Occurrence, diversity and morphology of poroid wood decay by Ganoderma spp. from tropical moist deciduous forest region of Bangladesh

There are many hot spots in tropical moist deciduous forest region where wood decay fungi grow naturally. An investigation was carried  out  to  collect, identify  and  preserve wood decay Ganoderma spp. on the basis of morphological characteristics  from Pabna,  Dhaka and  Rajshahi under tropical  moist deciduous  forest  region in Bangladesh during  June  to September  2016 and July to October  2017. This study was conducted to  record the  morphological  variability,  distribution,  habitat  and diversity of  the Ganoderma  population. A  total  of  40 Ganoderma  samples  were  collected  and identified to nine species  under  Ganodermataceae family.  The samples were collected from the sites by walking through the area following standard method. The field data and laboratory analytical data was recorded during sample collection and in the laboratory, respectively.The highest density of occurrence (23%) was recorded for Ganoderma lucidum and Ganoderma oregonense followed by Ganoderma applanatum (20%), Ganoderma praelongum (19%), Ganoderma lesklokorka (18.5%), Ganoderma pfeifferi (17%), Ganoderma boninense (15%), Ganoderma lipsiense (13%) and Ganoderma tsugae (11%). The highest frequency of occurrence (10%) was recorded for Ganoderma applanatum and Ganoderma oregonense followed by Ganoderma lucidum (9%), Ganoderma pfeifferi (8%), Ganoderma boninense (8%), Ganoderma praelongum (7%), Ganoderma lesklokorka (7%),Ganoderma tsugae (6%) and  Ganoderma lipsiense (5%). During survey, Koroi (Albizia procera), Aurjun (Terminalia arjuna), Sisso plant (Dalbergia sissoo), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Golden shower (Acacia auriculiformis) and Rain tree (Albizia lebbeck) were found as hosts of Ganoderma spp. The specimens were preserved in the SAU Herbarium of Macro Fungi (SHMF) and might be useful in mushroom breeding and development program for medicine and food industry sector in future

Genome editing (CRISPR/Cas9) in plant disease management: challenges and future prospects

The field of plant pathology has adopted targeted genome editing technology as one of its most crucial and effective genetic tools. Due to its simplicity, effectiveness, versatility, CRISPR together with CRISPR-associated proteins found in an adaptive immune system of prokaryotes have recently attracted the interest of the scientific world. Plant disease resistance must be genetically improved for sustainable agriculture. Plant biology and biotechnology have been transformed by genome editing, which makes it possible to perform precise and targeted genome modifications. Editing offers a fresh approach by genetically enhancing plant disease resistance and quickening resistance through breeding. It is simpler to plan and implement, has a greater success rate, is more adaptable and less expensive than other genome editing methods. Importantly CRISPR/Cas9 has recently surpassed plant science as well as plant disease. After years of research, scientists are currently modifying and rewriting genomes to create crop plants which are immune to particular pests and diseases. The main topics of this review are current developments in plant protection using CRISPR/Cas9 technology in model plants and commodities in response to viral, fungal, and bacterial infections, as well as potential applications and difficulties of numerous promising CRISPR/Cas9-adapted approaches

Nanotechnology: Past, Present and Future Prospects in Crop Protection

Nanotechnology is an advanced and evolving discipline in the field of science and technology with various applications in other fields such as the life sciences, and is increasingly important in the plant sciences as well. It is estimated that 20–40% of crops are lost each year due to plant pests and pathogens. The current plant disease management, which primarily relies on toxic pesticides that may be harmful to humans and the environment, has the benefit of utilizing nanotechnology. It has capabilities in determining the outbreak of an epidemic as well as diagnosing different types of diseases. It can also distinguish between similar microbes like bacteria, fungi, viruses, complex genomic portions, and how two versions of genes on an individual chromosome differ. This chapter will cover the plant disease management implementation of this technology

Win-win: designing dual-use in climate projects for effective anti-corruption in Bangladesh

Climate adaptation projects in Bangladesh have been widely affected by high levels of corruption and resource leakage. However, the dual-use characteristics of climate adaptation investments create incentives for influential households to monitor projects in their own interest. We theorize that these households can effectively use informal power and networks to constrain corruption by contractors and officials. Increasing the level of dual-use benefits is therefore a viable way of reducing corruption in contexts of poor governance. We test this hypothesis using data from a survey of 1,901 households living near four recently completed climate projects and interviews with over 30 key informants. The results indicate that households are more likely to monitor climate projects if they provide dual-use benefits and households with above-average incomes from agricultural and business activities are the most likely to benefit from dual-use attributes. Furthermore, we find that higher levels of monitoring by these influential households are associated with reduced corruption during project implementation

Influence of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on growth, nutrient uptake and disease suppression of some selected vegetable crops

A reduction of the agrochemicals input along with selecting suitable cultivars and species is imperative to increase the sustainability of crop production. The influence of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) on seedling emergence growth, nutrient uptake and disease incidence of some selected vegetables viz. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), Brinjal (Solanum melongena), Chilli (Capsicum frutescens) and Data (Amaranthus oleraceus) has been evaluated. The results showed that AMF inoculation could increase almost all growth parameters. The seedling emergence, plant height, length and weight of root and shoot of mycorrhiza inoculated vegetables were comparatively higher than that of non-inoculated control plants. The mycorrhizal inoculation suppressed root rot, damping off and leaf spot disease of Okra, Tomato, Brinjal, Chilli and Data almost to half extent. Meanwhile, an increased nutrient (N, P, K, Fe, and Zn) uptake was recorded with the inoculated plants. Among the inoculated vegetables, comparatively higher N, P, and K uptake were observed in Okra and Brinjal whereas Zn and Fe uptake was found higher in Okra and Data respectively. Therefore, for sustainable vegetable production, introducing bio-fertilizer by using arbuscular mycorrhiza inoculation would be one of the most efficient techniques for replacing chemical fertilizer to meet the nutrient deficiency in nutrient deficient soils

The Political Economy of Climate Resilient Development Planning in Bangladesh

Following three major disasters in 2007, Bangladesh intensified its effort to tackle climate change through development of the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP). The process of plan formulation led to debates nationally and internationally regarding the financing and integration of climate change into development planning. Using a political economic lens, this article illustrates how major national initiatives around international problems must be understood in terms of the interplay of actors, their ideas and power relations. The article argues that: (i) Power relations among actors significantly influenced the selection of ideas and implementation activities; (ii) Donor concerns around aid effectiveness and consequent creation of parallel mechanisms of planning and implementation may run counter to both the mainstreaming process and the alignment of assistance with country priorities and systems; (iii) Climate change planning processes must be opened up to include actors from across sectors, population groups and geographical areas

ICT, Financial Sector Development and Financial Access

This study assesses the role of ICT (internet and mobile phone penetration) in complementing financial sector development (financial formalization and informalization) for financial access. The empirical evidence is based on generalized method of moments with 53 African countries for the period 2004–2011. The following findings are established from linkages between ICT, financial sector development and financial activity. First, the interaction between ICT and financial formalization (informalization) decreases (increases) financial activity. Second, with regard to net effects, the expected signs are established for the most part. In spite of the negative marginal effects from financial informalization, the overall net effects are positive. Third, the potentially appealing interaction between ICT and informalization produces positive thresholds that are within ranges. Policy implications are discussed in three main strands. They include implications for (i) mobile/internet banking, (ii) a quiet life and (iii) ICT in reducing information asymmetry and surplus liquidity