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Investigating the incidence and severity of field diseases impacting tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) cultivation: A case study in the Jashore district, Bangladesh
No full textA research investigation was conducted in the Jashore district of Bangladesh to examine diseases affecting tuberose plants. The laboratory analysis was performed at the plant disease study facility at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The study encompassed eighteen villages across four unions within the Jhikargacha upazila of the Jashore district. The primary objective was to document the occurrence and severity of diseases in tuberose fields under natural conditions. Seven fungal diseases were detected in the natural field setting and were subjected to further scrutiny in the research facility. The pathogens responsible for these diseases were isolated and identified, revealing botrytis blight (Botrytis cinerea), blossom blight (Fusarium equiseti), alternaria leaf spot (Alternaria polyanthi), leaf tip blight (Phoma sp.), peduncle blight (Lasidiplodia theobromae), stem rot (Sclerotium rolfsii), and tuber rot (Fusarium oxysporum). Disease incidence ranged from 0 % to 64.33 %, and severity ranged from 0 % to 24.00 %. Stem rot, botrytis blight, alternaria leaf spot, and leaf tip blight were identified as significant challenges in tuberose cultivation in the Jashore district. This study represents the first documentation of tuberose pathogen prevalence in Bangladesh, providing valuable insights for disease identification and contributing to the improvement of tuberose cultivation practices in the region
Optimization of The Priming Time of Mannitol Solution for Mungbean Seed Treatment
No full textMungbean (Vigna radiata L.) is an important grain legume in Bangladesh belonging to the
family Fabaceae. As an excellent source of vegetable protein. Its edible grain is characterized by good
digestibility, flavor, high protein content, and absence of any flatulence effect. The lysine content makes
mungbean a good complementary food for rich-based diets because lysine is usually the first limiting
amino acid. Besides, the crops can enrich soils through nitrogen fixation (Sharma and Behera, 2009).
Plant growth and productivity are affected by nature’s wrath in the form of various abiotic stress factors.
Plants are frequently exposed to a plethora of stress conditions such as salt, drought, oxidative stress, and
others. All these stress factors are a means for plants and prevent them from reaching their full genetic
potential and limit crop productivity worldwide. Lack of adequate soil moisture in the seedbed is a major
obstacle to the establishment of the crop because inadequate soil moisture can reduce germination, slow
down seedling growth and decrease yield. There are many strategies have been adopted to overcome the
negative effects of drought. A good strategy for overcoming drought stress is seed pre-sowing treatments
(Ghiyasi et al., 2008). Seed priming was defined as pre-sowing treatments in water or in an osmotic
solution that allows the seed to imbibe water to proceed to the first stage of germination, but prevents
radical protrusion through the seed coat (Yari et al., 2012). Seed priming techniques have been used to
accelerate the emergence of more vigorous plants. Primed seeds usually to exhibit an increased
germination rate, greater germination uniformity, and greater total germination percentage. Increased
germination rate and uniformity have been attributed to metabolic repair during imbibitions build-up of
germination-enhancing metabolites. ..
Sustainable Grain Protection: Combatting Rice Weevils (Sitophilus oryzae) with Natural Plant Powders
No full textGrain storage plays a pivotal role in ensuring food security and sustaining agriculture for future generations. However, a wide array of insect pests, including the rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae), pose a significant threat to stored grains. This study was conducted at the Laboratory of the Department of Seed Science and Technology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, from October 2019 to March 2020, to evaluate the efficacy of plant-based powders for managing rice weevils. The experiment was designed using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications and seven treatments. These treatments included five botanical powders—Ocimum tenuiflorum (Tulsi), Azadirachta indica (Neem), Polygonum hydropiper (Biskatali), Nicotiana tabacum (Tobacco), and Lantana camara (Lantana)—applied at three dosage levels: 1 g, 3 g, and 5 g per 100 g of grain. Additionally, a chemical insecticide (Sevin 85 SP @ 0.25%) and an untreated control were included for comparison. Results revealed that neem leaf powder was the most effective, achieving the highest adult insect mortality and the lowest adult emergence. In contrast, Lantana powder exhibited the least efficacy, allowing 94.38% more adult insects to emerge compared to neem powder. Untreated grains experienced a 20% weight loss due to rice weevil infestation after one month of storage, whereas treatment with 5% neem leaf powder reduced weight loss to a mere 0.14%. This reduction was statistically significant compared to all other treatments. These findings suggest that neem leaf powder at 5% is a highly effective, eco-friendly, and safe alternative to chemical insecticides for controlling rice weevils in stored grains
Effect of essential oils as vitamin C preservatives and chia seed (Salvia hispanica) in the fortification of pineapple jam
No full textThe present investigation “Effect of essential oils and chia seed (Salvia hispanica) in fortification of
pineapple jam.” was conducted during the year 2022–2023 at the Post harvest laboratory of
Horticulture Department, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka. The study investigated
the effects of essential oil and chia seeds on the quality of pineapple jam. In this research,
pineapple jam samples were prepared with varying essential oil such as Cinnamon essential oil
and Lemongrass essential oil at range of 1000 ppm. The addition of essential oil significantly
impacted the flavour profile of the jam, enhancing the fruity notes and providing a pleasant
aroma in sustainable and eco-friendly way. Moreover, it exhibited antimicrobial properties,
extending the shelf life of the jam. Chia seeds were incorporated into the jam at different levels
(6.25 %, 12.5 %, 25 % and 50 %) to assess their influence on texture and nutritional content. The
results indicated that chia seeds contributed to a thicker consistency and increased protein
content, making the jam a potential source of dietary protein. The maximum pH was found to be
4.90 from treatment (C4 E0 = 50 % chia and no Essential oil). The lowest pH was recorded at 3.63
for CoE2 = No chia seed and 1000 ppm Lemongrass Essential oil). The investigation shows that
lemongrass essential oil (E2) showed the best result in vitamin C retention. In case of chia seed 50
% (C4) treatment showed the best protein content. Additionally, the seeds added a subtle crunch
and nutty undertone to the product. From the research it can be concluded that the treatment
(C4E2 = 50 % chia seed and 1000 ppm Lemongrass Essential oil) showed the best result in case of
vitamin C retention and protein incorporation. But considering spread ability and appearance
(C3E2 = 25 % chia seed and 1000 ppm Lemongrass Essential oil) can be considered as best
treatment for consumers. This research is motivated by the need to develop healthier, nutrientdense pineapple jam using natural preservatives and fortifying agents. By exploring the com-bined effects of essential oils and chia seeds in preserving vitamin C and improving the jam’s
overall nutritional value, this study aims to meet the increasing demand for functional foods that
prioritize both health and taste. The outcomes could offer valuable insights into natural preser-vation techniques and fortification strategies, potentially contributing to more sustainable and
consumer-friendly food products in the market
The Novel Study On Arsenic Contamination, Health Risk, and Approaches to Its Mitigation From Water Resource of a Developing Country: A potential review
No full textThe pollution and contamination by arsenic (As) in the water resources is a worldwide concern due to its adverse toxic effects on the environment and public health. The current study aimed to investigate arsenic levels in the groundwater system with the possible health risk, and sustainable mitigation strategies. The data on arsenic in the water system were collected from the Web of Science and Scopus databases. The published data showed that arsenic concentration (0.0002–19.0 mg/kg) in the water system in Bangladesh was higher than the permissible standards and data from other countries, indicating severe contamination of water resources by arsenic. The study concluded that the water resource in Bangladesh is not safe for human consumption. The review has also identified the research gaps in various strategies for controlling the arsenic problem and their impact on the ecosystems. The present study suggested future research directions on sustainable intervention, impacts assessment of arsenic on humans, and formulating existence policy that helps to combat arsenic contamination
Partitioning water footprints of rice for assessing their implications in the face of climate change in Bangladesh
No full textTo improve rice yields while conserving water and minimizing environmental impact, a lysimeter experiment was conducted at Bangladesh Agricultural University’s field irrigation laboratory in Mymensingh. This study, spanning 2018–2020,
aimed to measure the water footprint (WF) of the Aman-Boro-Aman rotation, considering green water footprint (GWF;
rainwater) and blue water footprint (BWF; irrigation water), with a focus on climate change implications. Various irrigation
methods, including rainfed and several interval-based irrigations (I9D–irrigation applied after nine days of ponded water
disappearance, I6D, I3D, I3D + NP–I3D with no percolation allowed, and I1D), were evaluated. Results showed rainfed
treatments had higher GWF (1155–1575 L/kg) due to reliance on inconsistent rainfall, while irrigated ones had lower GWF
(375–1084 L/kg) but increased BWF, notably I1D with the highest BWF (2675 L/kg). This contrast highlights significant
water usage differences among irrigation methods. The total water footprint (TWF) varied, with rainfed methods showing
1460–1960 L/kg and I1D the highest at 3603 L/kg. The consumptive water footprint ranged from 734 L/kg (I3D+NP) to
1097 L/kg (rainfed), indicating the efficiency of no-percolation strategies in water conservation. This also led to improved
nutrient availability, resulting in higher plant height and rice yield. Seasonal variations in TWF were also observed, with
the Aman season showing greater variability than the Boro season due to differences in rainfall and irrigation practices.
The study underscores the importance of managing irrigation frequency, timing, and percolation for optimizing rice water
footprints under changing climatic conditions
Genome-wide identification, characterization and functional prediction of the SPL gene family in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)
No full textAbstract‘SQUAMOSA promoter binding protein-like’ (SPL) proteins are the plant-specific transcription factors (TFs) family, comprising a highly conserved SBP domain with two zinc-fingers. It plays a vital role in plant growth and development and stress responses in plants. The SPL TF family is well characterized in several plant species, nevertheless not yet accomplished in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). In this study, we performed in silico identification, molecular characterization, phylogenetic relationship, cis-acting regulatory elements, protein-protein interaction, syntenic relationship, duplication events and RNA-seq based expression of sesame SPL genes. We identified a total 19 of SiSPL genes on 12 different LGs of sesame genome through comparing with the other plant species. The SiSPL genes varied in gene structures like 2–11 exons and 1–10 introns. The SiSPL proteins contained a highly conserved ‘SQUAMOSA-promoter binding protein’ (SBP, pfam03110), only found in plants. Further, SiSPL4 and SiSPL9 contained one extra domain called ‘Ank_2’ (pfam12796). The SiSPL genes were grouped into seven groups via phylogenetic analysis which showed the relationship with other plant species. Total 454 stress responsive ‘cis-regulatory’ elements were detected in the promoter region of 19 SiSPL genes indicating their possible involvement in stress responses. Furthermore, the available sesame transcriptomic data indicated that SiSPL genes varied in transcript accumulation between stressed vs. control samples. In particular, SiSPL9 (SIN_1016140), SiSPL12 (SIN_1017992) and SiSPL3 (SIN_1006254) might be drought responsive. Likewise, SiSPL8 (SIN_1013914), SiSPL15 (SIN_1023563) and SiSPL17 (SIN_1026466) was up-regulated in salinity conditions. Besides, the transcript abundance of SiSPL1 and SiSPL9 genes was higher in waterlogging conditions as compared to the control. To best of our knowledge, this is the first report of SPL gene family in sesame. The findings of this study will encourage further research into gene expression as well as functional analysis of SiSPL genes in sesame and other plant species
Fertilizer management practices in potato cultivation: a baseline study for the introduction of GE potato in Bangladesh
No full textGenetically engineered (GE) crops have the potential to contribute to agricultural
sustainability, food security, and nutritional enrichment. However, these crops
cannot be released for commercial cultivation without undergoing
environmental risk assessments (ERA), thus biosafety evaluation. ERA
assessments are performed comparatively with their natural non-GE
counterparts. As Bangladesh is progressing with GE potato research, the
present study aims to collect baseline information on non-GE potato
cultivation with an emphasis on current agronomic practices focusing on
fertilizer management and farmers’ knowledge base. The survey had three
parts, including information on the farmers, information on potato cultivation
practices, especially fertilizer use, and lastly, the farmer’s view on GE potato. From
2020 to 2021, data were collected through interviews with experienced growers
in four potato-growing regions, the Central and Mid-East, North-West, Mid-West,
and South-East regions (n = 1757) of the country. The study revealed that farmers
of all regions used more than the recommended amounts of fertilizer; for
instance, 67.1% more nitrogen fertilizer was applied as an extra dose during
potato cultivation in Munshiganj (Central and Mid-East) than in the Dinajpur
region (North-West). This overuse of nitrogen fertilizer can enhance plant vigor
but makes the plants more susceptible to insect attraction and allows pests easier
access to the plants. As a result, the excess dose of nitrogen fertilizer in
Munshiganj may act as a catalyst to increase the probability of late blight. The
findings also showed that 73.6% of farmers observed unexpected flowering in
certain potato cultivars, which corresponded to the higher application of
phosphate and potassium fertilizers aimed at late blight control. Furthermore,
this study reported infestations of Solanaceous weeds, specifically Solanum
torvum and Physalis heterophylla, in potato fields. Finally, our findings demonstrated that more than 68.7% of the potato growers intend to adopt diseaseresistant
GE potato as that may reduce the need for excess fertilizer use and thus
reduce cultivation costs
Pesticides in widely consumed vegetables in Bangladesh and its health risk
No full textThis study analysed pesticide residues in cauliflower (Brassica oleracea botrytis) and bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), two widely consumed vegetables in Bangladesh, and assessed the associated human health risks. Vegetables were analysed using a modified QuEChERS extraction, followed by gas chromatography with flame thermionic and electron capture detectors. Results showed that in 36.7% of the samples pesticide residues were detected, 90.9% of which exceeding the MRLs of the European Commission, so highlighting serious food safety concerns. Multiple residues were detected in some samples, with chlorpyrifos being the most common present, followed by diazinon, dimethoate and quinalphos. Human health risks, calculated by estimated daily intake and hazard index, indicated potential non-carcinogenic risks from the present pesticides. This study may assist policymakers and authorities in developing strategies for safe vegetable production and quality monitoring to ensure food safety
Climate-smart agriculture and food security in climate-vulnerable coastal areas of Bangladesh
No full textThe issue of global climate change is increasingly worrisome, particularly for countries heavily
reliant on agriculture. To reduce the negative impact of climate change on agriculture, farmers of
Bangladesh started adopting different climate smart agriculture (CSA) practices. The CSA sus-tainably increases productivity, resilience, and food security, which can contribute to the
achievement of a number of sustainable development goals (SDGs). However, the adoption of CSA
is low especially in the climate-vulnerable coastal areas of Bangladesh. Therefore, this study was
conducted to identify the factors affecting the adoption of CSA and its influence on coastal
household’s food security. A total of 327 sample farmers from three coastal districts of
Bangladesh were interviewed. The collected data were then analyzed by using the binary probit
and ordered probit model. The findings indicated that highest 65 % of farmers adopted early
planting of rice as one of CSA practices. The adoption of CSA practices positively affected by the
household annual income, extension services and awareness regarding CSA practices. Moreover,
the adopters of CSA were more food secure than non-adopters. For instance, adoption of one
additional CSA practice leads to an increase in the likelihood of being food secure by 4.3 %. In
terms of policy perspective, the adoption of CSA in the coastal areas can be increased through
creation of employment opportunities, increasing access to extension services, and broadcasting
of CSA-related programs on mass media