The study was conducted at Kuakata of Patuakhali to evaluate the impacts of indigenous organic amendments such as rice hull, rice straw and saw dust alone and in combination under variable moisture conditions (moist and saturated) on the primary nutrients (N, P and K) of BRRI dhan64 grown in a coastal saline soil. The individual application of rice hull, rice straw and saw dust at the rate of 0, 4 and 8 t/ha and their combined effects were found to be significant (p ≤ 0.05) for N content in the rice plants. Effects of the treatments on phosphorus content alone and in combination were slightly additive but not significant. The maximum P content in the plant tissues was determined at saturated condition with the increased rate of the treatments (T27 = RH8RS8SD8), while the lowest content of P was recorded in control (T1 = RH0 RS0 SD0). The K content in plant tissues increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) with the increased rate of application of rice hull, rice straw and saw dust. The higher K contents were found under saturated condition of soil. Under moist condition of soil, the highest contents of N, P and K were 21.3, 1.45 and 15.67 g/kg, respectively and under saturated condition, the highest contents of N, P and K were 23.4, 1.78 and 15.87 g/kg by the combined application of rice hull, rice straw and saw dust, respectively at the rate of 8 t/ha, suggested that the primary nutrition of rice had better response under saturated moisture condition in saline soil, which received rice hull, rice straw and saw dust.Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 30(1&2): 11-21, December-2017
A pot experiment was conducted to study the carrying over effects of soil aggregate size, groundwater level and basic slag treatments in acid sulfate soils of Badarkhali and Cheringaseries which were examined for the reclamation during 1998-2001. Initially the soils were very strongly acidic (pH 3.9 for Badarkhali; 3.6 for Cheringa) and very strongly saline (ECe 23 mS/cm for Badarkhali) to moderately saline (10.3 mS/cm for Cheringa). Application of these treatments exerted remarkable improvement in soil fertility and plant growth on these soils after 18 years of occasional cultivation. In 2016, pH at different treatments in these soils ranged from 6.2 to 7.4 for Badarkhali, 5.2 to 7.1 for Cheringa and ECe from 1.7 to 3.2 mS/cm for Badarkhali, 1.5 to 8.75 for Cheringa soils. At the same time in Badarkhali soil, organic matter content (1.3 - 2.8%), total N (0.02 - 0.11%), available N (2.69 - 18.29 mmol/kg), available P (0.78 - 5.08 mmol/kg) were determined and almost similar values of these parameters were recorded in Cheringa soil. Available S contents were found to decrease and ranged from 0.06 - 0.18 cmol/kg in Badarkhali and 0.08 - 0.21 cmol/kg in Cheringa soils. In spite of using basic slag, the concentrations of lead and cadmium in the studied soils were determined below (highest value of Pb was 2.07 mg/kg and Cd 1.8 mg/kg) the normal contents (Pb 70 mg/kg and Cd 10 mg/kg) in the agricultural soils. Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 30(1&2): 69-79, December-2017
Petrography of the Neogene mudrocks in this study incorporates laser particle size analysis, thin sections and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Ten representative mudrock samples were collected from outcrops of the Sitakund structure. From the studies, it is evident that mudrocks of Sitakund structure are characteristically silty. The silt content, as estimated by laser grain size analysis, of the mudrocks ranges from 39 to 77% with average of 58%. Significant amount of granular silt with the platy clay minerals is also evident from the SEM micrographs. The silts are mainly quartz, feldspar and micas. The high silt content in the Neogene mudrocks implies an enormous flux of silty sediments with a very high rate of sedimentation allowing little time for a more selective sorting. This supports the geologic history that the uplifting and erosion of Himalaya was at the peak during Miocene and the Ganges mega delta received highest rate of sedimentation and growth rendering shale consistently silty. Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 30(1&2): 35-43, December-2017
The current disaster knowledge and practices of disaster affected rural people in Bangladesh were investigated. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaire from 216 rural households. About 83% of the respondents perceived knowledge that brings about an increase in household income followed by learning new skills that contribute to reduction in disaster vulnerabilities (75%) and knowledge that helps in the decision making process (67%). A total of 91% of respondents, irrespective of literacy, are practicing tacit or oral knowledge sharing in their day to day lives. The sample respondents acquired disaster knowledge from different sources, including neighbors and relatives (82%), social workers (50%), mass media (45%), religious institutions (38%) and the village markets (32%). For those that received their knowledge from the village market, the information is mainly gathered by the literate people (37%) as opposed to those that are illiterate (26%). In updating acquired knowledge, 76% respondents validated through self observations and 58% by consultation and communication with family members or neighbors. Interestingly, more than 74% respondents reported that an inadequate financial resource is an important barrier to gaining improved knowledge on disaster management in rural areas. About 69% of the respondents stated that the early warning messages provided by various agencies are ‘very useful’, whereas 23% believed them to be ‘useful’ and 8% as ‘partially useful’. Posters, booklets and leaflets were identified as the most available and important disaster knowledge materials (82%). The study results suggested that the establishment of the rural information and knowledge centre and an easily understandable forecasting system would be very useful to improve the disaster knowledge for the rural poor.Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 30(1&2): 55-67, December-2017
This study, employing a logistic regression model seeks to identify the important factors that influence household’s access to banking services. The result shows that about 31.7% households have bank account while the remaining 68.3% households have no such account. The result found that with the increase in age of household’s head access to banking services increased gradually. As observed, female headed household have greater access to banking services as compared to male headed household. More so, formerly/ever married headed households have less access to banking services by comparison with never married headed households. The result also shows that access to banking services gradually increased with increasing education level of household’s head. It is found that poor households have very less access to banking services as compared to non-poor households. Increased land ownership of household allowed gradual increase in the access to banking services. The result also mentions that nonowner homestead households have less access to banking services as compared to own homestead households. According to the logistics regression analysis, comparing with the rural households it has been found that the urban households have more access to banking facilities.Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 30(1&2): 81-89, December-2017
This study examines the determinants of under-five child mortality in Bangladesh using the data extracted from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS), 2011 and 2014. Product-Limit method and Log-Rank test have been used for bivariate analysis. Cox proportional hazard model has been employed under both classical and Bayesian approaches. Cox regression analysis reveals that region (Barisal and Sylhet), maternal education (higher education), mother’s membership of NGO have significant impact on child mortality. The results obtained using Bayesian Cox PH model are almost similar except one key finding. Under Bayesian analysis, child’s size at birth appeared as potential determinant of under-five mortality whereas it has insignificant effect on child survival when classical Cox model has been applied.Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 30(1&2): 45-54, December-2017
An attempt has been made to examine whether maternal education influences the antenatal care (ANC) visit in Bangladesh using sequential logistic regression models with an interaction between maternal education and place of residence. For the purpose of analysis, Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS), 2014 data set have been used. The findings emerged from the study show a significant increase of adequate ANC visits among pregnant women with the increase in maternal education level. Moreover, interaction between maternal education and place of residence provides a significant effect on complete ANC visits. The finding justifies an influential impact of maternal education on ANC visits over place of residence. Female participation in the education programs needs to be increased because maternal education signifies a strong positive association with ANC visits.Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 30(1&2): 23-33, December-2017
A sequence stratigraphic analysis was carried out on the sedimentary packages of parts of the Bengal Basin hydrocarbon province. This paper focuses on the identification of petroleum system of Srikail Gas Field within eastern folded belt of Bengal basin using sequence stratigraphic concept. Three strike and five dip seismic lines are used in this work and data analysis is done using Petrel 2015 software. Seismic line-2 (SK-2) of Srikail is good in resolution and is used here only for identifying potential petroleum system. Seven sequence boundaries were identified on the basis of onlap and reflection truncation. The result of the interpreted sequence boundary has revealed that all the elements which are required to generate a potential prospect are present in the study area. Fine grained sediments deposited during the rising and lowering of sea level might act as a potential source rock. Time contour maps of the study area have revealed that the NWSE trending anticlinal Srikail structure is largely affected by shale filled channel in the crestal and western flank. The channel filled shale is later acting as a seal on north and western part of the structure. Erosional remnants truncated against shale fill canyon is acting as prospective reservoirs in the Srikail gas field. The NW-SE trending anticlinal structure and shale fill canyon help this sand as potential traps for hydrocarbon accumulation. Hence the petroleum system of the study area become very prospective in terms of hydrocarbon accumulation.Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 30(1&2): 1-9, December-2017
A field study was conducted to evaluate the possible factors controlling the fluxes of carbon dioxide along a toposequence of daily to seasonally flooded coastal salt marsh soils. The soil at the top end of the salt marsh (with a height of 1.8 m above sea level (a.s.l.) and a dense vegetation cover) was salic silty to clayic (Typic Sulfaquent), while the soil at the bottom end (with some salt bushes and a 1.4 m a.s.l.) was sandy to silty (Haplic Sulfaquent). The mean (depth: 0 - 100 cm) values of pH were around 7, and of redox potentials (Eh) in the Typic Sulfaquent ranged from -162 to + 104 mV during all the seasons. The average net-emission of CO2 (-14.0 g m-2 a-1) above the vegetation cover was negative for the Haplic Sulfaquent but highly positive for Typic Sulfaquent round the year (857 g m-2 a-1). The average maximum concentrations of CO2 were detected within the surface soils 20 to 40 cm in both the profiles. In the surface soils of 0 to 20 cm the concentrations of CO2 measured were relatively low though the values were about 5 to 20 times higher than that of the atmospheric (0.35 g/v) concentration. For the average of two Haplic Sulfaquents, the soil temperatures were almost 2°C higher than that of the Typic Sulfaquent and it was also 2.5°C higher than the mean annual temperature (9.5°C) of the soils. The current results show that the CO2 fluxes seasonally varied significantly and for certain periods of the year the coastal salt marsh soils can act either as a sink or source for atmospheric CO2 depending on the physical and chemical properties of the soils.Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 29(2): 101-109, December-2016
This study was carried out in order to assess the effect of industrial effluents on the surface water and sediment around BSCIC industrial area, Narayanganj. Different parameters such as TDS, DO, pH, EC, Turbidity, BOD, COD, and heavy metals such as Pb, Zn, Cd, Mn, Cr and Ni were investigated. The results showed that, different industries inside the BSCIC area discharge effluents composed of various chemicals at considerably higher levels compared to pollution limits of inland surface water standard given by DoE. Significantly higher levels of EC (3540 ?S/cm), TDS (3862 mg/l), BOD (143.71 mg/l) and COD (396.30 mg/l) were found in the water. Also a higher level of heavy metals along with high pH was found both for the water and sediment around the BSCIC area. A significant correlation was found between the pH, EC and heavy metal concentration of the collected water samples. The above findings point out that the water around the studied area is quite polluted by the industrial activities of the BSCIC area and malicious for surrounding environment.Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 29(2): 133-141, December-2016
The study was carried out to determine the concentration of heavy metals in some commonly used commercial fish feeds and to observe the bioaccumulation of Cr, Cu, Cd and Ni in liver, muscle and gills of tilapia Oreochromis niloticus after culturing them for 60 days by feeding those commercial feeds. The study revealed that the concentration of Cu was the highest (65.08 mg/kg) in handmade feed (B1) among four heavy metals. The concentrations of Cr in collected feeds were 1.75 to 3.04 mg/kg, which exceeds the permissible limit set by FAO. In cultured tilapia, the concentrations of studied heavy metals were found higher than initial concentration in fish feeds and in tilapia fingerlings. Metal levels in cultured fish followed the ranking of Cu>Cr>Ni>Cd and order in individual organs was liver>gill>muscle. The highest concentration of Cu (72.86 mg/kg) was found in liver given S feed and the lowest concentration (0.67 mg/kg) was in muscle receiving Q feed. Bioaccumulation of Cr was the highest (23.95 mg/kg) in liver taken B1 feed and the lowest (9.29 mg/kg) in muscle of tilapia cultured with C feed. Concentration of Cu exceeded the tolerable limit in fishes cultured with S and C feeds. But Cr concentration surpassed the allowable limit in every feed studied. The concentrations of Ni and Cd were below the permissible range approved by FAO. Considering the present study, tilapia cultured with these experimental feeds is not safe for human consumption. Higher concentration of these heavy metals exceeding allowable limit may cause harmful effect on human body after consumption of those fishes and can create cancer and other diseases in human body.Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 29(2): 89-99, December-2016
The paper studies stability analysis for two standard finite difference schemes FTBSCS (forward time backward space and centered space) and FTCS (forward time and centered space). One-dimensional advection diffusion equation is solved by using the schemes with appropriate initial and boundary conditions. Numerical experiments are performed to verify the stability results obtained in this study. It is found that FTCS scheme gives better point-wise solutions than FTBSCS in terms of time step selection.Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 29(2): 143-151, December-2016
Six slow pyrolysis biochars viz. farmyard manure (FM), water hyacinth (WH), domestic organic waste (DW), quick compost (QC), corn cob (CC) and rice straw (RS) were analyzed for their physical and chemical properties. Biochar yielding capacity varied from 34 to 51%, depending on the used feedstock. Water hyacinth biochar exhibited the highest water holding capacity (495%), whereas corn cob biochar had the lowest (146%) regardless of its highest pore volume. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area was found maximum among the plant derived biochars except corn cob. Rice straw biochar exhibited the least mean pore diameter while highest in domestic organic waste. All biochars possessed pH values more than 9. CEC of water hyacinth (WH) was highest, while lowest was in quick compost (QC) biochar. Smallest average particle size (0.54 ?m2) was exhibited by water hyacinth biochar. Organic carbon content ranged from 33 to 49%. Nutrient (N, P, K and S) status of biochar produced from domestic organic waste (DW) was found the maximum compared to the rest and corn cob (CC) biochar showed the lowest nutritional value.Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 29(2): 111-122, December-2016
A study was conducted to investigate the mobility of arsenic in saline soil and its consequences on plant growth. Two different types of saline soils, S1 (2.0 dS/m) and S2 (5.06 dS/m), collected from the south-western part of Bangladesh were used for the experiment. There were two parts in the experiment, viz., in vitro incubation study and pot experiment. Arsenic at the rates of 0, 0.05 and 1.0 mg/l was applied to the soil with water and for plant as irrigation water. The soils under incubation were sequentially extracted with seven different extractants viz., distilled water, 1M NH4Cl, 0.01M CaCl2, 0.005M DTPA, 0.1M EDTA, 0.1M HCl and 1M HCl. A local variety of rice, BRRI 41 was grown on the experimental soil as the test crop for pot experiment. The elevated arsenic concentration in the growth medium caused higher accumulation of arsenic as well as sodium in the plant.Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 29(2): 153-161, December-2016
A study was carried out to evaluate the effects of brick manufacturing on phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S) concentrations in soil and plant collected from different distances of brick kilns in four AEZs of Bangladesh. Forty eight composite soil samples (0 - 15 cm depth) were collected from 48 points in 12 different sites at 0 m, 300 m, 800 m and 1500 m from brick kilns, where most (site 2, site 3, site 5, site 6, site 7, site 9 and site 10) of the brick kilns used coal for brick burning purposes. Plant samples (rice straw and different vegetables) were also collected from the respective fields except 0 m distances. Significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower organic matter, cation exchange capacity, clay content and soil pH were found at 0 m distances compared to other distances. Highest concentration of total P in soil were recorded at 0 m distances and these concentrations decreased with increasing distances from the brick kilns in most of the sites; whereas available P is significantly lower at 0 m distances than that of other distances. Total and available concentration of S in soil followed the trend 0 m>300 m>800 m>1500 m. Maximum accumulation of P (69.15 mg kg -1 ) and S (0.14%) in plant was found at 800 m away from the brick kiln. Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 29(2): 123-131, December-2016
Effect of water deficit stress on growth and yield of three wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties, viz. BARI Gom 25, BARI Gom 26 and Sourav was studied. Water deficit lowered the light interception at anthesis in wheat. Under water deficit condition, the highest amount of PAR interception was recorded in BARI Gom 26. The reduction of leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR) and net assimilation rate (NAR) were less in BARI Gom 26. Water deficit conditions lowered the SPAD values in all the three wheat varieties. BARI Gom 26 showed less reduction, while BARI Gom 25 reflected the highest reduction in SPAD value under water deficit condition. Under water deficit condition the maximum number of spikelets/spike, 1000- grain weight and HI were recorded in BARI Gom 26 and the minimum in BARI Gom 25. Under both control and water deficit conditions BARI Gom 26 gave the highest grain yield, while the lowest grain yield was obtained from BARI Gom 25.Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 29(2): 163-172, December-2016
