Bishwojit Kumar¹, Mst. Afroza Khatun¹, Md. Hosne Mobarak², Md. Kamruzzaman¹

¹Department of Dairy and Poultry Science, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Dinajpur
²Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Dinajpur

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the performance and antibacterial effect of Mentha spicata (mint) on Sonali chicken (crossbred of Rhode Island Red and Fayoumi chicken). A total of 225 day-old chicks were randomly divided into 5 experimental treatments with 3 replicates (15 birds per replicate) arranged in a completely randomized design. Experimental birds in T₂, T₃ and T₄ were provided mint leaves powder meal @ 4ml/L liquid mint extract and 2% and 4% mint powder with feed while T₁ provided growth promoter and T₀ was provided only normal feed was considered as control group. The results of this study indicated that final body weight gain and feed efficiency was increased at dose rate 2% mint leaves meal. In case of meat yield parameters there was no significant (P>0.05) difference among treatment groups except carcass weight, breast meat weight and dressing percentage. The breast meat weight, carcass weight and dressing percentage were significantly (p<0.05) higher in treatment T₃ group compared to control group. E. coli and Salmonella load was decreased significantly in treatment groups as compared to the control group. Based on the result it could be concluded that 2% mint leaves meal and 4 ml mint leaf juice/ liter drinking water can be used as growth promoter for production of chicken.

Keywords: Mint, Mentha spicata,  Sonali chicken, growth promoter, carcass weight, dressing percentage, E. coli, Salmonella.

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: hnobarak2012@gmail.com (Md. Hosne Mobarak)

How to cite this article: Kumar B, MA Khatun, Mobarak MH and Kamruzzaman M (2021). Dietary effect of Mentha spicata on production performance of sonali chicken. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 8(4): 01-07. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6348556.

Sharmin Akter¹, Chayanika Pondit², M. A. Salam³, M. Mamnur Rashid³

¹Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer, Bogura Sadar, Bogura
²Extension Officer, National Agricultural Technology Program, Phase-2 (NATP-2), Department of Fisheries, Dhaka
³Department of Aquaculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

A comparative study was under taken to know the availability, composition and contribution of fish, beef, mutton, chicken, egg, dal, milk, vegetable, shak and fruits to human health in Bangladesh Agricultural University campus and near-by villages in Mymensingh sadar Upazilla. Data were collected purposively from the four group of people like teachers, officers, poor people and male and female students of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh using individual questionnaire interview, key informant interview, focus group discussion (FGD) and individual case study. Secondary data from the Government and non-government organizations and published materials were collected for this study. The data showed that the fish consumption was found to be average 26.76 Kg per capita per year in the study area. Consumption of other protein rich food such as meat, egg and milk were found to be 7.71 Kg, 138 no., and 18.24 liter per capita per year, respectively. Average per capita intake of fish, meat, egg and milk were 73.31 g, 21.12 g, 0.38 no. and 49.97 ml per day respectively. Ninety nine percent respondents of all groups preferred dry fish. The intake of animal protein in the form of fish, egg and milk had increased significantly in the region due to availability, comparatively cheap than the other protein sources and financial ability of the respondents. Among the sources, fish was found to be contributed more in protein consumption than meat, beef, mutton, milk and egg. Protein contribution of fish was 59%. On the other hand, protein contribution of meat, egg and milk were 23.83%, 9.14% and 7.95%, respectively. The study revealed that the expenditure for food was the major part of the total expenditure of the respondent’s family, teachers, second class officers, poor people and students spent about 50.23%, 57.22%, 81.29% and 52.76% of the total expenditure on food items, respectively. However, food consumption pattern is closely related to the respondent’s income level, their food preference and a1so their educational status.

Keywords: Fish, Animal protein, Daily diet, Socio-demographic characters.

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: sharmin.dof@gmail.com (Sharmin Akter)

How to cite this article: Akter S, Pondit C, Salam MA and Rashid MM (2021). Contribution of fish to animal protein consumption in daily diet. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 8(4): 08-19. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6349079.

Mohammad Mahbub Islam¹, Mehedi Hasan Khan², Shamimara Nipa³, Md. Aminul Islam⁴, Farzana Zarin Eivy⁵, Md. Shahadat Hossain⁶, Md. Mahmudul Hasan⁷, Md. Junaied Alam⁸, Muhammad Monoar Hossain Khan⁹

¹Research Associate, Mouza and Plot Based National Digital Land Zoning Project, Ministry of Land, Dhaka
²Upazilla Agriculture Officer, Department of Agricultural Extension, Dacope, Khulna
³Additional Agriculture Officer, Department of Agricultural Extension, Sadar, Pabna
⁴Manager, Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation, Ministry of Industries Chinishilpa Bhaban, 3, Dilkusha C/A, Motijheel, Dhaka
⁵Assistant Professor, Department of Agriculture, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalgonj
⁶Lecturer in Agriculture Science, Government Mohammadpur Model School and College, Dhaka
⁷Deputy Director (Research and Training), Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali
⁸Upazilla Agriculture Officer, Department of Agricultural Extension, Senbag, Noakhali
⁹Deputy Director, Tambulkhana seed production farm, BADC, Faridpur

A benchmark survey was conducted on sixty respondents in four villages under Belabo Upazila of Narsingdi district in terrace ecosystem of Bangladesh to get primary information from the farmers on existing agroforestry practices from August 2011 to October 2011. Different agroforestry practices have been practicing since long time. Most of the respondent farmers were motivated by neighbors. The farmers were getting good prices of their products but they were not getting desired yields from agroforestry systems. Disease and insect infestation, lack of modern technologies and their proper management were mostly responsible for poor yield. Turmeric, ginger, eggplant and okra were reported as suitable understory crops for agroforestry systems. Jackfruit based agroforestry systems were identified as dominant one and other beneficial production systems where various fruit tree based such as latkan and lemon. Most of the respondents, however, agreed that agroforestry could improve crop environment and soil health. Meanwhile, lack of availability of irrigation was found a major barrier. Woman participation in agroforestry systems was not remarkable. Training and appropriate technologies were seemed to be helpful for the farmers to improve systems, productivity and income in the study areas. Practicing agroforestry systems by the farmers was increased with higher level of education, training, annual income, desired yield, soil fertility and environmental benefit. Socio-economic characteristics of the respondents have profound influence on their agroforestry systems.

Keywords: Agroforestry systems, Ecosystem services, Socio-economic, Terrace ecosystem.

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: mahbub229@gmail.com (Mohammad Mahbub Islam)

How to cite this article: Islam MM, Khan MH, Nipa S, Islam MA, Eivy FZ, Hossain MS, Hasan MM, Alam MJ and Khan MMH (2021). Impacts of agroforestry on agricultural productivity, ecosystem services, and human well-being in terrace ecosystem of Bangladesh. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 8(4): 20-31. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6349668.

Md Tajul Islam¹, Ismat Ara¹, Most Rehena Parvin², Mukta Rozario²

¹Department of Nutrition and Biochemistry, ²Department of Public Health and Hospital Administration, National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine (NIPSOM), Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212

Dietary patterns qualify combination of foods that make up a person’s accustomed diet to be known. Many of health workers had overlook good dietary patterns. Good Nutrition can improve well being and might mitigate the risk and morbidity associated with Corona Virus Disease. This study aimed to find out and describe the dietary patterns among health workers (HW) working in COVID-19 dedicated Hospital. Gazipur, Bangladesh. A descriptive type of cross-sectional study was conducted on Health Worker working in COVID-19 dedicated Hospital. Total 261 samples were selected from study place. Study samples and the study place also selected by purposively. Each respondents were supplied a questionnaire consisting closed ended question. Its main focus was the dietary patterns of health worker. Among the respondents 11.5% had Medical Doctors and 88.5% had Nurses. 87.70% had done 12 hours duty per day and 12.30% had done 8 hours duty per day. 47.9% had co morbidity. This study mentioned that only 1.5% respondents consuming Tobacco. This study revealed majority of the respondents 98.5% had taken variety of food. This study shows that most of the respondents 49.4% had taken meal three times in a day. This study revealed 96.2% had taken breakfast but among them 60.5% had told us that they were not taken it in right time. In this study 62.8% had skipping snacks at morning time and 59.0% were skipping snacks at evening time. This study identified 98.9% respondents had taken lunch but among them 78.2% had not taken lunch in just time. Majority of the respondents 93.9% had taken dinner where as 81.2 had not taken dinner in right time. This study also pulling out 51.7% had taken vegetable, 45.6% had taken fruits, 75.1% had taken protein according to WHO guidline.93.9% had taken Zinc containing food. 96.2% respondents had taken tea/coffee ≥6day/week but 0.4% respondents had taken sweet and sweet product ≥6day/week.99.2% had taken egg ≥6day/week. Mean BMI of the respondents was 25.7 kg/m². This findings informs good dietary patterns improve our immunity and help to prevent all categories infectious diseases specially COVID 19. Therefore, all healthcare organizations should supply healthier foods in reasonable price in the hospital canteen.

Keywords: Covid-19, Hospital health workers, Dietary pattern,  Bangladesh.

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: itajul882@gmail.com (Md Tajul Islam)

How to cite this article: Islam MT, Ara I, Parvin MR and Rozario M (2021). Dietary patterns of health workers in COVID dedicated hospital. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 8(4): 32-42. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6457707.

Irin Akter Keyamoni¹, Md. Alamgir Kabir¹, Md. Abdul Jalil², Md. Moshiur Rahman Riaj³

¹Department of Agroforestry, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, 8602
²Bakulnessa Mohilla Degree College, Amtali, Barguna
³Department of Agronomy, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, 8602

The study was carried out to study age-gradation, production, marketing and income from the sale of palm products with special reference to homestead of Barguna district. A total of 100 homesteads (4 from each village) were interviewed by using a pre-tested questionnaire to collect data.  From each village and the farmers were interviewed and asked about their tal trees, their management, tapping, yields, processing and marketing the produce and prices. The annual production of tal at six upazilas of the district is about 5,996 metric tons with 25.67 metric tons of tal and 50 metrics of juice is produced in each hectare. Sixty percent of the trees in the selected villages grown on ail (agriculture land divider) or roadsides, 14% trees were distributed on homesteads and 15% on pond banks. Farmers said that tal generally starts fruiting at age 14-15 years, but productivity declines after 60 years. Trees aged 30-45 years produce the most juice and fruit. Farmers in the study area had tal palm of different age-classes, with the highest number of individuals (39%) in the 0-14-year age-class. As the middle-aged trees (30^4 years old) produce most juice and tal annually, the annual yield in the near future depends on the number of middle-aged trees in the area. The highest frequency of individuals in the lowest age-class (39%) indicates that there has been continuous regeneration to sustain the yield of tal palms in the study area. The average rate of juice production per tree in the study area for taulla and jaudda was 956 and 448 kg, respectively. Taulla was yielded almost twice as much as jaudda. Trees of the middle age class (30-44 years and 45-59) of both sexes produce the most juice. The production of fresh (gur, juice, tal candy) and dry product (fuel wood, building raw material, saw dust) in local market, city and abroad are average 0.9, 0.312,0.162,0.37,1.634 and 1.006 (Ton) respectively. The mean gur production per season across the household categories was 545 kg. The income from palm products increased with the increase in land holding size. Average annual income from the sale of tal products varied from Tk. 45,000 to Tk. 1,50,000 per household in the different household categories; mean Tk. 64,000. More than 85% of the income came from the sale of gur. Income per tree irrespective of sex was about Tk. 4000 per season. Considerable differences between the households in strategies for marketing and selling of palm products were encountered. Indigenous techniques in tapping and gur processing, and farmers experience in managing palm were applied. The study found that the employment and income generated from the traditional tal palm husbandry plays a vital role in the rural economy—especially among the poor. There it is recommend increasing the cultivation of tal pals in other parts of Bangladesh to increase the livelihood throughout income generation.

Keywords: Tal Palm (Borassus flabellifer), juice and gur production.

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: Irinkeya9@gmail.com (Irin Akter Keyamoni)

How to cite this article: Keyamoni IA, Kabir MA, Jalil MA and Riaj MMR (2021). Status of juice and gur production from Tal Palm (Borassus flabellifer) based homestead agroforestry in southern Bangladesh. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 8(4): 43-54. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6555469.

A. B. M. Shafiul Alam¹, Rehana Khatun²

¹Senior Scientific Officer, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Mymensingh
²Department of Environmental Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

An investigation was carried out to assess the extent of ionic toxicity of ground water samples for agricultural usage in in the AEZ-04 viz., Karatoya-Bangali Floodplain (2,577 sq. km). Thirty water samples were collected from five industrial areas of Bogra sadar upazila to assess the dissolved chemical constituents and also to classify them on the basis of their comparative stability for agricultural usage. Water samples were collected from ground water sources namely shallow tube wells at Bogra sadar upazila. The chemical analyses included pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), Ca, Mg, K, Na, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Cd, Pb, B, As, CO₃, HCO₃, PO₄, SO₄ and Cl. The pH indicated that ground water samples were acidic to alkaline in nature (pH = 6.5-8.8 and pH = 7.2-8.7). Among them only 2 ground water samples were found ‘unsuitable’ for irrigation. The electrical conductivity (EC) and sodium absorption ratio (SAR) revealed that all the ground water samples were categorized as ‘medium salinity’ (C2) and ‘low alkalinity’ (S1) hazards with ‘excellent’ and ‘good’ in quality combining expressed as C2S1. Considering total dissolved solids (TDS) all the ground waters were as ‘freshwater’. Soluble sodium percentage (SSP) indicated that all the ground water samples were ‘excellent’ and ‘good’ classes. Residual sodium carbonate (RSC) categorized the ground water samples as ‘suitable’ in quality for irrigation. All the ground waters were classified as ‘moderately hard’ and ‘hard’ classes. As the status of Ca, Mg, Na, K, Zn, Cu, As, B, Fe, CO₃, SO₄, PO₄, and Cl were not hazards in the investigated area because these detected ions were far below the recommended limits for irrigation. In all ground water samples, HCO₃ ion was considered as pollutant for irrigating crops, 15 samples for Cd, 11 samples for Pb and 3 samples for Mg and only 1 sample for PO₄ were found unsuitable for irrigation. Rest ionic constituents were suitable for irrigation purposes. As, B, SO₄, Cl and total dissolved solids (TDS) were not problematic for drinking, total dissolved solids (TDS), Cd, Cu and Zn were not hazardous for livestock usage and SO₄ and hardness (H_T) were not problematic for aquaculture. But rest ionic constituents for these respective usages were toxic.

Keywords: Toxicity, ground water, industrial area, Bogra.

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: shafiulalamshahed@gmail.com (A. B. M. Shafiul Alam)

How to cite this article: Alam ABMS and Khatun R (2021). Toxicity analyses of ground water of some industrial areas of Bogra sadar upazila. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 8(4): 55-65. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8072928.

M. Y. Abida¹, M. S. Hossain¹, S.M.M. Alam¹, M. N. A. Siddquie²,  M.Z. Hossain³, I. M. Ahmed⁴

¹On farm Research Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Barind station, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
²On farm Research Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Shyampur, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
³Regional Wheat Research Center, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Shyampur, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
⁴Plant physiology Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

The study was carried out at FSRD site, Kadamshahar, Godagari, Rajshahi under OFRD, BARI, Barind station, Rajshahi during Rabi season 2017-18 to identify drought tolerance and susceptible wheat genotypes. In this trial forty-seven (47) wheat genotypes were evaluated against drought at vegetative stage (stress was imposed from CRI stage to before an thesis by withholding irrigation) with control (no drought). The experiment was sown at farmer’s field on 07 December, 2017. The genotypes were evaluated for yield and yield components, heading, maturity, visual grain quality, etc. Significant variations were observed among the genotypes for all traits. On the basis of overall field performance and preferences of yield and on the basis of relative yield (RY), stress susceptibility index (SSI) and stress tolerance index (STI), sixteen (16) genotypes BARI GOM 23, BARI GOM 27, BARI GOM 31, BARI GOM 32, BARI GOM 33, BAW 1147, BAW 1202, BWSN 14, BWSN 16, BWSN 22, PYT 9, PYT 11, PYT 12, PYT 20, PYT 33 and Borlaug were selected as drought tolerant at vegetative stage for further evaluation in farmers field in the next year.

Keywords: Wheat genotypes, Drought tolerance, Barind Tract, Bangladesh.

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

How to cite this article: Abida MY, Hossain MS, Alam SMM, Siddquie MNA, Hossain MZ and Ahmed IM (2021). Screening of wheat genotypes for drought tolerance at High Barind Tract. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 8(4): 66-76. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6547153.