Effect of variety and boron fertilizer on the growth and yield performance of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field laboratory, Department of Agronomy, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh to evaluate the effect of variety and boron on the growth and yield of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) during November 2017 to March 2018. The experiment was comprised two factors involving three varieties viz. BARI Jharseem-1, BARI Jharseem-2, BARI Jharseem-3, and four Boron doses viz. 0 (No boron), 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 kg B ha-1. Borax was used as a source of boron. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The result exhibited that yield and its contributing characters were significantly influenced the variety and boron applications. The experimental findings revealed that the highest number of pods plant-1 (4.73), effective pods plant-1 (4.01), seeds pod-1 (3.98), 1000-seeds weight (416.53g), seed yield (1.53 t ha-1), stover yield (2.69 t ha-1), biological yield (4.22 t ha-1), and harvest index (36.03%) were highest for the variety BARI Jharseem-3. At the same time, highest number of pods plant-1 (5.02), number of effective pods plant-1 (4.03), number of seeds pod-1 (4.04), 1000-seed weight (412.74 g), seed yield (1.54 t ha-1), stover yield (3.05 t ha-1), biological yield (4.59 t ha-1), and harvest index (36.98 %) were recorded under boron level at 1.5 kg ha-1. Again incase of interaction of variety and boron, highest number of pods plant-1 (4.95), number of effective pods plant-1 (3.98), number of seeds pod-1 (3.69), 1000-seeds weight (413.15g), seed yield (1.76 t ha-1), stover yield (3.11 t ha-1), biological yield (4.87 t ha-1) and harvest index (37.19%) were recorded in BARI Jharseem-3 under boron level 1.5 kg ha-1. Plant dry matter found positively correlated (r2=0.8126) with seed yield. So, it may be concluded from this experiment that cultivation of var. BARI Jharseem-3 along with 1.5 kg B ha-1 could be applied to obtain higher yield of French bean.

Magnesium-Deficiency Effects on Pigments, Photosynthesis and Photosynthetic Electron Transport of Leaves, and Nutrients of Leaf Blades and Veins in Citrus sinensis Seedlings

Citrus sinensis seedlings were irrigated with nutrient solution at a concentration of 0 (Mg-deficiency) or 2 (Mg-sufficiency) mM Mg (NO3)2 for 16 weeks. Mg-deficiency-induced interveinal chlorosis, vein enlargement and corkiness, and alterations of gas exchange, pigments, chlorophyll a fluorescence (OJIP) transients and related parameters were observed in middle and lower leaves, especially in the latter, but not in upper leaves. Mg-deficiency might impair the whole photosynthetic electron transport, including structural damage to thylakoids, ungrouping of photosystem II (PSII), inactivation of oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) and reaction centers (RCs), increased reduction of primary quinone electron acceptor (QA) and plastoquinone pool at PSII acceptor side and oxidation of PSI end-electron acceptors, thus lowering energy transfer and absorption efficiency and the transfer of electrons to the dark reactions, hence, the rate of CO2 assimilation in Mg-deficiency middle and lower leaves. Although potassium, Mg, manganese and zinc concentration in blades displayed a significant and positive relationship with the corresponding element concentration in veins, respectively, great differences existed in Mg-deficiency-induced alterations of nutrient concentrations between leaf blades and veins. For example, Mg-deficiency increased boron level in the blades of upper leaves, decreased boron level in the blades of lower leaves, but did not affect boron level in the blades of middle leaves and veins of upper, middle and lower leaves. To conclude, Mg-deficiency-induced interveinal chlorosis, vein enlargement, and corkiness, and alterations to photosynthesis and related parameters increased with increasing leaf age. Mg-deficiency-induced enlargement and corkiness of veins were not caused by Mg-deficiency-induced boron-starvation.

Suitability study of some surface water samples of Madhupur tract for irrigation, aquaculture and livestock consumption

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

The influence of compost on carbohydrates and minerals content in the mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus)

A study of the effect of different composts: horse manure and broiler chicken manure and the influence of flushes during the growing cycle on the carbohydrates and mineral composition of mushrooms (<i>Agaricus bisporus</i>) was carried out. In this study the strain Somycel 11 was used. It was found that mannitol, glucose and fructose contents in mushrooms growing on broiler chicken manure were significantly higher than on horse manure. Noticeable differences of macro- and microelement contents were observed, depending on the size of the fruit-body, flushes and type of compost. Phosphorus content in mushroom tissue of the first three flushes growing on horse manure was 2.7 times higher than in those from broiler chicken manure. Boron level in mushrooms in all flushes growing on broiler chicken manure was four times higher as compared with that on horse manure.