Ak Choudhury

Genotypic variability in plant water status of French bean under drought stress

Seven genotypes of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were evaluated under semi-controlled conditions at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Bangladesh to analyze genotypic variability in leaf water status under water stress. The plants were grown under two moisture regimes, viz. 80% field capacity (FC) and 50% FC throughout the growing season. The genotypes showed significant variation in water relation traits. Genotypes BB24 and BB43 maintained higher relative water content (RWC), but lower turgid weight/dry weight ratio (TW/DW) and water uptake capacity (WUC). When drought susceptibility index (DSI) among the genotypes was considered, BB24 was found the most tolerant to drought and BB04 was the most susceptible one. A close positive relationship between leaf TW/DW and DSI under drought was recorded (R2 = 0.627). Leaf TW/DW was decreased considerably due to water stress by 10% in genotype BB24 followed by BB43 (13%), and both BARI bushbean-2 and BB04 (19%). Stomatal aperture and whole plant transpiration rate were found minimal in the BB24 and BB43 compared to that of BB04 and BARI bushbean-2. Considering these water relation traits, genotypes BB24 and BB43 may be considered as relatively tolerant to tissue dehydration. The study also revealed that the TW/DW, WUC, stomatal aperture, and whole plant transpiration rate was negatively and significantly associated with yield; however, the RWC was positively correlated with yield under water stress conditions.

Effect of Elevated Air Temperature and Carbon Dioxide Levels on Dry Season Irrigated Rice Productivity in Bangladesh

Agricultural productivity is affected by air temperature and CO2 concentration. The relationships among grain yields of dry season irrigated rice (Boro) varieties (BRRI dhan28, BRRI dhan29 and BRRI dhan58) with increased temperatures and CO2 concentrations were investigated for futuristic crop management in six regions of Bangladesh using CERES-Rice model (DSSATv4.6). Maximum and minimum temperature increase rates considered were 0°C, +1°C, +2°C, +3°C and +4°C and CO2 concentrations were ambient (380), 421, 538, 670 and 936 ppm. At ambient temperature and CO2 concentration, attainable grain yields varied from 6506 to 8076 kg·ha-1 depending on rice varieties. In general, grain yield reduction would be the highest (13% - 23%) if temperature rises by 4°C and growth duration reduction would be 23 - 33 days. Grain yield reductions with 1°C, 2°C and 3°C rise in temperature are likely to be compensated by increased CO2 levels of 421, 538 and 670 ppm, respectively. In future, the highest reduction in grain yield and growth duration would be in cooler region and the least in warmer saline region of the country. Appropriate adaptive techniques like shifting in planting dates, water and nitrogen fertilizer management would be needed to overcome climate change impacts on rice production.