International Journal of Agricultural Research, Innovation and Technology

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.