Fundamental and Applied Agriculture

Strip Tillage in Wheat Cultivation: A Wind of Change in Production, Greenhouse Gas Emission and Energy Use

2025-02-05T23:03:25-06:00

The experiment was conducted at the Paba MLT site, Rajshahi during the year of 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 in High Ganges River Flood Plain Soil (AEZ-11) to evaluate the performance of Strip tillage (ST) and to estimate the change in input-output energy and GHG emission as compared to conventional tillage (CT).The production program was done in a compact two hectares’ block. Seeding was done in the half of the land with the help of a power tiller operated strip tillage machine and other half by conventional tillage (power tiller) system. The yield was significantly different between ST and CT.The average three years yield was 4264kgha^-1 in ST which was 9.6% higher than CT (3892 kg ha^-1).The strip tillage (ST) emitted 52.3% lower (210 kg CO2 eqha^-1) greenhouse gas (GHG) in crop residue management sector than CT (440 kg CO₂ eqha^-1). The ST liberated 43.3% (170kg CO₂eqha^-1) less GHG in the fuel use sector compared to CT (300 kg CO₂eqha^-1). In case of total emission, ST reduced16.8% total GHG emission (1749 kg CO₂eqha^-1) compared to CT (2099 kg CO₂eqha^-1) during wheat production period. ST liberated 24.1% lower GHG (0.41 kg CO₂ eq kg^-1 product) to produce per kilogram product compare to CT (0.54kg CO2eq kg^-1 product).The total energy input requirement of wheat was 14.6% lower in ST (16692 MJ ha^-1) than CT (19553 MJ ha^-1).The total output energy is8.56% higher in ST (164132 MJ ha^-1) than CT (151196 MJ ha^-1). The
energy efficiency or energy ratio in wheat production was found higher in ST (9.83) than CT (7.73). Specific energy was found maximum in CT (5.02 MJ kg^-1) as compared to ST (3.92 MJ kg-1). Theenergy productivity was found 30% higher in ST (0.26 kg MJ^-1) than CT (0.20 kg MJ^-1). Thus, ST increased grain and energy productivity, reduced GHG emission and utilized lower input energy to
produce higher output energy than CT to bring wheat production closer to sustainability in Bangladesh.

Antibacterial Effects of Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Leaf and Curcuma longa (L.) Bulb Extracts on the Fish pathogen Acinetobacter rudis

2025-02-06T12:36:58-06:00

Studies were conducted to determine the antibacterial effects of arjun, Terminala arjuna (Roxb.) leaf and turmeric, Curcuma longa (L.) bulb extracts against pathogenic Acinetobacter rudis infection in pangas, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus and rohu, Labeo rohita. The arjun leaf and turmeric bulb were collected from the adjacent area of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, dried and powdered finely using an automated grinder. Laboratory stocked fish pathogen A. rudis, isolated previously from the body lesions of pangas, was used for challenge test. Biosafety test was performed by aqueous extracts of arjun leaf and turmeric bulb to determine the tolerance of fish. Pangas (7.194±1.09 g) and rohu (3.46±1.12 g) both could tolerate 120 ppm dip bath of arjun extracts. In case the of turmeric extract, pangas tolerated 120 ppm but rohu could tolerate upto 90 ppm. An immersion challenge test with 70 P. hypopthalmas and 70 L. rohita was performed in laboratory using A. rudis with pre-fixed doses of 4.07×106 and 4.07×107 CFU/mL. After the experimental infection, aqueous extract of turmeric was found to have distinguished effects where 87.5% of infected fish were recovered with prolonged immersion treatment. Water extracts of arjun leaf exhibited 67.5% survival of fish. In-vitro test by acetone extracts of both arjun and turmeric showed inhibition zones against A. rudis at different dosage in comparison with frequently used antibiotics. Maximum inhibition zone was 7 mm at 125 µL of the acetone extract of arjun while turmeric extract showed 5 mm at the same concentration against A. rudis. Thin layer chromatography confirmed the presence of at least one component in the acetone extracts which might be responsible for the antibacterial activity. This preliminary investigation revealed the potential antibacterial effects of T. arjuna leaf and C. longa bulb extracts against A. rudis infection in fish and can be suggested for further detailed studies to establish these medicinal plants for alternative fish health management.

Efficient Nitrogen Management for Reducing Weed Population and Improving Productivity of Boro Rice

2025-02-11T12:22:45-06:00

Among many causes of weed growth and rice’s low yield, improper nitrogen management are thought to be an important issue. To find out the efficient nitrogen management for reducing weed population and improving productivity of boro rice an experiment was conducted from December 2021 to June 2022 at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. Five different nitrogen management and six different weed control techniques were applied to BRRI dhan29. Four of the thirteen weed species were grasses, three were broadleaf, four were sedges and two were aquatic. Application of 100% N from urea and un-weeded control had the greatest weed density and dry weight (78.67 m^-2 and 4.80 g m^-2) at 20 DAT, whereas 100% N from USG and weed free over the time treatment had the lowest weed density and dry weight (0.00 m^-2 and 0.00 g m^-2). When 100% N from USG was applied coupled with weed-free conditions the maximum numbers of effective tillers hill^-1, grains panicle^-1, straw yield, and biological yield were 10.11, 122, 6.23 t ha^-1, and 11.07 t ha^-1, respectively. The minimum effective tillers hill^-1, grains panicle^-1, straw yield and, biological yield was 6, 70.84, 3.13 t ha^-1 and, 4.95 t ha^-1, respectively found at 0 kg N ha^-1 followed by un-weeded control. The maximum grain yield was 5.84 t ha-1 for 100% N from USG and weed-free conditions, while the lowest grain yield was 2.15 t ha^-1 for 0 kg N ha^-1 and un-weeded control. However, because of the labor problem and the weeds' tremendous capacity for regeneration, it is impossible to keep the field weed-free over the whole growing season. This study showed that farmers may choose to apply 100% N from USG in combination with either pre-emergence herbicide (Commit 500 EC @ 1 L ha^-1) and hand weeding at 30 DAT or early post-emergence herbicide (Acetochlor 14% + Bensulfuron-methyl 4% @ 750g ha^-1) and hand weeding at 30 DAT to effectively manage weeds and maximize grain yield in boro rice.

Optimizing Spacing and Fertilization to Maximize Yield and Quality of Tropical Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) in Bangladesh

2025-02-11T13:09:18-06:00

Sugar beet, a potential sugar crop in Bangladesh needs to develop an appropriate agronomic package to get maximum yield and quality. Therefore, to study the yield and quality of sugar beet as influenced by spacing and fertilization, an experiment was conducted at the Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute (BSRI) farm, Ishurdi, Pabna, during 2019-20 cropping season. To select the most suitable spacing and fertilizer dose, the experiment was carried out in RCBD using two spacing, viz., S1: 50 cm× 20 cm and S2: 60 cm× 20 cm and eight different fertilizer dose viz., F1: Urea, TSP and MoP @ 195, 75 and 169 kg ha^-1 (2 splits of Urea and MoP), F2: Urea, TSP and MoP @ 195, 75 and 169 kg ha^-1 (3 splits of Urea and MoP), F3: Urea, TSP, MoP and Cowdung @ 260, 100, 225 kg ha^-1and 10 t ha^-1 (2 splits), F4: Urea, TSP, MoP and Cowdung @ 260, 100, 225 kg ha^-1 and 10 tha^-1 (3 splits), F5: Urea, TSP, MoP and Cowdung @ 260, 100, 225 kg ha^-1 and 5 t ha^-1 (2 splits), F6: Urea, TSP, MoP and Cowdung @ 260, 100, 225 kg ha^-1 and 5 t ha^-1 (3 splits), F7: Urea, TSP, MoP and Cowdung @ 195, 75, 169 kg ha^-1 and 10 t ha^-1 (2 splits), and F8: Urea, TSP, MoP and Cowdung @195, 75, 169 kgha-1 and 10 t ha^-1 (3 splits). The highest leaf number (35.80), shoot length (45.17 cm), root length (38.17 cm), girth (44.33 cm), root dry weight (132.33 g), root yield (86.87 t ha^-1) and total soluble solid (18.20%) was recorded in the 50cm × 20cm spacing along with application of Urea, TSP, MoP and Cowdung @ 260, 100, 225 kg and 10 t ha^-1, respectively with 3 splits of Urea and MoP (S1 × F4 combination) followed by 60cm × 20cm spacing along with application of Urea, TSP, MoP and Cowdung @ 260, 100, 225 kg ha^-1and 10 t ha^-1, respectively with 3 splits of Urea & MoP (S2 × F4 combination) where leaf number (35.13), shoot length (44.97 cm), root length (38.47 cm), girth (43.90 cm), root dry weight (120.17 g), root yield (88.97 t ha^-1) and total soluble solid (18.12%) was obtained which were statistically significant and superior as compared to other treatment combinations.

Morphological Characterization of Yardlong Bean for Pod Borer Infestation

2025-02-15T23:01:34-06:00

The yardlong bean is a popular vegetable among the people of Asia. However, pod borer infestation is one of the major setbacks of growing this vegetables. This insect not only reduce the yield of the crops, but also compromise the wulaity of the vegetable. Therefore, to devise an effective control measure, its characterization is important. In order to assess the resistance of several yardlong bean types to pod borer attacks, an experiment was conducted at the experimental farm of Bangladesh Agricultural University, located in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, from September 2022 to April 2023. The study included nine yardlong bean varieties. The experiment was arranged with five replications using a completely randomized design (CRD). Eighteen parameters including plant height, main branch, secondary branch, leaf number, flower number, fruit number and fruit color were used to distinguish and differentiate the nine fabaceae genotypes. Among the varieties, BARI Borboti Yardlong Bean-2 produced the highest yield of 98.57 g per plant. A comparison of the BARI Borboti-2 variety's dry seed output and other characteristics showed that it had the highest total number of pods per plant (8.40), the lowest infestation rate (13%) by pod borers, and the maximum quantity of dry seeds (15 g). In most cases, the Lubna variety had the worst performance. The majority of the types had the second lowest infection infestation. According to the current investigation, BARI Yardlong Bean -2 showed the best performance and demonstrated better overall performance like flower color, pod color, length, breadth, and seed color varying among the varieties fewer pod borer infestations.

Effect of Different Substrates on Phenotype, Nutritional, Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Pleurotus pulmonarius

2025-02-15T23:11:17-06:00

Mushrooms have been an important food to man for millennia. Several species of Pleurotus have been cultivated successfully on different substrates including palm bunch, sawdust and corn cob. Pleurotus pulmonarius has also been cultivated but there is a gap in knowledge as to this effect. The sole aim of this study is to bridge the gap in knowledge as to the effect of different substrates on the phenotypic, nutritional, phytochemical and antioxidant activity of P. pulmonarius. Sawdust, palm bunches, corn cobs and P. pulmonarius were obtained from NIHORT in Imo and Ibadan respectively. Composting, spawn inoculation and incubation were carried out to culture the mushroom. Data analysis was done with GraphPad Prism 5. Proximate, phytochemical and antioxidant activity of the mushroom was conducted at IITA, Ibadan. Palm bunch produced the greatest number of fruiting bodies (36.00±15.50), making it the substrate yielding fruit with the highest fruit weight (216.00±62.92). Protein and moisture content was higher on palm bunch (25.61±0.11, 4.09±0.01 respectively), while carbohydrate was higher on sawdust (62.85±0.09). Mineral composition varied with the highest value observed for potassium on sawdust and Palm bunch (3.93±0.01, 3.90±0.03), there is therefore no significant difference at (p≤0.05). P. pulmonarius has low phytochemical composition, but its free radical scavenging ability against DPPH free radicals was high (73.57±0.27, on palm bunch and 28.22±0.39 on sawdust). ABTS* scavenging ability was the highest in palm bunch (38.45±0.25). These varying differences in the composition of Pleurotus pulmonarius grown on palm bunch, sawdust and corn cob ratify the hypothesis that substrates influenced its growth and composition.

Weed Competitiveness of Popular Maize Varieties of Bangladesh

2025-02-19T08:16:21-06:00

Weed competition is a major constraint to maize production, and the selection of weed-competitive varieties can significantly reduce yield losses necessitating the identification of varieties with superior weed competitiveness. This study evaluated the weed competitiveness of 12 popular maize varieties in Bangladesh under weedy and weed-free conditions during the 2018-2019 rabi season using a split-plot design. Weed competitiveness was assessed based on crop growth, yield, weed density, and weed dry biomass. Results revealed significant variability in weed competitiveness among the tested varieties. BARI Hybrid Bhutta 13 exhibited the highest weed competitiveness, with the lowest relative yield loss (40%) and the highest weed competitive index (6.9). In contrast, Hiramon showed the highest relative yield loss (85%), closely followed by Mohabir and PacD22, while Khoi Bhutta recorded the lowest weed competitive index. Under season-long weedy and weed-free conditions, BARI Hybrid Bhutta 13 achieved the highest grain yield (9.8 t ha⁻¹), whereas BARI Hybrid Bhutta 12 and Mohabir produced the lowest yields in both conditions. These findings highlight substantial varietal differences in weed competitiveness, emphasizing the potential of selecting weed-tolerant maize varieties to mitigate yield losses and improve productivity. This study provides valuable insights for farmers and breeders in identifying and promoting weed-competitive maize varieties, contributing to sustainable maize production in Bangladesh.