Zinc substituted cobalt ferrite nanoparticles with elemental composition Co[Formula: see text]ZnxFe2O4 ([Formula: see text], 0.2, 0.4, 0.6) were prepared by the sol-gel auto-combustion technique using Co, Fe, Zn nitrate as a precursor where nitrates to citrate was 1:3. The as prepared powder of cobalt zinc ferrite was sintered at 900∘C for 3[Formula: see text]h. Structural, morphological, dielectric and magnetic properties were studied by x-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), high precision impedance analyzer and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), respectively. The peaks obtained from the XRD confirmed samples having crystallite ([Formula: see text]32–36[Formula: see text]nm) single phase inverse spinel structure without any traceable impurity. Lattice parameters were calculated from XRD and it increases with Zn content. SEM revealed irregularly shaped grains ([Formula: see text]–0.7[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m) morphology with heterogeneous distribution. The dielectric constant ([Formula: see text]) and dielectric loss ([Formula: see text]), have been measured as a function of frequency at room temperature. The dependence of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] with frequency showed the normal dielectric behavior in accordance with the Maxwell-Wagner type of interfacial polarization and electron hopping change between Co[Formula: see text] and Co[Formula: see text] as well as between Fe[Formula: see text] and Fe[Formula: see text] ions at octahedral sites.

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Aims: Under the intensive agriculture system, it is crucial to maintain the soil fertility for the sustainability of crop production. Therefore, the study was conducted in the experimental field of the Department of Soil Science of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur to investigate the effect of different manures in combination with synthetic inorganic fertilizers on growth, yield and yield contributing characters of BARI Mistimorich 1 (Capsicum annuum L.), a variety of sweet pepper. Nutrient content of capsicum and soil fertility status were also assessed. Materials and Methods: The field trial was established following a randomized complete block design (RCBD) having four replicates. Treatments of the field trial included T1= 100% recommended dose of chemical fertilizers (RDCF), T2= 10t/ha cowdung (CD) + IPNS based chemical fertilizers (CF), T3=10t/ha poultry manure (PM) + IPNS based chemical fertilizers (CF) and T4= 10t/ha vermicompost (VC) + IPNS based chemical fertilizers (CF). Results: Experimental results reveal that application of organic manures in combination with chemical fertilizers produced significantly higher plant height, plant weight, number of branches per plant, number of flowers per plant, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter, total yield and nutrient content and uptake in sweet pepper. Organic manures (CD, PM and VC) in combination with chemical fertilizers ensured higher nutrient uptake when compared with the sole application of inorganic fertilizers. Among the treatments, vermicompost treated plots gave the higher yield of sweet pepper and improved the post-harvest soil nutrient status. Conclusion: Vermicompost was found to be suitable as substitute of other organic manures for the production of capsicum.

The experiment was conducted at the farmer’s fields of three Charlands in Bangladesh during November 2019 to July 2020 for establishing new technologies for enhancement of productivity through innovative soil management practices. The experiments were established in a randomized complete block design using six treatments and three replications. Treatments of the experiments were T1 = FP (Farmers’ Practice) (Control), T2 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Vermicompost (3t/ha), T3 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Quick Compost (3t/ha), T4 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Standard Organic Fertilizers (3t/ha), T5 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Poultry Manure (3t/ha) and T6 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Biochar (3t/ha). The soil status in all selected Charlands were very low to optimum. Results of the experiment showed that application of organic fertilizers along with inorganic fertilizers produced significant (p<0.05) variation in growth and yield parameters of the crops. The findings from the study showed that different organic fertilizers showed better performance compared to Farmer’s practice. The statistically maximum fruit yield (41.35t/ha) of pumpkin, grain yield (3.24t/ha) of millet and tuber yield (43.69t/ha) of sweet potato was recorded in biochar treated T6 treatment compared to other treatments. Besides, the statistically highest fresh fruit yield (29.50t/ha) of snake gourd, fresh fruit yield (20.80t/ha) of okra and yield (74.16t/ha) of Indian spinach were recorded in poultry manure treated T5 treatment compared to other treatments. Comparatively higher growth and yield of different crops were obtained from poultry manure along with inorganic fertilizers which was followed by biochar and quick compost application. It is recommended to the farmers to use organic fertilizers along with inorganic fertilizers.