D Afrin, M F Hossain, S M Z Hasan, M Khalekuzzaman and B Sikdar
Journal of Sylhet Agricultural University, 2016, Volume 3, Number 2; Pages: 315-323
Citrus species are among the most important fruit crops in the world. Citrus bacterial spot disease is caused by the bacteria Xanthomona axonopodis pv. citrumelo which may cause huge damage of citrus production. The pathogen was isolated and cultured on LB liquid media at pH 7.5 and bacterial growth developed within 48 to 72 hours. Colonies on the nutrient agar media were straw yellow and creamy in color. Isolated bacteria identified by Gram staining, Endospore staining, KOH and MacConey agar test and the result showed that isolated bacteria were gram negative. It also showed positive result in case of Catalase, Simmons citrate agar, TSI, Oxidase and KIA test. In case of carbohydrate test, highest OD (0.26) was observed in Maltose containing medium of the isolate. The isolate was tested against ten plant extracts and fifteen antibiotics. The isolate was highly sensitive against cefotaxime, neomycin, streptomycin, gentamicin, chloramphenicol, azithromycin antibiotics and the susceptibility zones were 28±0.5, 26±0.5, 23±0.5, 17±0.5, 20±0.5, 17±0.5 mm respectively. Antimicrobial activity of ten plant extracts showed that the isolateis susceptible to Momordica charantia extract, revealed a wide antibacterial spectrum against the bacterial strain.
Journal of Sylhet Agricultural University, 2016, Volume 3, Number 2; Pages: 291-298
The investigation was conducted to evaluate the performances of rearing of eighteen races of silkworm, Bombyx mori L. Characters viz., weight of mature larva, number of cocoon kg-1, yield 100 dfls-1 (disease free layings), cocoon weight, shell weight, shell ratio and length of filament were evaluated in a single rearing season. Performances of the race BSR-BN (B1) were reasonably good for no. of cocoon kg-1, cocoon weight and shell ratio. BSR-BN (M) showed the highest rearing performance for shell weight but the BSR-ISK and BSR-BN (P) M were good for yield and length of filament, respectively. On the other hand, the race Nistari (G) was poor for cocoon weight and shell weight and the races Nistid white (P), BSR-BN (B1), Nistari (P), BSR-I (M) and BSR-IK (M) showed poor rearing performances for weight of mature larvae, shell weight, shell ratio, length of filament and yield 100 dfls-1 respectively in this investigation. Analysis of correlation conducted on the results of the experiment indicated that the characters of the races were correlated with yield non-significantly. Negative correlation between yield 100 dfls-1 and no. of cocoon kg-1 showed higher yield improvement which would be a good combination for an improved method of silk production.
M Hasan, J Ahmed, M H Sohag, Al-Hakim and A K Azad
Journal of Sylhet Agricultural University, 2016, Volume 3, Number 2; Pages: 281-289
Cellulases are the enzymes which hydrolyse cellulosic biomass and are being produced by the microorganisms grown over cellulosic substrates. The cellulase producing fungal isolates were obtained from sea sands and cellulosic waste materials. Four fungal species were isolated and screened by using Carboxy Methyl Cellulose (CMC) agar medium as a selective medium. Production of clear zones by the fungal isolates on CMC agar medium supplemented with 1% CMC was considered as indicative of extracellular cellulase activity. The size of transparent zone diameter was considered as proportional to the level of cellulase production. These fungal isolates were identified as Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp. and Fusarium sp. by studying their microscopic and macroscopic characters. A basal medium containing CMC, KH2PO4, K2HPO4, MgSO4, (NH4)2SO4, CaCl2 and FeSO4 at pH 7.0 was used for cellulase production. The assay of cellulase in term of CMCase was performed by measuring the release of reducing sugar. The crude cellulase produced by these fungal isolates was partially characterized. Optimum temperature for maximum cellulytic activity was 35°C and was active at 35°-40°C. The cellulase activity was significantly active over a broad pH range from 5.0 to 8.0 having maximum activity at pH 6.0.
Keywords: Cellulase, Carboxy Methyl Cellulose (CMC), Marine fungi, CMCase activity
M A Hossain, F Ishaque, M A R Sarker, S P Ritu and M F Hussain
Journal of Sylhet Agricultural University, 2016, Volume 3, Number 2; Pages: 271-280
Drainage system of Sylhet Agricultural University is often blocked by sediment and solid waste consequences in a water-logged situation. To eradicate this problem, a study was conducted to design of sustainable storm water drainage system for Sylhet Agricultural University. The rainfall data from the secondary sources and relevant data of topography and vegetation from the primary and secondary sources were collected to endure the study. An endeavor to analyze the present scenario of drainage system in this university was accomplished through questionnaire survey, informal interview and open discussion. Hence, hydrological data analysis paves the way to design the most economical and efficient hydrologic design of drainage system. 100 years return period and 1-hour rainfall depth was estimated to prepare an Intensity-Duration-Frequency curve. The study area was dividing into three catchments based on topography. The time of concentration of 1st, 2nd, and 3rdcatchments were 5.21, 4.72 and 5.75 min., respectively. However, peak discharges of three catchments were calculated using rational formula and the values were 1.19 m3s-1, 1.2 m3s-1 and 2.2 m3s-1, respectively. Rectangular cross-sections of drains for three catchments were designed using Manning’s equation according to peak discharge. Therefore, total cost was also estimated. A proper management system for storm water drainage was also suggested to reduce the potential of flooding and clogging in the campus area.
This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness and performance of different low-cost filter media in the removal for iron from drinking water. Three water samples were collected from Tilagor area. The iron concentrations of the collected samples were 2.5 mg l-1, 3 mg l-1 and 3.86 mg l-1 respectively. The iron concentrations of the samples exceeded the Bangladesh standard in drinking water which is 0.3-1.0 mg l-1. So, the water sample was needed to be treated to lower the iron concentration to a safe level. To prepare the filter media a several numbers of low-cost materials were collected. They were Sand (0.5 to 1.0 mm) and gravel (less than 12 mm), Neem leaves ash (0.5 to 0.6 mm), Banana leaves ash (0.5 to 0.6 mm), Wood charcoal (less than 10mm) and Rice husk (0.5 to 0.6 mm). Single measurement for each of the material was obtained to measure the effectiveness of these materials for removal of iron. The efficiency of Sand and gravel, Neem leaves ash, Banana leaves ash, Wood charcoal, and Rice husk mixture were 53%, 58%, 81% and 93% respectively. A final filter column was prepared using the best combination of these media to obtain a better performance. The efficiency of recommended filter column was measured as 98% which was satisfactory indeed.
An investigation was carried out in fish landing centers and fish markets adjacent to Kaptai lake, Rangamati to identify the potentiality of fish landing centers, the diversity of available fish fauna and the marketing channel. The study was done by questionnaire interviews (QI) of fish traders, focus group discussions (FGD) and secondary data collection from April 2014 to March 2015 in 03 landing centers and 15 markets of Rangamati district. A total of 84 species of fishes, which consists of 75 finfish and 9 shellfish were identified during the study period. Among 75 finfish, 52 were indigenous freshwater fish species, 10 exotic species and 13 marine species. In shellfish group, 7 prawn and shrimp, 1 crab and 1 pond tortoise species were found. Different types of freshwater fish, marine fish, crustacean and dry fish were found in the investigated markets of Rangamati town. The most abundant freshwater fish species were Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Clarias batrachus, Cirrhinus cirrhosus, Channa punctatus. Few numbers of marine fishes including Latescal carifer, Euthynnus affinis and Mugil cephalus were also recorded. Macrobrachium rosenbergii and Penaeus monodon were found most abundantly during the study period. A total 20 species were threatened according to IUCN red list of Bangladesh including 7 vulnerable, 10 endangered and 3 critically endangered species out of 54 threatened fishes in fresh waters of Bangladesh. Among 7 vulnerable fishes 6 were available, 1 was rarely available. Among 10 endangered species 9 were available and 1 was rarely available. Among 3 critically endangered species 1 species was found available and 2 species were rarely available. Ten exotic fish species (Hypophthalmicthys molitrix, Ctenopharyngo donidella, Cyprinus carpio, Puntius gonionotus, Oreochromis niloticus, Oreochromis mossambicus, Pangasius hypopthalmus, Mylopharyngodon piceus, Aristichthys nobilis and Clarias gariepinus) were found in Kaptai lake during the study period. Fish biodiversity of Kaptailake is decreasing day by day due to habitat degradation and different manmade causes. Proper conservation measures should be taken to protect the threatened fish species from extinction.
The study was carried out in the Laboratory of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet during October to December 2014 with a view to assessing the effectiveness of four indigenous plants powder as protectant of stored chickpea seeds from the attack of pulse beetle (Callosobruchus chinensis L.). Plant powders were prepared from neem leaf (Azadirachta indica), black pepper (Piper nigrum L.), clove (Caryophyllus aromaticus L.) and methi (Trigonella foenum graecum L.). Three doses of all four plant powders @ 5 g, 10 g and 15 g kg-1 of chickpea seeds were used to determine the oviposition inhibition, adult emergence (%), adult mortality (%) and seed weight loss (%) due to the attack of pulse beetle. All three doses of clove powder were found to be most effective in protecting chickpea seeds from the attack of pulse beetle, in terms of eggs laid (0), egg bearing seeds (0), adult emergence (0%) and seed weight loss (0%). In respect of above four parameters other treatments had negligible effect having no significant difference with the control. The result indicated that all three doses of clove powder could be used as protectant of chickpea seeds in storage. Low dose (5 g clove powder for 1 kg of chickpea seeds) could be preferable to other two higher doses (10 g, 15 g clove powder for 1 kg of chickpea seeds) in respect of lower cost involvement. Because low dose was found to be effective, year-round experiments could be undertaken to determine the effectiveness of some lower clove powder doses than that of 5 g clove powder kg-1 of chickpea seeds.
The experiment was carried out from April to May, 2011 at the laboratory of Mennonite Central Committee Bangladesh in Bogra district to know the efficacy of different soil amendments to control cucurbit fruit fly (CFF) Bactrocera cucurbitae. Seven treatments viz. Control (untreated), Dursban 20EC (@ 10 l ha-1), Furadan 3G (@ 10 kg ha-1), Neem oil cake (@ 1500 kg ha-1), Mustard oil cake (@ 1500 kg ha-1), Tricho compost (@ 2500 kg ha-1) and poultry refuse (@ 1500 kg ha-1) were used in the experiment and each treatment was replicated thrice. A similar effectiveness was found with the use of Dursban 20EC (@ 10 l ha-1), Furadan 3G (@ 10 kg ha-1) and poultry refuse (@ 1500 kg ha-1) for controlling of puparium. The experimental findings indicated that the use of poultry refuse (@ 1500 kg ha-1) in soil is a non-chemical way and could be a good practice in destroying the puparia of cucurbit fruit fly effectively for the bitter gourd farmers to manage the menace of fruit fly.
Keywords: Bactrocera cucurbitae, soil amendments, poultry refuse, pupal mortality, bitter gourd
M Rahman, K U Ahmed, M D Hossain, M Saha and M A Noor
Journal of Sylhet Agricultural University, 2016, Volume 3, Number 2; Pages: 189-195
The experiment was conducted at the Department of Biochemistry, Sher-E-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka and Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur to investigate the chemical constituents of oils from rapeseed varieties Tori-7, SAU Sharisha-1 and Sampad, respectively. The highest (42.15%) oil content of seed was recorded in SAU Sharisha-1. On the other hand, the lowest (37.45%) oil content was recorded in the cultivar Sampad. The highest (185.13) saponification value was recorded in SAU Sharisha-1. On the other hand, the lowest (159.89) saponification value was recorded in Tori-7. The lowest (303.19) saponification equivalent was recorded in the SAU Sharisha-1, while the highest (350.88) saponification equivalent was recorded in Tori-7. The highest (0.55) acid value was recorded in Sampad, while the lowest (0.26) acid value was recorded in SAU Sharisha-1. The highest (110.00) iodine value was recorded in SAU Sharisha-1 and the lowest (104.50) iodine value was recorded in Sampad. The highest (0.75) unsaponifiable matter was recorded in Sampad, while the lowest (0.60) was recorded in Tori-7. The highest (4.38%) saturated fatty acid was recorded in SAU Sharisha-1, while the lowest (3.45%) was recorded in Tori-7. The highest (96.55%) total unsaturated fatty acid was recorded in Tori-7 and the lowest (90.43%) was recorded in SAU Sharisha-1.
Keywords: Oil, acid value, fatty acid, saponification, iodine value
B Paul, S Sarkar, M N Islam and R Das
Journal of Sylhet Agricultural University, 2016, Volume 3, Number 2; Pages: 181-187
Black Bengal goat is a highly prolific small ruminant well known for tender meat and good quality skin. A plenty of research work have already been conducted on the production performance of this goat breed but the research work to elucidate the histomorphology of different vital organs and glands of this breed is still in scarce. There is a close relation between the productivity and endocrine function. With an aim to study the histoarchitecture of adrenal gland of s/he goats, adrenal gland samples were collected from the government slaughter house of Sylhet, Bangladesh at the time of slaughtering. The differences in size and shape of the gland, the cortico-medullary ratio, cell size and nuclear diameters of the cortical and medullary tissues were studied in both sexes. For the histological examinations, the tissue pieces from adrenal glands were immersed in bouin’s fluid. After fixation, tissue samples were dehydrated, cleared, and embedded in paraffin. Haematoxylin and eosin staining method was used to examine tissue sections. The adrenal gland consisted of capsule (3.31% and 2.83%), cortex (70.75% and 72.26%) and medulla (25.94% and 24.91%) in buck and doe. The weight of the left gland was more than the right. Cortical cells were sometimes found in the medullary portion. Medullary epinephrine and norepinephrine cells size and nuclear diameter was more in male but the total length of medulla was more in female. The aim of this study is to provide valuable information for further research on the adrenal gland of goat.
Keywords: Black Bengal goat, adrenal gland, histoarchitecture, cortex, medulla
B Paul, S Sarkar, M N Islam, M Aktaruzzaman and S K Chowdhury
The research work was carried out to elucidate the comparative histomorphology of the oviduct of three lines of chicken like, sonali, deshi and hyline chicken aged between 8 to 10 months. After dissection, histological sections were prepared from different segments of oviduct using Hematoxyline and Eosin (H&E). Oviductal histology varied in regards to the mucosal folding, lining epithelium, and distribution of glands and connective tissues arrangement. Among the sonali, deshi and hyline chickens mucosal folds were taller in hyline chicken in the first three oviductal segments, but the mucosal folds of the last two segments were taller in deshi chicken, where in sonali chicken the mucosal folds were comparatively shorter. The mean height of mucosal folds of oviductal segments, infundibulum (1495.8±320.32 µm, 1916.7±341.57 µm and 2291.7±430.60 µm), magnum (283.33±51.64 µm, 566.7±132.92 µm and 775.00±223.05 µm), isthmus (1387.5±602.86 µm, 1566.7±182.80 µm and 1862.5±361.16 µm), uterus (1458.3±66.46 µm, 1716.7±143.76 µm and 1416.7±408.25 µm) and vagina (1145.8±94.10 µm, 1645.8±94.10 µm and 1541.7±204.12 µm) in sonali, deshi and hyline chicken, respectively. In all three types of studied birds, the lining epithelium of infundibulum was ciliated columnar epithelium, and in the other segments the epithelium was pseudostratified ciliated columnar. The populations of submucosal glands were higher in the magnum than other segments and comparatively more in amount in hyline chicken. The distributions of sperm host glands were noted in the lamina propria of the vagina. Different lines of chicken showed differences in the oviductal histoarchitecture and can be important indicators in reproduction.
M S A Talucder, M M Haque and D Saha
Journal of Sylhet Agricultural University, 2016, Volume 3, Number 2; Pages: 149-157
Investigating present status of agar (Aquilaria malaccensis) cultivation in Bangladesh is necessary for sustainable economic development. The objective of this study was to document the existing agar cultivation technology especially modern technique for propagation and agarwood formation as well as potentiality as agroforestry component in Bangladesh compared to global standard. The paper was based on literature review and field experiences from Sylhet and Moulvibazar districts of Bangladesh. Since many research works were done on these issues but all are not available to the public in a systematic manner to date. This review study revealed that there was no modern artificial wounding technique available rather than conventional nailing technique, which was major reason behind the low quality and quantity of agarwood production in Bangladesh. This review paper also reported the latest potential technique of agarwood formation namely CA kits (Cultivated Agarwood Kits). In addition, agar is reported as potential agroforestry component in Bangladesh for its edaphic and climatic factors. There was no other modern technique of propagation except conventional propagation by seed in Bangladesh. Introduction of modern propagation and wounding technology eventually would help to achieve the SDGs through its all three dimensions (economic, environmental and social). This high valued crop would benefit rural people and contribute greatly to the economy of the region.