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

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.

Twenty eight rice germplasms were used for identification of salt tolerant rice genotypes at the seedling stage at the experimental farm and Biotechnology laboratory of the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Mymensingh during February 2009 to October 2009. Phenotyping for salinity screening of the rice genotypes was done using salinized (EC level 12 dS m -1 ) nutrient solution in hydroponic system. Genotypes were evaluated for salinity tolerance on 1-9 scale based on seedling growth parameters following modified Standard Evaluation Scoring (SES) of IRRI. Phenotypically, on the basis of SES and % total dry matter (TDM) reduction of the genotypes viz. PBSAL-614, PBSAL-613, PBSAL-730, Horkuch, S-478/3 Pokkali and PBSAL (STL)-15 were found to be salt tolerant; on the other hand Iratom-24, S-653/32, S-612/32, S-604/32, S-633/32, Charnock (DA6), BINA Dhan-6 and S-608/32 were identified as salt susceptible. For genotyping, ten SSR markers were used for polymorphism, where 3 primers (RM127, RM443 and RM140) were selected for evaluation of salt tolerance. In respect of Primer RM127, 7 lines were found salt tolerant and 11 lines were moderately tolerant and 10 lines were susceptible. Nine tolerant, 9 moderately tolerant and 10 susceptible lines were found when the primer RM140 was used and primer RM443 identified 8 lines as tolerant, 9 lines as moderately tolerant and 11 lines as susceptible. Thus, the salt tolerant lines can be used in further evaluation for salinity tolerance and the SSR markers used in this study are proving valuable for identifying salt tolerant genes in marker assisted breeding.

Fifteen salt tolerant CIP (International Potato Centre) Potato genotypes along with BARI (Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute) Alu 7 (Diamant) and one local variety viz., Dohazari Sada were evaluated at Bashkhali, Chittagong during 2011-12 to screen the suitable genotypes for cultivation in saline areas of Bangladesh. Diamant and Dohazari Sada and all of the CIP genotypes were found to grow well up to 60 DAP (Days After Planting) at saline areas having healthy plants and no senescence was noticed but after that 61-100% plants died due to high level of soil salinity (6.41dS/m) depending on genotypes. Genotype CIP 112 gave the highest yield (21.07 t/ha) and CIP 102 was comparatively less affected by soil salinity than the other genotypes. However, all the salt tolerant CIP genotypes were found to be promising in the saline soil.

Eight heat tolerant CIP (International Potato Centre) potato genotypes along with BARI (Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute) Alu-7 (Diamant) and one local variety (Dohazari Sada) were evaluated at Agricultural Research Station, Pahartali, Chittagong during 2011-12 to identify heat tolerant genotypes from varieties and CIP clones of potato. Diamant and Dohazari Sada and all the heat tolerant CIP genotypes were found to grow well up to 60 DAP (days after planting) against heat having healthy plants and no senescence was noticed. After that 61-100% plants died due to high temperature (29.8oC) depending on the genotypes. Genotype CIP 139 gave the highest yield (14.18 t/ha) and was comparatively less affected by heat than the other genotypes. The high dry matter (22.43 %) accumulated in the local variety Dohazari Sada. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/agric.v12i1.19580 The Agriculturists 2014; 12(1) 50-55