2016

A total of 225 native Hilly chickens (152 females and 73 males) were reared in colony cages as large, medium and small body size groups for 10 months period to compare their production performances. The mean body weights of adult female and male birds were 2129, 1786 and 1457g; and 2436, 2834 and 2249 g respectively. The age of first egg were 158, 147 and 140 days and hen-day egg production were 44.56 ± 0.5, 46.15 ± 0.5 and 48.84 ± 0.7 percent (P<0.01) respectively. The average egg weight were 43.05 ± 0.1, 42.87 ± 0.1 and 41.79 ± 0.24 (P<0.01). The average per bird per day feed consumption was 105, 107 and 105g (P<0.01) and mortality was 6.2, 5.1 and 11.1 percent respectively. The average hatchability percentage performed by 14 broody hens reared on litter floor was 65.71 and the average hatching egg weight and chick weight was 45.9 and 31.7 g respectively. Broodiness character of hilly chicken rearing in cage system was rarely observed. It may be concluded that locally collected large size Hilly chicken has potentiality to be used as meat type chicken. It may be suggested that hilly chicken can be improved further through new collection of local hilly birds to undertake conservation and improvement programme.

A case study was conducted to evaluate the significance of adding lineage markers for a complex kinship analysis. Additional genetic information may increase likelihood ratio values for true relationships in a pedigree, while reducing the chance of identifying false relationships. It is very difficult to establish a relationship between siblings by the statistical evaluation with autosomal STR markers. The clear discrimination of true versus false relationships is important for complex kinship cases, such as sibling testing, deficient paternity testing, missing person’s identification as well as immigration testing with the help of forensic DNA technology. This case study represents a false parent-child relation or full sibling, one individual is male and other individual is female, where matches were found at least one allele at all 23 tested autosomal STR loci with Combined Likelihood is 75,446,930.822 for Parent-Child and 284,041.488 for Half-Sibling indicates that 266 times more likely parent-child than half-sibling. In order to reach an accurate conclusion, we further included one sister of the putative brother and mother of the putative sister and these four individuals DNA samples were analyzed with X-chromosome STR kits, showing mismatches between claimed siblings in eight loci out of twelve loci and confirm that they are not parent-child. Finally we confirm that they are half-sibling and they are come from same father but different mother. This case emphasizes the necessity of lineage markers like X chromosome or Y chromosome DNA data for interpreting critical sibling cases where one of the siblings is female and their father is dead.

Arsenic is a common, naturally-occurring element. The metalloid substance, famous for its tasteless, odorless and occasionally lethal properties, sits at number 33 in the periodic table. Arsenic is found in both organic and inorganic. It is significantly threatening in case of Bangladesh as 61 out of 64 districts are affected by arsenic. Arsenic is spreading in various ways in the environment and creating various hazards. The serious arsenic contamination of groundwater in Bangladesh has come out recently as the biggest natural calamity in the world in terms of number of affected population. Rice polish and rice husk samples of two commonly used animal feeds were collected from arsenic contaminated areas of Faridpur district. After collection, the samples were prepared by a series of steps such as, washing, drying and digestion; finally arsenic was determined by atomic absorption spectophotometric method. For this purpose the FI-HG-AAS (Flow Injection Hidride Generator Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer) method was used. The arsenic absorbed by the animal feed (grass and water hyacinth) samples was determined. The mean arsenic concentration in rice polish and rice husk were 0.805±0.111 ppm (n=10) and 0.457±0.034 ppm (n=20), respectively. In this study it was found that the level of arsenic both in rice polish and rice husk is greater than that of the maximum permissible level in drinking water (0.05 ppm, WHO). This study was performed to detect the level of arsenic in animal feed of arsenic contaminated area of Faridpur district.

The research work was carried out to evaluate the physical, chemical and microbiological qualities of dahi collected from different sources. In another step, cocci and rod ratio were investigated and microbial activities were also investigated by reactions in litmus milk. For this reason, dahi samples were collected from Bogra (Maharam Ali dahi-A, Rofat dahi-B, Jamuna Dahi-C) and Mymensingh district (Dayamoy-D, Misti Kanan-E, Krishna Kebin-F, BAU Dairy Farm Dahi-G, KR Market-H, Shes Moor-I). Physical tests were performed by a panel of expert judges. Chemical and microbiological parameters were tested in the Dairy Microbiology, Dairy Chemistry and Dairy Technology Laboratory of the Department of Dairy Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. In case of overall physical score, the highest value was (95.33±1.53) found in BAU Dairy Farm dahi. Considering chemical parameters, pH value and fat content of BAU Dairy Farm dahi were higher than that of other dahi samples. So, BAU Dairy Farm dahi was of the best quality on the basis of physical and chemical analysis. In microbiological analysis, (total viable count and coliform count) significant differences were found among all samples. All samples contained lower number of coliforms. No yeast and mold was found in any dahi sample may be followed the hygienic practices. Litmus milk characteristics of the isolated cultures showed desirable changes such as acid, smooth and firm coagulation obtained from Maharam Ali dahi and BAU Dairy Farm Dahi types of dahi sample which contained possible organisms of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus. Considering all parameters, it can be concluded that BAU Dairy Farm dahi and Maharam Ali dahi were found as superior. In addition, this study gives information regarding the microbial status; e.g. cocci and rod ratio in the traditional fermented dahi of collected samples.

Fish play a crucial role in the Bangladeshi diet, providing more than 60% of animal source food, representing a crucial source of micro-nutrients, and possessing an extremely strong cultural attachment. In this study isolation and identification of Aeromionas hydrophila was done by studying cultural properties, gram staining and biochemical properties of isolates of Shing fish (Heteropneustes fossilis) of different upazillas of Mymensingh district. Antibiogram profile of the isolated bacteria was studied by using wide range of commercially available antibiotics. Quantitative study of bacteria isolated from diseased Shing fish showed variation of number in different organ. Total bacterial load was found to be 1.90 × 10⁵, 1.19 × 10⁵, 3.21 × 10⁵, 2.18 × 10⁶ and 3.14 × 10⁵cfu/g in lesions; 2.52 × 10⁷, 2.34 × 10⁸, 5.41 × 10⁸, 2.54 × 10⁹ and 5.21 × 10⁹cfu/g in liver; 2.54 × 10⁸, 2.41 × 10⁸, 1.90 × 10⁷, 3.65 × 10⁷ and 3.45 × 10⁸cfu/g in spleen; 3.51 × 10⁷, 5.28 × 10⁷, 3.14 × 10⁶, 1.85 × 10⁷ and 4.52× 10⁷cfu/g in kidney in diseased Shing of Mymensingh sadar, Muktagacha, Tarakanda, Gouripur and Fulpurupazillas, respectively under Mymensingh districts. Aeromonas hydrophila was initially identified by their specific morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics. Then molecular detection of A. hydrophila was done by PCR. PCR products of desired 760 bp were obtained for A. hydrophila. The results of the antibiotic sensitivity test is exhibited that most of the bacterial samples were sensitive against ciprofloxacin (92%) and levofloxacin (84%), intermediate resistant against gentamicin (40%) and resistant against novobiocin (84%), ampicillin (100%) and penicillin (92%).

Stinging catfish, Shing (Heteropneustes fossilis) is been cultured in Bangladesh which is one of the most popular and highly valuable fish species. A total of 120 diseased H. fossilis were collected from twenty five fish farms in greater Mymensingh region, Bangladesh between November 2013 to February 2014. Remarkable clinical symptoms of the affected fishes were loss of equilibrium and, erosions at the bases of fins and tail, hemorrhages and skin lesions on body surface, profuse mucous secretion and congestion along with enlargement of most of the internal organs. Three different kinds of selective media were used for the isolation of total population of bacteria from the affected fishes. A number of biochemical tests were performed for the identification of the isolated bacteria. Commercially available panel of antibiotics were used for the determination of sensitivity of the isolated bacteria. A total of 85 bacterial strains were isolated and the isolated were Aeromonas hydrophila, A. salmonicida, A. sobria, Pseudomonas angulliseptica, P. fluorescens and Vibrio anguillarum. Aeromonas spp. appeared to be the main pathogen in the diseased fishes. Among the isolated spp of bacteria distribution of Aeromonas species was as follows: A. hydrophila 34 (40.00%), A. salmonicida 14 (16.47%), A. sobria 8 (9.41%) as well as 5 (5.88%) unidentified Aeromons strains. The other isolated of  Pseudomonas anguliseptica, P. fluorescens, Vibrio anguillarum and Vibrio spp were distributed as 12 (14.11%), 4 (4.70%), 3 (3.52%) and 5 (5.88%), respectively in infected H. fossilis. However, results of antibiotic sensitivity test revealed that all the bacterial isolates of H. fossilis were found more or less resistant to all most all the antibiotics with the exception of ciprofloxacin and levofloxacinn which were found highly sensitivity against all the strains of Aeromonas spp. and other species of bacteria.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the morphological characterization of five germplasm of Sapota namely BAU Sapota-1, BAU Sapota-2, BAU Sapota-3, Deshi Sapota and Vietnam Sapota. Randomized complete block design with three replications was performed for investigating the morphology of Sapota. Results indicate that the tallest plant was Deshi Sapota and the shortest plant was BAU Sapota-2. Also, the highest stem circumference was found in Deshi Sapota which was 52.25 cm. The maximum spreaded plant both in north-south and east-west direction was found in BAU Sapota-1 which was 1.62 and 1.53 m, respectively. Maximum shoot girth was found in BAU Sapota-3 and BAU Sapota-1 plants showed the most vigorous growth whereas BAU Sapota-3 had the longest shoot length. Results revealed that significant difference (p<0.01) present in leaf length, lamina length and petiole length among the variety of Sapota. Higher numbers of flower per shoot was found in BAU Sapota-3 whereas the highest fruit setting time was observed in Deshi Sapota. The BAU Sapota-3 produced the heaviest fruit while the lightest fruit was recorded in BAU Sapota-2. The longest fruit length, highest moisture content and maximum total soluble solids were found in BAU Sapota-3. Correlation coefficient study indicated that plant height, leaf length and fruit length had positive and highly significant association with stem circumference, leaf lamina length, % moisture and fruit yield, respectively. In respect of path analysis, plant height, tree growth, leaf length, fruit setting time, fruit fresh weight, % moisture content and total soluble solids positively affected on fruits per plant indicating its importance as a selection parameter.

The aim of the experiment was to determine the biomass yield, morphological characteristics and nutritive value of different high yielding Napier cultivars according their cutting intervals. This study mainly discussed about four Napier cultivars named BLRI-Napier-4, Wruk-Wona, Napier-Hybrid (Japan) and MarkEron. The cutting interval was 45 days. The  result showed significant difference (p<0.05) in 3^rd cutting into these three cutting in case for biomass yield, number of hill, number of tiller and plant height. The stem and leaf ratio was higher in 2^nd cutting in BLRI-Napier-4. For botanical fraction, leaf contained more dry matter than stem. Crude protein was higher in leaf portion for different Napier cultivars. As considering the cutting interval, the 3^rd cutting contained higher dry matter compare to other cut. MarkEron cultivar showed more significant difference (p<0.001) for Ash and CP content into its three cutting. High level of oxalate found in BLRI-Napier-4. Considering biomass yield, BLRI-N-Hybrid was the higher value. Crude protein was higher in MarkEron cultivar.

The experiment was conducted with a view to investigate the effect of urea molasses straw (UMS), urea treated straw (UTS) and silage in the diets on growth performance of goats in Subornochar upazilas of Noakhali district. Total DM intake was significantly (P<0.05) higher in silage fed group than UMS and UTS group. ME (MJ/d)   intake was higher (P<0.05) in UMS (6.68) and silage (6.78) group than UTS (3.48) group. The mean values of live weight gains (g/d) were 44.11, 43.88 and 50.89 for UMS, UTS and silage, respectively which varied significantly (P<0.05) among the groups. There were no significant variation among the dietary groups of animals in case of DM, CP, ADF and OM digestibility. There were significant (P<0.05) differences among the mean values of nitrogen retention (%) , the silage (34%) group of animals showed significantly higher values than those of UMS (30.32%)  and UTS (29.10%) group. Diets with silage resulted was better weight gain and nitrogen balance compared to UMS and UTS. So, introduction of silage may be practiced in the existing feeding system for increase the productivity of goats.

The study was conducted to investigate the physicochemical and biological aspects of the river Padma in three sampling stations viz Mawa, Godagari and Paksi from January 2014 to December 2014. Ten physical and nine chemical parameters of water and plankton community both phytoplankton and zooplankton of this aforesaid area were studied. Physicochemical parameters of water such as temperature, pH, hardness, alkalinity, dissolve oxygen (DO), free carbon dioxide (CO₂), total dissolve solids (TDS), turbidity, biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were studied. Maximum water depth 23.9±6.5 ft was recorded from Paksi and lowest water depth (19.7±6.3 ft) was recorded in Godagari. The highest air temperature was found 32.5±8.9⁰C in Paksi and lowest temperature was found 28.3±3.9⁰C in Godagari. Water temperature was found lowest (25.7±4.1⁰C)   in Godagari and highest (29.3±7.9⁰C) in Paksi. Transparency was found lowest in Godagari 36.4±16.4 cm and highest 45.9±20.5 cm in Paksi. Conductivity was found highest in 390.2±411 (µs/cm) in Godagari. Turbidity was found lowest 16.5±36.3 in Paksi. TDS was found highest 190.4±196.9 mg/l in Godagari. Dissolve oxygen content in Mawa was found lowest 6.71±1.1 mg/l. pH was ranging from 8.0±2.4 in Mawa to 8.2±0.2 in Godagari among the three sampling spots of Padma river. Total alkalinity was found lowest 98.2±36.7 mg/l in Paksi. Total hardness was found lowest 83.4±45.9 mg/l in Godagari. BOD (B) was found highest 6.2±1.6 mg/l in Mawa. COD was found lowest 13.1±8.6 mg/l in Paksi. Total plankton density was found 2100±695.4 (Nos. /l) in Mawa, 2350±670.2 (Nos./l) in Godagari and 2280±710.5 (Nos./l) in paksi respectively. Total sixty genera under six classes of phytoplankton were observed and twenty two genera of zooplankton under four families were identified. Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Xanthophyceae, Euglenophyceae and Dinophyceae were the major groups of phytoplankton and Rotifera, Copepod and Cladocera were the major groups of zooplankton during the study period. The mean contribution of phytoplankton was more than 91.33% in all three rivers and zooplankton contributed the rest.

The field experiment was conducted at the Soil Science Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during the period of February to May 2015 to evaluate the effect of organic manures and bio-slurries with chemical fertilizers on the improvement of rice production in Old Brahmaputra Floodplain soils. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. There were eight treatment combinations viz. T₀: Control (no fertilizer or manure), T₁: Farmers’ practice, T₂: 100% RFD chemical fertilizers (NPKSZnB), T₃: 75% RFD (NPKSZnB) + CD (5 t ha^-1), T₄: 75% RFD (NPKSZnB) + CD slurry (5 t ha^-1), T₅: 75% RFD (NPKSZnB) + PM (3 t ha^-1), T₆: 75% RFD (NPKSZnB) + PM slurry (3 t ha^-1), T₇: 75% RFD (NPKSZnB) + Compost (10 t ha^-1). The rice crop cv. BRRI dhan29 was used as a test crop. Result showed that most of the growth and yield components of rice viz. plant height, effective tillers, panicle length, grains per panicle and 1000-grain weight were significantly influenced due to application of organic manures and bio-slurries with chemical fertilizers. Application of chemical fertilizers alone or in combination with organic manures or bio-slurries resulted in a significant increase in grain and straw yields of rice. Treatments 100% RFD chemical fertilizers (NPKSZnB) as well as 75% RFD (NPKSZnB) + PM slurry (3 t ha^-1) showed better performances than other treatments. Nutrient uptake by rice was also significantly affected by different treatments. Therefore, treatment (T₆) 75% RFD (NPKSZnB) + PM slurry (3 t ha^-1) could be the best option to increase crop yield in Old Brahmaputra Floodplain soils.

A research work was undertaken to evaluate the feeding effect of concentrate supplementation on growth and reproductive performance of growing lamb upto first lambing. The trial was conducted at Char-elahi union, Chompanygonj, Noakhali. Thirty female sheep of about average 11.3 (±2.3) kg live weight and about 6-8 months of age were used and randomly allocated into three experimental diets, T0 (grazing), T1 (grazing + 1% concentrate supplement of live weight) and T2 (grazing + 2% concentrate supplement of live weight). The study revealed that the average daily DM intake was 261.00, 405.35 and 405.35g for diets T0, T1 and T2, respectively which was significantly (P≤0.01) different. DM intake when expressed as metabolic body weight also showed significant (P≤0.01) differences.DM intake as per cent of live weight were 1.96, 2.81 and 3.69 for diets T0, T1 and T2, respectively, which differ significantly (P≤0.05) among the treatment group. Daily grass DM intake was 261.00, 260.49 and 260.38g for diets T0, T1 and T2, respectively and this difference was not significant (P≥0.01) among the treatment group. Daily average live weight gain was 20.00, 35.50 and 44.00g for diets T0, T1 and T2, respectively. Live weight gain on diet T2 was significantly (P≤0.01) higher than that of diet T1 and T0. The results suggested that concentrate supplementation had higher growth response possibly due to better nutrient contents and their utilization. There were no significant (P≥0.01) effect on reproductive performances of service per conception, gestation length (d) and litter size (no.) of three dietary treatments. The Percentage of born alive T2 (100%) and T1 (90%) were higher in supplemented group compared to non supplemented T0 (70%) group. Birth weight of lambs of T2 (male-1.41kg, female, 1.06 kg) and T1 (male-1.21 kg, female-0.90 kg) group were significantly (P≤0.05) higher compared to that on only grazing group T0 (male-0.72 kg, female0.56kg). The concentrate supplementation (2%) may be suggested for optimizing growth and reproductive performance of female sheep under grazing condition in coastal area.

The study was conducted to observe the management practice and production performance of Cobb500 broiler parent strain under open housing system.  Seventy thousand Cobb-500 parent stock broiler breeder was observed for a period of 30 days. Observation was focused on   farm management including housing, feeding, watering, lighting, litter management, debeaking, deworming, vaccination, daily routine work of the farm, record keeping, bio-security and diseases control measures of Cobb-500 bird under open house  system. Results showed that the average of the body weight of Cobb-500 male birds  were 378.67g, 1599.17g, 2728g, and 4337g at starter (o to 6 weeks), grower (7 to 18 weeks), pre-breeder (19 to 23 weeks) and breeder (24 to 65 weeks) stage respectively. Similarly the average of the body weight of Cobb-500 female birds  were at starter (o to 5 weeks),  grower (6 to 18 weeks), pre-breeder (19 to 23 weeks) and breeder   (24 to 65 weeks) stage 438.5g ,1540.46g, 2247.2g, and 3479.65g respectively. The egg production at 25 weeks of age was 16.02% and peak production was 85.12 % at 35 weeks of age. The average egg production from 25 to 68 weeks of age was 60.78 %. The maximum hatchability was recorded 91.58% at 38 weeks of age. The average hatchability from 25 to 68 weeks of age was 83.93%. The above findings prove that Cobb-500 performs well under open housing system.

A study was conducted to isolate and characterize Lactobacilli from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of broiler chickens in different markets along with evaluation of probiotic ability and antibiotic sensitivity of Lactobacillus isolates during the period of July, 2014 to December, 2014. The caecum and cloacal contents of 100 broiler chickens from different markets were collected and cultured on Man Rogosa and Sharp (MRS) broth and agar. Lactobacilli were isolated and characterized by using phenotypic (cell morphology, Gram’s staining, physiological and biochemical tests which are specific for Lactobacillus genus) and genotypic methods (PCR and RAPD). The identified Lactobacilli species were screened for probiotic properties by in vitro tests like acid tolerance and bile tolerance. Total eighty two isolates were identified as Lactobacillus based on morphological, physiological and biochemical tests which are specific for Lactobacillus genus. All of the Lactobacillus isolates were further identified at species level as Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus galinarum and other unclassified Lactobacillus species based on sugar fermentation tests. The prevalence of Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus gallinarum species found in the chickens were 21.95%, 18.29% and 17.07% respectively. A total of 10 Lactobacillus isolates were amplified by using 16S rRNA gene-based universal primers. Furthermore, out of 10 Lactobacillus isolates 4 molecular patterns were detected and 6 Lactobacillus isolates were clonal by randomly amplified ploymorphic DNA (RAPD) method in this study. Out of 15 Lactobacillus isolates, 10 isolates demonstrated probiotic ability as determined by bile tolerance test and acid tolerance test. Moreover, the results of antibiotic sensitivity showed that all of the isolates tested were sensitive to tetracycline and gentamicin. However, most of the isolates tested were resistant to ampicillin and cefradine. Potential probiotic bacterial strains from poultry sources were identified as well as characterized in this study.

Histoarchitecture effect of cypermethrin (pyrethroids) was investigated in the ovary of Stinging catfish, Shing (Heteropneustes fossilis) over a 96 h exposure period as an endpoint of toxicity. The fish were exposed to five acute concentrations (0.00ml/L, 0.025ml/L, 0.050ml/L, 0.075ml/L and 0.10ml/L) and the 96 h LC₅₀ was 0.075 ml/L. The abnormal behavioural patterns noticed in the treated fish were erratic swimming, respiratory distress, discolorations of the skin, loss of reflex, hyperactivities, increasing opercula ventilation and excessive accumulation of mucus on the skin. There was an atretic follicle, cytoplasmic liquefaction, degeneration ovarian wall, invasion of granulosa layer and small inter-follicular spaces after treatment of 0.025 mg/L cypermethrin. Vacuolization at periphery, complete or partial rupture of maturing oocytes, vacuolization of oocytes, degenerating oocytes with disintegrated nuclei and alteration in structure were observed for 0.1 mg/L. The findings of this histoarchitecture analysis of ovary indicate a direct correlation between cypermethrin exposure and the histoarchitecture disorders.

Livestock species play an important role in the agro-based economy of Bangladesh. The present study was performed to determine the magnitude and trends of clinical diseases and disorders in native sheep in order to design a set of strategies to be applied for the prevention and control of these problems in this farm. A total of 1870 indigenous sheep at BLRI sheep research farm, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh were included under this study. The study was carried out during the period from January 2012 to December 2014.  Diagnoses and records of clinical diseases and disorders were based on pertinent clinical history, clinical findings and laboratory tests. The major clinical diseases and disorders were determined diarrhoea (5.18%), malnutrition (2.85%), lameness (1.93%), pneumonia (1.02%), alopecia (0.88%), tapeworm infection (0.81%) and fever (0.51%). In case of seasons, the highest incidence was found during rainy season (2.26%) followed by winter (5.85%) and summer (4.25%); whereas in respect of age groups, the highest incidence was found in growing sheep (26.14%) followed by adults (12.15%)  and lambs (10.93%). Although  some diseases and disorders took place  in the BLRI sheep research farm, the incidence were very low and most of the infectious diseases did not occur because of proper management of the farm particularly regular deworming, dipping and vaccination. Moreover, on the basis of these findings measures should be taken for further prevention of such diseases and manifestations.

Pig diarrhea is a common problem in pig farms and scattered areas of Bangladesh. This study was subjected to characterize Escherichia coli isolated from fecal sample of pig diarrhea and to find out therapeutic possibilities in the treatment of the disease. Isolation and characterization of the microorganisms were confirmed on the basis of their morphology, staining, cultural and biochemical properties. The study was conducted on 125 fecal samples of diarrheic pig. The prevalence of E. coli infection was higher in 2 years and above aged pigs (62.50 %).  Prevalence of E. coli was higher in diarrheic pigs 61.00 % (100) and non diarrheic 32.00% (25) were also found to be positive for E. coli. The results of MR and Indole test of E. coli isolates were positive. The antibiogram study revealed that this isolates were highly sensitive to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and gentamicin; moderately sensitive to colistin sulphate and azithromycin; less sensitive to amoxicillin, tetracycline, cloxacillin, ceftraexon, neomycin, erythromycin and ampicillin. The findinings of the experiment indicates that the use of ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and gentamicin may have the preference to be choice in clinical control of E. coli causing pig diarrhea.

The present study was designed with a view to identify the Avian Leukosis Virus (ALV) by direct Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) as well as to know the prevalence of ALV in different age groups of layer birds at Dinajpur district of Bangladesh. The birds were categorized into three groups, namely group A (brooder) included bird aged 13 days, group B (grower) included bird aged 16 weeks and lastly group C (layer) included bird aged 32 weeks. In this study a total of 92 cloacal swab samples were examined and 13 positive cases of ALV was found among which 5, 4 and 4 positive samples were in grower, brooding and layer chickens respectively. This study showed that ALV positive cases were 14.13% in layer birds whereas 14.5% positive cases in Sonali chicken and 13.3% in case of Hy-Line brown chicken. The inoculation of cloacal swab was done into five 10 days old embryonated chicken eggs through yolk sac route. After 5 days of inoculation death of the all embryos with haemorrhage was observed indicating the prevalence of Avian Leukosis Virus in the study area of Bangladesh. Since Avian Leukosis Virus transmitted both horizontally and vertically therefore measures to prevent spread are more demanding.

Anemia in human being due to iron deficiency would be solved with the intake of iron rich rice (Oryza sativa L.) grain developed by biofortification. Phenotypical study of obsolete rice germplasms containing high iron content is important. Phenotypic characters like flowering and maturity time; plant height; tillers hill^‑1; grains panicle^‑1; seed weight and grain yield plant^‑1 were studied for 39 rice genotypes in this research. In this research, Malagoti showed early maturity (126 day), Dhar Shail showed highest  filled grain panicle^-1 (303), Marish Shail showed highest grain yield plant^-1 (86.66g),  and Karengal showed lowest  filled grain panicle^-1 (59.67) and lowest  grain yield plant^-1 (17.20g). Number of filled grains panicle^-1 showed high heritability. All the yield contributing traits except panicle length and unfilled grains panicle^-1 were significantly and positively correlated with grain yield plant^-1 at both phenotypic and genotypic level. The highest direct effects (0.486 and 9.75) on grain yield plant^-1 were found for plant height and days to maturity at phenotypic and genotypic level with residual effect 0.461 and 0.496 respectively. Finally, the obsolete genotypes with highest grain yield (Marish Shail) and early maturity (Malagoti)  performance would be used as breeding materials to improve iron rich rice varieties.

Iron deficiency causes anemia in human body. So identification of iron rich rice genotypes as well as biofortification of staple food crops is an effective way to overcome such malnutrition problems. A total of 46 local rice landraces of Bangladesh were used in chemical analysis and DNA fingerprinting to study their ability to synthesize and accumulate iron content in the grain. Rice plants were grown and their grains were collected and digested by acidKNO₃:HClO₄. iron concentrations were measured from The highest iron content was found Kumra Ghor (168.52ppm) and the lowest in Patnai Balam (0.45 ppm). The SSR markers were used to determine the allelic diversity and relationship among the selected rice germplasms for iron content. Out of 10 SSR primers, 5 primers showed DNA amplification and polymorphism among all the genotypes. Variation was found in number of alleles, allele frequency, Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) and gene diversity. The primer, RM35 having motif (GA) 19 also yielded the highest number of alleles (23) and highest PIC value (0.946). A total of 72 bands were recorded by using 5 SSR primers in all genotypes. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 4 to 23 with an average of 14.40 out of 72 bands. The UPGMA Dendrogram based on Nei’s (1973) genetic distance placed the varieties into 6 distinct clusters. Most of the primers showed the highest Polymorphism Information Content (PIC). Based on this study, the larger range of similarity values using SSR markers provides greater confidence for the assessment of genetic relationships among the varieties. The information obtained from chemical analysis and SSR profiling helps to identify the varieties containing iron content. Genotypes with high iron content could be used as breeding materials to develop nutrient rich rice varieties in order to combat iron deficient problems in population of Bangladesh.