A pot experiment was conducted to study the growth response of Indian spinach (Basella alba L) to biogas plant residues. There were seven treatments comprising of control, recommended NPK fertilizer and biogas plant residues (BPR) @ 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 ton ha-1. The treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results indicated that number of leaves; plant height and root length and dry weight of shoot and root obtained with recommended NPK fertilizer were statistically similar to those with control treatment except for number of leaves at 60 DAS. Application of biogas plant residues up to 30 ton ha-1 produced similar number of leaves and plant height compared to control and recommended NPK fertilizer at 30 DAS. At 60 DAS, a significantly higher number of leaves and root length was found with above 20 ton ha-1 biogas plant residues and plant height with above 10 ton ha-1 biogas plant residues than control and recommended NPK fertilizer. Fresh weight of shoot and root found with recommended fertilizer dose were significantly higher than that with the control but lower than that with biogas plant residues above 30 ton ha-1 and 10 ton ha-1 , respectively. Biogas plant residues at 30 ton ha-1 and above gave higher shoot and root dry weight than control and recommended NPK fertilizer. However, there were no significant differences between BPR40 and BPR50 for growth parameters of Indian spinach. The study recommends 40 ton ha-1 of biogas plant residues for enhanced growth of Indian spinach.

This study attempts to examine the relationship between soil salinity and physico-chemical properties of paddy field soils of Jhilwanja union in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Data were analyzed by the help of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS: version-18) and study area map was prepared by Arc GIS 9.3 software. Present investigation reveals that soil textural class ranged from sandy to loam, a mean bulk density 1.58 g/cm 3 , and high soil temperature (M = 31.55). Soils were moderately acidic to basic and soil salinity (EC) content comes under low to medium (minimum = 3.10 dS/m, maximum = 7. 24 dS/m) range. The organic matter level exhibited absolutely lower (M = 0.75) than good agricultural soil. Soils of the area represents low in total N (M = 0.08), very low in total P content (M = 0.06), exchangeable Ca (M = 0.0009) were too low and lower content of exchangeable Mg (M = 0.26), but high level of exchangeable K (M = 0.57) content. Simple regression analysis showed that there was a significant effect of soil salinity on soil pH, soil temperature, OM, total N, total P, exchangeable K and Mg. Repairing coastal embankment (rubber dam), cultivating native high yielding variety, using organic fertilizer, implementing Integrated Soil Nutrient Management (ISNM) and adapting Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) can increase crop production and soil fertility level in study area.

In order to assess the distribution of heavy metals in the urban environment; concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni and Zn were measured on 21 topsoil samples collected from roadside soils of Chittagong city. The heavy metal concentrations were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after digesting the soils with nitric acid-perchloric acid. Mean Cd, Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni and Zn concentrations of the investigated urban soils are 2. 43, 32.63, 7.33, 160.79, 860.33, 139.30 mg kg -1 respectively. Compared to urban soils of some other cities in the world Cu, Cd, Pb, Mn and Zn concentrations were somewhat similar. Ni concentration largely exceeded the maximum allowable concentration (60 mg kg -1) indicating high contamination. Stepwise multiple regression indicated that soil properties was responsible for 37 to 42% variation in Cd, Cu and Pb content and in case of Ni it was only 16%. The main sources of Ni contamination in Chittagong city can be considered as anthropogenic sources.

To observe the comparative effects of poultry manure, household waste compost and fertilizers and their combinations on growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.

The coastal area of Bangladesh is topographically susceptible to disaster where and climate change addresses a new depressing effect to coastal agriculture. The main objective of the present study was to explore the impacts of climate changes on agriculture and changing adaptive strategies in the coastal district of Lakshmipur in Bangladesh. Primary data were collected through field observation survey, questionnaire survey and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). To conduct the questionnaire survey, around 120 respondents have been selected randomly from the coastal areas of Ramgati and Kamal Nagar upazilla under Lakshmipur district. The whole survey was conducted during monsoon and winter seasons in the month of March 2014 to February 2015. The present study was carried out through primary and secondary sources of data collection. Field observation survey, questionnaire survey and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) (during March, 2014 to February, 2015) were accomplished for collecting primary data. The questionnaires contained structured and close ended questions to collect the information through face to face interview from the respondents. Secondary data were collected from Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). Collected data were processed and analyzed by the help of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS: version-16) and map of study area were prepared by Arc GIS 9.1 software. The results revealed that about 87.5% of respondents have experienced climate change and its impact on their agriculture gradually from 40 years. They also perceived increase in temperature, drought, flood, cyclone and salinity intrusion, rain less winter season, long summer season, unpredictable rainfall, and changing the monsoon respectively. About 96.6 % respondents perceived decrease in rainfall. Results also revealed that about 53% of respondents experienced severe intensity of major climate change induced disasters. Furthermore, 9% respondents experienced little bit severity. Agricultural crops cultivation is changing from previous time due to the climate changing events and decreasing crop production due to their damaging effects. Almost 40% of respondents in the study area were not familiar with coping strategy in response to climate change. They tried to adjust and cope with cultivation of short duration crops, introducing new variety and making embankment.To minimize the effects of climate change short duration crops, new variety and making embankment for crop cultivation need to adopt in study area.