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Heat stress alters photosynthetic components and antioxidant scavenging system, negatively affecting plant growth and development. Plants overcome heat stress damage through an integrated network involving enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. The aim of the study was to assess physiological and biochemical responses in contrasting thermotolerant wheat varieties exposed to 25°C (control) and 35°C (heat stress), during seedling stage. Our results revealed a substantial decrease in the photosynthetic pigments, carotenoids, anthocyanin content, and increased membrane injury index, malondialdehyde, lipoxygenase, methylglyoxal and H2O2 contents compared to non-stress wheat seedlings. Comparatively the heat tolerant variety BG26 maintained a high level of stability compared to the heat susceptible variety Pavon, perpetuated by higher accumulation of proline, glycine betaine, ascorbate-glutathione cycle associated enzymes, reduced glutathione and ascorbate contents. In addition, significantly lower MG detoxification and activities of antioxidant system and ascorbate-glutathione cycle related enzymatic activities lead to increased susceptibility in Pavon. Hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis revealed BG26 possessing a combination of biochemical responses that induced higher level of tolerance. Taken together, our results provide a reference for utilizing BG26 and Pavon as highly contrasting heat-responsive varieties for comparative genomics and translational research to unravel underlying mechanisms to better adapt wheat to heat stress.

Processing quality of potato tubers depend on the physico-chemical properties which changes within the time in long-term storage period. The present study was conducted to find out a suitable storage condition that could be able to maintain the processing quality of potatoes. Three potato varieties namely Asterix (BARI Alu-25), Courage (BARI Alu-29) and Lady Rosetta (BARI Alu-28) and three different storage conditions viz. Bamboo chamber (BC), earthen chamber with evaporative cooler (EC) and refrigerator (RF) were used in this study. Data were recorded monthly-basis on the physico-chemical processing qualities of the potato tubers. Potato tubers stored in RF was able to maintain higher dry matter content and lower weight loss, shrinkage and energy content than BC and EC. Though the physical qualities of the refrigerated tubers were well-maintained, but produced considerably higher amount of mean reducing sugars (2.69 mg/g FW) which was 11.6 and 17.9% higher than the mean of BC (2.41 mg/g FW) and EC (2.28 mg/g FW), respectively; and higher mean sucrose contents (2.46 mg/g FW) which was 6.5 and 18.8% higher than the mean of BC (2.31 mg/g FW) and EC (2.07 mg/g FW), respectively. EC maintained significantly lower amount of mean glucose (0.17 mg/g FW), fructose (1.96 mg/g FW) and total soluble sugar (4.20 mg/g FW) contents than BC and RF. Compared to pre-storage, mean reducing sugar content was increased by 1.5, 1.7 and 2.0 times in EC, BC and RF, respectively until 90 days of storage and the increase in mean sucrose content was 1.7-, 2.1- and 2.3-fold in EC, BC and RF, respectively. Among the varieties, Courage and Lady Rosetta were suitable for long-term storage for processing than Asterix. Chips produced from the potatoes stored in the EC acquired significantly higher scores for sensory attributes than that of BC and RF. Results clearly depicted that potatoes stored in EC were more suitable for processing due to moderate retention of dry matter content (22.13%) and lower accumulation of different sugars and were able to retain processing quality up to 90 days of storage than that of BC and RF. Ann. Bangladesh Agric. (2019) 23(2) : 61-78

Drought stress impairs the normal growth and development of plants through various mechanisms including the induction of cellular oxidative stresses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the exogenous application of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA) on the growth, physiology, and antioxidant defense system of drought-stressed French bean plants. Application of MeJA (20 μM) or SA (2 mM) alone caused modest reductions in the harmful effects of drought. However, combined application substantially enhanced drought tolerance by improving the physiological activities and antioxidant defense system. The drought-induced generation of O2●− and H2O2, the MDA content, and the LOX activity were significantly lower in leaves when seeds or leaves were pre-treated with a combination of MeJA (10 μM) and SA (1 mM) than with either hormone alone. The combined application of MeJA and SA to drought-stressed plants also significantly increased the activities of the major antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase as well as the enzymes of the ascorbate–glutathione cycle. Taken together, our results suggest that seed or foliar application of a combination of MeJA and SA restore growth and normal physiological processes by triggering the antioxidant defense system in drought-stressed plants.

Drought is one of the foremost environmental stresses that can severely limit crop growth and productivity by disrupting various physiological processes. In this study, the drought tolerance potential of 127 diverse bread wheat genotypes was evaluated by imposing polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced drought followed by multivariate analysis of several growth-related attributes. Results showed significant variations in the mean values of different morpho-physiological traits due to PEG-induced drought effects. Correlation analysis revealed that most of the studied traits were significantly correlated among them. The robust hierarchical co-clustering indicated that all the genotypes were clustered into four major groups, with cluster 4 (26 genotypes) being, in general, drought-tolerant followed by cluster 1 (19 genotypes) whereas, cluster 2 (55 genotypes) and 3 (27 genotypes) being drought-sensitive. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) confirmed that around 90% of the genotypes were correctly assigned to clusters. Squared distance (D2) analysis indicated that the clusters differed significantly from each other. Principal component analysis (PCA) and genotype by trait biplot analysis showed that the first three components accounted for 71.6% of the total variation, with principal component (PC) 1 accounting for 35.4%, PC2 for 24.6% and PC3 for 11.6% of the total variation. Both PCA and LDA revealed that dry weights, tissue water content, cell membrane stability, leaf relative water content, root-shoot weight ratio and seedling vigor index played the most important discriminatory roles in explaining drought tolerance variations among 127 wheat genotypes. Our results conclude that the drought-tolerant and -sensitive wheat genotypes identified in this study would offer valuable genetic tools for further improvement of wheat productivity in arid and semi-arid regions during this time of unpredictable climate change.

Heat stress alters photosynthetic components and the antioxidant scavenging system, negatively affecting plant growth and development. Plants overcome heat stress damage through an integrated network involving enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. This study aimed to assess physiological and biochemical responses in contrasting thermo-tolerant wheat varieties exposed to 25 °C (control) and 35 °C (heat stress), during the seedling stage. Our results revealed a substantial decrease in the photosynthetic pigments, carotenoids, anthocyanin content, and increased membrane injury index, malondialdehyde, methylglyoxal (MG), H2O2 contents and lipoxygenase activity compared to non-stress wheat seedlings. The heat-tolerant variety BARI Gom 26 (“BG26”) maintained higher cellular homeostasis compared to the heat susceptible variety Pavon 76 (“Pavon”), perpetuated by higher accumulation of proline, glycine betaine, ascorbate-glutathione cycle associated enzymes, reduced glutathione and ascorbate concentration in plant cells. Significantly lower levels of MG detoxification and antioxidant activities and ascorbate-glutathione cycle-related enzymatic activities lead to increased susceptibility in variety “Pavon”. Hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis revealed that variety “BG26” possess a combination of biochemical responses tailoring antioxidant activities that induced a higher level of tolerance. Taken together, our results provide a pipeline for establishing a trade-off between antioxidant capacity and heat tolerance to facilitate functional genomics and translational research to unravel underlying mechanisms to better adapt wheat to heat stress.

A research work was performed under sub-tropical condition (24°8'N, 90°0'E) at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University with three wheat genotypes (BARI Gom 25, BARI Gom 26 and Pavon 76) to observe the mobilization of seed reserve and seedling growth under normal (15°C/25°C) and elevated (25°C/35°C) temperature in growth chamber. The effect of high temperature on wheat seedling was observed in terms of mobilized seed reserve, respiration and transpiration efficiency and seedling growth. At 35°C temperature, maximum mobilization of seed reserve was observed in BARI Gom varieties (BARI Gom 25 and 26) but the respiration efficiency was higher in Pavon 76 in comparison to other genotypes. Maximum loss of respiration and transpiration at 35°C temperature was found to produce low seedling growth in Pavon 76. It appeared from the result that at high temperature the maximum mobilized seed reserve and subsequently minimum loss of respiration and transpiration collectively contributed a positive role for better seedling growth in BARI Gom 25 and BARI Gom 26. Therefore the better mobilized seed reserve and subsequently minimum loss of respiration and transpiration during seedling development are indicators of the thermo tolerance in growing wheat seedling.

Chitosan is naturally occurring compound potentially used in sustainable agriculture to control plant diseases and enhance growth. An attempt was made to control anthracnose or ripen fruit rot of chilli caused by Colletotrichum capsici in the field under inoculated condition and to increase the growth and yield of chilli by different concentrations of chitosan as seed treatment and foliar application methods. C. capsici isolate “So” was found to be the most virulent against chilli at the time of pathogenicity test. Chitosan at 1% concentration was found to be most effective against the radial growth of C. capsici. Subsequently, seed treatment or foliar spray was done with C. capsici spore suspension (5×106 ml-1) and different concentrations of chitosan as per requirement of the treatments. Anthracnose or ripen fruit rot of chilli and post-harvest disease incidence (DI) and percent disease index (PDI) were significantly lowest in the treatment T8, where seeds were treated with 1% chitosan combination with foliar spray of chitosan (0.5%) in pathogen inoculated condition. On the contrary, anthracnose or ripen fruit rot of chilli and post-harvest DI and PDI were significantly highest in the treatment T1, where seeds were treated with C. capsici. Germination percentage, growth promoting components, yield and thousand seed weight (TSW) were also highest in treatment T8 compared to all other treatments. As a result, the combined use of chitosan as seed treatment (1%) and foliar spray (0.5%) appeared to be most effective in controlling anthracnose of chilli and increased yield and yield contributing characters.

Effect of water deficit stress on growth and yield of three wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties, viz. BARI Gom 25, BARI Gom 26 and Sourav was studied. Water deficit lowered the light interception at anthesis in wheat. Under water deficit condition, the highest amount of PAR interception was recorded in BARI Gom 26. The reduction of leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR) and net assimilation rate (NAR) were less in BARI Gom 26. Water deficit conditions lowered the SPAD values in all the three wheat varieties. BARI Gom 26 showed less reduction, while BARI Gom 25 reflected the highest reduction in SPAD value under water deficit condition. Under water deficit condition the maximum number of spikelets/spike, 1000- grain weight and HI were recorded in BARI Gom 26 and the minimum in BARI Gom 25. Under both control and water deficit conditions BARI Gom 26 gave the highest grain yield, while the lowest grain yield was obtained from BARI Gom 25.Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 29(2): 163-172, December-2016

Blood Glucose lowering properties of Ocimum Sanctum (OS), a renowned medicinal species, were assessed by measuring the levels of blood glucose in the plasma of the hyperglycemic Long Evans rats. The feeding of 1% powder of OS with normal diet for 21 days to hyperglycemic rats significantly reduced serum blood glucose level (p < 0.01). The present study suggests that the blood glucose lowering effects of OS probably serve as a new potential natural product for the treatment of hyperglycemia.KYAMC Journal Vol. 4, No.-2, Jan 2014, Page 386-390

The experiment was conducted under controlled condition at the Department of Agronomy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Bangladesh from January to April 2015 to clarify the mechanism that might be involved in the ameliorating effects of poultry litter biochar on soybean plants grown under water deficit stress. The treatments were (i) water regimes (well watered and 40% field capacity) and (ii) biochar (0, 25, 50 and 100 t ha-1). Results indicated that water deficit stress induced reduction in growth, leaf water and chlorophyll content and yield of soybean plant compared with those of the unstressed plants. On the other hand, water deficit stress led to increases in proline content. The improvement of drought tolerance resulted from biochar application were accompanied with improved water and proline accumulation as well as less degradation of chlorophyll in leaf was observed. These results clearly demonstrate that harmful effect of drought could reduce on plant height, leaf water and chlorophyll contents and yield of soybean. Consequently, application of poultry litter biochar is a good strategy to effectively solve the seasonal drought stress problem in dry lands.Bangladesh Agron. J. 2016 19(2): 61-69

Background Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is an important fiber crop in Bangladesh. Genetic diversity among the genotypes of a germplasm has a great importance for cotton breeding. An experiment was carried out at the experimental field of Cotton Research, Training and Seed Multiplication Farm, Sreepur, Gazipur during the cropping season of 2015–2016 with 100 genotypes to evaluate genetic diversity of cotton genotypes for short duration using field performance. Results The genotypes under study were grouped into ten clusters through multivariate analysis using GENSTAT-5. Cluster III contained maximum number of genotypes (16) while cluster X contained the least number of genotypes (7). The inter cluster distances were larger than intra cluster distances in all cases suggesting wider genetic diversity among the genotypes of different clusters. The maximum and minimum inter cluster distances were observed between clusters II and V (10.78) and clusters VIII and IX (3.30), respectively. The results indicated diverse and close relationship among the genotypes of those clusters. Earliness index, single boll weight and days to boll opening showed the higher contribution to the genetic divergence among 19 characters. Conclusion Based on the results of genetic diversity and earliness index, the genotypes from cluster II could be used as parent in hybridization program for the development of short duration cotton variety.

An experiment was conducted at the research field of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur-1706 from March to June 2014 to evaluate growth and yield performance of sesame genotypes. Five sesame genotypes i.e. DB-6992, BD-6995, BD-7001, BD-7011 and Hathazari-4 were used in the study. The genotypes significantly differed in photosynthetic rate, dry matter partitioning and seed yield. The earliest genotype was Hathazari-4 and the latest was BD-7011. The highest stem dry weight, leaf dry weight, capsule dry weight, leaf area index, light interception, photosynthetic rate were recorded in genotype Hathazari-4. The number of capsules plant-1 and the number of seeds capsule-1 were also highest in the genotype Hathazari-4, while the lowest was being noticed in the genotype BD- 7001. Weight of 1000-seed was the maximum in genotype BD-6992 and the minimum in the genotype BD- 7011. The highest seed yield (3.52 tha-1) was recorded in the genotype Hathazari-4 and the lowest in the genotypes BD-6992 followed by BD-7001. The highest oil content (41.39%) was recorded in the genotype BD-6992 and the lowest (39.72%) in the genotype Hathazari-4 but the highest oil yield (1.53 t ha-1) was recorded in the genotype Hathazari-4. It may be concluded that the sesame genotype Hathazari-4 may be cultivated for higher seed yield and oil production.Bangladesh Agron. J. 2016, 19(1): 19-28

Fifty soybean genotypes were screened for their water stress tolerance in a vinylhouse of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur during January to May, 2011. The objective of this study was to screen for drought tolerant soybean genotype(s) for improving yield of soybean under rainfed condition in Bangladesh. Water stress was imposed throughout the growing period by withholding irrigation until appearance of wilting symptom. Water stress caused an overall reduction in seed yield of soybean. However, reduction in seed yield due to water stress varied among the soybean genotypes. Variations were measured by tolerance indices, ranking and cluster analysis. Considering stress tolerance indices, ranking and cluster analysis, the genotypes BARI Soybean 5, BARI Soybean 6, Shohag and BD2331 were found as tolerant to water stress.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 41(3): 441-450, September 2016

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of water stress on physiological parameters associated to drought tolerance in soybean at the Department of Agronomy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh during January to April, 2015. Four soybean genotypes namely i) BU Soybean 1 ii) Binasoybean 1 iii) Galarsum and iv) BARI Soybean 5 were grown in two watering regimes viz. control (80% of the field capacity) and water stress (50% of the field capacity). Genotypic variability was found in water stress tolerance in soybean. Highest accumulation of leaf proline, sugar and water content and lower accumulation of malondialdehyde were found in Binasoybean 1 compared to other genotypes. Lowest yield reduction was found in Binasoybean 1. Binasoybean 1 showed relatively higher drought tolerance whereas BARI Soybean 5 was found susceptible to yield. It was found that higher water stress tolerance in Binasoybean 1 was associated with better water relations and higher accumulation of sugar and proline and lower accumulation of malondialdehyde content in leaf.Bangladesh Agron. J. 2015, 18(2): 71-78

A pot experiment was carried out in a venylhouse at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman University during 2012 to investigate the growth, yield and yield contributing characters of ten selected soybean genotypes viz. Shohag, BARI Soybean-6, BARI Soybean-5, BD2331, BD2329, BD2336, BD 2340, BGM2093, G00015 and BGM2026 under drought stress and control conditions. Plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, shoot and root dry weight of all the genotypes were significantly affected by the stress. Among the genotypes Shohag, BARI Soybean-6 and BD2331 were found tolerant in relation to the growth under water stress conditions. The reduction in RGR values was more in the susceptible genotypes at the later stages of growth than in the tolerant genotypes. Seed yield of the genotypes was reduced from 42 to 68% due to drought (water) over non-stress. Susceptible genotypes showed greater reduction in seed yield than the tolerant genotypes.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 40(4): 537-550, December 2015

To evaluate the reproductive herd health status, the data were collected from Talbag Dairy Farm, Savar; Bangladesh Agricultural University Dairy Farm, Mymensingh and Central Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm, Savar for a period of two years. A total of 122 lactating cows were selected to collect data on productive and reproductive performance from the farms record book maintained by three farms. The mean value ± SD of breeding age, calving age, age at first conception, calving to first estrus, calving to first service, days open, calving interval, first service conception rate, number of service per conception, calf per year of Talbag Dairy Farm, BAU Dairy Farm, Central Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm were 25.10 ± 2.68, 219.23 ± 12.23 and 27.40 ± 7.56 months; 34.30 ± 8.54, 55.88 ± 11.60 and 38.93 ± 8.58 months; 26.20 ± 4.05, 52.71 ± 12.55 and 29.83 ± 8.72 months; 165.00 ±73.82, 219.23 ± 121.83 and 190.50 ± 104.19 days; 165.00 ±73.82, 240.77 ± 128.59 and 190.50 ± 104.19 days; 201.00 ± 72.48, 250.38 ± 72.82 and 335.08 ± 118.61 days; 383.30 ± 57.87, 526.44 ± 196.80 and 523.17 ± 216.37 days; 73.50 ± 29.25, 64.75 ± 30.53 and 61.85 ± 31.87 %; 1.95 ± 0.44, 1.99 ± 0.72 and 2.30 ± 1.02; 383.30 ±57.87, 526.44 ± 196.80 and 523.17 ± 216.37 days, respectively. The overall calf mortality (%) in Talbag Dairy Farm, BAU Dairy Farm, Central Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm were 4%, 0.70% and 4.06%, respectively. The calf mortality (%) at birth and birth to 30 days in Talbag Dairy Farm, BAU Dairy Farm, Central Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm were 3%, 1% and 1.85%; 3.5%, 5% and 6.39%; respectively. It is concluded that commercial farms reasonably better due to optimum level of breeding age, first service conception rate, less calving interval and less service per conception.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. June 2015, 1(1): 31-38

The present study was carried out to investigate the status of different reproductive parameters of Black Bengal in a rural area of Mukterpur under Charghat Upazilla of Rajshahi district during the period of July to December/2012. A total of 200 Black Bengal goats under both semi-intensive (n=100) and extensive condition (n=100) were selected on the basis of age, weight, body shape and conformation. The average age at puberty was 197.82±12.58 days and age at first conception was 292.96±0.50 days under semi-intensive condition whereas 208.82±12.60 days and 287.65±0.52 days under extensive condition. Age at first kidding was 448.26±25.48 days under semi-intensive condition whereas under extensive condition it was 450.07±22.43 days. Average litter size in the first, second and third parity was 1.06, 1.76 and 1.96, respectively under semi-intensive condition whereas under extensive condition, these were 1.01, 1.76 and 1.96, respectively. The average kidding interval of goats under semi-intensive and extensive conditions were 190.2±20 and 178.23±.50 days, respectively and the difference between these two was statistically significant (p

The objectives were to investigate the factors (age, sex, breed and season) affecting the occurrence of calf diseases. In this study 497 cases of 0 to 3 months of age from three different farms were investigated. Calf in Savar Dairy farm (n=249), Talbag Dairy Farm (n=85) and BAU Dairy Farm (n=163) were included from April 2011 to March 2012. The occurrence of diseases were classified on the basis of breed (Local and Cross), age (? 3 weeks and >3 weeks), sex (Male and Female) and season (Spring, Summer, Rainy and Winter). The overall diseases were diarrhoea (20.3%), anorexia (9.7%), fever (9.1%), naval ill (8.0%), malnutrition (7.7%), indigestion (6.7%), traumatic injury (5.4%), dysentery (5.0%), myiasis (4.6%), pneumonia (3.4%), alopecia (3.4%), atresia ani (3.2%), hernia (2.8%), constipation (2.6%), abscess (2.2%), conjunctivitis (2.2%), lameness (1.8%), FMD (1.2%) and blot (0.6%). The cases of diarrhoea was higher (20.5%) than that of other diseases. The occurrence of diseases was highly significant (p0.05). The effect of breeds on diseases were found significantly (p 3 weeks of age (44.9%). The occurrence of diseases in calves was significantly (p

In order to study the response of terminal heat stress on carbohydrate accumulation and grain yield of three wheat cultivars namely BARI Gom 25, BARI Gom 26 and Pavon 76 were sown on 18 November, 2011 in experimental field of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur in Bangladesh and two temperature regimes viz. normal (23°C in open field) and elevated (6 ± 1°C higher compare to open field mean air temperature in polythene chamber) were created. Elevated temperature shortened the grain filling duration by 5-day in BARI Gom 25 and BARI Gom 26 and 10-day in Pavon 76. Under elevated temperature condition grain starch synthesis was found to be stopped at 25 days after anthesis (DAA) in Pavon 76 which in BARI Gom 26 appeared 5-day later (30 DAA) in spite of higher level of soluble sugar in grain. Results indicate that early failure of conversion of sugar to starch rather than supply of soluble sugar under elevated temperature condition were responsible for shortening of grain filling duration and smaller grain size in all wheat cultivars. Smaller reduction of grain size and grain number along with smaller reduction of grain weight per main stem under elevated temperature condition finally contributed to sustain negligible loss of grain yield, biological yield and harvest index in BARI Gom 25 and BARI Gom 26 compare to Pavon 76.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 40(2): 205-215, June 2015

An investigation on physiological changes was carried out in three wheat genotypes (BARI Gom 25, BARI Gom 26, and Pavon 76) through seed reserve utilization efficiency (SRUE) and leaf cooling under normal (15 / 25°C) and elevated (25 / 35°C) temperatures in the growth chamber. At high temperature, Pavon 76 required more days to initiate the fully autotrophic stage. After germination, seedling and remnant seed dry weight was the same at day 5 in BARI Gom 26 and day 6 in BARI Gom 25 and Pavon 76. At high temperature, maximum translocation efficiency and seed reserve utilization efficiency (SRUE) were observed in BARI Gom 26 and at a minimum value in Pavon 76. High leaf cooling was recorded in BARI Gom 26. At high temperature, due to high leaf temperature and low transpiration rate of Pavon 76, maximum reduction of seedling growth was recorded in Pavon 76 (17%) as compared to minimum in BARI Gom 26 (5%). It appeared from the result that at high temperature the better seed reserved utilization efficiency and subsequently larger leaf cooling collectively contributed a positive role for seedling development in BARI Gom 25 and BARI Gom 26. The relationship of seed reserve utilization efficiency and leaf temperature were prominent in the case of Pavon 76 (r = -0.768) compared to other genotypes. This relationship indicated that Pavon 76 was the most sensitive genotype and BARI Gom 25 and BARI Gom 26 was the tolerant genotype to heat stress in respect to seed reserve utilization efficiency during seed reserve dependent phase and leaf temperature of photosynthetic-dependent phase.

Background: Preemptive analgesia significantly reduces postoperative analgesic requirement. Multi modal approach for preemption has greater range of benefit and its use in treating postoperative pain has gaining popularity. Objectives: To observe the effect of preemptive bupivacaine infiltration and intravenous ketorolac on postoperative pethidine consumption in single and multiple preemptive techniques. Methods: One hundred and twenty patients of ASA physical status I&II requiring lower abdominal surgery under general anaesthesia were randomly allocated in four groups. Gr- A received bupivacaine infiltration and ketorolac injection, Gr-B received intravenous Ketorolac injection, Gr-C bupivacaine infiltration and Gr- D received nothing regarded as Control group. Data were analyzed by student’s t test, ANOVA and chi-square test as appropriate. Results: Patients characteristics, duration of surgery, haemodynamic status were comparable in four groups. Pain intensity in VAS was significantly reduced in Gr-A (p

Two tolerant (BB24 and BB43) and two susceptible (BARI busbean-2 and BB04) genotypes of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were evaluated for their water status and its relationship with reproductive responses under continuous water stress (50% field capacity) and control (80% field capacity) conditions in a net house covered with polyethylene sheet at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Bangladesh. Under water stress condition, the susceptible genotype namely BB04 exhibited more negative leaf water potential (LWP) which was followed by that of BARI bushbean-2 in all the time of the day except at noon. The tolerant genotype namely BB24 exhibited less negative LWP at noon. The tolerant genotypes maintained higher relative water content (WRC) than the susceptible ones from dawn to dusk. The relationship between RWC and LWP was examined separately for four genotypes under water stress condition. The genotype BB24 showed a smaller decrease in RWC with more negative LWP than BB04. Water stress reduced pod setting ratio. The relationship between the leaf water status and reproductive responses showed that the genotype with a little reduction in mid-day drop of RWC or with high mid-day RWC displayed a high pod setting ratio.

The investigation was aimed to evaluate the bulls for breeding soundness by assessing their fresh semen. The study was performed in District AI center, Mymensingh and AI center,BAU, Mymensingh. Four different bulls of cross breed (Holstein-Friesian × Zebu, Sahiwal × Zebu, Sindhi × Zebu and Red Chittagong Bull) were examined physically with a special emphasis to the palpation of the scrotum and testicles and rectal palpation of the pelvic genitalia were carried out once every two weeks. The sexual behavior particularly the libido was observed at service. A total of 107 ejaculates were collected and evaluated with respect to ejaculate volume, mass activity, sperm motility, concentration of sperm, pH, percentages of live and dead spermatozoa from 1 May to 31 October, 2013. The bulls used in this study were regarded as clinically normal. During the study, mean value of semen ejaculate volume, sperm motility, mass activity, sperm concentration, percentage of live and dead sperm and pH were 5.81± 0.16ml, 66.64± 0.50%, 3.59± 0.05, 1115.97± 16.08 million/mm 3 , 77.62 ± 0.63 %, 15% to 45%,6.48± 0.01 respectively. The mean fertility rate (65.37± 0.31%) of the bulls was also recorded. The mean values of semen ejaculate volume, sperm motility, mass activity, sperm concentration, percentage of live sperm and dead sperm, pH and fertility varied significantly (p

RMG sector is the most influential economic contributory sector in Bangladesh. Fifty percent and more revenue in GDP approximately are generated from this sector. Therefore, it is very much important to analyze the socio-business consideration of garment sector in Bangladesh. So far, since 80’s garment industries had been booming in Bangladesh. These types of industries face challenges and take the advantage over different opportunities throughout more than three decades. Here, this paper suggested that the socio-economic as well as the business-statistical review of the garment industries in Bangladesh by providing some field research. This paper attempted to provide an overview of the industry in monitoring, standard of living, mix assessment and compliance (which is provided by foreign buyers) aspects.

The experiment compared the relative tolerance of some advanced lines and a variety of lentil viz. BD3859, BD3905, BD3867, ILL5087, ILL5133 and BINAmasur1 (variety) to soil flooding. The growth rates of the genotypes considerably reduced when flooding imposed at vegetative stage. However, the genotypes responded differently to flooding onward during recovery period. Leaf and roots showed highly vulnerable to flooding. Flooding promoted extensive leaf senescence and desiccation. Flooding induced damaging of root system was highly striking, despite there existed remarkable recoveries in some genotypes. The adverse effect of flooding was less pronounced on stem than other plant components. However, shoot growth reduction was 76-86% relative to control. Relative growth rate (RGR) of most plant components showed negative rate during flooding, but it varied from negative to positive during recovery period. Considering total plant biomass, flooding tolerance (FT) indices indicated that BINAmasur1 and BD3859 had comparatively better degree of tolerance to excess water. In contrast, ILL5133 and ILL5087 were susceptible to flooding for having negative FT indices.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v18i2.17460 Progress. Agric. 18(2): 17 - 24, 2007

Passion fruit has great potential to attract for it s lucrative flavor, taste and deliciousness to grow n up the economic condition of the framer in the develop ing country. Study of flower blooming can play vital role in developing high yielding varieties of this fruit. Filed and laboratory experiments were conducted at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh to determine the flowering behavior of yellow passi on fruits ( Passiflora edulis Sims .) at five flashes. The results revealed that third flash showed the be st performance in respect of all floral biological attribute namely floral primodia initiation, period of flower bud formation to blooming, flowering duration, number of floral bud, number of flower bl oomed, percent flowers opened, flowering interval, bud size, initiation, completion and withering of f loral parts. Thus, the results may be concluded tha t third flash would the best for better fruit product ion.

To examine the effect of high temperature during seed development and maturation on seed quality of wheat, seeds of four heattolerant and two heat-sensitive wheat genotypes obtained normal and high temperature growing conditions were tested for quality. High parent plant growth temperature during seed development and maturation resulted in poor seed quality. The effect of parent plant growth temperature on seed germination and speed of germination was inconsistent between heat tolerant and heat-sensitive wheat genotypes. Seed vigor as indicated by seed density, conductivity of seed leachates, seedling dry weight, production of normal seedlings, seed reserve utilization efficiency, and seedling emergence were reduced in all wheat genotypes due to higher parent plant growth temperature but heat-sensitive wheat genotypes were affected more than the heat-tolerant genotypes.

Three wheat cultivars, namely, BARI Gom 25, BARI Gom 26, and Pavon 76, were sown in experimental field of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, in Bangladesh, on 18 November, 2013. Two temperature regimes, namely, normal (23°C in open field) and elevated (6 ± 1°C higher compared to open field mean air temperature in polythene chamber) temperature, were created immediately after anthesis to investigate the response of wheat cultivars to heat stress. Elevated temperature cuts back the duration of grain filling by 5 days in BARI Gom 25 and BARI Gom 26 and 10 days in Pavon 76. Starch synthesis was also cut back by the same duration in respective cultivars under elevated temperature condition. Results indicate that failure of conversion of sugar to starch rather than limited supply of sugar under high temperature condition was responsible for shortening of grain filling duration in all wheat cultivars. However, the response of elevated temperature on grain starch and main stem grain dry matter was less profound in BARI Gom 25 and BARI Gom 26 compared to Pavon 76 indicating their better tolerance to elevated temperature.

The experiment was carried out in Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) during the Boro season 2006-2007 (Mid October to mid May) at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman Agricultural University-Gazipur. Alok showed significant bi but its deviation from regression (S 2 di) invalided its linear prediction. Among the three CMS lines CMS-2 was stable for % OCR due to considerable mean, phenotypic index, regression coefficient near unity (bi ≈ 1) as well as insignificant deviation from regression (S 2 di ≈ 0) and CMS-1 was highly responsive to seedling ages due to significant bi and insignificant S 2 di. Although, Alok showed significant bi but its deviation from regression (S 2 di) invalided its linear prediction. Maximum out crossing rate was obtained from CMS-2 irrespective of seedling ages. On the other hand 43 days old seedling of CMS-1 gave the maximum out crossing rate. CMS-2 was highly responsive to yield over seedling ages. CMS-1 showed insignificant regression coefficient (bi) indicating stability over seedling ages but deviation from regression (S 2 di) was significant which invalided its linear prediction. Alok showed lower mean, significant regression coefficient (bi) and insignificant deviation from regression (S 2 di) indicating responsitive to favourable seedling ages with comparatively lower yield. 43 days old seedlings of CMS-2 gave the maximum hybrid seed production rate. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpbg.v24i1.16995

The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) during the Boro season (2006-2007) at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman Agricultural University-Gazipur; Bangladesh Agricultural University-Mymensingh and Bangladesh Rural Development Academy, Bogra. Among the three introduced CMS lines, CMS-2 was highly responsive to environment (fertilizer dose) for yield due to the highest mean, considerable phenotypic index, regression coefficient greater than unity (bi > 1) and insignificant deviation from regression (S2di ? 0). CMS line CMS-1 showed regression coefficient near unity (bi ?1) and significant deviation from regression (S2di > 0) indicating stability for yield but its stability is unpredictable due to significant deviation from regression. CMS line Alok showed significant regression coefficient (bi >1) indicating highly responsive to fertilizer doses but significant deviation from regression made it unpredictable linear prediction. These results also explain that the production based on regression analysis for the genotypes differed considerably in respect to stability performances.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpbg.v24i1.16998

Seven genotypes of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were evaluated under semi-controlled conditions at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Bangladesh to analyze genotypic variability in leaf water status under water stress. The plants were grown under two moisture regimes, viz. 80% field capacity (FC) and 50% FC throughout the growing season. The genotypes showed significant variation in water relation traits. Genotypes BB24 and BB43 maintained higher relative water content (RWC), but lower turgid weight/dry weight ratio (TW/DW) and water uptake capacity (WUC). When drought susceptibility index (DSI) among the genotypes was considered, BB24 was found the most tolerant to drought and BB04 was the most susceptible one. A close positive relationship between leaf TW/DW and DSI under drought was recorded (R 2 = 0.627). Leaf TW/DW was decreased considerably due to water stress by 10% in genotype BB24 followed by BB43 (13%), and both BARI bushbean-2 and BB04 (19%). Stomatal aperture and whole plant transpiration rate were found minimal in the BB24 and BB43 compared to that of BB04 and BARI bushbean-2. Considering these water relation traits, genotypes BB24 and BB43 may be considered as relatively tolerant to tissue dehydration. The study also revealed that the TW/DW, WUC, stomatal aperture, and whole plant transpiration rate was negatively and significantly associated with yield; however, the RWC was positively correlated with yield under water stress conditions.

A large number of soybean (Glycine max L.) genotypes of diverse growth habit and adaptive characters were used in the experiment. Soil salinity-induced changes in nine morpho-physiological characters of 30-day-old seedlings of 170 soybean genotypes were compared in the study. The first and second principal components (PC) of principal component analysis (PCA) results accounted for 97 and 2.5%, respectively, of the total variations of soybean genotypes. The variation for the first PC was composed mainly of relative total dry weight (DW), relative shoot dry weight, as well as petiole dry weight. There were four clusters distinguished in the cluster analysis. The genotypes in cluster IV performed better in respect to relative total dry weight and relative shoot dry weight and hence having salt tolerance. The genotypes clusters III performed very poorly and those of clusters II and I were moderate to poor. D2 analysis indicated that the clusters differed significantly from each other. Discriminant function analysis (DFA) again asserts strongly that more than 92% of the genotypes were correctly assigned to clusters. Both PCA and DFA confirmed that the relative total DW followed by shoot and petiole DW were the major discriminatory variables, and the root DW were the secondary important variables to distinguish genotypes into groups. In this study, multivariate analyses were used in identifying the soybean genotypes of desirable traits for salt tolerance.

Flooding-induced changes in leaf gas exchanges, grain yield, and yield-related parameters of mungbean were evaluated employing two flood-tolerant (GK48 and VC3945A) and one flood-susceptible (Vo1982A-G) genotypes. Three flooding regimes viz. 1, 3 and 7-day were imposed at vegetative, flowering, and pod-fill stages. Flooding caused a drastic reduction in photosynthesis rates (Pn), irrespective of flooding duration. However, the flooded plants recovered Pn to a large extent depending on genotypes. Used genotypes showed a significant variation in Pn during and after flooding. Post-flooding recovery in Pn of GK48 and VC3945A was more pronounced at the vegetative and flowering stages than the pod-fill stage. At the pod-fill stage, only plants of GK48 survived when flooding prolonged for 7 days. Flooded plants showed higher intercellular CO2 concentrations (Ci), and reduced stomatal conductance (gs). However, during recovery, Pn increased significantly along with reduced Ci in flood-tolerant GK48 and VC3945A genotypes. In contrast, Ci remained high and Pn recovery was minimal in flood-susceptible Vo1982A-G genotype. This implies that mesophyll tolerance rather than stomatal factor might be the major limitation of Pn recovery in a susceptible genotype. Very weak relationship between Pn and transpiration rate (Tr) indicated low water use efficiency (WUE) in flooded plants, but subsequent recovery of both the parameters, suggesting higher WUE, particularly in tolerant genotypes. Seed yield of mungbean was the product of number of pods per plant and seed size, and longer the flooding period, the lower were the pods per plant at the flowering and pod-fill stage. Flooding reduced seed yield in all the three genotypes, but the extent of reduction was much less in flood-tolerant GK48 and VC3945A. Higher yield of flood-tolerant genotypes may be attributed to the rapid recovery of leaf gas exchanges.

The study was an exploratory in nature conducted using a large number of mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) genotypes of diverse growth habit and adaptive characters. Soil flooding induced changes in eleven morpho-physiological characters of one-week old seedlings of 530 mungbean genotypes was compared in the study. The first and second principal components (PC) of principal component analysis (PCA) results accounted for 58 and 14%, respectively of the total variations of mungbean genotypes. The variation for first PC was composed mainly of relative dry weight (DW) of shoot and leaf as well as total DW. The second PC distinguished the genotypes that produced larger root system. There were seven clusters distinguished in the cluster analysis. The genotypes in cluster 4 and 6 performed better in respect of relative total DW and relative root DW, respectively and hence having flooding tolerance. The genotypes in clusters 7 and 1 performed very poorly and those of under clusters 3, 2 and 5 were moderate to poor. D2 analysis indicated that the clusters differed significantly from each other. Discriminant function analysis (DFA) reaffirmed that more than 90% of the genotypes were correctly assigned to clusters. Both PCA and DFA confirmed that the relative total DW followed by shoot and leaf DW as well as leaf area were the major discriminatory variables and the root : shoot ratio and root DW were the secondary important variables to distinguish genotypes into groups. In this study, multivariate analyses were used in identifying the mungbean genotypes of desirable traits for flooding tolerance.

Many countries in Africa are considering a change to combination treatment for falciparum malaria because of the increase in drug resistance. However, there are few effectiveness data for these combinations. Our aim was to study the effectiveness of three drug combinations that have proven efficacious in east Africa compared with amodiaquine monotherapy.We undertook a randomised trial of antimalarial drug combinations for children (aged 4-59 months) with uncomplicated malaria in Muheza, Tanzania, an area with a high prevalence of resistance to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and chloroquine. Children were randomly allocated 3 days of amodiaquine (n=270), amodiaquine +sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (n=507), or amodiaquine+artesunate (n=515), or a 3-day six-dose regimen of artemether-lumefantrine (n=519). Drugs were taken orally, at home, unobserved by medical staff. The primary endpoint was parasitological failure by day 14 assessed blind to treatment allocation. Secondary endpoints included day 28 follow-up and gametocyte carriage. Analysis was by intention to treat.Of 3158 children screened, 1811 were randomly assigned treatment and 1717 (95%) reached the 14-day follow-up. The amodiaquine group was stopped early by the data and safety monitoring board. By day 14, the parasitological failure rates were 103 of 248 (42%) for amodiaquine, 97 of 476 (20%) for amodiaquine+sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, 54 of 491 (11%) for amodiaquine+artesunate, and seven of 502 (1%) for artemether-lumefantrine. By day 28, the parasitological failure rates were 182 of 239 (76%), 282 of 476 (61%), 193 of 472 (40%), and 103 of 485 (21%), respectively. The difference between individual treatment groups and the next best treatment combination was significant (p0.001) in every case. Recrudescence rates by day 28, after correction by genotyping, were 48.4%, 34.5%, 11.2%, and 2.8%, respectively.The study shows how few the options are for treating malaria where there is already a high level of resistance to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and amodiaquine. The WHO-packaged six-dose regimen of artemether-lumefantrine is effective taken unsupervised, although cost is a major limitation.

Genetic diversity among 64 CIMMYT and BARI developed maize inbred lines was conducted at the research farm of Plant Breeding Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh during Rabi season 2012-13. The genotypes were grouped into six clusters. Cluster III comprised the maximum genotypes (18) which indicated the genetic similarity among them. The minimum genotype (4) was contained in the cluster V. The highest inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster VI and III (9.37) followed by cluster VI and V(8.22) and cluster V and I (7.75) suggesting wider diversity between them and the genotypes in these cluster could be used as donor parents for new maize hybrid development. The highest intra-cluster distance was observed in cluster V (0.846) and the cluster II was had the least intra cluster distance (0.472). The mean values of cluster VI recorded the highest for thousand seed weight (360.80 gm) and yield per hectare (4.72 ton/ha). It appeared that the early maturing genotypes were included in the cluster V (147.75). The positive absolute values of the two vectors revealed that ear height, ear diameter and yield (t/ha) had the greatest contribution to genetic divergence. The negative values for the two vectors for days to 50% tasseling, ear length and thousand seed weight (TSW) indicated the least responsibility of both the primary and secondary differentiations.