ABSTRACT
A research work was carried out at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Department of Agronomy, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, durin April to September 2008 to study the effect of variety and spacing on the growth and yield of transplant Aus rice. The experiment consisted of three rice varieties viz. BR3, BR14 and BR26 and four spacings viz. 25 cm ´ 15 cm, 20 cm ´ 20 cm, 20 cm ´ 15 cm and 20 cm ´ 10 cm. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with three replications assigning spacings in the main plots and varieties in the sub-plots. Plant height was significantly influenced by variety and spacing during the vegetative growth phase. BR26 produced the tallest plant. The number of tillers hill-1 was the highest in BR14 and was the lowest in BR26 variety. The plant height was the highest with 20 cm ´ 20 cm spacing. BR26 with 20 cm ´ 20 cm spacing produced the tallest plant. BR14 with 25 cm ´ 15 cm spacing produced maximum number of tillers hill-1 while BR26 produced minimum number of tillers hill-1. At maturity most of the parameters significantly influenced by variety and spacing. Spacing of 20 cm ´ 10 cm produced the highest grain yield (4.23 tha-1), biological yield (9.56 tha-1) and harvest index (44.11%).The tallest plant was obtained in BR26 but the highest grain yield and biological yield were obtained in BR14 with the spacing of 20 cm ´ 10 cm. Results depicted that BR14 with the spacing of 20 cm ´ 10 cm appeared as the promising practice to maximize the yield of transplant Aus rice.
Key words: Variety, spacing, Aus rice.
Introduction
There are three distinct growing seasons of rice namely, Aus, Aman and Boro in Bangladesh and the production of rice in Aus, Aman and Boro seasons are 150.04, 981.96 and 1383.70 million ton, respectively (BBS, 2006). Aus rice is cultivated on 8.9% of the total cropped area of Bangladesh (BBS, 2006). So among these three seasons, rice production in Aus season is the least and efforts should be made to increase the production of Aus rice. The horizontal expansion of rice area in Bangladesh is not possible due to heavy population pressure. So the only avenue left is to increase the production of rice through vertical expansion. Optimum planting densities as well as improved varieties are two of the most effective means to increase the yield of transplant Aus rice. Spacing has important role on growth, yield and yield components of transplant Aus rice. Optimum plant spacing ensures the plants to grow properly with their aerial and underground parts utilizing more solar radiation and nutrients (Miah et al., 1990).Variety itself is the genetical factor which contributes a lot for producing yield and yield components. Yield is the product of some components, such as number of effective tillers hill-1, number of grains panicle-1 and weight of individual grain. These components are directly related to the variety and the neighboring environments on which it grows. Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) has released 50 modern varieties (MV) of rice suitable for cultivation in one or more of the three rice growing seasons of Bangladesh. Each variety has certain tiller producing capacity, adequate number of effective tillers per unit area exert a role in producing panicle number and the spikelets number. Panicle number per unit area and the fertile spikelets per panicle are the most important yield components in rice. Optimum number of tillers per unit area is a prerequisite for obtaining maximum yield from a rice variety and rice yield increases with increased number of panicles per unit area (BRRI, 1992). The growth and yield of these varieties are directly related to plant spacing. Higher yield could be achieved from these varieties if they are properly spaced and managed. Optimum spacing varies not only with genotype having different growth habit but also with season, soil and climate (Have, 1992). Experiments on the spacing of transplant rice are going on here in Bangladesh and abroad to
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ABSTRACT
A hydroponic experiment was conducted to study the morphological and physiological responses of selected sorghum genotypes to salinity stress at early vegetative stage with a view to screen salt tolerant genotypes. Nine sorghum genotypes viz. BD 687, BD 688, BD 689, BD 690, BD 691, BD 692, BD 693, BD 694 and BD 695 were grown in hydroponics with a full nutrient solution at 12 dSm−1 and control condition for fourteen days. Different morphological and physiological parameters viz. root length, shoot length, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, total dry matter, root shoot ratio, relative chlorophyll content and maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) were recorded. Most of the parameters mentioned above showed significant variation due to salinity stress and also among the genotypes. The stress tolerance index for root and shoot lengths varied from 70-93, and 67-92, respectively. Root and shoot weights were greatly affected by the stress and the genotypes studied exhibited large variations in respect of tolerance indices that ranged from 62-78 and 62-93 for shoot and root dry weights, respectively. Leaf greenness expressed in SPAD values and Maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) was varied due to the stress and among the genotypes. SPAD values and Fv/Fm in different genotypes ranged from 29.6-20.2, and 0.78-0.71, respectively under control and, 28.3-18.2 and 0.77-0.67, respectively under the stress. Based on the responses to the stress the genotypes BD 688, BD 690 and BD 693 appeared to be more tolerant compared to other genotypes studied.
Key words: Sorghum, salinity, genotype.
Introduction
Salinity is one of the major environmental stresses limiting crop production of marginal agricultural lands in many parts of the world. Worldwide, it is an increasing problem and main obstacle to the crop productivity especially in areas where crops should be irrigated (Ahloowalia et al., 2004) because water contains high amount (about 30g NaCl/L) of salt. Salinity stress involves changes in various physiological and metabolic processes, depending on severity and duration of the stress and ultimately inhibits crop production (James et al., 2011). Effect of Salinity on plant growth is a complex syndrome that involves osmotic stress, ion toxicity, mineral deficiencies, physiological and biochemical perturbations and combination of these stresses (Hasegawa et al., 2000). Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.)], a major grain and forage crop, was previously characterized as moderately tolerant to salinity, can tolerate up to 8.6 dSm−1soil salinity without any reduction to its yield (Maas et al., 1986). It is originated from Africa (Tari et al., 2013) and is a C4 carbon cycle plant belonging to the Poaceae (or Gramineae) family with high photosynthetic efficiency and productivity. It is one of the five major cultivated species in the world because it has several economically important potential uses such as 55% as food (grain), 33% as feed (grain and biomass) and others are as fuel (ethanol production), fibre (paper), fermentation (methane production) and fertilizer (utilization of organic by-products) (Krishnamurthy et al., 2007). It is the only crop from which ethanol can be produced from grain (starch), juice (sweet sorghums) and biomass (lignocellulose). It also has biological nitrification inhibition activity which reduces the loss of N from the field. Based on the tolerance to soil salinity, the crops were ranked as sorghum>sunflower>sugar beet>maize> barley> linseed>chili> sweet potato> cowpea>groundnut. In Bangladesh, it would contribute enhancing food, nutrition and energy security in the country with higher productivity during the fallow period. There is a large genotypic variation for tolerance to salinity reported in sorghum (Sun et al., 2014). It is important to note that germination and early seedling growth are more sensitive to salinity than later developmental stages
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ABSTRACT
Heat Index (HI) combines air temperature and relative humidity to determine how hot it actually feels. It has become a matter of great concern in the context of Bangladesh climatology along with most other countries. This paper demonstrates the trend analysis of extreme temperature and relative humidity and assessment of heat index effect on human health by dividing the whole Bangladesh into four regions (South-west region, central region, North-west region, east region). Bangladesh experiences highest value of HI in the month of May-August when it crosses 38˚C. Heat-related illness is already thought to be the leading cause increasing patients especially diarrheal diseases and heat stroke in hospital among meteorological phenomena. This includes classical heat stress in addition to heat-induced episodes of pre-existing illnesses such as respiratory, cardio-vascular, nervous system etc. The trend drawn with the help of average HI anomalies from 1987-2017 has shown tremendous rise in apparent temperature in central and North-west region.
Key words: Heat index, apparent temperature, relative humidity, trend analysis, human health.
Introduction
The 21st climate scenarios produced by several global climate models anticipate a frequency increase in the duration and intensity of the heat waves (Monteiro et al., 2012). Bangladesh is a country that is seriously threatened by climate change (Huq, 2001), which is expected to bring an increase in frequency and intensity of heat waves in the future (Kirtman et al, 2013). Evidence points to a substantial mortality increase during hot weather, with stronger heat effects found in cities and among the elderly, children and men (Burkart and Endlicher, 2011). In Bangladesh, the ongoing spell of heat wave is one of the longest (24 days at a stretch) in 30 years. The highest temperature so far this year was recorded 41.2˚C in Rajshahi. It is the highest since April 15, 1964, when it was recorded 44.5˚C in Jessore. Heat waves do indeed lead to more deaths in Bangladesh. Few researches have been on Bangladesh climate condition by (BCAS, 1994; BUP, 1994 and Bangladesh Climate Change Country Study Program, 1997) etc. and all have the same view that Bangladesh is one of the foremost countries extremely susceptible to the unpleasant effects of global warming. The average annual temperature of Bangladesh is expected to increase by 1.4 ± 0.6˚C by 2050 (Solomon, 2007). An estimated 1,300 excess deaths occurred annually during extreme summer heat from 1975 to 2004 (Kalkstein et al, 2010) and more than 65,000 people end up in emergency rooms each summer with heat-related illnesses (Hess et al., 2014). Sometimes the mean heat index value ranges from 42° to 59 °C in different parts of the country as result health ailments are reflected through dehydration, heatstroke/exhaustion, and aggravation of cardiovascular diseases in elderly people and reduced work capacity and productivity (Elahi, 2016). This article discusses historical trends and future climate projections in day and night-time heat indices for the Bangladesh. The objectives of the study are: i) Trend analysis of extreme temperature and relative humidity of Bangladesh, ii) Assessment of comparative heat index all over the country and iii) Impacts assessment of heat index effect on human health.
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ABSTRACT
The spatio-temporal analysis of handloom industry in Tangail district, Bangladesh was conducted during January to June 2018. A total of 126 weavers were selected randomly and interviewed. The primary data was collected from 9 villages of Tangail Sadar, Kalihati and Delduar upazila and the secondary data from journals, articles, books, official documents, thesis papers, daily newspapers etc. The study revealed that monthly per capita income of weavers was about (8000-14000) tk. though they had to perform a hard work (8-15 hours per day). Subsequently they were unable to save from their earned money. An interesting observation was remarked in that location that the economic crises were not impacted the expansion of handloom industry rather increasing. Entrepreneur’s interest and good marketing system were the main causes for that business. Moreover, Spatio-Temporal factor is one of the considerable components for establishing the handloom in Tangail. The study exposed that the income of the waivers was unremarkable. And they hardly can make savings. But they could not switch to other profession because they were not experienced in other work. It was also affirmed that the handloom industry is running with old technology, poor marketing, poor advertising, limited showroom, import based raw materials, inadequate capitals, insufficient government facilities, low wages of weavers. So, it is perquisite to make effective plan to get back the glorious position of our handloom as well as to help economic development of our country.
Key words: Handloom, weaver, spatio-temporal.
Introduction
Handloom industry in Tangail has a glorious history. The “Tangail Sharee” of Bangladesh has a great popularity and reputation in home and abroad. This traditional Sharee is only produced in Tangail district and has been named after the name of the district. Each year, this industry produces significant amount of Sharee and supplies all over the world. Each week Bangladeshi government exports around 50,000 pieces Sharee to our neighboring country India (Banarjee et al., 2014). The weavers sell the Sharee in the nearest “hut” of Bazitpur and Korotia twice in a week. The consumers of this “hut” are mainly retailers who buy products from the weavers and suppliers. Although the Tangail Sharee has a huge demand in India, Europe, America, Japan and Middle East, the industry has no longer its old heritage due to various factors. Firstly, the price rate of raw materials and machines of handloom industries has recently increased significantly. Secondly, due to the availability and low price of raw materials, governments interfere; India has already spread her business all over the world. Thirdly, the Sharee industry of Tangail is controlled by retailers rather than the small weavers. Communal violence and lack of security in business compelled a lot of hindu weavers to migrate in India since independence. Recent political unrest has also made huge loss of the business. Finally, lack of loan support and other supports from the government paved the way to expand the industry (Banarjee et al., 2014). The handloom industry in Tangail is a cottage industry and the looms are mostly established in households. 72% of the total installed looms have a unit size of five looms. Units with six to ten looms are 11% and units with eleven to twenty looms are 6% of the total. Units with 21 looms occupy 11% of the total and are considered as small factories. However, a study done by the Ministry of Industries in 1982, shows that small factories have 20% of handlooms
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ABSTRACT
A study was conducted to assess the surface water quality of Gournadi Upazila for using irrigation, drinking, and livestock consumption. Twenty samples were collected and prepared for analysis in the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU). The chemical analyses included pH, EC, TDS, Ca, Mg, K, Na, S, and P. The pH indicated that surface water samples were neutral to alkaline in nature and were suitable for irrigation, drinking, and livestock consumption (pH value 6.7-8.10 in surface water). On the basis of EC, all the samples were found to be non-saline (EC value 0.18-0.50mS/). The concentration of Ca, Mg, Na, P, S, and K for surface water ranged from 10.16-23.0, 4.87-45.42, 301.10-703.41, 0.52-1.96, 4.66-44.28 and 3.15-16.98 mg/L, respectively. The surface waters were rated suitable for irrigation, drinking, and livestock consumption on the basis of Ca, Mg, Na, and P, S, and K concentrations.
Key words: Drinking, irrigation, water quality, surface water
Introduction
Water is the most valuable and vital resource for the sustenance of life and also for any developmental activity (Kumar et al, 2010). About 80% of the earth’s surface is covered with water. Out of the estimated 1,011 million km3 of the total water present on the earth, only 33,400 m3 of water is available for drinking, agriculture, domestic and industrial consumption (Dara, 2007). Bangladesh is a low-lying flat country with big inland water bodies, including some of the biggest rivers in the world, and is extremely vulnerable because of its geographical characteristics (Matin and Kamal, 2010). Water quality is deteriorating day by day due to biological, physical, and chemical variables. The primary causes of the deterioration of surface water quality are the decomposition of municipal, domestic, industrial, and agricultural wastes (Todd, 1980). It is also contaminated by mixing with rains and floods which wash down some agrochemicals into rivers, canals, and ponds. If these elements exceed the acceptable limit, it becomes harmful to fish cultivation. However, the water toxicity varied from season to season. In most cases, macro and micronutrients were higher in the winter season than those during the monsoon season (Mitra and Gupta, 1999). The main soluble constituents of water are Ca, Mg, Na, and sometimes K as cations and Cl, SO4, HCO3, and sometimes CO3 as anions. However, ions of some other elements such as Li, Si, Br, I, Cu, Ni, Co, F,B, Zr, Ti, V, Ba, Ru, Ce, As, Bi, Sb, Be, Cr, Mn, Pb, Mo, Se and P and organic matter are present in minor quantities (Michael, 1997). Quality water is necessary for every type of use, but the quality of natural water is judged by its total salt concentration, a relevant proportion of cations and anions, the concentration of toxic substances like As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, Co, Cu, Mn, Fe, Mo, B, etc. It can be said that any element present in water above the international limit for specific use may be treated as a pollutant. The chemical composition of water is a major factor in determining its quality (Gupta and Gupta, 1998). The stakeholders of Gournadi Upazila mainly use surface water for irrigating their crops, aquaculture, livestock farming, and other purposes
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ABSTRACT
This study aims to identify the influencing elements and adaption techniques of slum residents who moves due to climate change. From two slum areas in Rangpur district, a data base of 120 respondents was gathered using structured questionnaires in order to learn about the people’s adaptation and migration processes as well as their current way of life. Most of the respondents (43.32%) only completed their primary education, and 54.15 percent of them have weekly incomes of less than 1000 taka. Nearly 77% of people live in tin shacks. Due to river bank erosion, several respondents abandoned their village. Nearly 19% of them were from Mymensingh. Farmers made up about 45% of the respondents. However, as a result of losing their lands, more people, or around 63%, now work as a daily laborer. After migration they were forced to engage themselves in unskilled jobs like day laborer and rickshaw puller. Because of their educational status they couldn’t afford themselves into better housing status but also they engaged their children to work to meet their daily need which was costlier than their native place. Due to this dilemma a larger number of the respondents’ second generation were involved in an unskilled job also. This study is the baseline of the climate migrants’ status because there’s no research has been done regarding this issue in the north western region of Bangladesh. Since the city is developing recently so the city planner and policy makers should consider these people to involve them in skilled job so the society can get the maximum benefit from them and also improve their status of life.
Key words: Adaptation, mitigation, climate induce migrants, climate change.
Introduction
Human activities such as generating energy, industrial work that destroys forest and agricultural land resulted the climate change in changing the weather pattern (Yue and Gao 2018). According to Global Climate Risk Index (CRI), from the year 1996 to 2015, a total of 528,000 deaths has been caused in a direct consequence of 11,000 extreme climatic events (Kreft et al. 2016). The countries especially low to middle income level are facing more vulnerabilities to different natural disasters like prolonged flooding, cyclone, storm surges, seasonal drought and sea level rising (Ibarraran 2009; Nakashima et al. 2012). So they have to be migrated in severe cases. Migration has been a long-term adaptation technique for displaced people who has been forced to leave their native place due to any kind of natural calamities (McLeman and Smith 2006, Barnett and Webber 2010, Adger et al. 2003a,b; Tacoli 2011, Barnett and O’Neill 2012). Migration has been frequent in those countries who faces natural calamities very often. People of low income level migrate seasonally to support their living (Black et al. 2011; Kniveton et al. 2012). People who lose their housing due to natural disaster ended up in the low-cost housing area mostly slum in the cities thanks to the high cost of rebuilding the house. The “Bhola cyclone” which killed nearly five hundred thousand with a huge number of displaced people who relocate in Mirpur, Dhaka named their slum as “Bhola Slum” after their native place (McNamara et al. 2015). People generally migrate to those places where they have a better accessibility to jobs and social network (Black et al. 2011, 2013; Kniveton et al. 2012; Warner et al., 2013). Two different dimensions has been identified as the after effect of climate change which includes the cause dimensions and the consequence dimension. First one includes the disaster and after effect resulted by the climate change and the other one is the socio-economic hardship as well as human right violation etc. (CPRD, 2015). Due to changing climate the disaster can push people to the extent that they forced to move to urban cities like Dhaka, Chittagong Khulna etc. So they can avail an upgraded livelihood.
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