No abstract

Appropriate planting time of mustard (Brassica sp.) during winter determines the growth yield and quality of a particular cultivar. Since the shift of winter period over the last few years driven by climate change, a transformation in mustard cultivation is also observed. Thus, to study the extent of these variations we studied 6 mustard varieties (V1- Binasarisha-4, V2- Binasarisha-9, V3- Binasarisha-10, V4- BARI Sarisha-14, V5- BARI Sarisha-16 and V6- BARI Sarisha-17) under 3 different planting dates (D1-31st October, D2-10th November and D3-20th November) in the Magura district of Bangladesh to evaluate yield differences over sowing times. Field experimentation was set followed RCB (Randomized complete block) design. Data on growth and yield parameters were collected at various days after sowing. Outcomes noted that, most number of siliqua/plant was obtained with treatment combination D3 × V5 (190.33), siliqua length with D3 × V2 (7.95 cm), number of seeds per siliqua by D3 × V6 (36.30), thousand grain weight by D1 × V1 (3.90 g). Hence, correlation study suggested that, seed yield was positively related to number of siliqua/plant, siliqua length and number of seeds/siliqua. Though, BARI Sarisha-16 (V5) delivered top seed and stover yield in all sowing dates. But interaction effects depicted that planting on 10th (2.00 t/ha) and 20th November (1.99, 1.94 t/ha) gave similar seed yield like 31st October planting (2.31 t/ha); in addition, stover yield (6.70, 6.83 t/ha) also remained at peak with the later plantings (D2, D3). An increase in the tendency of life duration was noticed when sown on 20th November for most treatment combination. Overall, delayed sowing of mustard didn’t affect the yield and related attributes rather it accelerated to some attributes. Hence, rescheduling of optimum sowing time for mustard is now a time demanding concern with regard to weather change.

The research was conducted to collect information on the status of farming and marketing of live pangas (Pangasius hypophthalmus) from Trishal region to different areas of Bangladesh by interviewing stakeholder and secondary sources. The survey was carried out for seven months from May to November, 2016. Pangas farmers, arotdar, commission agents, wholesaler and retailers were interviewed in accordance with participatory rural methods. The results showed that the best harvesting season were found to be June to July and November to January. It was also found that 90% farmers harvested their fish completely and only 10% of farmers harvested partially. The price of pangas depends on market structure, quality, size, distance, weight, seasonal variation and regional perception. The prices of pangas were found to be highest of 130tk/kg and the lowest of 85tk/kg but sometimes 60 to 70tk/kg when the fish are dead (on the way to destined area) in different districts. On the other hand significant quantity loss was observed in fish 8%, 10%, 15%, 18%, and 19% after reaching to Savar, Manikgonj, Maowa, Sylhet, and Barisal from Trishal. Therefore, it was strongly recommended that proper handling of live fish must be ensured during transportation to attain quality pangas at consumer level. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 12(1&2): 73-82, 2019

Lentil is the major cultivated pulse crop of Bangladesh. Even if there are available high-yielding modern varieties of this crop but because of the higher yield gap, its demand is largely met by import. Thus, to evaluate the pest-related factors of low yield seven modern lentil varieties viz. Binamasur-5, Binamasur-8, Binamasur-9, Binamasur-10, BARI Masur-5, BARI Masur-6, and BARI Masur-8 were assessed to enquire the extent of aphid infestation, foot rot and rust disease incidence, and severity on seed yield. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized complete block design during Rabi season at BINA Sub-station, Magura. Data on insects and disease were recorded at definite SMW (standard meteorological week) and DAS (days after sowing). Outcomes divulged that maximum aphid infestation (number of aphids/plant) was noted between 7th to 9th SMW; where BARI Masur-6 had significantly lowest infestation level on 7th and 8th SMW. Summative foot rot disease incidence (%) was most in Binamasur-8 and Binamasur-9, but least in BARI Masur-6 and Binamasur-5. For rust, the highest incidence (%) was recorded with Binamasur-8 and Binamasur-5; contrary the lowest was seen with BARI Masur-6 and BARI Masur-8. Severity index (DSI) of foot and root rot was abundant by Binamasur-8 (72.89%) and Binamasur-9 (71.56%); conversely, Binamasur-10 (52.11%) and BARI Masur-8 (50%) had scarce DSI. In the case of rust, BARI Masur-5 (74.00%) showed top DSI accompanied by Binamasur-8 (58.33%). The utmost seed yield of 8.25 g/plant was produced by Binamasur-10; in contrast, the least was yielded by Binamasur-8 (5.45 g/plant). Weather factors (temperature, relative humidity, rainfall) were positively related to the number of aphids per plant. However, seed yield was negatively affected by aphid population, foot rot, and rust disease incidence. Overall, Binamasur-10 corroborated having better resilience to biotic and abiotic factors for delivering desirable economic yield