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Soil applied micronutrient, especially boron (B) and zinc (Zn) can trigger growth, yield attributes, yield and nutritional value of crops including grass pea, however determination of their optimal dose under changing pedo-climatic conditions needs fresh studies. A trial was conducted to study the effect of B (B1 = 0 kg ha-1, B2 = 4 kg ha-1, B3 = 8 kg ha) and Zn (Zn1 = 0 kg ha-1, Zn2 = 1.5 kg ha-1, Zn3 =3.0 kg ha-1) on growth and yield of grass pea (cv. BARI Khesari-5). The response variables included plant height, fresh shoot and root weight, dry shoot and root weight, number of grains and pods plant-1, 100 grain weight, grain yield, biological yield and harvest index. Additionally, B and Zn contents of grass pea were also determined. The B2 treatment recorded the tallest plants (109.70 cm) and 100 grain weight (5.79 gm) which led to maximum grain yield (1.72 t ha-1), biological yield (4.54 t ha-1) and harvest index (37.86 %). The same treatment remained superior by recording the maximum B and Zn contents of 31.55 ppm) and 56.47 ppm, respectively, whereas B1 had the lowest corresponding values. Among Zn doses under investigation, Zn2 remained unmatched by producing the maximum yield attributes, whereas Zn1 could not perform at par to the rest of the treatments. Overall, the interactive effect of B2 and Zn2 surpassed other treatment combinations by exhibiting superior yield attributes which led to the highest grain yield (1.94 t ha-1), straw yield (2.92 t ha-1), biological yield (4.86 t ha-1), harvest index (39.96 %). The same treatment combination gave the maximum B (33.29 ppm) and Zn content (58.70 ppm), whereas B1 andZn1 treatment combination remained inferior to rest of treatment combinations. Based on recorded findings, it could be inferred that coapplication of B (4 kg ha-1) and Zn (1.5 kg ha-1) with recommended doses of other fertilizers hold potential to increase the seed yield and minerals bio-fortification of grass pea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bangladesh experienced widespread wheat blast infections for the first time in 2016. The outbreak of the disease has significantly affected wheat acreage and production. This study uses an 'action theory' framework to identify the determinants that affected wheat growers to adopt certain production practices to deal with the situation. We followed a multistage sampling procedure and interviewed 150 wheat growers from two severely blast-affected districts, Meherpur and Kustia. According to 91.3% of farmers, the most remarkable adoption strategies were 'improved intercultural practices,' 'shifting variety,' 'shifting crops', and 'undertaking off-farm activities,' of which farmers mostly followed the former. We also used multivariate probit model analysis to identify factors that shape farmers' adaptation choices in wheat blast-affected areas. The adaptation strategies are influenced mainly by farmers' education, primary occupation, family size, government incentives, extension services, access to Information and Communications Technology (ICT), and annual income. According to the notable similarities between the four adoption strategies, an adoption study should consider all potential factors influencing farmers' adoption decisions. Policy implications include strengthening extension services, developing tailored adaptation strategies, and conducting relevant research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]