IMPACTS OF INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENT ON CROP PRODUCTION IN MOKESH BEEL AREAS OF GAZIPUR DISTRICT

ABSTRACT: Industrial discharge is the prominent impediment of maintaining a congenial aquatic and terrestrial habitat. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the status of crop cultivation before and after industrial development in Mokesh beel area,  where composite  effluent of different  industries are discharged intensively. Face-to-face interview was conducted among local  relevantrespondents to  achievethe  aforesaid  objectives.  Water quality of Mokesh beel wasseverely deteriorated and its  usageswere restricted mostlyafter industrial  development.  Remarkably  decreased  cultivation of rice,all vegetables, mangoand jackfruit afterindustrial development were cited by maximum percent of respondents.  Increased percentage of respondents (39 and 20%) mentioned that deformed fruit size and abnormal taste were maximized after industrial development than before, respectively. Besides decreased yield of rice and jackfruit was reported by majority of the respondents (75 and 84%, respectively). Maximum deterioration was reported of rice (27%) and jack fruit (25%) cultivation after industrial development. Industrial development in Mokesh beel area remarkably decreased crop production practices.

Keywords: Crop deterioration, industrial effluent, respondent, water quality,yield

Post Time: 2 years ago

VARIATION IN THE MACRO-MORPHOLOGICAL TRAITS OF LEAVES IN RESPONSE TO AUTOMOBILE POLLUTION IN SELECTED URBAN TREE SPECIES IN THE CITY OF DHAKA

ABSTRACT: The present study was carried out at National Botanical Garden, Dhaka, considered as control site and Motijheel- Sayedabad roadside areas as polluted site to compare the impact of automobile pollution on leaves macro- morphological  traits of  selected  ten plants  growingin  the  polluted  areas with  those growingin control sites. Leaf morphological characteristics including leaf abnormalities of both young and mature leaves were assessed. Variations in  leaf color such as light green, dark green, browning, yellowing and change in the leaf’s shape either normal or deformed were also assessed for both the sites. All the selected plant species showed highly significant (p<0.0001)  reduction at  polluted site in theirall leaf  macro-morphological  traits(leaf length, leaf breadth, leaf area, leaf perimeter, specific leaf area and petiole length) when compared with control site. The findings of  this study revealed that the automobile  pollution stress influenced tree morphological features in the Dhaka city. This study also indicated  that plants go through adaptive processes in order to survive in automobile polluted environments.

Keywords: Air pollution, leaf characteristics, urban areas

Post Time: 2 years ago

EVALUATION OF MEAT PROCESSING KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICE WITH SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITION OF BUTCHERS

ABSTRACT: The present research set out to assess Bangladesh’s socioeconomic situation, meat processing knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP), and the state of the nation’s butcher shops. The investigation of 200 butcher shops was carried out between June 2022 and July 2023 using an organized questionnaire. The interview schedule addressed the butchers’ socioeconomic situation, the meat market’s infrastructure, their educational attainment and other characteristics. Seventy two percent of butchers chose agriculture as their secondary career, 98% were men, and 16% were illiterate. Each week the percentage of slaughter animals with the highest ratio (1-2) was 49%, and the percentage of animals with the lowest ratio (>5) was 23%. The butchers incomes per month ranged between 30000 and 40000 (BDT), 34% had the highest proportion, and for those >40000 (BDT), 16% had the lowest. The roofs of the butcher shops were tin sheds (90%). The drainage system is an important issue for butcher shops, which were subdivided into no sewerage (45%), soil made (26%), cannel (15%), and concrete (14%). It was concerning to learn that 27% of butchers were aware of an antibiotic withdrawal period. The meat shop’s biosecurity is currently appropriately managed to a 43% extent. 31% of butchers were knowledgeable about animal welfare and animal enjoyment. The negative effects of steroid use were known to 38% of butchers. Only 23 % of butchers knew about antibiotic resistance. In terms of meat handling and hygiene procedures, only 34% have training. The rs

value of knowledge of quality meat, known as diseased animals, known as life-threatening zoonotic diseases,

parasitic infestation knowledge, environmental pollution concern, knowledge of the antibiotic withdrawal period, knowledge of animal welfare, knowledge of the harmful effects of steroid use, knowledge of microbial resistance, and training on meat handling negatively correlated with the educational level and had a significant (p<0.01) negative strongly (rs > 0.3) relationship with the educational level. It indicates that the educational level increased with the improved awareness of knowledge about the health hazards of meat, which was significant (p<0.01). To solve current challenges, the government and the appropriate authority in the livestock industry should take necessary action.

Keywords: Butcher, socioeconomic situation, knowledge, biosecurity, livestock

Post Time: 2 years ago

VEGETABLE PRODUCTION ON THE DYKES OF BRACKISH WATER GHERS: STATUS AND CHALLENGES

ABSTRACT: The embankments (Dykes) of the shrimp farms (Ghers) have been taken under vegetable production which deserves to be expedited for further implications. The aims of the study were to identify the status and problems of vegetable production on dykes in brackish water Ghers along with its impact on food security. Data were collected from purposively selected 67 respondents following accidental random sampling of the Dacope upazila of Khulna district in Bangladesh from July to November, 2017. The average area of the dykes was 8.89±4.69 decimals, and the average width was 1.73±0.34 m. The dykes were prepared either by spading or by preparing pits. The farmers grew vegetables in Kharif-2 season (July 01 to October 15). The farmers usually grew 16 types of vegetables as mixed crops, among which bitter gourd was dominant followed by cucumber and pumpkin, following two cropping patterns: vegetable-fallow-fallow and vegetable-vegetable-fallow. The cropping intensity was 162%. The majority of the respondents harvested vegetables four times. In terms of yield, the tomato (60 t ha-1) was dominant, followed by brinjal (57.09 t ha-1) and cabbage (55.41 t ha-1). The dykes are occupying an area of 4,149.75 ha which would be able to produce 1, 04,438.83 tons of vegetables. Twenty-nine associated problems were identified, among those “rats attack” was the most severe problem. The confronted problems should be overcome through appropriate measures, and a typical model should be developed through research for dyke vegetable production to make it more resilient and profitable.

Keywords: Dyke vegetable production, status, food security, and problems.

Post Time: 2 years ago

TREE-SPECIFIC EQUATIONS FOR ACCURATE CARBON ESTIMATION OF MAJOR FRUIT TREES IN BANGLADESH

ABSTRACT: Tropical fruit trees play an important role in mitigating climate change by sequestering carbonfrom the atmosphere. However, estimating their carbon sequestration potential requires tree-specific equations. This study aimed to develop such equations for five major fruit tree species in Bangladesh i.e. Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), Mango(Mangifera indica), Litchi (Litchi chinensis), Guava (Psidium guajava), and Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba). The study was conducted in four major ecosystems of Bangladesh namely, the Coastal ecosystem, Barind ecosystem, Terrace ecosystem, and Hill ecosystem. Vegetation data were randomly collected from each ecosystem. The equations were derivedfor Jackfruit W (lb) = 0.26 × D² × H (for diameter <11inches) and W (lb) = 0.14 × D² × H (for diameter >11 inches); for Mango W (lb) = 0.26 × D² × H (for diameter <11 inches) and W (lb) = 0.13 × D² × H (fordiameter >11 inches);for Litchi W (lb) = 0.23 × D² × H (for diameter <11inches) and W (lb) = 0.13 × D² × H (for diameter >11 inches); for Guava W (lb) = 0.22 × D² × H (for diameter <11inches), and for Jujube W (lb) = 0.22× D² × H (for diameter <11 inches) and W (lb) = 0.12 × D² × H (for diameter>11 inches). The equations will help in developing effective carbon management and climate changemitigation strategies in tropical agroforestry systems, aiding researchers, land managers, and policymakers in understanding tree growth and carbon sequestration.

Keywords: Agroforestry system,carbon estimation, tree-specific equation, and ecosystems.

Post Time: 2 years ago

ESTIMATION OF WOODY CARBON DENSITY BY ALLOMETRIC METHOD IN THE SELECTED SAL FORESTS OF BANGLADESH

ABSTRACT: Estimation of Carbon (C) density in different Sal forests of Bangladesh has not yet been done for exploring their potentials  in storingC.  The present  study comparedthe woody C density amongthree selected Sal forests locatedin Madhupur,  Lalmai and Singra  of Bangladesh in  order  to   examine the effects of management intensities on C stocks. A total of  19 plots (each with 10 m × 10 m in size), 9 from Madhupur forest and each  5 from other two forests were placed to  collect data on vegetation structure,  plant diameter and woody C density. Allometric method was used to estimate C density for both  aboveground and belowground partsof juvenile and adult tree plants of the selected plots. Woody biomass was converted into C content by multiplying  the value with van Bemmelen factor (1.724). Results showed that woody C density was significantly (p = 0.0156) higher in Lalmai (552.46±64.09 ton/ha)  and Singra forests (547.13±62.43 ton/ha) than the Madhupur Sal forest (354.03±38.43 ton/ha). Mean diameter of Sal tree plant at breast height was  significantly (p = 0.022) higher in Lalmai (38.84±2.12cm) and Singra (37.36±1.97 cm) forests than Madhupur forest (30.72±1.93 cm).  Results clearlydemonstrated that forest trees with high average diameter had the high woody biomass content.  This study thus suggested that long term forest conservation could be an effective  approach to increase C stock in the forest ecosystems.

Keywords: Allometric method,biomass carbon, protected area, Sal forest

Post Time: 2 years ago

FALL ARMYWORM INFESTATION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SWEET CORN VARIETIES

ABSTRACT: The study was conducted from November 2021 to April 2022 in the field and laboratory of Department of  Entomology,  Bangabandhu  Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh to compare the morphological, developmental, yield contributing characteristics and leaf infestation status by fall armyworm of four  different  maize  varieties  viz.  BU  MistiVutta 1,  BARI  Hybrid  Vutta1,  Mohona and Dola. Amongthe varieties, Dola was the tallestplant having heightof 156.9±6.1 cm  with the highest internode length (16.0±0.2 cm), and the highest  number of  internodes (12.8±0.2),  numberof leaves per plant (11.9±0.3),  leaf length (82.0±2.7 cm), and leaf width (10.5±0.2 cm).  The maximum base diameter (1.9±0.1 cm) was  observed in BU Misti Vutta 1. The lowest duration for seedling emergence  was observed in BARI Hybrid Vutta 1 (17.6±0.3 DAS)   while  the lowest durations for tassel initiation (75.2±0.4 DAS), silk emergence (87.1±0.4 DAS) and earliest harvesting maturity (111.9±0.3 DAS) was observed  in BU Misti Vutta1. There was no leaf infestation (0.0±0.0%) in BU MistiVutta 1 at 100 DAS. The highest cob length (16.4±0.5 cm), cob diameter (4.0±0.1 cm), cob weight (196.6±22.1 g), number of kernel/ cob (537.2±32.1) and yield (12.6±0.1 t/ha) were also recorded in BU Misti Vutta 1.

Keyword: BU Misti Vutta 1, morphological characters, fall armyworm, infestation, yield

Post Time: 2 years ago

RUGOSE SPIRALING WHITEFLY INFESTATION ON COCONUT: THREATS AND REMEDY

ABSTRACT: Rugose spiraling whitefly (RSW) Aleurodicus rugioperculagus (Hemiptera: Aleurodidae) is an invasive pest causing severe damage to coconut plant, having higher percent of infestation (70.2% to 165.4%). The nymph  and adults suck cell sap from the underside of the leaves and secret honeydew that develop sooty mold fungi and interfere the growth of the plants. It was first identified in Bangladesh in 2019 on coconut plants in Jashore.Then it has spread to almost all other districts in Bangladesh. Highest coconut tree infestation was observed in south- western part (97.5%)and lowest (68.0%)was in central part of the countryand there was no significant difference among locations. In the coastalregions, the highestpercent (97.0%) of infested coconuttree, infested fronds (96.2%) and leaflet area (84.0%) was recorded in Bagerhat district while the lowest percent infested tree (68.0%), fronds per tree (67.2%) and leaflet area (48.0%) was in Cox’s Bazar. The abundance of RSW increases as the number   of leaves increased. Higher percent tree infestation (85.7%) was noticed in native while it was lower(81.2%) in dwarf coconut plants although no significant difference was observed.Low abundances of adult RSW were also found in dwarf coconut plants than that of native ones. The highest incidenceof whitefly of coconut was observed in summer months of April-May andthe lowest was in June-July. Biological control is an effective measure where Encarsia guadeloupae, lady bird beetleand lacewings are common predators and entomopathogenic fungi Isaria fumosorosea reduces the incidenceof RSW from 77.8 to 75.1%. Various cultural and mechanical practices also significantly reduce the pest incidence, infestation, abundance of egg, nymph and adult by 50.0%, 49.9%, 49.7%, 50.1% and 49.8% respectively. Different systemic neonicotinoid insecticides also showed successful result in controlling rugose spiraling whitefly.

Keywords: Aleurodicus rugioperculagus, Cocusneucifera, infestation, damage, management

Post Time: 2 years ago

ECO-FRIENDLY MANAGEMENT OF ANTHRACNOSE OF CHILI USING FORMULATED TRICHODERMA AND INDIGENOUS MEDICINAL PLANT

ABSTRACT: Anthracnose of chili caused by Colletotrichum capsici is responsible for huge yield loss in Bangladesh. To avoid chemical control of the disease, the present study was aimed to observe the field efficacy of selected medicinal plants including neem (Azadirachta indica) and mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) and a commercially available formulated Trichoderma either alone or in various combinations. Among all the treatments, combined application of mahogany leaf extract and peat soil-based Trichoderma resulted highest reduction of disease incidence (58.99%) and severity (67.19%) of the leaf over control. Similar treatment combinations also resulted the highest reduction of diseaseincidence (64.08%) and severity (68.97%)of fruit over control. The combined application of mahogany leaf extractand peat soil-based Trichoderma alsoexhibited the highestplant height (27.44cm), number of fruits per plant (169), and fruit weight per plant (499.10g). The findingsof the present study exploredthe potentiality of the combined application of mahogany leaf extract and peat soil-based Trichoderma for the eco-friendly management of Anthracnose of chili.

Keywords: Trichoderma, medicinal plants, anthracnose, yield, chili

Post Time: 2 years ago

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT BIO-RATIONAL INSECTICIDES ON THE INFESTATION OF POD BORER ATTACKING YARD LONG BEAN

ABSTRACT: The present study was conducted during March to July 2021 in the experimental field of the Department of Entomology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur to evaluate the effect of some biorational insecticides on pod borer infestation in yard long bean. The study was laid out by Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replications. The treatment comprised Vermitec 1.8 EC (Abamectin) @ 1.0 ml/L, Tracer 45 SC (Spinosad) @ 0.4 g/L, Bio-Action 1.5 SL (Matrine) @ 1.5 ml/L of water, Ecomec 1.8 EC (Azadiractin) @ 1.5 ml/L and Phytoclean (Potassium salt of fatty acid 40%) @ 1.5 ml/L of water at 15 days interval along with an untreated control for comparison. The study revealed that the lowest rate of inflorescence infestation, the highest reduction of flower shedding, lowest rate of pod infestation by pod borer as well as the highest fruit sets and marketable yield (10.7±0.3 MT/ha) was recordedwith the bio-rational management approach comprising 3 sprays of Tracer 45 SC (Spinosad) @ 0.4 g/L of water.

Keywords: Botanicals, abamectin, spinosad, azadiractin, Euchrysops cnejus, Maruca vitrata

Post Time: 2 years ago