Traffic induced noise level in different places at the dhaka capital city of Bangladesh

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted to appraise the noise levels at eight different commercial as well as heavy traffic areas (St-1, St-2, St-3, St-4, St-5, St-6, St-7, St-8) of the Dhaka capital city during the period from January to April, 2017. Time-weighted average noise levels were measured using Multi-Function Environmental Meter (Model: ST-8820). The results of the study found that average noise levels at day time (8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM) were 78.1, 79.5, 76.2, 76.8, 75.0, 76.3, 80.5 and 79.6 dB in St-1 to St-8, respectively. On the other hand, the values were 82.4, 85.5, 78.3, 80.2, 79.7, 81, 86.5 and 85.6 dB for night time (6:00 PM to 9:00 PM), respectively. All of the recorded noise levels exceeded the DoE standard for noise level of commercial area. The study also found that noise levels on weekend were comparatively less than the working day due to low traffic congestions in the study areas. However, noise levels were higher at night than day time might be due to huge number of vehicles at evening time. Moreover, relative humidity, temperature and number of vehicles were measured both on weekend and working day to correlate with noise level, where the study revealed positive relationship between relative humidity and noise levels and negative relationship between temperature and noise level. The actual sources of noise pollution in Dhaka city were identified as: police and ambulance sirens, car horns, heavy traffic, stationary and mobile sound system, places of prayers, public meetings, motor bikes, mobile loud speakers, vehicle repair workshops, construction
work, factories, loud voices, planes etc. The results of the study reveals that the noise pollution level in the Dhaka city will become more hazardous the day to come. Considering the stated issues of noise pollution, study recommend the banning on hydraulic horns, improvement of traffic carrying capacity on roads, training for drivers and regular monitoring of noise level to control of noise pollution at Dhaka city.

Key words: Noise pollution, traffic, weekend day, working day, Dhaka city.

Introduction
All over the world noise pollution is recognized as a significant prime environmental problem for healthy life especially in urban areas (Nadir et al., 2018). The level of sound that exceeds permissible level and creates annoyance, hampers mental peace and may cause damage to the health is called noise pollution (Nunez et al., 1998). The main sources of noise pollution of the town include transport system, industries, construction activities, market, sound system and advertisement (Rouf and Jahan, 2007; Mollah, 2010; Belojevic et al., 2012). Worldwide it is recognized as occupational hazard sand exposure to high levels of noise creates hearing problem called NIHL or noise induced hearing loss (NIOSH, 1998), which attributes on hypertension, aggression, sleep disturbance and finally reduces work performance, efficiency (Husain et al., 2015). In Bangladesh, noise pollution poses a major threat for people, especially in city dwellers of
Dhaka. According to a recent study conducted by WHO (2010) at 45 locations of Dhaka city, most of the traffic points and many of the industrial, residential, commercial, silent and mixed areas are suffering noises exceeding the standard limits of Bangladesh. The root cause of this nose pollution in mega city as well as Dhaka city is its traffic congestion (Gershone et al., 2006). Most of the motor vehicles such as buses, mini-buses and trucks use hydraulic horns continuously until their ways become free (Mukherjee et al., 2003). Besides reckless driving by the drivers, overtaking and lack of knowledge creates noise pollution. However, noise pollution is harmful to human health, children mental development, willingness to work and study etc. According to BAPA (2000) about 5-7 % of the patients admitted to the BSMMU (Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Medical University) Dhaka, suffered from deafness due to severe

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Management practices of aphid (Rhopalosiphum maidis) in infested maize field

ABSTRACT

With a view to find out the comparative field evaluation of different approaches for controlling aphid infesting maize, a field trial was conducted in the Entomology Field Laboratory, Department of Entomology, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensigh. The experiment was laid out during Rabi season of 2016-17 following the complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Maize var. BARI Hybrid Butta-09 variety was used as experimental variety. The efficacies of eight insecticides viz. Carbofuran 5G @ 20g/L (T1), Chloropyriphos 50% + Cypermethrin 5%@ 1.2ml/L (T2), Emamectin benzoate 5 SG@ 1g/L (T3), Imidacloprid 20SL@ 0.3ml/L (T4), Abamactin 1.8EC@ 2.0ml/L (T5), Spinosad@ 0.4ml/L (T6), Imidacloprid 25% + Thiram 20%@ 0.4g/L (T7) and untreated control (T8) were used as experimental treatments. The study explored that all the tested insecticides significantly reduced the plant infestation caused by maize aphid, R. maidis and thereafter increased the grain yield of maize compared to control. However, treatment T4 (Imidacloprid 20SL@ 0.3ml/L) was found as the most effective insecticides due to ensuring the highest reduction of infested plant (80.40%), the highest plant height (212.24cm), cob length without husk (22.26cm), no. of grain cob-1 (626.44), 100 grain weight (38.05g), grain yield (10.36 t ha-1), percent increase of yield over control (51.45%) and the lowest cumulative mean of plant infestation (18.53%) in maize. The best performance of imidacloprid was due to causes block the receptor, nervous system & stomach system of aphid directly and causes disrupt the cell of the aphid’s body as imidacloprid is a contact, systemic and stomach barrier insecticides. On the other hand, control treatment showed the worst performances for above parameters. However, the performances of other insecticides ranked as T7> T2> T5> T1> T6> T3> T8. Imidacloprid 20SL@ 0.3ml/L as treatments, therefore, could be recommended to the maize grower for the effective management of R. maidi.

Key words: Maize, Rhopalosiphum maidis, insecticides, management.

Introduction

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the second important cereal crops after rice in Bangladesh (The daily star, 26thSeptember, 2016) as well as the world. It is a plant belonging to the family of grasses (Poaceae). Maize, known as corn, Bengali called as Bhutta. It is considered as a staple food in many countries of the world. In Bangladesh, the production of maize is about 2.81 MT annually in 2018-2019. About 90% of the home grown maize is feeding a burgeoning poultry and fish feed industry and rests are used as human food (Alam et al., 2019a, c). It can be processed into a variety of food and industrial products, including starch, sweeteners, oil, beverages, glue, industrial alcohol, and fuel ethanol. Colorful kernel of maize is used as different purpose, such as a dent, flint, waxy, flour, sweet, pop and pod corn (Alam et al., 2019c). It is also cross-pollinating but self-fertile crop, so it can be grown all year round in Bangladesh and can therefore be fitted in the gap between the main cropping seasons without affecting the major crops. But it is the matter of worried that maize production is hindered by aphid infestation. Aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis is a major agricultural pest and polyphagous attacking more than 182 plant species (Alam et al., 2014). The larvae of aphid feed on all parts of plant. This damage prevents pollination and introduces various fungi into the cobs
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Effect of fertilizer combination on fruit yield of Bt. begun at northern Dinajpur district of Bangladesh

ABSTRACT

The experiment was conducted at the research field of Agricultural Research Station, Rajbari, Dinajpur during rabi season of 2016-17 and 2017-18 to develop a profitable and economic fertilizer dose for Bt. begun and to increase the productivity and yield of begun in the northern region of Bangladesh . Five different treatments were employed in this study viz. T1= STB Recommended dose i.e. 113-23-74-15-2-1 kg/ha of NPKSZnB+3 tha-1poultry manure (FRG’ 2012), T2= T1+25% of NPK i.e. 141-29-93-15-2-1kg/ha of NPKSZnB+3 tha-1poultry manure, T3 = T1+50% of NPK i.e. 169-34-111-15-2-1kg/ha of NPKSZnB+ 3 tha-1poultry manure, T4 = T1+25% of NPK+3 tha-1poultry manure i.e. 141-29-93-15-2-1 kg/ha of NPKSZnB+6 tha-1poultry manure, T5 = T1+3 tha-1poultry manure i.e. 113-23-74-15-2-1 kg/ha of NPKSZnB+6 tha-1poultry manure. The experiment revealed that the highest fruit yield (43.47tha-1) was recorded in T3. This was due to the positive influence of poultry manure on the growth and yield of brinjal in respect of the elongation of brinjal plant, availability of other macro and trace elements, improvement in soil physical structure and water holding capacity. The highest gross return (Tk. 347760 ha-1), gross margin (Tk. 255170 ha-1) and BCR were also obtained in T3, whereas the lowest gross return (Tk.55300 ha-1), gross margin (Tk.143840 ha-1) and BCR were obtained from the treatment T1.

Key words: BARI Bt. Begun-1, Poultry manure, Fertilizer, Yield

Introduction

Bangladesh is one of the major horticultural countries in South Asia (Ali, 2000). Agriculture, including horticulture, is the largest single sector of the economy, accounting for about 13 percent of the country’s GDP (BER, 2006). Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) is an important vegetable for its commercial and nutritional value in the world as well as in Bangladesh. “Begoon” (Brinjal or Eggplant) is a very common and favorite vegetable in Bangladesh which has a link with the social, cultural and economic lives of rural people. Brinjal has been a staple vegetable in our diet since ancient times. It is one of the major vegetables and its production ranks third among all vegetables in the world. It is grown all over the world, though there is a heavy concentration in Asia. China is the largest producer followed by India. China has a 60.67 percent share of world production, while India’s share stands at 25.70 percent (Meherunnahar and Paul, 2012). Vegetables in much of Asia and the Pacific region are grown by small-scale farmers who are unorganized and scattered in different locations (Shin, 2001), Although Bangladesh produced huge amount of brinjal it is only a fraction of the world’s production. Brinjal is second most important vegetable in Bangladesh in terms of both, production area and yield, only surpassed by potatoes. In Bangladesh, over 1,15,424 hectare of total cultivable land is devoted to brinjal cultivation (BBS, 2011). It is cultivated in the agricultural fields as cash crop in the commercial vegetable growing areas and almost every rural household has few brinjal plants in the kitchen garden. In Bangladesh brinjal is classified into two categories in respect of production period such as rabi brinjal and Kharif brinjal. Though it is more or less available throughout the year, its peak supply comes during December to April. Brinjal grown in Bangladesh are of different varieties with differing in size, shape and color as well.

However, Bangladesh is obtained the food sufficiency but the nutritional point of view; it has far away from achieved the safety and quality food production. Now Bangladesh introduced Bt. brinjal, has the

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Performance of BARI till-4 (sesame) in the char land OF Bogura

ABSTRACT

The production program were conducted at Debdhunga char, Sariakandi & Boisaki char, Dhunut, Bogura under On Farm Research Division, BARI, Bogura during Kharif, 2017-18 to popularize BARI Till-4 among the farmers. The unit plot size was 1.0 Bigha. The crop was fertilized with recommended doses at the rate of 58-30-25-17-1.80-1.70, N-P-K-S-Zn-B kg ha-1, respectively in both locations. Half urea and all other fertilizers were applied during final land preparation. Remaining urea was applied at 25-30 days after sowing. Seeds were sown on 7 March, 2017 in Debdhunga, Bogura and 8 March 2017 in Boisaki, Dhunut. The seeds were sown by broadcasting method in both sites. Tilt was sprayed to control fungal disease. The crop was harvested at 8 June, 2017 in Debdhunga, Sariakandi and 10 June 2017 in Boisaki. Dhunut, Bogura. The gross economic return was calculated on the basis of prevailing market price of the commodities. The satisfactory seed yield and attractive gross margin were found from both locations in char land of Bogura.

Key words: Performance, BARI Till-4, Char land.

Introduction

Till (Sesamum indicum) is in important oil crop in Bangladesh. In terms of acreage, it is next to mustard. In Bangladesh,38,866 hectares of land (BBS, 2015) are cultivated under sesame with a production of 25,000 metric tons with yield of 640 kg/ha (BBS, 2015). It can be cultivated both in Kharif and Rabi seasons. The main regions are greater Faridpur, Barishail, Rangamati, Dinajpur, Pabna, Khulna, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Comilla. Till also called benne, erect annual plant of the family Pedaliaceae, grown since antiquity for its seeds, which are used as food and flavouring and from which a prized oil is extracted. Widely cultivated, the sesame plant is found in most of the tropical, subtropical, and southern temperate areas of the world. The aroma and taste of sesame seed are mild and nutlike. The chief constituent of the seed is its fixed oil, which usually amounts to about 44 to 60 percent. Noted for its stability, the oil resists oxidative rancidity. The seeds are also high in protein and are rich in thiamin and vitamin B6. The seed on an average consists of 47 % oil and 20% protein (Rahman, 1976). Sesame as a valuable cover crop grown for food (dry seeds), feed (seed, leaves and young branches), its flowers are useful in treatment of cancer, alopecia, and constipation, roots are having antifungal activity and leaves are used in infant cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, and for urinary infections. Beside of large land covered for cultivation of sesame there is a wide demand–supply gap as its production is constrained by various biotic and abiotic stresses which leads to less productivity in terms of seed yield. So attempts to be made for spreading awareness about sesame its oil and other uses. Sesame oil has natural antioxidants such as sesamin, sesamolin, and sesamol known as the most stable vegetable oils having long shelf life. Sesame seed oil, is rich in Omega 6 fatty acids, but lacks Omega 3 fatty acids. So there is need to produce more Omega 3 fatty acids like alpha linolenic acids with the help of various denaturize enzyme pathways for improvement of quality of sesame oil as healthy oil BARI has developed some sesame varieties like BARI Till-4 and their performances at farmer’s field are satisfactory. However, this variety was not tested in char area of Bogura. But before suggesting the suitable varieties for char land of Bogura, their agro-economic performances need to be tested in the farmer’s field. So, this trial was under taken to evaluate the performance of BARI Till-4 in the farmer’s field of Bogura.

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Surface water qualities in coastal Moheshkhali fishing zones of Bangladesh

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted to explore the physicochemical parameters and anionic properties of surface water from the Moheshkhali fishing zone at Cox’s Bazar coastal area of Bangladesh starting from December 2017 to November 2018. The surface water samples were collected from three sampling stations in the Moheshkhali fishing zones covering the seasons of pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon. The selected physicochemical parameters and anions were analyzed in the laboratory of the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The result of the study showed that temperature, turbidity, pH, TDS, TSS, salinity, DO, BOD, COD, NH3, NO3 – and PO4 3- were ranged from 27.5 to 29ºC, 720 to 890 NTU, 7.1 to 8.5, 311 to 615 mg/L, 17 to 38 mg/L, 10 to 29‰, 6.2 to 6.9 mg/L, 3.25 to 5.5 mg/L, 7.8 to 9.01 mg/L, 1.07 to 2.4 mg/L, 0.48 to 0.75 mg/L and 0.89 to 0.95 mg/L, respectively. Except turbidity, COD and NH3, all others physicochemical and anions of Moheshkhali fishing zones were within the acceptable range of standard limits. The study concluded that the studied marine surface water quality is suitable, which is safe and favorable for production of fishes and other aquatic organisms. But to maintain such type of favorable states, the study suggested for regular water quality monitoring coastal and also all existing rivers/fishing zones in Bangladesh.

Key words: Water quality, anionic properties, seasonal variation, marine environment.

Introduction

Marine water quality has become a matter of great concern because of its effects on human health and aquatic ecosystems including marine life (Gupta et al., 2009). Bangladesh’s coastal and marine environment is endowed with a warm tropical climate and high rainfall, rich in nutrients from the land and forming one of the most productive ecosystems in the world (Hossain, 2001; Islam, 2003). The Bay of
Bengal is rich in coastal and marine ecosystems and is home to a wide range of biodiversity including fish, shrimp, mollusks, crabs, mammals and seaweed. There are about 511 marine species along with shrimp in the waters of Bangladesh (Murshed-E-Jahan et al, 2014). The wellbeing of human largely depend on water and needs of water for every purposes ranging from domestic to industrial could not be ignored (Hiremath et al., 2011). All living things mainly aquatic organisms especially fisheries species depend on water for its existence (Hiremath et al., 2011). Water is the natural habitat of fishes and other aquatic animals, therefore of great importance to investigate water quality while studying fish production (Biggs et al., 2005). Water is the physical support for performing life functions such as feeding, swimming, breeding, digestion and excretion (Bronmark and Hansson, 2005). Actually, water quality is pointed as an important factor to the success or failure of a fish culture operation (Piper et al., 1982). The physicochemical characteristics are indeed vital water quality parameters for monitoring due to their instability (Efe et al., 2005; Pejman et al., 2009), where significant variations in physicochemical parameters affect the quality of water resources. It is the matter of worried that the main concern in the territorial waters is the condition of polluted waters, reducing the quality of the aquatic environment (Hamuna et al., 2018). The organic and inorganic
pollutants in the marine water can lead to the quality of water such as the biological function degradation and make an impact to the water (Tanjung et al., 2019). Organic and inorganic materials flow through rivers, upwelling processes, vertical mixing of water masses and anthropogenic sources such as agriculture, aquaculture, industry, fisheries activities, fuel use and vessel ballast water discharge disturbing the potential

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