Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogenous respiratory disease characterized by a progressive, not fully reversible airflow limitation associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lung to noxious stimuli. It is a disease presenting with pulmonary inflammation as well as a systemic one. Measurement of inflammatory marker is difficult but platelet count estimation is easy and less costly. This descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out at Department of Medicine, Mymensingh Medical college Hospital, Mymensingh, Bangladesh for a period of twelve months among fifty-nine COPD patients. Data were collected through interview, physical examination and laboratory investigations. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22.0 for consistency and completeness. Age range of the patients was 40 to 49 years with a mean of 56.3±10.9 years. Age group 40-49 years contained the highest number (19; 32.3%) of patients. Majority 57(96.6%) of the respondents were male. Thirty seven (62.7%) of patients were illiterate. Majority 56(94.9%) of patients resided in rural area, of them most 38(64.4%) were farmers. According to Spirometric measurement among 59 respondents of COPD patient, 3(5.1%) were in GOLD stage-I, 9(15.3%) in GOLD stage-II, 27(45.8%) in GOLD stage-III and 20(33.9%) in GOLD stage IV group. Mean platelet count (10³/μl), 241.6±86.5 was found in mild, whereas 315.0±47.7 in moderate, 337.2±76.3 in severe, and 412.4±67.5 in very severe group of COPD patients. So increase in platelet count is statistically significant in severity of COPD. In conclusion, platelet count measurement is less costly to categorize COPD and may be a diagnostic marker.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide. Due to severe morbidity and mortality of DN and limited effective therapies, research has mainly focused on prevention of this debilitating illness by modification of risk factors. Aims of this study were to find out the prevalence of diabetic nephropathy, its factors and to correlate the functional status of the kidney. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Endocrinology, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh, Bangladesh from 1st January 2013 to 30th June 2013. A total 105 patients having clinical diagnosis of Diabetes mellitus were enrolled in this study. Data were collected by interview of the patients, clinical examination and laboratory investigation. Data was analyzed using the Chi-square test for Categorical variables and unpaired Student's 't' test for differences in means for continuous variables. P value <0.05 was considered significant. With DN (30.5%) patients 21.1% had micro-albuminuria and 9.5% had macro-albuminuria. The mean age for the DN patient was 47.9±14.7 years and male female ratio was 1:1. BMI was found significantly low in patients with DN (p<0.05). Prolonged duration of diabetes (>5 years) and uncontrolled diabetes were found as significant risk factors associated with DN. Other risk factors were hypertension, family history of hypertension, family history of diabetes mellitus and irregular treatment of diabetes mellitus. Mean serum creatinine, mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and mean blood sugar level was 1.3±0.6mg/dl, 69.4±26.7ml and 15.6±7.1mmol/L respectively in DN patients. Relation was significant for higher serum creatinine and lower eGFR values (p<0.05). Prevalence of diabetic nephropathy was 30.5%. Long standing diabetes (>5 years) and uncontrolled diabetes were the important risk factors for the development of diabetic nephropathy. Diabetic nephropathy is associated with higher serum creatinine and lower eGFR values.

This cross sectional, study was carried out in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH), Mymensingh, Bangladesh from October 2015 to September 2016. The objective of the study was to evaluate dyslipidaemia between natural and surgical menopausal women. Patients who attended the menopausal clinic of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh were included in the study. For this purpose 91 patient were divided into study (n=46) and comparison (n=45) groups. Serum total cholesterol (TC), serum triglyceride (TG), Serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) were estimated by colorometric method and serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol) was calculated by using Friedwald's formula. Age range of menopausal women was 45 to 60 years. The mean age with SD was in study group 50.26±2.57 years and control group 49.02±3.13 years. It was observed that women with surgical menopause had higher mean plasma level of total cholesterol with standard deviation 192.84±52.43mg/dl while that of mean and standard deviation of natural menopause 192.26±27.56mg/dl i.e. Mean difference was statistically insignificant (p>0.05). Mean plasma levels of Triglyceride (TG) with standard deviation (215.87±67.73mg/dl) higher in surgical menopause as compared with natural menopause (147.33±65.17mg/dl) which was statistically significant (p<0.001). There was significant rise of mean with standard deviation of HDL cholesterol in natural menopause was (44.42±8.14mg/dl) as compared to surgical menopause (34.61±8.55mg/dl) and the mean difference was statistically highly significant (p<0.001). Mean with standard deviation of plasma LDL cholesterol (122.02±49.16mg/dl) rise in surgical menopause as compared to physiological menopause (118.06±20.56mg/dl) and was statistically insignificant (p>0.05). Serum total cholesterol, serum triglyceride (TG) and serum low density lipoprotein (LDL) was found significant higher level in surgical menopause. And only serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) was found significantly higher level in physiological menopause. So, surgical menopausal women were marked dyslipidaemia.

Studies on genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance were carried out with 14 genotypes of Lablab bean (Lablab purpureus L.) cultivated at the Agro-ecological zone9 (AEZ-9) comprising the Old Brahmaputra Floodplain Soil. Considerable amount of genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation was observed for all characters studied. Phenotypic variation was greater than that of the genotypic variations for all the characters. The greater portion of total phenotypic variation was due to the genotypic variation. Highest genetic and phenotypic variation were observed for green pod yield per plant (1882.68 and 2108.43, respectively) and 100-green seed weight (1380.91 and 1452.07, respectively) Heritability values were higher for days to maturity (81.37) , number of raceme per plant (80.62), pod length (99.43), pod width (99.27), green pod yield per plant (89.29), dry shelling percentage (91.58), seed yield per plant (84.93) and protein content (98.11) indicating the better potentials of improving these characters for improvement of yield. Maximum genetic advance expressed as percentage of mean was recorded for green pod yield per plant (95.22).Progressive Agriculture 26:22-25, 2015

The experiment was conducted to study the effect of treatment of rice straw with urea and a urease containing midden soil on the chemical composition of treated rice straw, feed intake of the animals, nutrients digestibility, body weight gain, feed conversion efficiency and overall economy of feeding for a period of 105 days. Twelve indigenous growing cattle (live weight 130.00 +/- 1.67 kg) were selected and divided into four groups having three animals in each group. The animals received 3.0% urea + 2.0% midden soil treated rice straw (group A), 3.0% urea + 3.0% midden soil treated rice straw (group B), 3.0% urea + 4.0% midden soil treated rice straw (group C) and 3.0% urea + 5.0% midden soil treated rice straw (group D). In addition, all the animals were supplied with 2 kg green grass, 450 g concentrate mixture and 40 g salt per 100 kg body weight. Treatment of rice straw with 3.0% urea + 2.0% midden soil lead to an increase in crude protein content from 3.30 to 7.08%, which was further increased by 7.40, 7.90 and 8.14% if treated with 3.0% urea + 3.0% midden soil, 3.0% urea + 4.0% midden soil and 3.0% urea + 5.0% midden soil, respectively. The total live weight gain by the end of the experimental period (105 days) was 39.00, 42.50, 46.50 and 49.00 kg for groups A, B, C and D respectively. The addition of 5.0% midden soil as a urease source with 3.0% urea (D) treated rice straw not only significantly (P<0.01) increased the coefficient of digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF), ether extracts (EE) and nitrogen free extract (NFE), but also significantly (P<0.05) increased the coefficient of digestibility of (OM) compared to treatment of rice straw with 3.0% urea + 4.0% midden soil (C), 3.0% urea + 3.0% midden soil (B) or 3.0% urea + 2.0% midden soil (A). Digestible organic matter (DOM), digestible crude protein (DCP), digestible crude fibre (DCF), digestible nitrogen free extract (DNFE) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) contents were significantly (P<0.01) higher in diet D, compared to diets A, B and C. Total profit of meat production in group D was significantly higher (P<0.01) than in groups A, B and C.

Drought stress is now become the most important abiotic stress for wheat in Bangladesh. Rabi season often compromised wheat production by imposing drought stress. Therefore, it has been a priority to develop drought tolerant wheat variety for Bangladesh. However, the lack of genetic variability for drought tolerance in wheat has been a major bottleneck for developing drought tolerance wheat variety. The present investigation was carried out in an aim to evaluate several exotic and locally cultivated wheat genotypes for drought tolerance based on morpho-physiological and biochemical traits. Experiment was carried out at the net house of Field Laboratory of Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh with seven replications in a RCBD design. Ten locally cultivated and exotic wheat genotypes were grown under control (100% field capacity) and drought (30% field capacity) conditions. Genotypes used in the study were identified with different types of drought tolerance mechanisms, viz., Berkut for earliness, Shatabdi for grain weight, BARI Gom 26 for spike and grain number, along with Vorobey, Berkut for enhanced biosynthesis of proline, Sokoll for undamaged leaf Chlorophyll content and relative water content, Sakha8, Gaurav, Sonalika and Shatabdi for membrane thermostability; Sakha8 and Sourav for improved stress tolerance index. The genotypes screened out with different traits related to drought tolerance can be utilized as gene source for future breeding programs.

Aims: The main aim of this study was to find out the optimum plant density of onion for intercropping with coriander for higher productivity and economic return. Study Design: The experiment was arranged following randomized complete block design with three replications. Place and Duration of Study: Agronomy Experimental Field of Regional Agricultural Research Station, Jamalpur, Bangladesh during the cropping season rabi 2011-2012 and 2012-2013. Original Research Article Talukder et al.; IJPSS, 4(4): 404-410, 2015; Article no.IJPSS.2015.039 405 Methodology: We broadcast coriander seeds in different ratio with onion. The seeding ratio includes sole onion i.e., 100% onion seed broadcasting, 100% onion + 50% coriander, 100% onion + 40% coriander, 100% onion + 30% coriander and 100% onion + 20% coriander. Onion var. BARI Peaj-1 and Coriander var. BARI Dhania-1 were used in the present experiment. Randomly five onion plants were recorded earlier to collect the yield and yield contributing characteristics. Yield attributes of coriander were also recorded from five plants selected randomly earlier and yield data was recorded considering the whole plot in case of both crops. Onion equivalent yield (OEY) was calculated considering the local market price during the harvesting time. Results: During the both year's maximum onion equivalent yield 13.10 t ha and 12.83 t ha was obtained from the treatment of 100% onion + 20% coriander followed by 100% onion + 30% coriander intercropping system during the first and second year, respectively. Onion (100%) + 20% coriander gave the highest benefit cost ratio (BCR) of 5.01 and 4.92 in first and second year, respectively followed by sole onion 4.86 and 4.59, respectively while 100% onion + 50% coriander gave the lowest BCR of 3.50 and 3.37 during the first and second year, respectively. Conclusion: From two years result it may be concluded that 100% onion + 20% coriander and 100% onion + 30% coriander seeding ration may be extended in the char land (river flood plain) areas of this region.

This study on turmeric was conducted at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka during the period from April 2010 to March 2011. Five different fertilizer combinations were used in this experiment. Number of tiller per clump, weight of mother rhizome per plant, weight of primary and secondary finger per plant were significantly highest from F2 and lowest from F0. Highest turmeric yield per hectare (11.6 t/ha) was obtained from F2 and the lowest (5.7 t/ha) was observed from F0. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbas.v37i2.17559 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 37, No. 2, 189-193, 2013

Fractions studies were done to know how the zinc applied to different soils was distributed in to various fractions when the soils incubated under aerobic and anaerobic condition. The added zinc provided significant increase in exchangeable Zn both under aerobic and anaerobic conditions although anaerobic condition gave lower results than aerobic condition. The higher results were obtained at early stage of incubation and it gradually reduced as the incubation period proceeded to 90 days. These results showed all most similar trends for all the soils under study. In general, added zinc showed significantly higher results to the different fractions of soil Zn both under anaerobic and aerobic incubation with very few exceptions. The highest amount of added Zn (12 kg/ha) always produced greater results than the lower doses. Only exchangeable Zn was found higher in the 1st measurement at 15 DAI then gradually decreased but in other cases, gradual increase in zinc fractions was seen as the incubation study proceed to longer duration provided with very few exceptions. In many cases, the exchangeable-Zn found higher only at 15 DAI but sharply reduced at 30 DAI. In general, the Gray Terrace Soil produced the highest results followed by Non Calcareous Gray Floodplain and the lowest results were observed in Dark Grey Floodplain & Brown Floodplain Soil. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsf.v9i1-2.14643 J. Sci. Foundation, 9(1&2): 9-15, June-December 2011

Sundarban is the largest mangrove wetland in the world. It covers an area of about 1mha, of which 60% is located in Bangladesh and the remaining western portion, comprising 40%, lies in India. Mangrove ecosystems are of great ecological significance in the tropical and sub-tropical coast. They protect our coast from heavy wind, tidal waves, coastal erosion and sea water intrusion, generate substantial quantities of fishery resources and provide many useful forestry products. The Sundarban ecosystem supports rich fisheries diversity. This ecosystem support 27 families and 53 species of pelagic fish, 49 families 124 species of demersal fish, 5 families and 24 species of shrimps, 3 families and 7 species of crabs, 8 species of lobster. A total 334 plants, 165 algal, 13 special orchids, 17 fern, 87 monocotyledon and 230 dicotyledon belonging to 245 genera and 75 families from the sundarbans and adjacent area are found available. The principal tree species is Sundry (Heritiera fomes) which covers about 73% to total landmass and the second species is Gewa (Excoecaria agallocha) which covers about 16% of total forest area. The plant species include 35 legumes, 29 grasses, 19 sedges, and 18 euphorbias. Of the 50 true mangrove plant species recorded throughout the globe, the Sundarbans alone contain 35 species. The magnificent among the animals on land is Royal Bengal Tiger, Spotted deer, barking deer and wild boars are there in plenty. Besides those jungle cats, fishing cat, civet cat, monkey, bengal fox, jackle, water monitor, monitor lizard and snakes are important faunal spp. Moreover, abundant of the Sundarbans are purple heron, pond heron, cattle egret, little egret, open billed stork, smaller adjutant stork, brahmini kite, spotted dove, rose ringed parakeet, crow pheasant, wood pecker, bee eater, drongo, pide myna, jungle myna, bulbul, tailor bird, magpie robin, sparrow etc., Otherwise, recorded that wild Buffalo, 2 species of deer, javan rhinoceros extinct and presently 2 species of amphibians, 14 species of reptiles 25 species of birds and 5 species of mammals are considered as endangered species. This paper is to produce a new assessment of the mangroves ecology of Sundarbans. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsf.v8i1-2.14618 J. Sci. Foundation, 8(1&2): 35-47, June-December 2010

The Chalanbeel is the main wetland of Northwestern region of Bangladesh. It is not only the source of water but also one of the main sources of occupation for thousands of people. It supplies fresh water as well as abundant of aquatic resources. This wetland is the large source of native fishes. It plays a vital role to keep the environment of the surrounding vast region balanced. It makes the land fertile, alluvial and alive for whole the year round. It is also a large reservoir of biological diversity of this region. Recently the aggression of man on this great beel increases in such a rate that the overall environment of this wetland fall in a crisis. It is going to loss its tradition and pride of her resources. Specially the aggression of settlement and road construction along the wetland hampered the natural characteristics. Reach it and an investigation was conducted to study the overall condition of the wetland. The observation indicates horror news for both the environment and its inhabitant of the surrounding area. Soils under lower Natore- Rajshahi region of Bangladesh with a view to evaluate the agricultural potentiality, environmental condition and their management options. The studied wetlands were nutritionally very productive. It is believed that the soils of this area became enriched by siltation during flooding. Soil textural condition is very much appropriate for rice production in these basin floodplains. The content of nitrogen and boron is low. Probably, the denitrification process leads to the loss of nitrogen in these soils; other nutrients seem to be in balanced condition for the successful growth of deep water aman and boro rice. High yielding boro rice got preference over broadcast aman and aous as major rice crops in the area. Availability of irrigation water in the dry periods and deep inundation level in the monsoon may be the main cause of such cropping pattern. Recently a problem is found that is the gradual decreasing of crop production in these areas. Both soil fertility and water table deterioration is noticed as the main causes of this alarming news for North Bengal. As this area is consider as the rice production zone of Northern region of Bangladesh. Over pumping of water during dry season is also a cause to deteriorate the environmental balanced of this wetland. For the betterment of grater environment of this area it is essential to take necessary step to stop all kind of human aggression on wetland. Public awareness should increase about the matter. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsf.v8i1-2.14638 J. Sci. Foundation, 8(1&2): 151-159, June-December 2010

India has built barrages on 17 more rivers in the east and northeast border with Bangladesh. Most of these dams and embankments act as the main barrier to flow water towards downstream like Bangladesh. As a result the rivers of Bangladesh that comes from India are falling in crisis of proper water. A study showed about 30 rivers of north-western part of Bangladesh gets very few water only due to dams and embankment made by India at the upstream of those rivers. Such massive water control projects of India are clearly a threat for a state that lies down of those. Unfortunately, and often ironically, national leaders of our country prefer to negotiate this sensitive matter rather than to make a strong protect of this inhuman and unethical activities. What is more astonishing news is that some time our state policy makers like to keep silent and avoid about it. India is always ready to controlling nature to serve economic development rather than addressing issues of trans-boundary and socio-environmental responsibilities. In fact, Indian plan to divert the water of Frontier Rivers is increasing at an alarming rate for Bangladesh. Here one thing is mentionable that is this types of project even harmful for India also. And peoples of north western state of India are in against of such harmful and high ambitious unnecessary project. Some time they also make a protest against it. Recently China and India are going to establish a large dam at the up Stream of Brahmaputra River. It would impair India’s own plan to link approximately thirty of its own rivers, a project that is bound to affect the downstream riparian state of Bangladesh. As a result drastic fall in the water flow of Teesta during the lean season, especially in February and March will occur in more frequent and will seriously hampers irrigation in Bangladesh. Such international trans-boundary river development projects raise many important issues. They never consider the impact that will impose upon the down stream part like Bangladesh. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsf.v8i1-2.14614 J. Sci. Foundation, 8(1&2): 1-12, June-December 2010

Forty four isolates of Phomopsis vexans from different eggplant cultivars collected from core eggplant growing regions of Bangladesh which were characterized using mycological characteristics. Variation exists among the isolates of Phomopsis vexans of Bangladesh covering two types of farm having two ecosystems and the isolates were grouped into five distinct groups based on their cultural properties. The highest sized ? conidia were observed in group -1 and the lowest size in-group -2. The highest sized ? conidia were recorded in group -5 and the lowest in-group –2. The highest pycnidial size noted in-group -3 and the smallest sized pycnidia were recorded in group –1. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsf.v8i1-2.14635 J. Sci. Foundation, 8(1&2): 123-130, June-December 2010

T. virens IMI-392430, T. pseudokoningii IMI-392431, T. harzianum IMI-392432, T. harzianum IMI-392433 and T. harzianum IMI-392434 were evaluated for their potentiality on seed germination and seedling parameters in chili both laboratory and field conditions. Chili seeds were coated with spore suspension of each test strains of Thichoderma supplemented with 2 % of starch (w/v) as an adhesive. Seed germination percentages and the vigour index were significantly affected by the application of different strains of Trichoderma. Among the five Trichoderma strains, T. harzianum IMI-3924332 gave the highest germination percentage followed by T. harzianum IMI-3924333, T. harzianum IMI-3924334, T. virens IMI-392430 and T. pseudokoningii IMI-392431 treatment both in laboratory and field conditions, respectively while control decrease these value. Chili seeds also gave the highest vigour index values with T. harzianum IMI-3924332 which confirmed to better germination. Seed treatment with T. harzianum IMI-3924332 can be useful to enhance the germination of chili seeds as well as reduce to delayed germination. Further investigations however are required to study in vivo effect of Trichoderma strains on morphological and physiological characteristics in chili plant and fruit production. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsf.v8i1-2.14637 J. Sci. Foundation, 8(1&2): 141-150, June-December 2010

The experiment was carried out during the period from November’2008 to October, 2009 to compare the morphology of five gladiolus flowers genotypes with respect to plant height, length and breadth of leaf, number of leaves per plant, length of flowers, breadth of flower, weight of flower, weight of single stick, length of spike, length of rachis, flowers per plant, days to reach 50% spike initiation, number of corm and cormel per plant, breadth of corm and weight of cormel per plant. The results indicated the significant variation amongst the gladiolus genotypes with respect to studied morphological characteristics as well as with yield, yield attributes and plant height. The plant height was higher (58.6cm) and lower (46.52cm) in yellow and orange /red respectively due to genotype. The lengths of leaves were almost same but higher with yellow and violet (42.25/42.05 cm) than the white and orange ones where the smallest length was recorded for red (33.36cm) one. Almost same trends were recorded for breadth of leaves with the exception of few. The average number of leaves was highest for white (12.25) followed by red, violet, orange and yellow respectively. Most of the parameters of flower characteristics did not maintain regular trend and correlation when considered in terms of sequences starting from white to red as shown in the table 1, 2 and 3. The recorded results clearly indicate that the white genotype has the best planting materials which may be planted for luxuriant growth of plants and production of excellent flowers. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsf.v9i1-2.14642 J. Sci. Foundation, 9(1&2): 1-8, June-December 2011

An experiment was carried out at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymenshingh to study the effect of weeding regime on the weed infestation and crop performance on transplant aman rice. The treatments included 10 weeding regime - i) no weeding, ii) one hand weeding at 21 DAT, iii) two hand weeding at 21 and 42 DAT, iv) three hand weeding at 21, 42 and 63 DAT, v) Ronstar 25 EC @ 2.0 1ha-1 at pre-emergence, vi) 2, 4-D amine @ 1.84 1ha-1 at 42 DAT, vii) Ronstar 25 EC @ 2.0 1ha-1 at Pre-emergence + 2, 4-D amine @ 1.84 1ha-1 at 42 DAT, viii) Ronstar 25 EC @ 2.0 1ha-1 at Pre-emergence + one hand weeding at 42 DAT, ix) one hand weeding at 21 DAT + 2. 4-D amine @ 1.84 1ha-1 at 42 DAT and X) weed free. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Weeding regime had significant effect on weed density and dry weight. Weed density and dry weight were significantly highest in the crop not weeded at all and lowest in Ronstar 25 EC @ 2.0 l ha -1 + one hand weeding . Plant height, total number of tillers hill-1, number of ear bearing tillers hill-1 , number of non ear bearing tillers hill-1 , number of grains panicle -1 ,number of sterile spike lets panicle -1, grain yield, straw yield, biological yield and harvest index were significantly affected by weeding regime. Ronstar 25 EC @ 2.0 1ha-1 + one hand weeding controlled the weeds to the greatest extent and produced the yield and yield attributes similar to those in weed free treatment. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsf.v9i1-2.14645 J. Sci. Foundation, 9(1&2): 27-41, June-December 2011

Forty-four isolates of Phomopsis vexans were collected from eggplant producing areas of Bangladesh during the 2008-2009 growing seasons. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) -variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) technique was used to develop molecular markers. The MR-20 primer amplified template DNA for all isolates studied and resulted in distinct bands. The banding patterns of P. vexans isolates were separated into five groups after results with Taq polymerase. The highest genomic DNA concentration 50 ng/?l was found in the isolates of 8, 14, 26, 27 and 38, and the lowest concentration of genomic DNA was found 12.5 ng/?l in the isolates of 1, 2, 5, 15, 17, 22, 30, 31, 33, 34, 36, 40, 41, 42 and 43. Based on the fingerprinting the 44 isolates of Phomopsis vexans were categorized into five different groups. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsf.v8i1-2.14636 J. Sci. Foundation, 8(1&2): 131-140, June-December 2010

The experiment on wheat to zinc fertilization was carried out at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Agricultural Research Sub-Station, and Special Crop Research Stations of BARI and at Farmer’s field. The grain yield was increased with increasing application of zinc upto 6 kg/ha but beyond that the level the yield was declined. The highest yield (3.87t/ha) was obtained in 6 kg Zn/ha under Amnura series as compare to Nachole and Lauta series. The lowest yield was obtained in Nachole series (3.07 t Zn/ha) under Deep Grey Terrace Soil. In Gangachara too, the grain yield of wheat was increased with increasing levels of zinc upto 6 kg Zn/ha beyond that it was declined. The highest yield (5.58t/ha) was obtained in 6 kg Zn/ha under Gangachara series and compare to Kaunia and Sonatola series. The lowest yield was obtained (3.92t/ha) in Kaunia series under Grey Floodplain Soils.The grain yield of wheat was significantly increased upto 12 kg Zn/ha in Calcarious Dark Grey Floodplain and Calcarious Brown Floodplain Soils and the order of increase was Zn12>Zn9>Zn6 >Zn3>Zn0. The highest yield (5.50 t/ha) was recorded in 12 kg Zn/ha. The order of the yield was Ishardi 5.50 t/ha > Sara5.47 t /ha> Gopalpur 5.13 t /ha>Darsona 2.91t/ha was recorded under Calcarious Dark Grey Floodplain and Calcareous Brown Floodplain Soils. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsf.v9i1-2.14644 J. Sci. Foundation, 9(1&2): 15-25, June-December 2011

Twelve indigenous growing cattle (live weight 130.00 ± 1.67 kg) were selected and divided into four groups having three animals in each group. Group A, B, C and D supplied 3.0% urea + 2.0% midden soil, 3.0% urea + 3.0% midden soil, 3.0% urea + 4.0% midden soil and 3.0% urea + 5.0% midden soil treated rice straw. In addition to this all the animals were supplied 2 Kg green grass, 450 g concentrate mixture and 40 g salt per 100 kg body weight. Rice straw treated with 3.0% urea+ 2.0% midden soil resulted an improvement in crude protein content of rice straw from 3.30 to 7.08% which was further increased by 7.40, 7.90 and 8.14% treatment with 3.0% urea + 3.0% midden soil, 3.0% urea + 4.0% midden soil and 3.0% urea + 5.0% midden soil respectively. The addition of 5.0% midden soil as a urease source with 3.0% urea (D) treated rice straw not only significantly (P<0.01) increased the coefficient of digestibility of DM, CP, CF, EE and NFE but also significantly (P<0.05) increased the coefficient of digestibility of OM than other treatments. Digestible organic matter (DOM), crude protein (DCP), digestible crude fibre (DCF), digestible nitrogen free extract (DNFE) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) contents were significantly (p<0.01) higher in diet D in comparison to diet A, B and C. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v42i1.15770 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2013. 42 (1): 29-34

The experiment was conducted at Bangladesh Agricultural University Dairy Farm to study the effect of fish meal (FM) on growth and reproductive performances of crossbred heifers. The experiment was designed into four treatment (T0=0% FM; T1=5% FM; T2=7.5% FM and T3 =10% FM) groups having initial weight 231.33 ± 32.39, 241.00 ± 46.29, 198.66 ±58.53 and 236.66 ± 31.64 kg, respectively. The average age of the animal is 2 years 9 month. Results of the experiment revealed that there was a significant difference of FM on daily DMI (kg/d). In 90 days period, FM with rice straw based diet had significant effect on daily weight gain (kg/d) of crossbred heifers. DM, CP and CF digestibility (%) differ significantly (p<0.05) among the group. But, the EE, Ash and NFE do not differ significantly. However, there is a tendency to increase digestibility when increase the FM among the Treatment group. Among this group T3 and T1 treatment showed 100% and T0 treatment 66% estrus and T1 did not showed estrus. Based on above findings, it may be concluded that supplementation of FM with Rice straw based diet can be the best options for feeding crossbred heifers to obtain better performances in terms of dry matter intake, digestibility, daily weight gain and reproductive performance especially estrus.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v10i2.14917 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 10(2): 261-266, 2012