Effect of delay harvest on seed quality and germination of three varieties of soybean (Glycinemax) seeds

The loss in soybean seed quality owing to adverse environmental reasons is unavoidable, particularly in the tropics. Seed ability to germinate and produce a vigorous seedling is a significant characteristic for any seed-propagated crop. Seed deterioration is a harmful feature of agriculture crops which hindered quality seed of Soybean. Thus, the purpose of the study is to investigate the relationship between seed deterioration and physiological changes of delayed harvest soybean seeds. Three soybean varieties which are AGS-190, Cikurai, and Willis were used as planting in the field at Universiti Putra Malaysia as materials in this experiment. The seeds were harvested at harvest maturity HM (H1) demonstrating 95% of the pods have reached their mature brown color and 2-week delay after HM (H2). The experiment was conducted in a complete randomized design (CRD) with three replicates. The result showed that seed deterioration of larger seeded soybean varieties can be increased at a 2-week delay after harvest maturity stage. Seed quality of soybean was affected by field weather environment during harvest date. AGS190 was the most sensitive to adverse weather surroundings as shown by deterioration of seed quality at a 2-week delay after harvest maturity stage. Loss of seed viability and vigor demonstrated depending on harvest date and directly related to increase in the level of phomopsis sp. infection. Germination percentage, tetrazolium test seed viability and vigor are negatively correlated with electrical conductivity and phomopsis sp., while in small seeded varieties was less seed deterioration

Planting time and mulching effect on onion development and seed production

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate effects of planting time and mulches on bulb growth and seed production of onion (Allium cepa L.) cv. Taherpuri. Planting time and mulches had significant influence on almost all parameters studied. Onion planted on 21 November had better agronomic traits contributing towards yield formation. Growth and seed production was accelerated by black polythene. Seed yield (460.81 kgha-1) was highest in the plots planted on 21 Nov. Seed yield was 529.06 kgha-1 where black polythene mulch was used

CAUSALITY BETWEEN EXCHANGE RATE AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN BANGLADESH

This paper attempts to examine the relationship between Exchange Rate (ER) and Economic Growth (EG) proxied by Real Gross Domestic Product (RGDP) in Bangladesh for a period of 41 years ranges from 1973 to 2013 by using time series econometric technique. The empirical results show that there is a significant positive correlation between ER and EG. The results also advocate the presence of long-run equilibrium relationship between ER and EG. This is evidenced from Granger’s Causality Test that there is a bi-directional causality runs through ER to EG and EG to ER

Diversity of weed communities under different water regimes in bertam irrigated direct seeded rice field.

Experiments were initiated at MARDI Bertam Rice Research Station in Penang in the dry season of 2004 and main season 2004/2005 to study the effect of different water regimes on diversity of weed species. Plots receiving continuous flooded treatment (T1) and flooding up to panicle initiation (T2) significantly suppressed weed population to approximately 18 – 58% and reduced weed biomass to 14 – 57% as compared to the highest values in continuous field capacity treatment (T5) at all sampling dates (30, 60 and 90 DAS) in both planting seasons. Across water regime treatments the weed composition comprised of 11 weed species in the dry season and 10 weed species in the main season. Broadleaved weeds, especially Monochoria vaginalis and Limnocharis flava were the most dominant weeds in most water regime treatments. The SDR values of broadleaved weeds in the dry season were 48.7, 46.4, 44.2, 40.7 and 35.8% for T2, T1, T3 (flooding for the first month), T5 and T4 (continuous saturation), respectively. In the main season, the SDR values for the broadleaved weeds increased to 79.5, 68.2, 62.4, 62.2, and 50.57% for T2, T1, T3, T4 and T5, respectively. Fimbristylis miliacea and Cyperus iria were dominant in the dry season with SDR values of more than 34% in all water regime treatments, but decreased to less than 23% in the main season. For grasses, comprising of mostly Echinochloa crus-galli, Echinochloa colona and Leptochloa chinensis, SDR values of more than 20% were recorded in T4 and T5 in the dry season, while in the main season SDR values of between 21 – 34% were observed in treatments T1, T3and T5

Paclobutrazol and bulb size effect on onion seed production

Field experimentation was done at Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during, 2005-2006 to evaluate doses of paclobutrazol (PBZ) and bulb size of onion for their effect on growth and seed production of onion. Onion variety "Taherpuri" with three-bulb sizes viz., small, medium and large was used. Doses of PBZ were 20, 40, 80 ppm and no PBZ was used as control. A two-factor experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. PBZ application significantly reduced plant height, number of tillers per bulb, number of leaves per plant and length of scape. Number of flowers, umbels per bulb, umbel diameter, 1000-seed weight and seed yield were not influenced by PBZ concentrations used. Plant height, number of leaves per plant, length of scape, effective fruits per umbel, percentage of fruit set and seed yield were positively influenced by bulb size of onion. Variable interactive effects of PBZ dose and bulb size for different traits were recorded

Effective Cross-linking Dyeing Method for Jute Fabric with Reactive Dyes

With a view to develop an effective dyeing method for jute fabric, jute fabric known as Carpet Backing Cloth (CBC), made from jute fiber, was first desized, scoured, and bleached with hydrogen peroxide. Simultaneous dyeing and finishing methods were carried out using various reactive dyes with some cross-linking agents like Fixapret CPN, Fixapret ECOs of BASF, and Indosol E-50 Powder (Sandoz) along with some catalysts (MgCl2, 6H2O) and softening agent. Three types of cross-linking methods such as dry, moist, and wet were employed. The cross-linking method was optimized by treatment of bleached CBC with different concentrations of cross-linking agents and catalysts applying pad-dry-cure method at different temperatures. Significant improvement was found in dye fixation rate, dye fastness (washing, rubbing, light and perspiration) properties, and tensile strength of cross-linked dyed jute fabric. Regarding all dyeing and physical properties, Indosol E-50 powder along with various reactive dyes achieved highly satisfactory results. Fixapret CPN may also be comparable to Indosol E-50 powder

Factors associated with relapse amongst substance abusers

Background: Relapse amongst substance abusers is common throughout the world, and Bangladesh is no exception to this. In Bangladesh, drug related problems are gradually becoming a burning issue in context of social, economical and medical perspective. The present study aimed to find out factors indicating relapse amongst substance abuser. Methods: This descriptive type of observational study was conducted in the combined military hospital and other government/private hospital/institute, especially the central drug addict treatment center, Dhaka. Informed consent was obtained prior to data collection. Collected data was classified, edited, coded, and entered into the computer for statistical analysis by using SPSS-23. The chi-Square test was used to analyze the categorical variables, and a p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The study involved 100 patients who had a history of substance abuse. The most common substance abused was Yaba (27%), followed by cannabis (21%). The average duration of abuse for Yaba was 5.8 years, while the longest mean duration was for Alcohol (14.2 years). In the 2nd admission, the largest percentage of patients was aged 21-30 years and were male. The majority of patients were Muslim and were either unemployed or had a lower socioeconomic status. Patients age, occupation, socioeconomic status, peer pressure, and family problems all had a significant association (p<0.05) with relapse at different admissions. Peer pressure and family problems were also identified as factors affecting relapse, with 67.57% and 56.76% of patients experiencing them during their 2nd admission, respectively. Conclusions: The study found Yaba to be the most commonly used drug, followed by cannabis, phensedyl, heroin, etc. Alcohol was found to have the longest duration of abuse. Most patients were aged 21-30 and unemployed in multiple admissions. Peer pressure and unemployment were major factors in substance abuse, and psychiatric illness was a common factor in relapse. The results align with global findings and highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing substance abuse, considering all relevant factors.

Effect of GABA Application on the Growth and Yield of Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia)

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of GABA (GA3 1% & SBA Brassicasteroids as STC 0.3%) application on growth, yield and yield contributing traits of bitter gourd. GABA was applied at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg L-1 as foliar spray at 30 days after sowing, while control plants received no GABA. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Result showed that GABA had positive regulatory effect on morphological growth, yield and yield related traits of bitter gourd; nonetheless GABA application at 1.5 mg L-1 was found the most effective in improving length and diameter of main vine, individual branch length, number of branches, total branch length, number of nodes per plant, vine diameter, days to first male and female flowering, numbers of male and female flower, number of fruit, weight of individual fruit, length and diameter of fruit, percentage of fruit set and number of seeds per fruit. Hence GABA application at 1.5 mg L-1 as foliar spray could be the suitable concentration for enhancing growth and yield of bitter gourd

Comparison of psychosocial strengths and difficulties in children born through assisted reproductive technology versus naturally conceived children

  Background: Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is a set of medical interventions used to facilitate the conception process in couples suffering from fertility issues. ART encompasses several techniques, including ovulation induction (OI), artificial insemination, testicular sperm extraction (TESE), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). This current study aimed to analyze the correlation between psychological strength and difficulties among children born by ART and normally conceived (NC) children. Methods: The study was conducted in a longitudinal retrospective fashion, in Combined Military Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from December 2022 to June 2023. A total of 47 participants from the ART group and 50 participants from the NC group were selected as study subjects by purposive sampling technique. Data were gathered using a pre-designed questionnaire and analyzed using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 computer program. Results: The age range of the study participants was between 2 to 4 years old. A majority of the participants were female (53.2%), hailed from middle-class families (59.6%), lived in urban settings (42.6%), and identified as Muslim (72.3%). In terms of illnesses, a small proportion experienced physical ailments (6.4%) and psychiatric conditions (10.6%). Conclusions: Despite persistent worries regarding the potential adverse developmental effects on children conceived by ART, research findings suggest that such children do not exhibit noteworthy physical, psychological, or developmental challenges when compared to those conceived naturally

Clinical presentations among adult patients with tuberculous meningitis

Background: Bangladesh is a country with a high burden of pulmonary as well as extrapulmonary tuberculosis. TBM is a particularly important public health issue in our country. Identifying prognostic predictors would improve the quality of management and ultimately will prevent long-term mortality and morbidity. The aim of the study was to observe and identify the most common clinical presentations among patients with tuberculous meningitis. Methods: This hospital-based prospective cohort study was carried out at the in-patient Department of Clinical Neurology at the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital (NINS and H), Dhaka, Bangladesh from October 2016 to September 2017, 1 year. A total of 54 patients admitted to the hospital with features of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) were selected for the study following inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Over 70% of patients were adolescents or young adults with a mean age of 28.2±12.3 years. The majority (48.2%) of the participants were from TBM stage II, while 37% were from stage III of TBM. Fever, headache, and systematic symptoms were the most frequent clinical presentations. The median delay in treatment was 30 days. Interruption in anti-TB treatment was reported in 3 (9.3%) cases. Conclusions: The study found that among possible TBM cases, the most frequent clinical features were fever, headache, and systematic symptoms. Focal neurological deficit and cerebral nerve palsy also had a high prevalence among the participants. The majority of the participants were young adults and female prevalence was high in the present study. The majority were from stage II TB among the study participants