Four orange fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) genotypes viz., CIP 194513.15, CIP 194515.15 The maximum dry matter (29.83%) was obtained in H 6 /07 while the minimum dry matter (17.61%) was obtained in CIP 441132. Among the tested genotypes the highest (approximately) Vitamin A (919.2 µg/100 g RE, FW) was recorded in CIP 440267.2, which had red skin and latex absent flesh and the lowest was (approximately) in H 6 /07 (Vit A 0.0 µg/100 g RE, FW). The results of the present study indicated that CIP 440267.2 is suitable among the OFSP genotypes for cultivation in Bangladesh on the basis of yield and quality mainly carotinous.

An experiment was conducted at the Vegetable Research Field of Olericulture Division, Horticulture Research Cente, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur during May to October 2008 to study heterosis using eight parents viz., P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, and P8. Most of the combinations showed better parent heterosis for earliness. Eight crosses showed positive heterosis for flower production. The highest heterotic effect for fruit set (%) was found in the cross P6 × P7 (62.59%) followed by that in P7 × P8 (60.49%) and P1 × P7 (40.00%). For fruits per plant, 8 crosses provided more than 15 % heterosis over better parent. Considering fruit yield per plant, higher degree of heterosis was manifested by 24 hybrids over better parent ranging from 13.58 to 282.63 %. Cross combination P4 x P7 showed the maximum significant positive heterosis followed by P6 x P7 (187.84 %), P4 x P8 (166.97 %), P3 x P7 (146.08 %), P3 xP6 (103.92 %), and P1 X P7 (100.45 %) and the minimum in P4 x P6 (13.58 %). For viable pollens, P3 x P5 (20.56 %) exhibited the highest positive heterosis. In case of shelf life, the highest heterosis was observed by the cross P3 x P6 (22.78 %) followed by that in P4 x P6 (22.29 %) and P2 x P6 (14.40 %). For fruit flesh thickness, 12 hybrids exhibited more than 10 % heterosis. Pollen tubes as well as viable pollens showed positive correlation with fruit set. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v38i3.16980 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 38(3): 531-544, September 2013

A preliminary investigation was carried out under the AEZ- 29 at the Agricultural Research Station, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Pahartali, Chittagong during December 2010 to May 2012 to evaluate two dragon fruit genotypes. The longer plant (272.13 cm) was recorded in HUP 002 while it was 263.34 cm in HUP 001 after one and half year of planting. Flower bud emergence took place after 17 months (on 9 May, 2012) in HUP 001, while it commenced in HUP 002 after 15 months (on 22 March, 2012). Flower bud required 28 days bloom from emergence and the fruit matured after 33 days from anthesis in HUP 001, while that required 35 days for HUP 002 and fruits become matured after 32 days from anthesis. Larger number (8) of flowers per plant was observed in HUP 002 while the lower was noted in HUP 001(6). Numerous anthers were observed below the stigma with attractive white petals in both the varieties. The fruit weights ranged from 200 -375 in HUP 002 but 150-200g in HUP 001. The edible portions were 91.0 and 92.0 with 12.0 and 11.4 % TSS in HUP 001 and HUP 002, respectively. Fruit pulp colour was white in HUP 001 while red in HUP 002. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/agric.v11i2.17487 The Agriculturists 2013; 11(2) 52-57

Yield and quality performances of three jackfruit genotypes were studied at the Agricultural Research Station, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Pahartali, Chittagong during 2013-2014. Age, growth, maturity period, yield potential and also qualitative characteristics were compared among them. Based on overall performance with respect to bearing potential, maturity period, fruit and bulb characters, the genotypes AHPah-1 have been found promising for table purpose followed by AHPah-2 and AHPah-3. Minimum days (117) to 1 st harvest were observed in AHPah-1. The number of fruits per plant was exceedingly higher (73) in AHPah-1 whereas minimum number (41) was found in AHPah-2. Maximum weight (8.40 kg) per fruit was observed in AHPah-2 and minimum was in AHPah-1(3.40 kg). The highest single fruit length (37.25cm) was found in AHPah-2 and breadth (27.00cm) was produced by AHPah-3. Maximum number of bulbs (116) was produced in AHPah-1, whereas minimum (63.00) was in AHPah-3. Maximum weight of bulbs per fruit (4.24 kg) was produced in AHPah-2. Individual bulb weight was higher (54.42g) in AHPah -2 whereas, the lowest (16.71) was in AHPah-1. Edible portion was higher (69.27%) in AHPah-1 whereas, the lowest (53.43%) was in AHPah-3. The TSS was the highest (21.00%) in AHPah-1. The highest bulb length and breadth was found in AHPah-3. Highest seeds weight (639g) was produced in AHPah-2. Individual seed weight (8.19 g) was higher in AHPah-2. Therefore, the genotypes can be included in the variety development program after comparing with the already BARI released jackfruit variety.

Five mango varieties developed by Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) were evaluated at ARS, Pahartali, Chittagong during January to June 2012 to find out the suitable variety. The earliest flowering as well as harvesting were observed in BARI Aam-1 and the latest in BARI Aam-8.