PhD Thesis
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Item Advanced fertilizer management enhances productivity and suppresses foliar disease of mulberry plant'(University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 2021) Ahmed, Faruque; Iqba, Md. ToufiqQuality and quaintity of mulberry plant production is well known to be extremely demanding to fertilizer and disease management. The advanced fertilizer management is the pre-requisities for sustainable mulberry plant production and improvement of mulberry leaf quality as well as reduction of incidences of foliar diseases of mulberry. The existing Bangladesh Sericulture Research and Training Institute (BSRTI) recommended inorganic fertilizer management is not adequate for quality and quaintity mulberry plant production as well as suppression of foliar diseases of mulberry plant. That's why, the present study was undertaken to introduce advance fertilizers management practices for sustainable mulberry plant production in Bangladesh. This study was conducted in the research field of BSRTI, Rajshahi, Bangladesh. The aims of this study was to investigate the productivity and suppression of foliar diseases incidences of mulberry plant under various fertilizer management practices such as liquid fertilizer (LF), farm yard manure (FYM), rice husk biochar, mineral enriched biochar, vermi-compost (VC), cow dung compost (CW), seri-waste compost (SW), elevated doses of NPK compared to BSRTI recommended basal dose of NPK for mulberry cultivation. A series of field experiments were conducted through different experimental desings with high bush mulberry plantation system for achieving the respective objectives of this study. The leaf yield and quality of mulberry plant was observed through various fertilizers management practices. Generally, the mulberry plant is affected by the various diseases like, powdery mildew, leaf spot, leaf rust, bacterial blight, root rot, root knot, tukra etc. due to fertilizer management. Among them common foilar diseases viz: powdery mildew, leaf spot and tukra were studied for this study irrespective to advanced fertilizer management practices. Among the all fertilizers management practices, the performanace of seri-waste compost was good in terms of leaf yield, leaf qualities and suppression of foliar diseases. However, among the organic and liquid fertilizers management on top of BSRTI recommended basal plus seri-waste compost performanace was best followed on top of B+CW, B+VC, B+FM, B+MB, B+RB and B+LF fertilizers management. The maximum leaf yield was 52.23 MT/ha/year for the B+SW fertilizer management which was 87.07% higher than the average leaf yield of only the basal treated plant. The leaf qualities of mulberry plant was also better on top of B+SW fertilizer management followed by on top of application of B+CW, B+VC, B+FM, B+MB, B+RB and B+LF fertilizers management. The leaf qualities percentage viz: moisture, crude protein, soluble carbohydrate, mineral and total sugar were 9.11, 32.52, 40.03, 38.08 and 26.05 respectively greater for on top of B+SW treated mulberry plant over the single application of BSRTI recommended basal dose of NPK (B). Furthermore, on top of basal plus seri-waste compost was also reduction the incidences of powdery mildew, leaf spot and tukra diseases were 80.64, 89.44 and 87.58 percent respectively greater than the single dose of BSRTI recommended basal dose of NPK (Traditional fertilizer management). Similarly, among the organic fertilizer management next to B+SW fertilizer management the performance on top of basal plus cow-dung compost was 2nd higest interms of growth, leaf yield, leaf quality as well as suppression of foliar diseases. However, on top of basal plus 3 times foliar srpray of 2ml LF/L water after 15 days intervale gave the leaf yield was 36.77 MT/ha/year which was 31.70% greater than the average leaf yield of basal with maximum leaf quality and maximum reduction of foliar diseases incidences followed by the recommended basal dose of NPK. Furtheremore, among the inorganic fertilizer management the elevated 400 kg N/ha/year with four split doses along with BSRTI recommended basal dose of 150 kg P and 100 kg K showed the better performance followed by the elevated doses of 200 kg P and 150 kg K/ha/year respectively. Similarly, the leaf yield was 47.20 MT/ha/year with higher moisture, crude protien, total sugar, mineral and soluble carbohydrate percentage for the graded doses of 400 kg nitrogen/ha/year. However, among the inorganic fertilizer management the elevated dose of potassium presented the better results in terms of reduction of foliar diseases incidences. The elevated 150 kg K/ha/year with recommended 300 kg N and 150 kg P/ha/year with four split doses reduction the powdery mildew, leaf spot and tukra diseases incidences were 38.73, 30.28 and 19.98% respectively greater over the recommended basal dose of NPK. Likewise, between the 0-5 and 6-10 year’s ages of mulberry plant the 6-10 years ages of plant gave the maximum leaf yield with better leaf quality as well as maximum reduction of foliar diseases followed by the 0-5 year’s ages of mulberry plant. Furthermore, this study showed that among the three foliar diseases and three cropping seasons namely, late autumn, rainy and summer seasons the incidence of powdery mildew disease in late autumn season was comparatively high. Likewise, the BM-11, BM-8, and Black varieties to powdery mildew, BM-4, BM-11 to leaf spot and BM-8, BM-10, BM-11 and S-30 were comparatively resistant to tukra disease. However, this study concluded that among the all fertilizers management irrespective to mulberry plant growth, mulberry leaf yield and quality as well as maximum suppression of common foliar diseases, the performance of BSRTI recommended convational basal dose of NPK plus 10MT Seri-waste compost/ha/year was the best management practice for sustainable mulberry cultivation in Bangladesh.Item Response of Micronutrients on Growth and Yield of Wheat Under Late Seeding Heat Stress Condition(University of Rajshahi, 2021) Marzan, Maria; Hoque, Md. Aminul; Ilias Hossain, Md.Cereal and its derived products have a crucial importance worldwide. Baking industries extensively use wheat flour and also important source of various nutrient components. Therefore, this investigation is intended to study and determine growth, yield and physiochemical properties of wheat varieties. Heat stress is a worldwide problem, constraining global crop production seriously. The experiment was conducted to study the response of micronutrients on growth and yield of wheat under late seeding heat stress condition at the Regional Wheat Research Centre (RWRC), Rajshahi during the Rabi season from November 2015 to April 2016 and November 2017 to April 2018. A split-split plot design was adopted with three replications. Two wheat varieties BARI Gom 26 and BARI Gom 28 were used as test crop, three seeding dates one was optimum and other two were late condition (25th November, 10th December and 25th December) were applied as heat stress condition and four micro-nutrients levels (absolute control, 1.25 kg B ha-1, 5.30 kg Zn ha-1 and 1.25 kg B ha-1 + 5.30 kg Zn ha-1) were used to conduct this experiment. The study revealed that the crop sown on the 25th November gave most of the highest growth, yield components, yield and finally produced the highest nutrient parameters from both the years. Heat stress late sown condition caused significant reductions in growth and yield of both wheat varieties. It was evident from the results that micro-nutrients have significant effect on growth parameters. Total Dry Matter (TDM) increased with the increase of age of plant. Leaf Area Index (LAI) increased slowly at the early stage of crop growth then rapidly increased at vegetative stage and then it declines. Crop Growth Rate (CGR) and Net-Assimilation Rate (NAR) also had the similar results. Relative Growth Rate (RGR) was also found maximum at crown root initiation to tillering stage and then declined with increasing in plant growth stage. Leaf Area Ratio (LAR) declined in the successive growth stage and it reached the lowest at maturity stage in both the years. However, the highest grain yield was obtained from the treatment M3 (1.25 kg B ha-1 + 5.30 kg Zn ha-1). The results revealed that BARI Gom 28 produced the highest grain yield with M3 (1.25 kg B ha-1 + 5.30 kg Zn ha-1). In contrast, the shortest plant and minimum grain yield being recorded from the control treatment. In comparison among of two wheat varieties with the response of different levels of micro-nutrients under late seeding heat stress condition demonstrated that BARI Gom 28 gave the highest performance (yield 4.99 and 4.63 t ha-1) than BARI Gom 26 (yield 2.40 and 1.60 t ha-1) in both the two years among most of the parameters. The results of the experiment also revealed the bio-chemical composition of wheat grain. Each sample has been counted in 100 g of grain. Heat stress also decreased all the nutrient parameters except protein and ash content. The BARI Gom 28 had the highest amount of protein, carbohydrate, starch, pH, ash, Ca, and P with the treatment M3 (1.25 kg B ha-1 + 5.30 kg Zn ha-1) whereas BARI Gom 26 had highest TSS, Fe and Zn. Results showed that both the wheat variety could be used to make various type of brand wheat flour for baking products. The overall results indicate that micronutrient levels M3 (1.25 kg B ha-1 + 5.30 kg Zn ha-1) was better in variety BARI Gom 28 than BARI Gom 26 for growth, yield and yield contributing characters as well as nutrient parameters under late sown heat stress tolerance in AEZ-11. The data obtained from this comparative study will help in the development of suitable growth, yield and nutrient profile of wheat grain under late sown heat stress condition.Item Arsenic Contamination in Ground Water in South-Eastern Bangladesh(University of Rajshahi, 2006) Iqbal, Md. Toufiq; Rahman, Md. AnfurGroundwater with high arsenic concentrations from naturally occurring sources is the primary source of drinking water for millions of people in Bangladesh resulting in a major public health crisis of recent times. Arsenic concentrations can vary greatly from well to well, making the prediction of arsenic concentrations in a specific well very difficult. For that reason, arsenic concentration in various water sources at southeastern Bangladesh was studied. People in Bangladesh, particularly in the rural areas. are accustomed to using groundwater from hand tube wells for long and unlike surface water, it is considered safe from bacteriological pollution. In view of the overwhelming dependence of the population on groundwater, development of existing arsenic mitigation technologies such as rainwater harvester method, four pitcher method, two bucket method, pond sand filter, removal of arsenic through aeration and sand filtration, removal of arsenic through aeration, gravel and sand filtration, arsenic and iron removal system, arsenic removal through different sealing technologies and arsenic mitigntion in deep tube wells were studied in rural areas of south-eastern Bangladesh. But nol any method was not succeeded due to reliable result, illiteracy of rural people, lacking of suitability and awareness of people. Arsenic contaminated aquifers have no regular pattern, varies both horizontally and vertically within short distances and is commonly associated with fluctuating water tables. My research revealed about status of groundwater arsenic variations with respect to depth, seasons and age of tube wells. A total of 358 no. of tube well samples from the southeastern region were analyzed for arsenic contamination of ground water. MERCK Arsenic Test Kit no. I, 17926,0001 was used to determine arsenic contamination. Tube well water depth was measured with the help of avometer, measuring tap and plastic insulated wire. -------Item Studies on Productivity, Soil Fertility and N-Use Efficiency in Rice-Wheat-Mungbean Systems Using Tillage Options, Straw Management and Nitrogen Levels(University of Rajshahi, 2007) Hossain, Md. Ilias; Kabir, Golam; Meisner, Craig A.; Alam, M. FirozRice-wheat rotation is the principal agricultural production system in South Asian countries. This system occupies around 13.5 million ha in the Indo Gangetic plains of Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan and 10.5 million ha in China (Ladha et al., 2003). Rice-wheat systems cover 32% of the total rice area and 42% of the total wheat area and account for about one-third the total rice and wheat production (Timsina et al., 2002). These systems have remained the major source of the marketed surplus of food grains for feeding the growing population. Rice and wheat are the world’s two most important cereals crops, contributing 45% of the digestible energy and providing 30% of the total protein in the human diet as well as making sustainable contribution to feeding livestock (Evans, 1993).Rice and wheat are now grown in sequence on the same land in the same year over 26 million ha of South and East Asia to meet up the food demand of rapidly expanding human population (Timsina and Cornor,2001 ).South Asian countries, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan with a geographical area of 401.72 million ha, hold nearly half of the world population of 3.1 billion. Of which, 59% depends for livelihoods on agriculture. Nearly half of the land area is under agricultural crop production. It is estimated that nearly 60% of the farming households live on less than 30% of global agricultural lands (Gupta et al., 2003d) and approximately 240 million people in South Asia consume rice and/or wheat produced in rice-wheat systems ((Benites, 2001…………………………………Item Effect of High Temperature and Mulching on Growth and Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)(University of Rajshahi, 2016) Nesa, Mst. Nazmun; Tarique, Md. Hasan; Paul, Nishit KumarAn experiment was conducted to study the effect of high temperature and mulching on growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) during two consecutive seasons (2008-09 and 2009-10). The experiment comprised of four sowing dates, viz., 17 November (S1 ), 2 December (S2), 17 December (S3) and 1 January (S4), two varieties namely, Bijoy (V1 ) and Gourab (V2) and four mulching treatments, no mulching (M1 ), water hyacinth mulching (M2), rice straw mulching (M3) and black polythene mulching (Mi). The experiment was laid out in a split-split plot design assigning the sowing date to the main plot, variety to the sub-plots and mulching to the sub-sub plots. The treatments were replicated three times. The experimental results revealed that the highest total dry matter (TDM), leaf area index (LAI) and crop growth rate (CGR) were obtained from 17 November (S1 ) sowing and the lowest were obtained from I January (S4) sowing in both the years. With some exceptions, numerically the highest relative growth rate (RGR), relative leaf growth rate (RLGR) and leaf weight ratio (L WR) were obtained from S1 sowing and the lowest were obtained from S4 sowing in both the years at all the harvests. Numerically the highest leaf area ratio (LAR) values were observed at S4 sowing at the early stages of growth and at the later stages S1 sowing showed the highest value in 2008-09. In 2009-10 growing season, numerically the highest LAR values were observed at S2 sowing at all the harvests. Other growth attributes such as net assimilation rate (NAR), specific leaf area (SLA) did not show any clear cut pattern among the sowing dates in both the years. Between the two varieties, Bijoy showed higher TDM, LAI and CGR values at all the harvests as compared to Gourab. No clear cut superiority was observed between the varieties for RGR, RLGR, NAR, SLA and L WR. The highest TDM, LAI and CGR were obtained from black polythene mulching (M4) and the lowest were obtained from control treatment (M1 ) in both the years at all the harvests. No clear cut pattern of mulching on RGR and RLGR was observed in both the years. With some exceptions, the highest NAR values were obtained from M4 mulching and the lowest values were obtained from control in both the years. The number of days for attaining different phenological stages was higher for early sowing condition. 17 November sowing (S1 ) required the maximum days for crown root initiation, tillering, booting, heading, anthesis, grain filling and maturity. The S4 (1 January sowing) plants required the lowest days to attain these stages in both the years. The highest heat units (GDD) were required in S1 plants followed by S2, S3 and S4 plants at all the phenological stages in both the years. It was also observed that the requirement of heat units for all the phenological stages decreased with delay in sowing. The S1 plants had the highest HTU and S3 plants had the lowest HTU at all the phenological stages in the first year. In the second year, the SI plants had the highest HTU at all the phenological stages except atgrain filling and maturity stages. Requirements of higher heat units, helio-thermal units (HTU) were observed in Bijoy (V 1) than Gourab (V2) at all the phenological stages in both the growing seasons. lt was found that the highest heat units were required in M4 crops and was successively followed by M3, M2 and M1 . Moisture retention capacity (MRC) and relative leaf water content (RL WC) of the flag leaves were higher in the early-sown crops and lower the in late-sown crops. The highest MRC and RL WC were observed in M4 crops and the lowest were observed in M1 (control) at each time of the day. The S1 (17 November sowing) and M4 plants (black polythene mulching) contained the highest amount of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll (a+b) than the other sowings. The S4 and M1 (control) plants contained the lowest amount of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll (a+b). All the yield and yield contributing characters i.e., plant height, number of total tillers planr 1 , number of effective tillers planr1 , spike length, extrusion length, number of spikelets spike·1 , number of fertile spikelets spike· 1, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, straw yield, biological yield and harvest index were highest in 17 November sowing (S 1) and the lowest values were found in I January sowing (S4) plants in both the years. Between the two varieties, Bijoy produced higher plant height, number of total tillers planr1 , number of effective tillers planr1 , spike length, extrusion length, number of spikelets spike· 1, number of fertile spikelets spike·1, I 000-grain weight, grain yield, straw yield, biological yield and harvest index than Gourab. All the yield and yield contributing characters showed highest value in black polythene mulching (M4) and the minimum values were observed in M1 (control) in both the years.Item Effect of Plant Growth Regulators and Micro-Nutrients on Yield, Quality Seed Production and Storage of Potato in Tista Floodplain Soils of Bangladesh(University of Rajshahi, 2013) Mondal, Md. Azmal Hossain; Tarique, Md. Hasan; Ali, Md. KawserThe experiment was conducted at Domar BADC farm, Sonaroy, Domar, Nilphamari from November to March of 2010-11 and at farmer's field at Debiganj, Panchaghar from November to March of 2011-12 to study the effect of plant growth regulators and micronutrients on yield, quality seed production and storage of potato in Tista Floodplain soils of Bangladesh. Three cultivars namely, Diamant (V1 ), Asterix (V2) and Granola (V3) and six treatments on plant growth regulators and micronutrients including control. Results showed that physiological parameters like TDM and LAI increased with the advancement of plant age while SLA and L WR decreased with the increase of plant age. CGR was slow at early growth stage. With a few exception, the highest NAR values was found in control at all harvest. RGR, RLGR and LAR showed maximum values at early stages of growth and decrease gradually with the increase of plant age. All the yield contributing characters i.e, plant height, number of leaves per plant, number of haulms per plant and number of tubers per plant were varied significantly by the application of plant growth regulators and micronutrients. With a few exceptions, the highest yield contributing characters were recorded in Vitaplus+Wuxalsuper treatment. The lowest values were found in control. Harvest index was influenced significantly and the highest harvest index was obtained from Brassinosteroid+ Wuxalsuper treatment. The highest BCR value was observed in Vitaplus+Wuxalsuper treatment. Cold storage performance of both public and private were studied. Morphological appearance of the tuber of BADC cold storage, Domar was very positive in respect of weight loss, distorted, shriveled, early sprouted and colour in comparison to other two cold storages. The highest weight loss of tubers (10.00-11.28%) were observed in Vitaplus and Brassinosteroid treatment. The lowest weight loss (6.25%) was observed in unsprayed control treatment. The average weight loss (10.70%) was observed in private cold storages and the lowest weight loss (5.00%) was observed in BADC cold storage, Domar. As a seed potato, the highest BCR value was observed in Wuxalsuper treatment. On the other hand, the lowest BCR value was recorded in Brassionsteroid treatment. Some seed quality contributing characters i.e, number of total eyes per tuber, number of haulms per tuber, number of days to shoot emergence and seed vigour index were varied significantly due to the application of plant growth regulators and micronutrients. The maximus number of total eyes and number of haulms per tuber were obtained from Vitaplus+ Wuxalsuper treatment. The lowest number of eyes and haulms per tuber in unsprayed control treatment. At least 2-3 short days in comparison to average time of emergence needed to emerge shoot in treatments with plant growth regulators. The highest seed vigour was obtained from the tubers stored at BADC cold storage, Domar. The highest value of seed quality contributing characters was recorded in Domar BADC cold storage in comparison to other two private cold storages .Item Water and Fertilizer Use Efficiency of Rice under Raised Bed Cultivation(University of Rajshahi, 2014) Bhuyan, Md. Halim Mahmud; Iqbal, Md. ToufiqRice production is well known to be extremely demanding for water and fertilizer. The supplemental application of water and fertilizer are pre-requisites for higher water and fertilizer use efficiency. Conventional cultivation method lead to losses and reduced water and fertilizer use efficiency. That's why, the present study was undertaken to introduce advance cultivation technique. The aims of this study to investigate water and fertilizer use efficiency of rice under various fertilizer application methods such as fertilizer broadcasting, fertigation, deep placement of Urea Super Granule (USG) and foliar spray in raised bed planting compared to fertilizer broadcast in conventional planting for aman and boro season. Different field experiments were conducted during aman (summer, non-irrigated) season and boro (winter, irrigated) season. The rice variety Swarna and BR 28 were selected as a testing plant for aman and boro season, respectively. The experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Results showed that foliar spray of N in raised bed planting provided best growth parameters compared to fertilizer broadcasting, fertigation, deep placement of USG in raised bed and fertilizer broadcast in conventional planting for aman season. Likewise, foliar spray of split N fertilizer in raised bed planting provided best yield components such as grains panicle-1 and 1000-grains weight compared to fertilizer broadcasting, fertigation, deep placement of USG in raised bed and fertilizer broadcast in conventional planting for aman season. Foliar spray of N in raised bed planting provided highest value of agronomic efficiency of fertilizer N for aman season rice. Fertilizer broadcast in raised bed planting produced highest water use efficiency for aman season rice. In the subsequent experiment, foliar spray in raised bed planting provided best growth parameters with respect to panicle length and non-bearing tiller m-2 compared to fertilizer broadcasting, fertigation and Urea Super Granule (USG) in raised bed and fertilizer broadcast in conventional planting for boro season. In addition, Split foliar application of N in raised bed planting gave highest value of agronomic efficiency of fertilizer N for boro season rice among other fertilizer application method. This study concluded that foliar spray in raised bed planting was best in both aman and boro season rice production in respect with growth, yield, water use and agronomic efficiency compared to fertilizer broadcasting, fertigation, deep placement of USG in raised bed planting and fertilizer broadcast in conventional planting.Item Optimizing the Yield of Rice (Variety: BRRI Dhan29) Through Appropriate Agronomic Practices to Ensure Food Security(University of Rajshahi, 2009) Rahman, Abul Basar Mohammad Ziaur; Hoque, M. AminuIFive individual experiment was conducted at the Research and Development Farm of Syngenta Bangladesh Limited (Multinational Plant Science Company, former CibaGeigy) Birgram, Bogra, Bangladesh during two consecutive Boro season from November'2006 to May'2007 and November'2007 to May'2008 in order to optimizing the yield of rice (cv. BRR! dhan29) through appropriate agronomic practices like spacing, time of transplanting, nitrogen rate, seedling age, seedling number hilr' and method of weed control. Each experiment included a set of treatment and experiment 1, 2, 3, 5 was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replication and experiment 4 was laid out in a randomized complete block design (factorial) with three replication. The result revealed that spacing, planting time, nitrogen application rate, seedling age and seedling number hiir1 and weeding method has significant effect on yield and yield contributing character of BRRI dhan29. Highest grain yield (7.32 t ha-1) and biological yield (14.36 t ha-1) was obtained from 25cm x 20cm spacing due to higher number of effective tiller per m2, highest fertile spikelet panicle•' and lowest sterile spikelet panicle•1. Planting of 10th January gave the highest grain yield (7.18 t ha-1) and biological yield (14.10 t ha-1) due to highest number of effective tiller per hill, highest fertile spikelet panicle•1 and highest 1000 grain weight. Application of nitrogen @ 110 kg/ha produced the highest grain yield (7.18 t ha-1), straw yield (7.31 t ha-1) and biological yield (14.49 t ha-1) due to higher number of effective tiller per hill, highest panicle length and highest fertile spikelet panicle-1. Planting at 40 days old seedling obtained highest grain yield (6.77 t ha-1) and planting 2 seedling hilr1 gave highest grain yield (6.28 t ha-1) but the highest grain yield (7 .64 t ha•') was obtained in BRRI dhan29 due to the interaction effect of 40 days old seedling and 2 seedling hill-1 . The result summarized that the spacing of 25cm x 20cm coupled with 40 days old seedling and 2 seedling hill-1 transplanting at 10th January, application of nitrogen @ 110 kg/ha and controlling of weeds by applying Rifit @ 1.0 1 ha•' showed better performance in respect of growth, yield and yield component of rice (cv. BRRI dhan29) that will increase the rice production and contribute to the food security in Bangladesh.Item Contribution of Women in Homestead Agricultural Production in Rajshahi District of Bangladesh(University of Rajshahi, 2007) Chowdhury, Mst. Fahmida; Hoque, Md. Aminul; Rahman, Md. MostafizurThe study was carried out to determine the extent of contribution of women in selected homestead agricultural activities viz. homestead vegetable cultivation, post-harvest activities, poultry raising, livestock rearing, tree plantation and fish cultivation. An attempt was made to explore relationships of 16 independent variables of the women with their contribution. The study also investigated the contributions as well as direct and indirect effects of the selected variables to women's contribution. Data were collected from a sample of 200 women of 4 villages from 2 unions of 2 Upazilas under Rajshahi District. Four villages were selected through multistage and stratified random sampling and populations were identified based on their landholding size in the study year. The farm families were categorized into marginal, small and medium farmer. Ten percent of the population was randomly selected from each category. Data were collected through interview schedule during .November 2005 to January 2006 by the researcher herself. The extent of contribution of women in ten items of each of the six selected homestead agricultural activities was measured through a three-point Likert type scale. A comparative contribution in ten selected items under each of the activities was computed using contribution index. Coefficient of correlation 'r' was computed to test relationship between the dependent and independent variables. The highest percentage of the women contributed in each of the six selected activities such as 47 percent in vegetable cultivation, 43 percent in postharvest activities, 47 percent in poultry rising, 46 percent in livestock rearing, 35 percent in tree plantation and 27 percent in fish cultivation. Comparative contribution analysis revealed that 'collection and preservation of seed', 'storing rice', 'cleaning the poultry house', 'looking after kids', 'collection of seed' and 'lime application' occupied 1st position among the items of contribution under homestead vegetable cultivation, post-harvest activities, poultry raising, livestock rearing, tree plantation and fish cultivation with contribution index of 386, 166, 376, 332, 360 and 352 respectively. Computed 'r' values indicated that age of the women had no significant relationship with their contribution in any of the five selected homestead agricultural activities except post-harvest activities. Physical fitness and family type had negative relationship with contribution in all of the activities. However, education, family size, farm size, mass extension contact, attitude towards homestead agriculture, innovativeness of the women had positive relationship with contribution of all of the activities and the relationships were significant. Three characteristics namely, education, physical fitness and training exposure of the women had significant contribution to their vegetable cultivation. These variables together explained 41.3 percent of the variation in the homestead vegetable production. While, education, training exposure and family size together explained 34.8 percent of the variation in the homestead post-harvest activities. Same as education, farm size and physical fitness also explained 22.6 percent of the variation in poultry rising. Individual extension contact, family size and farm size explained 22.1 percent of the variation in livestock rearing. Family size and farm size explained 12.6 percent of the variation in tree plantation and lastly education, farm size and training exposure explained 17.2 percent of the variation in fish cultivation. Farmers mentioned a number of problems for performing different homestead agricultural production activities. 'Lack of place in homestead area' was mentioned as the number one problem regarding homestead vegetable cultivation followed by 'un-favorable weather' in case of post-harvest activities. 'Lack of vaccine in time', 'livestock die due to disease', 'lack of suitable land' and 'religious sentiment' were the prime problems faced by the women regarding their poultry raising, livestock rearing, tree plantation and fish cultivation, respectively.Item Effect of Potassium and Boron on the Growth, Development and Yield of Lentil(University of Rajshahi, 2016) Khan, Sabiha; Rahman, Md. ArifurThe study was carried out at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh during the period of 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 to study the effect of potassium and boron on the growth, development and yield of lentil. The treatment comprised of four varieties of lentil viz. BARI masur-1, BARI masur-4, BARI masur-5, BARI masur-6, Five levels of potassium (0, 15, 25, 35, 45 kg K ha-1) and five levels of boron (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 kg B ha-1). The experiments were laid out in RCBD design with three replications. Growth characters differed significantly due to variety, potassium and boron at different stages. The BARI masur-6 produced the highest TDM and CGR than other varieties in both the experiments. The highest growth characters were observed when field was fertilized with 35 kg K ha-1 and 1.5 kg B ha-1. TDM and CGR increased with the advancement of plant ages. The highest development parameters like LPR, BPR, FR, Days to 50% flowering and Days to maturity were observed in BARI masur-6 where applied different levels of potassium and boron. The lowest values were found in Control. The highest yield contributing characters like plant height, number of branches plant-1, number of effective pods plant-1, number of non-effective pods plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, length of the pod, and 1000 seed weight were produced BARI masur-6 which was statistically similar to BARI masur-5. Among the varieties BARI masur-6 produced the highest grain yield. When the field was fertilized with potassium and boron, the yield components were found maximum. The grain yield was highest when 35 kg K ha-1 and 1.5 kg B ha-1 were applied to the field. Grain yield was positively correlated with plant height, number of branches plant-1, number of effective pods plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, length of the pod and 1000 seed weight. So it could be concluded that BARI masur-6 is better for maximizing growth, development and yield of lentil when the field was fertilized with 35 kg K ha-1 and 1.5 kg B ha-1.