Response of Eggplant to Integrated Approaches for Sustainable Reclamation and Improvement of a Cheringa Hot Spot of Acid Sulfate Soil

The application of basic slag (BS20 and BS30: basic slag 20 and 30 t ha-1) and aggregate size (A20 and A30: aggregate sizes of soil less than 20 and 20-30 mm) and different techniques (Tech 1: pyrite at top, jarosite at middle, and top soil at the bottom of ridge; Tech 2: top soil at top, pyrite at middle, and jarosite layer at the bottom of ridge) exerted significant (p≤0.05) positive effects on the growth and yield of eggplants cultivated under field condition and the effects varied not only with the kinds and amounts of amending materials but also with the techniques applied. The soil showed a silty clay loam texture, initial pH value of 4.1, pyrite content of 55 g kg-1, base saturation of 47%, ECe value of 3.6 dS m-1, high exchangeable Fe3+ and Al3+ contents of 1.47 and 5.29 cmolc kg-1, respectively. The pH value of the average soil data obtained from all the treatments during fruit set (95 days after transplantation) of eggplants was found to be increased in pH by 1.2 units higher compared with the control (i.e. initial pH value). The contents of P, K, Ca and Mg in the average soil data during fruit set were found to be increased (IOC = increased over control) by 41 to 127% IOC, while the contents of Al3+, Fe3+, Na+, Cl- and SO4 2- in the soil were found to be decreased by 28 to 92% IOC. The different treatments on eggplants grown under the modified-plain-ridge-ditch techniques in the Cheringa acid sulfate soil significantly (0≤0.05) increased the fresh yield of eggplants, and the increment was more pronounced with Tech 2. The maximum yield of 17.8 t ha-1 of eggplant for Tech 1 and 20.1 t ha-1 for Tech 2 were recorded by the application of BS30 in the soils of smaller aggregates (A20) at the ridges of Tech 2, followed by the A30BS30 treatments in both the techniques. The lowest quantity of 1.7 t ha-1 yield was recorded by the control treatment. The eggplants grown in the ridges of both the techniques exhibited the best responses on N, P, K, Ca and Mg contents in eggplant tissues during fruit set. As expected, the lowest contents of these nutrients in the eggplants were recorded in the control treatment. Sulfur content of the eggplants grown in the control plots was 3.6 g kg-1 and was in the range of adequate S content (4 g kg-1). However, the S contents in the eggplants grown in different treatments were significantly (p≤0.01) lower compared with the adequate level. The effectiveness of the treatments for the reclamation of the soil in relation to the growth of eggplants was: Tech 2 > Tech 1, BS30 > BS20, and A20 > A30. The results suggest that the physicochemical properties of the soil, and the growth, yield and nutrition of eggplants were strikingly improved by the application of flash leaching followed by BS30 and A20 treatments in the ridges of Tech 2, and are regarded as the best reclamation measures for this acid sulfate soil

バングラデシュにおける胎児発育遅延

筑波大学 (University of Tsukuba)201

Enumeration, Isolation and Identification of Nitrogen-Fixing Bacterial Strains at Seedling Stage in Rhizosphere of Rice Grown in Non-Calcareous Grey Flood Plain Soil of Bangladesh

Non-symbiotic diazotrophic systems for biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in agriculture are most promising but the possibility for the extension of nitrogen fixation by rice is still speculative. Accordingly, the present study was conducted for the Enumeration, isolation and identification of nitrogen fixing bacterial strains at seedling stage (30 days after seed sowing) in rhizosphere of rice (BR 10, Oryza sativa L.) grown in Non-Calcareous Grey Flood Plain soil of Bangladesh. The soil is classified as ‘Inceptisol’ order and ‘Aquept’ suborder. It was identified as ‘Dhamrai series’, had ‘silt’ texture, pH 7.1 and 5.5 C/N ratio. The present results of the microbial tests on the rice rhizosphere soil evinced that out of 263 isolates, only 91 were branded as nitrogen fixing organisms per gram of soil, which was about 34.6 % of the total isolates. As per selection criteria, four individual strains were considered for identification. Biochemical tests were conducted for proper identification and the selected strains were identified as Enterobacter spp., Klebsiella spp., Bacillus spp. and Azospirllum spp

Carrier priming to improve pneumococcal disease control and reduce the international program's cost in children.

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) has the potential to interact with other vaccines containing diphtheria toxin-like antigens (such as those found in the DTP vaccine) upon sequential administration. This is attributed to the similarity of the diphtheria toxoid antigen to the carrier protein used to make PCV, (known as cross reactive material [CRM]) to diphtheria toxin 197 or CRM197. The interaction could lead to enhanced immunogenicity of PCV as a result of a phenomenon called carrier priming, whereby DTP is given some weeks before the first dose of PCV. This phenomenon could be implemented in the immunisation schedule in developing countries and among vulnerable populations to enhance the immunogenicity of PCV, reduce the number of doses required, and produce a more cost-effective immunisation program in developing countries

Effects of Basic Slag, Aggregate Size and Groundwater Treatments on the Production of Chilli in Acid Sulfate Soils in a Simulation Study

A simulation study was conducted to evaluate the effects of basic slag (BS10 and BS20: basic slag 10 and 20 t ha-1), aggregate size (A20 and A30: aggregate sizes of soil, less than 20 and 20-30 mm) and groundwater depth (Gw0: no influence of groundwater and Gw50: groundwater beneath 50 cm of the soil surface) as physico-chemical amendments in two pre-leached (leached for a week through tap water to remove excessive acidity and salinity from the soil before transplantation) acid sulfate soils of Badarkhali (Salidic Sulfaquept) and Cheringa (Typic Sulfic Halaquept) series in relation to the production of Chilli (Capsicum annum L.). Maximum growth and yield of chilli were recorded by the treatment combining A30Gw50BS20 in both the Cheringa (green chilli weight: 4.82 t ha-1) and Badarkhali (4.51 t ha-1) soils. The application of basic slag (BS20) was found to be the most effective among the individual treatments, followed by the BS10 > A30 > Gw50 treatments. The application of BS20 increased the yield in combination with the Gw0 treatment by 40% for A20, while by 107% for A30 in the Badarkhali soil. On the other hand, in the case of Gw50, these increments were 49 and 141% for A20 and A30, respectively. The application of BS at the highest rate (BS20) to the Cheringa soil was more effective compared with the A20 and A30 treatments in the Badarkhali soil. The same rate of BS20 in combination with the Gw50 treatment increased the yield by 59 to 147% in the Cheringa soil compared with 49 to 141% in the Badarkhali soil. Almost similar and significant (p≤0.05) effects were observed for the other growth parameters of chilli cultivated in both soil series

Neutralizing Capacity of Basic Slag in Acid Sulfate Soils and Its Impacts on the Solubility of Basic Cations under Various Moisture Regimes

An incubation study was conducted with the topsoils (depth: 0-20 cm) of two different series namely Cheringa (silty clay loam, pHwater 3.6, electrical conductivity = EC 18.5 dS m-1, CEC 17.2 c mol kg-1, organic matter = OM 39.1 g kg-1, and Badarkhali (silty clay loam, pHwater 3.9, EC 19.0 dS m-1, CEC 18.40 c mol kg-1, OM 30.7 g kg-1) acid sulfate soils to evaluate the effectiveness of basic slag (BS) for the neutralization of acidity and solubility of basic cations. These soils received BS at the rate of 0, 11, 22 and 33 t ha-1 under various moisture regimes (moisture at saturated condition, i.e. 100 % moisture, moisture at field condition, i.e. 50 % and wetting-drying cycles of those 50 and 100 % moisture levels). The impacts of these treatments on some selected properties and changes in water soluble bases in these soils were studied at different periods of 180 days of incubation. The application of BS was found to be increased the pH of soils from 3.6 to 5.1 for Cheringa; 3.9 to 5.2 for Badarkhali soils during the 180 days of incubation. These increments were more striking with the highest doses of BS at 33 t ha-1 under saturated moisture conditions in both the soils. The EC of the soils had not much influenced by the application of BS, regardless of time. The treatments were exerted significant (p≤0.05) effects on the solubility of basic cations in different periods of incubation. The maximum release of the bases were recorded during 180 days of incubation under saturated moisture condition and the findings will be supportive for planning of crop production on these soils

Effectiveness of Farmer Information Needs Assessment as Perceived by the Farmers

In Bangladesh, adoption of new extension program and implication is still limited. The objectives of the study were to determine and describe farmers’ perceptions on the effectiveness of Farmer Information Needs Assessment (FINA) and to explore the relationships between farmers’ characteristics and their perceptions of FINA. The study was conducted in Hajigonj, Chandpur, Bangladesh. One hundred twenty FINA-participating farmers were interviewed with a multistage, random-sampling method. An overall moderate to highly favorable perception of the FINA program was found. About half of the farmers responded with moderately favorable perceptions of FINA in providing extension services. However, less than half of the farmers responded moderately favorably in adopting recommended practices, even though more than one-third of the farmers responded with highly favorable perceptions of FINA. Seven of twelve farmer characteristics showed a significant relationship with farmer perceptions of the effectiveness of FINA: that is, middle-aged farmers were more active participants in FINA and in farming than young people; more than 60% of participants operated small farms, and they were more motivated by the FINA program than large-farm operators; farmers with moderate to high incomes participated more in FINA than did low-income farmers; and increased contact with extension personnel and increased agricultural knowledge improved farmers’ perceptions of FINA. The results allowed a conclusion that FINA, the leading problem assessment approach in agricultural extension, was effective for sustainable agricultural production. Extension departments and farmers can benefit from studying these results to identify and to solve their farming questions

Availability of pearl producing marine bivalves in south-eastern coast of Bangladesh and culture potentialities

The present study was conducted during September 2014 to July 2015 to identify the pearl bearing bivalves in south-eastern coast of Bangladesh and culture potentialities of marine oyster in captivity based on field investigation. A total of 7 pearl bearing bivalve species were identified in the coast with a salinity of 18-34 ppt, pH 8.1-8.3 and water depth ranged 0.2-2.0 meter in their habitat. From the collected bivalves, most abundant oyster species windowpane oyster, Placuna placenta (Linnaeus, 1758) was reared in fiber glass tanks with seawater for a period of 6 months. During rearing highest survival rate of 88% was observed in T1 with sandy and gravel substratum and lowest survival rate of 78% was found in T2 with muddy substratum.  Average temperature and salinity were varied between 24 °C-25 °C and 21-26 ppt respectively. From the reared oyster, highest 54 nos. small pearls in the month of April and lowest 7 pearls in December from a single P. placenta were obtained. The study proved that pearls can be obtained from the marine oysters in captivity in Bangladesh, and this offers large scale culture potentialities in our coast

Temperature during pregnancy influences the fetal growth and birth size

BackgroundBirth weight and length have seasonal fluctuations. However, it is uncertain which meteorological element has an effect on birth outcomes and which timing of pregnancy would explain such effect. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine temperature effects during pregnancy and which timing of pregnancy has effects on size at birth.MethodsA large, randomized, controlled trial of food and micronutrient supplementation for pregnant women was conducted in Matlab, Bangladesh (MINIMat Study), where women were enrolled from November 2001 to October 2003. The fetal growth data which included the size at birth and information of their mothers were obtained (n = 3267). Meteorological data such as temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, and daily sunshine hours during pregnancy were observed at the nearest observatory site of Bangladesh Meteorological Department.ResultsInfants born in colder months (November–January) were shorter than those born in hot and dry, and monsoon months (mean (SD) of birth length was 47.5 cm (2.2) vs. 47.8 cm (2.1) vs. 47.9 cm (2.1) respectively; P < 0.001). Increased temperature during the last month of pregnancy was significantly related with increased birth length with adjustment for gestational weeks and the season at birth, and remained significant with further adjustments for precipitation, sex of infants, maternal early-pregnancy BMI, parity, and education status of the mother (P < 0.01). On the other hand, increased temperature at mid-gestation was associated with increased birth weight (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThese findings suggest that temperature affects both birth weight and length. The more temperature increased at the last month of pregnancy, birth length became longer. For birth weight, the temperature at mid-pregnancy affected in a positive way

Selective activation of primary afferent fibers evaluated by sine-wave electrical stimulation

Transcutaneous sine-wave stimuli at frequencies of 2000, 250 and 5 Hz (Neurometer) are thought to selectively activate Aβ, Aδ and C afferent fibers, respectively. However, there are few reports to test the selectivity of these stimuli at the cellular level. In the present study, we analyzed action potentials (APs) generated by sine-wave stimuli applied to the dorsal root in acutely isolated rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) preparations using intracellular recordings. We also measured excitatory synaptic responses evoked by transcutaneous stimuli in substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons of the spinal dorsal horn, which receive inputs predominantly from C and Aδ fibers, using in vivo patch-clamp recordings. In behavioral studies, escape or vocalization behavior of rats was observed with both 250 and 5 Hz stimuli at intensity of ~0.8 mA (T5/ T250), whereas with 2000 Hz stimulation, much higher intensity (2.14 mA, T2000) was required. In DRG neurons, APs were generated at T5/T250 by 2000 Hz stimulation in Aβ, by 250 Hz stimulation both in Aβ and Aδ, and by 5 Hz stimulation in all three classes of DRG neurons. However, the AP frequencies elicited in Aβ and Aδ by 5 Hz stimulation were much less than those reported previously in physiological condition. With in vivo experiments large amplitude of EPSCs in SG neurons were elicited by 250 and 5 Hz stimuli at T5/ T250. These results suggest that 2000 Hz stimulation excites selectively Aβ fibers and 5 Hz stimulation activates noxious transmission mediated mainly through C fibers. Although 250 Hz stimulation activates both Aδ and Aβ fibers, tactile sensation would not be perceived when painful sensation is produced at the same time. Therefore, 250 Hz was effective stimulus frequency for activation of Aδ fibers initiating noxious sensation. Thus, the transcutaneous sine-wave stimulation can be applied to evaluate functional changes of sensory transmission by comparing thresholds with the three stimulus frequencies