Archives of Agriculture and Environmental Science
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Engineering provitamin A synthesis pathway with β-carotene metabolism in rice endosperm of a restorer line BR827R
Get PDFVitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a serious public health problem in South Asia particularly in Bangladesh. Indica rice as a major staple in the country completely lacks vitamin A or compounds with provitamin A activity after milling. A combination of transgenes has been introduced enabling biosynthesis of provitamin A in the endosperm of a restorer line using biolistic system of transformation. The rice seed-specific glutelin promoter (Gt-1 P) was used to drive the expression of phytone synthase (psy), while lycopene b-cyclase (lcy) and phytoenedesaturase (crtI), fused to the transit peptide sequence of the pea-Rubisco small subunit, were driven by the constitutive cauliflower mosaic virus promoter (CaMV35s P). Transgenic plants were recovered through selection with CaMV35sP driven hph (hygromycinphosphotransferase) gene. Molecular analysis demonstrated stable integration and expression of the transgenes. The variable segregation pattern in T1 generation indicated single to multiple insertions of the transgenes in the genome. This is the first report of the development of a transgenic restorer line with carotenogenic pathway into the endosperm for use of hybrid rice improvement
Effects of bio-slurry with chemical fertilizer on the performance of some high yielding varieties of boro rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Get PDFRice yield is greatly influenced by application of manures and fertilizer. Integrated use of organic manure and chemical fertilizer would be quite promising in providing better yield. To evaluate the effect of bio-slurry along with chemical fertilizer, a field experiment was conducted in the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. The experiment was comprised of four varieties of boro (dry season irrigated) rice viz., (i) BRRI dhan28, (ii) BRRI dhan29 (iii) Binadhan-8 (iv) Binadhan-10 and four fertilizer management viz., (i) control, (ii) recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer, (iii) bio-slurry@ 5 t ha-1 + inorganic fertilizer, (iv) farmers’ practice (average 15 farmers). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. It is evident that variety and fertilizer management had significant effect on effective tillers hill-1, number of grains panicle-1 which ultimately influenced grain yield. The highest grain yield was (6.03 t ha-1) in Binadhan-8 followed by Binadhan-10 and BRRI dhan29. The lowest grain yield was found from BRRI dhan28. In respect of fertilizer management, grain yield was highest (5.90 t ha-1) in bio-slurry @ 5 t/ha + inorganic fertilizer. The lowest grain yield was found from control. The combined effect of variety and fertilizer application showed that highest grain yield (6.10 t ha-1) was found from Binadhan-8 with bio-slurry @ 5 t ha-1 + inorganic fertilizer and the lowest grain yield (4.68 t ha-1) was found from BRRI dhan28 with farmers’ practice. Thus, the variety Binadhan-8 with application of bio-slurry @ 5 t ha-1 + inorganic fertilizer was superior for obtaining highest yield
Effects of nitrite concentrations on soil and certain vegetables irrigated with wastewater of Kubanni stream in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
Get PDFThe study examined the effect of nitrite ions in wastewater, soil and vegetables through man-made activities. Nitrite level was determined in wastewater, soil and vegetables viz., spinach (Amaranthus hybridus), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), cabbage (Brassica oleracea), carrot (Daucus carota), okra (Hibiscus esculentus), onion (Allium cepa) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculenetum) collected on seasonal basis along Kubanni stream in Zaria. The levels of nitrate in the wastewater, soils and vegetables were determined using UV/Visible and Smart Spectrophotometer. Results obtained show that nitrite concentrations ranged from 12.05 – 53.21 mg/L in the year 2013 and 1.58 – 17.09 mg/L in the year 2014 for wastewater, soil had concentrations ranged from 0.05 – 6.40 mg/kg in the year 2013 and 0.90 – 9.90 mg/kg for year 2014 while the vegetable had levels of 3.80 – 23.65 mg/kg in the year 2013 and 7.48 – 27.15 mg/kg in the year 2014. Statistical tests indicated no significant difference in nitrite levels across the locations and seasons for wastewater, soil and vegetables evaluated. Correlation results for these two years indicated low (r = 0.399, r = 0.275) relationship for wastewater and vegetables whereas negative (r = -0.290) relationship noticed for the soil. The results showed that irrigating the farmland with untreated wastewater has negative consequence on the crops grown with it and thus, cultivation of wastewater irrigated soils and vegetables should be continuously monitored to stop any possible hazard
Water quality of River Ganga with reference to physico-chemical and microbiological characteristics during Kanwar Mela 2017, at Haridwar, India: A case study
Get PDFThe present investigation was conducted to study the water quality of river Ganga during Kanwar Mela 2017 with reference to physico-chemical and microbiological characteristics at Haridwar city. Five sampling sites viz., Har ki Pauri (HKP), Vishnu Ghat (VG), Daksh Mandir (DM), Pul Jatwara (PJ) and Bhimgoda Barrage (BGB as control) were selected for collection of water samples. The reseult revealed that among the different sampling sites, the maximum values of EC (0.164 dS m-1), TS (545 mg L-1), TDS (320 mg L-1), TSS (225 mg L-1), pH (8.76), DO (10.04 mg L-1), BOD (4.76 mg L-1), COD (6.89 mg L-1), Cl– (124.50 mg L-1), Hardness (232.54 mg L-1), Alkalinity (158.36 mg L-1), NO32- (76.88 mg L-1), SO42- (228.34 mg L-1), SPC (6.8×106 SPC ml -1), MPN (4.6×108 MPN 100 ml -1), Cd (BDL), Cu (0.171 mg L-1), Cr (1.503 mg L-1), Fe (3.642 mg L-1), Ni (BDL) and Zn (2.456 mg L-1) of Ganga River water were recorded higer at Har ki Pauri (HKP) in comparison to Vishnu Ghat (VG), Daksh Mandir (DM), Pul Jatwara (PJ) and Bhimgoda Barrage (BGB) sampling sites. Therefore, it was concluded from the present investigation that the mass bathing and relegious activities greatly influenced the water quality of River Ganga and significantly contributed to the water pollution of River Ganga during the Kanwar Mela 2017
In vitro propagation of two strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch.) cultivars of Bangladesh
Get PDFAn experiment on in vitro propagation of strawberry was carried out at Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of Agrotechnology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh during the period of February to November, 2015. In the experiment, runners of two strawberry cultivars viz. BARI Strawberry-1 and Modern Strawberry-5 (Festival) were cultured on MS media supplemented with different concentrations of BAP (1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mgL-1) and Kin (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mgL-1) for multiple shoot regeneration. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. The highest number of shoots (10.41) was obtained from Modern Strawberry-5 and maximum shoot length (13.62 mm) obtained from BARI Strawberry-1. Maximum number of shoots (13.33) and shoot length (24.29 mm) were recorded from MS media containing 1.0 mgL-1 BAP and 1.0 mgL-1 Kin. Then all the regenerated plantlets were cultured on MS media containing 2.0 mgL-1 IAA for root initiation. Greater reduction in vigor was observed in Modern Strawberry-5 (Festival) when they were transferred to root induction media. Ex vitro survivability of the complete plantlets varied from 36.67 to 6.67%. Maximum survivability of both varieties 36.67% (BARI Strawberry-1) and 26.67% (Festival) were recorded from MS media supplemented with 1.0 mgL-1 BAP and 1.0 mgL-1 Kin. For in vitro micropropagation, BARI Strawberry-1 may be better and MS media supplemented with 1.0 mgL-1 BAP and 1.0 mgL-1 Kin may be better
Effect of integrated nitrogen application on the yield of two Boro rice varieties: BRRI dhan29 and BRRI dhan74
Get PDFThis study aimed to evaluate the effect of integrated nitrogen (N) application on the yield of Boro rice. The experiment was composed of two rice varieties: BRRI dhan29 and BRRI dhan74, and eleven N management approaches: control (without N), 100% varietal recommended dose (RD) of N from urea, 75% of RD from urea + 25% of RD from poultry manure (PM), 50% of RD from urea + 50% of RD from PM, 25% of RD from urea + 75% of RD from PM, 75% of RD from urea + 25% of RD from vermicompost (VC), 50% of RD from urea + 50% of RD from VC, 25% of RD from urea + 75% of RD from VC, 75% of RD from urea + 25% of RD from cowdung (CD), 50% of RD from urea + 50% of RD from CD and 25% of RD from urea + 75% of RD from CD. Performance of BRRI dhan74 was better compared to BRRI dhan29 in terms of yield. For both verities, application of 75% of RD from urea + 25% of RD from PM produced the highest grain yield (BRRI dhan74: 3.30 t ha-1 and BRRI dhan29: 3.08 t ha-1) and the lowest with control among the N management approaches. Thus, it can be suggested that integrated N application with 75% of varietal RD from urea and 25% from PM in Boro rice cultivation will produce appreciable grain yield and also expected to have positive effect on soil health
Effect of variety and spacing on the yield performance of maize (Zea mays L.) in old Brahmaputra floodplain area of Bangladesh
Get PDFThe experiments were conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Agricultural University, Mymensingh in Bangladesh during December 2015 to April 2016 to investigate the effect of variety and plant spacing on yield attributes and yield of maize. The experiment comprised of five varieties viz., Khoi bhutta, BARI hybrid maize 7, BARI hybrid maize 9, C-1921, P-3396 and five plants spacing viz., 75 cm × 20 cm, 75 cm × 25 cm, 75 cm × 30 cm, 75 cm × 35 cm and 75 cm × 40 cm. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results revealed that variety and plant spacing had significant effect on the studied crop characters and yield. The highest plant height, highest number of leaves plant-1, longest cob, maximum diameter of cob, highest number of kernel cob-1, the highest 1000-grain weight, maximum grain yield and stover yield were observed in BARI hybrid maize 7. On the other hand, the shortest plant, lowest number of cob, diameter of cob, lowest number of grains cob-1, 1000-grain weight, grain yield and stover yield were observed in Khoi bhutta. The longest plant, highest cob, maximum diameter of cob, highest number of kernel cob-1 the highest 1000-grain weight, maximum grain yield and stover yield was observed in the spacing of 75 cm × 25 cm. In contrast, the spacing of 75 cm × 30 cm produced the lowest values of the above mentioned plant parameters and also showed the lowest grain yield. In regard to interaction effect of variety and spacing, the highest plant height (232.67 cm), maximum number of cob plant-1 (1.73), maximum diameter of cob (4.60 cm), highest number of kernel cob-1 (34), maximum stover yield (12.38 t ha-1) were observed at the spacing of 75 cm × 25 cm with BARI hybrid maize 7 and resulting in the highest grain yield (9.04 t ha-1). The lowest values of the above parameters were recorded in the narrowest plant spacing of 75 cm × 35 cm with Khoi bhutta. Based on the experimental results, it may be concluded that maize (cv. BARI hybrid maize 7) can be cultivated with a spacing of 75 cm × 25 cm for appreciable grain yield
Adding benefits to phytoremediation of sugar mill effluent by growing water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes): Evaluation of biomass for biogas production
Get PDFIn this experiment, we assessed the phytoremediation potential of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) for pollutants removal from sugar mill effluent amended at different concentrations and further biogas production from its grown biomass co-digested with cow dung in a laboratory scale anaerobic digester. The results showed that the maximum values of kinetic growth rate (2.56gg-1d-1), total chlorophyll content (4.10±0.10mg/gfwt.) and fresh plant biomass (393.87±4.67g/Kg) of E. crassipes were achieved in 75% concentration of sugar mill effluent after 60 days of phytoremediation experiments. Also, the enrichment factor (Ef) and bioaccumulation factor (Bf) of heavy metals were greater than or equal to 1 in the roots and leaves of E. crassipes which indicated efficient elimination of these metals from the sugar mill effluent. Significant values of cumulative biogas production (5195 ml) and predicted by modified Gompertz kinetic model (5238.71 ml) were found after 15 days of anaerobic digestion at 40°C with maximum reduction of COD (83.11%) of the substrate slurry. The plot of log(COD) vs. t (HRT) suggested good fitness of first order kinetic equation (R2= 0.9746) for reduction of co-substrate COD. The different kinetic parameters of COD reduction for biogas production viz., a, xc and k were noted as 6096.12, 7.73 and 0.26, with R2 value of 0.99, respectively. The findings of this study concluded that E. crassipes can be used for the phytoremediation of heavy metals and other pollutants most efficiently in 75% concentration of the sugar mill effluent. Additionally, the biomass of E. crassipes grown during phytoremediation can be used for enhanced biogas production
Analysis of economic valuation of environmental damage due to sand mine in Gumulung Tonggoh, Cirebon District, West Java Province, Indonesia
Get PDFThe sand mines at Gumulong Tonggoh in Cirebon Regency use an open mining system. Open mining activities can cause environmental damage and economic losses. The present investigation was carried out to analyze the economic valuation of environmental damage due to sand mine in Gumulung Tonggoh, Cirebon District, West Java Province, Indonesia. The sampling method and environmental damage analysis use purposive sampling. Data of laboratory tests of soil physical, chemical and biological properties was analyzed by statistical tests. The economic method of environmental damage valuation uses the Ministry of Environment guidelines (2006). Sand mining activities cause soil and environmental damage to the soil (soil solum, bulk density, permeability, and soil fauna) and vegetation (land cover). However, sand mining has caused changes in soil properties, namely a significant increase in bulk density of +0.49 (53.85%), reduction in porosity of 18.26 (27.79%), decrease in Ca of -11.17 (60.48%), a decrease in Mg of -5.76 (60.95%), a decrease in CEC of -19.06 (79.88%) and a decrease in the total microorganism of 47.00 (83.19). The total of economic valuation for environmental damage due to sand mining is Rp. 39,349,860,000. Therefore, the sand mining significantly contributed the environmental damage in the Gumulung Tonggoh, Cirebon District, West Java Province in Indonesia
Impacts of sediment mining on the hydrochemistry and macrozoobenthos community in a coastal lagoon, Lagos, Nigeria
Get PDFThe water chemistry and macrozoobenthos assemblage of ten study stations in the Lagos lagoon were studied from December 2016 to May 2017 to assess the impacts of sediment mining on the water quality and the biological indices of the macrozoobenthos. Water and composite benthic samples were collected monthly at each study station and analysed in the laboratory following standard procedures. Except temperature, pH, TSS, salinity and conductivity showed no significant (P>0.05) difference, while the other parameters were not significantly (P<0.05) different among the stations. The sediment grain size analysis of the study area indicated the dominance of sand in sediment. This could be as a result of the dredging of the study area as Lagos lagoon is originally known to have muddy substratum. A total of 1,237 organisms belonging to 3 phyla, 4 classes, 10 families and 10 Species were recorded during the study period. Analysis of benthic community structure of the study area reveals a community dominated by mollusks, with the Bivalve, Aloides trigona contributing 54% and the gastropod, Pachymelania aurita contributing 33% of the total benthic fauna assemblage during the period of study. The fluctuations in the physicochemical parameters, sediments, and the composition, abundance and diversity of the macrobenthic fauna of the study area were largely influenced by the anthropogenic activities. In particular, stations with pronounced sediment mining activities recorded highly turbid water, changed substratum type and defaunisation