Effects of plant spacing and nitrogen level on the green fodder yield of maize (Zea mays L.)

An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during December 2016 to February 2017 to investigate the effect of plant spacing and nitrogen level on growth parameters and green fodder yield of maize (Zea mays L.). The experiment comprised three plant spacings viz., 35 cm × 10 cm, 35 cm × 20 cm, 35 cm × 30 cm and three nitrogen levels viz., 100, 150 and 200 kg N ha-1. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results revealed that plant spacing, nitrogen levels and their interaction had significant effect on growth parameters and green fodder yield. The tallest plant (192.5 cm) was obtained at plant spacing  35 cm × 30 cm, while the highest fodder yield (61.13 t ha -1) of Z. mays was recorded  at  35 cm × 10 cm spacing. In case of nitrogen level, the tallest plant (204.9 cm), the highest number of leaves plant -1 (12.22), the highest chlorophyll content in leaves (41.50) and the highest fodder yield (70.38 t ha -1) of Z. mays were recorded in 200 kg N ha-1. In case of interaction, the tallest plant (218.4 cm) of Z. mays was produced at spacing 35 cm × 30 cm along with 200 kg N ha-1. The highest fodder yield (78.01 t ha -1) of Z. mays was obtained at spacing 35 cm × 10 cm fertilized with 200 kg N ha-1 which was at par with spacing 35 cm × 20 cm fertilized with 200 kg N ha-1 and the lowest fodder yield (31.91 t ha -1) was obtained at spacing 35 cm × 30 cm along with 100 kg N ha-1. Therefore, spacing 35 cm × 10 cm fertilized with 200 kg N ha-1 appears as the promising practice for maize cultivation as fodder crop

Influence of weeding regime on the performance of aromatic Boro rice (Oryza sativa L.)

An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, from December 2013 to May 2014 to investigate the influence of weeding regime on the performance of aromatic Boro rice (cv. BRRI dhan50). The experiment comprised nine treatments viz., un-weeded, one hand weeding at 20 DAT + pre-emergence herbicide after hand weeding, two hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAT, pre-emergence herbicide followed by one hand weeding at 20 DAT, pre-emergence herbicide followed by one hand weeding at 40 DAT, post-emergence herbicide + one hand weeding at 40 DAT, pre-emergence herbicide + post-emergence herbicide, pre-emergence herbicide + post-emergence herbicide + one hand weeding at 40 DAT and weed free throughout the growth period. Panida (pendimethalin) @ 2.5 L ha-1 as pre-emergence herbicide and granite (penoxsulam) @ 93.70 ml ha-1 as post-emergence were used for weed control. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Thirteen weed species belonging to seven families were observed in the experimental field. The highest weed density and dry weight were observed in no weeding condition compared to other treatments. The tallest plant, the highest number of total tillers hill-1, number of effective tillers hill-1, total spikelets panicle-1, grains panicle-1, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, straw yield, biological yield and harvest index were obtained from weed free treatment. The highest grain yield (5.92 t ha-1) was obtained from weed free throughout the growth period. Grain yield was reduced by 56.42% due to weed infestation in unweeded condition. The highest benefit-cost ratio (2.28) was obtained from application of pre-emergence herbicide followed by post-emergence herbicide + one hand weeding at 40 DAT. Therefore, weeding treatment pre-emergence herbicide followed by post-emergence herbicide + one hand weeding at 40 DAT may consider for cultivation of aromatic Boro rice (cv. BRRI dhan50)

Response of integrated fertilizer and weed management on weed occurrence and growth traits of aromatic Boro rice

An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh to study the effect of integrated fertilizer and weed management on the growth performance of aromatic Boro rice (cv. BRRI dhan50). The experiment comprised six fertilizer managements viz., control (no manures and no fertilizers), recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers (i.e. Urea, TSP, MoP, Gypsum, ZnSO4 @ 250, 120, 120, 100, 10 kg ha-1, respectively), 50% of recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers + cowdung @ 5 t ha-1, 75% of recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers + cowdung @ 5 t ha-1, 50% of recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers + poultry manure @ 2.5 t ha-1, and 75% of recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers +  poultry manure @ 2.5 t ha-1 and four weed managements viz., control (no weeding), pre-emergence herbicide, Panida 33 EC @ 2.5 l ha-1 + one hand weeding at 35 DAT, post-emergence herbicide, Granite 240 SC @ 93.70 ml ha-1 + one hand weeding at 35 DAT, pre-emergence herbicide, Panida 33 EC @ 2.5 l ha-1 + post-emergence herbicide, Granite 240 SC @ 93.70 ml ha-1. The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized complete block design with three replications. Growth traits of aromatic Boro rice (cv. BRRI dhan50) were significantly influenced by integrated fertilizer and weed management. Plant height, number of tillers hill-1, total dry matter, leaf area index (LAI) and crop growth rate (CGR) gave their highest values in 75% of recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers and poultry manure @ 2.5 t ha-1 along with pre-emergence herbicide, Panida 33 EC @ 2.5 l ha-1 + post-emergence herbicide, Granite 240 SC @ 93.70 ml ha-1 while their corresponding lowest values were found in control. So it can be concluded that, the interaction of 75% of recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers and poultry manure @ 2.5 t ha-1 along with pre-emergence herbicide (Panida 33 EC @ 2.5 l ha-1) + post-emergence herbicide (Granite 240 SC @ 93.70 ml ha-1) appears as the promising combination in respect of growth performance of aromatic Boro rice (cv. BRRI dhan50)

Effect of citric acid (CA) priming and exogenous application on germination and early seedling growth of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) plants under salinity stress condition

Salinity is a significant barrier to the healthy germination of seeds, the development of seedlings and ultimately the yield of crops. Salinity tolerance can be effectively induced through seed priming and exogenous application of various treatment agents. The vegetable crop okra is a healthy and well-liked one worldwide. Literature shows that salt stress negatively disturbs the growth of okra plants. In the present research, we investigated the effects of citric acid (CA) as priming and exogenous agents to alleviate the salinity-inhibited germination and early growth of okra plants. The seeds were pretreated with CA (1 mM and 2 mM) and soaked in distilled water (control) for 60 min. Germinated seeds were grown in hydroponic solution and subjected to salt stress (50 mM and 100 mM NaCl) with three independent replications and same concentrations of CA (1 mM and 2 mM) were exogenously sprayed. Our results showed that, seed priming with 1 mM CA significantly produced the highest percentage of germination (GP), germination index (GI), germination energy (GE), seed vigor index (SVI), radicle length and weight, hypocotyl length and weight, and number of lateral roots while decreased mean germination time of okra seeds while compared to the control treatment. Additionally, the findings demonstrated that salt stress dramatically reduced root and shoot length, plant height, root and shoot fresh weight and dry weight, and relative water content (RWC). Under salt stress, the addition of 1 mM and 2 mM CA significantly increased the RWC, root and shoot length, root and shoot fresh and dry weight, and plant height. These results provide information that CA priming improves germination parameters and exogenous treatments can improve the salt tolerance, and seedling characteristics of okra. Therefore, our results suggest that 1 mM CA can be utilized as a seed priming and exogenous application agent reducing the impacts of salt stress and promoting early seedling development of okra

Assessing the influence of integrated nutrient management on growth performance of aromatic fine rice

An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during July 2017 to December 2017 to study the combined effect of vermicompost with inorganic fertilizers on the growth attributes of aromatic fine rice varieties. The experiment comprised three varieties viz. BRRI dhan34, Binadhan-13 and Kalizira, and five nutrient managements viz. Control (no application of manures and fertilizer), Recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers ( i.e. 150, 95, 70, 60, 12 kg ha-1 of Urea, TSP, MOP, Gypsum and Zinc Sulphate, respectively), vermicompost @ 3 t ha-1, 25% less than recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer + vermicompost @ 1.5 t ha-1, 50 % less than recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer + vermicompost @ 3 t   ha-1. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Growth characters of aromatic fine rice were significantly influenced by variety, nutrient management and interaction of variety and nutrient management. In case of variety, the highest number of total tillers hill-1 leaf area index, total dry matter production and chlrophyll content were obtained from Binadhan-13 at all sampling dates. While, Kalizira produced the lowest number of total tillers hill-1, total dry matter, leaf area index and chlorophyll content except plant height at all sampling dates. In case of nutrient management, the tallest plant, the highest number of total tillers hill-1, total dry matter production, leaf area index and chlrophyll content were obtained from 50 % less than recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer + vermicompost @ 3 t ha-1 at all sampling dates. But the shortest plant, the lowest number of total tillers hill-1, leaf area index, total dry matter production, crop growth rate and chlorophyll content were found in control (no manures and fertilizers) at all sampling dates. In case of interaction of variety and nutrient management, the highest number of total tillers hill-1, leaf area index, total dry matter production and chlorophyll content were found in Binadhan-13 along with 50 % less than recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer + vermicompost @ 3 t ha-1 at all sampling dates. So, it can be concluded that Binadhan-13 along with 50% less than the recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers + vermicompost @ 3 t ha-1 combination might be a promising practice for aromatic fine rice cultivation

Growth analysis of short duration transplanted Aus rice (cv. Parija) under three agronomic practices

An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh to investigate the growth of short duration transplanted Aus rice (cv. Parija) under three agronomic practices. The study comprised of two nursery seeding densities viz. 40 and 80 g seeds m-2, three ages of seedlings viz. 20, 30 and 40-day old, and three levels of seedlings hill-1 viz. 2, 4 and 6 seedlings hill-1. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. For individual treatment effects, the highest plant height, number of tillers hill-1, total dry matter, leaf area index and crop growth rate were found when seedlings were raised @ 40g seed m-2 and 30-day old seedlings were transplanted @4 seedlings hill-1. In interaction, the highest number of tillers hill-1 (13.00) and total dry matter (22.93 g) at 45 DAT, and crop growth rate (6.71 g m-2 day-1) at 15-30 DAT were obtained from the interaction among 40 g seed m-2 × 30-day old seedlings × 4 seedlings hill-1. On the other hand, the tallest plant (73.27 cm) at 45 DAT was found from the interaction among 80 g seed m-2 × 30-day old seedlings × 4 seedlings hill-1, while the highest leaf area index (2.87) was recorded from the interaction of 40 g seed m-2 × 30-day old seedlings × 2 seedlings hill-1 at 50 DAT. Considering both the significant individual and interaction treatment effects on the growth parameters, the use of 40 g seed m-2 × 30-day old seedlings × 4 seedlings hill-1 could improve the growth performance of short duration transplanted Aus rice (cv. Parija). Therefore, a nursery seeding density of 40 g seed m-2 and 30-day old seedlings transplanting with 4 seedlings hill-1 appears as the promising combination in respect of growth performance of short duration transplanted Aus rice (cv. Parija)

Integrated nutrient management practices affect the growth performance of aromatic fine rice varieties in Boro season

The experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University during November 2016 to April 2017 to investigate the effect of nutrient management on the growth performance of some aromatic rice varieties in Boro season. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications considering two factors viz. varieties and nutrient management. This experiment consisted of three varieties viz., BRRI dhan50, Basmati and BRRI dhan63, and seven nutrient managements viz., poultry manure 5 t ha-1, recommended dose of chemical fertilizers (i.e. 250, 126, 120, 100 and 10 kg N-P-K-S-Zn, respectively ha-1), 25% less than recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + poultry manure @ 2.5 t ha-1, 50% less than recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + poultry manure @ 5 t ha-1, vermicompost @ 10 t ha-1, 25% less than recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1 and 50% less than recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + vermicompost @ 10 t ha-1. The results revealed that variety, nutrient management and their interaction exerted significant influence on growth characters of aromatic fine rice in Boro season. The highest plant height (55.14 cm, 66.14 cm) at 70 and 85 DAT, dry matter hill-1 (15.39 g) at 85 DAT and chlorophyll content (39.29) at 55 DAT was recorded from BRRI dhan63. While, Basmati produced the highest leaf area index (0.60) at 60 DAT and the highest number of total tillers hill-1 (11.52, 10.81, 9.619) was obtained from BRRI dhan50 at 55, 70, 85 DAT. In case of nutrient management practices, 25% less than recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + vermicompost 5 t ha-1 produced the highest plant height (45.22cm, 55.22cm, 65.67 cm) at 55, 70, 85 DAT, leaf area index (0.70) at 60 DAT and chlorophyll content (41.56) at 55 DAT, respectively. Again, from the interaction, it was observed that all the growth parameters were significantly influenced and increased with suitable variety along with proper nutrient management. Therefore, from this study, it can be decided that BRRI dhan63 fertilized along with 25% less than recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + vermicompost 5 t ha-1 might be the best possible combination for proper growth of plant

Influence of seedling age and integrated nutrient management on growth and yield of aromatic rice (cv. BRRI dhan34)

To investigate the performance of aromatic rice (cv. BRRI dhan34) in response to seedling age and nutrient management, an experiment was carried out at the Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka from July to December 2021. The experiment includes three different ages of seedlings to be transplanted viz., 30, 45 and 60 days old and six nutrient management practice viz. control (no manures and fertilizers), recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers (RDF), 50% of RDF + cow dung @ 5 t ha-1, 75% of RDF + cow dung @ 5 t ha-1, 50% of RDF + poultry manure @ 2.5 t ha-1 and, 75% of RDF + poultry manure @ 2.5 t ha-1. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results revealed that in the case of transplanting of different aged seedlings, the highest leaf area index (5.74), dry matter hill-1 (32.86 g), number of tillers hill-1 (13.17), number of effective tillers hill-1 (11.53), plant height (113.34 cm), total grains panicle-1 (135.14), 1000-grain weight (12.45 g), grain yield (3.29 t ha-1), straw yield (4.01 t ha-1), biological yield (7.30 t ha-1) and were recorded from transplanting 30 days old seedlings. Different levels of nutrient management showed a significant impact on most of the parameters under study. The highest total dry matter hill-1 (34.02 g), the maximum LAI (5.35), plant height (115.70 cm), chlorophyll content (42.87), number of effective tillers hill-1 (12.99), panicle length (24.63 cm), total grains panicle-1 (140.17), 1000-grain weight (12.54 g), grain yield (3.27 t ha-1), straw yield (4.15 t ha-1), biological yield (7.42 t ha-1) and harvest index (43.03%)  were also recorded in F5 (75% of RDF + poultry manure @ 2.5 t ha-1) treatment. While considering the interaction effects between the age of seedlings and nutrient management, transplanting 30 days old seedlings along with the nutrient management of 75% of RDF + poultry manure @ 2.5 t ha-1 treatment improved yield contributing parameters and provided the highest yield (3.76 t ha-1) of BRRI dhan34 compared to other treatment combination. So, the application of 75% of RDF + poultry manure @ 2.5 t ha-1 along with 30 days old seedlings appeared as a promising practice to obtain better performance of fine aromatic rice (cv. BRRI dhan34)

Effect of planting and nutrient management on the growth, yield and protein content of aromatic fine rice

An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh from July to November 2015 to find out the effect of planting and nutrient management on the growth, yield and protein content of aromatic fine rice (cv. Binadhan-13). The experimental treatments comprised six planting arrangement viz. 25 cm × 20 cm, 25 cm × 15 cm, 25 cm × 10 cm, 20 cm × 20 cm, 20 cm × 15 cm, 20 cm × 10 cm and four nutrient management viz. recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer (RDF) N-P2O5-K2O-S-Zn at the rate of 75-42-75-17-2 kg ha-1 respectively; Cow dung @ 10 t ha-1, 25% less than RDF + Cow dung @ 5 t ha-1, 50% less than RDF + Cow dung @ 5 t ha-1. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Different crop characters, yield contributing characters, yield and grain quality were significantly influenced by planting arrangement and nutrient management. In the crop growth stage, the maximum number of tillers hill-1 (19.03) was recorded from the 25 cm × 15 cm spacing fertilized with 25% less than RDF + cow dung @ 5 t ha-1 and the highest total dry matter production (62.70), crop growth rate (19.37) and chlorophyll content (35.77) of leaf were recorded from the 20 cm × 15 cm spacing fertilized with 25% less than RDF + cow dung @ 5 t ha-1. At harvest, the highest grain yield (3.66 t ha-1) and protein content (9.63%) were recorded from the 20 cm × 15 cm spacing fertilized with 25% less than RDF + cow dung @ 5 t ha-1. So, transplantation at 20 cm × 15 cm spacing and fertilization with 25% less than the recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer + cow dung @ 5 t ha-1 was found to be promising practice for the cultivation of aromatic fine rice (cv. Binadhan-13)

Growth and yield of short duration Aman rice (Oryza sativa) cultivars as influenced by age of seedlings

An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh during the period from July to December 2019 to study the effect of cultivar and seedling age on the performance of short duration transplant Aman rice. The experiment comprised four Aman rice cultivars, viz., BRRI dhan49, BRRI dhan56, BRRI dhan66 and BRRI dhan71, and four seedling ages viz. 20, 25, 30 and 35-day old seedlings. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results of the study showed that growth, yield and yield contributing characters were significantly influenced by cultivars, seedlings age and their interactions. At growth stage, BRRI dhan49 with 20-day old seedlings produced the tallest plant (57.67 cm and 67.33 cm, respectively), the highest number of total tillers hill-1 (15.00 and 13.67, respectively) and total dry matter (8.03 g m-2 and 11.50 g m-2, respectively) at 30 and 50 DAT. At harvest, the highest number of total and effective tillers hill-1 (12.82 and 12.00), longest panicle (24.50 cm), highest number of grains panicle-1 (128.80), heaviest 1000-grain weight (23.17 g), highest grain yield (5.35 t ha-1) and highest harvest index (51.69 %) were obtained from the cultivar BRRI dhan66. While, thirty-day old seedlings produced the highest number of total and effective tillers hill-1 (13.46 and 12.70), longest panicle (24.67 cm), highest number of grains panicle-1 (136.90), highest grain (5.62 t ha-1) and straw yields (5.81 t ha-1) and harvest index (51.67 %). In case of interactions, BRRI dhan66 with 30-day old seedlings produced the highest number of total and effective tillers hill-1 (14.67 and 13.97), longest panicle (26.00 cm), highest number of grains panicle-1 (146.7), highest grain yield (6.31 t ha-1) and highest harvest index (52.72 %). So, result of the present study reveals that BRRI dhan66 with 30-days old seedlings was found to be the best for obtaining maximum grain yield