International Journal of Agricultural Research, Innovation and Technology

1-12

Authors: W. Turyahikayo, F.B. Matsiko, J.J. Okiror, B.B. Obaa and J.H. Hanf

Agricultural innovation platforms are increasingly seen as a panacea for mitigating the agricultural value chain challenges through enabling the co-evolution of different elements in the innovation process. A number of previous studies on IPs show processes for their formation and contribution to innovations. Very few studies have attempted to investigate the perceived benefits from platforms as important determinants for actor participation. Using a sample of 319 randomly selected farmers from one innovation platform in Uganda, it was established that the uncertain markets for the agricultural output, sources of inputs and agricultural information were perceived to be the key motivators for the formation of the platform. The study found a positive significant relationship between transaction cost challenges of environmental uncertainty and structural embeddedness (p<0.01) and frequency of interaction and structural embeddedness (p<0.05). On the other hand, environmental uncertainty, asset specificity and frequency of interactions were significantly correlated with relational embeddedness (p<0.05). However, the complexity of tasks in the value chain was not significantly correlated with structural and relational embeddedness (p≥0.05). It therefore means that to ensure effective participation and implementation of platform activities, efforts ought to be placed on fulfilling the platform’s promise as a forum for mitigation of transaction cost challenges such as inadequate markets for both output and inputs, customized products and inputs and lack of valuable agricultural information.

24-31

Authors: P. Chowdhury, M.Z. Hossain, N.A. Raushon and M.S. Rahman

The experiment was conducted to determine the effects of different amounts of organic fertilizers on growth and production of Tilapia (monosex GIFT tilapia) in monoculture system for a period of 120 days. The experiment was carried out in six earthen ponds, which were situated at the south-east corner of the Fisheries Faculty Building under the Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. The experiment was designed with three treatments and each of them consisted of two replications. Fish population density was 120 fish per decimal for all the treatments. Ponds were treated with organic fertilizers (cow dung) at the rate of 2 kg, 4 kg and 6 kg per decimal were supplied fortnightly for treatment-I, treatment-II and treatment-III, respectively. The ranges of water temperature, transparency, dissolved oxygen, total alkalinity, free CO2, phosphate-phosphorus and nitrate-nitrogen found were 15.82 to 24.49 ºC, 17.00 to 32.00 cm, 7.00 to 10.30 mg L-1, pH 7.20 to 7.90, 140.00 to 192.00 mg L-1, 2.00 to 6.00 mg L-1, 1.40 to 1.95 mg L-1 and 3.30 to 3.73 mg L-1, respectively. All the physical and chemical parameters except temperature were within the productive range and more or less similar among all the ponds under three treatments. 18 genera of phytoplankton under five major groups and 9 genera of zooplankton under three major groups were identified in the experimental ponds. Average survival rate of fish under treatment-I, treatment-II, and treatment-III were 94.50%, 94.00% and 95.00%, respectively. The calculated net fish production under treatment-I was 3.554 ton ha-1 yr-1 and that under treatment-II was 3.648 ton ha-1 yr-1 and under treatment-III was 2.919 ton ha-1 yr-1. The net fish productions under treatment-II and treatment-III were 102.64% and 82.13% comparing with treatment on which was taken for 100%. According to cost-benefit analysis, the ratios of net profit under treatments I, II, and III were 1:0.81, 1:0.54, and 1:0.04. According to specific growth rate, treatment-II was the best and survival rate of treatment-III was the best, and according to cost-benefit analysis, treatment-I (ratio 1:0.81) was the best. So, organic fertilizer at the rate of 2 kg per decimal (treatment-I) was considered the best among three treatments in this experiment.

42-46

Authors: J. Chirchir, G. Chemining’wa, F. Nzuve and R. Murori

Rice production has been inconsistent in Mwea irrigation scheme due to poor crop management practices and reduced soil fertility. Proper rice nutrition conserves the environment, increases sustained crop production, farmer’s crop yield and profits. A field experiment was conducted at MIAD Center, in Kirinyaga County, during 2016-17 and 2017-18 to determine the response of rice varieties to different N, P and K fertilizer treatments. The trial was conducted in randomized complete block design, with three replications of 13 N, P and K fertilizer regimes as the main plots treatments and varieties Basmati 370 and BW 196 as the sub-plot treatment. The N kg ha-1: P2O5 kg ha-1: K2O kg ha-1 fertilizer treatment ratios used were: 00:00:00, 60:40:40, 80:60:60, 100:80:80, 60:40:00, 80:60:00, 100:80:00, 60:00:40, 80:00:60, 100:00:80, 00:40:40, 00:60:60 and 00:80:80. Plant height, number of tillers hill-1, panicle length, and grain yield responded positively to fertilizer application, but 1000-grain weight did not. Variety BW 196 recording shorter plants and panicles, more tillers hill-1, higher grain weight and yield than variety Basmati 370. 00:40:40, 00:60:60, 00:80:80, 60:40:00 and the no-fertilizer control treatments recorded the least number of tillers hill-1. 60:40:40, 80:60:60, 100:80:80, fertilizer treatments had longer panicles than the no fertilizer control and 00:40:40. Except for 100:80:00 and 00:40:40, in the first season and 60:40:00, 80:60:00, 100:80:00 in the second season, all the fertilizer regimes increased grain yield relative to the control. The highest grain yield was realized in fertilizer regime 80:60:60, 100:80:80, 80:00:60 and 100:00:80. 80:00:60 is the recommended fertilizer regime.

54-60

Authors: M. Leta and B.B. Tegegn

Only 6 East African countries and 15 years (1996-2010) macroeconomic data was considered due limitation of data availability. Secondary data sources was used and necessary data were collected from the World Bank Development Indicator, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United State, and International Monetary fund base line data. Both descriptive and econometric models were employed. A Demand and Supply Linear Model was employed for the analysis. The selection test result confirmed that random effect to be an appropriate model for the analysis. Findings of the study revealed that the supply side of Agricultural Product Export were found to be statistically significant at P< 0.01 level, while the demand side Ln Growth Domestic Product of China variables was found to be statistically significant at P< 0.01.

1-6

Authors: W. Mambo, M. Mataa and B.H. Chishala

A field trial was conducted to evaluate the comparative effects of jatropha seedcake, chicken and kraal manures on selected soil properties, growth and yield of tomato in Zambia during the cropping season of 2012-13. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replicates and six treatments, namely- jatropha seedcake (5.0 t ha-1), chicken manure (5.0 t ha-1), kraal manure (5.0 t ha-1), jatropha seedcake (2.5 t ha-1) + chicken manure (2.5 t ha-1), jatropha seedcake (2.5 t ha-1) + kraal manure (2.5 t ha-1) and control (0.0 t ha-1) was used. Soil total N, P, K, Ca, Mg, SOM, soil pH, bulk density, plant height, number of branches, number of fruits plant-1, and mean fruit weight effects were subsequently monitored. Organic manures significantly increased total N, available P, exchangeable K, Ca, Mg, SOM, soil pH, plant height, number of branches, number of fruits, mean fruit weight and yield of tomato compared to the control. Organic manures also significantly reduced soil bulk density compared to the control. Among the organic amendments treated alone, jatropha seedcake gave the highest yield of 28.62 t ha-1 compared to chicken manure (28.20 t ha-1) and kraal manure (27.50 t ha-1). Maximum yield benefits came from a mixture of jatropha seedcake + chicken manure (29.60 t ha-1)and jatropha seedcake + kraal manure (29.00 t ha-1) which could have been due to balanced proportions of major nutrients required for tomato growth. Jatropha seedcake mostly performed favourably the same or better than chicken and kraal manures in many aspects.

14-17

Authors: S. Sultana, M.S. Rahman, J. Ferdous, F. Ahamed and A.K. Chowdhury

The genetic parameters were studied to elucidate the genetic variability, correlation and path co-efficient analysis in thirty-nine genotypes of bottle gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl] in randomized complete block design with three replications. Observations were recorded for eleven quantitative characters viz., days to first male flower open, days to first female flower open, node number of first female flower, braches plant-1, days to harvest, number of fruits plant-1, fruit weight, fruit length, fruit girth, 100 seed weight and yield ton ha-1. The analysis of variance showed highly significant differences for all the characters studied indicating considerable variability among the genotypes. The highest GCV (35.57%) and PCV (35.62%) were observed for fruit length. The differences between GCV and PCV were high for fruit number plant-1 and days to first male flower open indicating environmental influences. High heritability associates with high estimates of genetic advance in percent of mean were noted for length of fruit, yield, girth of fruit and number of fruits plant-1. It indicated presence of additive gene effect and selection for these traits would be effective. Yield were positively and significantly correlated with fruit weight, 100 seed weight, branch plant-1 and number of fruits plant-1 .Negative associations of yield were noted with days to first male and female flower open, days to harvest and length of fruit. Path analysis revealed that fruits plant-1 (0.93) and weight of fruit (0.467) had very high positive effect on fruit yield ton ha-1 .

26-37

Authors: Y. Widodo, S. Wahyuningsih, J.S. Utomo and A. Subagio

Green revolution started at mid of twentieth century was the answer of anxiousness reminded by Malthusian that food scarcity problems in relation with population growth. In concurrence with exploitation of fossil fuel for agriculture mechanization as well as agrochemicals in the form of inorganic fertilizer and pesticide, green revolution by introducing high yielding varieties of cereals and grains was able to nourish the world population by increasing productivity. Indeed, from beginning of mechanization with fossil fuel based as advised by Rudolf Diesel then Arrhenius would be affected to the release of CO2 to the atmosphere and consequently exaggerating climate change as suffered by current and future generations. Under green revolution based on cereals and grains affected forest conversion into open agricultural land, because both commodities are sun-loving crops, which are hate to the shade. On the other hand, to slow the severity of climate change natural forest must be conserved tightly. Entering third millennium demand of food production with ecologically friendly is stronger. Hence, green revolution needs to be amended into greener perspectives. Thus, implementation of agro-forestry into wide range of agro-ecological zone is urgently innovated. Fortunately, shade tolerant of root crops has significant advantage to be developed under agro-forestry. Under shade of forest canopy at basal forest strata, root crops are able to sequester CO2 to be converted into carbohydrate and other compounds to provide food for the dweller. Back to nature is not only a slogan, with root crops under agro-forestry is a reality; fresh root up to 30 t ha-1 can be harvested yearly as the source of food and renewable fuel as well. This potential is very worthy to improve and greening the existing green revolution to be more sustainable.

44-54

Authors: M.R. Islam, M.A. Baten, S.M.A. Hossain, S.M. Afroz and K. Naher5

A study was carried out at selected villages in Gazipur district of Bangladesh during 2008-2009 to assess the changes in biodiversity of rural homesteads with modernization and factors affecting the biodiversity. Three villages were selected purposively considering their degree of modernization e.g. traditional, semi-modern and modern village and biodiversity at 40 randomly selected homesteads from each of the three villages were studied. Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H) value for traditional village (1.652) was statistically similar to semi-modern village (1.373) but significantly higher (t = 2.47*) than that of modern village (1.029). It indicates that plant biodiversity is decreasing significantly with modernization and/or urbanization. For assessing factors affecting biodiversity in the homesteads, a total of 26 factors were considered of them 15 factors had significant relationship with biodiversity. Factors like, family size, establishment of homestead, agricultural knowledge, nutritional knowledge, primary health care knowledge, environmental awareness, innovativeness, homestead area, income from homestead, savings, access to credit, disturbance of theft and predators, and utilization of modern agro-technologies had significant positive relationship; while ‘fragmentation of homestead’ and ‘sanitation’ had significantly negative relationship with homestead biodiversity. Linear multiple regression analysis showed that eight factors such as, agricultural knowledge, nutritional knowledge, environmental awareness, homestead area, income from homestead, innovativeness, homestead fragmentation and sanitation had significant contribution to homestead biodiversity. These eight significant factors explained 75.2 percent (adjusted R2 = 0.752) of the total variation in the homestead biodiversity. However, stepwise regression analysis revealed that ‘homestead area’ had the largest possible contribution (55.7%) to variation in the homestead biodiversity, followed in descending order by agricultural knowledge (9.5%), income from homestead (5.0%), environmental awareness (2.9%), sanitation (2.3%), nutritional knowledge (1.6%), innovativeness (1.0%) and fragmentation of the homestead (1.0%).

62-69

Authors: M.S. Hossain and A.K. Majumder

Bangladesh is severely vulnerable to climate change and its devastation on coastal livelihood and food security has been substantiated. Climate induced hazards will lead to food insecurity directly and indirectly by affecting the coastal biophysical and socioeconomic states. This review article found the potential impacts on coastal agricultural, livestock and fisheries sectors those are the main source of livelihood and food security to coastal people. Furthermore, most of the rural coastal people are hard poor in which women are major in portion and contribute to ensure food security for the entire family. Scrutinizing on ‘vulnerability’ revealed that it is not gender neutral and socio-economically underprivileged groups and marginal people are invaded disproportionately in which women is ranking in the top of the order. Hence, existing gender-poverty nexus along with socio-economic and political aspects make women more endangered to climate vulnerability and food security. It also found that existing policies and adaptation mechanisms failed to address the influence of powers on marginalize women and growing trend of feminization of food insecurity. In addition, also found the necessity for immediate pertinent caucus before the onset of this imminent concernment by aggregating gender and identified vulnerable groups.

79-84

Authors: A. Parven and M.S. Hasan

Bangladesh and India Sharing fifty-four trans-boundary rivers water that flows from India to Bangladesh. Bangladesh is mostly dependent on India for their water and has no control over the water shed management policy of the rivers. Being a smaller, weaker military and economy than India, Bangladesh cannot influence the watershed management policies and face floods and water scarcity, reducing yield production and fish productivity, an ecological imbalance in estuarine areas, saline water intrusion in the southwestern part of Bangladesh and reduced navigation. Water governance is the combination of the political, social, economic and administrative system, which manage the water resources and provide services in the different level of society. Based on the water governance definition the researchers find out the different stakeholder in the management of water governance and the lack of practices of the theoretical concept of water governance and try to indicate the possibilities of the better solutions (Conflict or cooperation) of this trans-boundary water conflicts between both countries. The paper also compared the present negotiation process with different kinds of modes of wicked problem in water resource management. The study recommends few suggestions to minimize the conflict over the utilization of trans-boundary water resources management for example, a hydro-community like EU water framework Directive that is based on the soft power of peer review rather than a penalizing measure.

1-6

Authors: M.S. Hosain and M.W. Islam

The study aims to explore the prospects and retrospects of land use system through agroforestry practices in Meherpur district, Bangladesh. It particularly focuses on some aspects of land uses of the study area like land use pattern, land ownership, choices of species for agroforestry, farmers’ perceptions towards agroforestry, status and prospects of agroforestry practices. This study was carried out by using mixed method followed by a semi-structure questionnaire. A total of 100 respondents were selected by using snowball purposive sampling method. The study revealed that agriculture was the major occupation (50%) of the selected respondents. Of the total land used by selected respondents, 21% land were used for agroforestry, 69% for agriculture and remaining 10% for homestead purposes. Most of the farmers (60%) were small landholders (1 to 5 acres) and 18% had lesser than 1 acre land. Among them 76% had their own land followed by 8% leased land and 16% both own and leased land. They preferred agroforestry in their homestead (92%), agricultural land (65%), water body (31%) and fallow land (18%). The farmers were practicing different types of agroforestry such as cropland, homestead and aquaculture with boundary plantation by mixing trees, agricultural crops and vegetables in their farmlands to receive diversified outcomes. A remarkable change in land use pattern was found after adopting agroforestry practices in this study area. Maximum respondents practiced agro-forestry in their homestead and croplands. Most of the land (67%) was used for agriculture

18-21

Authors: Shure Soboka, Getachew Asefa and Mohammed Beriso

The highland of Bale is known with potato production, but post harvest quality of the crop is not emphasized yet. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate six potato varieties with the objective of assessing the effect of varieties and growing on tuber nutritional and process quality of potato grown in Sinana and Dinsho highlands of Bale. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. The varieties showed highly significant (P<0.05) differences for all the parameters studied across the locations. The highest specific gravity, dry matter content and starch content (1.107, 26.61 and 19.19) were recorded from Dinsho location for Guddene variety while the lowest specific gravity, dry matter content and starch content (1.084, 19.41 and 14.61) were recorded from Sinana location for Ararsa variety. Most of the varieties were recorded as the highest values of specific gravity, dry matter and starch content at Dinsho indicating that it is an ideal location for potato production to be used for processing while Sinana is suitable for the production for home consumption. However, it is necessary to evaluate these varieties for a number of seasons and locations to recommend with high post harvest quality parameters required by the processors.

27-35

Authors: BR Irin, MA Mansur, MS Rahman

The present research was conducted to evaluate the monthly variations of macro-zoobenthos of three ponds (pond 1, bottom soil is loam; pond 2, bottom soil is sandy loam; pond 3, bottom soil is silty clay loam) in relation to soil texture types of sediment. The major groups of macro-zoobenthos recorded were Chironomidae, Oligochaeta, Mollusca and Ceratopogonidae. The values of all water quality parameters such as temperature, water depth, rainfall, transparency, dissolved oxygen, pH, free CO2, NO3-N and PO4-P were found to have positive correlations in most cases, in some cases negative correlations and in few cases significant correlations. The abundance of Chironomidae was to be dominant in the pond no. 3 during the whole study period. The highest number of Oligochaeta (400 per m2) was found in pond no. 3 at depth of 150 cm and the lowest number of Oligochaeta (0 per m2) was found in pond nos. 1, 2 and 3 at both depths. The highest number of Chironomidae (1332 per m2) was found in pond no. 3 at depth of 150 cm and the lowest number of Chironomidae (444 per m2) was found in pond no. 2 at depth of 100 cm. The highest number of Ceratopogonidae (977 per m2) was found in pond no. 3 at the depth of 150 cm and the lowest number of Ceratopogonidae (178 per m2) was found in pond no. 2 at both depths. The highest number of Mollusca (1288 per m2) was found in pond no. 3 at the depth of 150 cm and the lowest number of Mollusca (222 per m2) was found in pond no. 2 at the depth of 100 cm. Satisfactory quantity of macrobenthos in the pond no. 3 at the depth of 150 cm than those of other two ponds. Between 2 depths (100 and 150 cm), the depth of 150 cm was to have highest quantity of macro-zoobenthos in all the three ponds because this depth was most favourable for macro-zoobenthos production. In pond no. 1, 2 and 3 relation of macro-benthos (no. per m2) with chemical parameters of pond bottom-soil conditions vary pond to pond which influence primary production and also influence macro-zoobenthos production (secondary production). The highest macro-zoobenthos population density was found in pond no. 3 followed by pond no. 1 and the lowest production in pond no. 2 but macro-zoobenthos production in pond no. 2 and pond no. 1 are more or less similar and macro-zoobenthos production in pond no. 3 is different and higher than those of pond nos. 1 and 2 which indicates that silty clay loam of bottom-soil is more suitable for macro-zoobenthos than other soil textural classes of bottom-soil loam and sandy loam.

43-48

Authors: Kenea Worku, Abdissa Debela, Diriba Shanko

The study of soil physico-chemical properties were made on the soils of BuleHoraWoreda, WestGuji zone. The objective of the study was to characterize soil physical and chemical properties to assess the fertility status of the soils in the study areas. Soil profile pits at representative sites were described and soil samples were collected from each depth of 0-15 cm, 15 – 30 cm, and 30–60 cm depending on the root depth of the crop. Soil samples were collected from two different study areas for the determination of soil texture, bulk density, porosity, soil pH and electrical conductivity. The top layer (0-15 cm) has an average bulk density of 1.10 g/cm3, whereas the subsurface layer (15-30 and the bottom layer (30-60 cm) has an average bulk density of 1.16 g/cm3 and 1.26 g/cm3, respectively at the GuyyeKebele. The average value of bulk density 1.18 g/cm3, 1.29 g/cm3 and 1.39g/cm3 was recorded on the surface horizon (0-15 cm), subsurface horizon (15-30 cm) and the bottom horizon (30 - 60 cm) depth, respectively at BuleHora Farm. Accordingly, the highest (1.39 g/cm3) and the lowest (1.10 g/cm3) average bulk density values were recorded for BuleHoraand GuyyeKebele study Farm, respectively. The average highest porosity (58.48%) value was observed in the surface horizon (0 -15 cm) soil depth and the average lowest porosity value (52.11%) was observed in the bottom horizon (30 – 60 cm) depth at GuyyeKebele study Farm. The average porosity value of the soils in BuleHora study Farm were recorded 55.27%, 52.39% and 47.63% for the surface horizon (0 -15 cm), sub surface horizon ( 15 –30 cm) and bottom horizon (30 – 60 cm) depth , respectively. The soil textural class was changed with depth from sandy clay in surface horizon (0-15 cm) to clay in both sub surface horizon (15-30 cm) and bottom horizon (30-60 cm) at GuyyeKebele. The pH value was observed on the soils of the GuyyeKebele study area increased from 6.08 at surface horizon (0 – 15 cm) to 6.27 at the sub surface horizon (15- 30 cm) and then slightly decreased to 6.21 at the bottom horizon (30-60 cm) of the soil depth. Lowest soil pH value (5.44) was measured in the surface horizon (0 –15 cm) and the highest pH value (6.09) was observed in bottom horizon (30-60 cm) soil depth at BuleHora farm. The electrical conductivity of the saturated soil paste extracts of the study area was low (ranging from 0.0387 to 0.1587 dS m-1) throughout the profile showing no significant accumulation of soluble salts to convert the soil to saline soil.

57-62

Authors: GMM Islam, SK Tarafder, ABMM Hasan, SMA Iqbal, H Mamtaz

A study was conducted in Monirampur upazila under Jessore district from July to December, 2016 to collect information on names, numbers and comparative availability of different brands of Zinc fertilizers in order to aid the assessment of nutrient status for quality of the brands. For this purpose, information was collected from 54 randomly selected fertilizer shops (20 BCIC fertilizer dealers and 34 retailers) through questionnaire interview. In the study total 77 brands [41 Zinc sulfate (mono), 11 Zinc sulfate (hepta) and 25 Chelated zinc] of zinc fertilizer marketed by 49 companies were found in the upazila. Zingsul, Mim zinc, Grogin, Bumper mono zinc, Eon zinc and Geel mono of Zinc sulfate (mono) brands, Current Bumper of Zinc sulfate (hepta) brands and Mim zinc gold of Chelated zinc brands were mostly available. “Zingsul and Mim zinc” of Zinc sulfate (mono) and “Current Bumper” of Zinc sulfate (hepta) were the top most available. Ten percent of Zinc sulfate (hepta) mentioned no registration number. There was a significant difference between highest and lowest MRP of all types (imported, supplied and manufactured) of Zinc sulfate (mono) and Zinc sulfate (hepta) fertilizer as well as imported Chelated zinc brands.

1-7

Authors: Tadesse Debele, Birhanu Iticha

Nitrogen is the most limiting plant nutrient in Vertisols in western Ethiopia. Vertisols properties and management factors as well as fertilizer source and time of application could influence nutrient uptake by crops. With this view, a field study was conducted at Ambo Agriculture Research Centre experimental site during the main cropping season of 2013-2014, with the aim to determine interactive effects of drain depth of Vertisols, N source and time of N application on nutrient uptake by maize. Treatments comprised five drain depths (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 cm), two N sources (urea and ammonium sulfate) and two timings of N applications (twice and thrice). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Result showed that there was significant interactions effect of drain depths, N source and time of application on the concentration of nutrients in the grain and stover. The NH4-N uptake by maize was found to be significantly better than NO3-N utilization by maize. Grain and stover uptake of N, P and K by maize increased with drain depth and thrice split application of ammonium sulfate. It is concluded that draining off excess soil water from the rhizosphere is the key factor in improving nutrient uptake by maize in Vertisols in Ambo area.

14-20

Authors: AKM Fazlur Rahaman, MA Mansur, M Shahidur Rahman

A study on monthly and diurnal changes of limnological conditions of two ponds was conducted in the Bangladesh Agricultural University campus, Mymensingh. The research work was performed by studying the limnological parameters such as transparency, temperature, dissolved oxygen, free carbon dioxide, pH, total alkalinity, nitrate-nitrogen, phosphate-phosphorus and plankton. Diurnal variations of physico-chemical factors were studied fortnightly at 6 hrs intervals at 6 a.m., 12 noon, 6 p.m. and 12 midnight. The amounts of transparency, dissolved oxygen and pH were higher during winter months than in summer months in both the ponds. Transparency, water temperature, total alkalinity, NO3-N and PO4-P were higher during summer months than in winter months in both the ponds. But the amount of free carbon dioxide was higher during winter months than in summer months in pond 1 while in pond 2 the amount of free carbon dioxide was higher during summer months than in winter months. Qualitative and quantitative monthly variations of phytoplankton and zooplankton were observed in both the ponds during the study period. The highest amount of dissolved oxygen, pH and total alkalinity were recorded at 6 p.m. and the lowest amounts of those at 6 a.m. in both the ponds. The highest temperature was recorded at 12 noon and the lowest at 12 midnight. But the highest amount of free carbon dioxide was recorded at 6 a.m. and the lowest at 6 p.m. in both the ponds. All the factors showed appreciable diel variations throughout the study period, which indicate that the ponds are productive.

32-37

Authors: MR Islam, MA Baten, SMA Hossain, SM Afroz, K Naher

A study was carried out at selected villages in Gazipur district of Bangladesh during 2008-2009 with a view to assess the changes in homestead biodiversity with degree of modernization in the rural areas. Three villages were selected purposively considering their degree of modernization e.g. traditional, semi-modern and modern village and biodiversity at 40 randomly selected homesteads from each of the three villages were studied. Species richness, interspecies diversity (Shannon-Wiener diversity index) and species evenness were considered for measuring the biodiversity. A total of 188 plant species belonging to 75 different families were identified in the homesteads of three study villages. The highest proportion (11%) of species found under the family Gramineae followed by Cucurbitaceae (6%), Compositae (5%), Solanaceae (5%), Leguminosae (4%), Amaranthaceae (4%), Rutaceae (3%), Euphorbiaceae (3%), Convolvulaceae (3%), and Cyperaceae (3%) and so on. Among the 188 plant species, 15% fruits species, 9% timber, 11% ornamental and medicinal, 14% vegetables, 4% spices and 47% weed species. The highest number (172) of species was found in traditional village and the lowest (126) in the modern village. Diversity index (H) value for traditional village (1.652) was statistically similar to semi-modern village (1.373) but significantly higher (t = 2.47*) than that of modern village (1.029). So, it can be said that plant biodiversity is decreasing with increase in modernization and/or urbanization. The diversity (H) decreased with decrease in farm size, in other words, species diversity increased with increase in farm size but there was no significant difference among the farm categories in this regard. The total evenness values against the three villages (0.741, 0.630 and 0.491 in Bhawal Gazipur, Hatiyabo and Mariali, respectively) indicate that the abundance of different species was very dissimilar and decreased with increase in modernization.

43-45

Authors: Md Shafiqul Islam, Monjur Hasan

2.7 billion people worldwide rely on onsite sanitation and it is a big problem in developing countries. Faecal sludge is a good source of micro/macronutrients of plant besides its richness in organic matter. Two consecutive field experiments was conducted in BRAC Agricultural Research and Development Centre, Gazipur during Rabi 2015-16 and rabi 2016-17 aimed to determine the effect of faecal sludge on crop production and how much dosage need for maximum yield. Cabbage was the test crop. It was observed that harvesting time was significantly shortened and 25.51% curd weight and 26.55% yield was increase with addition of faecal and chemical fertilizer. No significant differences were found on the dosage of faecal on head formation and head diameter. In the addition of full dosage of faecal with chemical fertilizer, 41.04% and 8.61% curd weight increase than only faecal and chemical fertilizer. Application of full dosage of faecal with full dosages of chemical increases yield 7.28%, 10.66%, 6.88% and 38.75 % than application of half faecal, three-fourth faecal, only chemical fertilizer and only faecal. So addition of full dosage of faecal with chemical fertilizer gives the highest yield on crop. In Bangladesh, faecal might be recycled into agricultural soils as a supplement to commercial fertilizer and thereby enrich the general fertility of the soils and increase crop production.

51-57

Authors: MM Mohshina, M Shahjahan, P Chowdhury, MS Rahman

An experiment of algal culture was conducted in natural light and temperature conditions at a balcony of a room at the 2nd floor of Fisheries Faculty Building facing the north. The experiment was done to evaluate the growth of Chlorella ellipsoidea in four different media, viz, medium I (inorganic), medium II (organic, whole pulse powder extract), medium III (organic, whole lentil powder extract) and medium IV (organic, whole gram powder extract) under natural environment conditions during January-June, 2015. Growth rates of the algal species in four different media were found not significantly different. The alga, C. ellipsoidea attained maximum cell density of 28.89×106 cell ml-1 in the 15th day in medium I, of 30.69×106 cell ml-1 in the 13th day in medium II, of 26.18×106 cell ml-1 in the 15th day in medium III and of 21.12×106 cell ml-1 in the 13th day in medium IV. The ranges of air temperature, water temperature and light intensity were 21°C to 38°C, 23°C to 36°C and 2.28×103to 9.60×103 Lux respectively during the culture period. The average sunshine period was 5.87±2.82 hrs. Total alkalinity, free CO2, pH , NO3-N and PO4-P of algal culture media I, II, III and IV were 128, 540, 554 and 322 mgL-1; 32, 162, 102, 70 mgL-1; 7.4, 8, 7.9 and 7.9; 180, 36.6, 62.4 and 150 mgL-1, and 25.2, 48.2, 42.4 and 45.6 mgL-1, respectively. According to ANOVA of cell densities of cultures of C. ellipsoidea under treatments are not significantly different (F=1.441077). It is clear that differences between them are not significant i.e. mean algal cell densities are more or less same as differences between treatments are less than 20%.

64-70

Authors: M Mataa, P Cheelo, D Lungu, T Kinkese

The objective of the study was to identify the grafting method, which will have a higher success rate of scion development. The study was conducted at Mount Makulu Central Research station in Chilanga, Zambia (15o33’S / 28o11’E) from April 2010 to November 2011. The study had 4 vegetative propagation methods that varied in the treatment of the rootstock and scion. The four methods were Standard T- budding (STB); Modified T- Budding with decapitation (TBD); T- budding with scion bending (TBB); Crown grafting (CG). Bud take, shoot growth, leaf emergence and Leaf area index were measured up to 11 weeks after treatment (WAT). With CG there was 100 % bud take. STB had a bud take of 58.3 %. TBD had a bud take of 50 %. The lowest bud take percentage was recorded in TBB, which had a bud take of 41.7 %. At 5 weeks the STB and TBB treatment had shoot length of 0.7 and 1.0 cm respectively which were the shortest; this was followed by the CG treatment at 15.3 cm and the modified TBD with apical shoot decapitation (21.7 cm). STB shoots did not start growing until about 5 weeks, which was 2 weeks after the rootstock was cut off. At 5 weeks, the TBB and STB were yet to form leaves. The CG had close to 20 leaves and the TBD had almost 15.2 leaves. At the end of 11 weeks, the TBB had the highest number of leaves. Across the grafting methods; the Leaf area exhibited a pattern similar to leaf number; it kept on doubling every 2 weeks to until the 9th week after which the increase was negligible. At 11 weeks, the highest leaf area was in the TBD followed by the STB and lowest in the CG treatment.

1-4

Authors: TP Suvo, MT Ahamed, MR Haque, M Chakrobarti, H Biswas

An experiment was conducted to identify the hydroponic culture based suitable media for the production of Zucchini Squash in the Biochemistry Laboratory, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali, Bangladesh during 2014. Zucchini plant (Cucurbita pepo L.) were grown in closed soilless systems to determine the effect of four different hydroponics media on plant growth, yield and nutrient contents (fruit moisture content, ascorbic acid content on fruit, fruit protein content, protein content in leaves). Three types of substrates (coconut husk, jute, cotton) along with Hoagland solution were used in this experiment. Result revealed that media using Jute fiber showed significant effect on plant growth and nutritional values than the other media (media of cotton with Hoagland solution, coconut husk with Hoagland solution and only Hoagland solution). The plant grown using jute media showed the highest plant height (60.33 cm), number of leaves (17.33), yield (1.5 kg plant-1), fruit moisture content (97.33%), Ascorbic acid content in fruit (28.73 mg 100g-1), protein percentage in fruit (1.406%) and percentage (1.326%) in leaves than the other media. Therefore, with the controlled nutrient supply, less expense, less labor, no use of pesticides or fertilizer with controlled environment the use of jute fiber as a substrate with Hoagland solution can be an effective one.

12-23

Authors: Linda Manet, Onana Boyomo, Eddy Léonard Mangaptche Ngonkeu, Aimé Didier Boyogueno Begoudé, Papa Saliou Sarr

Soil acidity in the humid forest zones of Cameroon is one of the major constraints to agricultural productivity. This study was carried out to assess the rhizobial communities of two acidic soils; with aluminum toxicity (Nkoemvone) and manganese toxicity (Nkolbisson) for their potential to improve soil fertility in Cameroon. These two soils were used to inoculate to the host plants cowpea and siratro. At harvest, 120 rhizobacterial isolates were extracted from the nodules of these two hosts and subjected to morphological characterization. Twenty isolates per site were selected and analyzed for their 16S rDNA genetic profile following restrictions with endonucleases of PCR products and electrophoresis. The restriction patterns of the 16S rDNA of the 40 isolates showed 12 different profiles. Eight occurred in both types of soils, where as 4 were specific to the manganese-toxic-acidic soil. While the Al toxicity reduced the nodulation and growth of both plants, the Mn toxicity mostly affect the cowpea. This study ascertained the distribution of rhizobia based on soil characteristics. Further molecular analyses would allow the identification of the isolates recovered as well as their phylogenetical relationships.

31-35

Authors: M Bhadra, A Khair, MA Hossain, MM Sikder

An experiment was conducted to isolate a number of biocontrol agent- Trichoderma spp. from infected spawn packets of oyster mushroom at National Mushroom Development and Extension Centre, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. These bio-control agents were used as antagonist against four wild wood decay fungi of Ganoderma, viz., G. lucidum-1, G. lucidum-2, G. lucidum-3, G. applanatum and two cultivated G. lucidum-4, G.lucidum-6 under in vitro condition. An in vitro trial of Trichoderma spp. against Ganoderma were performed by dual culture, by treating with volatile, non-volatile and naturally untreated metabolites of bio-control agents. In dual culture, all the Trichoderma species showed 70-100% mycelia inhibition of G. lucidum-1 and G. lucidum-2, 55.6-100% inhibition of G. lucidum-3, 20-66.7% of G. applanatum, 100% of G. lucidum-5, 75-100% of G. lucidum-6. Effects of heat killed extracts of Trichoderma spp. on growth of G. lucidum-2 (wild) and G. lucidum-6 (cultivated) were also evaluated. Fungicides Bavistin and Dithane M-45 were also used to investigate the mycelial growth inhibition of Ganoderma spp.

42-56

Authors: Ifeanyi A Ojiako, G Tarawali, RU Okechukwu, JN Chianu

The household head characteristics of smallholder cassava farmers supplying raw materials to the major commercial starch processors in Nigeria were examined alongside their market participation categories. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 96 farmers working in clusters in the eight cassava producing states. Data were analyzed using a combination of descriptive and inferential statistics, including the use of independent sample t-test technique to compare farmer's characteristics for the farmers' market participation categories. Results revealed that majority of the farmers were farming for subsistence with only 19.80% selling up to 50% of their farm produce as against 80.20% who sold less. Average mean values were found to be higher for the high market participants compared with the low participants for the age, farming experiences, education, farm size, gender, marital status, household size, training, season of harvesting and fertilizer use, but lower for use of credit, improved cassava variety, harvesting method, farming time devotion, and road access. Only farm size, gender and harvesting season at p<0.01 level and training at p<0.05 level were found to be statistically significant in distinguishing the high and low market participation categories. Policies and programmes aimed at promoting market participation among cassava farmers in Nigeria should be more impactful if directed at these significant factors.

61-68

Authors: Subandiyah Azis, Hari Widodo

Development of the irrigation network is one of the factors that give the great impact to economic growth in Indonesia. The Indonesian government has the authority on this development. However, the handling of the irrigation network has not been maximum and cannot meet the expectations/needs during this time. This is because the limitation of government funding which is not in a good proportion to the increasing of the damage of the irrigation network from year to year and the priority scale is only based on the proposed community and the desire of some of the stakeholders. Therefore, a research is important to determine priority scale, which is appropriate to the real needs in the field. The method applied in this research was descriptive research by spread over the questioner to the stakeholders related to the development of the irrigation network and analyzed the data using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The location of the research was in Sidoarjo Regency that covers 10 locations. The analysis results showed the priority order execution of irrigation network development in accordance with the requirements of the irrigation network. It is expected that this method can be applied to the entire development of the irrigation networks and other infrastructures, therefore, limited government funds can be used efficiently and effectively.

77-81

Authors: Gabriel Karubanga, Paul Kibwika, Florent Okry, Haroon Sseguya

Videos have the potential of enhancing learning among smallholder farmers. The study intended to establish whether timing and location of video shows influence learning among rice farmers in Kamwenge district, Uganda. A cross-sectional study was conducted by interviewing 48 focus group participants; 100 individual video participants and 16 key informants. Geographical Positioning System (GPS) mapping was used to establish the video catchment areas and distribution of video participants. Farmers approved the video for providing timely, useful and reliable information and bringing extension service providers closer to the farming communities. Majority (94%) of the farmers said that video provided useful information that fostered change in rice production practices and technologies. A one sample T-test indicated that the timing and location of video events are significant in influencing learning among farmers particularly by women, elderly and distant farmers. The implication is that locating video shows far away and running them late at night seriously compromised involvement by females, elderly and distant people. Thus, modalities suggested by farmers need to focus on adjusting the timing of video shows and ensuring rotational operational of videos in the respective villages or parishes purposely to reach out to the elderly, distant and women farmers.

87-94

Authors: Md Shahidul Haque, Md Mahmudul Hasan, Md Maniruzzaman, Md Aktaruzzaman, Md Abu Zubair, Md Morshed Rahman

Arsenic is a major toxicant impairing in diverse metabolic alterations of the organisms and the mechanism of adaptive response is yet to be identified. In the present study, effects of different doses of arsenic in liver of Channa punctata on the regulation of metabolic activities were done. C. punctata, a variety of fresh water fish were exposed to 1, 10 and 1000 µM concentration of Na2HAsO4 for 1 h. The amount of protein, in response to 1, 10 and 1000 µM concentration of arsenic were augmented by 184.47% (2.84-folds), 202.82% (3.0-folds) and 317.49% (4.17-folds), respectively and was found to be higher for 1000 µM dose. Cholesterol contents in liver were similarly exaggerated by 517.45% (6.17-folds), 308.13% (4.1-folds) and 286.41% (3.86-folds), respectively. However, the higher response was found for 1 µM dose of Na2HAsO4. Similar stimulatory effects on triglyceride level were observed in response to arsenic. Na2HAsO4 causes 443.74% (5.43-folds), 533.11% (6.33-folds) and 548.48% (6.48-folds) enhanced triglyceride level in liver respectively and the effects were pronounced for 1000 µM concentration. Our findings conclude that arsenic is involved in impairment of metabolic activities in liver of the species of fish and gives an impact to the environment for survival.