Eggplant or brinjal (Solanum melongena) is a popular vegetable grown throughout Asia where it is attacked by brinjal fruit and shoot borer (BFSB) (Leucinodes orbonalis). Yield losses in Bangladesh have been reported up to 86% and farmers rely primarily on frequent insecticide applications to reduce injury. Bangladesh has developed and released four brinjal varieties producing Cry1Ac (Bt brinjal) and is the first country to do so. We report on the first replicated field trials comparing four Bt brinjal varieties to their non-Bt isolines, with and without standard insecticide spray regimes. Results of the two-year study (2016–17) indicated Bt varieties had increased fruit production and minimal BFSB fruit infestation compared with their respective non-Bt isolines. Fruit infestation for Bt varieties varied from 0–2.27% in 2016, 0% in 2017, and was not significantly affected by the spray regime in either year. In contrast, fruit infestation in non-Bt lines reached 36.70% in 2016 and 45.51% in 2017, even with weekly spraying. An economic analysis revealed that all Bt lines had higher gross returns than their non-Bt isolines. The non-sprayed non-Bt isolines resulted in negative returns in most cases. Maximum fruit yield was obtained from sprayed plots compared to non-sprayed plots, indicating that other insects such as whiteflies, thrips and mites can reduce plant vigor and subsequent fruit weight. Statistically similar densities of non-target arthropods, including beneficial arthropods, were generally observed in both Bt and non-Bt varieties. An additional trial that focused on a single Bt variety and its isoline provided similar results on infestation levels, with and without sprays, and similarly demonstrated higher gross returns and no significant effects on non-target arthropods. Together, these studies indicate that the four Bt brinjal lines are extremely effective at controlling BFSB in Bangladesh without affecting other arthropods, and provide greater economic returns than their non-Bt isolines.

The experiment was conducted at the Seed Laboratory, Department of Agronomy, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during the period from September to October, 2011 to study the effect of chemical priming of seed on germination and growth of rice seedling cv. BRRI dhan 29. Seeds were soaked in 3% and 5% solutions of CaCl 2 , ZnSO 4 and KCl for 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 60 hours, respectively. A control was maintained where seeds were subjected to no priming treatment. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design with three replications. Primed seeds were tested for germination and vigour on sandy soil media (60:40) in petridish under field capacity. Seed quality tests included mean germination time, shoot length, shoot dry mass, root length and root dry mass. The results revealed that priming treatments had significant influence on germination and all the growth parameters of rice seedlings. Priming with 3% ZnSO 4 for 30 hours showed the highest germination percentage and the lowest mean germinaion time. Priming with 5% KCl for 54 hours showed the highest root length while 5% of the same solution for 24 hours showed the highest root dry mass. On the contrary, seeds having no priming treatment showed the lowest values for germination, vigour index, shoot length,shoot dry mass, root length and root dry mass and the highest mean germination time. The present study concludes that rice seed cv. BRRI dhan29 could be primed with 3% ZnSO 4 solution for 30 hours for improving germination and seedling growth.

The present

Farmers in the Bogura region benefit significantly from the systematic use of crop rotation. The experiment was performed at the Shibganj, Bogura, in 2015-16 and 2016-17 to create a potato-Boro-radish-T. Aman rice crop sequence that would compete with the potato-Boro-T. Aman rice crop sequence. Primary objectives of the experiment were to determine the cost of producing enhanced Potato-Boro-Radish-T. Aman rice and compare it to current potato-boro-t. aman rice. There were two patterns: Current Cropping Pattern Potato (BARI Alu-8)-Boro (BRRI dhan 28)-T. Aman (BRRI dhan-49) and Alternative Cropping Pattern Potato (BARI Alu-25)-Boro (BRRI dhan 28) -Radish (Rocky)-T. Aman (BRRI dhan-57). The research revealed that an alternative cropping pattern required average crop duration of 315 days to complete one cycle in a year, implying that a four multiple cropping sequence was economically viable to replace the current cropping pattern. In terms of mean REY, the total grain/tuber yield was 42.80 t/ha/year, which was 66% greater than the current pattern (25.76 t/ha/year). The overall production efficiency (185.14 kg/ha/day), usage of land (86.16%), and engagement in the population (660 man-days/ha/year) of the alternative cropping pattern were 45, 7, and 41% higher, respectively, than the current cropping pattern. Alternative cropping patterns had the gross benefit of 274911 Tk./ha/year, indicating that they were sparingly sustainable. The alternative crop sequence also improved crop strength, growers' real understanding, technique, profits, and engagement. Furthermore, by trying to incorporate T. aman straw into soil with an alternative cropping pattern, it promotes soil health. As a result, farmers in Bangladesh's Bogura region may employ a different planting pattern on their variable land in order to boost production and profitability while also creating jobs.