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Optimum use of resources in crop production is crucial for reducing production costs and getting higher profits. Lentil farmers are traditionally using different inputs without considering their efficient use levels. Hence, the present study estimated the productivities of various lentil varieties and measured the resource use efficiency in lentil production. The study analyzed 360 household data collected from 240 improved variety users and 120 local cultivar users spread in the six lentil growing districts namely Faridpur, Magura, Kushtia, Jhenaidah, Manikgonj, and Sirajganj. Along with descriptive statistics, the study used Cobb- Douglas production and resource use efficiency models for analyzing the data. The average productivity of improved variety (1.63 t/ha) was much higher than local cultivars (1.08 t/ha). The highest productivity was found in mediumintensive growing areas due to the use of better variety (BARI lentil 8) and a higher level of inputs. Human labour, seed, TSP, MoP, other fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation, and variety had a positive and significant effect on lentil production. Farmers were not efficient in using inputs, they used excessive amount of labour but less amounts of seed and fertilizers. Lentil farmers faced the lack of suitable land, biotic and abiotic stresses, and lack of improved seeds. Farmers should be supplied with improved variety and production technology to increase farm profits through the efficient use of resources in lentil production. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 46(3): 231-243, September 2021

The study was conducted at Emerald oil mill and Poultry Industries Limited, Sherpur and Square Toiletries Ltd. at Shalghoria, Pabna to assess the financial analysis of the rice bran oil mill and to determine the value chains system of rice bran edible oil chemical by-products specially free fatty acid and actors involved in marketing of FFA in Bangladesh during the year 2013-2014. Tabular and statistical analyses were done. Results revealed that the rice bran edible oil was produced as the main product (7948 t/mill/year), and de-oil rice bran (39600 t/mill/year), free fatty acid (1495 t/mill/year), gum (332 t/mill/year), wax (329 t/mill/industry) and splint earth (808 t/mill/industry) products were also produced as chemical by-products in oil mill. Free fatty acids, gum and wax were used in soap factories. The oil mill purchased 49,500 tonnes of rice bran annually. Total cost of production was estimated at lakh Tk. 13969.85 and total variable cost was lakh Tk. 13032.98. Gross return of the oil mill was calculated at lakh Tk. 14838.03/year and lakh Tk. 867.10 was obtained from free fatty acids annually. The net profit lakh TK. 868.18/year/ industry was achieved from rice bran, while the FFA earned Tk. 30344 per ton as net profits. The benefit cost ratio was 1.06 in the oil mill. The higher return on investment was gained in free fatty acid. Minimum marketing cost was found in shorter chain-I (Oil mill – soap factory) and longer chain-III (Oil mill – Commission agent 1 – Commission agent 2 – Soap factory) produced maximum marketing cost in the FFA value chain system. Total marketing margin and total profit were achieved Tk. 10.50/kg and Tk. 2.90/kg, respectively. Free fatty acid as a chemical byproduct in rice bran oil processing has esteemed market value in soap factories that contribute to the national economy. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 45(4): 379-393, December 2020

The study assessed the volume and value of postharvest losses of cucumber in Rajshahi, Rangpur and Bandarban districts of Bangladesh. The survey covered 180 cucumber farmers. Multistage stratified random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. Postharvest loss was calculated by evaluating the quantitative and qualitative losses of cucumber. Among the respondents 71% were belonged to small farm size category followed by medium (21%) and marginal farm size category (6%). Average per hectare postharvest loss was 3929 kg in the survey areas. Postharvest loss was found highest in Rangpur (5781kg) followed by Rajshahi (4075kg) and Bandarban (1931kg). Total postharvest loss was 51.79% due to complete physical damage and the rest (48.21%) was due to partial physical damage. Sorting and grading stages accounted to 27.52% and 24.98% respectively were responsible for complete physical damage and partial physical damage. The least postharvest loss (3.61%) was due to storing of cucumber, whereas the highest loss (24.03%) was due to insect infestation. Besides, rotten and skinning causes for complete and partial physical damages of cucumber in Rajshahi district, where it was due to insect infestation in Bandarban and Rangpur district. The farmer of Rangpur district spent 81720 per hectare of cucumber cultivation, whereas it was Tk. 62354 and Tk. 34826 Rajshahi and Bandarban district respectively. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 45(3): 269-277, September 2020

A pot experiment was conducted in the experimental field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka during the period from November, 2020 to May, 2021 to find out the effect of rice husk as an bio-adsorbent to decontaminate As toxicity in potato. The experiment consisted of two factors. Factor A: Arsenic levels (4) viz., As0: control (0 mg As kg-1 soil), As1: 20 mg As kg-1 soil, As2: 40 mg As kg-1 soil, and As3: 60 mg As kg-1 soil. Factor B: Rice husk levels (4) viz., R0: control (0 g kg-1 soil), R1: 20 g kg-1 soil, R2: 40 g kg-1 soil and R3: 60 g kg-1 soil. The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized complete block design with three replications. Results revealed that As and/or rice husk had significant effect on arsenic load in different plant parts of potato t. Arsenic content in potato tuber flesh, peel, haulm and root gradually increased with the increase of its levels. On the contrary, As content in plant parts decreased with increasing rice husk levels. The soil treated with As1R3 exhibited As accumulation in tuber flesh (0.1070 mg kg-1 fresh weight) and peel (0.443 mg kg-1 FW), respectively. As load in different plant parts was in the sequence: root > haulm > tuber peel > tuber flesh. Although, the least As loading in tuber flesh was observed in As1R1, As1R2, As1R3 (range 0.1258-0.1070 mg kg-1 FW) which also showed higher productivity (range 402.67 - 416.67 g plant-1), but the treatment combination of As1R1 may be suitable for safe potato cultivation in lower level As contaminated soil. Therefore, potato growers can grow potato up to 20 mg As kg-1 contaminated soil treated with 20 g rice husk kg1 soil, which contains safe As load than the critical one (0.157 mg As kg-1 FW) for human consumption. So, application of rice husk for potato cultivation may a good option to reduce the arsenic hazards in lower arsenic endemic areas. Bangladesh Agron. J. 2022, 25(1): 67-73

Screening of different rice (Oryza sativa L.) germplasms or breeding lines is a continuous effort to identify the promising source. A series of experiments (20) were undertaken to identify promising materials for five years of salinity screening from 2015 to 2019. The materials included total of 3,195 rice germplasm and breeding lines, out of which Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) developped 2, 295 germplasms, 193 advanced breeding lines from BRRI, and 707 advanced breeding lines from International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines. From this study, the genotypes were categorized as 122 tolerant, 220 moderately tolerant, 1,207 sensetive, and 1,646 highly sensetive. Among the BRRI germplasms, most of the materials (61%) had sensitive responses against salinity, while only 2 and 3% of rice germplasm exhibited tolerant and moderately tolerant, respectively. BRRI lines comprised 44% sensetive and 35% highly sensetive rice genotypes. In the tolerance level, 4% appeared as tolerant and 17% moderately tolerant against salinity. Likewise, IRRI lines also showed relatively higher tolerance (9%) than the BRRI germplasm and lines. They were classified into 9 % tolerant and 16 % moderately tolerant rice genotypes. Bangladesh Agron. J. 2022, 25(1): 37-45

Mixed ligand binuclear complexes of Cu(II) and Cd(II) with adenine (Ade) and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) havebeen synthesized at a metal to ligands (M:L:L′) molar ratio of 1:1:1 in aqueous medium under ambient conditions. All synthesizedcomplexes are powdery solids of different colours, slightly soluble in hot water and decompose at high temperature. Characterizationof the complexes was accomplished using various analytical techniques, e.g. metal and chloride content analysis, Fourier transformspectrophotometer (FT-IR), UV-visible spectrophotometer, magnetic measurement, and thermal analyses. The metal and chloridecontents analyses of the complexes reveal to their stoichiometry [M2Cl2(Ade)2(H2O)2(DABCO)]Cl2 [M = Cu(II) or Cd(II)]. Analyticaldata suggests that they are homo metal symmetric binuclear complexes comprises of two [MCl(Ade)(H2O)] moieties in betweena DABCO molecule is N,N′-bridge bonded. The arrangements of the ligands around the metal centers are essentially tetrahedralinvolving N(9) of deprotonated imidazole moiety, one Cl- ion, one oxygen from the water molecule and one tertiary N atom fromDABCO completing the coordination. Proton migration occurs from N(9) to the N(1) site resulting into a zwitterionic form ofadenine, additionally N(3) site of which is hydrogen bonded with the coordinated water molecule. Electrochemical redox behaviourof Cu(II) in presence of adenine and DABCO in the aqueous medium was also studied. It exhibits quasi-reversible one-electrontransfer processes. Dhaka Univ. J. Sci. 70(1): 28-33, 2022 (January)

The prevalence of diseases of pigeon and response to treatment of bacterial disease were studied. One thousand pigeons were collected and examined to diagnose diseases following clinical history and signs, post-mortem lesions and laboratory examination. The overall prevalence of pigeon diseases was 21.9% (n = 219). Parasitic infestation was significantly (P

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is the most important and widespread virus. It attacks cucumber (Cucumis sativus) causingsevere yield loss. A research project was undertaken with a view to developing appropriate management option against CMVof cucumber in Bangladesh.Six integrated disease management packages were tested under field condition. A non-treated control was included for comparison with the packages. The experiment was conducted in the research field of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur during rabi season of 2018. All the treatment packages appreciably reduced CMV incidence of cucumber over control. Disease incidence was reduced to 35.71 to 76.97% over control and yield was increased to 0.37 to 6.40 t/h due to all treatment combinations compared to control. Two treatment packages T2- Netting seedling, sticky yellow trap, polythene mulch and 4 sprays of Imidacloprid 0.1 % at 15 days interval and T1- T2+Bio-neem0.2 % instead of Imidacloprid were considered as the most effective management options on the basis of minimum disease incidence (9.67; 10.5), higher yield (13.04 t/ha; 12.96 t/ha) and Marginal benefit cost ratio (1:3.17&1:2.93), respectively. Marginal cost benefit analysis indicated that the two management packages T1and T2may be economically viable and cost effective.These management packages may be recommended for management of CMV infecting cucumber. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 45(1): 65-76, March 2020

Tomato is a very well-known horticultural crop in Bangladesh. In order to make tomato production profitable postharvest management is very important. The present study assessed tomato postharvest losses in four intensive growing sites of Jamalpur and Rangpur districts of Bangladesh. Farm level postharvest losses were measured through using descriptive and inferential statistics. Cobb- Douglas type multiple linear regression model was used to identify the factors affecting farm level tomato postharvest loss in the survey areas. Farm level postharvest loss of tomato was 12.45% per farm in the survey area. From this3.59% was due to partial damages and the rest 8.86% was for full damages of tomato. The major causes for postharvest loss of tomato were rotten, disease and insect infestation. This loss incurs financial loss at farm level by BDT 152.45 per decimal of tomato cultivation. Total harvested amount, family member and selling price were some of the important factors for tomato postharvest loss in the survey area. Wide practices of improved postharvest management practices are essential to reduce tomato postharvest loss in the survey area. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 45(1): 43-52, March 2020

The application of biochar may enhance the yield of potato for different processing categories. A field experiment was conducted at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, during the period from November, 2020 to April, 2021 to find out the response of biochar on yield of potato for different processing categories. The experiment comprised of Potato varieties (3): V1: BARI Alu-29 (Courage), V2: BARI Alu-28 (Lady Rosetta) and V3: BARI Alu-25 (Asterix) and Biochar level (5): B0: 0 t ha-1, B1: 2.50 t ha-1, B2: 5.00 t ha-1 and B3: 7.50 t ha-1 and B4: 10 t ha-1. The study was laid out in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. The results showed that biochar amendment could enhance the yield of processing category potato. The total yield and marketable yield of potato gradually increased with increasing biochar level. The results also revealed that the processing category potato viz., canned, chips and French fry potato yield progressively increased with advancing biochar level irrespective of varieties except dehydrated category. In case of marketable yield, BARI Alu-25 and BARI Alu-29 with biochar level 5 to 10 t ha-1performed superior than other combinations and produced 19.50 to 21.30 t ha-1which are 18.54 to 36.45% higher than without biochar. The combination of V2B4 produced maximum canned (8.10 t ha-1) and dehydrated potato (10.09t ha-1) but V3B4 made significantly highest chips (9.03 t ha-1) and French fry (5.70 t ha-1) potato, whereas, BARI Alu-29 and BARI Alu-28 did not produce any French fry category potato. However, the level of biochar of 5 to 10 t ha-1 could enhance processing category potato production. It may be concluded that potato growers may apply biochar along with recommended rate of other fertilizers for producing maximum processing category potato. Bangladesh Agron. J. 2021, 24(2): 63-72

Rice is cultivated in the three seasons (Aus, Aman, and Boro) across four ecotypes, including irrigat-ed, rainfed upland, rainfed lowland, and deep water in Bangladesh. Rice farming in unfavourable ecosystems is highly exposed to abiotic stresses and extreme weather events (floods, droughts, storm surges, and cyclones), and its performance is frequently affected by the multiple-stresses and extreme weather events. Besides, the increasing demand for rice for the growing population and decreasing scarce resources, including arable land and fresh-water for irrigation aggravated the concern about sustainable rice production systems under future conditions. Thus, the paper aimed to exploit unfa-vourable ecosystems to increase total rice production for meeting future demand. Secondary data were analyzed to achieve the objectives of the study. BR23, BRRI dhan40, BRRI dhan41, BRRI dhan47, BRRI dhan53, BRRI dhan54, BRRI dhan61, BRRI dhan67, BRRI dhan73, BRRI dhan97, BRRI dhan99, BINA dhan-8 and BINA dhan-10 are resilient to salinity. Besides, BRRI dhan56, BRRI dhan57, BRRI dhan66, BRRI dhan71, and BRRI dhan83 are resilient to drought, and BRRI dhan51, BRRI dhan52, BRRI dhan79, BINA dhan11, and BINA dhan-12 are tolerant to submergence. The BR18, BRRI dhan36, BRRI dhan67, and BRRI dhan69 are some-extent resilient to cold. The research has been con-tinuing for developing further stress-tolerant higher yield potential rice cultivars for unfavourable ecosystems. The increased adoption of currently available stress-tolerant rice cultivars has the poten-tial to give a substantially higher yield than that of locally popular rice cultivars in the unfavourable ecosystems. Therefore, the dissemination of stress-tolerant cultivars to 75% of total rice cropping are-as of saline (0.37 Mha), submergence (1.08 Mha), and drought (2.94 Mha) ecosystem may contribute to increasing rice production in the ecosystems by 1.26 MT, 3.45 MT, and 9.18 MT, respectively. Re-sulting from that 13.89 MT rice will be added to the national rice basket in 2050. The policy supports are needed to strengthen for developing and rapid dissemination of the stress-tolerant cultivars in the unfavourable ecosystems for meeting the increased demand of rice of the growing population under future conditions. Bangladesh Rice J. 24 (2): 83-102, 2021

In vitro regeneration of Mirabilis jalapa L., an important medicinal plant, has been successfully established from nodal explants. Maximum numbers of shoots (8.1) were obtained using Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing BAP (3.0 mg/l). Next to the highest response by nodal explants of M. jalapa was shown on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l BAP +1.0 mg/l IAA + 1.0 mg/l Kn. In it, the mean value of shoot number was 7.3. The highest frequency of root induction (80%) were obtained on MS medium supplemented with IAA (0.5 mg/l) and 40 ml/l coconut water. The rooted plantlets were transferred for hardening following acclimatization and finally were successfully planted in the field. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res.56(1), 25-28, 2021

Technical efficiency is becoming essential indicators in estimating agriculture productivity, The aims of this research are to estimate the technical efficiency level and analysis factors affecting the technical efficiency level of maize farmer. The research was conducted in Wajak Sub-District of Malang Regency in East Java, Indonesia. Primary data was collected from 110 maize farmers and analyzed by data envelopment analysis and Tobit regression model. The result of this study claimed that farmers in the research location are technically inefficient because of the technical efficiency level less than one. Furthermore, the result of Tobit regression shows that the farmers’ education level has a significant and positive effect on technical efficiency level. However, the family dependency and farmer group participation have a significant and negative effect on technical efficiency level. This finding can be concluded that farmers need to minimize the input usage to increase the technical efficiency level.

BACKGROUND: Anaemia is a significant public health problem in most South-Asian countries, causing increased maternal and child mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of and factors associated with anaemia in women of reproductive age in Bangladesh, Maldives, and Nepal. METHODS: We used the nationally-representative Demographic and Health Surveys Program data collected from women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in 2011 in Bangladesh (n = 5678), 2016 in Maldives (n = 6837), and 2016 in Nepal (n = 6419). Anaemia was categorized as mild (haemoglobin [Hb] of 10.0-10.9 g/dL for pregnant women and 11.0-11.9 g/dL for non-pregnant women), moderate (Hb of 7.0-9.9 g/dL for pregnant women and 8.0-10.9 g/dL for non-pregnant women), and severe (Hb

It has been widely reported that vitamin D deficiency is associated with Coronary heart disease (CHD), especially acute Myocardial infarction (MI). Many factors are responsible for reduced Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and acute Left ventricular fraction (LVF) after acute MI. This cross sectional descriptive type of study was conducted in the Cardiology department of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital from October 2017 to March 2019 to investigate the relationship of plasma vitamin D with LVEF in patients with first attack of acute MI. Total 185 patients of first attack of acute MI were included considering inclusion and exclusion criteria. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for plasma vitamin D level. Sample population were grouped at first into two, normal and low vitamin D level, taking 30ng/ml as cut-off value, low vitamin D level is further subdivided into insufficiency (21-29ng/ml), deficiency (10-20ng/ml) and severe deficiency (10ng/ml). LVEF among the patients was observed. LVEF was found 49.88±8.58% patients having normal vitamin D level (30ng/ml), 47.60±8.24% of patients having vitamin D insufficiency (21-29ng/ml), 44.38±8.12% of patients having vitamin D deficiency (10-20ng/ml) and 40.61±8.64% patients having severe vitamin D deficiency (10ng/ml), which was statistically significant (p0.05). So, low plasma vitamin D level is associated with reduced LVEF in patients hospitalized with first attack of acute MI.

A cross sectional study was done to assess the level of knowledge on Nipah (virus) among the community people of Hatibandha upazilla at Lalmonirhat district in Bangladesh. A total of 215 samples from 3 villages (Borokhada, Shingmari, Dolapara) were selected randomly from Hatibandha upazila in which household were selected by random sampling from each village. Among the respondents 96% people heard about Nipah, 4% have no proper knowledge. The socio-demographic profile of the survey participants were gachhi (date palm sap collector), tree owner and the community people. Gachhi covers 40% of total responded group. The study observed that among 215 respondents most of them (82.3% gachhi) used skirt (a protective covering frame made by bamboo and other materials) and 17.7% did not use skirt during sap collection. 46% people drank raw sap from protective source and 27.4% people did not dink sap from protective source. 39.5% people have the perception that not taking raw sap prevents Nipah. Respondents heard about Nipah but they don’t have proper knowledge about mode of transmission, risk group of disease, symptom, treatment and prevention of the disease. This is because health worker, physicians did not provide the information correctly and low media coverage of the selected areas. Therefore, the study suggests increasing awareness through media communication and proper support from government health sector.

Newcastle disease is a highly contagious disease of poultry and causes huge economic loss in Bangladesh. In the study, the efficacy of different vaccination programs against Newcastle disease virus was performed to examine duration and level of antibody in two layer farms with different diluents. The experiment was carried out in Dinajpur district and serological test was performed in the Department of Microbiology, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur during the period of July, 2017 to December, 2017. A total of 200 blood samples were randomly collected from different age groups of layer birds which were vaccinated with commercially available two live and one killed vaccine namely Avi ND LaSota, CEVAC NEW L and ITA-New (ND). Pre-vaccination serum antibody titers (Mean ± SD) of group A birds were 5.97±0.75. Firstly, birds were vaccinated with Avi ND LASOTA® vaccine, and CEVAC® NEW L vaccine. MASTERBLUE powder and ADVANCE NON-FAT were used as diluents in vaccination. After 40 days of post-vaccination, sera samples were procured and showed serum antibody titer (Mean ± SD) 7.0 ± 0.93. In case of farm-B, before vaccination antibody titers levels against NDV were Mean ± SD 5.85±0.75. Birds of farm-B were vaccinated with Avi ND LaSota® vaccine. After 40 days of post-vaccination, titer was Mean ± SD 6.7 ± 0.93. Then birds were vaccinated with ITA-New (ND) ® which were killed vaccine. After 40 days of post-vaccination, the titer was Mean ± SD 8.15± 0.93. MASTERBLUE powder and ADVANCE NON-FAT are suitable diluents to be used in vaccination against Newcastle disease because tap water may inactivate the vaccine due to its impurity in addition to containing higher level of chlorine and even the type of pipes or vessels used to distribute the drinking water. The results showed that the level of protection of vaccinated birds was satisfactory.

Mechanical rice transplanting is gaining attention to the Bangladeshi farmers. However, service business on mechanical rice seedlings transplanting has not yet been developed due to various reasons. The 4-row walking type transplanter (model DP488) was operated in 54 farmer’s field at Ghaghatpara, Rangpur Sadar and Kaliganjpara, Pairaband, Rangpur in late boro 2016 season to explore the entrepreneurial opportunity of commercial mechanical rice transplanting service for small holder farmer in Bangladesh. The field capacity and field efficiency of rice transplanter was obtained 0.15 ha hr -1 and 75%, respectively. Field capacity depended on the size and shape of the plots. Small plots having less than 250 m 2 should be avoided for 4-row walking type rice transplanter to get the good machine performance. Fuel consumption was obtained 4 L ha -1 and varied over plot size, soil settlement time, presence of obstacle, plot to plot travelling distance and operator’s skill. Scattered plots increased travelling distance hence fuel consumption raised and reduced daily area coverage. Soil setting time should be allowed for 12-24 hrs for satisfactory machine performance. Mechanical transplanting took 18 man-hr ha -1 whereas mat loading, machine transport and cleaning took 1.6 man-hr ha -1 labors. Depending on the combination of seedling density in tray and density settings in machine the tray requirement varies from 153 ha -1 to 222 ha -1 . Tray distribution was observed as 90% in transplanting, 6% in gap filling and 4% pocket area. Gap filling by manual labor required 18-20 man-hr ha -1 . Time distribution depended on managerial combination and relation between transplanting team and farmers. Seed rate showed negative correlation with seedlings population in tray and positive correlation with seedlings mortality. Number of turning events in plots can be minimized by selecting larger plot and operating transplanter in length-wise. Increasing daily coverage, minimizing fuel consumption and selection of sensible consumer group can draw good return from marginal input and establish business in secure environment. Progressive Agriculture 28 (3): 230-239, 2017

The electrochemical redox behavior of transition metal ion Co2+ at different pH in acetate buffer solution has been investigated using cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry at glassy carbon electrode (GCE). In cyclic voltammograms (CVs), Co2+ shows a pair of cathodic and a pair of anodic peak. The peak potential separation and peak current ratio reveals that the redox process of the redox couples, Co2+/Co+ and Co+/Co followed a quasi-reversible behavior and are two step one-electron transfer processes. The electrochemical processes are diffusion controlled. The nature of CV of Co2+ has greatly influenced by the potential scan rate and solution pH. With increasing scan rate both cathodic peaks shifted towards negative potential and first cathodic peak was eventually diminished. In the reverse direction, unexpected behavior such as distinguishable second anodic peak, identical heights of two anodic peaks, three humps like peaks and finally domination of second anodic peak were noticed. However, in lower pH all the above mentioned behavior appeared with higher scan rate. While at higher pH of the solution the peculiar behavior was found at lower scan rate. Nevertheless, at pH 6.5, it demonstrated intense cathodic peaks and a very large anodic peak at all scan rates. Dhaka Univ. J. Sci. 65(2): 107-112, 2017 (July)

The electrochemistry of Mn2+ at different pH (3.5-4.5) in acetate buffer solution has been investigated, using cyclic voltammetric method at glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Cyclic voltammograms (CVs) of Mn2+ show two cathodic and an anodic peaks over the entire investigated pH. The CVs of Mn2+ has also been performed in presence of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole, pantoprazole, esomeprazole and rabeprazole to elucidate the interaction of Mn2+ with the PPIs in acetate buffer solution. At the studied pH, a reasonably strong interaction was observed between Mn2+ and PPIs at different molar ratio of Mn2+ ion and PPIs. However, maximum interaction has been found at 1:2 molar ratio of Mn2+ and PPIs. This indicates the most suitable condition for the interaction between Mn2+ and PPIs. These results could allow insight into the interactions of metal ions with the PPIs. Dhaka Univ. J. Sci. 64(2): 115-120, 2016 (July)

The complexes of Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) with adenine (AdeH) and uracil (UraH) have been synthesized and characterized by a combination of metal contents estimation, IR, UV-vis spectral data, thermogravimetric analysis (QSTG, TG and DSC) and magnetic susceptibility measurement. All the complexes are micro-crystalline, slightly soluble in water and decompose at high temperature. Both adenine and uracil deprotonated under experimental condition and then ligated to the metal ions as bidentate ligands through N(3) and N(9) of adeninato (Ade), and through N(3) and C(2)=O of uracilato (Ura) anions. On the basis of the metal contents, the complexes are formulated as [M(C5H4N5O)(C5H4N5)(H2O)2] [M = Cu(II), Zn(II) and Hg(II)] and [Cd(C5H4N5)(C4H3N2O2)(H2O)2].2H2O. The redox properties of copper and cadmium complexes were examined in aqueous solution by cyclic voltammetry. The voltammograms show quasi-reversible behavior for both the complexes. The X-ray powder diffraction study of the copper complex indicates that it is poorly crystalline in nature. Dhaka Univ. J. Sci. 64(2): 127-133, 2016 (July)

The experiment was conducted to determine the effects of population densities of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) on the growth and production of tilapia in monoculture system. Fish population density was 80 fish per decimal under treatment-I, 160 fish per decimal under treatment-II and 320 fish per decimal under treatment-III. In the ponds under three treatments supplementary feed was not used. The average initial length and weight of the fry of tilapia was 4.48 cm and 0.067 g, respectively. The ponds were fertilized fortnightly with urea and TSP at the rates of 60 g, and 90 g per decimal, respectively. Mean survival rates of fish under treatment-I, treatment-II and treatment-III were 91.12%, 82.82% and 66.23%, respectively. The specific growth rates (SGR, % per day) of fish under treatment-I, treatment-II and treatment-III were 5.49%, 4.95% and 4.61%, respectively. The calculated net fish production of the ponds under treatment-I was 2.65 ton ha-1 yr-1 and that of the ponds under treatment-II was 2.55 ton ha-1 yr-1 and that of the ponds under treatment-III was 2.68 ton ha-1 yr-1. The net fish production under treatment-I and treatment-III were 2.65 ton ha-1 yr-1 and 2.68 ton ha-1 yr-1 higher than that of treatment-II, taking net fish production under treatment-I for 100%. According to survival rates and specific growth rates treatment-I is the best. So, the population density of 80 fish per decimal (under treatment-I) might be considered the best among the three treatments.

Plackett-Burman design was employed to study the reaction of o -cresol with benzyl alcohol in the presence of anhydrous aluminium chloride as catalyst for screening variables. The variables chosen for the investigation were temperature, molar ratio of o -cresol to benzyl alcohol, amount of anhydrous AlCl 3 catalyst (% by wt. of o -cresol), addition time (ta h), stirring time (ts h), stirring speed (rpm). Among these variables temperature, molar ratio of o -cresol to benzyl alcohol and amount of anhydrous AlCl 3 were found to be important. A set of trials was planned according to a 3 factor 2-level Yates pattern experimental design with 2 replicates and the center point trial with 4 replicates. The critical response was the yield of benzyl o -cresol. Main effects as well as two- and three- factor interaction effects were statistically significant. A polynomial model was developed and the adequacy of the suggested model was checked up. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 50(3), 169-180, 2015

Monodispersed platinum nanoparticles (Pt-NPs) with an average diameter dTEM 3.1±1.0 nm were synthesized by EtOH reduction method in the presence of an organic polymer poly (vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) with an average molecular weight of 40,000. Using this particles as seed, size tunable Pt-NPs of dTEM 3.1±1.0 nm to 5.7±1.6 nm with sufficient monodispersity were synthesized by multiple step seeding growth. Formation of Pt-NPs was confirmed by the UV-visible absorption spectra. Transmission electron micrographs (TEM) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns confirmed that the particles were single crystalline with fcc crystal geometry.Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 50(2), 87-92, 2015

An experiment was carried out at the experimental farm of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Mymensingh during the period from January, 2011 to April, 2011. The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of gamma radiation on morpho-physiological characters of BARI soybean. Four levels of gamma irradiation viz. 200, 300, 400 and 500 Gy ?-ray from 60C source and control were irradiated on assigned two genotypes viz. BARI soybean 5 and BARI soybean 6. Data for growth analyses were collected at different days after sowing. Results revealed that the soybean varieties and gamma irradiation significantly affected morpho-physiological characters where BARI soybean 5 and 200 Gy ?-ray levels produced the greater results alone or combinations. This combination produced the tallest plant (37.42 cm), maximum leaf and branch plant-1 (23.15 and 2.10) at 75 DAS. 200 Gy ?-ray irradiated plants of BARI soybean 5 produced the highest seed yield (2373.70 kg ha-1) followed by control treatment (1887.90 kg ha-1) at the same variety. On the other hand, the plants consequential from 500 Gy ?-ray radiated of BARI soybean 5 had shown the lowest seed yield (1050.70 kg ha-1). This result indicating that irradiation significantly decreased on seed yield with increasing doses of gamma rays. So, the variety BARI soybean 5 and 200 Gy ?-ray alone or combination had outstanding superiority for plant growth over the other gamma ray levels.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jesnr.v7i2.22199 J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 7(2): 25-30 2014

This study examines the poverty and food security analysis of fishermen households in a selected area of Gopalganj Sadar Upazila in Gopalganj District in Bangladesh. A sample size of 60 households was selected purposively from four villages. Data was collected through field survey by using pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire. Calorie intake levels were calculated and statistical comparisons were done. Multiple regression analysis was carried out to determine the factor influencing calorie intake in individual levels. Food consumption scores were used to determine calorie intake levels. The major findings of the study were that income, education, cultivable area and rented area had positive impact on calorie intake but age of the respondents and family size had negative impact on calorie intake. About 68.33% of the respondents belonged to hard core poor whose average calorie intake was 1692.32 k. calories and 25% of the respondents had an average calorie intake 1890.93 k. calories and they belonged to absolute poor. The rest 6.67 % of the respondents took above 2122 kilo calories and average calorie intake was 2193.50 k. calories. There was 20% households having poor food consumption and 42% having borderline food consumption. Only 6.67% fishermen households have acceptable low food consumption and 3.33% have acceptable high food consumption. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i2.19928 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(2): 293-299, 2013

An experiment on polyculture of mahseer with Indian major carps at same stocking density was carried out for a period of 10 months from February 1 to December 1, 2004 in six experimental ponds. There were three treatments with two replicates each. Treatment 1 was designed with catla ( Catla catla ), rohu ( Labeo rohita ) and mrigal ( Cirrhinus mrigala ), treatment 2 with catla ( Catla catla ), rohu ( Labeo rohita ) and mahseer ( Tor putitora ) while treatment 3 with catla ( Catla catla ), rohu ( Labeo rohita ), mrigal ( Cirrhinus mrigala ) and mahseer ( Tor putitora ). Mahseer of the treatment 2 was introduced instead of mrigal of treatment 1 and 50% of mrigal was replaced with mahseer in treatment 3. The stocking density in all the treatments was 30 fish/decimal (7500 fish/ha). The feeds were supplied at the rate of 3-7% of the body weight of fish. The gross and net productions recorded were 5362.78 and 5188.64, 5431.42 and 5262.32, 5357.11 and 5528.74 kg/ha/yr in treatments 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Though there was no significant difference (p>0.05) among the three treatments using ANOVA but the production in treatment-3 was slightly higher than treatments 1 and treatment 2. However, there was no negative effect of mahseer on the growth and production of Indian major carps. So, it can be concluded that polyculture of mahseer with Indian major carps (catla, rohu and mrigal) can be done in ponds. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v18i2.18194 Progress. Agric. 18(2): 175 - 182, 2007

The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of bottom soil textural classes and different water depths on abundance of macrozoobenthos in aquaculture ponds. Three treatments, i.e., ponds bottom with sandy loam (T1), with loam (TS2) and with clay loam (T3) were considered in this experiment. Samples were collected from three different depths (60.96 cm, 106.68 cm and 152.40 cm) with three replications. The ranges of water quality parameters were suitable for the growth of macrozoobenthos during the experimental period. Similarly, chemical properties of soil were also within suitable ranges and every parameter showed comparatively higher ranges in T2. Eight genera were recorded belonging to major groups of Chironomidae, Oligochaeta, Mollusca and Ceratoponogonidae. The highest population densities of Oligochaeta (1200±4.25 per m2), Chironomidae (1422±4.88 per m2), Ceratopogonidae (399±1.56 per m2) and Mollusca (977±2.24 per m2) were found in T2. The population densities of macrozoobenthos showed fortnightly variations in all the treatments. Among the three depths, significantly highest densities of macrozoobenthos were recorded in 106.68 cm in every treatment. The mean abundance of macrozoobenthos was significantly highest in T2. The present study indicates that loamy soil pond bottom along with water depth 106.68 cm is suitable for the growth and production of macrozoobenthos in aquaculture ponds. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v3i2.17811 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 3 (2): 1-6, December, 2013

This research was carried out to determine the prevalence of subclinical mastitis in lactating Dairy Cow of Bangladesh Agricultural University dairy farm (BAUDF) and rural areas of Tangail sadar upazila of Bangladesh during the period of July 2009 to April 2010. A total of 200 milk samples (40 from BAUDF and 160 from Tangail sadar upazila) were collected for this study which were subjected to physical examination and subsequently screened for subclinical mastitis using three indirect tests viz. White Side Test (WST), California Mastitis Test (CMT), and Surf Field Mastitis Test (SFMT). Overall prevalence of subclinical mastitis (SCM) in lactating dairy cows found in this study was 29%. Cows were infected with SCM 29.5%, 27.5% and 25.5% detection by CMT, WST and SFMT respectively. Higher prevalence of SCM was detected in milch crossbred cows (36.36%) in comparison to local bred cows (24.61%) maintained under extensive management system in Rural area of Tangail sadar upazila. The prevalence of SCM was recorded in 31.58%, 30.76% and 68.75% in cows of local area of Tangail sadar upazila, and 25.0%, 40.0% and 71.42% in cows of BAU,DF during the early, mid and late stages of lactation respectively. The highest prevalence of SCM was recorded during the early lactation stage in both the local breed cows (30.0%) and cows of BAUDF (45.83%) in comparison to their respective mid and late stages of lactation. The prevalence of SCM was highest in lactating cows having third lactation and high yielding (cows produced >10 liter milk per day) both in local breed and crossbred cows.DOI = http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjvm.v9i1.11216 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2011). 9(1): 73-78