and Malang-6 that produces the highest tuber weight, has a low dry matter content is 5.65% and 5.62%. The Ketan varieties and UJ-5 has a tuber weight was significantly lower with dry matter content higher than that dried 8.69% and 8.68%. The UJ-5 varieties has a tuber weight starch HCN 230,17 higher and significantly other variety.

123-128

Authors: A. Kolapo, O.E. Omopariola, A.O. Adeoye and A.J. Kolapo

The paper investigated the effect of socio-economic and institutional factors on the adoption of improved locust bean processing technology in South-West, Nigeria. Specifically, the study described the socio-economic characteristics of the locust bean processors, examines the level of awareness and adoption of the improved locust bean processing technology in the study area and determines the effect of socio-economic and institutional factors on the adoption and intensity of use of improved locust bean processing technology in the study area. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 360 respondents used for the study. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Cragg’s (double-hurdle) model. The result of the study showed that majority (84%) of the locust bean processors were female with an average age of 48 (±11.36) years. Majority (97%) of the respondents were married with an average household size of 8.25 (±4.32) persons. The result showed that 44.2% were aware while 55.8% were not aware of the technology in the study area. The results from the Cragg’s double hurdle model show that in the first hurdle, age, experience, access to credit and awareness positively influenced the decision to adopt the improved locust bean processing technology while in the second hurdle, education and income positively influenced the intensity of the use of the improved locust bean processing technology. It is therefore recommended that Relevant stakeholders, agencies and government should made available credit facilities which will enable the locust bean processors acquired the technology in no distant time.

9-14

Authors: MM Geja

A field experiment was conducted to identify the best adapted and high yielding lentil variety at Shishinda sub-testing site of Bonga Agricultural Research Center during 2012 main cropping season. The experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Eleven improved lentil varieties were used for this study. The varieties included in the study were Teshale, Alemaya, Alemtena, Assano, Gudo, EL-142, R-186, Ada’a, Derso, Chalew and Chekol. The parameters studied in this experiment were days to flowering and maturity, plant height, number of pods plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, thousand seeds weight and grain yield. The analysis of the experiment showed significant (p<0.05) differences among varieties for all studied parameters. The varieties Assano, Alemtena, Derso, EL-142, and Gudo were found to be high yielder with the value of 1.71, 1.59, 1.39, 1.36 and 1.31 ton ha-1, respectively. In addition, farmers were invited to evaluate the performance of the tested varieties under field condition. Eventually, the farmers selected Assano and Alemtena as the most preferred varieties. Therefore, these varieties can be suggested to use for wider production in the study area. The involvement of farmers in variety selection processes may increases the adoption of new variety in the area.

23-29

Authors: S.N. Mona, S. Sultana, K.K. Ahmed, N. Khan, K.A. Huq and P. Mojumder

The research was carried out with small indigenous fish species (SIS) named mola (Amblypharyngadan mola) in monoculture system to intensify production in farmers’ homestead ponds with 50% household women involvement during June to December, 2016. Brood mola was stocked at the rate of 2, 4 and 6 m-2 with three replications in each treatment. Supplementary feed (27.1% protein) consisted of commonly available agricultural by-products was provided daily at the rate of 2% of the total biomass along with natural feed as mola is planktivorous species. Seven different water quality parameters were measured fortnightly and found within cultivable range. Gross production of mola were obtained 520.59±23.4, 599.06±258.87, 1063.94±42.87 kg ha-1 from T1, T2 and T3, respectively after 4 months’ culture period. The yield of T3 was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than T1 and T2. The highest gross production was obtained in T3 where stocking density was 6 brood mola m-2.

35-41

Authors: M.A. Rahman, M. Islam, M.M. Begum and S. Arfin

A study was carried out to evaluate the suitability and effectiveness of improved postharvest management practices (IPMP) in enhancing the eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) value chain of Bangladesh. In IPMP, sorting, grading and washing of eggplants were done, and packed them in plastic crates with or without modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). Traditional postharvest management practices (TPMP) existed in the value chain was used as control treatment. IPMP including the use of plastic crate with MAP reduced weight losses by 26.7 and 38.0% at wholesale and 2-days display at retail outlets. The total postharvest loss of eggplant handled with TPMP including packed in jute sack was 40.0%, whereas it was only 4.5% when followed IPMP. The reduction of postharvest losses of eggplants handled with IPMP amounted to 88.7%, and 100.0% fruit could be sold at retail outlets. The additional weekly gross income of a small trader by selling 1000 kg eggplant handled with IPMP comprising the plastic crates with MA packaging would be BDT 17,190 (USD 207).

51-56

Authors: B. Akhter, M.R. Humaun and K.U. Ahamed

A field experiment was conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Ishwardi, Pabna during 2013-14 to find out an effective integrated management package for controlling root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita of pointed gourd. The following treatments were T1 = Spore suspension of T. harzanium added to around the roots of seedling, T2 = Dry neem leaves @100 g seedling-1, T3 = Furadan 5G @ 40 kg ha-1, T4 = Poultry litter @ 5 t ha-1, T5 = Mustard oil cake @ 800 kg ha-1, T6 = Furadan 5G + Dry neem leaves, T7 = Furadan 5G + Poultry litter, T8 = Furadan 5G + Mustard oil cake and T9 = Control were tested for their performance against the disease. Gall index ranged from 3.33-7.67. Significantly lower gall index (3.33) was recorded in treatment T7= Furadan 5G + Poultry litter and maximum gall index (7.67) was recorded in treatment T9= Control plot. The highest yield (24.97 t ha-1) was recorded in Furadan 5G + Poultry litter treated plot where are the lowest yield (7.53 t ha-1) was in Control plot. The incorporation of Poultry litter with Furadan 5G increased the efficiency of the treatment and gave satisfactory result to reduce root knot disease and to improve plant growth and yield of pointed gourd.

62-66

Authors: A. Gebremichael, B. Bekele and B. Tadesse

The imbalance between the crop production and population growth is currently the major issue in southern Ethiopia. To feed the growing population, increasing the production of food through growing more crop types in the same field as an intercropping is the right strategy. The current study was aimed at evaluating the effect of sorghum-legume intercropping and its residual effect on yield of sorghum. The land equivalent ratio was calculated for sorghum intercropped with pigeon pea and cowpea. Intercropping sorghum with pigeon pea and cowpea increases the land productivity as its Land Equivalent Ratio is greater than 1. In both cases, the land equivalent ratio is greater than 1 indicating the benefits of intercropping. The residual effect of sorghum intercrop with legumes was evaluated on the yield of sorghum. Although there was no statistically significance differences on yield and yield component of sorghum, sorghum planted on the plot of pigeon pea and cowpea sole has 44.6% and 27.8% yield advantage relative to sorghum alone respectively. Planting sorghum under sorghum-cowpea intercropped condition increase the yield of sorghum by 41.8%. The result also shows 74.0% sorghum yield change was observed when planted after intercropped condition of sorghum with pigeon pea. The productivity of sorghum also increases when planted on the plot of sole legume. The current finding in general shows that legume crops contributed to the yield of sorghum either intercropped with legume or grown up using residual contribution of legumes after a year. Therefore, for maximum sorghum production farmers in the area should plant either as intercrop or after residual effect of legumes.

76-83

Authors: F. Sharmin, M.S. Rahman, M. Shahjahan and P. Chowdhury

The experiment was conducted to determine the effects of population densities of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) on the growth and production of tilapia in monoculture system. Fish population density was 80 fish per decimal under treatment-I, 160 fish per decimal under treatment-II and 320 fish per decimal under treatment-III. In the ponds under three treatments supplementary feed was not used. The average initial length and weight of the fry of tilapia was 4.48 cm and 0.067 g, respectively. The ponds were fertilized fortnightly with urea and TSP at the rates of 60 g, and 90 g per decimal, respectively. Mean survival rates of fish under treatment-I, treatment-II and treatment-III were 91.12%, 82.82% and 66.23%, respectively. The specific growth rates (SGR, % per day) of fish under treatment-I, treatment-II and treatment-III were 5.49%, 4.95% and 4.61%, respectively. The calculated net fish production of the ponds under treatment-I was 2.65 ton ha-1 yr-1 and that of the ponds under treatment-II was 2.55 ton ha-1 yr-1 and that of the ponds under treatment-III was 2.68 ton ha-1 yr-1. The net fish production under treatment-I and treatment-III were 2.65 ton ha-1 yr-1 and 2.68 ton ha-1 yr-1 higher than that of treatment-II, taking net fish production under treatment-I for 100%. According to survival rates and specific growth rates treatment-I is the best. So, the population density of 80 fish per decimal (under treatment-I) might be considered the best among the three treatments.

8-13

Authors: V.A. Eze, N.E. Odoh, O.E. Igwe and C.J. Mgbanya

The study examined the socio-economic factors influencing poverty among rural households in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi state, Nigeria. The study adopted multistage random and purposive sampling techniques to select 120 household heads. Primary data used for the study were collected using structured questionnaire. The data were analysed with the aid of means, percentage and frequency count and OLS multiple regression model. The result indicated that the households spent an average of N31,250 monthly to take care of their families and other essential personal needs. The result of the socio-economic characteristics showed that majority (53.3) of the respondents were females. The mean age was 36 years with majority (64.2%) married while an average of 6 persons per household was recorded. The predominant occupations were farming (36.0%) and civil service (35.8%). The households cultivated a mean farm size of 3.8 hectares, the mean monthly income was N19,720 while their average monthly expenditure amounted to N31,250. Moreover, 73.3% of the respondents belonged to one social organization or the other with over 90.0% of them having acquired various forms of formal education. The multiple regression result showed the coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.644 or 64.4%. The overall model was statistically significant (P<0.05), signifying that the selected socio-economic characteristics of the households have significant influence on their poverty level. The coefficients of age, sex, educational attainment, household size, farm size, income and membership of social groups were statistically significant. The hypothesis tested led to the conclusion that the selected socio-economic characteristics have significant influence on the poverty level of the households. The study recommended improvement of socio-economic attributes that improve the poverty level of rural households.

18-22

Authors: Ahmad Khasrow Afif

Apple storage under lower concentration of oxygen (1.0-1.3% in some cases lower than 1%) in controlled atmosphere cold stores is described as apple storage in ultra-low oxygen cold store. Ultra-low oxygen store room is an airtight gas cold room and its atmosphere is composed of lower rate of oxygen and higher amount of CO2. It has been Investigated and recorded that ultra-low oxygen cold store extends storage life of apple varieties (Royal Gala, Red Delicious, Idared, Jonagold and Golden delicious) from 3 to 6 months under common cold stores to 7-11 months with preserving its nutritional, sensorial and biological parameters and characteristics after harvest. For storage of apples in Afghanistan, mostly simple and cold storerooms are applied but inadequately and with local methods and facilities, due to application of ultra-low oxygen cold storage both can benefitfarmers, customers and economic growth of the country.

35-41

Authors: M. Hasan, M. Robbani, R. Parvin, M.N.H. Mehedi, I. Hossain

An experiment was carried out at Germplasm Centre and Plant Biotechnology Lab, Department of Horticulture, PSTU to evaluate the growth, seed yield and quality of hybrid F1 chilli (cv. Sonic) crossing male line (LTSL-004-M) and female line (LTSL-004-F) along the viability of productive seeds influenced by NPK fertilizers during the period from November 2015 to October 2016. Ten different treatments of NPK fertilizers were used. Result showed that all the characteristics except primary branches and1000 seed weight were influenced significantly due to the application of NPK fertilizers. The tallest plant (69.88 cm), more leaves plant–1 (2491.33), highest number of secondary branches plant-1, tertiary branches plant-1 (5.00 and 88.00, respectively), number of flowers and hybrid fruits plant–1 (1533.00 and 12.33, respectively) and weight of seeds (4.03 g plant–1) along with required more time (54.67 days) for flowering were obtained from the application of 145 kg N ha–1, 175 kg P ha–1 and 96 kg K ha–1 (T4) which produced the highest final seed yield of chilli (4.03 kg ha–1). Application of T5 and T9 showed the highest number of primary branches (2.33). In seed viability characteristics T9 treated seeds showed the highest germination (100, 97.33 and 94.97%) at 1st, (1 MAH - Month After Harvest), 2nd (2 MAH) and 3rd (4 MAH) observations, respectively. The T3 treated seeds performed well in respect of Seed Vigour Index (SVI) at 1st and 2nd observations (8.00 and 7.48, respectively) but T9 treated seeds showed the highest SVI (6.32) at 3rd observation. Above indicating all characteristics were lowest under only recommended doses of NPK T1 as control treatment except days to first flowering. The observations suggested that production of hybrid chilli seeds could be enhanced by applying T4. While seeds of chilli treated by T9 in field level showed long time viable. Application of 145 kg N ha–1, 175 kg P ha–1 and 96 kg K ha–1 may be suggested for seed production of chilli and 110 kg N ha–1, + 175 kg P ha–1 + 115 kg K ha–1 for keeping the long time seed viability.

48-57

Authors: A.F.M. Mamun, S.K. Mazumder, T.P. Suvo and S. Akter

An experiment was carried out at the Agronomy Field, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka during November 2009 to July 2010 to study the effect of variety and varying levels of nitrogen application to ratoon crop of boro rice. Four varieties (BRRI hybrid dhan2, BRRI dhan29, BRRI dhan35 and BRRI dhan47) and four doses of nitrogen (0%, 25%, 50% and 75% N of recommended dose) were tested. These doses of N fertilizer were applied to the ratoon crop just after harvesting of the main crop leaving 15 cm stuble height above the ground level. Among the main crop BRRI hybrid dhan2 produced significantly highest grain yield (7.037 t ha-1). In the ratoon crop grain yield of BRRI hybrid dhan2 and BRRI dhan29 with all levels of N application produced significantly higher grain yield (710-917 kg ha-1). So, BRRI hybrid dhan2 and BRRI dhan29 with 25% extra N application could be considered for ratoon cropping.

66-72

Authors: G. Karubanga, F. Okry, P. Kibwika, J.G. Agea and H. Sseguya

The study assesses how social learning was triggered and reinforced through video-mediated extension as used by Sasakawa Global 2000 (SG 2000) from 2007 to 2010 among rice farmers in Kamwenge district, Uganda. A longitudinal study involving six focus group discussions and 100 semi-structured interviews were conducted in August 2015 to February 2016, and later 21 key informant interviews in June 2018 to generate data from farmers. While thematic-content analysis was used for the qualitative data, SPSS v.18 was used for quantitative data analysis. Results indicate that video-complementary extension methods were non-discriminative as evidenced by the diversity of farmers who participated in the demonstration sites, field days and exchange visits in terms of age mix and level of education attained. Furthermore, use of videos in extension is more effective when combined with other complementary follow-up extension methods; thus, deepening social learning among farmers. For effective scaling-up of the impact of video-mediated extension messages, use of complementary extension methods such as demonstration plots, exchange visit and field days offer greater opportunities for developing more localized videos for farmer learning. However, this requires pragmatic retooling of extension workers to effectively document local videos on the interactive learning that occurs in these complementary extension methods.

84-95

Authors: M. Kabir, M. Shahjahan, P. Chowdhury and M.S. Rahman

The present research work was conducted to evaluate the effects of organophosphate insecticide, sumithion on water quality parameters, density of plankton population and histological changes of kidney and liver of the fish, tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in aquaculture ponds during July to December 2016. The experiment was conducted with four treatments, each with two replications. Treatment T0 was used as control (no sumithion) and other three treatments with 0.025 ppm (T1), 0.050 ppm (T2) and 0.100 ppm sumithion (T3). The water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen, free carbon dioxide, pH, total alkalinity, NO3-N and PO4-P fluctuated significantly under four treatments during the experimental period but they were not affected by sumithion application. The phytoplankton densities (×105 cells L-1) was not affected by sumithion. Six genera of phytoplankton populations were found in the experimental ponds. On the other hand, zooplankton population densities (×103 cells L-1) were significantly reduced with increasing doses of sumithion (T2 and T3) in comparison with that of control (T0). Histological changes of kidney were observed after application of sumithion. The renal corpuscle, collecting duct, hematopoietic cells and other cells of the kidney in control (T0) were normal and systematically arranged. Abnormal collecting duct, Intra-cellular space, degenerated renal corpuscle, irregular shaped blood vessel, ruptured membrane large vacuole and necrosis were found in T1, T2 and T3.Normal structure of liver cells such as hepato-pancreas, hepatic cell and blood vessel were observed in T0 (control). Sumithion exposed liver sections showed rupturedhepato-pancreas, necrosis, hemorrhage, intra-cellular space, degenerated hepatopancreas and large vacuole were found in T1, T2 and T3. Therefore, it reveals that sumithion has adverse effects on kidney and liver of the test fish. So, sumithion should not be used indiscriminately in agriculture and aquaculture practices. It may be concluded from the research finding that dissolved oxygen, free carbon dioxide, pH, total alkalinity, PO4-P, NO3-N, phytoplankton and zooplankton values under treatment, T0, are significantly different from treatments T1, T2, and T3 in most cases.