An experiment was conducted during July-December 2001 at the Agronomy field laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh to study the effect of nitrogen levels and plant spacing on the yield and yield contributing characters of transplant Aman rice (var. BRRI Dhan 31). Five levels of nitrogen (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 kg N/ha) and three spacings (25 cm x 20 cm, 25 cm x 15 cm, 25 cm x 10 cm) were included as treatment variables. A gradual increase in panicle length (24.50 cm), grains/panicle 110) and grain yield (4.91 t/ha) were observed with the increase in nitrogen levels upto 150 kg/ha and declined thereafter. Thousand-grain weight was not significantly influenced by application of different levels of nitrogen. The maximum grain yield (4.22 t/ha) was observed at the spacing 25 cm x 10 cm closely followed by 25 cm x 15 cm (4.21 t/ha). Wider spacing (25 cm x 10 cm) produced the tallest plant (108.38 cm), but significantly highest tllers/hill (8.06) and grains/panicle was recorded from (25 cm x 20 cm). Plant spacing had also no significant effect on 1000-grain weight. The interaction effects of nitrogen and plant spacing was significant in panicle length, grains/panicle, and grain yield. The higher grain yield (5.00 t/ha) was recorded from the treatment combination of 150 kg N/ha with 25 cm x 15 cm spacing, but statistically identical to same N dose with other two spacings. Response of grain yield to added N was quadratic. The optimum doses were found to be 132 kg N/ha for 25 cm x 20 cm, 119 kg N/ha for 25 cm, and 177 kg N/ha for 25 cm x 10 cm spacing, yielding 4.38, 4.63 and 4.75 t/ha, respectively. Key Words: Nitrogen; plant spacing; aman rice. DOI: 10.3329/bjar.v34i2.5801Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 34(2): 279-285, June 2009

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A. bunius tree is shrubby, generally height in between 10 to 26 ft. (3-8 m) but it can extend up to 50 or even 100 ft. (15-30 m). Leaves are shaped like oblong which is 4 to 9 inch (10-22.5 cm) long, 2 to 3 inch (5-7.5 cm) wide. The tree is tiny, odorous, reddish and axillary racemes are 3 to 8 inch (7.5-20cm) long. Fruits of this plant are shaped like round or ovoid and taste acidic, slightly sweet. For some people it taste like bitter, straw-colored stone, an irregular, flattened oval, ridged, very hard, 3/8 in (1 cm) long, 1/4 in (6 mm) wide. 3

Background Various parts i.e., stem bark, leaf, root and flower of Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser has been extensively used by traditional practitioners to treat all types of diabetes. Our present study investigated the antidiabetic property of the extract from its flower and evaluated its traditional use for diabetes. Results Phenolic contents were found to be higher in the methanol soluble fraction (MESF) (228.16 ± 0.32 GAE/g of sample) while flavonoids were greater in quantity in the chloroform soluble fraction (CSF) (291 ± 5.99 QE/g of sample). The MESF showed the highest free radical scavenging and α-amylase inhibitory potential with IC50 value of 30.52 ± 2.40 and 6.26 ± 0.82 μg/mL respectively and both the values were promising when compared to the individual standards. Highest reduction of blood glucose level were observed when the N. cadamba flower extract (NCFE) were given (not in combination with metformin) orally for 2 weeks. NMCE at 500 mg/kg resulted 60.2% (p < 0.05) reduction of blood glucose in the diabetic group, comparable with the effect of standard metformin (68.4%). Gain in body weight were also observed in the test groups indicating an overall improvement of health in the diabetic rats. Conclusions The extract of Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) flower is rich in phenolic and flavonoid compounds attributing to its potent in vitro antioxidant and α-amylase inhibitory potential. Oral administration of NCFE also resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) dose dependent reduction of blood glucose level in diabetic rats, while no synergistic activity was observed when it was given in combination with metformin. These findings imply the possible pharmacological mechanisms behind the antidiabetic property of NCFE could be: inhibition of α-amylase and delaying the absorption of glucose from the intestine, secondly possessing ‘metformin like’ activity such as increasing cellular uptake and glycolysis of glucose, reducing gluconeogenesis in the liver etc. This study also for the first time provides scientific evidence in favor of the traditional use N. cadamba flower against diabetes and demands future study in order to isolate and characterize the bioactive compounds responsible for such bioactivities.

Context: In order to control weeds many chemicals are being used. It is well known that the chromosomal constitution of the cells may be changed as a result of herbicide treatment.Objectives: This investigation was made to study the cytological effects of herbicides on somatic and germ cells of hexaploid wheat. Materials and Methods:Two herbicides namely, Fielder and Ronstar were used with three different concentrations along with control. Treatment duration was 12 hours for each of the concentrations. Seeds of hexaploid wheat were treated and the roots emerged from them were studied for mitotic study. A part of the treated seeds were sown in earthen pots and pollen mother cells along with pollen grain were studied from the plants aroused from these treated seeds.Results: Mitotic index were high as well as low in most of the treatments compared to that of control but did not show any clear relationship based on increasing or decreasing of the doses of herbicides. Interphase chromosome volume was found to decrease in case of Fielder however, increased in case of Ronstar with increasing the concentration of herbicides. Percentage of pollen sterility was found to increase with increasing the concentration of both herbicides. Main chromosomal irregularities were chromosome fragments, bridges, laggards, single and multiple chromatid bridges etc. Conclusion:Generally it is reported that any chemical might have effect on the plant cells. Mainly investigations have evidenced that the chromosomal anomalies caused by radiation and chemical mutagen is very much common matter now. The herbicides used in the present study showed similar type of radiomimetic effect in the plant cells. Therefore it may be suggested that herbicides should be used in agricultural field maintaining their proper concentration.