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Abstract:A study was carried out with 25 pond water samples of Bhola Sadar Upazila to assess the quality of surface water for irrigation, aquaculture, drinking and livestock consumption. Chemical analyses of different parameters were done to assess the quality of water. All of the water samples showed slightly acidic in nature. Sixteen surface water samples were not suitable for drinking and aquaculture in respect of pH (pH <6.5). Electrical conductivity (EC) categorized the waters as "low salinity" (C1) to "medium salinity" (C2) class for irrigation. With respect to total dissolved solids surface waters were within "highest desirable limit" for drinking and irrigation and suitable for livestock consumption and aquaculture. Calcium and Magnesium content rated the samples as "maximum permissible" and "highest desirable" limit for drinking. All the samples were suitable for drinking in case of Na and K, 21 samples were not suitable for aquaculture due to higher (>5.0 mg L -1 ) K content. Six samples were unsuitable for livestock due to higher ) Cl values. SSP rated 9 samples as "good", 1 as "excellent", 6 as "doubtful" and 9 as "permissible" for irrigation. With respe ct to RSC 21 samples were "suitable", 3 were "marginal" and 1 was "unsuitable" for irrigation. Hardness classified 14 samples within "moderately hard", 10 within "soft" and only one as "hard" limit for irrigation and 1 sample (No. 16) was unsuitable for livestock consumption. P, B, Cu and As concentration categorized all the samples suitable for irrigation, aquaculture, drinking and livestock consumption.

Groundwater samples of shallow and deep tubewells were collected from the different villages of Bhaluka upazilla in Bangladesh to assess their quality status for drinking, irrigation and livestock consumption. Different parameters of waters were determined to evaluate the quality. All the waters were alkaline in nature and electrical conductivity classified the samples as "good" for irrigation, while the TDS categorized the samples "highest desirable" limit for drinking and "fresh water" for irrigation and were suitable for drinking, irrigation and livestock consumption. Chloride content rated 2 samples unsuitable for livestock consumption. The concentrations of Zn were within safe limit, but Fe and Mn contents rated almost all the samples unsuitable for drinking and livestock consumption.With respect to Cu concentration, 8 samples were found unsuitable for long-term irrigation on all types of soils. Out of 17 samples, 12 samples classified as "excellent", 4 as "good" and 1 as "doubtful" for irrigation due to different level of B. Ca, Mg, Na, K and P quantities of all the samples were within safe limit. SAR and EC rated all the samples as "medium salinity" and "low alkalinity" class and hardness of most of the waters were "hard water" class for irrigation.

The study was carried out using seven varieties of jute, two varieties of kenaf and one variety of mesta to evaluate their germination potential to chromium (Cr) toxicity. Percent germination and primary growth parameters of these varieties in Cr contaminated medium were observed. Six levels (0, 20, 40, 80, 120 and 160 mg Cr L -1 ) of Cr were applied in artificial germinating medium following CRD with three replication. All the jute, kenaf and mesta varieties showed decreasing trend of germination with increasing levels of Cr. Germination of kenaf (HC-95 and HC-3), mesta (Samu-93) and jute (CVE-3 and BJC-7370) were satisfactory levels up to 160 mgCr L -1 . The root and shoot lengths and fresh and dry weights also reduced with increased concentrations of Cr as the toxic effect of Cr retards the growth of meristematic tissues of young roots and shoots. Morphological deformities like twisting, curling of leaves and shoot and rottening of roots appeared at high concentrations of Cr. Due to receiving higher concentrations of Cr the color of the roots became dark brown to black. The potentiality of the varieties to Cr toxicity were kenaf HC-95 > kenaf HC-3 > mesta Samu-93 > jute CVE-3 and > jute BJC-7370. The findings of the present study can be applied for sowing kenaf, mesta and jute seeds in Cr contaminated soil.

Surface water samples from beel, river and canal of Madhupur Tract in Bangladesh were collected and analysed to find out the suitability of those water for irrigation, aquaculture and livestock consumption. Most of the samples were alkaline in nature only two samples were found acidic (pH 4.25 and 4.00). Out of 17 samples, 11 were limiting for irrigation and 15 were unsuitable for aquaculture with respect to pH values. Electrical conductivity (EC) rated maximum samples as “good” category for irrigation. TDS categorized the samples as “fresh water” for irrigation and were suitable for livestock, drinking and aquaculture. Chloride content of a few samples were beyond recommended limit for livestock. Micronutrient concentrations were alarming for livestock and aquaculture. Cu, Mn, Fe and Zn quantities categorized all the samples unsuitable for aquaculture. Most of the samples were also unsuitable for livestock due to higher Fe and Mn contents. Ca, Na, K and P quantities of all the samples were within safe limit for irrigation, aquaculture and livestock, but Mg contents of 8 samples were above recommended limit for aquaculture. Boron level classified 4 samples as “good”13 as “excellent” for irrigation. SAR and EC combinedly rated all the samples as “medium salinity” and “low alkalinity” class (C2S1) and hardness categorized the waters in “soft”, “moderately hard” and “hard water” class for irrigation. Considering all parameters not a single sample was found suitable for irrigation, livestock consumption, and aquaculture.Progress. Agric. 2014. 25: 9-16