Assessment of genetic diversity in French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L) based on RAPD marker

RAPD molecular markers were used to evaluate the genetic diversity in the fourteen varieties of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) of three eco-geographical regions of Bangladesh. Out of the 20 primers only, 6 yielded polymorphic banding patterns. In total, 40 different DNA bands were reproducibly obtained, out of which 28 (70%) were polymorphic. The polymorphisms were scored and used in band-sharing analysis to identify genetic relationships. Cluster analysis based on Jaccard’s similarity coefficient using UPGMA grouped all the 14 genotypes into two major groups. Pair-wise variety comparison of the varieties showed that inter-variety similarity indices for PV004 versus PV005 (98.51) was higher than all other varietals pairs. On the other hand, inter-cultivar similarity index for BARI 01 versus PV009 (59.58) cultivar was lower than all other cultivar pairs. Therefore, the inherent simplicity and efficiency of RAPD analyses will be to facilitate the construction of RAPD-based genetic linkage maps in French bean.Key words: RAPD, French bean, polymorphism

Physiological Response of Soybean Genotypes to Water Limiting Conditions

This article has been retracted by the editor of the African Crop Science Journal. Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) is the most important source of protein as well as vegetable oil world wide. It suffers variously from water shortage at all stages of growth. This study was conducted to explore the physiological responses of soybean genotypes to water limiting conditions. Seven days old seedlings of C01, C08, C27, W01, W06 and W08 drought-sensitive, and C12 and W05 drought-tolerant genotypes used in the study were transplanted in Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes, filled with a soil mixture. Fifty percent of the plants were left unwatered when the second trifoliate leaves were halfway to growth. The rest (50%) were watered daily and considered as the control. Results showed that as soil water content diminished, plant stem elongation, stomatal conductance, relative water content (%RWC), water potential, osmotic potential and turgor pressure of stressed plants declined in all genotypes. The declining trends of those parameters were significantly different, to a great extent, in the drought tolerant genotypes, from the susceptible ones. Key Words: Glycine max, stomatal conductanc

Performance and Economic Suitability of Three Fast Growing Broiler Strains Raised Under Farming Condition in Bangladesh

The performance and profitability of three commercial broiler strains reared under farming system were investigated in this study. Day-old broiler chicks (n=156) of three different commercial strains (Hubbard classic, Cobb-500 and MPK) were assigned to three treatment groups in a completely randomized block design, each treatment replicated four times, 13 birds per replicate. The birds were reared from d1 to 35 days of age with similar housing, feeding and environmental management condition. Regarding to all parameters collected, live weight and body weight gain were higher (P<0.001) in T2(Cobb-500) group, while the birds of T3 (MPK) group were the lowest. Birds of T1(Hubbard Classic) and T2 (Cobb-500) strain group consumed higher (P<0.001) feeds, while the birds of T3(MPK) had the lowest feed intake. Cobb-500 broiler strain achieved superior (P<0.001) FCR, while the birds of T1 (Hubbard classic) strain group had poorer FCR. Liveability of the broiler strains was unaffected by all the treatment groups. Higher net profit and lower production cost observed in T2(Cobb-500) group than those of other strains, although the difference between the treatment groups was similar. The highly significant measurements of live body weight, weight gain and better FCR values were recorded for Cobb-500 broiler strain, followed by Hubbard classic and MPK, respectively. In conclusion, Cobb-500 broiler strain is appeared to be the most economic to rear amongst the three broiler strains investigated here in response to their performance records. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v1i1-2.13931 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 1 (1&2): 37-43, December, 201

Survey of Hypertension in Dhaka, Bangladesh: Changing Prescribing Patterns

Purpose: To assess changes in the prescribing pattern of antihypertensive drugs and lifestyle factors associated with hypertensive patients in Dhaka, Bangladesh.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 50 hypertensive patients in various heart disease hospitals and the consulting rooms of 10 cardiologists in the city of Dhaka to determine changes in prescribing patterns of antihypertensive drugs. Respondents were distributed more or less equally between males and the females.Results: Female patients aged 30 to 40 years (8 %) as well as male patients aged 50 to 60 years (54 %) and 60 to 70 years (12 %) were prone to hypertension. However, patients of both sexes whose age ranged from 40 to 50 (40 %) and 50 to 60 (36 %) were more prone to hypertension. It was observed that 46 % of the patients were overweight. A majority of the patients had diabetes with hypertension (28 %). Moreover, most of the patients (80 %) did not indulge in any physical exercise and were non-smokers but had a family history of hypertension. Combined antihypertensive drugs, especially thiazide diuretics with angiotensin II receptor blockers, calcium antagonists, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors were the first choice of drugs by physicians. The prescribing rate of β-blockers (28.36 %) and combined antihypertensive preparations (40 %) was higher than that of older antihypertensives, viz loop diuretics, propranolol and enalapril.Conclusion: Combination therapy is favored by all doctors who compared with the past prescribing practice of a single medication for hypertension.Keywords: Hypertension, Prescribing pattern, Antihypertensive drugs, Lifestyle factors, Family histor

Isolation and selection of Bradyrhizobium from the root nodules of indigo plants (Indigofera tinctoria L.)

This research was conducted from 2004 to 2005 to isolate and select Bradyrhizobium from the root nodules of indigo plants (Indigofera tinctoria L.). For isolation of Bradyrhizobium, root nodules were collected from indigo plants. Fourteen Bradyrhizobium isolates were identified depending on colony, morphological and biochemical characteristics. Out of fourteen isolates, six (HSTU-IR2, HSTU-IR3, HSTU-IR4, HSTU-IR9, HSTU-IR10 and HSTU-IR14) were found promising with respect to nodulation, shoots and roots weights and N fixation by the indigo plants grown inside the Leonard Bottle Jar Assembly (LBJA).Key words: Bradyrhizobium, isolation, selection, root nodules, indigo plants

In vitro evaluation of biocontrol agents and fungicides on wood decay fungiganoderma associated with mortality of tree legumes

An experiment was conducted to isolate a number of biocontrol agent- Trichoderma spp. from infected spawn packets of oyster mushroom at National Mushroom Development and Extension Centre, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. These bio-control agents were used as antagonist against four wild wood decay fungi of Ganoderma, viz., G. lucidum-1, G. lucidum-2, G. lucidum-3, G. applanatum and two cultivated G. lucidum-4, G.lucidum-6 under in vitro condition. An in vitro trial of Trichoderma spp. against Ganoderma were performed by dual culture, by treating with volatile, non-volatile and naturally untreated metabolites of bio-control agents. In dual culture, all the Trichoderma species showed 70- 100% mycelia inhibition of G. lucidum-1 and G. lucidum-2, 55.6-100% inhibition of G. lucidum-3, 20-66.7% of G. applanatum, 100% of G. lucidum-5, 75-100% of G. lucidum-6. Effects of heat killed extracts of Trichoderma spp. on growth of G. lucidum-2 (wild) and G. lucidum-6 (cultivated) were also evaluated. Fungicides Bavistin and Dithane M-45 were also used to investigate the mycelial growth inhibition of Ganoderma spp.Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 6 (2): 31-35, December, 201

Growth, yield and fiber morphology of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) grown on sandy bris soil as influenced by different levels of carbon

The effects of carbon levels on plant growth, yield and fiber morphological properties are not available for kenaf that is considered as a potential source of low cost natural fiber and feedstock for energy production as well. A pot-culture experiment was conducted in shade house to determine the effects of carbon levels on plant growth, yield and fiber morphology of different kenaf varieties. The plants of five kenaf varieties were grown in pots containing sandy beach ridges interspersed with swales (BRIS) soil. Organic carbons at the levels of 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 t ha-1 were applied to pots using organic fertilizer. At harvest, stem diameter, plant height, leaf number, leaf area, plant components biomass, bast and core fiber yield and fiber dimensional properties were determined. Maximum growth, dry matter and fiber yield, and morphological characters were achieved at the carbon levels 20 t ha-1 but the values of these parameters decreased with additional increase in carbon levels. Among the varieties, HC2 had the highest plant height, leaf biomass, total dry matter and fiber yield. The longest bast fiber was observed in variety HC2. The variety G4 showed the widest fiber and higher lumen width among others. The bast fibers of all the kenaf verities were longer than core fiber. The core fiber was wider and higher in lumen width than the bast fiber. The above results keep a significant role and would be useful to select better varieties of kenaf for the purpose of making quality paper and paper products and to grow kenaf on BRIS soil with adequate yield and fibre quality using better management of organic carbon.Key words: Kenaf varieties, carbon levels, growth, yield, fiber morphology, beach ridges interspersed with swales (BRIS) soil

Effects of carbon levels on shoot growth and root characteristics of different kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) varieties grown on sandy bris soil

The effects of carbon levels on shoot growth and root characteristics of five kenaf varieties were assessed in a shade house experiment. The kenaf plants were grown in pots containing sandy beach ridges interspersed with swales (BRIS) soil. Organic carbons at levels of 0, 10, 20 and 30 t ha-1 were applied to pots using organic fertilizer. The plants at carbon levels 20 t ha-1 had the highest plant height, leaf area, shoot and root dry matter, total root length, root surface area, total root volume, and number of root tips. Increasing carbon levels had negatively affected shoot growth and root morphology of all varieties under study. There was an obvious difference in response to carbon levels among the five varieties with HC2 showing the highest performance in terms of shoot growth and root characteristics. These results provide significant insights into limitations and opportunities for growing of kenaf in BRIS soil with better organic carbon management.Key words: Kenaf varieties, carbon levels, root traits, root and shoot growth, sandy BRIS soil

Symptomatology of fungal competitors on oyster mushrooms spawn packets and in vitro evaluation using phytoextracts and a fungicide

An experiment was conducted to find out the fungal competitors and symptom studies in damaged Oyster Mushroom spawn packets at National Mushroom Development and Extension Center, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total of nine fungal competitors of oyster mushroom were isolated and identified namely- Trichoderma harzianum Rifai, T. viride Pers. (Green strain), T. viride Pers. (Yellow strain), T. koningii Oudem, Mucor hiemalis Wehmer, Papulaspora byssina Hotson, Neurospora sp. Shear and B.O. Dodge., Aspergillus flavus Link., and Botryodiplodia theobromae Pat. on the basis of microscopic, morphological and cultural characteristics. To produce oyster mushroom in an eco-friendly manner and to find out their antifungal potency, 23 plant species belonging to 19 families were screened out against isolated nine fungal competitors of oyster mushroom. Among 23 extracts, the maximum (44%) mycelial inhibition of T. harzianum was found due to Aegle marmelos whereas Eclipta alba showed the highest mycelial inhibition (62%) of T. viride (Green strain); in case of T. viride (Yellow strain), Cassia tora exhibited the highest mycelial inhibition (39%); Diospyros cordifolia showed the maximum mycelial inhibition (48%) of T. koningii; Curcuma longa (rhizome) gave the maximum mycelial inhibition (90%) of Neurospora sp. There were no significant effects found to control of P. byssina, B. theobromae, M. hiemalis and A. flavus due to 23 different types of botanicals tested. Trichoderma harzianum, T. viride (Green strain), T. viride (Yellow strain), T. koningii, A. flavus, Neurospora sp. and P. byssina was successfully inhibited by 30, 50 and 70 ppm of fungicide-Bavistin 50 WP but B. theobromae and M. hiemalis were not affected by Bavistin at mentioned concentration.Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 6 (2): 24-30, December, 201