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Articles in Current Issue

PREVALENCE AND VIRULENCE PROFILING OF MULTIDRUG-RESISTANT SALMONELLAFROM RETAIL VEGETABLES ADJACENT TO POULTRY MARKETS IN SYLHET

Salmonella spp., members of the Enterobacteriaceae family, are major cause of diarrheal illnesses global and resides in the gastrointestinal tracts of animals. Multidrug-resistant Salmonella can easily contaminate vegetables sold close to the poultry markets, as poultry animals are the primary reservoir of Salmonella. This study investigated the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in 75 fresh vegetable samples (Cucumber, Tomato, Carrot) collected from different retail locations across Sylhet city. Salmonella was isolated and identified using conventional culture techniques on selective Salmonella-Shigella (SS) agar, Gram staining, and biochemical profiling. The resulting isolates were examined for antibiotic resistance against seven antibiotics widely used in poultry industry (amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, oxytetracycline, erythromycin, gentamycin, colistin, nalidixic acid) via the disk diffusion assay. A total of 43 isolates (57.33%) obtained from local
markets were confirmed positive for Salmonella with a prevalence of 75.44%, whereas Salmonella was absent in the samples taken from departmental shops. The highest abundance of Salmonella was observed in the Cucumbers (64.285%), followed by Tomatos (62.962%) and Carrots (40%). Antimicrobial resistance profiling revealed that 51.16% of the isolates exhibited multidrug resistance with MAR index ranging from 0.28 to 0.71. All isolates demonstrated susceptibility to gentamycin but resistant to amoxicillin and erythromycin. PCR screening of virulence-associated
genes (invA, fimA, sipB) confirmed their presence and indicated a notable correlation with the multidrug-resistance. The findings demonstrated that the proximity of open poultry stall to a vegetable vending space poses a substantial public health risk, exposing consumers to virulent, antibiotic-resistant foodborne pathogen.

Keywords: Salmonella, vegetables, multidrug-resistance, virulence genes, poultry market

COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF EGGSHELL POWDERS AS ALTERNATIVES TO LIMEFOR IMPROVING WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS IN AQUACULTURE

Congenial water quality is a key issue for increasing the growth, health, and physiological performance of aquatic animals. In Bangladesh, lime is generally used in aquacultural ponds for improving water quality. Both agricultural lime and eggshell are consisting of calcium carbonate. Therefore, eggshell powder (ESP) can be used as alternative of lime. The objective of this study to examined efficacy of different poultry ESP as an alternative to lime for purifying water quality of aquaculture system. An in vitro trial was conducted to determine the effect of contact time on water
quality using different eggshell powders. Five treatments were employed: hen eggshell powder (T1), quail eggshell powder (T2), duck eggshell powder (T3), lime (T4) and a control treatment without eggshell powder (T5). Each treatment consisted of three replicates. One liter of clean tap water was placed in each experimental cylinder, after which clay particles were added at a concentration of 1 g/L. Eggshell powders and lime were incorporated at a rate of 30 mg/L. Water quality parameters were monitored at 6-hour intervals for 72 hours. Results demonstrated that majority of the physicochemical parameters altered rapidly during the initial phase and stabilized after 48 h. The T4 group showed the significantly highest values of TDS (45 mg/L ), EC (102.33 μS/cm), pH (6.8) and hardness (75.66 mg/L), while T3 exhibited the greatest water transparency (11.33 cm) compared to other treatments. No notable variances (p>0.05) were found in the water temperature and dissolve
oxygen, while ammonia, nitrate and nitrite remained negligible throughout the study. Overall, ESP revealed comparable effects to lime in bolstering major water quality indices, particularly by enlarging mineral contents, buffering capacity and transparency. These findings suggest that ESP
can serve as a cost-effective, eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to conventional liming agent in aquaculture systems.

Keywords: Eggshell powder; Aquaculture; Water quality parameters; Calcium carbonate; Turbidity

RECENT OUTBREAK AND CLINICAL CASE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON FELINEPANLEUKOPENIA AND FELINE INFECTIOUS PERITONITIS INFECTION INCAT IN SYLHET, BANGLADESH

Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) infection and feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) are among the most common and highly fatal viral diseases affecting cats, causing substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite their clinical significance, epidemiological data on the occurrence, distribution, and impact of these infections remain scarce in Bangladesh. This study was conducted to determine the current outbreak status and clinical case observational study of FPV and FIP in cats in Sylhet district, Bangladesh. The data were collected from government veterinary hospitals and selected private pet clinics in Sylhet during June 2025 to March 2026. Out of 1,496 clinical cases, 337 cats were positive for FPV and 89 were positive for FIP, representing an overall prevalence of22.53% and 5.95%, respectively. FPV prevalence was consistently higher than FIP and reached its peak in December (32.50%), whereas the highest prevalence of FIP was recorded in October (6.89%). FPV was more common in local cats, pet cats, male cats,
younger cats (<5 months), and non-vaccinated cats, while FIP was more frequently observed in Persian cats, male cats, and older cats (>5 months). The most common clinical findings were fever, vomition, diarrhea, dehydration, and pale mucous membranes, variation in body temperature among breeds or according to pet status, age, sex, but not significant (p>0.05). The findings highlighted that FPV was more prevalent than FIP
among cats appeared to show marked temporal variation, with a possible seasonal increase in the late months of the year and the importance of early diagnosis, strict biosecurity, supportive treatment with improved vaccination strategies for reducing these diseases.

Keywords: Outbreak, Feline Panleukopenia Virus, Feline Infectious Peritonitis, Risk factors

CHARACTERIZATION OF STEM-END ROT OF MANGO ASSOCIATED WITH FUNGAL SPECIESAND THEIR MANAGEMENT USING BOTANICAL EXTRACTS

Stem-end rot (SER) is a major post-harvest disease that significantly reduces the quality and shelf life of mangoes, particularly under the tropical condition. This study aimed to identify the causal agents associated with SER in Bangladesh through morphological and molecular characterization and to evaluate eco-friendly management strategies based on botanical extracts. Samples including dried branches, dead twigs, dried panicles and mummified fruits were collected from major mango-growing regions e.g. Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Rangpur and Natore districts. Six fugal isolates were obtained and initially identified as Lasiodiplodia spp. based on colony morphology and conidial characteristics. Molecular characterization using ITS region sequencing confirmed the presence of two distinct species: Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Lasiodiplodia viticola, the second being first recorded for Stem-end rot in Bangladesh. Physiological studies revealed that the isolates exhibited optimal growth at 25oC and pH 6.0, with significant thermotolerance observed in certain strains. Pathogenicity tests confirmed that all isolates were highly virulent, capable of penetrating non-wounded host tissues, with the highest disease severity (81.25%) observed in Lengra variety. In vitro screening of 14 botanical extracts was conducted against Lasiodiplodia isolates. Among the treatments, Garlic (Allium sativum) and Alamanda  (Allamanda cathartica) extracts emerged as the most potent, achieving complete (100%) mycelium inhibition. In vivo assays further demonstration that Garlic and Alamanda extracts significantly suppressed disease progression and reduced the infection area to 1.25% and 5.75% compared to 95.50% in the control. These results suggest that A. sativum and A. cathartica extracts are highly effective and sustainable altranatives to synthetic fungicides for managing stem-end rot in mango

Keywords: Mango, Stem-end rot, characterization, management, botanical extracts

POTENTIALITY OF NEGLECTED AND UNDREUTILIZED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES ATGOLAPGANJ UPAZILA IN SYLHET DISTRICT FOR NUTRITIONAL,FOOD AND INCOME SECURITY

Neglected and Underutilized Fruits and Vegetables (NUFV), as recognized by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, play a significant role in addressing food security, biodiversity conservation, and climate change resilience. The study provides a situational analysis of NUFV use in four unions (Golapganj, Fulbari, Bhadeshwar and Lakshanaband) of Golapganj Upazila under Sylhet District. A survey using structured questionnaires was
conducted with 200 respondents; the data were analyzed descriptively. Results indicated 25 NUFV species were identified, with the majority of producers (52.5%) producing these plants predominantly for home consumption, compared to 29% who produced these plants commercially. The most commonly cultivated species was bamboo Korol (14.9%) and the
least was rattan/cane fruit (0.2%). The agricultural production activity was dominated by women as most of plant planting (60.5%) is done by them while men are mainly engaged on soil preparation (55.5%), mulching (56%) and marketing (77.5%). The Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) ranged between 6.1 and 26.1, with an average of 9.7 demonstrating high economic feasibility. Moreover, the cultivation of NUFV contributes significantly to six Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) No Poverty (SDG 1), Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Gender Equality (SGD5{newline} Climate Action {SGD13} Life on Land {sgd15}. The study draws to the conclusion that it is imperative that policy measures can sharpen up the sustainability and economic viability of NUFV in the region through focused policy actions, better market access as well as skill development programs for farmers.

Keywords: Neglected and Underutilized Fruits and Vegetables (NUFV); Food security; Biodiversity conservation; Climate resilience; Sustainable Development Goals

GROWTH AND YIELD RESPONSE OF SEEDLESS AND KAGOJI LEMON CULTIVARSTO DIFFERENT AGRONOMIC MANAGEMENT PRACTICES UNDERSYLHET CONDITIONS OF BANGLADESH

The experiment was conducted at the Citrus Germplasm Centre, Sylhet Agricultural University, from December 2020 to November 2021 to identify suitable agronomic management practices for improving growth, yield, and profitability of two lemon varieties under the agro-ecological conditions of Sylhet. The experiment included two lemon cultivars, Seedless and Kagoji, and four agronomic management practices: poultry manure, chemical fertilizer, mulching, and a control (no management). Four replications of a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) were used in the experiment and 5% level of significance (P ≤ 0.05) was used to examine the data. The findings showed that the plants with the highest fruit yield was Seedless lemon due to its highest fruit weight, fruit length and fruit breadth while the highest total number of fruit/plants were recorded in Kagoji lemon. Considering the effect of agronomic management practices, poultry manure performed better and had the highest yield contributing characteristics of the seedlings viz. number of leaves/plant (543.88), number of fruit/plant (189.96), number of flower/plant (345.63) and fruit breadth (4.52 cm). The interaction effect among the cultivars and agronomic management practices indicated that, Seedless lemon with poultry manure and chemical fertilizer produced statistically similar result in terms of yield and other attributes. But the highest yield (19.29 kg/plant) was recorded in Seedless lemon with poultry manure. The result suggested that Seedless lemon along with poultry manure can be the best combination for optimizing lemon production in the agro-ecological conditions of the Sylhet region. The findings also demonstrate the potential of poultry manure as a sustainable and eco-friendly source of nutrients that can lessen reliance on chemical fertilizers while preserving high production and raising lemon cultivation profitability.

Keywords: Lemon cultivars; Seedless lemon; Kagoji lemon; Agronomic practices; Poultry manure; Bangladesh;

AN OBSERVATIONAL QUESTIONNAIRE-BASED STUDY ON THE REPRODUCTIVE,BEHAVIORAL AND WELFARE CONSEQUENCES OF FELINE STERILIZATION

Spaying and neutering are safe and effective surgical procedures widely used to control the feline population and prevent reproductive disorders. But very few data are available on the consequences of feline sterilization. The objective of this study was to find out the reproductive, behavioral, and welfare consequences of feline sterilization. The data were collected from the cat owners during the period of feline sterilization procedures performed from June 2025 to April 2026 at Central Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Sazid’s Pet Care and Panacea Pet & Vet Care through a structured questionnaire. A total of 30 cats were included, comprising 16 (53.3%) local breeds, 4 (13.3%) mixed breeds, 8 (26.7%) Persian cats, and 2 (6.7%) Turkish Angoras, of which 22 (73.3%) were males and 8 (26.7%) were females. All surgeries were performed using the conventional open technique under general anesthesia. Owners were advised to maintain proper hygiene,
restrict movement and use an Elizabethan collar to prevent interference with the surgical site. The results showed that most of the owners came for population control and prevention of unwanted litters of cat aged from 7 to 12 months, weight of cat, appetite, affection toward cats’ owner, and fur quality improved, urine spray, attraction toward opposite sex, aggressiveness and outdoor roaming decreased including no reproductive
health problem. The findings demonstrate that spaying and neutering contribute significantly to improved reproductive health, effective population control and enhanced overall welfare of cats, with minimal complications when appropriate surgical and postoperative care protocols are followed.

Keywords: Cat, Questionnaire, Spaying, Neutering, Consequences

PERFORMANCE OF SEVENTEEN MUSTARD VARIETIES UNDERFARMERS’ FIELD CONDITIONS IN SYLHET, BANGLADESH

Mustard productivity in Bangladesh remains low due to the continued cultivation of low-yielding varieties. To identify high-performing cultivars suitable for cultivation in post-T. Aman fallow lands utilizing residual soil moisture, a field experiment was conducted under farmers’ field conditions during the rabi season (November 2019 to February 2020) at Sotero, Shiberbazar, Sylhet. Seventeen rapeseed–mustard varieties comprising BARI, BINA, and local cultivars were evaluated in a randomized complete
block design with three replications. Significant varietal differences were observed for all growth and yield attributes. BARI Sarisha-11 produced the tallest plants, whereas BARI Sarisha-8 recorded the shortest. BARI Sarisha-14 produced the highest number of branches per plant (4.40), followed by BARI Sarisha-10 (3.80), while Tori-7 produced the fewest (1.53). Safal produced the highest fresh biomass, whereas BARI Sarisha-13 recorded the lowest. Tori-7 produced the highest plant population, while BARI Sarisha-13
had the lowest. BARI Sarisha-10 recorded the highest number of siliquae per plant (45.40), followed by Daulat (40.27), whereas BARI Sarisha-17 produced the fewest (15.00). BINA Sarisha-10 produced the highest number of seeds per siliqua (18.33), while Daulat recorded the lowest (10.73). BARI Sarisha-17 exhibited the highest 1000-seed weight while Tori-7 was the lowest. The highest seed yield was obtained from BARI Sarisha-15
(1.43 t ha⁻¹), followed by Agroni (1.23 t ha⁻¹), Safal (1.20 t ha⁻¹), and BARI Sarisha-11 (1.14 t ha⁻¹), whereas BINA Sarisha-10 produced the lowest yield (0.68 t ha⁻¹). Overall, the findings indicate that BARI Sarisha-15, BARI Sarisha-11, Agroni, and Safal are promising varieties for mustard cultivation under Sylhet conditions due to their superior yield performance and adaptability under the experimental conditions.

Keywords: Variety evaluation, mustard, farmers’ field condition, Sylhet

PREVALENCE OF MANGO STEM-END ROT AND ITS POST-HARVEST MANAGEMENTUSING CELL-FREE FILTRATES OF MICROBIAL ANTAGONISTS

Mango stem-end rot (Lasiodiplodia theobromae) is a devastating post-harvest disease that can cause substantial fruit losses during storage and transit. Effective disease management relies on an accurate understanding of its prevalence. This study assessed SER incidence and severity across major mango-growing districts of Bangladesh and investigated the potential of fungal antagonists as biological alternatives to chemical fungicides. Therefore, SER assessments were carried out on 1,600 mango fruits sampled from 16 orchards spanning Chapainawabganj, Rajshahi, Rangpur, and Natore districts. At the district level, SER incidence fluctuated between 13% and 19%, while corresponding severity values ranged from 8% to 13%. Trichoderma harzianum and three isolates of Clonostachys rosea were subsequently screened against L. theobromae through dual culture confrontation and cell-free culture filtration assays. Among the agents evaluated, T. harzianum filtrates exhibited the strongest anti-fungal activity, achieving complete suppression of L. theobromae under both in vitro and in vivo conditions while preserving acceptable fruit quality. These findings present a viable and environmentally responsible biocontrol
strategy for managing postharvest SER in mango. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study first reported the biocontrol effect of T. harzianum metabolites on postharvest mango stem-end rot and maintained the quality of mango fruit.

Keywords: Stem-End Rot, Prevalence, Post-harvest, Management, Antagonists

COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF XYLAZINE -KETAMINE AND DETOMIDINE-KETAMINECOMBINATION ANESTHESIA IN RABBITS

The use of alpha-2 agonists with an anesthetic is a common practice for the anesthesia of companion animals. The objective of this study is to compare the effects of two different alpha-2 agonists with a common anesthetic in rabbits. To achieve this objective, twenty rabbits weighing 0.7-1 kg were randomly divided into two treatment groups: a detomidine-ketamine (DK) and a xylazine-ketamine (XK) group with 10 rabbits assigned to each group. The DK group was administered detomidine (0.25 mg/kg b.wt.) in combination with ketamine (35 mg/kg b.wt.) via the intramuscular route. Similarly, the XK group received xylazine (3 mg/kg b.wt) combined
with ketamine (35 mg/kg b.wt.) intramuscularly. The comparative effects of the two anesthetic protocols were evaluated based on clinical and hematological parameters, the onset and recovery of anesthetic reflexes, duration of anesthesia, and the occurrence of adverse effects. Rabbits in
the DK group exhibited a longer time to loss of the righting reflex, a prolonged duration of pedal withdrawal reflex suppression, and a significantly longer recovery period to sternal recumbency compared with those in the XK group. In contrast, the XK group demonstrated a more
pronounced reduction in respiratory rate at 25 min. following anesthetic induction. Heart rate declined more markedly over time in the DK group, whereas both groups showed comparable decreases in rectal temperature during the post-anesthetic period. Most hematological parameters in the DK group remained near baseline, with slight increases in hemoglobin, packed cell volume (PCV), and red blood cell (RBC) count, whereas the XK group showed marked reductions in hemoglobin and RBC count. In conclusion, the detomidine–ketamine protocol produced more effective anesthesia in rabbits, offering greater hematological stability, prolonged anesthetic duration, smooth recovery, and no observable adverse effects.

Keywords: Xylazine, Detomidine, Ketamine, Anesthesia, Rabbits

FOLIAR APPLICATION OF BORON ENHANCES GROWTH, YIELD, AND PHYTOCHEMICALCOMPOSITION OF TORI-7 MUSTARD (BRASSICA CAMPESTRIS)

This research was conducted at Sylhet Agricultural University to evaluate the effects of different foliar boron application methods on growth, yield and phytochemical composition of Tori-7 (Brassica campestris). Three treatments each having four replications were evaluated: T1, no boron application (control), T2 a single foliar spray of 0.5% boron during the vegetative stage, and T3 two foliar applications of 1.5% boron during the vegetative and pod-forming stages. Boron application significantly increased several growth and yield parameters, including plant height, number of leaves per plant, number of branches per plant, root length, inflorescence length, number of siliquae per plant, number of seeds per siliqua, seed yield, stover yield, 1000-seed weight, biological yield, and harvest index. The T3 treatment produced the highest number of siliquae per plant (121.15), seeds per siliqua (11.75), stover yield (1641.69 kg ha-1), and 1000-seed weight (3.25gm), seed yield (1035.37 kg ha-1). However, the plant population was not substantially impacted by the various boron treatments. In terms of the phytochemical makeup, the study discovered that among the treatments, boron had no significant effect on the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents. Total flavonoid content ranged from 17.05 mg Qe/g to 15.99 mg Qe/g, and total phenolic content ranged from 14.97 mg GAE/g to 14.71 mg GAE/g. Further studies involving different mustard varieties and growing conditions are recommended to better understand the effect of boron as a micronutrient.

Keywords: Boron application, Brassica campestris, Tori-7 mustard, Foliar spray, Yield parameters, Phytochemical composition, Micronutrient deficiency

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Our editorial board is consist of 6 renowned scientist of Veterinary, Agriculture, Fisheries, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Economics and Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering fields

Professor Dr. Mohammad Samiul Ahsan Talucder

Director (Research), SAURES

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Associate Director (Research)

SAURES

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Dr. Md. Iqbal Hossain

Deputy Director(Research), SAURES

Managing Editor

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