Unbalanced fertilizer use in the Eastern Gangetic Plain: The influence of Government recommendations, fertilizer type, farm size and cropping patterns

Intensive cropping systems with diverse cropping patterns present a challenge for nutrient management on smallholder farms. Government-endorsed recommendations for crop fertilizer use are designed to assist farmers achieve profitable and balanced nutrient inputs, but it is unclear how closely farmers follow these recommendations. We identified farmers’ current nutrient use gaps (overuse or underuse) relative to the Government-endorsed recommended nutrient doses in two cropping patterns in three representative Agro-ecological Zones of Bangladesh. A total of 330 farms were surveyed in 2019 from three farm size categories (referred to as large-, medium and small-scale) and their gaps in nutrient use were assessed relative to Government-endorsed Fertilizer Recommendation Guides (FRG) published in 2012 and in 2018: FRG-2012 and FRG-2018. The large- and medium-scale farms used 11–16%, 80–90% and 21–30%, respectively, over-doses of NPK in the cropping season under fully rice-based cropping pattern relative to FRG-2012 recommendations, while the over-dose levels were much lower for small-scale farms. Small-scale farms used much less than recommended S, Mg, Zn, B and organic manure (OM) rates relative to FRG-2012. The FRG-2018, which increased N and K recommendations but decreased the P recommendation for rice crops relative to FRG-2012, shows that all farms can decrease the dose of P (by 50%) while small-scale farms need to increase the dose of N (7%), K (16%), S (20%) and to apply Zn in the fully rice-based cropping pattern. On the other hand, the farms could greatly reduce NPK (19%, 86% and 44%, respectively) use while increasing S (14%), Mg, Zn, B and OM use relative to FRG-2018 in the pattern with the high-value potato crop. To increase crop profitability, enhance food security and save Government treasury in the Eastern Gangetic Plain enabling approaches are needed to effectively communicate the benefits of balanced nutrient use practices to farmers

Changes in chemical properties of banana pseudostem, mushroom media waste, and chicken manure through the Co-composting process

Co-composting is an effective approach to biowaste management. The co-composting potential of banana pseudostem (BPS) and mushroom media waste (MMW) with chicken manure (CM) has not been explored, let alone their suitable ratios of co-composting being determined. Meanwhile, the imbalance ratios of the feedstocks used in the process severely restrict the physicochemical properties and quality of the finished product. For this reason, six different ratios of BPS, MMW, and CM, viz. 1:1:1, 1:2:1, 1:3:1, 2:1:1, 2:2:1, and 2:3:1, respectively (T1–T6), were composted together in aerobic conditions to identify the suitable ratio by evaluating the changes in the physicochemical properties in the composting process. According to the ratio of treatments, the feedstocks were mixed on fresh weight basis. The turning process of co-composting piles was repeated at seven-day intervals to maintain the uniform aeration throughout the composting period. The piles having BPS, MMW, and CM at ratios of 1:2:1, 1:3:1, and 2:3:1, respectively, demonstrated a longer thermophilic phase, indicating more complete decomposition and earlier maturity compared to piles with higher amount of BPS. Of the ratios, BPS:MMW:CM at 1:2:1 ratio (T2) resulted in the highest total nitrogen (1.53%), lowest C:N ratio (12.4), organic matter loss (54.5%), and increased CEC (41.3 cmol/kg). The highest germination index (129%) was also recorded in the T2 compost, indicating that it was toxic-free and safe for seed germination. The nutrient-rich compost with high alkaline pH (≥10) can effectively ameliorate soils of an acidic nature, for example, the acidity of Ultisols and Oxisols

Farmers’ fertilizer use gaps relative to government recommendations in the saline coastal zone of the Ganges Delta

Overuse or underuse of nutrients relative to recommendations is a likely cause of crop yield gaps and an impediment to the achievement of food security. Government-endorsed recommendations are developed to deliver the best evidence-based advice on balanced fertilizer; however, deviations of farmers’ nutrient use from the recommendations are rarely examined. This study chose the salt-affected coastal zone of the Ganges Delta, where low crop productivity and cropping intensity by smallholders limit their income, to determine current nutrient use gaps for the first time of three cropping patterns in two representative districts of Bangladesh. A total of 246 farms were surveyed from three farm sizes. Farmers’ nutrient use gaps were compared with Fertilizer Recommendation Guides published in 2012 (FRG-2012) and 2018 (FRG-2018). Relative to FRG-2012 recommendations, farmers used 12%, 70%, and 11% overdoses of N, P, and K, respectively, under two fully rice-based cropping patterns, but the level of overdoses increased with farm size. Rates of K (14%), S (28%), and Zn use were below the FRG-2012 recommendations, especially for the smallest category of farms. However, the FRG-2018, increased recommended N (5%), K (62%), S (12%), and Zn rates but reduced P (25%) rates for fully rice-based cropping patterns. In contrast with rice, regardless of farm size, farmers applied overdose nutrients to watermelon but compensated with underdoses in the subsequent monsoon rice implying that farmers prioritized fertilizer expenditure on the most profitable crop. For the cropping pattern with watermelon, farmers could reduce the use of N (69%) and P (46%) and increase the use of K (48%), S (5%), and B. Reducing NPK use gaps can save treasury for both the farmers and the governments by 39.1 and 73.8 USD ha-1, respectively, under fully rice-based cropping patterns. Finally, our findings suggest there is scope to promote crop yields and sustainable intensification through balanced fertilizer use in a vulnerable saline region

Autonomous Driving Vehicle System using LiDAR sensor

An overview of light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor technology for autonomous vehicles is presented in this paper. The sensor called LiDAR sensors is a key component of autonomous driving’s for the upcoming generation as an assistance function. LiDAR technology is discussed, including its characteristics, a technical overview, prospects as well as limitations in relation to other sensors available in the industry. Comparison and comment on sensor quality are based on factory parameters. The basic components of a LiDAR system from the laser transmitter to the beam scanning mechanism are explained

Seroprevalence of brucellosis in cattle in selected area of Bangladesh and comparison between Rose Bengal test and i-ELISA used for the screening of brucellosis

Brucellosis, a bacterial zoonoses caused by the genus Brucella is responsible for abortion and infertility in cow. Brucellosis is causing economic loss in dairy industries and prevalent worldwide including Bangladesh but limited studies are devoted to determine the prevalence and its association with reproductive factors of dairy cows in Bangladesh. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis in dairy cattle using screening test Rose Bengal test (RBT) and the positive sera were further confirmed by indirect- ELISA. For this purpose, a total of 400 serum samples from dairy cows with history of abortion and various reproductive disorders were collected from the Kurigram district of Bangladesh for the detection of Brucella antibody. The overall prevalence of brucellosis in dairy cattle was 2.25%. Brucellosis in cases of abortion and repeat breeding was 8.3% and 2.8%, respectively. The results shows higher prevalence of brucellosis in cases of abortion followed by repeat breeding, while there was no seropositive cases from other reproductive disorders. Age-wise sero-prevalence was found 3.0% in 2~3 years age group and 2.0% in 4~8 years age group. The prevalence of brucellosis in indigenous and cross-bred cattle was 3.6% and 1.7%, respectively. All the animals detected positive to brucellosis by RBT were not found to be positive by i-ELISA. However, the RBT might be a suitable screening test for the diagnosis of Brucella infection in field condition in Bangladesh. These data will help to develop effective disease prevention strategies

Double pendulum dynamic impact test set-up for ice-grillage collision

This paper details the development of a double pendulum dynamic impact test apparatus to study the behavior of collisions between ice and structural grillages, typical of those used in ship structures. Direct collisions between ice and ships involve high impact energy and can cause substantial damage to the ship structure. In order to apply this type of impact energy in a controlled and repeatable way, a double pendulum dynamic impact test frame has been developed. The frame consists of two pendulums: one to cany an ice sample and the other to carry a test grillage structure. The overall size of the apparatus is 4m x 5m x 8m. The live weight of each pendulum is approximately 3000 kg. In operation, the pendulums will be lifted and then released simultaneously to impact each other in a vertical position. The frame is instrumented to measure the impact force and deflection of the grillage. Copynght \ua92012 ICETECH 12. All rights reserved.Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye