Effectiveness of bioactive compounds in amending the soil infested with soil-borne Ralstonia solanacearum of potato

Three natural bioactive compounds, viz. cow dung, bee propolis and turmeric powder were applied to amend the Ralstonia solanacearum infested soil of potato. Sun dried cow dung @ 30 t/ha, aqueous extraction of turmeric powder @ 30 kg/ha and propolis @ 5 lit/ha were applied to the inoculated soil by mixing with field soil in SAU (Dhaka) and BARI (Gazipur). Data on pH, organic matter, total cfu/ml and avirulent cfu/ml of the treatment applied soil and per cent disease index (PDI) of bacterial wilt of potato were recorded. Significant difference in soil pH and per cent organic matter (OM) occurred in all the amended soil as compared to control. A decreased total cfu/ml of R. solanacearum occurred in all the treated soil, but propolis (8.2 X 107) and cow dung (1.1 X 108) showed the lowest count. However, in increasing the avirulent count of R. solanacearum, turmeric powder (1.8 X 109) showed the highest count compared to other amended soil. Significant disease reduction over control was also observed in all the treatments, but propolis (45.65%) and turmeric powder (43.48%) showed the best results in wilt disease reduction. J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2021, 7(1): 43-50

Taxonomic account of jumping spiders – Genus Marpissa C. L. Koch (Archnida: Araneae: Salticidae) from Bangladesh

A taxonomic study on the jumping spiders’ genus Marpissa C.L. Koch, 1846 was carried out from different areas of Bangladesh. Four species were identified from the study, namely M. andamanensis Tikader, M. bengalensis Tikader, M. calcuttaensis Tikader and M. decorata Tikader. All the species are illustrated and described in detail for the first time in Bangladesh. Generic diagnosis, distribution and key to the species are also provided herewith J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2021, 7(1): 1-10

Diversity and abundance of some insect fauna in Bhawal and Madhupur Sal forests of Bangladesh

The abundance and diversity of insect fauna were studied from two deciduous sal forests of Bhawal and Madhupur located at central part of Bangladesh. A total of 544 individuals of insects of 61 species belonging to 54 genera, 33 families and 11 orders have been identified with Hymenoptera (31%) as the dominant order in species richness followed by Coleoptera (13%), Orthoptera (11%), Diptera (10%), Hemiptera (8%), Lepidoptera (8%), Odonata (8%), Homoptera (3%), Isoptera (3%), Neuroptera (3%) and Dictyoptera (2%). Bhawal scores higher Shannon-Weaver diversity index (Hʹ=3.725) compared to Madhupur (Hʹ=3.340). The Bhawal Sal Forest with the collected 341 (63%) insects and identified 53 (59%) species belonging to 10 orders was found more diverse in species richness than the Madhupur Sal Forest with 37(41%) species belonging to 11 orders identified from the collected 203 (37%) insect samples. Insects of the order Neuroptera were not recorded from Bhawal. Off the 61 species, 29(48%) species were common in both the forests, 24(39%) species were exclusive to Bhawal and eight (13%) species were exclusive to the Madhupur Sal Forest. Apis cerana of Hymenoptera was identified as the dominant species having 9% of the identified samples followed by dipteran species Musca domestica with 6% of the samples. Among the insect species 30 (49%) species were found playing beneficial role as biological control agents, predators, pollinators, honey producers and also organic debris recycler. On the other hand, 31(51%) species were found to be harmful causing damage to forest vegetation as well as human and wildlife at variable degrees. J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2021, 7(1): 11-24

Influence of various commercially available organic manures on growth, yield and nutrient accumulation in mint plants (Mentha sp.)

A pot experiment was set up using completely randomized design (CRD) to compare the influences of different commonly available organic manures in the markets of Dhaka, Bangladesh on the growth parameters and nutrient contents in Mint plants (Mentha sp.). Eight different manures were used as treatments for the comparison, viz. ACI, Alo, Annopurna Vermicompost, Cow dung, Kazi, Mazim, Modern Vermicompost and Trichocompost GBD, along with a control, taking three replications of each treatment. After 2.5 months (75 days) the plants were harvested. Trichocompost GBD showed the highest average number of leaves (130.33 plant-1), plant height (27.67 cm plant-1), number of branches (11.00 plant-1) and number of stolons at harvest (1.67 plant-1). The maximum average single leaf area (2.01 cm2 plant-1) and fresh weight (1.68 g plant-1) were observed in Kazi. ACI was observed to have the highest dry weight (0.26 g plant-1), whereas cow dung had the longest root (8.57 cm plant-1). Nutrient accumulation in leaf and stem exhibited the highest N in ACI, highest P and K in Alo, and highest S in Kazi. Correlation analysis of the explored traits with nutrient concentration of plant shoots was performed to elucidate the impact of plant nutrient contents on the analysed parameters. J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2021, 7(1): 73-84

Vertebrate wildlife diversity of Sreepur upazila, Magura, Bangladesh

The species diversity and abundance of wildlife are the important indicators of a healthy ecosystem. A survey-based scientific study on species diversity, abundance and status of vertebrate wildlife was conducted from May 2015 to April 2016 at Sreepur upazila, Magura, Bangladesh. A total of 123 species of vertebrate wildlife was recorded during the 12 months of study period. Among them, eight species (6.5%) were amphibians, 13 (10.57%) reptiles, 84 (68.29%) birds and 18 species (14.64%) were mammals. Out of 84 species of birds, 45 (53.57%) were passerines and 39 (46.43%) non-passerines. Most of the observed birds (72 species, 85.72%) were resident and the rest 12 species (14.28%) were migratory. The highest number of wildlife species was observed in winter (108 species, 87.80%), particularly in December (62 species, 50.40%). The lowest number of species was recorded in June (33 species, 26.83%). Out of 123 species of vertebrate wildlife, three (2.44%) were very common, nine (7.32%) common, 26 (21.14%) fairly common and 85 (69.1%) were common. Of the total species, 117 (95.12%) species were least concern, five (4.06%) near threatened and one (0.81%) was endangered according to IUCN Bangladesh 2015. Implementation of conservation and management plan is required to save the wildlife in the study area. J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2021, 7(1): 51-62

Commercially available organic manures on growth, yield and nutrient content of Burmese Grapes (Baccaurea ramiflora)

A pot experiment was carried out in the net house of the Department of Soil, Water and Environment, University of Dhaka to evaluate the effectS of different organic manures on the growth performance, biomass production, NPKS content in leaf, stem and root of Burmese grapes (Baccaurea ramiflora) and some chemical properties of post- harvest soil. Two-month old Burmese grapes seedlings were planted in different organic manure-treated soils (viz. ACI, BGF, Bhola, Green Life, Kazi, Modern, Mazim, Payel, Payel Earth, and Shebok). A significant variation was observed among the treatments. Compared to control treatment, application of organic manures exhibited a significant influence on the physiological growth, viz. plant height (30.4 - 34.06 cm), leaf area (64.2 - 71.30 cm2/plant), leaf area index (0.17 - 0.19), fresh weight (32.2 - 53.06 g/plant), and dry weight (22.09 - 41.24 g/plant) after 120 days of the experiment. The highest plant height, leaf area, leaf area index, fresh weight, and dry weight were recorded in Kazi, BGF, Payel and Payel Earth, respectively. Similarly, the concentrations of N, P, K, and S in leaf, stem and root, and their uptakes were found significantly higher than the control. The highest N, P, K and S uptake by leaf, stem and root ranged from 37.66 - 41.69 kg/ha, 0.70 - 0.92 g/ha, 66.19 - 84.926 kg/ha and 6.82 - 10.11 kg/ha, respectively. Protein content was the highest in Payel in leaf (8%) and root (5%), and stem (7%) in Modern manure treatment. The overall results revealed that Kazi and Payel manures might be better for raising strong and healthy Burmese grape seedlings. J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2021, 7(1): 63-72

Inventory of insects in the El Ghrous's palm grove (Biskra; Algeria)

The diversity and species richness of insects were studied at the palm grove of El Ghrous. The insects were collected using two types of traps: Barber and Aerial. Forty-four insect species were inventoried. This inventory shows a predominance of Order Coleoptera with 6 families, 13 species and 241 individuals, followed by Hemiptera with 5 families, 7 species and 111 individuals, and Orthoptera with 2 families, 7 species and 54 individuals. J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2021, 7(1): 85-94

Assessment of fertility potential index of some soils of Moheshkhali betel leaf (Piper betle L.) estate

Fifteen soil samples (0-15cm depth) and fifteen betel leaf samples from Bara Moheshkhali, Choto Moheshkhali, Hoanak, Kalmarchora, Shaplapur union of Moheshkhali upazila, Cox’s Bazar district were collected on December-January (2020-2021). It was collected for the purpose of evaluating the color, particle density, moisture content, texture, pH, EC and organic matter content of soils and total nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and sulfur of the soils and total protein content, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur of leaves. Maximum sampled soil was containing yellowish red color when moist and showed brown color when dried. Some of them were flood plain soil and that’s why showed grey color during dry and moist condition. Mean particle density was 2.49 g/cm3 and mean moisture content was 13.95%. Average sand, silt and clay were 65.08%, 18.56% and 19.26%, respectively. The texture of the soils was sandy loam to clay loam. The sand was by far the dominant fraction in the soils. Mean pH value was 5.63, organic matter was 0.30% and EC was 99.38μS/cm. Mean total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur of the soils were 0.04, 0.46, 0.25 and 0.26%, respectively. The mean concentration of protein, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur in the betel leaf samples were 20.56, 3.29, 0.39, 0.79 and 0.20%, respectively. This investigation focuses on the fertility status and physico-chemical properties of soil in betel leaf garden of only hilly island of Bangladesh, Moheshkhali. J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2021, 7(1): 25-32

Diversity and abundance of pollinators in different winter crops at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Campus, Dhaka

The study was conducted at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University campus to document the diversity and abundance of pollinators of five commonly grown winter crops, viz., mustard, coriander, niger, black cumin and linseed from October 2020 to February 2021. A total number of fifteen species was identified under eleven genera, nine subfamilies, nine families and seven super families. The study revealed that honey bees, halictids, nymphalids, coccinellids, butterflies and dipterans of genera Apis, Halictus, Lasioglossum, Aglais, Coccinella, Pieris, Eurema, Musca, Syrphid and Calliphora belonging to the families Apidae, Halictidae, Nymphalidae, Coccinellidae, Pieridae, Muscidae, Syrphidae and Calliphoridae, respectively were present in the field. The species diversity was high in mustard with 15 species while it was low in linseed (5 species). The honey bees, Apis sp. and sweat bees, Halictus sp. were common pollinators of all five oilseed crops, while the housefly, Musca domestica was specific to mustard. The honey bee, Apis sp. was predominant among all the insect pollinators in five oilseed crops. The Species Richness (SR), Shannon-Weaver index (H’), Community dominance and Question of similarity indices were applied to determine the diversity and abundance of pollinators. J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2021, 7(1): 33-42

Growth and Mineral Nutrition of Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Grown on Tannery Effluent Polluted Soil Amended With Cowdung and Lime

Pot experiments were carried out with rice (Oryza sativa L.) to evaluate the plant response of different amendments to ameliorate heavy metal toxicity. Cowdung and lime were applied at the rate of 10 ton/ha. Both cowdung and lime application led to an increase in growth of rice and significant reductions of Zn, Ni, Cu and Cr in plant. The length, fresh and dry weight and N, P, K, Na, Ca and Mg concentrations in rice plants were increased significantly. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb and Cr in rice grown on contaminated soils were significantly higher as compared to the control. Cowdung and lime significantly reduced Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb and Cr concentrations in comparison to control. Chromium concentrations in lime treated plants were reduced by 57.89% in rice as compared to cowdung. Lime proved to be more efficient in reducing the concentration of metals in rice plants. J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2020, 6(2): 47-54