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Abundance and distribution of anthropogenic marine litter in Hatiya and Nijhum Dwip Island, Bangladesh
No full textMarine litter is commonly found throughout the oceans, and creates a significant
threat to the marine ecosystem. The purpose of the study was to investigate the
abundance and distribution of marine litter in Hatiya and Nijhum Dwip Islands,
Bangladesh during the post-monsoon and to determine beach cleanliness using the
clean-coast index (CCI). A 100-meter line transect was established at each beach,
divided into five sections of 20 meters each and positioned perpendicular to the
shoreline at the water's edge. A total of 11 types of marine litter were observed. Namar
Bazar, Nijhum Dwip Sea beach showed a higher density of litter (0.30 items/m
compared to Kamalar Dighi, Hatiya (0.13 items/m
). Over 70% of marine litter
originated from land-based sources. Plastics were abundant litter at the Kamalar Dighi
(46.66%) and Namar Bazar (61.29%). Different size ranges of marine litter were
exhibited at the Kamalar Dighi (1.27-25.4 cm) and Namar Bazar (2-74 cm). Based on
the mean CCI value, Hatiya and Nijhum Dwip beaches were classified as clean (2.4)
and moderate (4.96), respectively. This study, therefore, suggested the conceptual
policy framework including short-term (i.e., cleanness of beaches, create awareness,
establishment of storages, etc.) and long-term management approaches that would
be implemented for sustainable management of marine litter to ensure the
conservation of marine biodiversity in the Hatiya and Nijhum Dwip Island
Assessing the economic viability and factors affecting farmer adoption of black soldier fly larvae as broiler feed in Bangladesh: a comparative analysis
No full textDespite its impressive economic growth, Bangladesh faces a persistent malnutrition challenge, costing over US$1 billion annually. The broiler industry plays a vital role in addressing nutritional needs by providing essential protein through meat and eggs. However, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in this sector struggle with high feed prices, impacting their profitability and growth. Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to conventional poultry feed, addressing both rising costs and environmental impacts. This study examined different aspects of BSFL, such as broiler feed, and farmers' perceptions of them in some selected areas of the Sylhet region of Bangladesh. A total of 60 respondents from three subdistricts in Sylhet district were selected using the purposive sampling technique. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, discriminative power value, binary logistic regression model, and profitability equation. Among the respondents, 70% (42) had a favorable attitude toward BSFL, and 30% (18) had a highly favorable attitude towards BSFL. Among eight socioeconomic attributes examined for the likeliness of adopting BSFL as broiler feed, the respondents' average income (p < 0.01), years of schooling (p < 0.05), and years of broiler farming experience (p < 0.01) were found to be significant. Further, farms using 50% BSFL and 50% traditional feed had a net return of BDT (Bangladeshi Taka) 35,045.67 (USD 419.71), higher than those using traditional feed, which had a net return of BDT 29670.67 (USD 355.38). Further, farms using 50% BSFL and 50% traditional feed had a benefit–cost ratio (BCR) of 1.16, compared to other farms with a BCR of 1.11. The study also found some problems causing slow growth in the adoption rate of BSFL in the study region, such as lack of training programs, extension campaigns, the uncertainty of input supply, and financial assistance. The study suggests making adequate measures to raise awareness about the profitability of BSFL as broiler feed, conducting training at the root level, and making inputs easily available to farmers
Natural breeding performance in different saline water pens, crablets rearing and cannibalism in juvenile phase of mangrove mud crab (Scylla olivacea) in earthen mangrove pens
No full textThe current study focused on natural breeding techniques using locally available mud crab broods during breeding season. The breeding trial was tested in artificially created earthen pens that designed with mangrove plants and salt tolerance grass. Mature brood crabs were collected from local rivers and equally distributed in 20 L black color plastic containers in three different salinities (T1 = 24ppt, T2 = 26ppt, and T3 = 28ppt) and covered with black cloth. The river salinity was 26ppt during breeding season that is considered as control(T2), and treatment T1 and T3 were prepared artificially mixing with water and sea salt respectively. Broods are reared in containers until hatching and zoea was transferred to earthen pens immediately after hatching. Zoea were reared in earthen pens until turns to crablet(0.027 ± 0.005 g). The broods as well as crablet were identified through molecular barcoding and confirmed species as Scylla olivicea. Besides, morphometric characters like weight(126.22 ± 0.19 g), carapace length(6.36 ± 0.08 cm), carapace width(9.08 ± 0.08 cm), carapace color(brownish to brownish green), Anterolateral margin and teeth (3.79 ± 0.05 cm), abdomen length(3.04 ± 0.02 cm), hand (5.50 ± 0.03 cm), carpus(2.54 ± 0.04), antenna (2.69 ± 0.07), frontal margin(2.90 ± 0.07 cm), dactylus(3.13 ± 0.06 cm), thoracic sternites(4.17 ± 0.10), merus(4.16 ± 0.11 cm) etc. are also assessed during the experiment. The hatching rate, survival %, incubation period and other parameters are significantly different among the treatments. The highest hatching rate was observed in T2(91.34 ± 4.61 %) and lowest was in T1(57.98 ± 1.38) whereas the highest survival rate was recorded in T2(10.53 ± 1.56) and lowest observed in T1(2.87 ± 0.68). The order of incubation was T1(12.3 days)>T3(11 days)>T2(8.67days) observed during experiment. The cannibalism rate was also estimated in this experiment and observed cannibalism rate was 71.20 ± 2.08. Natural mud crab breeding is easy and can be applicable in fields at low cost with significant survival rate
Nutritional composition, fatty acids, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity of Nigella sativa seed grown in Bangladesh
No full textBlack cumin seeds are extensively utilized for foods, cosmetics, and medicinal purposes. The current investigation was
undertaken to analyzse the nutritional values, fatty acid compositions, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant roles of
diferent black cumin genotypes available in Bangladesh. The genotype BSK-2074 had a higher content of proximate
composition of crude oil (35.17%), crude protein (23.51%), total carbohydrate (35.23%), moisture (6.54%), ash (3.74%),
crude iber (8.12%), and gross energy value (644.88 kcal/100 g) than the released varieties and cultivars of black cumin
available in Bangladesh. The major fatty acid proile of the seed-oil of the BSK-2074 genotype revealed that the oil
contained a high amount of linoleic (59.39%), oleic (25.72%), palmitic (13.11%), and stearic (2.25%) acids, as well as a low
amount of arachidic, linolenic, myristic, behenic, palmitoleic, lignoceric, and eicosadienoic acids. Moreover, the genotype
BSK-2074 contained a high amount of unsaturated (UFAs, 85%), and low content of saturated (SFAs, 18%) fatty acids, and
the ratio of UFAs to SFAs was higher (4.39–5.37). Again, the seeds of the genotype BSK-2074 were also enriched in diferent
minerals, viz., calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc. Moreover, total phenolic contents (TPC) and
lavonoid contents (TFC) were found signiicantly higher in the genotype BSK-2074 (478.47 ± 7.33 mg GAE/100 g and
284.07 ± 2.08 mg QE/100 g, respectively) than the local Kalozira variety (316.48 ± 2.33 mg GAE/100 g and 120.53 ± 3.57 mg
QE/100 g) found in Bangladesh. The activities of antioxidants 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and ferric
reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were found signiicantly higher in BSK-2074 (37.93% and 129.65 ± 0.19 mg GAE/100 g),
than the local Kalozira variety (98.09% and 193.75 ± 0.19 mg GAE/100 g). Thus, the new genotype, BSK-2074, was identiied
and suggested as the most promising and nutritionally enriched genotype of black cumin
Exogenous application of melatonin attenuates waterlogging stress through adopting quiescence adaptation technique in tomato seedlings
No full textWaterlogging (WL) is a major limiting factor in global crop production and seriously limits growth and yield improvement in low-lying rainfed regions. Melatonin (MT) is a vital phytohormone that functions as a "master regulator" in multiple facets related to plant growth and development, in addition to maintaining a potential role in response to stresses. However, the pharmacological role of MT in attenuating waterlogging stress in tomato largely remains elucidated. The objective of the current investigation is to justify the physiological regulatory mechanism of tomato seedlings exposed to WL and the putative functions of MT to mitigate the adverse effects of WL. Tomato seedlings were grown on substrate (peat: vermiculite, 2:1, v/v) and at the 4th leaf stage subjected to waterlogging stress for 10 days and seedlings were foliar sprayed with melatonin during waterlogging stress. The results revealed that WL significantly arrested tomato seedlings growth, and reduced pigment content coincided with enhanced leaf senescence. MT supplementation attenuated WL-induced oxidative damage through increasing osmoprotectants activity, elevating antioxidant enzyme functioning synchronized with inhibiting excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The concentrations of MT (28 %), abscisic acid (ABA, 170 %), and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC, 129 %) were increased, while indole acetic acid (IAA, 15 %), jasmonic acid (JA, 55 %) and gibberellic acid (GA3, 26 %) content were decreased in only WL seedlings roots relative to control seedlings. The core anaerobic respiration enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) activity were elevated by 127 % and 163 %, respectively at day 10 in WL+MT received seedlings than control. WL treatment varyingly contributed on nutrient content, as evidenced that N+, K+, and Ca2+ content decreased, whereas Mn2+, Fe2+, and Mg2+ content increased and MT addition reversed their concentrations under similar stress conditions. Exogenous MT promoted WL-tolerance of tomato by positively suppressing respiratory burst oxidase homologs (RBOH)-regulating gene expression while up-regulating ethylene biosynthesis gene transcription. Most importantly, programmed cell death (PCD) regulated enzyme caspase-3 activity concurred with PCD-induced gene (caspase-3, pirin, TBN1) expression significantly inhibited by MT application. In general, these findings reveal that external supplementation with MT can improve plant tolerance to WL through complex processes and multifaceted mechanisms
Effect of a lime-based bedding conditioner on physical-chemical characteristics and microbiological counts of recycled manure solids
No full textBedding materials are aimed at providing a safe and comfortable resting
environment for cows. Control of pathogen proliferation in these substrates
is crucial to prevent intramammary infections in dairy cows, as these can
significantly impact milk quality, cow health, and farm productivity. This is
particularly relevant in the case of organic bedding substrates, including manurederived materials. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro eect of a lime-based
conditioner (LBC), composed of CaCO3MgCO3 and Ca(OH)∗
2Mg(OH)2, at
increasing concentrations on the physical-chemical characteristics and bacterial
counts of untreated anaerobically digested manure solids (ADMS) and separated
raw manure solids (SRMS). Unused ADMS and SRMS were evaluated at four LBC
weight-based concentrations: 0 (as untreated control), 10, 15, and 20% of LBC
inclusion. The bedding materials were assessed immediately after LBC addition
(0 h) and after 24, 72, and 168 h of storage at 28◦C. The dry matter content (DM),
and pH were measured for all the time points. Standard microbiological methods
were used to assess total bacterial counts (TBC), other Gram-negative bacteria,
coliforms, Escherichia coli, and streptococci and streptococci-like organism
(SSLO). It was observed a linear increase in both DM and pH with increasing
concentrations of LBC. Specifically, for each percentage unit increase of LBC,
the DM of ADMS and SRMS increased by 0.73 and 0.71%, respectively. Similarly,
for each percentage unit of LBC, the pH of ADMS and SRMS increased by 0.15 and
0.19, respectively. Conversely, a linear decrease in TBC, Gram-negative bacteria,
coliforms, E. coli, and SSLO was observed with increasing concentrations of the
LBC. Manure-derived materials without the inclusion of the LBC had bacterial
counts that tended to remain high or increase over time. Otherwise, bedding
materials with LBC application had reduced bacterial counts. Based on the results
of the present study, it was observed that the higher the concentration of LBC,
the more significant the reduction of bacterial counts. Specifically, bacterial
recovery was lower when higher concentrations of LBC were applied. Our findings underscore the potential of LBC in effctively controlling environmental
bacteria and improving the physical-chemical characteristics of manure-derived
bedding materials to improve cow health and welfare
Comparative analysis of high-fat diets: Effects of mutton, beef, and vegetable fats on body weight, biochemical profiles, and liver histology in mice
No full textBackground: High-fat diets are associated with metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, and liver disorders. Beef and mutton, both widely consumed meats, are significant sources of animal fat, while soybean oil, a commonly used cooking oil, is a prominent source of plant-derived fat. This study aimed to compare the effects of regular consumption of beef fat, mutton fat, and soybean oil in mice to assess potential health risks. Methods: Sixty Swiss albino male mice were divided into four groups: a control group (Group A) fed a standard mice pellet, and three treatment groups (Groups B, C, D) receiving 10 % dietary fat from mutton, beef, and soybean oil, respectively. Parameters such as body weight, caloric intake, serum markers, and liver histopathology were studied. Results: Consumption of mutton fat, beef fat, or soybean oil supplemented diet in groups B, C, and D led to higher caloric intake and body weight compared to control group A, which received a standard diet. These diets also caused elevated serum glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, and increased triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL-C, and reduced HDL-C. Elevated AST and ALT levels in the high-fat diet groups, indicated liver damage and fat accumulation. Histological analysis confirmed steatosis, hepatocyte ballooning, and inflammation in all three high-fat diet groups, while the control group had normal liver histology. Conclusion: High-fat diets, whether plant- or animal-based, led to weight gain in mice and resulted, poor glucose tolerance, dyslipidemia, liver damage and steatohepatitis. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms behind these effects and improve understanding and management of high-fat diet consequences
Role of organic amendments in improving the morphophysiology and soil quality of Setaria italica under salinity
No full textSalinity negatively impacts soil fertility by impairing the development and physiological func-tions of foxtail millet plants. Organic amendments have emerged as a viable solution in the
reclamation and management of salinity inflicted soils and improve the performance of crop. In
this regard, a pot experiment was carried out to examine the effect of organic amendments (OAs)
on soil quality and its influence on the growth and physiology of foxtail millet under saline and
non-saline condition. The findings indicated that under salt stress conditions, the levels of proline,
hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and electrolyte leakage (EL) risen, whilst other physiological pa-rameters decrease in foxtail millet. However, the addition of OAs, particularly dhaincha and
biochar (BC), has shown a promising salt tolerant amendment among others. Its addition
improved the growth performance of salinity-stressed plants, including plant height, fresh and dry
biomass, simultaneously decreased sodium ion (Na+) and improved calcium (Ca2+), potassium
(K+), and nitrate ion (NO
Application of combined GA and NAA treatments to improve yield and quality of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) 3
No full textIn Bangladesh, okra is an important popular summer vegetable. However, traditional farming practices often lead to
suboptimal yields. Thus, the study was designed to determine the ideal GA3 and NAA doses for accelerating okra growth,
yield, and quality characteristics. A three-replication, randomized complete block design was adopted. Foliar sprays with
three concentrations of GA3 (0 ppm, 150 ppm, and 250 ppm) and NAA (0 ppm, 150 ppm, and 250 ppm) were applied in
2022 and 2023. In comparison to the control, the combined application of GA3 @ 150 ppm and NAA @ 150 ppm improved
plant height, leaf number, leaf area, branch number, internode length, bud number, pod number, pod length, pod diameter, and 1000 seed weight average over the two years. Furthermore, GA3 @ 150 ppm with NAA 150 ppm increased yield
by 35.08% and 27.01% in 2022 and 2023 respectively, above the control. Combining NAA @ 150 ppm with GA3 resulted in
higher levels of vitamin C, TSS, magnesium, and zinc by 19.31%, 81.2%, 22.73% and 21.43% in 2022 and 22.83%, 50.57%,
18.07%, 33.33% in 2023 respectively, compared to the control. In contrast, GA3 and NAA decreased potassium and calcium
in both year when compared to the control. Overall, the results of this experiment indicated that using GA3 @ 150 ppm
with NAA @ 150 ppm could enhance okra growth, yield, and quality. These findings provide insightful information for
improving okra cultivation techniques and improving Bangladesh’s productivity in agriculture and food security
Livestock farming and women empowerment in rural Bangladesh: a mixed method approach
No full textBackgroundIn Bangladesh, livestock farming is not only a major source of animal protein, but it also provides opportunities for women to contribute to household income. Therefore, this study was undertaken to identify the empowerment status of women livestock farmers, factors influencing women's participation in livestock farming and its impact on women's empowerment.MethodsThe study was conducted in the Mymensingh district (administrative unit) of Bangladesh, due to the active participation of women in livestock farming activities. A total of 200 women were surveyed between May to November 2018. Additionally, prior to the final survey, 02 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were performed to gain insight into the context of the study areas. Furthermore, a total of 12 semi-structured in-depth interviews were performed with 12 experienced women livestock farmers to collect data regarding the challenges they encounter in livestock farming. Women empowerment was measured using four domains: decision-making process, ownership of assets, social and political awareness, and freedom of mobility. Descriptive statistics, and Heckman's endogenous treatment effect model were applied to analyze the data.ResultsThe results revealed that majority (75%) of women who are involved in livestock farming had a medium level of empowerment. Women's decision to participate in livestock farming was positively influenced by farm size, knowledge, extension contact, and training. According to the average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) value, the empowerment status of women is 16 points higher among participants in livestock farming compared to non-participants. Furthermore, women in rural areas face several obstacles such as economic issues and inadequate marketing facilities, which may prevent them from engaging in livestock farming.ConclusionsEducating women through raising awareness and providing training is warranted because there is a notable disparity in the empowerment status of women who are and are not involved in livestock farming. This will help women improve their social awareness, decision-making capacity, and mobility. Livestock initiatives that encourage women's involvement could be generated by various rural-focused organizations