Strawberry is one of the most salt-sensitive horticultural economic crops. In our study, strawberry cv. Festival plants were subjected to salt stress (8 dS/m EC) to investigate the individual and combined effects of Glycine betaine (GB) (60 mM) and Seaweed extract (SWE) (8 ml/L) with different number of applications (one, two, three times) on growth, chlorophyll content, antioxidant activity, some fruit-quality parameters and yield. This research aims to alleviate salt stress-induced growth inhibition and to advance sustainable strategies for improving crop tolerance and yield under saline conditions. This experiment followed three replications and seven treatments in pots, including a control, individual GB/SWE applications, their combinations, and a salt stress level. The results indicated that GB and SWE treatments significantly improved growth characteristics, i.e. leaf area, root and vegetative growth, total yield, and fruit quality characters under salinity stress. Notably, the combined GB+SWE treatment outperformed individual applications, demonstrating 98% greater fruit weight per plant compared to salt-stressed plant and 80% over non-stressed plant, and a synergistic efficacy in restoring physiological functions by increasing antioxidant activity around 59% in the salt-stressed plant. This approach represents a highly effective strategy to mitigate salinity stress on strawberry cultivation, offering eco-friendly alternatives to maximize yield under salinity without needing freshwater-intensive practices, supporting water-scarce orsaline-affected areas.
Goat meat has created new opportunities both in domestic and export markets in Bangladesh for value addition to the meat supply chain. Meat cuts of goats are often seen in the supermarkets in the different city corporation markets throughout the country.This study aims to explore the superficial muscle anatomy of the Black Bengal goat (BBG) and propose a framework for anatomically informed ideal meat cuts using adult BBG (n=10). The goats were collected from nearby local market of Bangladesh agriculturalUniversity (BAU), Mymensingh, and sacrificed (pentobarbital sodium @ 20 mg/kg body weight, i/m followed by bled to death giving incision on the right common carotid artery) then fixed using 10% formalin infusion. After careful removal of the skin, the anatomically classified body regions (head, neck, thorax, abdomen, forelimb, and hindlimb) were mapped according to the popular meat cuts available in supermarkets. The whole body was divided and categorized as nine meat cuts, namely neck (neck chops), shoulder (Forequarter, rack/chop), rib (rack, cutlets), loin (loin chop, tenderloin), leg (leg steak), hind-shank (shank, drumstick), flank, breast, and foreshank (shank, drumstick). The superficial and mostly contributing muscles to the specific cut were observed considering the origin, various parts, prominent characteristics, insertion, and gross appearance with their associated structure. Anatomical knowledge from this research will primarily help butchers to obtain optimum meat cuts, as well as anatomists, students of veterinary medicine, and related research personnel.
The rapid expansion of livestock and poultry production has resulted in the generation of large quantities of organic waste, posing significant environmental challenges. Improper disposal leads to nutrient loss, eutrophication, greenhouse gas emissions, and public health concerns. Nutrient recovery from these wastes has emerged as a sustainable strategy within the framework of circular bioeconomy. Among various approaches, struvite (MgNH₄PO₄·6H₂O) precipitation integrated with composting has gained increasing attention due to its ability to recover nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) efficiently while improving compost quality. This review critically evaluates the mechanisms of struvite formation, integration with composting processes, agronomic benefits, environmental impacts, and economic feasibility. The findings suggest that struvite-enriched compost significantly reduces nutrient loss, enhances fertilizer efficiency, and offers a promising pathway for sustainable waste management. However, challenges relatedto cost, scalability, and process optimization remain. Future research should focus on field validation, life cycle assessment, and policy support to facilitate large-scale adoption.
This study investigated the effect of fermentation of soymilk with starter-culture on the physicochemical, proximate and sensory properties of derived indigenous soy curd. The pH of starter fermented (FSM) and uninoculated (UFSM) soymilks respectively decreased at different rates from 6.56 to 5.57 and 6.07 after 8 hours of fermentation. The total titratable acidity of FSM sample is significantly higher (2.24 g/L) than that of UFSM (0.09 g/L). Greater proportions of carbohydrate (9.85%), protein (20.42%), fat (6.31%) and fiber (0.25%) were present in soy curd derived from starter culture fermented soymilk (FSC). The sensory evaluation panelists preferred FSC to soy curd derived from uninoculated soymilk (UFSC), with an overall acceptability score of 7.9. Specifically, the panelist preferred the appearance, flavor and texture of FSC. The fermentation of soymilk with starter culture improved proximate properties and acceptability of derived soy curd. The starter culture improved the physicochemical properties of the soymilk used to produce the soy curd.Therefore, the development and use of starter culture is required for the production of high-quality and safe soy curd.
This study evaluated the bioremediation potential of four freshwater algae—Microcystis aeruginosa, Eudorina elegans, Chlorella vulgaris, and Oedogonium grande—grown in industrial effluents from rubber, paint, Coca-Cola, and Guinness industries. Effluent remediation was assessed over a four-week exposure period using electrical conductivity, phosphate concentration, and dissolved oxygen as performance indicators. Removal efficiencies (%) were calculated to quantify treatment effectiveness.All algae significantly reduced ionic and nutrient loads, with electrical conductivity reductions ranging from 46.7–72.0% and phosphate removal reaching 100% in Coca-Cola effluent. Conductivity reduction was most pronounced in rubber effluent, with Oedogonium grande(71.91%) and Microcystis aeruginosa(72%) showing superior ionic removal, while all algae performed poorly in high-salinity beverage effluents. Phosphate removal was substantial across effluents, reaching complete removal (100%) in Coca-Cola effluent by M. aeruginosaand Ch. vulgaris. Dissolved oxygen increased consistently across treatments. Results demonstrated strong effluent-specific responses. Chlorella vulgarisconsistently exhibited the highest overall bioremediation efficiency across effluents, while Oedogonium grandeperformed optimally in nutrient-rich brewery wastewater. Two-way ANOVA revealed significant effects of algal species and effluent type on removal efficiencies, with post-hoc comparisons confirming species-specific responses. The findings highlight functional specialization among algal taxa, with filamentous forms excelling in low-ionic effluents and unicellular green algae performing best under nutrient-rich conditions. The findings demonstrate the strong potential of micro-algae for low-cost, sustainable treatment of industrial effluents and support their application in effluent-specific bioremediation strategies. The study confirms the feasibility of algae-based effluent polishing and supports the strategic selection of algal species based on effluent chemistry. These results provide a scientific basis for integrating algal bioremediation into sustainable industrial wastewater management.
Municipal solid waste systems cannot be judged by collection alone, because high service reach may coexist with weak downstream control and limited recovery. This study develops a multi-scale prioritization framework for organics-first reform in Cusco, Peru, under disposal constraint. The analysis integrates 2019–2024 official waste statistics, district and generator characterization records, tourism data, oversight documents, and field evidence from 2024 stakeholder meetings and interviews. Results show rising waste pressure, stable organics dominance, and a sharp downstream bottleneck. Total municipal solid waste increased by about 22% between 2019 and 2024, while organics remained about 58–60% of the waste stream. In 2023, 94.41% of waste still went to non-sanitary dumping, whereas composting and recovery together remained below 6%. District and generator evidence further shows that average-based planning masks operationally important differences in organics yield, recyclable quality, contamination risk, and service-design needs. The framework therefore prioritizes minimum disposal control first, organics capture at controllable nodes second, and differentiated scale-up with continuity, monitoring, and accountability third. The study contributes a practical bridge from waste diagnosis to transition design for disposal-constrained, organics-dominant cities.
To introduce a new oilseed crop, identifying the optimal sowing time is crucial. In Bangladesh, the perilla oilseed crop has been introduced relatively recently. However, research on determining the optimal sowing time is lacking. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate the best sowing time of Perilla (Perilla frutescensL.) oilseed crop, with a view to introducing it as a commercial and profitable oilseed crop in Bangladesh. To evaluate sowing dates, 36 trial plots were set (Randomized Complete Block Design) in the Field Laboratory in Sher E Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka. Sowing date were evaluated against seed germination (%), germination time (days), plant height (cm), branches per plant, duration between transplanting to flowering (days), flowering to harvesting (days), single plant dry weight (g), racemes per plant, raceme size (cm), 1000-seed weight (g) and yield (g/plant). Based on the observed lifespan (70–80 days) and seed production potential (1–1.5 t/ha), this research found mid-July to mid-August as the favourable planting dates for cultivating perilla in Bangladesh. With the 70-80-day life cycle, perilla can be harvested before 15 November, facilitating the timely sowing of winter crops in the cropping sequence. Commercial cultivation of Perilla in the Kharif-2 season can contribute to the domestic edible oil supply. The findings of the research will add policy insights for the commercial cultivation of Perilla as a profitable oilseed crop in Bangladesh.
This study investigated the effect of fermentation of soymilk with starter-culture on the physicochemical, proximate and sensory properties of derived indigenous soy curd. The pH of starter fermented (FSM) and uninoculated (UFSM) soymilks respectively decreased at different rates from 6.56 to 5.57 and 6.07 after 8 hours of fermentation. The total titratable acidity of FSM sample is significantly higher (2.24 g/L) than that of UFSM (0.09 g/L). Greater proportions of carbohydrate (9.85%), protein (20.42%), fat (6.31%) and fiber (0.25%) were present in soy curd derived from starter culture fermented soymilk (FSC). The sensory evaluation panelists preferred FSC to soy curd derived from uninoculated soymilk (UFSC), with an overall acceptability score of 7.9. Specifically, the panelist preferred the appearance, flavor and texture of FSC. The fermentation of soymilk with starter culture improved proximate properties and acceptability of derived soy curd. The starter culture improved the physicochemical properties of the soymilk used to produce the soy curd.Therefore, the development and use of starter culture is required for the production of high-quality and safe soy curd.
Strawberry is one of the most salt-sensitive horticultural economic crops. In our study, strawberry cv. Festival plants were subjected to salt stress (8 dS/m EC) to investigate the individual and combined effects of Glycine betaine (GB) (60 mM) and Seaweed extract (SWE) (8 ml/L) with different number of applications (one, two, three times) on growth, chlorophyll content, antioxidant activity, some fruit-quality parameters and yield. This research aims to alleviate salt stress-induced growth inhibition and to advance sustainable strategies for improving crop tolerance and yield under saline conditions. This experiment followed three replications and seven treatments in pots, including a control, individual GB/SWE applications, their combinations, and a salt stress level. The results indicated that GB and SWE treatments significantly improved growth characteristics, i.e. leaf area, root and vegetative growth, total yield, and fruit quality characters under salinity stress. Notably, the combined GB+SWE treatment outperformed individual applications, demonstrating 98% greater fruit weight per plant compared to salt-stressed plant and 80% over non-stressed plant, and a synergistic efficacy in restoring physiological functions by increasing antioxidant activity around 59% in the salt-stressed plant. This approach represents a highly effective strategy to mitigate salinity stress on strawberry cultivation, offering eco-friendly alternatives to maximize yield under salinity without needing freshwater-intensive practices, supporting water-scarce orsaline-affected areas.
Mango is important food and cash crops in Ethiopia. However, the production and productivity of this crop is highly limited by high White Mango Scale (WMS) infestations. Controlling of WMS is very important to increase mango fruit yield.Therefore, the objective this study was to validate and demonstrate Dimethoate 40% EC for management of WMS.The study was carried out in Siltie zone (Sankura district) and Halaba zone (Wera district) during 2025 cropping season.Two treatmentsDimethoate40% EC and Control was used. Four farmers from each district were used.The data on mean Severity (%) and mean numbers of clusters white mango scalewere taken three times monthly interval.The collected data were computed by using Microsoft excel 2010 and presented in tables.The higher severity (66.75% and 69.25%) and the lower (3.75% and 4.75%) were recorded from Wera and Sankura disticts, respectively. Dimethoate 40% EC is a highly effective systemic insecticide for managing white mango scale particularly when integrated with cultural practices like pruning. Therefore, applying it two times as foliar spray in monthly interval especially during peak infestation periods is very important.
The rapid expansion of livestock and poultry production has resulted in the generation of large quantities of organic waste, posing significant environmental challenges. Improper disposal leads to nutrient loss, eutrophication, greenhouse gas emissions, and public health concerns. Nutrient recovery from these wastes has emerged as a sustainable strategy within the framework of circular bioeconomy. Among various approaches, struvite (MgNH₄PO₄·6H₂O) precipitation integrated with composting has gained increasing attention due to its ability to recover nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) efficiently while improving compost quality. This review critically evaluates the mechanisms of struvite formation, integration with composting processes, agronomic benefits, environmental impacts, and economic feasibility. The findings suggest that struvite-enriched compost significantly reduces nutrient loss, enhances fertilizer efficiency, and offers a promising pathway for sustainable waste management. However, challenges relatedto cost, scalability, and process optimization remain. Future research should focus on field validation, life cycle assessment, and policy support to facilitate large-scale adoption.
Municipal solid waste systems cannot be judged by collection alone, because high service reach may coexist with weak downstream control and limited recovery. This study develops a multi-scale prioritization framework for organics-first reform in Cusco, Peru, under disposal constraint. The analysis integrates 2019–2024 official waste statistics, district and generator characterization records, tourism data, oversight documents, and field evidence from 2024 stakeholder meetings and interviews. Results show rising waste pressure, stable organics dominance, and a sharp downstream bottleneck. Total municipal solid waste increased by about 22% between 2019 and 2024, while organics remained about 58–60% of the waste stream. In 2023, 94.41% of waste still went to non-sanitary dumping, whereas composting and recovery together remained below 6%. District and generator evidence further shows that average-based planning masks operationally important differences in organics yield, recyclable quality, contamination risk, and service-design needs. The framework therefore prioritizes minimum disposal control first, organics capture at controllable nodes second, and differentiated scale-up with continuity, monitoring, and accountability third. The study contributes a practical bridge from waste diagnosis to transition design for disposal-constrained, organics-dominant cities.
Goat meat has created new opportunities both in domestic and export markets in Bangladesh for value addition to the meat supply chain. Meat cuts of goats are often seen in the supermarkets in the different city corporation markets throughout the country.This study aims to explore the superficial muscle anatomy of the Black Bengal goat (BBG) and propose a framework for anatomically informed ideal meat cuts using adult BBG (n=10). The goats were collected from nearby local market of Bangladesh agriculturalUniversity (BAU), Mymensingh, and sacrificed (pentobarbital sodium @ 20 mg/kg body weight, i/m followed by bled to death giving incision on the right common carotid artery) then fixed using 10% formalin infusion. After careful removal of the skin, the anatomically classified body regions (head, neck, thorax, abdomen, forelimb, and hindlimb) were mapped according to the popular meat cuts available in supermarkets. The whole body was divided and categorized as nine meat cuts, namely neck (neck chops), shoulder (Forequarter, rack/chop), rib (rack, cutlets), loin (loin chop, tenderloin), leg (leg steak), hind-shank (shank, drumstick), flank, breast, and foreshank (shank, drumstick). The superficial and mostly contributing muscles to the specific cut were observed considering the origin, various parts, prominent characteristics, insertion, and gross appearance with their associated structure. Anatomical knowledge from this research will primarily help butchers to obtain optimum meat cuts, as well as anatomists, students of veterinary medicine, and related research personnel.
To introduce a new oilseed crop, identifying the optimal sowing time is crucial. In Bangladesh, the perilla oilseed crop has been introduced relatively recently. However, research on determining the optimal sowing time is lacking. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate the best sowing time of Perilla (Perilla frutescensL.) oilseed crop, with a view to introducing it as a commercial and profitable oilseed crop in Bangladesh. To evaluate sowing dates, 36 trial plots were set (Randomized Complete Block Design) in the Field Laboratory in Sher E Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka. Sowing date were evaluated against seed germination (%), germination time (days), plant height (cm), branches per plant, duration between transplanting to flowering (days), flowering to harvesting (days), single plant dry weight (g), racemes per plant, raceme size (cm), 1000-seed weight (g) and yield (g/plant). Based on the observed lifespan (70–80 days) and seed production potential (1–1.5 t/ha), this research found mid-July to mid-August as the favourable planting dates for cultivating perilla in Bangladesh. With the 70-80-day life cycle, perilla can be harvested before 15 November, facilitating the timely sowing of winter crops in the cropping sequence. Commercial cultivation of Perilla in the Kharif-2 season can contribute to the domestic edible oil supply. The findings of the research will add policy insights for the commercial cultivation of Perilla as a profitable oilseed crop in Bangladesh.
This study evaluated the bioremediation potential of four freshwater algae—Microcystis aeruginosa, Eudorina elegans, Chlorella vulgaris, and Oedogonium grande—grown in industrial effluents from rubber, paint, Coca-Cola, and Guinness industries. Effluent remediation was assessed over a four-week exposure period using electrical conductivity, phosphate concentration, and dissolved oxygen as performance indicators. Removal efficiencies (%) were calculated to quantify treatment effectiveness.All algae significantly reduced ionic and nutrient loads, with electrical conductivity reductions ranging from 46.7–72.0% and phosphate removal reaching 100% in Coca-Cola effluent. Conductivity reduction was most pronounced in rubber effluent, with Oedogonium grande(71.91%) and Microcystis aeruginosa(72%) showing superior ionic removal, while all algae performed poorly in high-salinity beverage effluents. Phosphate removal was substantial across effluents, reaching complete removal (100%) in Coca-Cola effluent by M. aeruginosaand Ch. vulgaris. Dissolved oxygen increased consistently across treatments. Results demonstrated strong effluent-specific responses. Chlorella vulgarisconsistently exhibited the highest overall bioremediation efficiency across effluents, while Oedogonium grandeperformed optimally in nutrient-rich brewery wastewater. Two-way ANOVA revealed significant effects of algal species and effluent type on removal efficiencies, with post-hoc comparisons confirming species-specific responses. The findings highlight functional specialization among algal taxa, with filamentous forms excelling in low-ionic effluents and unicellular green algae performing best under nutrient-rich conditions. The findings demonstrate the strong potential of micro-algae for low-cost, sustainable treatment of industrial effluents and support their application in effluent-specific bioremediation strategies. The study confirms the feasibility of algae-based effluent polishing and supports the strategic selection of algal species based on effluent chemistry. These results provide a scientific basis for integrating algal bioremediation into sustainable industrial wastewater management.
In this era of climate change and variability, irrigation is essential for sustainable food production. This study examines the impact of irrigation use on rice production among 380 rice farmers in the Volta Region of Ghana. A multistage sampling procedure was employed, and data were analysed using multiple regression and an endogenous switching regression model to account for selection bias.The results show that irrigation use significantly and positively influences both rice yield and profitability. Other significant factors include farm size, access to credit, household size, membership in farmer-based organisations, agricultural extension services, and access to Climate Information Services (CIS). Irrigation increased yield by 0.85 units and profitability by 0.76 units. The models demonstrated good explanatory power, with R-squared values of 0.390 for yield and 0.521 for profitability. Greater yield variation was observed among irrigators than non-irrigators. The endogenous switching regression confirms the presence of selection bias and identifies irrigation costand farmer-based organisation membership as key determinants of yields among non-irrigators, while household size and years of formal education drive yields among irrigators.The study concludes that improving access to irrigation and complementary services can significantly enhance rice production outcomes. It recommends increased investment in irrigation infrastructure, targeted credit schemes, strengthened farmer organisations, improved extension services, and enhanced access to climate information services to boost productivity, profitability, and resilience.
The present research focused on formulating millet-based pasta enriched with medicinal herbs and comparing it with control pasta prepared from 100% whole wheat. The functional pasta was produced using a composite mix of 60% wheat flour, 40% malted finger millet, 10% soybean flour, and 20 ml of herbal extract comprising basil, spinach, black nightshade, mint, and coriander. Analysis of physicochemical and nutritional characteristics revealed that the fortified pasta contained higher levels of calcium, dietary fibre, total phenols, and antioxidant activity than the control sample. Additionally, the herbal pasta demonstrated improved cooking qualities, including weight gain and water absorption capacity. Sensory evaluation showed significant (p < 0.05) differences between the fortified and control pasta. Shelf-life assessment indicated that the herbal pasta remained stable for 45 days under ambient storage conditions. The findings highlight the potential of substituting refined wheat flour with malted finger millet and enhancing pasta with medicinal herbs to improve its functional and nutritional value.Key words: Millets, Pasta, Extruded products, Medicinal herbs.
Agricultural water resources have been constrained over the years due to climate change. Mulching significantly lessens water stress in agriculture, making it an effective water-conservation method in Bangladesh's coastal region. This study examines suitable cropping patterns for the non-saline south-central coast of Bangladesh, aiming to enhance agricultural productivity and resource efficiency in the region. The experiment was conducted in a farmer’s field in Patuakhali district from May 2019 to May 2020.The experiment evaluated the performance of five cropping patterns (Mungbean-Fallow-Transplanted Aman rice, Cowpea-Aus rice-Transplanted Aman rice, Mungbean-Aus rice-Transplanted Aman rice, Maize-Aus rice-Transplanted Aman rice, Sunflower-Aus rice-Transplanted Aman rice) with mulching and no mulching treatment. The experiment was designed using a split-plot with 3 replications. Mulching treatment crop yields were higher compared to the no-mulching treatment, primarily due to higher soil moisture. Moreover, among all the dry-season crops, the highest seed yield was obtained from maize (8.54 t/ha). Overall, this study found that Aus rice-T. Aman rice-Sunflower with mulching was the most profitable cropping pattern. Mulching treatment was found to be more beneficial for higher yields and a better benefit-cost ratio (BCR) across all crops. The BCR for this cropping pattern under mulching was 1.77, with a rice equivalent yield (REY) of 21.08. The findings of this study may help policymakers formulate policiesto enhance cropping intensity in Bangladesh's coastal areas.
This study evaluated a sustainable biofortification approach to enhance vitamin D2content in edible mushrooms and to translate this enhancement into acceptable functional food products. Fresh and dried mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) were exposed to controlled natural sunlight at different times of day and to calibrated UV-B irradiation to optimize the photoconversion of ergosterol to vitamin D2. Environmental parameters, including UV-B intensity, temperature, and humidity, were monitored to identify optimal exposure conditions. Both sunlight and UV-B treatments significantly increased vitamin D2levels compared with dark-dried controls (0.4 μg/g). Maximum enrichment was achieved under midday sunlight (up to 6.0 μg/g in fresh slices and 9.0 μg/g in ground dried samples) and following 45 min of UV-B exposure (up to 12.0 μg/g in ground samples), highlighting the importance of UV dose, exposure duration, and surface area. Excessive exposure led to reduced vitamin D2levels, indicating photodegradation beyond an optimal threshold. Protein content remained unchanged across treatments (~25.5–26.2%), confirming preservation of nutritional quality. The vitamin D–enriched mushroom powder was incorporated into instant noodle seasoning at different inclusion levels and evaluated using a 9-point hedonic sensory scale. All formulations exceeded the acceptance threshold (≥7), with high scores for taste, overall acceptability, and versatility, and a preference for higher inclusion levels. Overall, the findings demonstrate that optimized sunlight and UV-B exposure can produce nutritionally stable, vitamin D-rich mushroom powders with excellent consumer acceptability, supporting their potential as a scalable, plant-based strategy to address dietary vitamin D insufficiency.
Municipal solid wastes evacuated from all private and commercial premises within Benin city are assembled at either of four (4) functional open dump sites located at several locations within the city and two (2) of these dump sites are being operated by the Edo State Waste Management Board (EMWB). Only Government accredited waste managers are allowed to utilize the open dumpsites. Human scavengers abound within the premises of these dumpsites and personnel at the respective dump sites periodically with the aid of a mechanical tipper moves and accumulate the wastes prior to open incineration. Aside from the negative impacts of these open dumpsites on the aesthetics of the affected environment, it is a crude and archaic process of wastes disposal which in the long run is unsustainable. A sanitary landfill has been described as a carefully engineered system designed to manage the effects of waste disposal on anthropogenic health, safety, and the environment. Biogas production using anaerobic digestion (AD) or bio-methanation is an environmentally friendly process that utilize increased quantities of organic waste components from agricultural, industrial and municipal waste sources as well as floral residues. Utilization of functional land fill sites and bio-gasification of solid waste streams are not novel phenomena and as such, the Edo State Government could adopt and utilize these options as viable alternatives to the currently utilized crude practice of disposal of municipal wastes in an open dump site.
