Influence of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Floating Bed Cultivation of Okra and Cucumber during Summer Season in Southern Part of Bangladesh

Some trails were carried out with a view to evaluate the performances of organic and inorganic fertilizers on growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in floating bed cultivation applying water hyacinth in 2014 and 2015 at Gopalpur union under Tungipara upazila of Gopalganj district in Bangladesh. The single factor experiment was conducted following Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) involving four treatments with three replications viz. T1: control (without organic and inorganic fertilizer), T2: cow dung, T3: recommended dose of NPK and T4: 50% cow dung + 50% recommended dose of NPK. Different growth parameters in respect of okra grown in 2014 and 2015, the longest plant height (171.73 cm and 164.03 cm), maximum number of branches (5.67 and 5.67) and leaves (60.33 and 69.67) were found in the treatment T3. Regarding yield parameters, significantly higher number of fruits plant-1, fruit length (cm), fruit diameter (cm), individual fruit weight (g), fruits weight plant-1 (g) and yield (t·ha-1) were 24.00 & 23.33, 16.61 & 16.59 cm, 6.01 & 6.17 cm, 23.47 & 24.74 g, 617.33 & 660.33 g, 13.01 & 13.21 t·ha-1 obtained respectively grown in 2014 and 2015 by applying the treatment T3 were identically similar with those in receiving the treatment T4. The lowest output was recorded in control in both seasons for all the cases. Similar trend of growth and yield were also observed during the cultivation of cucumber under the same treatment conditions in both the seasons. Results revealed that there was no identical differences in growth and yield attributes in between the treatments T3 and T4, where as the production cost was subjected to lower in T4 compare to T3. However, from the economic point of view, the treatment T4 i.e. application of 50% cow dung + 50% recommended dose of NPK fertilizers in floating bed cultivation was exposed to be more feasible and suitable as cost effective for the growth and yield of okra and cucumber in the experimental area.

Effect of Salinity Stress on Growth and Yield of Forage Genotypes

Salinity is the major limiting factor for forage productivity in southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh. Some introduced forage cultivars have been shown promising adaptability in saline conditions. The objective of this study was to assess the productivity and measure the agronomic characteristics of several introduced grass species with different created soil salinity levels. This study was conducted at the net house of Dr. Purnendu Gain Field Laboratory, Agrotechnology Discipline, and Khulna University during the period from December 2017 to February 2018. The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized complete block design with seven replications. The experiment consisted of two factor viz. soil salinity levels (S1 = 0.48, S2 = 5.8, S3 = 7.9, S4 = 9.4, S5 = 15 d·Sm−1) and thirteen forage genotypes. Salinity levels and forage genotypes significantly (p < 0.05) influence all the growth parameters and biomass yield. The growth parameters and yield gradually decreased with the advance of soil salinity level. The tallest plant height (109.85 cm) was found in S1 at 90 DAS while the shortest plant (24.53 cm) was obtained in S5 at 90 DAS. Soil salinity had a significant difference (p < 0.001) on plant height at 90 DAS. The highest numbers of tillers (3.36) were found in S1, whereas the lowest (0.48) was in S5 at 75 DAS. Soil salinity had a significant difference (p < 0.001) on Number of tillers at 75 DAS. The highest biomass wt. (29.14 g) was found in S1, while the lowest biomass wt. (3.52 g) was obtained in S5 at 60 DAS. Soil salinity had a significant difference (p < 0.001) on biomass wt. at 60 DAS. The highest dry matter% (DM%) (21.24%) was found in S4, while the lowest DM (18.74%) was obtained in S1 at 60 DAS. Soil salinity had a significant difference (p < 0.001) on dry matter% (DM%) wt. at 90 DAS. The tallest plant height (81.93 cm) was found in Pakchong, while the shortest plant (20.13 cm) was obtained in Endropogan at 60DAS. Soil salinity had a significant difference (p < 0.001) on plant height at 60 DAS. The highest numbers of tillers (3.07) were also found in Napier-3, whereas the lowest (0.80) was in H. Jaumbo at 75 DAS (S1 + S2 + S3 + S4 + S5). Soil salinity had a significant difference (p < 0.001) on Number of tillers at 75 DAS. The highest biomass wt. (38.60 g) was found in Pakchong, while the lowest biomass wt. (4.49 g) was obtained in Oats at 60 DAS. Soil salinity had a significant difference (p < 0.001) on biomass wt. at 60 DAS (S1 + S2 + S3 + S4 + S5). The highest (DM%) was found in Endropogan (24.68%), while the lowest DM (18.37%) was obtained Spelindida. Soil salinity had a significant difference (p < 0.001) on DM at 90 DAS. It can be concluded that Pakchong appears to be highly salt tolerant.

Biochar and its importance on nutrient dynamics in soil and plant

Biochar,an environmentally friendly soil conditioner,is produced using several thermochemical processes.It has unique characteristics like high surface area,porosity,and surface charges.This paper reviews the fertilizer value of biochar,and its effects on soil properties,and nutrient use efficiency of crops.Biochar serves as an important source of plant nutrients,especially nitrogen in biochar produced from manures and wastes at low temperature(≤400℃).The phosphorus,potassium,and other nutrient contents are higher in manure/waste biochars than those in crop residues and woody biochars.The nutrient contents and pH of biochar are positively correlated with pyrolysis temperature,except for nitrogen content.Biochar improves the nutrient retention capacity of soil,which depends on porosity and surface charge of biochar.Biochar increases nitrogen retention in soil by reducing leaching and gaseous loss,and also increases phosphorus availability by decreasing the leaching process in soil.However,for potassium and other nutrients,biochar shows inconsistent(positive and negative)impacts on soil.After addition of biochar,porosity,aggregate stability,and amount of water held in soil increase and bulk density decreases.Mostly,biochar increases soil pH and,thus,influences nutrient availability for plants.Biochar also alters soil biological properties by increasing microbial populations,enzyme activity,soil respiration,and microbial biomass.Finally,nutrient use efficiency and nutrient uptake improve with the application of biochar to soil.Thus,biochar can be a potential nutrient reservoir for plants and a good amendment to improve soil properties.