Dept. of Agricultural Chemistry

AGRICULTURAL DIVERSIFICATION FOR LIVELIHOOD SECURITY OF THE FARMERS IN NORTHERN BANGLADESH

2026-09-29T07:32:31Z

AGRICULTURAL DIVERSIFICATION FOR LIVELIHOOD SECURITY OF THE FARMERS IN NORTHERN BANGLADESH RASHID, MD. MAMUNUR The purposes of the study were to determine the extent and pattern of agricultural diversification and its influencing factors, to measure the level of livelihood security among diversified farmers, to examine the association between agricultural diversification and livelihood security, and to identify the constraints faced by farmers in adopting agricultural diversification along with possible suggestions to overcome them. Data were collected from August to December 2024 using a pretested interview schedule from farmers in six villages of the Kurigram, Thakurgaon, and Dinajpur districts of Bangladesh. In addition, qualitative data were gathered through focus group discussions (FGDs) and case studies. A multistage random sampling technique was employed to select 348 farmers from a population of 2,720. Fifteen selected characteristics of the farmers were considered as independent variables, while agricultural diversification was treated as the primary dependent variable. The Simpson’s Index of Diversity reveal that the average agricultural diversification index (ADI) was 0.599, indicating a medium level of agricultural diversification in northern Bangladesh. Among the three locations, Charland farmers in Kurigram district exhibited the highest ADI (0.610), followed by Upland farmers in Thakurgaon district (0.596) and Barind Tract farmers in Dinajpur district (0.588). Out of the 15 characteristics, 11 were significantly correlated with agricultural diversification. Regression analysis showed that six variables jointly explained 50.3 percent of the variation in agricultural diversification. Market accessibility contributed the most (23.2%), followed by decision-making ability (12.1%), extension media contact (6.9%), farm size (3.7%), risk orientation (3.3%), and credit-seeking behaviour (1.2%). Path analysis indicated that market accessibility, decision-making ability, extension media contact, risk orientation, and credit-seeking behaviour had direct positive effects, while farm size had a direct negative effect on agricultural diversification. The majority of the farmers (84.77%) had average to poor levels of livelihood security. A statistically significant positive association (χ² = 24.328, p < 0.01) was observed between agricultural diversification and livelihood security. The most severe constraint faced by farmers was the higher price of inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides (CFI = 268.97), whereas untimely availability of good-quality inputs was the least severe constraint (CFI = 177.30). Overall, highest portion (70.11%) of the respondents experienced a medium level of constraints, 19.25 percent faced low constraints, and 12.36 percent encountered high constraints in adopting agricultural diversification. To overcome these constraints, farmers suggested ten measures, among which the most frequently mentioned (85.00%) was ensuring proper market facilities at the village level. AGRICULTURAL DIVERSIFICATION FOR LIVELIHOOD SECURITY OF THE FARMERS IN NORTHERN BANGLADESH; A Dissertation Submitted in accordance with the requirements of the Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University Dinajpur for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY By MD. MAMUNUR RASHID, Student No. 01/2022, Reg. No. 1005102, Department of Agricultural Extension, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur; December, 2025.

Cold Stress on Some Selected Boro Rice Seedlings and Amelioration by Biochemical Approaches

2026-06-17T07:05:55Z

Cold Stress on Some Selected Boro Rice Seedlings and Amelioration by Biochemical Approaches Ali, Md. Jafar Cold stress is one of the critical environmental conditions that adversely affects crop growth and development resulting limit of yield and productivity. Field and Laboratory experiments were carried out three successive years to investigate the morpho-physiological functions of seedlings of eight rice varieties for cold survival mechanism during low temperature in Northwest Bangladesh and yield potential. The test rice cultivars from BRRI hybrid- BRRI hybrid dhan3 and BRRI hybrid dhan5, and HYV rice were BR 18 (Shahjalal), BRRI dhan28, BRRI dhan29 while indigenous cultivars were Lafaya, Biron dhan and Jagli. The root and shoot length, root and shoot weight, mean germination time, % survival or mortality, seedling vigor were recorded. Antioxidant enzyme activities like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) were investigated at low temperature during study period. The leaf proline, chlorophyll, total carotenoid content was determined at ambient cold temperature and 6 °C in growth chamber during study period. Results indicated that low temperature and rice varieties had significant effect on the parameters studied while the salicylic acid positively improved the seedling growth and vigor. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities were increased in BRRI hybrid dhan5 at cold environment than those of other tested varieties. The BRRI hybrid dhan5 synthesized the highest amount of proline at 6 °C but the lower at ambient low temperature. The lowest amount of proline among the tested varieties was observed in cv. Lafaya at ambient low temperature and at 6 °C Similarly, the highest amount of chlorophyll-a was biosynthesized by BRRI hybrid dhan5 at ambient temperature but 6 °C while Salicylic acid application stimulated the chlorophyll. A significant variability was observed among the varieties regarding survival rate and mortality. The survival potentiality at low temperature environment during study period was observed as BRRI hybrid dhan5>BRRI hybrid dhan3>BRRI dhan28>Lafaya>Biron, respectively. The present finding infers that BRRI hybrid dhan5 showed the better survival potentiality than those of indigenous varieties during cold temperature by increasing anti-oxidant enzyme activities, higher synthesizing proline, and chlorophyll production resulted more biomass partitioning in root and shoot and increased seedling vigor index with low mortality that might inhibit cold injury due to occasional cold wave during Boro seedling raising time in winter and protect the seedling from adverse climate change effect. Salicylic acid application of 75 ppm, a biochemical approach that positively increased the seedling survival and improved the seedling growth during cold stress might be helpful for seedling raising in Northwest Bangladesh. Cold Stress on Some Selected Boro Rice Seedlings and Amelioration by Biochemical Approaches; A Dissertation Submitted in accordance with the requirements of the Hajee Mohammed Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY By Md. Jafar Ali, Student No. : 1105100, Session: January 2018; DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY, HAJEE MOHAMMED DANESH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY DINAJPUR, BANGLADESH; December, 2022.

EFFECT OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF TOMATO

2026-05-05T09:46:17Z

EFFECT OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF TOMATO BAPPY, MD. RAKEBUL ISLAM A pot experiment was conducted inside the net house at Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Dinajpur during the period of November 2024 to February 2025, to study the effect of nitrogen and phosphorus on growth and yield of tomato. The experiment was laid out in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD) having seven treatments with three replications: T1: N0P0, T2: N1P1, T3: N1P2, T4: N2P1, T5: N2P2, T6: N3P1, T7: N3P2 .Different doses of N (0, 0.35, 0.45, 0.55 g pot-1) and P(0, 0.20, 0.25 g pot-1) were applied in soil based on 0, 80, 100, 120 kg ha-1 and 0, 45, 50 kg ha-1 respectively in soil. Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization to the soil influenced the plant growth and yield contributing characters of tomato. The highest value of different parameters such as plant height (The maximum plant height 66.33, 91.67, 106.00 and 118.00 cm was observed in T7 treatment at 30 , 45 ,60 DAT and at harvest respectively), number of leaf plant-1 (14.33, 17.00, 19.33 was observed in T7 at 30, 45 and 60 DAT respectively), number of branches (5.99 and 6.67 was observed in T7 treatment at 45 and 60 DAT respectively), number of flowers plant-1 ( 33.00, 46.00 was observed in T7 at 45 and 60 DAT respectively), no of fruit plant-1 (43.33 was observed in T7 ), weight of fruit (2.10 kg plant-1 was observed in T7 treatment), root length (24.40 cm was observed in T7 ), fresh root weight (14.27 g plant-1 was observed in T7), dry weight of root (4.33 g plant-1 was observed in T7), fresh and dry weight of shoot (305.73 g plant 1 and 16.36 g plant-1) both were observed in T7 treatment. The lowest values of all the parameter of growth and yield contributing characters were found in control T1 treatment. Although highest amount of nutrient in the fruit like Ca, Mg and K (133.00, 88.00 and 106.87 mg/1000gm) fruit were observed in T2 treatment and lowest amount of nutrient in the fruit were observed in T7 treatment. It is showed that the performance of the treatment T7 was the best among all the other treatment. Therefore, the study reveals that the soil application of 120 kg N ha-1 and 50 kg P ha-1 might be an efficient practice for achieving economical tomato production but increasing amount N and P application reduced chemical content (Ca, Mg, K) of tomato fruit. EFFECT OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF TOMATO; A THESIS BY MD. RAKEBUL ISLAM BAPPY, Student No. 1801343, Session: 2024-2025, Semester: January–June, 2025; MASTER OF SCIENCE (M.S.) IN AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY, HAJEE MOHAMMAD DANESH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY DINAJPUR-5200; JUNE, 2025.

ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY AND SUITABILITY FOR IRRIGATION PURPOSES AT NAGESHWARI UPAZILA

2026-05-04T05:48:47Z

ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY AND SUITABILITY FOR IRRIGATION PURPOSES AT NAGESHWARI UPAZILA AHAMED, MD. SHIHAB A study was conducted to evaluate the quality of groundwater in different unions of Nageshwari upazila under Kurigram District of Bangladesh for irrigation purposes. Forty water samples were collected and analyzed in the Agricultural chemistry laboratory of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University for the assessment of their quality based on a number of pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), Kelly‟s ratio (KR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), soluble sodium percentage (SSP), total cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+) and anions (HCO3-, SO4 2, PO4 3- and Cl-). Several computed variables such as SAR (Sodium Adsorption Ratio), HT (Total Hardness), PI (Permeability Index), PS (Potential Salinity) and Kelly‟s Ratio were used to evaluate the suitability of groundwater for specific uses. Most of the water samples were slightly acidic in nature (pH value varied from 5.88 to 7.15 for ground water) and had a great impact on crop production. As regards to EC values, 21 samples were classed as „good‟ and 12 samples were classed as „excellent‟ and 7 samples were „permissible‟ categories for irrigation. All samples were fresh for irrigation in respect to TDS. Based on SAR values, all water samples were under „excellent‟ categories for irrigation. On the basis of Ca2+, Mg2+,Na+ and K+ content, the entire water samples can safely be used for irrigation and would not affect the soil +. On the basis of PO4 3, SO4 2-, HCO3- and Cl-, all water samples under investigation were suitable for irrigation. For hardness, 7 samples were soft, 28 samples were moderately hard and 5 sample were hard for irrigation. Some compositional relations were also evaluated. The results also provided data for water quality of groundwater resources of study region to match national and international standards for agricultural requirements. The study revealed that the quality of groundwater for most of the locations in the area was permissible, good and suitable for irrigation purposes. ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY AND SUITABILITY FOR IRRIGATION PURPOSES AT NAGESHWARI UPAZILA; A THESIS BY MD. SHIHAB AHAMED, Student No. 1701351, Session: 2024-2025, Thesis Semester: January – June, 2025; MASTER OF SCIENCE (M.S.) IN AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY, HAJEE MOHAMMAD DANESH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY, DINAJPUR-5200; JUNE 2025.