Present Scenario and Problem Confrontation of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Growers in Khulna District

The objectives of this study were to analyze the present scenario of tomato production and to explore the relationship between personal characteristics of the respondents and the problems confronted by them. Data were collected from randomly selected 50 respondents of five villages viz. Raingamari, Sachibunia and Dorgatola of Bathiaghata upazila and Mirzapur and Baratia of Dumuria upazila of Khulna district through personal interview method using an interview schedule during 11 March to 23 April, 2018. Problems confronted by the farmers were the dependent variable and the seven selected characteristics of the respondents considered as the independent variables. Most of the farmers (80%) possessed medium high land but majority of them (68%) bought small and marginal amount of land under vegetable and tomato cultivation respectively. The farmers cultivate Surakkha (80%) varieties followed by Guli (21%) and Paltola (18%). Fruit borer (62%) and wilting (70%) was the most prevalent insect and disease of tomato respectively. About half of the respondents (48%) fell into high problem confrontation category as compared to that of medium (32%) and low (20%) category. High cost of materials (86.67%) was the most reported severe problem while unavailability of labors (22.67%) was the least severe problem. Among the seven selected characteristics of the respondents, annual family income and area of land under tomato cultivation showed a negative significant relationship with their problem confrontation. South Asian J. Agric., 7(1&2): 51-55

Effect of Plant Extracts on the Postharvest Performances of Vegetables

Plant extracts are recognized as safe and low-cost materials for postharvest treatments to increase the shelf life of horticultural commodities. However, in Bangladesh plant extracts are rarely used and very little research outcomes have been reported in Bangladesh context. Hence the current study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of combined botanical extracts in maintaining postharvest physico-chemical properties and extending shelf life of some summer vegetable (Bitter gourd, Brinjal and Pointed gourd) of Bangladesh. Freshly harvested vegetables were left untreated (control- T1) or treated with combination of aloe vera and thankuni extracts (T2); onion, garlic and ginger extracts (T3); aloe vera, thankuni, onion, garlic and ginger extracts (T4). Then they were kept for two weeks in uncovered paper carton in ambient conditions to observe their postharvest performances in respect of microbial infection (%), total soluble solids (% Brix), pH (magnitude), ascorbic acid content (mg/100 g), weight loss (%), shelf life (days), firmness (score) and color (score). In comparison to the control (T1), the postharvest properties were well maintained in T2 treated bitter gourd, and T4 treated pointed gourd and brinjal as recorded accordingly for shelf life (7.33, 6.63 and 7.30 days), content of vitamin C (39.56, 48.83 and 1.4 mg/100g), microbial infection (14.64%, 0% and 3.53%), rate of pH reduction (22.59%, 10.59% and 15.45% ), loss of fresh weight (1.39, 1.82 and 1.65-fold lower than T1) and color and firmness scores (1.22 and 1.36; 1.19 and 1.23; 1.8 and 1.39-fold higher than T1). From the current study it could be concluded that, the combination of aloe vera and thankuni extract would be considered as a suitable treatment for maintaining postharvest properties in bitter gourd. For pointed gourd and brinjal, the combination of aloe vera, thankuni, onion, garlic and ginger extract would be a suitable extract in this regard. South Asian J. Agric., 7(1&2): 38-43

Role of ICTs in Increasing Agricultural Production as Perceived by the Coastal Farmers

The study was conducted to know the role of ICTs in increasing agricultural production perceived by the coastal farmers of southern Bangladesh. Data were collected from 120 randomly selected farmers during August 2017 with the objectives to determine the extent of the role of ICTs in increasing agricultural production. The role of ICTs was measured by Likert type rating scale with assigned score and Farmers Perception Index was used to explain the relative proportion of the statements related to perception regarding the role of ICTs. Majority of the respondents (62.50%) observed medium role of ICTs in increasing agricultural production followed by 21.67% and 15.83% observed high and low role of ICTs respectively. Correlation analysis indicated that among the selected seven socio-economic characteristics; respondent's level of education, annual family income, communication exposure, and participation in agricultural training showed positive and significant relationship with the role of ICTs. On the other hand, age, credit received and household assets showed no significant relationship with the role of ICTs in increasing agricultural production. It was found that the large portion (88.8%) of the farmers faced medium to high constraints and only 11.2% faced low constraints in using the ICTs for increasing agricultural production. South Asian J. Agric., 7(1&2): 56-60

Effect of Seed Priming with Proline on Germination and Seedling Growth of Mungbean under Salt Stress

Seed priming is a pre-sowing treatment that enhances germination performance and stress tolerance of germinating seeds. The effect of seed priming with proline on germination and seedling growth of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) under salt stress was investigated. The experiment carried out in completely randomized design with three replications in May 2018 at the Research Laboratory of the School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Bangladesh Open University, Gazipur, Bangladesh. Salt stress at 5 dSm-1 decreased seed germination percentage, plumule length, radicle length, plumule fresh weight, radicle fresh weight and seed vigour index compared to control. Seed priming with proline increased germination percentage (53.84%), plumule length, radicle length, plumule fresh weight, radicle fresh weight and seed vigour index under salt stress. The results suggested that seed priming with proline could effectively alleviate the inhibitory effects of salt stress on seed germination and seedling growth of mungbean. South Asian J. Agric., 7(1&2): 15-18

Identification of Training Needs for Teachers of Khulna University of Bangladesh

The main purpose of the study was to identify the training needs of the teachers of Khulna University. Data were collected from randomly selected 54 teachers out of 280 through mailed questionnaire (Both hard and email copy) during June to July, 2010. To identify level of knowledge and training needs of the respondents 20 items/ issues under 5 broad areas (viz. teaching methodology, research methodology, computer skill, office management & administration and extension & outreach) were selected. To determine the level of knowledge a 5- points rating scale such as little knowledge, some knowledge, substantial knowledge, high knowledge and very high knowledge were used and a score of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 were assigned against the scales respectively. To determine the training need a 5- points rating scale such as little need, some need, substantial need, urgent need and very urgent need were employed and a score of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 were assigned against the scales respectively. To identify the issues and areas of knowledge and training, knowledge index and training need index were calculated respectively. The respondents had highest level of knowledge in teaching methodology, while it was least in case of extension and outreach among the five selected broad categories. The respondents expressed very urgent training needs in extension and outreach and least training needs in teaching methodology. The respondent teachers also identified top five issues on which they want to take training are conflict management (under extension and outreach), budget preparation (office management and administration) acquaintance with field problem (extension and outreach), research design and project preparation (research methodology), and data analysis and management (computer skill). Among age, professional experience, educational qualification training experience and level of knowledge, only level of knowledge showed a negative significant relationship with the training need of the respondents. South Asian J. Agric., 7(1&2): 44-50

Study of Variability and Genetic Diversity of 50% Heading Date and Seed Yield in Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.)

The present investigation involves study of variability and genetic diversity of few developmental characters such as date of maximum flower per plant (DMF), number of seeds per plant (NSPP) and seed weight per plant (SWPP) in blackgram (Vigna mungo L.). These three quantitative characters were studied in 24 lines and three years under different environmental conditions. The model proposed by Perkins and Jinks was followed in this study. In the analysis, greater portion of total phenotypic variation (s2p) appeared to be due to the environmental variations (s2e). The highest heritability (h2 b) (0.8181) was found for SWPP, while the highest genetic advance (G.A.=172.5508), high genetic advance of percentage (G.A.%=332.5627) and high genetic co-efficient of variability (G.C.V.=161.4381) were estimated in NSPP. The present investigation deals with the analysis of phenotypic, genotypic and environmental co-efficient of variability, range, mean with standard error, heritability (in broad sense), genetic advance and genetic advance of percentage. Genetic co-efficient of variability was very much pronounced and varied from treatment to treatment, year to year and lines to lines for all the characters, which indicates that the characters were quantitative in nature and under polygenic control. Therefore, further research would be undertaken for improving the characters of this pulse. South Asian J. Agric., 7(1&2): 1-5

Livelihood Pattern of Betel Leaf Cultivators: A Case Study at Fakirhat Upazila in Bagerhat District of Bangladesh

Betel leaf is a traditional cash crop in Bangladesh. Betel leaf cultivation is such like traditional agro-based occupation. This cash crop is locally known as pan and it’s scientific name is Piper betel that is the leaf of a vine belonging to the Piperaceae family. This study makes a modest attempt to know the livelihood pattern of betel leaf cultivators of south-west region of Bangladesh. The data were collected from Maskata Village in Betaga Union and Piljanga Village in Piljanga Union under Fakirhat Upazila in Bagerhat District, Bangladesh. This study was descriptive in nature. The paper is based upon qualitative approach which includes analysis of existing secondary sources of data. It also deals with primary data collected through Case Studies, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), Key Informants Interview (KII) methods. The data were analyzed into five categories including: natural capital, financial capital, social capital, physical capital and human capital. Betel leaf cultivation is an ancestral occupation of the respondents. Most of the family structure is nuclear and have strong bonding within community. Poor socio-economic conditions include lack of sanitation, unavailability of pure drinking water and lack of health care center creates pressure on their health status. On the contrary, low education, poor savings and poor credit facilities with high rates of bank interest makes them more vulnerable. Water logging and rot diseases are other challenges of this cultivation. The children who are involved in tertiary education, they mostly not come back their ancestral occupation. From the study it is revealed that, integrated as well as comprehensive intervention program with social awareness and safety net program should be run by the Government and NGOs for the betterment of this vulnerable occupation. Moreover, health worker should provide medicine and other health incentives for physically vulnerable groups. This paper would contribute to the policy making and taking necessary initiatives especially for this occupational groups. South Asian J. Agric., 7(1&2): 34-37

Socioeconomic and Environmental Conditions of Agricultural Migrants in Southwest Region of Bangladesh

This study aimed to identify the socioeconomic and environmental challenges of the migrants who are migrated in Krishnonagar and Mohammadnagar areas of Khulna district. By using simple random sampling technique 348 (157 from Krishnanagar and 191 from Mohammadnagar) household heads were selected as the respondents. The length of living was considered to assess the effect of migration on the socioeconomic and environmental conditions of the respondents. Seven indicators (income, occupation, education, class, family status, poverty situation and health) were considered to assess the socioeconomic conditions of the respondents. The regression analysis supports that the length of migration has its effect on income (71%), poverty situation (66%) and class position (64%) of the respondents. That means the socioeconomic conditions of the people living in the study areas for long time is better than those of new migrants. In this study environmental issues include water and air quality, housing conditions, waste disposal systems and related hazards affected by the respondents as the migrants. The respondents were migrated from different areas of Bangladesh mainly due to natural disaster and crop cultivation related vulnerability. Among the total respondents 87.4 percent of the household heads are male and 12.6 percent are female. The present study shows that nearly half of the respondents (47.7%) in the study area were found to be involved in seasonal work. The average monthly household income in the study areas was 5892 BDT and 55.2 percent respondents were absolutely poor. About 17 percent respondents claimed for the ownership of the house but 57.87 percent were living in rented house. Among the environmental challenges waterlogging and problem of solid waste disposal were severe. In this regard some useful points of recommendations for effective urban management and rural development activities are suggested. South Asian J. Agric., 7(1&2): 6-14

Planting Date Affects Growth and Yield Performance of Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis)

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different planting time on the growth and yield of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) at the Germplasm Centre of Agrotechnology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, from September, 2016 to March, 2017. There were four planting times included in the experiment viz., T1: 15 October, T2: 15 November, T3: 15 December, and T4: 15 January. Data were collected on plant height (cm), number of leaves per plant, leaf length and breadth (cm), curd size (cm), individual plant weight (kg) and yield (t/ha). The tallest plant (81.20 cm), maximum number of leaves (23.60), leaf length (64.40 cm), leaf breadth (24.60 cm) and also curd length (19.80 cm) and breadth (18.00 cm) were recorded from the treatment T2 (November planting). The economic (67.08 t/ha) and biological yield (87.88 t/ha) were also found to be the highest in the treatment T2 (November planting) followed by the highest benefit cost ratio (2.15). Therefore, the planting of cauliflower could be done during November in Khulna region to ensure better growth and yield with better economic return. South Asian J. Agric., 7(1&2): 25-29

Effect of Different Media and pH on Mycelial Growth of Sclerotium oryzae Causing Sheath Rot of Rice

Sclerotium oryzae causing sheath rot of rice, is one of the most important pathogen causing heavy crop losses in all the major rice growing areas of the world, including Bangladesh. The growth and reproduction of this soil borne pathogen depends on growing media and abiotic factors. Therefore, to evaluate the effect of different culture media and pH on mycelial radial growth of S. oryzae, the experiment was conducted in the Plant Pathology Laboratory of Agrotechnology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh. Performance of different media, carbon source and nitrogen source on radial mycelial growth was differed significantly. The maximum mycelial radial growth was observed on rice stem agar medium (70.40 mm) and minimum mycelial radial growth was recorded on cornmeal agar medium (50.60 mm). Considering carbon source, the maximum radial mycelial growth was found in glucose (66.40 mm) amended medium and no statistical differences were observed among sucrose, starch and Czapek dox agar containing medium. Based on nitrogen source, maximum radial mycelial growth was found in peptone medium (69.40 mm) but no statistical differences were exposed between Potassium nitrate (KNO3) and Sodium nitrate (NaNO3). pH- 6 played a vital role in radial mycelial growth (73.75 mm) of S. oryzae. South Asian J. Agric., 7(1&2): 67-72