Bangladesh Journal of Agricultural Research

Climate change is expected to intensify existing problems and create new combinations of risks, particularly in Africa. The situation is made worst due to factor such as widespread poverty, over dependence on rain fed agriculture, inequitable land distribution, limited access to capital and technology, inadequate public infrastructure, such as roads, long term weather forecasts and inadequate research and extension. By lessening the severity of key damages to the agricultural sector, adaptation is the key defensive measure. Adaptation to climate change involves changes in agricultural management practices in response to changes in climate conditions. This paper reviews agricultural adaptation strategies employed by farmers in various countries in Africa in cushioning the effects of climate change. The common agricultural adaptation strategies used by farmers were the use of drought resistant varieties of crops, crop diversification, changes in cropping pattern and calendar of planting, conserving soil moisture through appropriate tillage methods, improving irrigation efficiency, and afforestation and agro-forestry. The paper concluded that improving and strengthening human capital through education, outreach programmes, extension services at all levels will improve capacity to adapt to climate change impact. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v39i3.21984 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 39(3): 407-418, September 2014

A field experiment was conducted to determine the sensitivity of wheat to water stress and changes in water relations and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under water stress conditions applied at different growth stages. The experiment comprised of two wheat cultivars and four water stress treatments, maintained by withholding water at tillering, anthesis, and at both stages. Water stress caused reduction in leaf relative water contents, water potential, osmotic potential, turgor potential, growth and yield components of both the wheat cultivars. The results indicated that high value of relative water contents were associated with increased yield and yield components. Consecutive stresses at both growth stages caused severe reduction in yield and yield components in both cultivars of wheat. Keywords: Water stress; water relations; growth; Triticum aestivum; yield components. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v36i3.9264 BJAR 2011; 36(3): 455-468

High temperature stress during grain-filling period is one of the major environmental constraints limiting the grain yield of wheat in Bangladesh. Crop growth response and relative performance of yield components of ten wheat genotypes were studied in two temperature conditions in glass rooms in a Phytotron to identify the genotype tolerant to high temperature stress. A favourable day/night temperatures of 15/10, 20/15, and 25/20°C were maintained from sowing to 60 days after sowing (DAS), 61 to 80 DAS and 81 DAS to maturity, respectively, in one glass room (G1); whereas day/night temperatures in another glass room (G2) was always maintained at 5°C higher than that of G1. Green leaf area and number of tillers in different times, number of days for the occurrence of major crop growth stages, relative performance in yield components, grain yield and heat susceptibility index were estimated following the standard methods. The higher temperature enhanced plant growth, flowering, and maturation. Thus the number of days to booting, heading, anthesis, and maturity of wheat were significantly decreased that varied among the genotypes. Green leaf area and productive tillers/plant were drastically reduced in time under high temperature. The reduced number of grains/spike and smaller grain size resulted from drastic reduction in growth duration were responsible for the yield loss of wheat at high temperature. Out of ten wheat genotypes, three were characterized as high temperature tolerant based on their relative performance in yield components, grain yield and heat susceptibility index. Key Words: High-temperature tolerance, wheat genotype, growth and yield components. DOI: 10.3329/bjar.v34i3.3961 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 34(3) : 361-372, September 2009

The effect of nitrogen (0, 80, 120, and 160 kg/ha from urea) and sulphur (0, 20, 40, and 60 kg/ha from gypsum) fertilization on N and S uptake and yield performance of onion (var. BARI Piaz-1) was studied in the research field of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur during rabi seasons of 2002-2003 and 2003-2004. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design under factorial arrangement with three replications. Addition of nitrogen and sulphur fertilizers exerted significant influence on the number of leaves/plant, plant height, diameter of bulb, single bulb weight, and yield of onion. The uptake of N and S by bulb also significantly responded to the application of nitrogen and sulphur. The highest yield of onion and the maximum uptake of N and S were recorded by the combined application of 120 kg N and 40 kg S/ha with a blanket dose of 90 kg P2O5, 90 kg K2O, and 5 kg Zn/ha plus 5 tons of cowdung/ha. The antagonistic effect of nitrogen and sulphur on the uptake of N and S by bulb, yield components, and yield of onion was observed only when they were applied together at higher rates of nitrogen (160 kg/ha) and sulphur (40kg/ha). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v32i3.543Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 32(3) : 413-420, September 2007

Crop agriculture in Bangladesh is constrained every year by challenges, such as a) Loss of Arabie Land, b) Population Growth, c) Climate Changes, d) Inadequate Management Practices, e) Unfair Price of Produces, and f) Insufficient Investment in Research. In Bangladesh, about 80,000 ha of arable land are going out of production every year. The loss is alarming and needs to be addressed immediately. The land use policy of the government should be updated and implemented immediately to stop further loss of arable land. Another problem to agriculture is the increase in the growth of population. The twin problem of arable land loss and population growth needs to be addressed simultaneously to ensure sustainable crop production. Country's crop production is also affected frequently by flood, drought, and salinity. Varieties/technologies tolerant to these natural hazards need to be developed. Renewable energy, reduction in the use of fossil fuels, and afforestation are recommended to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. To sustain crop production, chemical fertilizers must be integrated with organic manure and costly non-urea fertilizers should continue to be subsidized. Incidence of pests and diseases has lately become severe due to climate change impacts. Therefore, more varieties resistant to the pests should be evolved. Small and marginal farmers of Bangladesh have limited access to institutional credit. They are not eligible for microcredit of NGOs either. Establishment of a new institution/foundation in line with PKSF is recommended to meet their needs. These farmers do not have farmers' associations or cooperatives to bargain for fair price of their produces. Government might encourage establishment of farmers' cooperatives to ensure fair price of their produces. To make such cooperatives successful, top-down approach by the influentials must be avoided. Investment in agricultural research should as well be raised to at least 2% of GDP to help generate technologies to cope with climate change hazards and disseminate such technologies at farmer's level. Keywords: Crop agriculture; challenges; opportunities. DOI: 10.3329/bjar.v35i2.5886Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 35(2) : 235-245, June 2010

A study on heat tolerance in sweet pepper was conducted at the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Centre (AVRDC), Taiwan from December 1999 to May 2000. Experiments were carried out to investigate the influence of 29/23°C and 24/18°C stress on 12 sweet pepper genotypes on growth, development, reproductive behaviour and yield potentialities and to verify the results of the phytotron study. Performance of 12 sweet pepper genotypes was evaluated under two different temperature regimes of 24/18° C and 29/23° C in the phytotron. Plant height was found higher at 29/23° C compared to 24/18° C. High temperature reduced percent fruit set as well as size of fruits. Individual fruit weight was higher (7.44-125.00 g) when grown at 24/18°C and lower (5.35-103.80 g) at 29/23°C. Out of 12 genotypes, SP00l, SP002, SP004, and SP012 performed poor in respect of per plant yield at higher temperature compared to the lower temperature. So, these four genotypes were considered to be heat sensitive than the others. Leaf proline content of the sensitive genotypes decreased under the high temperature conditions and the heat tolerant lines produced higher amount of proline indicating the role of proline in expressing the heat tolerant capability of sweet pepper genotypes concerned. Keywords: High temperature stress; performance; sweet pepper. DOI: 10.3329/bjar.v35i3.6459Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 35(3) : 525-534

Field experiment was conducted to compare and investigate the concentration levels of heavy metals in leafy vegetables with growth stage and plant species variations on an experimental field near the net house of Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh during November 2008 to January 2009. Seeds of spinach (Spinacia oleracea), red amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor) and amaranth (Amaranthus oleraseus) were sown on 14 November 2008. Plant and soil samples were collected at different growth stages, such as at 20, 30, 40, and 50 days after sowing (DAS). The concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), and chromium (Cr) in plant increased with the age of the plant, but the increase was not linear. The rate of increase of concentration of these metals at 20 to 30 DAS was found lower than that at 30 to 40 DAS, except Cr. Heavy metal content gradually increased at the early growing stage and fall during later stages of growth. The significant differences (P < 0.01) were observed between the mean metal concentrations in the three vegetables species. The Pb and Co concentrations in amaranth were found higher compared to those found in spinach and red amaranth. Spinach exhibited higher levels of Cd and Cr than those of other vegetables. However, the three vegetables did not differ significantly in its Ni concentration. The order of heavy metal level in different vegetables was Cd

The levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni) in spinach (Spinacia oleracea), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and cauliflower (Brassica oleracea) and in the rizosphere soils of the industrially polluted (Konabari, Gazipur; Keranigonj, Dhaka), and non-polluted (Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute-BARI, Gazipur) areas were studied. Four samples from each area were collected during February 2008. Their concentrations varied with the metals and locations, showing the trend: Ni>Pb>Cd and directly polluted> indirectly polluted>non-polluted soils. The order of the elements in spinach, tomato, and cauliflower and their concentration ranges in μg/g of dry weight were Ni (1.265-5.369), (2.031-4.957), (1.698-4.447); Pd (0.767-1.440), (1.027-1.968), (0.486-1.119); and Cd (0.559-1.40), (0.630-1.303), (0.506-0.782), respectively. Similarly, the order of the elements in rizosphere soils of spinach, tomato, and cauliflower and their concentration ranges in μg/g of dry weight were Ni (12.29-31.52), (13.67-31.98), (14.20-34.34); Pd (3.560-7.980), (3.900-8.447), (3.718-7.337); and Cd (1.473-3.760), (1.553-3.833), (1.640-3.670), respectively. Lead concentration was higher in tomato, followed by spinach and the least in cauliflower irrespective of the location. Cadmium and Ni concentration were found in the order of spinach>tomato>cauliflower, especially in the industrially polluted areas. Concentrations of metals in vegetable samples were related to their concentration in the corresponding soils. Lead, Cd, and Ni concentrations in the studied vegetables were higher than those found in vegetables from other countries, but they were lower than the maximum level allowed in India. Metal transfer factors from soil to vegetables are found to be significant for Cd, Pb and Ni. Key Words: Cadmium; lead; nickel; polluted soils; vegetables. DOI: 10.3329/bjar.v34i4.5831Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 34(4) : 545-554, December 2009

The knowledge of genetic variability in a given crop species for characters under improvement is important in any plant breeding programme. Heritability with genetic advance are more helpful in predicting the gain under effective selection. Genetic parameters for yield and its correspondent characters in rice were estimated from a trial with four CMS lines, eight testers and thirty-two hybrids evaluated for thirteen characters related to yield. Low, moderate, and high genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variations were observed. High genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variations were expressed by harvest index, total number of filled spikelets per panicle, 100-grain weight and spikelet fertility percentage. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was exhibited by harvest index, total number of chaffy spikelets per panicle, grain yield per plant, total number of filled spikelets per panicle and spikelet fertility percentage and selection may be effective for these characters.Key Words: Heritability; variability; genetic advance in rice.DOI: 10.3329/bjar.v34i2.5788Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 34(2) : 175-179, June 2009

An experiment was conducted in a venylhouse at the environmental stress site of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur during September to December 2012 to determine the changes of photosynthesis and some related traits under drought stress in soybean genotypes. Four studied genotypes viz. Shohag, BARI Soybean 6 and BD2331 (relatively stress tolerant) and BGM2026 (susceptible) were tested against two water regimes such as water stress and non-stress. Results indicated that gas exchange characteristics were positively correlated with plant growth. Photosynthesis and stomatal conductance showed more reduction in susceptible genotypes than the tolerant ones. Transpiration rate was found minimal in tolerant genotypes. Changes in leaf growth attributes of the four selected genotypes were compared under drought (water) stress conditions which is one of the major plant parts related to gas exchange. Generally, drought stress decreased the leaf area more in susceptible genotype than tolerant genotype. From the result, genotype BGM2026 which recorded the lowest photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, leaf area but highest transpiration rate was considered as drought susceptible whereas BARI Soybean-6, Shohag and BD2331 were more drought stress tolerant which have better mechanisms of drought tolerance.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 41(2): 195-205, June 2016

A trial was conducted in farmers' fields in Madan, Netrakona, by the On-Farm Research Division of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Mymensingh, during 2023–24 and 2024–25. The study aimed to develop an alternate cropping pattern, Potato (var. Challisha)-Boro rice (var. BRRI dhan92)-Fallow and compare its productivity and profitability against the existing pattern, Fallow-Boro (var. BRRI dhan29)-Fallow, through the inclusion of potato (var. Challisha) and Boro rice (var. BRRI dhan92) using improved management practices. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with six dispersed replications. Two cropping patterns viz., alternate cropping pattern (Potato-Boro rice-Fallow) and farmers’ existing cropping pattern (Fallow-Boro-Fallow) were the treatment variables of the experiment. The unit plot size was 1000-1200 m2. The result of the study showed that two crops could be grown successfully in sequence in the tested site. Mean rice equivalent yield of alternate cropping pattern was 26.59 t ha-1which was 271 % higher over existing cropping pattern (7.16 t ha-1). Besides, land utilization index, harvest index and profitability of alternate cropping pattern was higher than farmers’ existing cropping pattern. The mean gross return (Tk. 5,49,950 ha-1) and gross margin (Tk. 2,69,148 ha-1) were higher in alternate cropping pattern compared to farmers’ existing cropping pattern. The marginal benefit cost ratio (2.01) was also indicated the superiority of the alternate cropping pattern over the farmers’ existing cropping pattern Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 51(1): 523-532, March 2026

Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, is a seirous insect pest of tomato and a vector of tomato leaf curl virus (ToLCV). Five management approaches were evaluated against whitefly to suppress ToLCV during Rabi 2021-22 in the research field of BARI, Gazipur. Two management packages i.e., T3 (Seed treatment with Fortenza 60 FS @ 2.5 ml kg-1 seed + Alternate spraying of Fizimite 10% @ 1 ml l-l of water and Tundra 20 SP @ 1 g l-1 of water. Total 5 sprays; 3 sprays with Fizimite 10% and 2 sprays with Tundra 20 SP at 10 days interval) and T4 (Seedbed netting with 60 mesh nylon net + Alternate spraying of Fizimite 10% @ 1 ml l-l of water and Tundra 20 SP @ 1 g l-1 of water. Total 5 sprays; 3 sprays with Fizimite 10% and 2 sprays with Tundra 20 SP at 10 days interval) offered satisfactory effectiveness considering reduced infestation of whitefly and ToLCV infection, higher yield and marginal benefit cost ratio (MBCR). Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 51(1): 453-460, March 2026

An experiment was conducted at the research field of Soil and Water Management Section in Horticulture Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, during the summer seasons of 2020 and 2021. The study aimed to determine the influence of magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and boron (B) fertilizers on the growth, yield, fruit quality, nutrient uptake and use efficiency and profitability of sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica L.). The experiment followed a randomized complete block design with three replications. Nine treatment combinations were derived from three levels each of Mg (0, 4, and 8 kg ha-1), Zn (0, 3, and 4 kg ha-1), and B (0, 1.5, and 2 kg ha-1). These were- T1 ( 0-0-0 kg ha-1 Mg-Zn-B), T2 (4-3-1.5 kg ha-1 Mg-Zn-B), T3 (4-3-2 kg ha-1 Mg-Zn-B), T4 (4-4-1.5 kg ha-1 Mg-Zn-B ), T5 ( 4-4-2 kg ha-1 Mg-Zn-B), T6 ( 8-3-1.5 Mg-Zn-B kg ha-1), T7 ( 8-3-2 kg ha-1 Mg-Zn-B), T8 (8-4-1.5 kg ha-1 Mg-Zn-B) and T9 ( 8-4-2 kg ha-1 Mg-Zn-B). Application of Mg-Zn-B at 8-4-2 kg ha-1 (T9) led to the maximum fresh fruit yield (55.2 t ha-1), which was 29.3% higher than the control (T1). Treatment T9 showed superior growth, yield attributes, and quality characteristics, recording the highest amounts of vitamin C (13.6 mg100 g-1) and β-carotene (15.7 µg100 g-1) and maximum uptake of Mg, Zn, and B. The apparent nutrient recovery efficiency of Mg showed inconsistent results, whereas the efficiency for Zn and B was most prominent in treatment T9, followed by T8. Application of Mg-Zn-B at 8-4-2 kg ha-1 significantly boosted profitability, leading to a maximum gross margin (BDT 962163 ha-1) and the highest MRR of 920%. Results suggest that application of Mg-Zn-B at 8-4-2 kg ha-1 with a blanket dose of N-P-K-S at 100-30-80-20 kg ha-1 and 5 t ha-1 of cow dung could be adopted for sponge gourd cultivation in the Gazipur soil condition (AEZ-28). Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 51(1): 533-551, March 2026

BARI Alu-25 is one of the popular potato varieties released by BARI. The main objective of the study was to assess the impact of potato var. BARI Alu-25 adoption on the growers’ livelihood. The study was conducted in Sirajdikhan and Tongibari upazilas under Munshiganj district and Pirgacha and Mithapukur upazilas under Rangpur district during December, 2020 to November, 2021. Eighty BARI Alu-25 growers were selected. Descriptive statistics and paired t-test were used for data analyses. The BARI Alu-25 growers’ access to livelihood capitals increased by 42.0-90.8 percent. Their access to human capital was increased by 80.2 percent, access to social capital by 90.8 percent, access to natural capital by 42.0 percent, access to physical capital by 48.1 percent, and access to financial capital by 48.4 percent as adoption results of BARI Alu-25 cultivation. They experienced improvement in access to information, knowledge, employment generation, prestige, attitude, cooperation, and management. Increases or improvement were also noticed in their forestry/trees, leased cultivable land, electricity use, furniture, electronic communication devices, housing condition, annual agricultural income, and cash in hand after BARI Alu-25 cultivation. Potao var. BARI Alu-25 cultivation had a potential influence on the respondents’ increase in participation in income generating activities. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 51(1): 553-565, March 2026

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a major pulse crop in Bangladesh, but its productivity is severely constrained by the pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner). This study evaluated the efficacy of four integrated pest management (IPM) packages combining pheromone-based mass trapping, microbial and plant-derived biorational insecticides, and selective chemical sprays, compared with conventional farmer practice (Cypermethrin plus Chlorpyriphos: Nitro®) and untreated control, across two Rabi seasons (2020–21 and 2021–22). Sex pheromone traps were installed to monitor and partially suppress adult H. armigera populations, and foliar applications of IPM components were performed during the pod formation stage, when chickpea pods are most vulnerable. All IPM packages significantly reduced pod damage relative to untreated control and conventional practices. The lowest pod infestation (2.83-3.01%) and highest yields (1.48-1.58 t ha⁻¹) were achieved in IPM packages integrating pheromone trapping with Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki plus Spinosad (Spinomax®) or plant-derived Celastrus angulatus extract (Bio-Chamak®), outperforming the conventional farmer practice (pod damage 4.53-5.97%; yield 1.34-1.39 t ha⁻¹). Peak moth captures occurred 60-80 days after sowing, and abiotic factors, particularly temperature and relative humidity, were positively associated with moth activity. Economic analysis indicated that, despite the highest marginal benefit-cost ratio (MBCR) for farmer practice (1.87) due to lower input costs, IPM packages achieved substantial yield improvements with MBCRs up to 1.39. These results demonstrate that biorational-based IPM strategies integrated with pheromone mass trapping effectively suppress H. armigera, and enhance chickpea productivity. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 51(1): 567-581, March 2026

Many socioeconomic, institutional, and biophysical factors contribute to substantial variation in onion yields among growers in Bangladesh in general and in Sujanagar upazila of Pabna district in particular. The main objective of the present study was to identify factors affecting the probability of onion yield falling into low, medium, or high categories, given a set of yield-determining inputs. Primary data collected from 40 randomly selected onion growers in Sujanagar upazila were analysed using a proportional odds (ordered logistic) model. The study finds that several socioeconomic and agro-ecological variables-, such as farmer age, plot size, onion variety (Kings and Taherpuri), farming experience, and fertilizer use- significantly influence onion yield categories. Therefore, it is imperative to provide greater support to small farmers and arrange training programs and extension services to enhance farmers’ skill and experience. Moreover, agricultural advisory services should emphasize the appropriate use of fertilizers, pesticides, and weedicides to enhance onion yields in the study area. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 51(1): 461-471, March 2026

Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) mitigate yield losses in late-sown lentils (Lens culinaris L.) by enhancing nutrient uptake and photosynthetic efficiency. A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2024-25 to evaluate the effects of different PGRs on growth, yield and economic performance of late sown lentil. The experiment utilized a Randomized Complete Block Design with five treatments and four dispersed replications. Treatments were T1: Flora (20% nitrobenzene) @ 2 ml L-1 sprayed twice (35 and 50 DAS), T2: Flora @ 2 ml L-1 sprayed once (50 DAS), T3: GA₃ @ 0.2 g L-1 sprayed twice (25 and 50 DAS), T4: GA₃ @ 0.2 g L-1 sprayed once (50 DAS) and T5: control. Results indicated that PGR application significantly enhanced the growth, yield and yield contributing characters. The highest seed yield (1.94 t ha-1) was obtained from T1 due to the highest number of pods plant-1 (50.6), while the lowest yield (1.43 t ha-1) was achieved in control (T5). Treatment T1 providing a 35.7% yield increase over the control. T1 also exhibited the maximum value of harvest index (63.8%) and the most profitable, obtaining the highest gross return (BDT 180,100 ha-1), gross margin (BDT 100,300 ha-1), and benefit–cost ratio (2.26). Results suggest that two foliar applications of 20% nitrobenzene @ 2 ml L-1 (at 35 and 50 DAS) are more effective than gibberellic acid for maximizing the yield and profitability of late-sown lentil. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 51(1): 489-499, March 2026

Maize is an important cereal crops in Bangladesh. Over the last two decades, its cultivation has increased promisingly, especially in the Northern part of Bangladesh. The effective estimation of crop yields at a regional scale holds significant importance in facilitating decision-making within the agricultural sector, thereby ensuring grain security. The traditional ground-based measurement techniques suffer from inefficiencies, and there exists a need for a reliable, precise, and effective method for estimating regional crop yields. This study used remote sensing (RS) techniques for forecasting pre-harvest maize yield to improve the management system. Currently, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) is widely used to predict crop yield including maize. However, the present study used Landsat 8 (~ 30 m) and Sentinel 2A (~ 10 m) high resolution data for 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 to predict maize yield based on the year 2020-2021 at Sundarganj Upazila in Gaibandha district. The single cloud free image acquisition date based on maximum NDVI for both satellite images was used for each maize growing period to develop a yield prediction model. A regression model was performed between NDVI values and 20 farmers field-level maize yields. The absolute mean error of prediction was about 10.30% for Landsat 8 and 6.70% for Sentinel 2A compared to the actual maize yield during 2020-2021. The study revealed that NDVI data extracted from Sentinel 2A high resolution satellite images can be successfully used to predict the maize yield with appreciable accuracy. Finally, this study has demonstrated the efficacy of combining multi-temporal remote sensing data for accurate maize yield estimation, aiding agricultural authorities and production enterprises in the timely formulation and refinement of cropping strategies and management policies for the ongoing season. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 51(1): 501-521, March 2026

An on-farm study at Kesobpur, Titas, Cumilla (AEZ-19) during 2022–23 and 2023–24 evaluated an improved cropping pattern—Mustard (BARI Sarisha-18)–Sesame (BARI Til-4)–B. Aman rice (BRRI dhan91)—against the farmers’ existing Mustard (Tori-7)–Fallow–B. Aman rice (Furchun). The improved system, tested in an RCBD with five replications, significantly (P < 0.05) increased yields of all component crops. Mean rice equivalent yield (REY) was 15.32 ± 0.33 t ha⁻¹, 151% higher than the existing pattern. Production efficiency, land-use efficiency, harvest index, gross return (Tk. 329,757 ± 7,000 ha⁻¹), and gross margin (Tk. 209,860 ± 6,250 ha⁻¹) were also significantly higher. The marginal benefit–cost ratio (4.39) confirmed economic superiority. The Mustard–Sesame–B. Aman rice pattern is statistically and agronomically superior and recommended for wider adoption in AEZ-19 and similar agro-ecological zones of Bangladesh. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 51(1): 473-487, March 2026

Genetic diversity is the base line of any breeding program determining the variability of germplasm for crop improvement strategies. Approaches like principal component and cluster analysis measure the amount of genetic diversity in different characters and also assess the relative contribution of different traits to the total variation. This research was carried out at the vegetable research field of Olericulture Division of Horticulture Research Centre (HRC), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur, Bangladesh to study the genetic diversity and select the high yielding stem amaranth genotypes using principal component, cluster and biplot analyses. A total of 27 stem amaranth germplasms were evaluated in RCBD with two replications in consecutive two years 2020 and 2021 in summer. Principal component (PC) analysis depicted that first four PCs with Eigen-values higher than unity contributing 81.012% of total variability for different traits among 27 stem amaranth germplasm. The PC1 accounted for 37.833% variation, showed the positive loading effect of stem fresh weight (yield/plant) (0.864), leaf fresh weight (0.728), shoot fresh weight (yield) (0.968), stem dry weight (0.829), leaf dry weight (0.760) and shoot dry weight (0.980). The PC2 accounted for 24.556% of the variation and the major contributing traits were plant height (0.796), relative water content (RWC) (0.723), SPAD value (0.759) and Fv/Fm (0.694). The PC3 accounted 10.95% of the variation, and traits with high positive loading effects were observed for number of leaves/plant (0.595) and leaf area/plant (0.727). Regarding the first two PCs, germplasms were differentiated into five diverse groups. On biplot, two germplasm i.e. AM65 and AM72, were in positive side and positioned far away from the origin and were considered as diverse from the others. Cluster analysis grouped all germplasms into five clusters. The germplasms in clusters-IV and V exhibited higher stem diameter, stem fresh weight, leaf fresh weight, shoot fresh weight as well as their corresponding dry weight. The four characters viz., stem diameter, stem fresh weight, stem dry weight and shoot dry weight showed maximum contribution to total divergence among 13 characters studied. The D2 statistics confirmed the maximum inter-cluster distance between cluster-III and V followed by cluster-III and-IV, whereas the smallest inter cluster distance between clusters - I and II. Crossing between the germplasm of Cluster- III with Cluster -V and Cluster-III with Cluster-IV could result better genetic recombinant and might exhibit better heterosis in F1 for hybrid development. Selection of superior germplasm from different clusters could be used in future crop improvement program. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 51(1): 583-603, March 2026