Mohammed Kamal Hossain

Allelopathic effects of leaf litters of Eucalyptus camaldulensis on some forest and agricultural crops

Allelopathic effects of different doses of Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaf litters were investigated through an experiment in the green house of Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Chittagong, Bangladesh. Three popular agricultural crops: Falen (Vigna unguiculata), Chickpea (Cicer arietinum), Arhor (Cajanus cajan) and two widely used plantation trees: Sada koroi (Albizia procera) and Ipil ipil (Leucaena leucocephala) were selected as bioassay species. Experiment was set on tray at room temperature 27°C. The effects of different doses of leaf litter extracts were compared to the control. Results suggest that leaf litters of E. camaldulesis induced inhibitory effects. It was also found that the effect depend on concentration of extract and litterfall, type of receiver species. Higher concentration of the materials had the higher effect and vice versa. Though all the bioassay species were suppressed some of them showed better performance. Vigna unguiculata, Cicer arietinum are recommended in agroforestry based on this present Experiment output. In mixed plantation, Leucaena leucochephala is a better choice while compared to Albizia procera.

Allelopathic effects of Lantana camara on germination and growth behavior of some agricultural crops in Bangladesh.

An experiment was conducted to understand the growth inhibitory effects of aqueous extracts derived from Lantana camara L. (a globally recognized invasive alien weed) on six popular agricultural crops of Bangladesh. The test was conducted in sterilized petridishes with a photoperiod of 24 hours and an average temperature of 29°C. The effect of different concentrations of L. camara leaf extracts were recorded and compared with control (i.e., distil water). Result showed different concentrations of aqueous leaf extracts caused significant inhibitory effect on germination, root and shoot elongation and development of lateral roots of receptor crops. Bioassays also indicated that the inhibitory effect was proportional to the concentrations of the extracts and higher concentration had the stronger inhibitory effect whereas the lower concentration showed stimulatory effect in some cases. The inhibitory effect was much pronounced in root and lateral root development rather than shoot and germination.

Inhibitory effects of Albizia lebbeck leaf extracts on germination and growth behavior of some popular agricultural crops

An experiment was conducted to observe the inhibitory effects of the leaf extracts derived from Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. on germination and growth behavior of some popular agricultural crops (receptor) of Bangladesh. Experiments were set on sterilized petridishes with a photoperiod of 24 h at room temperature of 27–30°C. The effects of the different concentrations of aqueous extracts were compared to distil water (control.). The aqueous extracts of leaf caused significant inhibitory effect on germination, root and shoot elongation and development of lateral roots of receptor plants. Bioassays indicated that the inhibitory effect was proportional to the concentrations of the extracts and higher concentration (50%–100%) had the stronger inhibitory effect whereas the lower concentration (10%–25%) showed stimulatory effect in some cases. The study also revealed that, inhibitory effect was much pronounced in root and lateral root development rather than germination and shoot growth.

Economics of the plant species used in homestead agroforestry on an off-shore Sandwip Island of Chittagong District, Bangladesh

This study was performed in five villages of Sandwip Upazila, Chittagong district with a view to identify the tree resources, utilization pattern and economic return of major fruit and timber tree species. Information collected from a total of 60 households ranging from marginal, small, medium and large categories. Number of plant species increased with the increase of homestead area. A total of 33 plant species were recorded from the homegarden, of which 19 were fruit and 14 were timber tree species. Considerable number of vegetables was also planted under the shade of the homestead trees. The investment analysis showed that average benefit-cost ratios were greater than one, net present values were positive and internal rate of returns were more than 10%. Long term investment on horticulture and timber tree species is highly profitable if species like Artocarpus heterophyllus, Cocos nucifera, Tectona grandis and Swietenia macrophylla are planted.

Effect of pre-sowing treatments on germination and initial seedling development ofAlbizia saman in the nursery

Albizia saman (Jacq.) F. Muell. commonly known as rain tree seeds were treated with five pre-sowing treatments to study the effect of pre-sowing treatments on germination and initial seedling development in the nursery. The experiment was established in the nursery of the Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh. Results revealed that Nail clipping in one side of the seed (at the distal end of the seed) (T4) provides the highest (50%) seed germination. The second highest germination (42%) was obtained for the seeds treated with immersion in cold water for 24 h (T1). Germination was completely inhibited when the seeds immersed in boiled water for 30 s followed in cold water soaking for 24 h. Other germination parameter and initial morphological growth and biomass production of the seedlings was also higher for the treatments T4 and T1 in comparison to the control (T0) treatment. Pre-sowing treatments of T4 e.g. Nail clipping in one side of the seed (at the distal end of the seed) and T1 (Seeds immersed in cold water for 24 h) may be recommended for maximum germination and initial vigorous seedlings growth ofalbizia saman in the nursery.

Effects of inorganic fertilizers on biological nitrogen fixation and seedling growth of some agroforestry trees in Bangladesh

The effects of different inorganic fertilizers (Urea and Triple Super Phosphate (TSP)) on seedling growth and nodulation capabilities of four agroforestry tree species (Albizia chinensis, A. saman, Acacia nilotica and Sesbania sesban) were compared. The nodulation of these seedlings were treated with different fertilizer treatments (at the rate of urea 40 kg·hm−2, urea 80 kg·hm−2, TSP 40 kg·hm−2, TSP 80 kg·hm−2, (urea+TSP) 40 kg·hm−2–and (urea+TSP) 80 kg·hm−2) after one month of seed germination. The results revealed that the seedling growth was enhanced significantly with moderate fertilizer treatment. In some cases, the higher levels of fertilizers reduced the seedling growth. The study also revealed that the nodulation in nodule number and size was significantly inhibited by the application of N fertilizer (Urea), while it was increased significantly with the application of P fertilizer (TSP). This study improved our understanding and provided insights that would be useful to the farmers in their efforts to amend the soil with inorganic fertilizers in order to enhance plant growth and biological nitrogen fixation.

Effects of phosphorous fertilizer on seedlings growth and nodulation capabilities of some popular agroforestry tree species of Bangladesh

An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of Phosphorous (P) fertilizer (i.e. TSP or triple super phosphate @ 80 kg/hm2) on seedling growth and nodulation capabilities of three potentially important agroforestry tree species (Acacia auriculiformis, Albizia lebbeck and Albizia procera) of Bangladesh. The study was conducted in nursery beds with six-month-old polybag seedlings of A. auriculiformis, A. lebbeck and A. procera. The effects of P fertilizer on seedling growth and nodulation were compared with that of the seedlings grown in control (i.e. unfertilized soil). The observations revealed that the seedling growth was enhanced significantly with the application of P fertilizer. The growth was found more pronounced in A. auriculiformis, whereas it was not apparent and shows depressed growth in case of A. lebbeck. The study also suggests that the nodulation in terms of nodule number and size was also increased significantly with the application of P fertilizer.

Effect of microbial inoculants on Albizia saman germination and seedling growth

Microbial Inoculants as Effective Microorganisms (EM) were applied to find out their effects on germination and seedling growth of Albizia saman in the nursery. The seedlings were grown in a mixture of sandy soils and cow dung (3:1) kept in polybags. The EM solution at different concentrations (0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 5% and 10%) was incorporated before and after a week of sowing seeds. Germination and physical growth parameters, including shoot and root length, vigor index, collar diameter, leaf number, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root and total biomass increment over the control were measured. The nodulation status influenced by EM was also observed along with the estimation of chemical parameters like chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid. Both germination and the measured physical growth parameters were found significantly (P<0.05) higher in seedlings treated with different concentrations of EM solution in comparison to the control. Maximum growth was found at 2% followed by 1% EM solution. Nodulation was higher at 0.1% concentration but it normally decreased with the increase of concentrations. Although there were a higher amount of pigments in leaves of the treated seedlings than of the control, the variations recorded with respect to chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid were not significantly higher in most of the treatments. Treated seedlings showed variable results along with the increment of EM applications and most of the parameters showed best results at the medium range of concentrations. The study indicates that the Microbial Inoculant (EM) technology might be useful to improve the growth of seedlings in the nursery. This also indicates that the associated beneficial organisms along with the polybag soils might be of value in improving the degraded soil or poor field soil for better nutrient and water uptake during the initial growth of transplanted seedlings.

Seedling response of three agroforestry tree species to phosphorous fertilizer application in Bangladesh： growth and nodulation capabilities

Triple Super Phosphate, TSP fertilizer, was applied @ 80 kg·ha−1 as the source of phosphorous on six months old polybag seedlings of Albizia chinensis, Albizia saman and Pongamia pinnta in nursery beds in Bangladesh. The effects of P-fertilizer on seedling growth and nodulation were compared to that of seedlings grown in unfertilized soil or in control at different harvesting intervals. The study revealed that, seedling growth was enhanced significantly with the application of P-fertilizer. The growth was found more pronounced in cases of A. saman and P. pinnata, whereas it was not noticeable and showed depressed growth in case of A. chinensis. The study also suggests that nodulation in terms of nodule number and size was also increased significantly with P-fertilization except in case of P. pinnata, where higher harvesting intervals lowered the nodulation performance of that species

Allelopathic effects of Leucaena leucocephala leaf litter on some forest and agricultural crops grown in nursery

An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of leaf litter of Leucaena leucocephala on two forest crops Sada koroi (Albizia procera), Ipil ipil (L. leucocephala) and three agricultural crops Falen (Vigna unguiculata), Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) and Arhor (Cajanus cajan) in the nursery of the Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Chittagong University, Bangladesh, in a Randomized Block Design. Results suggested that leaf litters of L. leucocephala induced inhibitory effects on germination and growth of bioassay. It was also found that the effect depended on concentration of extract and litterfall, type of receptor species. Higher concentration of the materials had the higher effect and vice versa. Growth response of receptor crops varied with the variation of leaf litter application. The study revealed that application of low-dose leaf litter specially litter of 10 g·m−2 had stimulating effect on shoot growth of C. arietinum, V. unguiculata and A. procera. While in all other cases significant inhibitory effect was observed and it was significantly increased with the increase of leaf litter application. However, the trend of inhibition was uneven with treatments. Root growth was found to be more affected than shoot growth.