Journal of Agriculture, Food and Environment (JAFE) | ISSN (Online Version): 2708 - 5694

Quality assessment of vinegar produced from pineapple wastes utilizing both laboratory-isolated Acetobacter spp. and reference strain Acetobacter pasteurianus DSM-2324

Siddiki MSR — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0500

The research was conducted to assess the quality of vinegar made from pineapple fruit wastes using laboratory isolated Strain A (Acetobacter spp.) and reference strain B (Acetobacter pasteurianus DSM-2324). Vinegar was prepared in the laboratory. For standardization of parameters for vinegar production, different levels of carbon (10%Brix, 15% Brix, 20% Brix and 25% Brix) and different levels of pH (4.5, 5.5, 6.5 and 7.5) were applied. The highest vinegar production was found at 25% Brix and pH 5.5. The juices prepared from the wastes of pineapple were maintained at 25% Brix and pH 5.5 and two-stage fermentation of each juice was carried out first anaerobically by adding yeast strain (Saccharomyces cereviseae) and then aerobically by adding acetic acid bacteria (AAB) strains to the broth obtained from the first stage fermentation. In case of strain A, the total soluble solids (TSS) of the vinegar reached to 3.2%±0.00, the alcohol content became 1.0%. The pH of the vinegar dropped to 2.87%±0.02. The titratable acidity of vinegar was 5.48%±0.03. In the case of strain B, the TSS of the vinegar reached to 3.0%±0.01, the alcohol content became 1.1%. The pH of the vinegar dropped to 2.6%±0.01. The titratable acidity of vinegar was 6.01%±0.02. This study clearly indicates that pineapple fruit wastes could be used for the production of high-quality vinegar.

Integrated nutrient management approaches increased the growth and yield of carrot

Haque T — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0500

To evaluate the influence of integrated use of nutrient on the development and production of carrot a research trial was executed at the Farm under Department of Horticulture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh from the month of November, 2021 to February, 2022. The factorial experiment involved two carrot varieties namely Shidur and New Kuroda and seven nutrient treatments viz. Control (No nutrient), 100% Poultry manure (PM) @ 5t/ha, 100% Vermicompost (VC) @ 6t/ha, 100% Recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) @ 200kg urea+ 125 kg TSP+ 120 kg MP per hectare, 50% PM + 50% RDF, 50% VC + 50% RDF and 30% PM + 30% VC + 40% RDF. RCBD (Randomized Complete Block Design) was used to perform the experiment with three replications. In case of variety, growth and yield attributes such as plant height (38.81 cm), length (13.14 cm) and diameter (3.17 cm) of roots, root fresh weight in each plant(61.43 g), gross yield (27.47 t/ha) and commercial yield (24.78 t/ha) observed higher in Shidur than New Kuroda. Considering the nutrient treatments, 30% PM + 30% VC + 40% RDF treatment performed better than any other treatments in respect to plant height (49.79 cm), leaf number per plant (10.50), length (15.08 cm) and diameter (3.94 cm) of roots, fresh weight of root in each plant (87.36 g), gross (37.65 t/ha) and commercial yield (34.40 t/ha), while control treatment produced the minimum plant height (27.73 cm), leaf number per plant (8.23), length (10.56 cm) and diameter (2.11 cm) of roots, gross (17.52 t/ha) and marketable yield (15.08 t/ha). Considering the treatment combinations, Shidur with 30% PM + 30% VC + 40% RDF formed the tallest plant (50.96 cm), length of root (15.42 cm), diameter of root (4.18 cm), root weight per plant (88.56 g), gross yield (38.90 t/ha) and commercial yield (35.77 t/ha). The shortest plant (26.50 cm), minimum length (9.92 cm) and diameter (2.07 cm) of roots, root weight per plant (31.83 g), gross (16.33 t/ha) and commercial yield (13.73 t/ha) were observed from variety New Kuroda with control treatment combination. The study concludes that the treatment combination of Shidur with 30% PM + 30% VC + 40% RDF could be used for enhanced growth and production of carrot.

Characterization of Potato Leaf Disease by Digital Image Processing Technique

Husna A — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Potato is a significant staple crop in Bangladesh. The productivity of potatoes decreases by factors such as disease, insect infestation, and rapid variations in climate conditions. The classification of potato leaf disease shows a vital role in preventing a damage of product. To identify the signs of disease immediately appearing in plant, it is essential to use automated detection techniques. If these epidemics are identified at the initial stage and proper activity is selected, the farmers would not suffer from significant financial losses. In this study, the classification of diseases of potato leaf was proposed using a digital image processing technique. The steps followed in this technique were acquisition, pre-processing of image, segmentation of image, feature extraction from image, and disease classification. For image acquisition, the early blight, healthy leaf, and late blight of potato leaf were clicked using DSLR camera. Enhancing the contrast and removing noise, RGB images were pre-processed. The diseased portion, normal portion, and background area was segmented through k-means clustering. Then the diseased portion was converted into a grayscale image. Feature extraction was done using an algorithm known as Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix(GLCM). The classification of disease was done using Support Vector Machine (SVM). The proposed method achieved in identifying the early blight infected leaves, late blight infected leaves, and healthy leaves, was 95%, 76.5%, and 90%, respectively. Therefore, the proposed potato leaf disease finding by means of image processing may be a successful technique nowadays.

Perception-based planning approach for infrastructural development: Sylhet Agricultural University, Bangladesh

Baidya J — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Infrastructure is required for proper education and research in a university. Sylhet Agricultural University is a new varsity blooming in the last decade which was upgraded from a college. After establishment, some buildings have been constructed and some are still under construction. Therefore, a plan is proposed to properly use the remaining free lands to construct new infrastructures through this research work after systematically studying the land and facilities. At first, an engineering survey was conducted to prepare paper-based and computerized 2D maps indicating existing infrastructures. Proposed sites for future infrastructures were also identified and justified by a study involving different groups within the university community. Based on the perceptions gathered, the maps were finalized to show the locations of buildings suggested by most interviewees. Afterward, buildings were constructed on the campus, some of which match the locations suggested by this study. Thus, for further construction, this map could be an important guideline.

Morphometric characteristics and meristic counts of greenback grey mullet (Liza subviridis) population from the Khulna district

Sultana Z — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0500

A study was conducted in four different regions of Khulna district, to describe the morphometric and meristic characteristics of greenback grey mullet (Liza subviridis) populations. The comparison was based on data collected over three months in 2023, from June to August. A total of one hundred specimens with total body weights (TBW) ranging from 10.05 to 16.25 g and total body lengths (TBL) ranging from 13.8 to 14.65 cm were used in the morphometric and meristic analyses. When compared to the other four populations, the Mongla River population exhibited higher averages for total body length, standard length, post-orbital length, eye diameter, length of pre-dorsal fin, and length of anal fin. Every biological trait differed significantly (p < 0.05) between the Gajirhat beel and Mongla population. The average meristic features of the anal, pelvic, and dorsal fin spines did not vary among the four populations (p > 0.05). However, the number of pectoral fin rays in the Rupsha and Gajirhat beel was significantly (P<0.05) higher than in other regions. Additionally, there were more dorsal and caudal fin rays in the Mongla River. Compared to other populations, the Paikgacha population had more scales on its lateral line. Four different body proportions showed significant differences at the 5% level: Head length: pre-orbital, head length: post-orbital, head length: eye diameter, head length: body depth, and head length: standard lengths. Overfishing, pollution, environmental degradation, disease transmission, the introduction of alien species, and inadequate management, all contribute to population loss, according to the research. The investigation also advocated for the protection of the Liza subviridis population in the Khulna division and neighboring areas.

Histological alterations in the kidney of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), exposed to Celecron 50EC

Sultana Z — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Tilapia is widely cultured and most demandable fish species in Bangladesh as well as in the world. The current experiment was undertaken to investigate the histopathological conditions of the kidney of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus after exposure to the pesticide Celecron 50EC. To determine the impact of histo-architectural changes in the kidney of the studied fish, the fishes were exposed to different sublethal concentrations of Celecron 50EC for 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. The kidneys of the treated groups showed highly deteriorated bowman’s capsule, necrosis, impaired renal tubules, pyknosis, vacuolization, damaged hematopoietic tissue, and necrosis. The current study demonstrated that Celecron 50EC harms fish organs.

COVID-19 Dynamics in Rajshahi Division: An RT-qPCR-Based Study

Parvin A — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0500

On March 8, 2020, the case of COVID-19 patient was first reported in Bangladesh. Since then, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has announced that COVID-19 is being identified daily in Bangladesh. This study was conducted at Rajshahi Medical College, Bangladesh, from July 2022 to June 2023. The COVID-19 epidemiology and demography study were performed in the Rajshahi division, comprising four major regions (Rajshahi, Joypurhat, Natore, and Chapai Nawabganj). An analysis was conducted to determine the correlation between three variables: age, gender, and various demographic regions of the patients. A total (N=7979) COVID-19-positive cases were confirmed with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) at Rajshahi Medical College. Out of the age groups, the 20-29 age group exhibited the highest infection rate among the deceased COVID-19-positive cases, accounting for 21.7% (n = 1731) of the total confirmed patients. Men were more affected by COVID-19, with 61.6% (n = 4914) of the cases being male, compared to 38.4% (n = 3065) of female cases. Rajshahi district reported the highest number of positive COVID-19 cases, comprising 69.7% (n = 5564) of the total cases, followed by the remaining three regions, Joypurhat, Natore, and Rajshahi Medical College region (RMC), respectively. Furthermore, compared to rural inhabitants, urban individuals were found to be more susceptible to contracting SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study provides valuable insights for health professionals and policymakers to devise effective strategies for controlling and reducing the spread of COVID-19 in the region.

Women Empowerment through Climate-Smart Agriculture in Southwest Region of Bangladesh

Nessa K — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0500

This study examines the adaptation practices of women farmers in the southwest region of Bangladesh, who received land assistance from the World Bank after being displaced due to cyclone Aila. For the study qualitative research approach was adopted, 12 women farmers were selected purposively residing in Kamarkhola Union of Dacope Upazila under Khulna district and in-depth interviews (IDIs) ,4 key informant interviews (KIIs) were done with local climate-smart agriculture (CSA) experts. The study identifies various CSA techniques like cultivating salt-tolerant crops, using eco-friendly fertilizers, and managing fish farms with identifying its role on women empowerment. The study reveals that CSA enables the majority of women work in agriculture sector becoming financially solvent, and contribute to the decision making process in the family and community. It also shows that CSA practices help to enhance their natural, physical, and human capital but identifies some challenges, such as training mismanagement, information gaps, family responsibilities, transportation issues, financial constraints, and market linkages that need to be addressed by the related government sector and non-government organizations (NGOs). The research also suggests that providing high-quality resources and financial aid can improve the benefits of CSA for women in the region. Above all, it contributes to the literature on CSA and women empowerment; and provides insights for further research and projects on the topic.

Fisheries-based ecotourism in north-eastern area of Bangladesh

Fagun IA — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Fisheries and tourism both have great economic potential for Bangladesh. Around the globe, fishing for pleasure has already become popular. Despite being a novel concept, fisheries-based ecotourism presents considerable potential, especially as the tourism sector seeks creative attractions. Northeastern Bangladesh (Sylhet division) possesses a haor basin which includes wide a large low land portion with many rivers. This research aims to provide a comprehensive investigation of fisheries based ecotourism focusing on the cultural, environmental and socioeconomic factors in the study region. By combining primary and secondary data, the research assesses the advantages and obstacles of implementing FbE in Sylhet. Qualitative methods were employed to gather insights from local stakeholders, revealing that recreational fishing, fishing competitions, wetland exploration, fish fairs, and fishing festivals with traps and angling are already established traditions in the area. The research also highlights the possible locations and occasions for beginning FbE. The impact of these activities is also found positive in the local community’s socioeconomic state. The acceptance level of FbE as an earning tool is also found high. The potentials of this new concept lie between the proper frame working, planning, implementation, developing infrastructures, and promoting the sites and events as tourist attractions.

Global and Bangladesh Perspective on Covid-19 Plastic Pollution: A Hindrance in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

Tasneem KA — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0500

In the current COVID-19 pandemic, besides the millions of deaths and economic stagnation, isolation, and psychological stress, the global environment faces a new challenge; How to deal with plastic pollution? Before the pandemic, the world was already facing challenges in dealing with the huge amount of plastic waste, where over 70 percent was not managed and just thrown in the ocean, threatening the aquatic environment and its habitats. Now, due to the pandemic, plastic consumption will increase as PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) consists of plastics. However, there are no plastic waste management initiatives to deal with the huge amount of waste generated due to the pandemic. In this paper, I will highlight the disruption of plastic waste management due to COVID-19 from the perspective of global and Bangladesh, how plastic pollution is harmful to both land and aquatic environments, and how there are possibilities of not meeting SDG-14.1 in 2025 due to the climate funding gap. Lastly, the paper will also provide recommendations and further possible areas of improvement in plastic waste management.

Bangladesh’s Dying Shrimp Industry Crying for Policy Action

Jamal MR — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0500

The shrimp industry shares a significant export portfolio in Bangladesh, contributing substantially to the country's economy. However, despite its bright potential, this export-oriented industry is crying for policy attention for sustainability and competitiveness. The objective of this article is to provide a quick summary message of the shrimp industry in Bangladesh based on available sources. The Department of Fisheries (DoF) has reported a significant decline (50%) in shrimp exports over the past decade, resulting in an associated drop of approximately 40% in export revenues. The loss of competitiveness in the global shrimp market can be explained by several factors, including higher cultivation expenses, lower yield, declining demand, and a failure to introduce exotic, high-yielding species. This article strongly recommends introducing Vannamei shrimp commercially to revitalize the dying shrimp industry in Bangladesh.