The aim of the experiment was to determine the biomass yield, morphological characteristics and nutritive value of different high yielding Napier cultivars according their cutting intervals. This study mainly discussed about four Napier cultivars named BLRI-Napier-4, Wruk-Wona, Napier-Hybrid (Japan) and MarkEron. The cutting interval was 45 days. The  result showed significant difference (p<0.05) in 3rd cutting into these three cutting in case for biomass yield, number of hill, number of tiller and plant height. The stem and leaf ratio was higher in 2nd cutting in BLRI-Napier-4. For botanical fraction, leaf contained more dry matter than stem. Crude protein was higher in leaf portion for different Napier cultivars. As considering the cutting interval, the 3rd cutting contained higher dry matter compare to other cut. MarkEron cultivar showed more significant difference (p<0.001) for Ash and CP content into its three cutting. High level of oxalate found in BLRI-Napier-4. Considering biomass yield, BLRI-N-Hybrid was the higher value. Crude protein was higher in MarkEron cultivar. Asian Australas. J. Biosci. Biotechnol. 2016, 1 (1), 100-107

An experiment was conducted with four rapeseed mutants, their mother variety Binasarisha-4 and early maturing variety Tori-7 during November 2012 to February 2013 at four different rapeseed growing areas of Bangladesh to study their agronomic performances and to select early maturing and high yielding mutants. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences for most of the characters among the mutants and checks in both of individual location and combined over locations. All the mutants showed shorter plant height and produced higher number of seeds/siliqua than the mother variety. Two mutants, MM-51 and MM-64 produced statistically similar seed yield (1667 and 1644 kg/ha, respectively) with Binasarisha-4 (1663 kg/ha) and matured one week earlier than Binasarisha-4. These two mutants also had non-significantly different maturing period (88 and 87 days, respectively) with the early maturing variety, Tori-7 (86 days). Both mutants (MM-51 and MM-64), because of their higher number of seeds/siliqua and higher seed yield potential along with early maturity can be selected for further trials both at research station and farmers' field. These results suggest that gamma rays irradiation can be fruitfully applied for improved agronomic traits like shorter plant height and early maturity in oleiferous Brassica without compromising seed yield.

Background: Soybean is an important source of food, protein and oil and hence more research is essential to increase its yield under different agro-ecological conditions, including stress. In this regard, four popular soybean varieties viz. Shohag, BDS-4, BAU-S/64 and BARI Soybean-5 were irradiated using Co60 gamma rays to create genetic variation for earliness, higher seed yield and other desirable agronomic traits. Methods: The experiments were conducted at Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) Headquarters farm, Mymensingh during 2006-2009 and 28 elite mutant lines were selected for evaluation. The mutant line, SBM-22 derived from mother variety BARI Soybean-5 irradiated with 300Gy of gamma rays was found to be superior compared to other mutants. Considering the superior performance of mutant SBM-22 including 28 mutants and mother check variety BARI Soybean-5, were evaluated through different trials. The evaluation trials were conducted at different agro-ecological zones of the country during Rabi season (January to April) of 2010-2018. Result: Significant variations were observed both in individual location and over locations for all traits. Reactions to major diseases and insect-pests infestation were also studied. Due to better performance of the mutant SBM-22, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) applied to the National Seed Board (NSB) of Bangladesh for registration as an important soybean variety “Binasoybean-6”. Consequently, the NSB of Bangladesh registered SBM-22 as an improved soybean variety in 2019 as Binasoybean-6 for commercial cultivation.

As per 4Rs nutrient stewardship, the right timing and right rate of nitrogen (N) are two important attentions for profitable and sustainable crop production, particularly in the N deficient soil. The effectiveness of N utilization depends on the appropriate timing and amount of N application as per the crop demands at the critical stages of crop growth. The experiment was carried out at the experimental field of Agrotechnology Discipline, Khulna University, Bangladesh during the winter season of 2019-20 to investigate into the effect of schedule and rates of N application on wheat growth, yield and profitability. The experimental treatments comprised three application schedules (66% at sowing and 34% at the 3-leaf stage; 50% at 3-leaf, 30% at jointing and 20% at the booting stage; 50% at 6-leaf stage, 30% at jointing and 20% at the booting stage) and three nitrogen rates (120, 92 and 80 kg ha-1) with three replications. The yield attributes and yield of wheat were substantially affected by the schedule and rates of N application yet growth parameters were not significant. The highest grain yield, total dry matter, grains spike-1 and 1000-seed weight were achieved from the application of N @ 50% at 3-leaf, 30% at jointing and 20% at booting stages with 120 kg ha-1. Statistically similar results were also attained by the same application schedule with a reduced rat2.e of N (92 kg ha-1) due to proper distribution based on the crop requirement on different growth stages rather than the usual practice with a higher rate of N. The maximum net return (BDT 50687) and benefit-cost ratio (1.62) were found in the application of 92 kg ha-1 N in three splits @ 50% at 3-leaf, 30% at jointing and 20% at booting stages. The findings of this study revealed that the right application schedule reduces 25% N requirement and increases the grain yield of wheat.

GGE biplot study is an effective tool for many crops including rice to identify mega-environments, ideal trial site and suitable genotypes for general and specific adaptation. An attempt was made to find promising T. Aus rice genotypes having suitable grain quality, better agronomic parameters and ideal test location for T. Aus rice growing areas. In this study, a total of 11 promising genotypes along with two popular cultivars BR26 and BRRI dhan48 were tested across six locations; Cumilla, Gazipur, Rajshahi, Rangpur in T. Aus 2016 and 2017 whereas Habiganj and Kushtia only in T. Aus 2017 season. From GGE biplot study, BRRI RS, Rajshahi (E8) was the most discriminating and ideal location for evaluating T. Aus rice genotypes in Bangladesh condition while BRRI RS, Cumilla 2016 (E1) showed the least discriminating ability and the least representative location. From two years combination data, BR9011-19-1-2 (G6) recorded the highest average grain yield (5.11±0.68 t ha-1) but BR9011-46-2-2 (G2) was the most stable genotype having grain yield (4.97±0.62 t ha-1) and other stable genotypes with above average yield were BR9011-67-4-1 (G5), BR9011-34-3-2 (G1), BRRI dhan48 (G13), BR9039-28-3-2 (G9) and BR9039-9-1-3 (G8) indicated that these genotypes adapted to favourable environments. BR26 (G12) was found highly variable and less stable across the test environments. In addition, agronomic trait (plant height, growth duration) and grain quality traits were also considered for suitability and wider adaptation in T. Aus growing areas in Bangladesh. BR9011-46-2-2 (G2) and BR9011-19-1-2 (G6) were the better genotypes in most of the locations but, considering all of the parameters, the newly developed rice breeding line BR9011-67-4-1 (G5) has been identified as suitable genotype to release as a new variety for sustainable T. Aus rice production in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Rice j. 2019, 23(2): 77-85