Three genotypes of spring onion (Allium fistulosum) were evaluated across a range of growth and quality criteria to ascertain their relative yield, quality performance and adaptability in Sylhet region. Results revealed that the tallest plant was BARI Pata Piyaz-1 with 56.78 cm, followed by JAF-2 (46.1 cm) and minimum value was recorded for JAF-1 (42.1 cm). The number of leaves per plant was the highest in JAF-2 (16.32) followed by BARI pata piaz-1 (11.56) and JAF-1 (7.32). The BARI pata piaz-1 had the highest pseudo stem diameter (1.43 cm), weight (5.81 g/pseudo stem), and dry matter (DW) content (13.19%), whereas the JAF-1 had 1.09, 4.32cm, 13.12%, and the JAF-2 had 1.11, 3.88 cm, 11.06%, respectively. Notably, JAF-2 produced the highest yield with a value of 11.34 ton/ha, which was considerably greater than BARI Pata Piyaz-1 (10.71 ton/ha) and JAF-1 (7.11 ton/ha). In terms of quality metrics, BARI Pata Piyaz-1 and JAF-2 had the identical total phenolic content ranging from 3.23-3.34 mg GAE/g DW, while JAF-1 had significantly less phenolics at 2.93 mg GAE/g DW. Significant amounts of flavonoids were detected in each genotype, ranging from 3.11 to 3.19 mg QE/g DW. The Vitamin C content of BARI Pata Piyaz-1 was significantly higher than that of other two genotypes. The current findings indicated that spring onion more specifically JAF-2 has successfully adapted in the Sylhet region with remarkable yield indicating tremendous scope in popularize this spice in future.

Keywords: Spring onion, Growth, Yield, Quality parameters, Adaptation

This experiment was set up to defend the critical situation of pregnant too early lactating cows concerned with hypocalcemia induced by rapid loss of Ca from blood to milk and negative energy balance. Three nutri-tonic mixtures comprised of eggshell, oyster shell, molasses, and ghee residue were well mixed and autoclaved before feeding lactating cows at the farmer’s level. The minerals were quantified by atomic absorption spectroscopy and flame photometry according to the EDTA titration and QPG methods. The concentration of Ca and P were found to be 5:1, 1.5:1, and 3.5:1 in nutri-tonic I, II and III supplements, in which nutri-tonic-I possessed 115% and 62% higher Ca than nutri-tonic-II and III. Conversely, nutri-tonic-II exhibited elevated P, Zn, Mg, and Ca concentrations compared to both nutri-tonic-I and III. Meanwhile, nutri-tonic-III demonstrated higher levels of Fe. Nutri-tonic I supplementation influenced the cows by causing a 22% higher DM intake (8.12 kg d^-1cow^-1). Unlike the CP intake, 84% higher ME was consumed by nutri-tonic-III fed cows than others. Nutri-tonic supplementation nourished and boosted the cows’ higher (p<0.001) milk production (16 – 30% Ld^-1) with more fat content (23-68%). The emitted equation for Ca (y = -1.5047x + 115.72; R² = 0.006) and P (y = 0.6028x + 81.238; R² = 0.008) accounted 116g Ca and 81g P in ration for 12-15L milch cow. In particular, mineral deficiency leads to the suppressed immunity of early lactating cows. To recap, energy and mineral supplementation might mobilize Ca for the functioning of parathyroid and enhance innate immunity in late pregnant to early lactating cows to prevent milk fever.

Keywords: Bypass nutrients, hypocalcaemia, pre and postpartum cow

Experiments on Aus rice were conducted at the Agronomy Research Field of Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet and in the farmer’s field of Jaintapur and Gowainghat Upazila, Sylhet to find out the competitiveness of Aus rice varieties against weed infestation. The experiments were carried out within the period of April to August 2014. Five commercial rice varieties viz. BR3, BRRI dhan48, hybrid variety Aloron, BRRI dhan43, Iratom-24 along with three (3) local cultivars Aina Miah, Doom and Kanihati were included in the research field trial. On the other hand, survey of thirty farmer’s field along with researcher’s managed trial were conducted to know the weed situation. In farmer’s field, 5 (five) variety namely BR3, hybrid variety Aloron, BRRI dhan55, BRRI dhan48 and cultivar Aina Miah were included. Here each variety or cultivar considered as treatment. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block (RCBD) design with three replications. Weed Competitive Index (CI) was calculated on the basis of average yield of all varieties and weed biomass. Result indicated that eight weed species were recorded in the research field trial, whereas 28 weed species were recorded in the farmer’s field trial. The most prominent weeds in the experiment were Monochoria vaginalis, Digitaria sangunalis, Leersia hexandra, Cynodon dactylon etc. The highest weed competitive index was recorded in Aloron (2.27) and the lowest was recorded in Doom (0.42) in the research field. On the other hand, in farmer’s field trial the highest weed competitive index (2.05) was recorded in BRRI dhan48 which was followed by variety Aloron (1.71). The highest grain yield (4.04 t ha-1) was produced by the hybrid variety Aloron which was statistically identical with the variety BRRI dhan48 (3.19 t ha-1) and Iratom-24 (3.06 t ha-1). The hybrid variety Aloron produced the maximum panicle length (24.53 cm) and highest (103.53) grains panicle-1 and lowest (41.87) panicle length was in variety BRRI dhan43. The lowest yield (1.07 t ha-1) was recorded in local cultivar Doom which was at par with BRRI dhan43 (1.32 t ha-1) and local cultivar Kanihati (1.53 t ha-1).

Keywords: Aus rice, varieties/cultivars, growth, yield, hybrid variety Aloron

The study was conducted to assess the effect of species ratio on growth and yield of major carp under polyculture system in perennial ponds for a period of 270 days in haor villages of Sunamganj district. The experiment was designated into three treatments (T1, T2 and T3) based on fish species ratio with three replications each. The fingerlings of Hypophthalmicthys molitrics, Gibelion catla, Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus cirrhosus and Cyprinus carpio were stocked at a ratio of 10, 20, 40, 10, 20; 10, 15, 50, 15, 10, and 20, 10, 30, 20 and 20% in T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Stocked fishes were fed with rice bran and wheat flour at a decreasing rate of 10‒5% of body weight twice daily. Significant (p<0.05) differences in growth and production among treatments were observed. The highest weight gain of H. molitrics (512.89 g), G. catla (432.60 g), L. rohita (439.99 g), C. cirrhosus (346.46 g) and C. carpio (379.60 g) observed in T2. Production of H. molitrics (802.52‒1,477.00 kg ha–1), G. catla (605.25‒1,295.07 kg ha–1), L. rohita (1,880.01‒ 3,731.64 kg ha–1), C. cirrhosus (543.03‒951.42 kg ha–1) and C. carpio (686.66‒ 1,226.38 kg ha–1) varied in different treatments might be due to species ratio. Significantly (p<0.05) higher combined production of carp was obtained in T2 (7,444.98 kg ha–1) followed by T1 (6,625.27 kg ha–1) and T3 (6,007.40 kg ha–1). The highest net profit (BDT 213,695.03 ha–1) was also obtained in T2 than that of T1 (BDT 172,782.89 ha–1) and T3 (BDT 150,440.78 ha–1). Result of the study reveals that polyculture of carp like H. molitrics, G. catla, L. rohita, C. cirrhosus and C. carpio with stocking ratio of 10, 15, 50, 15, 10% in T2 is significantly higher from the viewpoint of growth and production. Therefore, the stocking ratio of 10, 15, 50, 15 and 10% in carp polyculture might be prescribed at farmers’ level in order to boost up fish production, uplift the nutritional status as well as accelerate the economic benefit of the farmers.

Keywords: Species ratio, growth, production and perennial ponds

Pot experiments were conducted at the net house of Department of Soil Science, Sylhet Agricultural University campus, Sylhet during the period from November 2015 to May 2016 and November 2016 to May 2017 to find out the effect of fertilizer on the growth, yield and yield contributing characters of fine boro rice varieties. Two varieties (BRRI dhan50 and BRRI dhan63) and two fertilizer treatments (NPKSZn recommendation and 50% of NPKSZn recommendation) were included in the experiment. The recommended fertilizer dose was NPKSZn @ 138-22.4-63.5-13.5-1.3 kg ha-1. The experiment was laid out in a two factors Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications and continued for consecutive two years. During 2015-16 the tallest plant (70.65 cm) and the higher no. of tillers hill-1 (13.73) was produced by BRRI dhan63 but during 2016-17 the higher no. of tillers hill-1 (15.54) was produced by BRRI dhan63. The tallest plant (70.86 cm and 57.67 cm) and the highest no. of tillers hill-1 (14.11 and 20.06) was produced due to application of NPKSZn as per recommendation. The higher grain yield of 39.20 g pot–1 and 78.21 g pot–1 and straw yield of 66.86 g pot–1 and 95.18 g pot–1 were recorded from the variety BRRI dhan63. The grain yield was significantly affected due to fertilizer application. The lower grain yield of 41.58 g pot-1 and 56.68 g pot-1 were observed in the NPKSZn fertilizers as 50% of recommendation. The higher grain yield 48.02 g pot-1 and 86.00 g pot-1 were recorded in NPKSZn due to recommended fertilizer application. The highest grain yield was also obtained due to effect of in the interaction of BRRI dhan63 with application of recommended NPKSZn fertilizer.

Keywords: Fertilizer, growth, yield and fine rice

An experiment was carried out during T. aman season of 2014 at Soil Science Field Laboratory of the Department of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh to study the effect of different levels of potassium supplied from two different sources on the growth and yield of rice variety BRRI dhan49. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications having 5 m × 4 m unit plot size. There were seven treatment combinations viz. Control i.e K 0 kg ha-1 (T1), K 40 kg ha-1 as MoP (T2), K 50 kg ha-1 as MoP (T3), K 60 kg ha-1 as MoP (T4), K 40 kg ha-1 as K2SO4 (T5), K 50 kg ha-1 as K2SO4 (T6) and K 60 kg ha-1 as K2SO4 (T7) in the experiment. Basal dose of fertilizers @ 100 kg N, 15 kg P, 12 kg S and 2 kg Zn ha-1 were applied from urea, TSP, gypsum, zinc oxide, respectively for all treatments. The full doses of MoP were applied as per treatments. The results revealed that growth and yield contributing characters like plant height, number of tillers hill-1, panicle length, grains panicle-1 and 1000-grain weight responded significantly to different levels of applied K. The grain and straw yields of BRRI dhan49 were also significantly influenced due to different treatments. The highest grain yield of 4.9 t ha-1 and straw yield of 5.0 t ha-1 were obtained in T4 which was statistically similar to T3. The lowest grain yield of 3.5 t ha-1 and straw yield of 3.9 t ha-1 were found in T1. The K content and uptake by grain and straw were also higher in the treatment T4. The potassium supplied from MoP performed better than that supplied from K2SO4. Hence, the application of K @ 50 kg ha-1 as MoP may be recommended for successful cultivation of BRRI dhan49.

Keywords: Potassium, growth, yield, BRRI dhan49

A field experiment was conducted at the field of Regional station of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), Habigonj, during the period from December 2012 to May 2013 to evaluate the effect of NKS nutrients on the growth and yield of BRRI dhan29. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The experiment was consisted with six treatments viz., N85P35K50S9, P38K50S9(-N), N85P38S9(-K), N85P38K50(-S), P38S9(-NK) and N0P0K0S0 (control). Results of the experiment indicated that N, K and S nutrients alone or in combination with each other significantly affected the growth, yield and yield contributing characters of BRRI dhan29. Grain and straw yields were obtained highest in N85P38K50S9 (8.40 and 10.10 t ha-1) and the lowest in P38S9 (-NK) (5.50 and 6.50 t ha-1) which was supported by the data obtained in different growth and yield contributing characters, respectively.

Keywords: Rice, NKS nutrients, growth, yield

An experiment was carried out at 12 suspended nylon net enclosures (hapa) installed in earthen pond with a view to develop a low cost formulated diet for rearing of Penaeus monodon post larvae (PL) for a period of 40 days starting from 28 April to 7 June 2013. Three experimental diets with a protein level of 40% were formulated using locally available feed ingredients. These diets were categorized into 3 treatments viz., T1 (diet-1), T2 (diet-2) and T3 (diet-3). T4 (control) was the commercial diet and each treatment had three replicates. P. monodon PL (ABW 0.005g) were stocked in each hapa at the rate of 500 PL m-2. PL of nine hapas were fed with formulated diets in three times daily at the rate of 100% of the total biomass in 1st week, 50% in next consecutive 3 week and 20% for the rest of the days. In another 3 hapas, commercial diet was supplemented for PL according to same system. Observed water quality parameters were found to be within suitable ranges for PL of P. monodon. Significantly higher (P<0.05) weight (0.433 g) of shrimp PL was found in T3 (diet-3) than those of T1 (0.312 g), T2 (0.356 g) and T4 (0.393 g). Food conversion ratio (FCR) was achieved lower in T3 (1.70) compared to T1 (1.89), T2 (1.84) and T4 (1.77), respectively. The highest survival was also obtained in T3 (73.4%) followed by T4 (69.6%), T2 (65.7%) and T1 (62.8%). Therefore, the findings of the present study reveals that diet-3 containing fish meal 32%, soya bean meal 32%, mustard oil cake 20%, rice polish 5%, wheat bran 6%, wheat flour 4% and vitamin as well as minerals 1% may be recommended for post larvae rearing of P. monodon in pond conditions.

Keywords: Penaeus monodon post larvae, growth, survival, feed conversion ratio, hapa

Two experiments were conducted at farmers’ field, Tukerbazer, Sylhet during T. aman season 2011 and Boro season 2012 in order to test the integrated effect of different organic manures and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of wetland rice. In T. aman season eight treatments combinations were: T1= Control, T2= Agro-Sar Organic (ASO) @ 750 kg ha-1, T3= Soil Test Based (STB), T4= T2+50% STB, T5= T2 + 60% STB, T6= T2 + 70% STB, T7= T2 + 80% STB and T8= T2 + T3. BRRI dhan31 was used as test crop. In Boro season ten treatments combinations were: T1= Fertilizer Recommendation Guide 2005 dose: NPKSZn @ 123, 26, 60, 13 and 4 kg ha-1, T2= Agro meal plus @ 300 kg ha-1, T3= T2 + NPKS @ 74, 16, 60 and 8 kg ha-1, T4= ASO @ 740 kg ha-1, T5= T4 + NP KS @ 74, 16, 60 and 8 kg ha-1, T6= Agro-Sar (ASOC) @ 740 kg ha-1, T7= T6 + NPKS @ 74, 18, 36 and 8, T8= Raj Jaibo Sar @ 790 kg ha-1, T9 = T8 + NPKS @ 74, 20, 54 and 9 kg ha-1, and T10= Control (No fertilizer). BRRI dhan29 was used as test crop. The experiments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with 3 replications. In T. aman season maximum grain yield (3.87 t ha-1) was recorded in treatment T7 (ASO @ 750 kg ha-1 + 80% STB). In Boro season highest grain yield (7.41 t ha-1) was obtained in treatment T5 (ASO @ 740 kg ha-1 + NPKS @ 74, 16, 60 and 8 kg ha-1). The organic fertilizer ASO @ 750 kg ha-1 in combination with 50% reduced rate of chemical fertilizer on STB at T. Aman season and ASO @ 740 kg ha-1 in combination with 50% reduced rate of chemical fertilizer on FRG’05 dose at Boro season produced substantially higher yield.

Keywords: AGRO-SAR, Raj jaibo sar, wetland rice, growth, yield

A pot experiment was conducted at the net house of the Department of Agricultural Chemistry of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh from March to August, 2010 to study the effect of Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) and Boron on the growth and yield of summer tomato CV. BINA Tomato-3. There were four levels of IAA viz. 0, 20, 40 and 60 ppm and B viz. 0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 kg ha-1. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 3 replications. The result revealed that parameters like plant height, number of leaves plant-1, number of inflorescences plant-1, number of fruits and yield plant-1 were significantly influenced by the application of IAA and B. The highest plant height (90.33 cm), number of inflorescence plant-1 (14.67), number of fruit (18.00) and yield (533.33 g) plant-1 were obtained in 60 ppm IAA along with 2.0 kg B ha-1 and the lowest plant height (84.00 cm), number of inflorescence plant-1 (10.33), number of fruit (9.33) and yield (249.71 g) plant-1 were obtained in control treatment. The overall results suggest that treatment IAA60B2.0 was the best from other treatments.

Keywords: Indole acetic acid, B, growth, yield, summer tomato