Malaysian Journal of Sustainable Agriculture (MJSA)

Climate change affects agricultural productivity because it impacts agroclimatic factors such as soil physical, chemical, and biological properties, rainfall, temperature, irradiation, and carbon dioxide concentrations. Climate change’s adverse impacts warrant studies showing how these factors influencing crop productivity can be sustainably managed in an altered climate. This study tested the effectiveness of biochar obtained from pyrolyzed sugarcane leaves collected from the field following mechanical harvesting. The biochar was applied in the soil alone or in combination with NPK fertilizer and planted with Oryza longstaminata. Farmyard manure was included as a common soil amendment to compare the results. Eight treatments were replicated four times and set up in a completely randomized design (CRD) under greenhouse conditions. Watering was done twice daily, and soil samples were taken after four months. During sampling, soil from only three replicates were removed, placed on a canvas and homogenized, and a 500 g each was taken for processing. The samples from the three replicates were mixed again and air-dried for two days, and triplicate (n=3) samples were taken again, placed in separate paper bags per replicate and sent to the laboratory for analysis and measurements using standard analytical procedures. The data from the replicates of the treatments were pooled, averages taken, and analyzed statistically. The results showed biochar application had no significant effect on soil pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter content, and carbon stock even when planted, compared to the effects on water holding capacity, bulk density, and total porosity. Consequently, there was no significant effect on soil nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, and the calcium contents. The results were the opposite when co-application with the chemical NPK fertilizer was made. To a large extent, our results showed biochar interaction is quite effective when co-application is made with another nutrient source, and the findings have implications for the management of sandy loam soil under humid lowland tropical climatic conditions.

Three varieties of local and imported vegetables—eggplant, pepper, and tomatoes—were gathered in Erbil. The heavy metals in vegetables, such as lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd), as well as the health risks they pose in Erbil, were examined using an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF). The FAO/WHO safe limits for the concentration of heavy metals in vegetables were exceeded by the local and imported vegetables, with mean values mg kg-1 ranging from 40-122, 12-32, 15-55, and 3-8, respectively. The majority of the heavy metals under investigation exceed the FAO/WHO acceptable limit values. Estimates of the daily intake of the four main heavy metals (pb, Mn, Zn, and Cd) showed that imported and locally grown vegetables had high Cd consumption (7 and 8 mg kg-1). This study recommends that the Kurdistan region of Iraq and society as a whole be made aware of this issue and that its effects on the environment and public health be taken into consideration.

Salinity remains a major abiotic threat to crop production. The growth and yield performance of five soybean accessions exposed to different salinity levels was evaluated in a pot experiment between July to December 2023 and August to December 2023 at the Screen House of Teaching and Research Station, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design with two factors (accessions and salinity levels) with three replications. The factors were five soybean accessions and five salinity levels (0.64, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 dS/m). Results obtained indicated that seed emergence percentage, plant height, the number of leaves per plant, number of pods per plant, pod weight (g), and grain yield at 12 percent moisture content were significantly (P>0.05) affected by soil salinity at all levels of treatment and the accessions were significantly different to each other. As the soil salinity concentration increases, the performance of the soybean agronomic traits studied reduces. However, the accessions collected Kujama and Zaria performed better compared to other studied accessions across the salinity levels. The results confirmed the detrimental effects of soil salinity on soybean, and improvement towards salt tolerance can begin with accession from Kujama and Zaria

Transplanted (T.) aman rice (Oryza sativa L.) covers the largest cultivated area in Bangladesh while very little information on molecular level characterization of T. aman genotypes persists. The major aim of this study was to dissect molecular characterization and genetic diversity of 25 T. aman rice genotypes using twelve simple sequences repeats (SSRs) markers. The rice genotypes comprised local landraces that were collected from twelve districts of Bangladesh. A total of twelve SSR primer pairs covering all 12 chromosomes of rice were selected for the study. The molecular characterization, genetic diversity, population structure and principal component analysis (PCA) were estimated and the results revealed a total of fifty alleles across 12 loci ranged from 2 (RM411) to 7 (RM252) per locus. The maximum gene diversity exhibited in RM252 (0.7) while the minimum was in RM320 (0.15). The polymorphism information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.14 to 0.67 while RM252 and RM206 identified as the most suitable markers. Clustering based on unweight pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) analysis clustered 25 genotypes into six major clusters (I-VI) with similarity coefficient value of 0.34. Cluster V contained a maximum seven genotypes with 5 sub- groups. Again, the population structure displayed 3 populations namely population 1, 2 and 3. These populations were clustered into the 3 major groups in the Principle Component Analysis (PCA) 2D plot. Here, PC1 and PC2 contributed 32.7% variations. However, the overall hybridization suggested between the genotypes of the population 1 and 3, specifically between clusters I and cluster VI, and between the diverse parents such as, genotypes Bohi Trimota and Ranga, Bohi Trimota and Purple Rice-2, Bohi Trimota and Purple Rice-3. These diverse clusters and genotypes identified through SSR makers are lay foundation of molecular characterization of T. aman rice genotypes in Bangladesh and further marker-assisted studies will be suggested.

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important cereal crop and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) is one of the most nutritious vegetable crops. People of Bangladesh have taken nutrients from these crops. A field experiment was conducted from October 2022 to March 2023 cropping season, at Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, to evaluate the effects of different cropping patterns on performance of maize-okra mixture and to find out the suitable cropping system. The experiment has consisted of four cropping systems, which consisted of one row of maize alternated with one row of okra (1M:1Ok), one row of maize alternated with two rows of okra (1M:2Ok), one stand of maize alternated with one stand of okra (1sM: 1sOk) and one stand of maize alternated with two stands of okra (1sM: 2sOk), while the sole crops of maize and okra constituted the fifth and sixth cropping pattern. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and three replicates of each treatment. The results of the present study showed that alternating intercropping pattern 1M:1Ok produced the highest yield of maize & okra and the highest land equivalent ratio (LER) value of 1.96 as well as saved the maximum percentage of land (49.14%) compared to other tested intercropping patterns. While, the intercropping system, 1sM: 2sOk explored the lowest in all characters. It may be concluded, therefore, 1M:1Ok could be used as an alternative intercropping pattern in cropping system in Bangladesh. And it is also recommended that further investigation be done to assess the effect of maize and okra intercropping patterns widely in different locations of Bangladesh.

Consortia of 4 bacterial and 4 fungal hydrocarbon-utilizing isolates was analyzed in remediation of water
based oil fields. Bio-augmentation experiments (in situ) were tested in 16 triplicates (excluding the control). The results (after two months of bioremediation) showed that; A consortium of isolates of Pseudomonas
fluorescens-LR134300.1 and Aspergillus fumigatus-KU321562 was able to change the pH from strongly alkaline to almost neutral. A consortium of Kocuria rosea-MK648258 and Aspergillus niger-MK452260 isolates showed high biodegradation and high chloride tolerance. A consortium of Pseudomonas fluorescens LR134300.1 and Penicillium chrysogenum-MK696383.1 isolates showed the highest percentage of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) degradation and could degrade/utilize a range of carbon fractions from C6 to C36. A consortium of isolates of Kocuria rosea-MK648258 and Aspergillus flavus-MH270609.1 showed the highest lead-reducing capacity, while Bacillus subtilies-MK000710 and Penicillium chrysogenum
MK696383-KU321. The consortium extracts mineralized petroleum hydrocarbons as the sole source of energy and carbon, with mineralization rates statistically significant (Pandlt;0.05). The results of the Toxicity Characterization Leaching Procedure (TCLP) test showed that treating the drill cuttings with different consortia of bacterial and fungal strains proved to be a desirable disposal method.

Okra is widely cultivated vegetable crop which has been reducing its quality due to inappropriate utilization of micro-nutrients as well. This research was carried out to investigate the impact of foliar spray of boron and zinc on the growth and yield of the okra ‘Arka Anamika’ variety. The experiment followed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with seven treatments, including control, 0.2%Zn, 0.2%B, 0.3%Zn, 0.3% B, 0.2%Zn+0.2%B, and 0.3%Zn+0.3%B, replicated three times. Data on various parameters such as plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, number of branches, number of buds, number of fruits, length of fruits, girth of fruits, and yield were collected from sampled plants in each plot. Results indicated significant effects of different fertilizer treatments on these parameters. The highest values for plant height, stem diameter, number of branches, number of buds, fruit length, number of fruits, and yield were observed in T7, which was statistically at par with T6. Conversely, T1 (control) exhibited significantly lower values. The girth of fruits showed no any significant differences even due to various levels of foliar application of boron and zinc, either separately or in combination. Overall, the study suggests that the application of 0.3%Zn+0.3%B may be the most effective for improving the yield and yield parameters of okra.

Camels are considered as a component in arid as well as semi-arid regions where they contribute to combat desertification and attaining food security. To evaluate the phenotypic and morphometric characteristics of camels in Bangladesh, a one-week survey was carried out at Babe Madina camel farm in Dhaka. A well-defined questionnaire focused on survey goals was used to gather data through direct interviews. Brown coat color (41.67%) with medium hair length (50%) and flat face (83.33%) was prominent. The average body weight, body length, hump length, and width, length of fore limb, and length of hind limb were 431.69±20.51 kg, 159.09±2.61 cm, 55.5±1.5 cm, 29.23±0.82 cm, 145.36±1.44 cm and 151.05±1.29 cm, respectively. Morphometric parameters were higher in males compared to females though the sex effect was statistically non-significant except length of fore limb (p=0.18). To sum up, this data will provide important context and information for the breeding and selection processes designed to ensure the long-term viability of camel farming in Bangladesh.

The invasions of Argemone mexicana in sub–Saharan Africa’s natural habitats negatively affect biological diversity. We investigated A. mexicana’s suppressive effects on Phaseolus vulgaris seed germination (petri dish experiments) and seedling growth (pot experiments). Phaseolus vulgaris seeds and seedlings were treated with different A. mexicana leaf (AmL) and root (AmR) crude extract concentrations to study their suppressive effects on the test plant. The results revealed that AmL and AmR crude extract suppressed P. vulgaris seed germination and seedling growth, particularly at higher concentrations (70% and 100%). At these concentrations, the seed germination inhibition percentage was twice that at lower concentrations (25% and 50%). The number of seeds that germinated at higher concentrations was lower compared to those that germinated at lower concentrations. Correspondingly, seed germination was delayed at higher concentrations compared to lower ones and controls. Moreover, P. vulgaris seedling growth vigour was negatively affected as the growth parameters (fresh biomass, root lengths, stem diameters, and heights) under 75% and 100% concentrations of AmL and AmR were lower. Though this study’s findings revealed that A. mexicana crude extract reduced P. vulgaris germination and growth, further research is required to investigate the allelopathic effects of A. mexicana on other plant species.

A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of mulching and potassium application method on growth and yield parameters of potato at Rolpa, Nepal from February, 2022 to July, 2022. The experiment was laid out in 2 factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications consisting of 8 treatments. The variety used was Rolpa local. First treatment factor consisted of three mulching materials namely silver on black plastic, black plastic and plant residue including control plot whereas second treatment factor consist of two method of potassium application: split application and basal application of recommended dose. Days to 90% germination, plant height, number of leaves, and canopy diameter exhibited significant variations among the various mulching materials, while the method of potassium application showed no notable impact on these parameters. Notably, plastic mulches played a significant role in the germination rate, with potatoes sprouting 5-6 days earlier than the control group. However, all subsequent observations related to growth and yield parameters demonstrated significantly superior results in the case of silver on black plastic mulch. The silver on black plastic mulches, in particular, displayed a substantial influence, resulting in the highest tuber number, tuber weight, and tuber yield at 23.12, 62.16 gm, and 24.09 t/ha, respectively. Additionally, remarkable tuber characteristics, including circumference, diameter, and length, were recorded with silver on black plastic (14.20 cm, 4.74 cm, and 5.40 cm, respectively). Moreover, variations in tuber weight and total yield were observed among different potassium application methods, with the split application of potash yielding the highest total of 19.66 t/ha. The split application of potassium also produced the highest circumference (13.06 cm) and tuber diameter (4.07 cm), accompanied by a superior benefit-cost ratio of 2.65. Noteworthy was the highest benefit-cost ratio of 2.92 achieved with silver on black plastic mulch. Despite exploring the interaction effect between these two factors for both growth and yield parameters, no significant findings were observed. Consequently, it was concluded that silver on black plastic mulch combined with the split application method of potassium proved to be more effective for promoting growth and tuber yield, exhibiting a promising benefit-cost ratio