The levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni) in spinach (Spinacia oleracea), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and cauliflower (Brassica oleracea) and in the rizosphere soils of the industrially polluted (Konabari, Gazipur; Keranigonj, Dhaka), and non-polluted (Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute-BARI, Gazipur) areas were studied. Four samples from each area were collected during February 2008. Their concentrations varied with the metals and locations, showing the trend: Ni>Pb>Cd and directly polluted> indirectly polluted>non-polluted soils. The order of the elements in spinach, tomato, and cauliflower and their concentration ranges in µg/g of dry weight were Ni (1.506-0.782), respectively. Similarly, the order of the elements in rizosphere soils of spinach, tomato, and cauliflower and their concentration ranges in µg/g of dry weight were Ni (12.respectively. Lead concentration was higher in tomato, followed by spinach and the least in cauliflower irrespective of the location. Cadmium and Ni concentration were found in the order of spinach>tomato>cauliflower, especially in the industrially polluted areas. Concentrations of metals in vegetable samples were related to their concentration in the corresponding soils. Lead, Cd, and Ni concentrations in the studied vegetables were higher than those found in vegetables from other countries, but they were lower than the maximum level allowed in India. Metal transfer factors from soil to vegetables are found to be significant for Cd, Pb and Ni.

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of sowing date on quality seed production of sweet pepper at the research farm of Seed Technology Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur, during 2011-2012. The aim of this study was to find out the optimum sowing date for quality seed production of sweet pepper. The treatments were 4 four sowing dates viz. 15 October, 30 October, 15 November and 30 November. Seeds were sown in seed bed for 1st sowing on 30 September, for 2nd sowing on 15 October, for 3rd sowing on 30 October and for 4th sowing on 15 November. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCB) with three replications. The highest individual fruit weight, 1000 seed weight was obtained from the October 15 sowing date in the year of 2011-2012 and it was significantly different from all other dates of sowing. Maximum seed yield (86.2 kg ha-1) was recorded in 2nd sowing date (15 October) followed by 3rd sowing date (30 October) treatment while the lowest was found from 4th sowing date (15 November) (30.72, kg ha-1). Maximum seed quality as measured by moisture content, dry weight, vigour index and germination percentage were obtained at different sowing date. Maximum seed weight (mass maturity) was achieved at 1st sowing when average seed moisture contents were 5% and 4%, respectively. For high seed quality, sweet pepper is better sowing time at 2nd sowing time (15 October) which could be regarded as the point of physiological maturity.Progressive Agriculture 28 (3): 216-221, 2017

Growing industrialization and population deposit huge amounts of waste materials into nature every day. Environmental pollution is the biggest threat to life on earth, and one of the major polluters of nature is the throwaway plastic bottles made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a harmful fossil fuel/petroleum-based material. This review focuses on the recent development of recycling techniques of PET waste and their potential applications including fiber production, nanofibrous membrane, air filtering materials, water filtering materials, reinforced concrete formation, energy harvesting etc. In addition, the two most promising methods for recycling: chemical recycling and mechanical recycling are discussed. The most appropriate technologies and waste disposal procedures are suggested for energy harvesting based on the socio-economic aspects of the problem. The recent progress of this topic has been discussed. The prospect of these recycled bottles has been mentioned at the end of the article.

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The experiment was conducted at established rose garden of Regional Agricultural Research Station, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Jashore during 2017-18 and 2018-19 winter season (November-April). The experiment was laid out in a RCBD design with three dispersed replications. Four treatment combination were as follows: T1 =IPM package-1: Mechanical control + Sticky trap (Blue and White) + weekly spray of Azadirechtin (Bio-neem plus 1EC) @ 1.0ml/L of water, T2 = IPM package-2: Mechanical control+ Sticky trap (Blue and White)+ spray of Thiamethoxam 20% (Virtako 40SC) @ 1.5 ml/L of water, T3 = IPM package-3: Mechanical control+ Sticky trap (Blue and White)+ weekly spray Chlorphenapyr (Intrepid 10EC) @ 1 ml/L of water and T4 = Farmers practice: weekly spray Imidacloprid (Imitaf 20SL) @ 0.5ml/L of water. For mechanical control hand picking was done and harmful insect also classified as the most direct and the quickest way to remove clearly visible pests. Two color stiky trap (white and blue) were set up in each line. The lowest number of rose thrips was found in IPM package 2 (6.36 in 2017-18 and 3.03 in 2018-19) and highest in farmer’s practices (14.36 in 2017-18 and 12.40 in 2018-19). The lowest percent flower infestation of rose was recorded in IPM package 2 (9.98 to 17%) and the highest in Farmers practice (19.72 to 32.66%). The highest yield (864000 no./ha in 2017-18 and 535932 no./ha) was recorded from IPM package 2 and the lowest in farmers practice (438750 no./ha in 2017-18 and 388857 no./ha). The results revealed the highest MBCR was observed in IPM package-2 (Mechanical control+ Sticky trap (Blue and White) + spray of Thiamethoxam 20% (Virtako 40SC) @ 1.5 ml/L of water.) treated plot (17.2 to 49.7) in both the year. Finally, it may be recommended that IPM package 2 is very much effective to control thrips of rose as well as high yield and more economic return. Progressive Agriculture 31 (2): 89-93, 2020