Total 54 fertilizer samples were randomly collected from the markets of four districts of Bangladesh to assess nutrient and heavy metal (Cd, Cr & Pb) contents in different fertilizers. The chemical analyses of fertilizers were conducted at the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. Nutrient status of fertilizers was determined using the standard procedures and heavy metals in the fertilizer extract were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Nitrogen (N) content in urea collected from different areas ranged from 41.37 to 46.27%. Biuret content of the collected urea samples varied from 1.40 to 2.80%, where the maximum allowable limit (MAL) is 1.50%. Among the six urea samples, biuret content exceeded the MAL in five samples. Phosphorous (P) content in most of the triple superphosphate (TSP) samples was higher than the specified amount. Out of eight samples, only two samples contained less than 20% P. Out of eight diammonium phosphate (DAP) samples, only three samples contained lower amount of P than the specified amount and five samples contained lower amount of N than the specified amount. Chromium content in all the DAP samples were much higher than the MAL. Potassium (K) content in all five collected muriate of potash (MoP) samples were lower than the specified amount with an average of 45.81% K. The concentration of sulphur (S) in fertilizer samples in the investigated area varied from 16.50 to 21.60%. Out of six magnesium sulphate samples, five samples contained lower than the specified amount (9.5%) of Mg. The concentration of boron (B) in solubor samples varied from 13.55 to 19.56%, which are lower than the standard limit (20.90%). The concentration of zinc (Zn) in all the collected zinc sulphate heptahydrate samples had lower amount of Zn than the standard limit (23%). Only one out of six collected copper sulphate samples, met the specified limit of Cu (25.40%). Total 42 fertilizer samples (77.80%), out of 54, had less than the specified amount of nutrients. Heavy metals like Pb and Cr content exceeded the MAL in 67% and 47% of collected fertilizer samples, respectively. Cadmium content was below the detectable limit of flame in AAS in all the samples. In order to minimize the impact of fertilizer adulteration on food security and safety, continuous monitoring of fertilizer quality is required.

The study was conducted in three potato growing areas in nothern districts of Bangladesh namely Rajshahi, Rangpur and Thakurgaon. Data were collected during 2016-17 to assess the level of adoption, profitability, farmers attitude towards the cultivation of BARI released potato varieties and to explore the constraints to potato cultivation. The study revealed that 59% potato areas were covered by BARI Alu-7 variety. The varieties BARI Alu-13, BARI Alu-25 and BARI Alu-8 covered 14%, 14% and 12% of the potato areas respectively. The adoption level of seed rate, gypsum and boron were found high which adoption score were 95, 72 and 71. The level adoption of urea, TSP and MoP were over used which adoption score were 103,138 and 110. The adoption levels of cowdung and zinc sulphate were found medium which adoption score were 50 and 61. Only 37% farmers used potato seeds from their own source. Per hectare total cost of BARI released potato cultivation was Tk. 204003 and variable cost was Tk. 161033. The major share of cost was seed (31%) followed by fertilizer (13%) and land use (11%). Per hectare average yield of potato was 28 ton with gross return Tk. 249819 and gross margin Tk. 88786. The net return of potato cultivation was Tk. 45816 per hectare. The benefit cost ratio was 1.22. Infestation of insect and diseases, non-availability of quality seed, high price of seed and inadequate storage facilities were the major constraints to potato cultivation.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 43(2): 309-322, June 2018