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A field experiment on summer country been (var. BARI Shim-7) was conducted at the Research Field of Plant Physiology Section of Horticulture Research Center, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur, during the summer season of 2018 and 2019 to study the effect of exogenously applied plant growth regulators (PGRs) on growth, yield and profitability of the crop. The experiment was consisted of four levels of NAA (15, 30, 45 and 60 ppm), three of CCC (200, 300 and 400 ppm), two of GA3 (20 and 30 ppm) and tap water as control. Average results of two years showed that all growth regulators performed better in respect of all characters studied over control. At 1st fruit set vine length (3.15 m) and number of leaves/plant (327.96), at last harvest stem girth (24.53 mm) and vine length (4.89 m), and plant dry matter (17.24%), number of pods/cluster (6.41), pod length (8.78 cm), number of pods/plant (351.30), individual pod weight (6.26 g) and pod set (38.13%) were the maximum in 60 ppm NAA followed by 45 ppm NAA and 200 ppm CCC. The maximum mean pod yield (10.65 t/ha) was obtained with the application of 60 ppm NAA closely followed by 45 ppm NAA (10.50 t/ha). Application of 200 ppm CCC also produced higher pod yield (8.75 t/ha) than that of control. Application of 60 ppm NAA also gave the maximum gross return (Tk. 532500/ha), gross margin (Tk. 3361248/ha) and BCR (3.11). Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 47(1): 13-22, March 2022

Nitrogen (N) requirement of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Bangladesh is not yet determined. The present study has evaluated the performance of French bean varieties and nitrogen rates through a field experiment conducted at the research field of Plant Physiology Section of Horticulture Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) during rabi seasons of 2016- 17 and 2017-18). The experiment was set up with frenchbean varieties BARI Jharshim-1 and BARI Jharshim-2 and N rates viz., 0, 75, 100, 125 and 150 kg N/ha arranged in a randomized complete block design, with three replications. The variety BARI Jharshim-1 treated with 150 kg N/ha produced the highest in respect of shoot dry matter yield (879.65 g/m2), number of pods/plant (29.70), weight of pods/plant (147.20 g) and green pod (marketable) yield of 19.48 t/ha); in contrast, lower yield and yield attribute was obtained with BARI Jharshim-2 with 125 kg N/ha. Pods of both varieties showed appreciable amounts of protein, vitamin-C and vitamin-A when N was fertilized at 125 followed by 150 kg/ha. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 46(4): 425-433, December 2021

Field experiments on broccoli cv. ‘BARI Broccoli-1’ was carried out during two consecutive rabi seasons of 2014-15 and 2015-16 at the field of Plant Physiology Section of HRC, BARI. 30 days old seedlings were treated before transplanting by dipping their roots for 24 h in different concentrations of GA3 (Gibberellic acid) viz., 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 ppm along with control (distilled water). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized complete block Design with three replications. GA3 concentrations significantly influenced the growth parameters, yield and yield attributes and quality parameters of broccoli. In regard to the average data of two years, GA3 @ 60 ppm gave the maximum leaf length (46.58 cm), spread diameter (52.38 cm), head circumference (38.2cm cm), head length (16.60 cm), head diameter (15.45 cm), primary and secondary head weight/plant (289.85 g and 192.80 g). The maximum head yield (18.82 t/ha in 2014-15 and 21.39 t/ha in 2015-16) with an average of 20.11 t/ha was recorded at GA3 @ 60 ppm followed by GA3 @ 40 ppm. Application of GA3 @ 60 ppm also produced the highest head compactness index (18.77 g/cm), maximum vitamin C (82.88 mg/100 g FW), vitamin A (601.90 IU/100 g FW) contents and the highest total soluble solid (10.10%). From the investigation it was also observed that application of more than 60 ppm GA3 reduced the yield attributes and yield of broccoli. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 45(3): 247-259, September 2020

Field experiments on bottle gourd variety ‘BARI Lau -4’ were conducted at the Plant Physiology field of Horticulture Research Center, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur during two consecutive summer seasons of 2015 and 2016 to investigate the effect of plant growth regulators on growth, sex expression, yield and yield components of the crop. The experiment consisted of different concentrations of Gibberellic acid (GA3), Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), Maleic hydrazide (MH) and single concentration of cycocel (CCC) viz., GA3 @ 10 ppm, GA3 @ 30 ppm, NAA @100 ppm, NAA @ 150 ppm, MH @ 50 ppm, MH @ 150 ppm and CCC @ 500 ppm along with distilled water considered as control. All growth regulators were sprayed to the seedlings at two-leaf stage and 4 days after the first spray. Growth regulator treatments had significant effect on primary branches/plant, node number of 1st male and female flower appearance, number of days to 1st male and female flower appearance, number of male and female flowers, sex ratio (male:female flower) number of fruits/plant, individual fruit weight and fruit yield. Spraying of MH @ 150 ppm gave the highest primary branches/plant (17.0 and 18.0 in first and 2nd year, respectively) and induced maximum female flowers (37.3 and 40.0 in first and 2nd year, respectively) at lower nodes followed by CCC @ 500 ppm (36.3) in the first year and MH @ 50 ppm (40.0) in the 2nd year. Application of MH @ 150 ppm caused early appearance of female flowers on the nearest node (from bottom). Application of MH @ 150 ppm gave the lower number of male flowers (81.7 and 96.0 in first and 2nd year, respectively) and the highest number of female flowers/plant, thereby producing lower male:female sex ratio (2.2 and 2.5 in first and 2nd year, respectively) and the maximum number of fruits/plant (12.0 and 14.0 in first and 2nd year, respectively). The maximum fruit weight/plant was obtained from the application of MH @ 150 ppm (29.3 and 35.8 in first and 2nd year, respectively) followed by CCC @ 500 ppm (26.0 in the 1st year and 29.0 in 2nd year). The highest fruit yield per hectare was recorded significantly with the application of MH @ 150 ppm (97.6 t/ha and 89.6 t/ha in first and 2nd year, respectively) closely followed by CCC @ 500 ppm (88.5 t/ha in 2015) and GA3 @ 30 ppm (75.3 t/ha in 2016), as compared to other treatments. The highest mean yield over the years was also recorded at MH @ 150 ppm (93.6 t/ha) followed by CCC @ 150 ppm (80.6 t/ha) and GA3 30 (74.1). Application of MH @ 150 ppm gave the maximum gross return and net return with the highest BCR of 5.24 followed by CCC 500 ppm (4.15) and GA3 30 ppm (3.86). Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 44(4): 577-590, December 2019

A field experiment was conducted at the Plant Physiology Field of Horticulture Research Center (HRC), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur during the rabi seasons of 2015-16 and 2016-17 to study the response of cabbage (var. Krishibid Hybrid-1 and Atlas-70) to foliar application of GA3 and NAA with different concentrations. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete block Design with three replications. The experiment consisted of eight treatments viz., three levels of GA3 (at 50, 75 and 100 ppm) and four levels of NAA (at 40, 60, 80 and 100 ppm) along with distilled water as control. The varieties Krishibid Hybrid-1 and Atlas-70 were used in 2015-16 and 2016-17, respectively. Foliar spray of GA3 and NAA was given at 25 and 45 days after transplanting of seedling. The results of the investigation indicated significant differences among the treatments on most of the parameters studied. In Krishibid Hybrid-1, application of 50 ppm GA3 and 60 ppm NAA increased plant height, plant spread, number of leaves, chlorophyll content, head height, head diameter, single head weight without unfolded leaves as well as head yield (81.18 t/ha for 50 ppm GA3 and 78.57 t/ha for 60 ppm NAA) than the control (67.29 t/ha) and other treatments. But, in Atlas-70, application of 75 ppm GA3 gave the maximum values of most of the growth parameters, yield components and yield (102.40 t/ha), which was followed by 50 ppm GA3 (94.96 t/ha). In Krishibid Hybrid-1, application of 60 ppm NAA gave the highest benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 3.63 followed by 75 ppm GA3 (3.59) while in Atlas-70, 75 ppm GA3 recorded the highest BCR of 4.79 followed by 50 ppm GA3 (4.54) and 60 ppm NAA (4.37). Therefore, application of GA3 @ 50-75 ppm or NAA @ 60 ppm concentration can be recommended for increasing the yield of cabbage with higher return. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 44(2): 367-376, June 2019

A field experiment was conducted at the Plant Physiology field of Horticulture Research Center, BARI, Gazipur during two consecutive years of kharif 2014 and 2015 to assess the effect of GA3 and NAA on sex expression, yield and yield components of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) var. BARI Karola-1. Eeleven treatments comprising five concentrations each of gibberellic acid (50, 100, 150, 200 and 300 ppm) and naphthalene acidic acid (50, 100, 150, 200 and 300 ppm) along with distilled water considered as control were evaluated in randomized complete block design with three replications. Gibberellic acid (GA3) and Naphthalene acidic acid (NAA) were sprayed at 4 leaf stage; second spray was done at 35-38 DAS and third spray done at flowering stage. All the treatments improved the flowering and yield characters over control. Foliar spray of NAA @ 150 ppm and 200 ppm was found better in terms of sex expression, yield and yield attributes of bitter gourd as compared to control and other treatments. Spray of NAA @ 150 ppm gave the lowest number of male flowers and the highest number of female flowers thereby produced the lowest sex ratio (male:female). Number of fruits/plant, individual fruit weight and fruit yield/plant were also found maximum from NAA 150 ppm. Maximum fruit yield was recorded with the application of NAA @ 150 ppm. Spraying of NAA @ 150 ppm gave the maximum gross return and net return with the highest BCR of 3.17. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 44(2): 281-290, June 2019

An experiment was carried out at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, BARI, Ishurdi, Pabna during 2013-15, with eleven genotypes of plantain to evaluate their performances for yield attributes, yield and quality characters. The genotypes included in this investigation were MP001, MP002, MP003, MP006, MP007, MP015, MP018, MP024, MP025, ISD002 and BARI Kola-2 as check. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. The genotype MP002 produced the maximum number of fingers/bunch (105.67) closely followed by BARI Kola-2 (103.00) and MP015 (101.00). Both the genotypes MP024 and MP025 showed the highest fruit length (21.70 cm), but ISD002 gave the maximum fruit girth (16.78 cm), which was statistically similar with that of MP003 (16.30 cm) and MP024 (16.33 cm). The highest yield and the maximum number of hands were produced by the genotype MP024 (47.81 t/ha and (8.33/bunch) followed by MP015 (36.70 t/ha and 6.33/bunch). Fingers of the genotypes required boiling time in the range of 20.00 min (MP001) to 15.00 min (BARI Kola-2). Flesh of all genotypes possesses pleasant aroma except MP002, MP003 and ISD002. Among the eleven genotypes MP001, MP006, MP007, MP008, MP015 and MP024 were found better when cooked as smashed. The genotype ISD002 took the maximum time (467.33 days) to reach the edible maturity stage of fruits whereas MP024 required the minimum (339.00 days). The genotypes MP015 and MP024 performed better than BARI Kola-2 in respect of bunch weight, fruit size, productivity index, yield, sucker production and qualitative characters.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 43(1): 71-80, March 2018

The experiment on papaya (Carica papaya L.) consisting of fourteen genotypes from diversd gene pool was conducted at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Ishurdi, Pabna during April 2013 to May 2014 to study the nature and magnitude of genetic divergence and eventually identification of suitable genotypes for use in breeding program. Multivariate analysis was subjected to assess the genetic diversity and Mahalanobis’ generalized distance (D2) was used to assess the divergence present among the genotypes. The fourteen genotypes were grouped into four clusters. The cluster IV had the maximum genotypes (5) followed by cluster I having 4 genotypes and cluster II having 3 genotypes. Cluster III had the minimum genotypes (2). The inter-cluster distances were greater than intra-cluster distances in all cases, suggesting wider genetic diversity among the genotypes of different groups. The highest intracluster distance was observed in cluster III and the lowest in cluster II. The maximum inter-cluster distance was estimated between clusters I and IV (11.3212), moderate distance between clusters II and IV (9.961) and clusters III and IV (7.568), and that of the lowest between clusters I and III. Cluster III recorded the highest mean values for fruit length, plant height at last harvest, number of fruits/plant, weight of fruits/plant and fruit yield, while cluster IV exhibited the maximum mean values for pulp thickness, plant height at 1st harvest and the second highest mean values for fruit length, fruit breadth and TSS. Therefore, more emphasis should be given on cluster III for selecting genotypes as parents for crossing with the genotypes of cluster IV which may produce new recombinants with desired traits.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 41(4): 647-656, December 2016

An experiment taking tomato fruits (cv. BARI Tomato-14) of three maturity stages (mature green stage, breaker stage and half ripen stage) and four ethephon levels [control (distilled water spray), 500, 750 and 1000 ppm] was carried out at the laboratory of plant physiology section of Horticulture research centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute) during February 14, 2013 to February 27, 2012 to find out the suitable stage of fruit maturity for post harvest application of ethephon (ethrel) for tomato ripening. The source of ethrel was Spectrum (ethephon 39%) manufactured in the United States of America. Treatment with 500 - 1000 ppm ethephon hastened ripening of tomato by 4 days in mature green stage but by 2 and 4 days in breaker stage tomatoes when compared with control fruits. The highest value of rotting was shown by half ripen tomatoes. The 1000 ppm ethrel gave the maximum rotting irrespective of maturity stages. However, the maximum weight loss and shelf life were found in green mature tomatoes. The shelf life of tomato fruits of green mature and breaker stage tomatoes treated with 500 and 750 ppm was also high. The percentage of rotting and weight loss was increased with gradual advancement of time. The highest value of weight loss and shelf life was recorded in green mature tomatoes without ethephon and with 500 and 750 ppm ethephon treatment. The highest value of vitamin-C, TSS and titrable acidity were shown by half ripen and pH by green mature tomatoes at different days of storage. The ethephon concentration of 750 ppm the gave maximum vitamin-C at 6 and 9 days of storage but 1000 ppm gave the maximum TSS% followed by 750 ppm ethephon. The ethephon @ 750 ppm produced the maximum TSS at 9 day of storage in mature green tomatoes but in breaker and half ripen stage tomatoes 750 ppm ethephon gave TSS identical to 1000 ppm at different days of storage. The residue level of ethrel in tomato fruits treated with all ethephon concentrations at 3 and 5 days of storage was below 2 mg/kg which is safe for human health. Therefore, treated tomatoes should be consumed after 3 days of ethephon application.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 40(4): 567-580, December 2015

The experiment on brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) having seven growth regulators viz., control, 30 ppm GA3 , 40 ppm GA3, 50 ppm GA , 20 ppm NAA, 40 ppm NAA, and 60 ppm NAA and two varieties viz., BARI Begun-5 and BARI Begun -10 was conducted at the field of Plant Physiology Section of HRC during the rabi season (November 2011 to May 2013) to find out the suitable variety responsive to growth regulators and to determine the suitable dose of growth regulator for brinjal production. The GA3 (Gibberellic acid) and NAA (Naphthalene acetic acid) had no significant effect on plant height and stem diameter at the end of the crop period and days to 100% flowering. NAA 40 ppm produced highest percentage of long and medium styled-flower, leaf photosynthesis and Fv/Fm (efficiency of photosystem II), number of fruits /plant and fruit yield (45.50 t/ha). The variety BARI Begun-5 was earlier to 100% flowering which took 44 days after transplanting which outyielded BARI Begun-10. NAA 40 ppm coupled with BARI Begun-5 gave the maximum Fv/Fm, long-styled flower percent, number of fruits/plant, and the highest fruit yield (49.73 t/ha). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v39i3.21983 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 39(3): 397-405, September 2014