Aungshuman Das gupta¹, Shamima Najmin¹, Muhammad Gias Uddin², Md. Omar Qaium³, Mohammad Yasrib Haider⁴, Paritosh K. Biswas¹

¹Department of Microbiology, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU), Chittagong, Bangladesh
²Paediatric, Lohagora Health Complex, Chittagong, DGHS, Bangladesh
³IEDCR, DGHS, Bangladesh
⁴Jahurul Islam Medical College, Bhagalpur, Bajitpur, Kishoreganj, Bangladesh

A cross -sectional survey was conducted to assess the diversity among fecal Escherichia coli from cattle in the dairy farms of Chittagong region at phenotype and genotype level. A total of 21 farms were selected ramdomly and swabs were collected from recto anal junctions(RAJ) of randomly selected 419 cattle on them. The diversity of E. coli, particularly those belonging to probable entero hemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC)0157 serogroup was discriminated from others based on observation of sorbitol non-fermenting colonies of a selective medium named potassium tellurite added sorbital MacConkey (CT-SMAC)agar. Any member of the EHEC 0157 serogroup is sorbital non-fermenter and thus produces colorless colonies. E. coli fidelity on four selected isolates was tested for the presence of seven house-keeping genes,and their genetic diversities were verified by plasmid profiling and pulse field gel electrophoresis(PFGE). Finally,their antimicrobial susceptibility profiles were also assessed by disk-diffusion method, against 11 antimicrobials. The results showed that all the 21 cattle farms were positive for probable EHEC 0157, but the magnitude of colonized animals with it varied from farm to farm. The overall prevalence of probable EHEC was 7.6%(32/419) (95% CI 4.3–12.7%) and its prevalence in the adult cows,heifers and calves were 6.4% (95% CI 0.07-11.9%),9%(95% CI 0.01-14.6%) and 10%(95%CI 6.4-24.6%)respectively.Its prevalence in the cows suffering from mastitis (2.4%) was 0.29(95% CI 0.12-0.86) times lower compared with others  (p=0.015).The population of probable EHEC 0157 in the dairy cattle in Chittagong seemed genetically diverse based on plasmid and PFGE profiles of four selected isolates. The antimicrobial resistance profiles of the probable EHEC isolates varied substantially. Most EHEC 0157 isolates showed diversity in their resistance patterns against 11 antimicrobials tested. O-serotype identities of the of the probable EHEC 0157 isolates need to be confirmed by the rfb gene or serogroup-specific agglutination test and the possession of the virulent genes, such as stx1,stx2,eae and HlyA in them also remain unexplored from the study.

Keywords: Dairy farm, Escherichia coli, EHEC, plasmid profiling, PF antimicrobial resistance,CT-SMAC.

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: momydvm@gmail.com (Shamima Najmin)

How to cite this article: Gupta AD, Najmin  S, Uddin MG, Qaium MO, Haider MY and Biswas PK  (2019). Phenotypic and genotypic diversity of Escherichia coli isolated from cattle in the dairy farms in Chittagong. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 6(2): 01-13.

M.A. Hossain¹, M. Rashiduzzaman², A. Akhtar⁴, S. Islam⁴ M.F. Rahman¹, M.I.M. Zulfiqar³

¹Department of Animal Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
²Palli Daridra Bimochon Foundation (PDBF), Dhaka, Bangladesh
³Social Development Foundation (SDF), Mymensingh, Bangladesh
⁴Department of Livestock Services, Dhaka, Bangladesh

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the feeding, management, income generation, livelihood improvement, credit received and its realization by beef fattening in Sirajganj district of Bangladesh. The experiment was conducted at Khokshabari union in Sirajganj district. A total 15 respondents were randomly selected from three villages purposively where 5 from each village. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data. The period of data collection was 4 months of normal season and 6 months before Eid -ul -Azha in 2014. The experiment was divided into two cycle like 1st and 2nd cycle, respectively. The farmers were treated as hard core poor, poor and illiterate. Crude protein (CP) contents of available feedstuffs were compared higher and crude fiber (CF) content was lower compared to other unconventional feedstuffs indicated the availability of good quality feeds for fattening cattle in studied areas. Total cost of production, gross return and net return per household beef fattening of 1st cycle was 22010, 39028 and 17017 BDT and 2nd cycle was 33360, 61591 and 28231 BDT, and loan recovery rate was 95- 100%, respectively. Food purchasing, cloth purchasing, social status, health care, educational and housing status were increased at 33, 30, 24, 17, 14 and 12% through beef fattening in study area and loan realization trends was better than that of other organizations. The results clearly indicate that drastic livelihood improvement of poor farmers, creation of self- employment and better loan realization through beef fattening practices was possible in the study areas by improved scientific management practices.

Keywords: Beef fattening, Livelihood improvement, Loan, Poor farmers.

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: anwar.kbd82@gmail.com (MA Hossain)

How to cite this article: Hossain MA, Rashiduzzaman M, Akhtar A, Islam S, Rahman  MF and Zulfiqar MIM  (2019). Livelihood improvement of poor farmers through beef fattening of Sirajganj district in Bangladesh. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 6(2): 14-21.

Abdur Rakib, K.T. Akter, M.S.R. Khanom, Md. Sefaur Rahman, A. B. M. Shafiul Alam

Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Mymensingh-2201, Bangladesh

The present experiment was undertaken to examine the suitability of Binadhan-17 (an Aman variety) cultivating in Boro season (Mid-November to Mid-April; approximately 180 days). The experiment was conducted at the experimental field of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) substation, Cumilla. Four Boro verities namely BRRIdhan28, BRRIdhan29, BRRIdhan81 and BRRIdhan89 were used to compare the performance of Aman variety “Binadhan-17”. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with two replications. Maximum yield (9.17 t/ha) was recorded in BRRIdhan89 which was statistically similar to BRRIdhan29 (8.94 t/ha) and Binadhan-17 (8.25 t/ha). The lowest yield (6.24 t/ha) was found in BRRIdhan81 which was statistically similar to BRRIdhan28 (6.65 t/ha).Lowest duration was found in BRRIdhan28 (142.5 days) followed by BRRIdhan81 (144 days). Maximum duration was in BRRIdhan-29 (164 days) followed by BRRIdhan89 (159 days). Binadhan-17 had medium duration which was 158 days. However, Binadhan-17 showed better performance compared to other varieties that may be suitable for Boro season.

Keywords: Binadhan-17, Boro varieties, Yield.

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: rakibag8_pstu@yahoo.com (Abdur Rakib)

How to cite this article: Rakib A, Akter KT, Khanom MSR, Rahman MS and Alam ABMS (2019). Performance of Binadhan-17 compare to BRRIdhan28, BRRIdhan29, BRRIdhan81 and BRRIdhan89. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 6(2): 22-26.

Rizwana Khondoker, Md. Rasal-Monir, Mohammad Humayun Kabir

Department of Horticulture, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh

A pot experiment was conducted at Horticulture Farm, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The experiment consisted of two factors: Factor A: Different moisture regime; I₀= 100% ET irrigation (control), I1=75% ET irrigation, I₂=50% ET irrigation; Factor B: Foliar application of anti-Transpirant and Cycocel (CCC); F₀ = Foliar spray with water (control), F₁= Foliar spray with 3% kaolin, F₂ = Foliar spray with 1000ppm CCC, F₃=Foliar spray with 3% kaolin and 1000ppm CCC. The two factor experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Application of kaolin and CCC with different irrigation level showed significant variations on most of the parameters. In case of kaolin and CCC; the highest spikelet per spike was recorded 50.02 from F₃, highest length of flowering stalk 91.00 cm from F₀, the highest length of rachis area 31.80 cm from F₀, the highest weight of bulb 152.70 g from F₃.In case of different moisture regime the highest spikelet per spike 52.50 was found from I₀, the maximum length of flowering stalk 94.65 cm from I0, the maximum length of rachis 31.27 cm I₀. For combined effect the highest spikelet per spike 60.00 I₀F₃,the maximum length of flowering stalk 103.00 cm from I₀F₀, the maximum length of rachis 38.70 cm from I₀F₀, the maximum weight of bulb 43.70 g from in I₁F₃.The I1F3 treatment showed better performance for growth and flowering of tuberose.

Keywords: Anti-Transpirant, Tuberose, Growth, Moisture regimes.

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: kabirsau@yahoo.com (M.H. Kabir)

How to cite this article: Khondoker R, Monir MR and Kabir MH (2019). Influence of anti-transpirant and cycocel on growth and flowering of tuberose under different moisture regimes. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 6(2): 27-43.

M. A. Iqubal¹, K. T. Akter², A. Rakib², M.S.R. Khanom², M. M. Majumder³, M. Tajul Islam⁴

¹Agriculture Information Service, Dhaka-1215, Bangladesh
²Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Mymensingh-2201, Bangladesh
³Department of Agriculture Extension, Dhaka-1215, Bangladesh
⁴Graduate Training Institute, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

To study the effect of cowdung and neem leaf (Azadirachta indica) on growth and development of stem amaranth (Amaranthus oleraceus), an experiment was conducted in experimental plots under a research project, Department of Agroforestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh following Randomized Block Design with two factor named cowdung and doses of chopped neem leaf with nine treatments and three replications (M₀N­_0, M₀N­_1, M₀N­_2, M₁N­_0, M₁N­_1, M₁N­_2, M₂N­_0, M₂N­_1, M₂N­₂) from 20 February 2008 to 30 April 2008. Plant height (cm), leaf number, stem diameter (mm), plant weight at harvest (g) and yield (t ha^-1) were recorded at 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56 and 63 days after sowing with the help of a meter scale and weight machine. It was evident that, the maximum value of collected data was found from 10 t ha^-1 of cowdung with 2 t ha^-1 of neem leaf (M₂ x N₂) interaction. Whereas the minimum value was obtained from the interaction of control (M₀ x N₀) treatment at 14, 21, 28, 35 and 56 DAS and the treatment combinations of 5 t ha^-1 cowdung with 1 t ha^-1 neem leaf (M₁ x N₁) and 10 t ha^-1 of cowdung with no neem leaf (M₂ x N₀) was statistically similar. So, it is evident that 10 t ha^-1 of cowdung with 2 t ha^-1 of neem leaf is beneficial for the production of stem amaranth as this combination influenced the plant height, leaves per plant, stem diameter and yield of stem amaranth.

Keywords: Cowdung, Neem leaf, Stem Amaranth.

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: rakibag8_pstu@yahoo.com (A Rakib)

How to cite this article: Iqubal MA, Akter KT, Rakib A, Khanom MSR, Majumder MM and Islam MT (2019). Interaction effect of cowdung and neem leaf on stem amaranth. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 6(2): 48-53.

Mamunor Rashid¹, Md. Belal Hossain²

¹Assistant Professor, Mass Communication and Journalism Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh
²Assistant Professor, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Comilla University, Cumilla-3506, Bangladesh

The present study was to explore the impact of smartphone usage on academic performance among the female students of Khulna University in Bangladesh. A survey was conducted on one hundred (100) female students from the six Schools/Faculties of Khulna University. The primary data was collected by using a questionnaire during October to December, 2018 following purposive sampling techniques. The respondents were from six Schools of Khulna University among them 21% from Science and Technology School (SET) 14%, from Life Science School, 20% from Arts and Humanities School, 23% from Social Science School, 10% from Law and 12% from Business Administration Schools. The study revealed that most of the respondents (35%) used smartphone for pleasure and multimedia, 22% for socialization and 31% for personal safety. This study also found that majority of the respondents (51%) also used smartphone for talking with family and others, 25% for using social media, 19% for multimedia services and the rest 3% said for playing games etc. The CGPA in the last term 54% respondent said their CGPA were less than 3.00. Only 9% percent said their result were above 3.26 and the rest 37% said their CGPA were between 3.00 to 3.25.This study also suggest that the students should use smartphones for their academic benefit and security purpose but should not waste their time for unproductive purposes.

Keywords: Smartphone, Academic Performance, Female Students, Public University, Bangladesh.

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: belal.cu12@gmail.com (Md. Belal Hossain)

How to cite this article: Rashid M and Hossain MB (2019). Impact of smartphone on academic performance: A case study on the female students of a public university of Bangladesh. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 6(2): 54-62.

S. Biswas¹, K.T.Akter², A. Rakib², M.S.R.Rhanom², M.M. Rahman³, S. Ahmed⁴

¹Supreme Seed Company Ltd, Dhaka-1230, Bangladesh
²Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), BAU Campus, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh
³Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Salna, Gazipur-1706, Bangladesh
⁴Krishi Gobeshona Foundation (KGF), BARC Complex, Farmgate, Dhaka-1215, Bangladesh

An experiment was conducted at the experimental field of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur during 2^nd June 2013 to 1^st September 2013 to develop a new grafting technique and rootstock EG03 and to increase tomato production during hot humid season in the country. Two variety of tomato viz. BARI hybrid tomato-4 (V₁) and BARI hybrid tomato-8 (V₂) were grafted with EG203 (R) along with control (non grafted)  (R₀) in S=Rain Shelter and  S₀ = Open condition (control). Results revealed that tomato yield improved when grafted with EG203 under rain shelter. Both BARI hybrid tomato-8 (32.29 t/ha^-1) and BARI hybrid tomato-4 (30.93 t ha^-1) grafted on EG203 obtained higher yield and earliness compared to other treatments under rain-shelter condition. But lower results were obtained when BARI hybrid tomato-8 (6.8 t/ha-1) and BARI hybrid tomato-4 (5.36 t/ha) grown under open field condition without grafting. There was significant difference in percent bacterial wilt among the combination. The highest bacterial wilt was recorded in combination of non-grafted BARI hybrid tomato-4 + Open condition (46.00%). These result revealed in open field condition non-grafted plant was more susceptible than grafted plant grown under shelter. In case of both varieties grafting and rain-shelter combination showed better performance than other treatment combinations.

Keywords: Tomato, Grafting, Eggplant, Open field, Rain shelter.

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: rakibag8_pstu@yahoo.com (Abdur Rakib)

How to cite this article: Biswas S, Akter KT, Rakib A, Rhanom MSR, Rahman MM, Ahmed S (2019). Performance of tomato varieties grafted with eggplant under rain shelter condition. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 6(2): 63-70.

Mashiat M Hossain

Protection Office (Gender-Based Violence), Danish Refugee Council, Cox’s Bazar-4700, Bangladesh

Women in Sundarban already live in margins due to their socio-economic status in the society of Sundarban. Unfriendly environment adds to their sufferings. In this situation, the creation of Rampal power plant, a project which will degrade the economy and environment of Sundarban can possibly change the situation of women. Thus this review article is dedicated to find out how the establishment of Rampal will affect the socioeconomic status of women. The research is conducted through analyzing secondary data. The findings from this study are that the execution of this power plant will increase domestic violence, create unemployment and degrade the health condition of women. The paper also suggests policies which can be undertaken by Bangladesh and Indian government, NGOs and donor organizations to improve their situation.

Keywords: Rampal Power Plant, Environment, Development, Local Women

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: mashiathossain17@gmail.com (MM Hossain)

How to cite this article: Hossain MM (2019). A review on the socio-economic impact of Rampal power plant on local women of Sundarban. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 6(2): 71-75.

M. Z. Hossain¹, Ajoy Kumar Saha², Md. Jaminur Rahman³, Md. Aktarul Islam⁴, Munmun Rahman⁵, Md. Shahedur Rahman⁶

¹Regional Wheat Research Station, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Rajshahi
²Sylhet Agricultural University^, Sylhet
³Barind Multipurpose Development Authority, Rajshahi
⁴Agricultural Engineering Division, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture, Mymensingh
⁵Department of Agriculture Extension, Mymensingh
⁶Greenland Technologies Limited

This study investigated the feasibility of treatment of household wastewater in laboratory by using gravels, sandy soils and coal. In this study, the Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) of wastewater filtered through constructed filter columns were measured over time in order to evaluate the pollutant removal characteristics of the filter materials. During filtration, coarse gravel, fine gravel 1 (white), fine gravel 2 (brown), coarse sand, sandy clay and coal could reduce EC of wastewater by 269, 385, 429, 56, 167 and 32 µS/cm in 39, 39, 32, 170, 212 and 48 minutes, respectively. These materials could reduce TDS by 143, 171, 218, 57, 79 and 18 ppm, respectively in the same time period required for reduction of EC. Coal showed very poor performance in reducing EC and TDS from wastewater. Since the ability of the filter columns in reducing EC and TDS was decreased with time, washing was accomplished by using tap water. At the time of washing, coarse gravel, fine gravel 1 (white), fine gravel 2 (brown), coarse sand, sandy clay and coal required 400, 400, 400, 700, 200 and 600 ml of tap water respectively. The corresponding time for washing was 108, 126, 108, 275, 81 and 194 minutes. Among these six materials, sandy clay was washed very efficiently whereas coal was the poorest filter material in respect of washing.

Keywords:Wastewater, Electrical Conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids, filtration

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: zakzuberi@gmail.com (MZ Hossain)

How to cite this article: Hossain MZ, Saha AK, Rahman MJ, Islam MA, Rahman M and Rahman MS (2019). Evaluation of some low-cost materials in removing pollutants from wastewater. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 6(2): 76-85.