Soil salinity is a major constraint to soybean production. Five soybean genotypes were grown in pots with hydroponic culture under control and different salt stressed conditions to observe salt tolerance capacity on the basis of phenotypic screening and measure genetic diversity and relatedness among the genotypes. Minimum effects of salinity on root and shoot length was observed in Binasoyben-3, GC840 and Binasoyben-5at different salt stresses. Root dry weight and shoot dry weight of different soybean genotypes under different salt stresses were depicted. The highest reduction in root weight was noted in Binasoybean-1. The same genotypes were used to assess genetic diversity among them with simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. A total of 33 alleles were detected among 5 soybean genotypes by using 10SSR markers. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 5, with an average of 3.33 alleles across the 10 loci. Rare alleles were observed at 10 SSR loci with an average of 2.8 alleles per locus. In this experiment, two SSR loci were found to be null alleles. The average values of null allele were 0.2. PIC values ranged from 0.27 in Satt184 to 0.77 in Satt339 with the average value of 0.56.The major allele frequency of the most common allele at each locus ranged from 0.80 in Satt184 to 0.20 in Satt339with a mean frequency of 0.48. The size of the different major alleles at different loci ranged from 173 bp for Satt509 to 407 bp for Satt339. The highest gene diversity (0.80) was observed in loci Satt339 and the lowest gene diversity (0.32) was observed in loci Satt184 with the mean diversity of 0.61. The lowest genetic distance (0.60) was observed in Asset vs Binasoybean-3 and Binasoybean-5 vs Binasoybean-3. The highest genetic distance (1.0) was observed between a numbers of genotype pairs with GC840 vs Asset. The UPGMA cluster analysis led to the grouping of the 5 genotypes into two major clusters. GC840, an advanced line identified to be salt tolerant, together with Binasoybean-5 and Binasoybean-3 clustered in the same sub group. The results from morphological and molecular study suggested that GC840 and Binasoybean-3 are moderately tolerant to salt stress. Progressive Agriculture 30 (1): 1-9, 2019

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Information on the patterns of genetic variation and population structure is essential for rational use and efficient management of germplasms. It helps in monitoring germplasm and can also be used to predict potential genetic gains. Therefore, in the present study genetic diversity of 59 rice genotypes were assessed using 8 simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers. By the DNA profiling, a total of 114 alleles were detected. Allele number per/locus ranged from 9 to 27, with an average of 14.25. Average polymorphism information content (PIC) value was 0.857 with lowest 0.767 to highest 0.857. Mean gene diversity over all SSR loci was 0.870 with a range from 0.792 to 0.948. Fst values for each locus varied from 0.071 to 0.262. Genetic distance between the variety pair ranged from 0.33 to 1.0. The lowest genetic distance was found between Rajashili and Kumragori (2). Cluster and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) analysis revealed similar pattern of variation. Marker RM11300 was found most polymorphic and robust among the accessions and can be widely used for rice germplasm characterization. The exclusive variability and unique feature of germplasm found in this study can be a gateway for both domestic and global rice improvement.

The experiment was conducted in the Horticultural Farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Plant growth regulators were applied which had significant effect on yield of sweet pepper (Capsicum annum L.). The experiment consisted of two factors. Factor A: Plant growth regulators (four levels) as G0: Control, G1: Gibberellic Acid (GA3) @ 30 ppm, G2: 4-Chloro Phenoxy Acetic Acid (4-CPA) @ 45 ppm and G3: 4-Chloro Phenoxy Acetic Acid (4-CPA) @ 45 ppm + Gibberellic Acid (GA3) @ 30 ppm and Factor B: Number of spray (three levels) as N0: Control (no spray), N1: two spray, N2: three spray. In case of plant growth regulators, the highest yield (27.77 t/ha) was found from G3 treatment, whereas the lowest (18.87 t/ha) was from G0 treatment. For number of spray the maximum yield (26.0 t/ha) was recorded from N2 treatment, while the minimum yield (19.87 t/ha) was from N0 treatment. The results indicated that the highest yield (31.8 t/ha) was observed from G3N2 treatment combination, while the lowest yield (17.5 t/ha) was from G0N0 treatment combination. Due to combined effect, the highest yield (31.8 t/ha) with net income (Tk/ha 1416558) and BCR (2.46) was observed from G3N2 treatment combination, while the lowest yield (17.5 t/ha) with net income (Tk/ha 433045) and BCR (1.49) from G0N0 treatment combination. Thus, three times spray with (4- Chloro Phenoxy Acetic Acid + Gibberellic Acid) may be recommended for achieving the higher growth, yield and economic benefit of sweet pepper. The Agriculturists 2018; 16(2) 58-64

An experiment was conducted at the Horticulture Farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka during the period from October, 2018 to March, 2019 to study the influence of sulphur and boron on growth and yield of garden pea. The experiment comprised of two factors. Factor A: Levels of Sulphur (4 levels); S0: 0 kg S/ha (Control), S1: 10 kg S/ha, S2: 20 kg S/ha, S3: 30 kg S/ha and Factor B: Levels of Boron (4 levels); B0: 0 kg B/ha (Control), B1: 1 kg B/ha, B2: 2 kg B/ha, B3: 3 kg B/ha. This experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Blocked Design (RCBD) with three replications. Sulphur and Boron application influenced significantly on most of the parameters. In case of sulphur, maximum plant height (50.84 cm), number of pods per plant (14.00), pod length (8.95 cm), number of seeds per pod (5.56) and green pod yield (10.76 t/ha) were recorded from S3 treatment. In case of boron application, maximum plant height (49.17 cm), number of pods per plant (13.48), pod length (8.66 cm), number of seeds per pod (5.41) and green pod yield (10.14 t/ha) were found in B2 treatment. Among the treatment combination, S3B2 treatment gave the highest green pod yield (12.19 t/ha) and the lowest (5.38 t/ha) was obtained from S0B0 treatment. So, garden pea sown at 30 kg S/ha with 2 kg B/ha for suitable green pea production in Dhaka region.

The experiment was conducted in the Horticultural Farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh with aim to assess the influence of two concentrations and three applications of nitrobenzene in relation to control (C0) without nitrobenzene on the growth and yield of bottle gourd. Two concentrations of nitrobenzene applied were: @ 2 ml/L referred as C1 and 3 ml/L referred as C2 in relation to a control (C0) with water instead of nitrobenzene. Further, the above treatments were applied number of times, e.g. One spray (N1), Two spray (N2) and Three spray (N3). In case of different number of concentrations of nitrobenzene the maximum number of male flower (51.06), the maximum number of female flower (40.18), the highest number of fruit harvested per plant (10.95), the highest yield (55.69 t/ha) was found from C1 treatment, whereas the lowest from C0 treatment. For the number of sprays the highest number of flowers (male 49.02 and female 38.05), the maximum number of fruit per plant (10.32), the highest yield (52.94 t/ha) was recorded from N3 treatment, while the minimum from N1 treatment. Due to combined effect, the maximum number of flower (male 57.78 and female 47.12), the maximum number of fruit harvested per plant (12.55), the highest yield (63.38 t/ha) with net income (Tk. 587384.7) and BCR (2.23) was observed from C1N3 treatment combination, while the lowest from C0N1 treatment combination. So, the economic analysis revealed that the C1N3 treatment combination appeared to be the best for achieving the maximum growth, yield and economic benefit of bottle gourd.

An experiment was conducted at the Horticulture Farm, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, from October 2017 to February 2018. The experiment consisted of two factors, Factor A: Four levels of organic manures, viz. M0 = Control; M1 = Cowdung (35 t ha-1), M2 = Mustard oil cake (3.5 t ha-1) and M3 = Vermicompost. Factor B: Three application times, viz. T1 = 15 days before transplanting, T2 = Application at the time of transplanting and T3 = 15 days after transplanting. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. In the case of organic manure, the highest yield (38.70 t/ha) was found from M2 treatment, whereas the lowest yield (19.71t/ha) was recorded from M0 treatment. In the case of application time, the highest yield (31.83t/ha) was found from T1 treatment, whereas the lowest yield (28.10 t/ha) was recorded from T3   treatment. Due to combined effect maximum yield (38.704 t/ha) with net return (4,74,421tk) and BCR (2.20) was obtained from M2T1 treatment combination while the lowest yield (17.90 t/ha) with the lowest income (44,211 tk) and BCR (1.17) from M0T3 treatment combination. So, the economic analysis revealed that the M2T1 treatment combination appeared to be best for achieving the higher growth, yield and economic benefit of cauliflower.

A field experiment was conducted at the Horticultural Farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka from October, 2017 to March, 2018 to study the effect of micronutrients in presence of different level of organic manure on growth and yield of tomato. There were four combinations of micronutrients viz. N 0 =0 kg Zn 0 kg B/ha, N 1 = Zn 2 kg B 1.5 kg/ha, N 2 =Zn 4 kg B 2 kg/ha, N 3 =Zn 6 kg B 2.5 kg/ha and four organic manure viz M 0 =0 ton/ha, M 1 =Cowdung (15 ton/ha), M 2 =Poultry manure (10 ton/ha), M 3 =(Cowdung 7.5 ton/ha+ Poultry manure 5 ton/ha). The Afsun et al.; AJAHR, 4(2): 1-13, 2019; Article no.AJAHR.50434 2 experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with 3 replications and there were altogether 48 plots. Application of micronutrients and organic manure significantly influenced the growth, yield and size of the tomato. The highest yield (66.96 t/ha) was found from treatments N 2 and the lowest yield (25.69 t/ha) was obtained from treatment N 0 . Due to the application of organic manure, the highest yield (50.78 t/ha) was obtained from M 3 and the lowest yield (39.86 t/ha) was recorded from M 0 . In the case of combined effect, the highest yield (76.33 t/ha) was found from treatment N 2 M 3 and the lowest yield (24.60 t/ha) was found from treatment N 0 M 0 . So, the application of Zn 4 kg B 2 kg/ha along with Cowdung 7.5 ton+Poultry manure 5 ton/ha was the best for growth and yield of tomato. Economic analysis raveled that N 2 M 3 gave the maximum benefit-cost ratio (3.2). So, the application of Zn 4 kg B 2 kg/ha along with Cowdung 7.5 ton+Poultry manure 5 ton/ha was the best for growth and yield of tomato. Original Research Article