Field experiments were conducted to study the effect of intercropping of mustard (Brassica napus, Var. Bari Sarisha-7) with onion (Allium cepa L.) and garlic (Allium sativum L.) on aphid [Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach)] population and yield. Intercropped with these two medicinal as well as spice crops reduced the aphid population significantly (P<0.05). Mustard blocks intercropped with garlic gave highest cost-benefit ratios (1:2.07 and 1: 2.96) than onion intercropped blocks. Sole mustard blocks produced lowest cost-benefit ratios (1:1.65 and 1:2.06).

Bulb yield and storability of onions (cv. BARI Piaj-1) was studied against five levels of irrigation viz., no irrigation, irrigation at 10, 15, 20, and 30 days interval. Yield and storage losses were increased gradually with increasing number of irrigation. The highest yield of onion was obtained with a total of six irrigations at 10 days interval and it was at par with treatment that received four irrigations at 15 days intervals. Losses due to rotting, sprouting, and physiological weight loss were found higher in irrigated treatments. After six months of storage (from 1st week of April to 1st week of October), the maximum cumulative weight loss (56.72%) was recorded in onions irrigated at 10 days interval, while the minimum (46.80%) was recorded in non-irrigated onions. Keywords: Storability; onion bulb; irrigation; storage losses.DOI: 10.3329/bjar.v35i2.5887Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 35(2) : 247-255, June 2010

An experiment was conducted to compare the productivity and profitability of commercial broiler, cockerel and cross-bred (F 1 RIR ♂ × Fayoumi ♀) chicks up to target body weights of 850, 1000 and 1250g. Two hundred sixteen birds of 3 genotypes each of 72 birds having 18 chicks in each replication were considered. Commercial broiler starter diet was fed to experimental birds ad libitum. Similar care and management were provided to birds of all treatment groups. Commercial broilers attained the target weights of 850, 1000 and 1250g at the age of 21, 24 and 28 days respectively whereas cockerels attained weights close to those targets at 56, 63 and 74 days respectively and in the case of cross-breds, the days were 63, 77 and 90 for those target weights respectively. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was best in broilers, followed by cockerels and cross-bred chicks respectively. The highest mortality (8.3%) was found in cross-bred group when reared up to target weight of 1250g. The mortality of broiler was 1.4% and no bird was died in cockerel group. Broiler was most profitable (21.11 Tk/kg live bird) at the target weight of 1250g whereas profit from cockerel varied little (21.78, 21.07 and 21.63 Tk/kg live bird against the target weights of 850, 1000 and 1250g respectively) amoung target weights. Therefore, appropriate weight to market these birds was at 850g to minimize the risk of diseases and other management works. Marketing of cross-bred chicks was most profitable (8.43 Tk/kg live bird) at 850g target weight and loss was incurred when rearing was continued up to 1250g. On the basis of results of productivity, it was concluded that commercial broiler, cockerel and cross-bred chicks could be reared upto 28, 56 and 63 days respectively to reach target weights close to 1250, 850 and 850g respectively to obtain maximum profit.

A field experiment was conducted at ARS, Raikhali, Rangamati during October, 2003 to July 2005 to determine the optimum spacing and seed rate to maximize yield and profitability of Bilatidhonia (Eryngium foetidum L.). A factorial randomized complete block design was followed consisting four methods of sowing (D1 = broadcast, D2 = line sowing (10 cm), D3 = line sowing (15 cm), and D4 = line sowing (20 cm) and three levels of seed rate viz., S1 = 20, S2 = 30, and S3 = 40 kg/ha. Broadcasting and closer spacing (10 cm) with 40 kg seeds/ha showed better performance in respect of yield, yield attributes and profitability. The maximum number of plants/rn2 (590), fresh yield (46.89 t/ha), gross return (Tk. 1031 thousand), gross margin (Tk. 858.1 thousand/ha) and benefit cost ratio (5.32) were obtained from broadcast method of sowing with 40 kg-seed/ha.Keywords: Seed rate and method of sowing; Eryngium foetidum.  DOI: 10.3329/bjar.v35i2.5885Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 35(2) : 227-234, June 2010

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