An experiment was conducted to find out variation in isolated Rhizoctonia solani based on radial mycelial growth and sclerotial production. Five isolates of Rhizoctonia solani representing five clusters group were selected and were grown at different levels of temperature and pH on potato dextrose agar (PDA). It was observed that optimum temperature and pH for growth and scierotial production varied among the isolates. The rates of growth and sclerotial formation were not uniform at the same levels of the two growth factors. The maximum mycelial growth of all isolates was found at 30°C. At 35°C, only GAZ-9 and GAZ-18 showed initiation of growth, but the rate was very slow. The optimum temperature for sclerotial production of the isolates GAZ-9, JES-16, GAZ-18 SYL-26 was 30°C and for the isolate DIN-8 was 25°C. The optimum pH for maximum radial growth was 6 for DIN-8 and 7 for other four isolates. The maximum number of sclerotia was produced by DIN-8, GAZ-9, and SYL-30 at pH 8, 4, and 7, respectively. The optimum pH for sclerotia formation in JES-16 and GAZ-18 was pH 6.

The experiment was conducted at the farmers field of FSRD site, Elenga and MLT site Modhupur, Tangail during two consecutive years 2011-12 and 2012-13 to study the productivity, production efficiency, land use efficiency and economic return of the improved cropping pattern (Mustard -Boro -Jute -T. Aman) against the existing cropping pattern (Mustard -Boro -T. Aman) through incorporating of modern crop varieties and improved management practices. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with six dispersed replications. The pooled data of improved management practice for the pattern produced significantly higher yield in Mustard and T. Aman rice respectively and also gave additional jute yield. The gross return and gross margin were higher in improved pattern compared to that of existing farmer's pattern with only 149 and 151% extra cost at FSRD site, Elenga and MLT site Modhupur, respectively. The higher benefit cost ratio (1.74 and 1.79), rice equivalent yield (22.41 and 21.82), production efficiency (40.19 and 39.48) and land-use efficiency (95.75 and 96.48) indicated the superiority of the improved pattern over the farmer's existing pattern at both sites. Higher rice equivalent yield indicates that improved cropping pattern (Mustard -Boro -Jute -T. Aman) could be suitable in Tangail region for increasing crop productivity as well as cropping intensity.Keywords: Improved cropping pattern, rice equivalent yield, land use efficiency and production efficiency.

In a pot experiment, BAU-Biofungicide (Trichoderma harzianum) neem oil and  curaterr (carbofuran) 5G were tested against root-knot (Meloidogyne javanica)  of two papaya varieties Kashempuri and Deshi papaya. Seedlings were  inoculated with second stage larvae of M. javanica. Neem oil (5 ml/ 10g seeds)  and BAU-Biofungicide (1:4) were used as seed treatant and curaterr as side  dressing. Both the bio-agents significantly increased the root and shoot growth  of papaya plant and reduction of galls and eggmasses and suppressed the  development of J2, J3, and J4 and adult females of M. javanica. Efficacy of  BAU-Biofungicide was to reduce the gall and nematode development and to  increase plant growth was similar to nematicide curaterr. BAU-Biofungicide  gave higher effect in most of the growth characters compared to neem oil and  prevented the development of adult females and juveniles like nematicide  curaterr. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v37i2.11230 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 37(2): 271-277, June 2012

The present piece of research work was carried out at the field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, from December 2010 to May 2011 to determine optimum irrigation levels for the hybrid maize varieties. There were four hybrid maize varieties: V1 (BARI Hybrid Maize-5), V2 (Pacific 60), V3 (NK 40) and V4 (Ajanta) and three levels of irrigation: I1 = Two irrigations at 25 and 50 DAS, I2 = Three irrigations at 25, 50 and 75 DAS and I3 = Four irrigations at 25, 50, 75 and 100 DAS, respectively. Almost all the plant and yield contributing characters showed significant variation except days to 6 leaf stage and days to bud initiation stage. The maximum yields were recorded in V1I3 (7.92 t ha-1) which was statistically identical to V4I3 (7.83 t ha-1), V2I3 (7.45 t ha-1), V1I2 (7.40 t ha-1), V2I2 (6.87 t ha-1) and V4I2 (6.80 t ha-1), respectively. The highest benefit cost ratio (BCR) was observed (2.37) in both V1I3 and V1I2 treatment combination. Moreover, total average water saving in one hectare land for maize cultivation by adopting I2 irrigation treatment over I3 is 4,49,837 gallons. Among the treatment combinations, V1I3 (BARI Hybrid Maize-5 with three irrigations at 25, 50 and 75 DAS) was the suitable combination in terms of grain yield and economic return for maize cultivation.Bangladesh Agron. J. 2015, 18(2): 23-29

Wheat seed samples were collected from ten unions of sadar upazilla of Thakurgaon district in wheat growing season of 2011. Seeds were tested by blotter method at Seed Pathology Center (SPC), Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during the months April to November 2011 for recording and identifying the seed-borne fungi associated with wheat seeds. The health status of 20 seed samples were determined whereas five genera fungi were identified from a total of six fungus. The fungi were Bipolaris sorokiniana, Alternaria tenuis, Fusarium spp, Penicillium sp, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. Prevalence of the total as well as the individual seed-borne fungal infections that were recorded varied significantly with respect to wheat varieties and sources of seed collection. Seed samples collected from Jagonathpur and Gorea unions of sadar upazilla showed highest percentage of seed-borne infection compared to the samples collection from other unions for both varieties. The seed-borne fungal infection in Hazar-8 and Satabdi collected from other unions showed lowest percentage of seed-borne fungal infection than that of Jagonathpur and Gorea unions. Seed germination also varied significantly depending on the varieties and the seed sources and a positive correlation between seed germination and seed-borne fungal infections were observed. Three seed treating agents viz., neem leaf extract 1:2, hot water and Provax were evaluated for controlling seed-borne fungi associated with wheat seeds. Among the seed treating agents, Provax was found superior to reduce the seed-borne infection of wheat. The results also showed that neem leaf extract at 1:2 dilutions was observed to be the most effective in reducing seed-borne fungi with highest percentage of germination followed by hot water treatment.