Issue 1

This study was carried out from January to May 2018 to isolate, identify, and determine microbial loads (Staphylococcus aureus; Salmonella; Escherichia coli; Campylobacter) in fresh-marketed vegetables sold at several marketplaces in the districts of Netrokona, Kishoregonj, and Jamalpur. In this study, 90 fresh vegetable samples (carrot, cucumber, coriander leaf, green chili, and tomato) were collected. The spread plate dilution method was utilized for this work, and the organisms were cultivated on selected culture media. Microbes that were expected were discovered utilizing culture and staining procedures. S. aureus, Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter were recovered from all tomatoes (100%), cucumber (100%) and green chili (100%). In carrot samples, the number (%) of S. aureus, E. coli and Campylobacter was 100% except for Salmonella (88.88%). However, 94.44% S. aureus,77.77% Salmonella, 100% E. coli, and 100% Campylobacter were identified in the coriander leaf sample. In conclusion, in salad vegetable samples, high bacterial load and the presence of these organisms, particularly S. aureus, Salmonella,  E. coli, and  Campylobacter, could serve as an indicator of the need to raise awareness about the potential health hazards caused by improper handling of these vegetables.

The study was conducted to analyze organophosphorus pesticide residues in two common vegetables (cauliflower and eggplant) collected from five local markets of Mymensingh district of Bangladesh. The collected samples were carried to the Pesticide Analytical Laboratory, Entomology Division of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur on the same sampling day. The collected samples were analyzed using Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) extraction technique and Gas Chromatography (GC) coupled with Flame Thermionic Detector (FTD). In total, 60 vegetable samples were analyzed in this study. Out of 30 analyzed samples of cauliflower, 5 samples (17% of the total number of samples) contained residues of dimethoate, chlorpyrifos and quinalphos, where 3 samples contained residues above the maximum residue limits (MRLs). Among the 30 analyzed samples of eggplant, 5 samples (17% of the total number of samples) contained residues of chlorpyrifos, quinalphos, and dimethoate, where only one sample contained residues above MRL. This study reflects the actual scenario of pesticide residues remain in cauliflower and eggplant collected from local markets of Mymensingh district, which will help the consumer to be aware of their health and safety. Thus, continuous monitoring of pesticide residues in vegetables should be strengthened.

Agricultural credit usually plays a crucial role in using optimal rates of production inputs especially for resource poor farmers. The present study aims to investigate the impact of diverse land tenant types on agricultural credit receipt as well as adequacy and utilization of receipt credits. A total of 60 samples were randomly selected for interview from Sadar Upazila of Mymensingh district. The study found three types of land tenants:  owner-tenant, tenant-owner and pure-tenants. The result shows that the highest percentage of land was controlled by tenant-owner (56%) followed by owner-tenant (36%) and pure-tenant (8%) of the study areas. The result of the study shows that the owner-tenant and tenant-owner of the study areas have got more access to institutional sources of agricultural credit relative to pure-tenants because of their ability to offer land as security. The pure-tenants received lower amount of agricultural credit from Bangladesh Krishi Bank (BKB) relative to the owner-tenant and tenant-owner, but they can easily get credit from BKB, if they were able to show legal papers of the rented or mortgaged lands and a recommendation of the land owner.  The study found that almost 50% received credit was used by the pure-tenant farmer for family expenditure and non-farm business rather farming. The result of regression analysis indicates that 1% increase of farm size would lead to an increase of the utilization of agriculture credit for farming purposes by 35% in the study areas. The result suggests that ensuring use of agriculture credit for farming purposes could boost up productivity of the pure-tenant farmers.

The study was conducted to detect and quantify the residue of dimethoate and fenitrothion in yard long bean and tomato depending on the maximum residue limit (MRL) set by European Union. Four supervised field trials were conducted and sprayed with the recommended dose (2 ml/L of water) of dimethoate and fenitrothion. Samples were collected at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11days after spray (DAS). The collected samples were analyzed using Gas Chromatography (GC) coupled with Electron Capture Detector (ECD). The residue of fenitrothion was detected up to 8 DAS in tomato and 9 DAS in yard long bean and the levels of residues were 8.983-0.076 mg/kg in tomato and 6.187- 0.056 mg/kg in yard long bean which were above MRL. No residue was detected at 9 DAS in tomato and 10 DAS in yard long bean. The residue of dimethoate was detected up to 9 DAS in tomato and 10 DAS in yard long bean. The quantities of residues were decreased gradually over time and these were 6.521- 0.034 mg/kg in tomato and 8.590-0.046 mg/kg in yard long bean which were above MRL. No residues were detected at 10 DAS in tomato and 11 DAS in yard long bean.

Bacterial blight (BB) caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae is a destructive disease of rice causing significant yield losses. Surveys were conducted to know the influence of weather parameters on epidemic development of BB in the thirty agroecological zones of Bangladesh. The maximum (55.11%) BB incidence and severity were recorded in Mymensingh division (AEZs 8 and 9) while the minimum (3.25%) incidence was observed in Barishal division (AEZ 13) in both rainfed and irrigated seasons. In rainfed conditions, the maximum BB incidence and severity were recorded in hybrid varieties Aloron from Netrokona (AEZ 9) and the minimum incidence was observed in the local variety Sughondi from Jalhokhati (AEZ 13). On the other hand, in irrigated conditions, the highest BB incidence was recorded in the hybrid variety Hera-2 from Netrokona (AEZ 9) and the lowest incidence was observed in the local variety from Hobiganj (AEZ 20, 21, 22). Swarna, Puja, BRRIdhan28, BRRIdhan29, and BRRIdhan49 showed intermediate levels of infection, while hybrid Hera-2, Arize TejGold, Partex, Agrodhan, Aloron, ACI-2, and Dhani Gold showed higher level of infection (susceptibility) to BB. The data analysis on BB incidence with the weather parameters of rice growing seasons from 2015 to 2017 revealed that the rainfall distribution varied greatly within rice growing seasons over the years. The results indicated that weather parameters, viz. temperature (25-34°C), relative humidity (70-84%), and rainfall (>200mm), largely affected the prevalence, incidence and severity of BB. The correlation studies revealed that among the climate variables, minimum temperature exhibits a negative correlation. However, rainfall, maximum temperature, morning relative humidity and evening relative humidity were found positively correlated, while wind velocity imparted a significant positive correlation with BB infection. The regional outbreak of BB indicated a considerable yield loss of rice and give rise a threat for food security of the country.