Issue 3

An investigation was carried out on fish market infrastructure of Khulna district to identify the infrastructure facilities of domestic fish market including species traded along with price and also to detect the constraints at different levels of trading recommending possible solutions according to standards. The investigation was conducted from November 2016 to June 2017 in three different markets of Khulna district namely Sandhya Bazar fish market, Aranghata Bypass Bazar fish market and Baikali Bazar fish market. In Khulna, a large number of people are involved in fish marketing. Market infrastructures of Khulna had grown up according to various influencing factors that controls the total system involved. The study was based on observation and field survey. Data were collected through eye observation, questionnaire interviews and focus group discussions. Several number of market agents including wholesalers, retailers were selected for questionnaire interviews and aratdars and fishermen were selected for focused group discussions. It was revealed that the infrastructure facilities were inadequate and poorly maintained. Fish sheds were not enough hygienic to protect the fish from contamination. Surface water drainage system was open and this situation degraded further environmental condition of the markets. Electricity maintenance was not up to the mark and there were no distillation process for the supplied water. This infrastructural condition does not support a hygienic condition for fish marketing to provide edible and quality fish. Total number of freshwater fish species traded in different markets was found 60 including 12 SIS, 34 culture and 14 capture. On the other hand 41 brackish and marine water species were found and 14 crustacean species of which 5 were freshwater prawn, 6 brackish water shrimp and 3 crabs. Therefore domestic market infrastructure is on a developing stage as being controlled by Khulna City Corporation (KCC). Establishment of ice factory, improvement of fish transport facilities, introduction of fish quality control measures were suggested to improve the fish marketing in the study area.

The experiment was conducted in Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, FANSVM, PSTU to study the effects of seven indigenous medicinal plants [black pepper (Piper nirgum), tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), peppermint (Mentha piperita), garlic (Allium sativum), black cumin (Nigella sativa), papaya (Carica papaya), cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)] and two patent probiotics (SS Bio^® and Poultrystar Sol^®) on the growth performance (body weight and FCR) in broiler. The effects of black pepper, tulsi, peppermint, garlic, black cumin, papaya, cinnamon, SS Bio^® and Poultrystar Sol^® on hematological parameters (TEC, Hb and PCV) and biochemical parameter (blood glucose) were also observed. One hundred broiler were randomly divided into ten groups (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I and J), each consisting of ten broiler. Group A was kept as control. 10% water extract of black pepper (seed), tulsi (leaves), peppermint (leaves), garlic (bulbs), black cumin (seed), papaya (leaves), cinnamon (bark) were administered orally to the broiler of group B, C, D, E, F, G and H, respectively. Broiler of group I and J received orally SS Bio^® and Poultrystar Sol^®, respectively. Black pepper, tulsi, peppermint, garlic, black cumin, papaya, cinnamon, SS Bio^® and Poultrystar Sol^® were significantly (p<0.01 and p<0.05) increased body weight and FCR up to the experimental period. TEC was significantly (p<0.05) increased at garlic treated broiler. After treatment with peppermint, garlic, black cumin, papaya, cinnamon, SS Bio^® and Poultrystar Sol^®, Hb content increased significantly (p<0.05) in broiler. Black pepper, tulsi, peppermint, black cumin, papaya, SS Bio^® and Poultrystar Sol^® treatment significantly (p<0.01 and p<0.05) increased PCV in broiler. Peppermint, garlic, black cumin, papaya, cinnamon, SS Bio^® and Poultrystar Sol^® caused significantly (p<0.01 and p<0.05) increased blood glucose. Tulsi decreased (p<0.05) significantly blood glucose. The present study reveal that indigenous medicinal plants can be used as alternatives to patent probiotics in broiler.

An investigation was carried out to provide an initial assessment of aquarium fish trade from December 2018 to May 2019 in Khulna city, Khulna of Bangladesh. A total 12 shops were established in this district where 46 aquarium fish species were found of which 12 species were bred for fry production. In the study area, some ornamental fishes such as Gold fish, Black moor, Comet, Red parrot, Tiger barb, Angel fish, Black molly, Guppy, koi carp, Rosy barb, Silver shark, Rainbow shark, Tiger shark, Sucker mouth catfish, Blue gourami, Pearl gourami, Golden gourami, White molly, Pearl scale gold fish, Silver dollar, LT sucker fish were very common. Besides Glass catfish, Siamese fighting fish, calico, Swordtail, Oscar, Widow tetra, Neon tetra, Balloon molly, Moon tail balloon molly, Alligator gar were common and Tangerrine swordtail, Arowana, Flower horn, Red tail black shark, platy, cardinal tetra, Discuss fish, Rummy nose, Bolivian ram, Balloon ram, Bosemoni rainbow, Red tail catfish, Bichir, Mono angel, Knife fish were the rare fish of the Khulna city. All aquarium fish species were brought from catabon area of Dhaka city that were mainly imported from the international markets like India, Singapore, Thailand, etc. Importers/wholesalers and breeders marketed them to retailers, local breeders, shopkeepers, etc. and finally, the shopkeepers sold them to the aquaria owners. The most profitable large aquarium fishes were Gold fish which made a profit of (100±20 tk/pair), Black moor (150±20 tk/pair), Red parrot (250±50 tk/pair), angelfish (100±10 tk/pair), Pearl gourami (300±50 tk/pair), Guppy (400±50 tk/pair), Siamese Fighting Fish (300±50 tk /piece), Tiger Shark (40±10 tk/pair), Sucker mouth catfish (50±5 tk/pair) to the retailers. During this survey, it was found that the breeders used cement tank, glass aquaria, plastic tank and even plastic jar as culture tanks. They bred aquarium fish all over the year. In the present study the market is mainly domestic. There is a good domestic market which is increasing day by day. Except winter, average annual income was recorded 13,140,000 Tk from the 12 aquarium shops. However, when temperature dropped during winter, sale became reduced; sometimes no selling was also observed during this time.

Appropriate nutrient management could increase crop productivity in saline areas by reducing the harmful effects of soil salinity. A field experiment was carried out at farmer’s field of Botiaghata, Khulna to investigate the mitigation of soil salinity by efficient management of potassium and zinc fertilizers in rice. BRRI dhan53, a salt-tolerant rice cultivar during aman season, was used as a test crop. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications where sixteen treatment combinations were used in a factorial arrangement. Potassium and zinc nutrients were supplied from potassium sulphate and zinc sulphate, respectively and they were applied in two splits, first split during final land preparation and second split at maximum tillering stage. Recommended doses of N, P and S fertilizers were applied to all the experimental plots. Results revealed that plant height, panicle length, number of effective tillers and grains per panicle increased significantly due to application of K and Zn fertilizers. All the yield contributing parameters showed higher values in T₁₅ (K₂₀₀Zn₂₀₀) treatment compared to other treatments. Grain and straw yields of BRRI dhan53 responded significantly to the different treatment combinations. The highest grain yield (4.46 t/ha) was obtained in T₁₅ (K₂₀₀Zn₂₀₀) treatment and the highest straw yield (6.27 t/ha) was also obtained in the same treatment. Higher doses of potassium and zinc also increased nutrient uptake (N, P, S and Zn) by BRRI dhan53. The K⁺/Na⁺ ratio was also found higher in grain (0.319) and straw (0.301) in T₁₅ treatment. Therefore, result of the experiment indicated that application of higher doses of K and Zn fertilizers could alleviate the adverse effects of salinity in rice production by increasing nutrient uptake and maintaining higher K⁺/Na⁺ ratio.

The present study was carried out to detect the prevalence of anaplasmosis in cattle at Rayganj and Ullahpara upazila in Sirajganj district of Bangladesh and to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of traditional drugs like Oxetetracycline (Renamycine®), Imidocarb diproprionate (Babenil®) and Diminazine aceturate (Berenil®) against anaplasmosis in cattle. The study was conducted from July 2016 to December 2016. During six months of study period a total of 150 blood samples were collected from clinically ill and suspected cattle, among which 28 samples were positive for anaplasmosis by Geimsa stained blood smear method. It was observed that the overall prevalence of anaplasmosis in cattle was 18.67%, where 16.25% was Geimsa stained blood smear at Rayganj and 21.43% at Ullapara upazila respectively and the variation was not statistically significant (p>0.05). In respect of age the prevalence of anaplasmosis was significantly (p< 0.05) higher (31.7%) in 2-3 years of age group cattle than above 3 years (16.67%) and 6 months to 2 years age (10.20%) group. On the basis of sex, it was observed that the variation in prevalence in male (15.94%) and female (20.99%) was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Breed-wise prevalence was higher in crossbred cattle (19.5%) than local cattle (17.8%), was not statistically significant (p>0.05). It was observed that among three drugs used in this study, the best effectiveness of drugs was seen by Oxytetracycline (Renamycine LA®) @ 10 mg/kg body weight followed by Imidocarb dipropionate (Babenil®) @ 3.5 mg/kg body weight moderately and less by Diminazine aceturate (Berenil®) @ 3.5 mg/kg body weight. From the study it was evident that cattle were infected with the organisms and caused a heavy economic loss which recommended taking necessary preventive measurements.

Salinity is a major limiting factor reducing crop yields in coastal areas of Bangladesh. The main objective of this study was to mitigate the adverse effects of soil salinity on wheat by organic and inorganic amendments. The field experiment was conducted at BRRI station, Sonagazi, Feni. Wheat cv. BARI Gom-23 was used as a test crop. There were thirteen treatment combinations consisting of control, farmyard manure (FYM) (5 t ha^-1), FYM (10 t ha^-1), compost (10 t ha^-1), compost (20 t ha^-1), gypsum (50% GR), gypsum (100% GR), K₂SO₄ (100 kg ha^-1), K₂SO₄ (200 kg ha^-1), FYM (5 t ha^-1) + gypsum (50% GR), FYM (5 t ha^-1) + K₂SO₄ (100 kg ha^-1), compost (10 t ha^-1) + gypsum (50% GR), compost (10 t ha^-1) + K₂SO₄ (100 kg ha^-1). FYM and compost were added to the soils during final land preparation. Gypsum and sulphate of potash were applied in two splits as per treatments. Nitrogen, phosphorous, zinc and boron fertilizers were applied as basal doses. The experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Soil salinity caused a reduction in growth and yield of wheat. Soil amendments with organic or inorganic fertilizers improved growth and yield of wheat under soil salinity. Combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers showed higher yields of wheat than that of alone during salinity conditions. Both organic and inorganic fertilizers increased nutrient uptake and K⁺/Na⁺ ratio in wheat during salinity condition. Therefore, the present study suggests that wheat production might be feasible in coastal areas of southern Bangladesh through organic and inorganic amendments of saline soils.

Screening of salinity tolerance genotypes of rice on the basis of its phenotypic performance alone is not much reliable and will take more time in progress in breeding process. Molecular marker-based screening eases this process. An experiment was carried out with 22 diverse rice genotypes in Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Mymensingh to study their salt tolerance at both seedling and reproductive stages. On the basis of yield and yield contributing traits, genotypes were categorized as tolerant, moderately tolerant and susceptible. The genotypes RC 227, RC 229, RC 191, Binadhan-8, Binadhan-10, Binadhan-11 and FL-478 were found as tolerant, while Binadhan-7 and BRRI dhan39 were found as susceptible. Grain weight hill^-1 was found highly significant. Plant height, total tiller hill^-1, grain weight panicle^-1, 1000 grain weight and all other traits except sterile spikelets panicle^-1 were showed a positive correlation with grain weight hill^-1. Selected four salt linked SSR markers viz. AP3206f, RM1287, RM7075 and RM10793 were used to determine salinity tolerance. The genetic diversity was ranges from 0.6116 to 0.7810 with an average of 0.6663. The highest PIC value was 0.7524 and the lowest was 0.4762 from AP3206f and RM7075, respectively. The UPGMA clustering system generated four genetic clusters. The highest genetically dissimilarity of (Cluster 1) vs (Cluster 3) and the crossing would be helpful for salt tolerant rice development. Thus, selected SSR primers and genotypes would be useful in marker assisted selection (MAS), quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, gene pyramiding and ultimately improvement of salt tolerant rice varieties.