Uniting Life, Social, and Natural Sciences in Ecological Exploration
Bridging Borders: International Research, Local Impact
Beyond Theory: Practical Insights and Technical Advancements
Synthesizing Knowledge, Pioneering Tomorrow's Solutions
Strengthening Research Integrity, Fostering Collaboration
Abstract: Birds are the most fascinating creatures of nature. Any bird, except poultry, with high genetic value that can legally be reared in captivity is considered as ‘pet bird’. Keeping pet bird is one of the oldest hobbies of humans, and in Bangladesh it has recently became an emerging sector. Therefore, the present study evaluated the socio-economic characteristics, management practices, biosecurity, health issues, and economic performance of 45 pet bird farms in Bangladesh to know present scenario and potentials of this emerging sector. The majority of farmers were male (97.8%) and within the productive age group of 21–40 years (71.1%). Pet bird farming was the main occupation for 44.4% of respondents, and although education levels were relatively high (35.6% with bachelor’s and 26.7% with master’s degrees), only 6.7% had received formal training. Farm establishment increased sharply after 2016, with most farms being small-scale, indoor (44.4%) or rooftop (42.2%) units, none of which were registered. Species composition showed an equal distribution of mixed-bird farms (26.7%) and lovebird farms (26.7%), followed by parrot-dominated farms (20.0%). Nearly half of all farms maintained 100–250 birds. All the farmers relied on manual feeding and prepared their own feed. Reproductive performance was moderate, as 55.6% of farms reported clutch sizes of 5–7 eggs and 73.3% achieved hatchability rates of 70–90%. Disease outbreaks were widespread (95.6%), with cold (40.0%), diarrhoea (37.8%), and eye infections (31.1%) most frequently reported, though mortality rates E S H generally remained below 10%. Economic analysis revealed strong profitability. The average annual cost was 214,318±29,723 BDT, while net profit reached 538,268±141,221 BDT (p<0.0001). Most farms (73.3%) operated without hired labor, but those with higher initial investments (>500,000 BDT) achieved significantly greater profits (p<0.0001). In conclusion, pet bird farming in Bangladesh is a small-scale yet profitable enterprise with potential for expansion. Improved training, stronger biosecurity, and strategic investment could enhance its sustainability and contribution to rural livelihoods.
Keywords: Pet bird, status, reproduction, health, biosecurity, economics
Post Time: 7 months ago
Abstract: Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the most important spice crops globally, renowned for its pungency, flavor, and nutritional value. This comprehensive study investigated the potential of botanical oils as sustainable alternatives for pest management in chili cultivation. A field experiment was conducted during the 2024 Rabi season at Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh, employing a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The study evaluated four botanical oils (neem, karanja, mahogany, and castor at 3% concentration) against the standard synthetic insecticide imidacloprid (0.2%). Results demonstrated that while imidacloprid provided the highest pest reduction (72.34% for aphids and 68.43% for thrips) and maximum yield (4.20 tons/ha, representing a 40% increase over control), botanical oils showed promising efficacy. Neem oil emerged as the most effective botanical treatment, achieving 62.55% aphid reduction and 52.23% thrips reduction, with a yield of 3.90 tons/ha (30% increase over control). Karanja oil followed with 45.32% aphid and 44.42% thrips reduction. Economic analysis revealed competitive benefit-cost ratios for neem (3.70) and karanja oils (3.63), demonstrating their economic viability. These findings highlight that neem and karanja oils can serve as effective, eco-friendly components of integrated pest management in chili cultivation. They offer substantial pest control, yield improvement, and economic returns while addressing critical concerns about environmental sustainability, pesticide resistance, and food safety. The study provides valuable insights for developing sustainable pest management strategies in chili production systems, particularly for smallholder farmers in tropical and subtropical regions.
Keywords: Chilli, plant based pesticides, sucking pests, Scirtothrips dorsalis, Aphis gossypii,
Post Time: 7 months ago
Abstract: Country bean is an important leguminous crop in Bangladesh, contributing to household income and nutritional security, although its production is constrained by insect pests, particularly the aphid. This study was conducted to assess how plant traits and predator abundance affect aphid infestation and yield in country bean. Five cultivars (BARI Bean 1, BARI Bean 5, BARI Bean 6, BARI Bean 7, and BARI Bean 10) were evaluated in the field in a randomized complete block design. Weekly observations recorded plant growth, aphid and predator populations, and leaf and fruit infestation, along with measurements of morphological and biochemical traits and yield. Results revealed a significant variation among cultivars in growth and biochemical traits. Branch initiation ranged from 27 days after sowing (BARI Bean 6) to 40 days after sowing (BARI Bean 5), and fruit maturation ranged from 83.8 days after sowing (BARI Bean 5) to 123.8 days after sowing (BARI Bean 10). Aphid abundance was the highest on BARI Bean 5 (9.2 leaf⁻¹), lowest on BARI Bean 1 (2.8 leaf⁻¹), infestation of leaves peaked to 11.6% on BARI Bean 5 and was lowest (2.7%) in BARI Bean 10. Predator abundance per plot varied; ladybird beetles were highest on BARI Bean 5 (4.3) and lowest on BARI Bean 10 (1.3). Yield components differed significantly, with BARI Bean 10 producing the widest fruits (2.83 cm), the heaviest seeds (53.9 g), and the highest yield (0.2 t ha-1), whereas BARI Bean 5 had the smallest fruits (7.8 cm), the lightest seeds (31.2 g), and the lowest yield (0.01 t ha-1). So, BARI Bean 10 emerged as the most suitable cultivar due to low aphid infestation and high yield, while BARI Bean 5 found to be the most susceptible one.
Keywords: Abundance, Aphis craccivora, infestation, Lablab purpureus, predator, yield
Post Time: 7 months ago
Abstract: Yard long bean (Vigna unguiculata ssp. sesquipedalis) is an important vegetable legume in Bangladesh, yet its productivity is severely constrained by insect pests, particularly by the pod borer, Euchrysops cnejus F. This study evaluated the efficacy and economic viability of selected biopesticide and reduced-risk insecticide based management options against pod borer infestation in yard long bean during Kharif season of 2023 at Entomology Research Field, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur. Treatments included sanitation (hand picking and destruction of infested flowers and pods with larvae) combined with spraying biopesticides (Bacillus thuringiensis, Celastrus angulatus, matrine), a green chemical insecticide (spinetoram), farmers’ conventional practice (emamectin benzoate), and an untreated control. Sanitation combined with spraying spinetoram resulted in the lowest flower (4.82%) and pod (5.25%) infestation and the highest yield (13.82 t ha⁻¹), followed closely by sanitation combined with spraying B. thuringiensis and farmers’ conventional practice. However, the highest marginal benefit-cost ratio (8.89) was obtained with sanitation combined with spraying B. thuringiensis. The findings indicated that sanitation combined with spraying B. thuringiensis, was an effective, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable management strategy for pod borer.
Keywords: Biochamak, biotrin, biocure, Euchrysops cnejus, sanitation, Vigna unguiculata
Post Time: 7 months ago
Abstract: Forests are essential for regulating the global climate and carbon balance. Monitoring Above-ground Biomass (AGB) and its Density (AGBD) at high resolution is needed for sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation, and carbon accounting to support climate change mitigation. The present study aimed to assess the spatiotemporal changes in above-ground biomass (AGB) and carbon stock in Bhawal National Park (BNP) between 2019 and 2024. This involved integrating data from the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) and Sentinel-2. A Random Forest (RF) regression model was applied to estimate AGB by combining the GEDI Level 4A footprint data with spectral and topographic variables derived from Sentinel-2 and digital elevation model (DEM). The model showed good predictive performance, with R² values above 0.80 for both years. The results revealed a significant decline in total AGB from 355,242.50 Mg in 2019 to 307,035.78 Mg in 2024, corresponding to a carbon stock loss of 22,657.16 Mg. Spatial analysis showed that high-biomass zones have shrunk, while low and moderate-biomass areas have expanded, especially along forest edges and in degraded areas. Field validation confirmed a moderate match between estimated and observed AGB values. The study identified deforestation, land-use change, and fragmentation as the main drivers of biomass decline. These findings highlight ongoing forest degradation in one of Bangladesh’s most important Sal forest ecosystems. This emphasizes the urgent need for improved forest monitoring and conservation strategies. Integrating GEDI and optical satellite data offers a cost-effective approach for large-scale forest assessment, supporting national carbon accounting, REDD+ implementation, and sustainable forest management.
Keywords: Above-ground biomass, carbon, GEDI LiDAR, Sentinel-2, forest
Post Time: 7 months ago
Abstract: Butterfly puddling, a behavior typically exhibited by male butterflies, involves aggregating on moist or muddy surfaces to ingest mineral-rich fluids essential for obtaining vital minerals and salts required for various biological functions. This study explores the relationship between butterfly puddling activity and soil mineral composition in Kaptai National Park (Kaptai NP), Bangladesh. Forty four butterfly species, representing eight families (Papilionidae, Pieridae, Lycaenidae, Danaidae, Nymphalidae, Satyridae, Hesperiidae and Acraeidae), were observed puddling at eight sites (S1-S8) across the Ram Pahar and Sita Pahar regions of Kaptai NP. Soil samples collected from each puddling site were analyzed to assess the relationship between butterfly species abundance and soil mineral content. The analysis revealed 21 distinct soil minerals corresponding to six key nutrient elements, such as sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphate and iron. Significant correlations were observed between soil mineral content and butterfly abundance during puddling across all study sites. The findings demonstrated that sites with higher mineral diversity, such as Shilchori (S3) in Ram Pahar and Jamai Chora (S8) in Sita Pahar, which contained 18 distinct minerals, supported 40 and 44 butterfly species, respectively. In contrast, Ronir Chora (S6) in Sita Pahar, with 11 mineral types, supported only 10 species. Furthermore, the study found that puddling activity was more prevalent during the Wet season and Post-monsoon season than in the Dry season. These results emphasize the critical role of soil mineral content in influencing butterfly abundance and diversity, highlighting the importance of mineral-rich habitats for sustaining butterfly populations in Kaptai NP and emphasizing the need for conservation efforts to protect this biodiversity hotspot.
Keywords: Butterfly, soil minerals, puddling, kaptai national park
Post Time: 7 months ago
Abstract: Rapid urbanization exerts considerable pressure on urban vegetation, affecting plant structure, health, and ecological resilience. This study assessed anthropogenic stress and structural damage in vegetation across two urban green spaces, the National Botanical Garden and Ramna Park in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The study was conducted in mid-September 2025 to avoid heavy rainfall and leaf fall effects. For data collection, a 10 × 10 m² quadrat was set up along the pathways at each site in the National Botanical Garden and Ramna Park, ensuring at least 200 m spacing between adjacent plots. A total of 295 individual plants representing 59 species were surveyed to evaluate population structure, species composition, and types of structural damage. Four major damage categories were considered: stem incision, leaf splitting, stem breakdown, and signboard attachment. Results revealed notable site-specific differences. The National Botanical Garden hosted a higher number of individuals (214) but experienced on incised plant body damage, indicating a relatively protected and managed environment. In contrast, Ramna Park exhibited slightly higher species richness but greater overall damage frequency, particularly incision and stem injury, reflecting stronger anthropogenic pressures such as visitor activity and traffic exposure. The results emphasize the influence of management intensity and visitor pressure on the health and structural stability of plants within urban green spaces. Minimizing physical disturbances, strengthening monitoring systems, and promoting resilient native species emerge as key measures to sustain ecological balance. This comparative evaluation offers important guidance for urban vegetation management and highlights the importance of sustainable planning to reduce human-induced stress in rapidly expanding tropical cities.
Keywords: Management effects, human-plant interactions, tree health, urban green spaces, Dhaka city
Post Time: 7 months ago
Abstract: Folic acid (FA or folate) is a type of vitamin (B9) naturally found in some foods that help the body to produce red blood cells. It is an essential vitamin B needed for chickens of all ages. This study was initiated to analyze the effect of FA on fertility of layer breeder. A total of 3,200 cocks of the sire line and 33,800 hens of the dam-line were randomly assigned to 4 tiers 4 rows colony cage shed and mated at a ratio of 1 cock: 10.5 hens. Four dietary treatments were used supplemented practical corn-soybean meal basal diet (control group) and the basal diet supplemented with 10 mg of FA/kg of diet (group-II), the basal diet supplemented with 15 mg of FA/kg of diet (group-III) and the basal diet supplemented with 20 mg of FA/kg of diet (group-IV). Egg production, egg weight, feed intake, mortality, fertility, hatchability and related parameters were measured during 39 to 42 weeks of age. The egg production was increased gradually in all folic acid treated feed groups and was highest in group-III (89.98±0.25), in comparison to control group (89.83±0.14). The fertility and hatchability were increased non-significantly (p<0.05). But FA supplementation was reduced the hatch loss and cull chicks. There were no significant (P<0.05) effects in mortality and body weight gain. The administration of supplementation folic acid to layer breeders via dietary supplementation was effective in improving the fertility and related parameters.
Keywords: Folic acid, fertility, hatchability, Novogen, chicks
Post Time: 7 months ago
Abstract: Taxonomic account of two species of rice-plant inhabiting long-jawed spiders under genus Tetragnatha Latreille is described. Of these, T. jibontiae n. sp. is identified as new to science and T. fletcheri Gravely 1921 is recorded for the first time from the rice fields of Bangladesh. Brief generic diagnosis, illustrated description, distribution and key to the species are also provided.
Keywords: Taxonomy, long-jawed spider, Tetragnatha, Araneae, Tetragnathidae, Bangladesh
Post Time: 7 months ago
Abstract: Apiculture is one of the predominant sub-sectors of agriculture in Bangladesh, playing a vital role in crop production and ecological balance through pollination services. Despite its growing significance, there is a lack of systematic documentation and analytical assessment of advancements, challenges, and prospects in this sector, which hinders long-term development. This study aims to compile existing information, evaluate recent progress, and identify challenges in beekeeping practices in Bangladesh. In 1977, the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) initiated scientific beekeeping and achieved success with Apis cerana. In 1990, Apis mellifera was introduced from India by two beekeepers, and in 1996, BSCIC successfully managed A. mellifera colonies. The major natural honey-producing regions are the Sundarbans mangrove forest, Chittagong Hill Tracts, and Madhupur Tract. About 75% of honey is produced in the Sundarbans by Apis dorsata. However, A. mellifera is highly valued for pollination due to its ability to carry heavier pollen, its docile nature, and its higher honey yield compared to A. cerana. Currently, around 25,000 beekeepers produce approximately 10,000 metric tons of honey annually, against a national demand of 30,000 metric tons. With better utilization of natural resources, it is estimated that 100,000 metric tons of honey could be produced each year, creating significant income and employment for rural youth. Key bee forage crops include litchi, coconut, tobacco, coriander, onion, mustard, sunflower, and sesame. Apiculture has vast potential, requiring minimal investment and labor, which is accessible to men, women and young people with the help of training, f inancial support and technical assistance.
Keywords: Apiculture, Apis mellifera, beekeepers, honey, pollination.
Post Time: 11 months ago
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