An experiment was carried out in 6x6 diallel crosses for combining ability analysis for grain yield, maturity and growth parameters in maize.

The allelic diversity and relationship among 120 Aus rice landraces were determined through DNA fingerprinting using microsatellite (SSR) markers. A total of 85 SSR markers were used to characterize and discriminate all tested Aus rice genotypes, 45 of which were polymorphic for different chromosome numbers. The number of alleles per locus varied from 6 alleles (RM484 and RM541) to 30 alleles (RM519) with an average of 13 alleles per locus. The polymorphic information content (PIC) values varied ranged from 0.5211 (RM536) to 0.9369 (RM519) with an average 0.8217. The highest PIC value (0.9369) was obtained for RM519 followed by RM286 (0.9357). The genetic distance-based results seen in the unrooted neighbor-joining tree clustering revealed nine genetic groups. Being grouped into distant clusters and with highest genetic distance, eleven genotypes viz., Atithi dhan, Kadar chap, Pankiraj, Japanese-7, Jamri saity, Logi jota, Joba, Lada moni, Manik Mondal-2, Boilum and Brmulka-2 could be selected as potential parents for crop improvement for their distinctive characters. Panchash and Parija had closest distance in the SSR based CS-Chord distance (0.000) might have same genetic background. The highest genetic dissimilarity (1.000) was found among the nineteen Aus genotypes combinations followed by the second highest (0.9778) among 94 Aus rice combinations. Whereas lowest genetic dissimilarity was found between Kala and Kalo Hizli (0.1778) followed by Holat and Holae (0.2667). This information will be useful in the selection of diverse parents, background selection during backcross breeding programs and assist in broadening germplasm-based rice breeding programs in the near future.

The efficacy of Trichoderma suspension on the recovery of fusarium wilt infected eggplant was studied at Bangladesh Agricultural University Farm during July 2014 to April 2015. Suspension of Trichoderma asperellum CP (IPM 33) (5.8×10 7 CFU ml -1 ) was applied to rhizosphere soils of eggplants @ 0, 20 and 40 ml plant -1 . Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melongenae was inoculated to flowering and fruiting stages of healthy plants by soil drenching method 48 hrs before and after application of Trichoderma suspension. Observations were made on the severity and recovering of wilting. The eggplant variety BAU Begun 1 was found resistant to fusarium wilt while other two varieties BAU Begun 2 and Dohazari G showed susceptible reaction. Pre-inoculation application of Trichoderma @ 40 ml plant -1 significantly reduced the severity of the disease. The vulnerability to fusarium wilt was higher at flowering stage of eggplant. Thus, the experimental results have opened up a possibility of using Trichoderma suspension over conventional farming inputs for sustainable and organic production of eggplant.

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The use of agricultural waste is of great interest to sustainable agriculture. An investigation was carried out to evaluate the effects of compost and compost tea made from agricultural waste rice straw on the yield and quality of two horticultural crops strawberry and tomato. In strawberry experiment, six treatments were considered which wereT1: 100% soil (as a control), T2: 80% soil + 20% compost, T3: 60% soil + 40% compost, T4: 40% soil + 60% compost, T5: 20% soil + 80% compost & T6: 100% compost. Results revealed that number of fruit, fruit yield and total sugar (%)was increased with the increasing level of compost up to 80% after that decreased at 100% compost. The treatment T5: 20% soil + 80% compost gave the best results among the treatments to grow strawberry with good yield (185.3 g/plant) and sweetness (total sugar 5.19%). On the other hand, six treatments i.e. T1: Control, T2: Compost (5 t/ha), T3: Compost tea (50% concentration), T4: Compost (5 t/ha) + Compost tea (50% concentration), T5: Compost tea (100% concentration) and T6: Compost (5t/ha) + Compost tea (100% concentration) were considered in tomato experiment. As a result, it was observed that combined application of compost (5 t/ha) along with compost tea (100% conc.) (T6) gave the highest yield of tomato than not only control (T1) but also single application of compost or compost tea (T2, T3, T4&T5). Level of compost tea concentration also showed significant effect on fruit yield of tomato. Comparing between treatment T4 and T6, fruit yield was found higher (1027.67 g/plant) in treatment T6: Compost (5t/ha) + Compost tea (100% conc.) than 961.3 g/plant in T4: Compost (5 t/ha) + Compost tea (50% conc.). So, it could be summarized that use of rice straw as compost and compost tea affects positively both in two experiments. The results of this study confirm the beneficial effects of compost to increase the yield and sweetness of strawberry and combination of compost and compost tea to increase the yield of tomato. Progressive Agriculture 30 (4): 335-343, 2019