An experiment was carried out at the Agronomy field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University during the period from October 2021 to March 2022 with two factors, Factor A: Sunflower varieties(2): Viz., V1= BARI Surjumukhi-2 and V2 = BARI Surjumukhi-3; and Factor B: Application of different combination of organic and inorganic manures (5): Viz, F1= Recommended dose of all chemical fertilizer (RDCF), F2= Cowdung @ 10 t ha−1 + 75% of RDCF, F3= Cowdung @ 10 t ha−1 + 50% of RDCF, F4= Poultry litter @ 5 t ha−1 + 75% of RDCF, F5= Poultry litter @ 5 t ha−1 + 50% of RDCF, F6= Vermicompost @ 5 t ha−1 + 75% of RDCF and F7= Vermicompost @ 5 t ha−1 + 50% of RDCF to investigate the effect of different combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizer for maximizing yield and oil content of sunflower. The experiment was followed the Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Results indicated that sunflower var. BARI Surjumukhi-2 consistently outperformed BARI Surjumukhi-3. The interaction effects revealed that BARI Surjumukhi-2 interaction with Vermicompost @ 5 t ha−1 + 75% of RDCF (V1F6) achieved the highest overall performance, with values such as head diameter (18.66 cm), number of seeds per head (437.23), 1000-seed weight (62.86 g), seed yield (2.87 t ha−1), stover yield (7.86 t ha−1), harvest index (26.82%), and seed oil content (40.77%). While the interaction of BARI Surjumukhi-3 with Cowdung @ 10 t ha−1 + 50% of RDCF resulted in the lowest values. Bangladesh Agron. J. 2024, 27(1): 29-39
Various weed management practices including physical, mechanical, biological and chemical methods are commonly applied by the farmers. Of all possible weed control practices, use of chemicals (herbicides) stands first and a large number of herbicide groups having different mode of actions are commonly used. However, considering the effectiveness and safe use with eco-toxicological aspect, it is important to finalize the optimum dose before application to the farmer’s fields. An experiment was conducted at the research field of Agronomy Division, Joydebpur, Gazipur during the Kharif-1 season of 2017 and Rabi 2017-2018 to find out the optimum rate of herbicide (CLIO) to control weeds in maize field for getting higher yield. Six treatments viz., i) CLIO @35 mL ha−1, ii) CLIO @55 mL ha−1, iii) CLIO @75 mL ha−1, iv) CLIO @95 mL ha−1, v) CLIO @115 mL ha−1 and vi) control were tested on maize (cv. BARI Hybrid maize-9). Herbicides were sprayed at 10 Days After Sowing (DAS) according to treatments. Weed samples were taken at 25 and 45 DAS. Major weeds flora were Bathua (Chenopodium album), Durba (Cynadon dactylon), Anguli (Digitaria sanguinalis), Helencha (Jussica repens), Hatishur (Heliotropium indicum), Shama (Echinochloa crusgalli), Bangchora, Swetlomy (Gnaphalium japonicum), Mutha (Cyperus rotundus), Shaknote (Amaranthus viridis), Gaicha (Paspalum commersonii), Chapra (Eleusine indica), Bon Masur (Vicia sp.). Weed dry matter weight significantly varied in different treatments. Weed relative density were highest in no weeding in both Kharif-I, 2017 and Rabi 2017-18. The highest dry weight of weeds at 25 DAS (14.15 g m−2) and (15.16 g m−2) and at 45 DAS (44.31 g m−2) and (48.37 g m−2), respectively in Kharif-1, 2017 and Rabi 2017-18 were found in control plot whereas the lowest in spraying of CLIO @115 gm m−2 both at 25 and 45 DAS. The maximum weed control efficiency (WCE) over control both at 25 DAS (84.95% in Kharif-, 2017 and 89.95% in Rabi 2017-18) and at 45 DAS (80.48% in Kharif-I, 2017 and 89.45% in Rabi 2017-18), respectively in spraying of CLIO @115 mL ha−1. The maximum grain yield both in Kharif-I, 2017(9.77 t ha−1) and Rabi 2017-18 (9.51 t ha−1) was found in spraying of CLIO @115 mL ha−1 which was statistically identical with spraying of CLIO @75 mL ha−1 and 95.00 mL ha−1 and lowest in no weeding. The highest marginal benefit–cost ratio (MBCR) both in Kharif-1, 2017 (2.28) and Rabi 2017-18 (2.41) was observed in spraying of CLIO @95 mL ha−1 and lowest in no weeding. Results revealed that application of CLIO @ 95 mL ha−1 at 10 DAS of maize is economical viable, and it needs further trial to investigate eco-toxicological consequences to environment and living organisms after application. Bangladesh Agron. J. 2024, 27(1): 1-8
This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) leaf extract (MLE) as a natural biostimulant on yield and bioactive compounds of lettuce. The trial was conducted during November 2023 to February 2024 with lettuce var. BARI lettuce-1. Twenty plastic pots following complete randomized design with four replications was followed. Four concentrations (3%, 4%, 5% and 6%) of MLE was foliar sprayed into lettuce where a control treatment (tap water) was also considered. Leaf number, leaf length, fresh and dry weight of leaves, SPAD value, total chlorophyll, total phenol, flavonoid and vitamin C were assessed. Correlation and regression analysis among the traits were also carried out. The results show that there was significant improvement in yield traits and bioactive compounds of lettuce except vitamin C due to foliar spray of MLE, where 6% MLE was found to maximize the value of the all studied traits of lettuce. Plants treated with 6% MLE provided maximum improvement by 25.01% in leaf number, 14.11% in leaf length, 20.61% in leaf fresh weight, 36.10% in leaf dry weight, 13.13% in SPAD value, 53.72% in total chlorophyll, 34.17% in total phenol and 19.29% in flavonoid compared to that of control. Correlation analysis among leaf traits and bioactive compounds showed positive connection with each other. Similarly, regression analysis among bioactive compounds exhibited positive correlation regression among the traits. Therefore, MLE could play a significant role as safe and natural biostimulant in improving yield and quality of lettuce through improving the vegetative and bioactive traits of lettuce leaf. Bangladesh Agron. J. 2024, 27(1): 9-18
The experiment was conducted at Agronomy Research Field of BARI, Gazipur during Kharif-1 seasons of 2020-21 and 2021-22 to evaluate the effect of manures and fertilizers and optimum plant population for higher yield of yard long bean. Two planting geometry, viz., P1= 45 cm × 30 cm (8 plants m−2) P2= 40 cm × 20 cm (12.5 plants m−2) and three nutrient levels viz., F1=Recommended fertilizer dose (RFD) (21-27-33-9-1.2-1.2 kg ha−1 NPKSZnB), F2= IPNS (16-25-30-9-1.2-1.2 kg ha−1 NPKSZnB) + Poultry manure (PM) (3 t ha−1) and F3 = IPNS (16-25-30-9-1.2-1.2 kg ha−1 NPKSZn) + Vermicompost (VC) (3 t ha−1) were used. The integrated treatment combinations involve both organic and inorganic source of nutrients which significantly influenced the growth and yield attributes. The better results in terms of vegetable fresh yield were obtained in the following order: PM > VC> NPK. Application of VC is not beneficial due to 15 times higher price than PM. The result indicated that plant spacing of 40 cm ´ 20 cm with PM added NPK fertilizer combination (F2) gave the maximum pod yield (4.90 t ha−1 in 2020-21 and 4.83 t ha−1 in 2021-22) which was statistically similar to same spacing with VC added NPK fertilizer combination (F3) but the highest benefit cost ratio (2.15) was recorded in plant spacing of 40 cm ´ 20 cm with PM added NPK fertilizer combination (F2). From the result it might be could be concluded that plant spacing of 40 cm × 20 cm (1,25,000 plants ha−1) with organic and inorganic source of nutrients {IPNS (16-25-30-9-1.2-1.2 kg ha−1 NPKSZn) with PM (3 t ha−1)} was found to achieve the maximum productivity of yard long bean cultivation at Gazipur. Bangladesh Agron. J. 2024, 27(1): 23-28
A field experiment was conducted at Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, during 2022-2024 to evaluate the performance of Moringa oleifera var. PKM-2 under different bamboo biochar and NPK fertilizer treatments. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications, consisting of four biochar doses (0, 5, 10, and 15 t ha−1) and four NPK fertilizer levels (0, 50, 100, and 150% of the recommended fertilizer dose, RFD), resulting in 16 treatment combinations. Results revealed that both biochar and NPK significantly improved plant growth and yield attributes. Application of 10-15 t ha−1 biochar enhanced plant height, crown spread, pod number, pod length and 1000-seed weight compared to the control. Fertilizer application at 100-150% RFD increased vegetative growth, pod development, and seed yield. Among the interactions, 10 t ha−1 biochar with 100% RFD produced the highest pod number (90 plant−1) and longest pods (55.69 cm), while 10 t ha−1 biochar with 150% RFD resulted in the tallest plants (3.95 m at 24 months). The heaviest seeds (140.54 g per 1000 grains) were recorded with 15 t ha−1 biochar. These findings suggest that 10 t ha−1 bamboo biochar combined with 100-150% RFD is optimal for maximizing moringa productivity under coastal agro-ecological conditions of Cox’s Bazar. Bangladesh Agron. J. 2024, 27(2): 108-115
