The study was conducted to determine the yield and economic consequences of two cropping patterns viz. improved cropping pattern (Wheat-Jute-T.aman rice) and farmers, pattern (Wheat-Jute-T.aman rice) through incorporation of modern high yielding varieties and improved management practices for crop production. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with five dispersed replications in farmers' condition in Faridpur during two consecutive years 2011-12 and 2012-13. Two years mean data showed that the improved management practices for the pattern provided significantly higher yield in Wheat, Jute and T.aman rice. The gross return (Tk. 265495/ha) and net return (Tk.123087/ha) of improved pattern were 9 % and 18 % higher, respectively compared to that of farmers' pattern with only 3% extra cost. The higher benefit cost ratio, land use efficiency, production efficiency and sustainable yield index indicated the superiority of the improved pattern over the farmers' practices.

An experiment was conducted at Sadipur charland under Farming System Research and Development Site, Hatgobindapur, Faridpur, during rabi season of 2012-13 and 2013-14 to study the growth and yield performance of cv. BARI Gom-24 as affected by different dates of sowing under Agro-ecological Zone-12 (AEZ-12) of Bangladesh. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with six replications, comprising five different dates of sowing viz. November 5, November 15, November 25, December 5 and December 15. Results reveal that the tallest plant, leaf area index, total dry matter, and crop growth rate were observed in November 25 sown crop and leaf area index, total dry matter and crop growth rate were higher at booting, grain filling, and tillering stages of the crop. Maximum effective tillers hill -1 (3.49), spikes m -2 , (311), number of grains spike -1 (42.20) and 1000-grain weight (52.10 g) were produced by November 25 sown crop exhibited the highest grain (4.30 t ha -1 ) and straw yield (4.94 t ha -1 ) as well as harvest index (46.88%) of the crop. Lowest performance was observed both in early (November 5) and late sown crop (December 15). The overall results indicated that November 25 sown crop showed better performance in respect of growth and yield of wheat under charland ecosystem of Bangladesh.

A field experiment on coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) was carried out during rabi seasons of 2011-12 and 2012-13 in Low Ganges River Flood Plain Soil under AEZ-12 at Farming System Research and Development Site, Hatgobindapur, Faridpur to find out optimum and economic doses of fertilizers for coriander (var. BARI Dhania 1) for sustainable higher yield and to update balanced fertilizer recommendation for target yield. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with 8 treatments viz.

water each + Sanitation, T 5 = Trichoderma harzianum compost used during final land preparation @ 50 g m −2 plot + T 3 , T 6 = Trichoderma harzianum compost used during final land preparation + Trichoderma harzianum 3 times spray @ 50 ml L −1 water + Sanitation, T 7 = Difenoconazole 2 times @ 1 ml L −1 water + combination of Iprodione and Mancozeb with Metalaxyl 2 times spray @ 2 g L −1 water each and T 8 = Control. Successful control of purple blotch of onion was achieved by spraying fungicide (chemical plus bio) in treatment T 5 followed by T 3 and T 4 treatment. The highest seed yield was 580 kg ha −1 obtained from the treatment T 5 in onion seed crop. The highest benefit: cost ratio (3.92) was calculated from T 5 treatment and the lowest from T 8 (2.78).

The study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of herbicide for controlling of weeds in wheat field at FSRD Site, Hatgobindapur, Faridpur during rabi 2011-12 and 2012-13. The experiment was laid out in a RCB design with five replications. There were four treatments viz. U46D fluid, ronstar 25 EC, one hand weeding and control (no weeding). Seven weed species were found in the plots and Cyperus rotundus, Cynodon dactylon, Chenopodium album were the most important weed species. Weed density and dry weight were affected significantly by different treatments. The highest weed dry weight was obtained in control while the lowest dry weight and the highest weed control efficiency were obtained from ronstar 25EC@1 ml/liter water against all types of weed species. Weed control efficiencies of ronstar 25EC against broad leaf, sedge and grass were 92, 86 and 64 %, respectively over control. The lowest weed control efficiency was obtained from one hand weeding treatment, which might be due to lack of proper weeding. Ronstar 25EC produced the highest grain (4.33 t/ha) and straw yields (4.38 t/ha) which were statistically identical to those of U46D fluid. The highest harvest index (49.71%) was found in ronstar 25EC and the lowest (41.89%) was obtained in control. The highest benefit cost ratio (2.30) was obtained from ronstar 25EC that was much higher than hand weeding (1.69). The lowest BCR (1.58) was recorded from the control. It was concluded that herbicide could be a viable alternative of manual weed control practices in wheat cultivation.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/agric.v13i2.26588The Agriculturists 2015; 13(2) 54-61