Bangladesh Rice Journal

Analyses of Productivity and Profitability in Boro Rice Cultivation within Blast-Affected Areas of Kushtia District

H Mahmud — 2023-10-22

This study evaluated the profitability dynamics of blast affected Boro rice cultivation within specific regions of Kushtia District of Bangladesh during the period of 2018-19. A total of 90 farmers, with 30 from each upazila, were selected randomly for participation in this study. The findings revealed substantial yield losses, with the most significant impact observed among11% farmers affected by a disease severity scale of 9 in BRRI dhan28, resulting in a yield loss of 3.92 t/ha. Similarly, a blast severity scale of 9 led to yield losses of 2.0 t/ha in BRRI dhan29, affecting 7% of farmers. The Miniket cultivar exhibited a yield loss of 1.70 t/ha among 56% of farmers with a severity scale of 5. Interestingly, Mirpur experienced devastating losses for both BRRI dhan28 and BRRI dhan29, while Kushtia Sadar suffered significant yield losses for the Miniket cultivar based on disease severity and yield impact. Application of Nativo 75 WG (0.40 Kg/ha) and Trooper 75 WP (0.50 Kg/ha) at the lowest (3%) disease incidence resulted in a remarkable 68.97% increase in yield for BRRI dhan29 in Bheramara. Conversely, spraying of Amistar Top 325 SC (0.56 l/ha) did not lead to increase yield. In Miniket cultivar at Bheramara, Nativo 75 WG (0.45 Kg/ha) and Amistar Top 325 SC (0.37 l/ha) resulted in a lower yield of 2.99 t/ha due to application at a higher (50%) disease incidence. Furthermore, a yield increase of 69.67% was observed with the application of Nativo 75 WG (0.34 kg/ha) in the Miniket cultivar at Kushtia Sadar. The highest gross return, gross margin, net return, and benefit-cost ratio were recorded in Bheramara, amounting to Tk 1,24,084/ha, Tk 46,037/ha, Tk 5,797/ha, and 1.05, respectively. Notably, BRRI dhan29 exhibited the maximum gross return and yield of Tk 1,32,435/ha and 6.14 t/ha, respectively, whereas BRRI dhan28 demonstrated the lowest gross return and net return of Tk 1,09,737/ha and (-) Tk 8,321/ha, respectively, due to higher blast disease incidence. Labor costs constituted the largest share (34.10%) of the total rice production expenses. Despite BRRI dhan28 exhibiting lower net and gross returns per hectare due to higher blast disease incidence, the highest yields in BRRI dhan29 were attributed to its comparatively lower disease infection rate among the three varieties. Evidently, the cultivation of the Miniket cultivar resulted in higher net returns due to its superior market price and quality, especially when disease incidence was lower compared to BRRI dhan28. This emphasizes the importance of blast management strategies and the use of resistant varieties with high yield potential and market value in ensuring sustainable productivity and profitability in Boro rice production.

Bangladesh Rice J. 26 (2): 1-18, 2022

Value Chain Analysis of Milled Rice Produce in Husking Rice Mill

M G K Bhuiyan — 2023-10-22

This study was aimed to identify the present status of rice milling, map and analyze milled rice along with associated constraints and recommend priority areas of interventions using primary and secondary sources data during the period of 2012-14. In a quantitative survey, stratified random sampling was used to identify respondents, while qualitative investigations involved focus groups and key informant interviews. In the country, there are about 15,500 husking mills, 650 semi-automatic mills, and 300 automatic rice mills. Husking mills still dominate the rice milling sector and it covers about 70% of total milled rice production. However, recent trends show that the husking rice mills fail to compete with modern automatic and semi-automatic rice mills in terms of quality finished products and market demand, in turn shifting to semi-automatic and automatic rice mills is going on. The milling capacity and capacity utilization of husking mills was found to be 0.8-1.0 th^-1 and 34%, respectively. Milling cost, profit per ton of fine parboiled rice and BCR for husking were found to be Tk. 2601, Tk. 3637 and 1.4, respectively. The profit margin for parboiled fine rice processed in a husking mill was found to be 37.04%. Employment opportunities in terms of labor and staff requirement for husking mills were found to be 14.17 man hours per metric ton of paddy and 6.95 man hours per tonne of paddy, respectively. Husking rice mills produce more broken, less head rice recovery and quality is less than automatic rice mills. Beside these, in husking mill bran and husk are mixed together that’s not suitable for edible oil extraction and briquette production. In terms of quality of rice e.g. less broken rice, absence of stones and black kernels, brightness, color etc., the rice mills having modern equipment produce higher quality rice, with higher market demand and higher profit making ability compared to rice mills having traditional equipment.

Bangladesh Rice J. 26 (2): 19-39, 2022

Determination of growth stages of some rice varieties as affected by sowing time

M Khanam — 2023-10-22

Identification of growth stages of rice is important for proper crop management and yield estimation. Appropriate planting time is a prerequisite for a decent harvest. The study aimed to determine the growth stages of different rice varieties and how they are affected by the sowing time. We evaluated four selected boro season rice varieties (BRRI dhan81, BRRI dhan86, BRRI dhan88, and BRRI dhan89) under five sowing times for growth stage study and yield following a completely randomized block design (RCBD) with three replications. Each variety showed considerable variation in different growth stages and yield at various sowing dates. All tested rice varieties took 40 days to reach the seedling stage on 15 December sowing. With the advancement or preceding this sowing date, the days required to attain this stage decreased. In mid-November sowing, the maximum period (33-34 days) was needed for tiller development and then reduced with the advancement of sowing dates irrespective of variety. Among the rice varieties, BRRI dhan89 required the highest time for panicle initiation (PI) on all sowing dates. The other three rice varieties took more or less similar time for panicle initiation. Among the rice varieties, BRRI dhan89 needed the highest, and BRRI dhan86 needed the lowest degree days for PI and flowering. BRRI dhan81 and BRRI dhan89 gave a higher grain yield from 15 November and 1 December sowing. BRRI dhan88 produced consistent grain yield throughout the sowing time. The fluctuations in PI stages' commencement indicate varietal characteristics, environmental conditions, and interaction between variety and environment.

Bangladesh Rice J. 26 (2): 41-49, 2022

Influence of cultivation techniques on dry matter partitioning, nitrogen distribution pattern and yield of super hybrid rice Liangyoupeijiu

M A Badshah — 2023-10-22

Liangyoupeijiu was grown under different crop cultivation techniques viz: conventional tillage and transplanting (CTTP), no tillage and transplanting (NTTP), conventional tillage and direct seeding (CTDS) and no- tillage and direct seeding (NTDS) during 2011 and 2012. Results showed that, CTTP had higher leaf dry weight than NTTP. Maximum leaf dry weight reduced in direct seeded than transplanted rice. Shoot dry weight reduced by 6% both in transplanted and direct seeded rice from heading to 12 days after heading (DAH) in both the years. No tillage and transplanting had higher export percentage of dry matter and transport percentage of dry matter among the cultivation techniques in both the years. At heading, leaf nitrogen concentration (%) and nitrogen uptake (g m^-2) were higher in transplanted than direct seeded rice and significantly higher nitrogen uptake was observed under conventional tillage and transplanting in both the years. The physiological nitrogen use efficiency was higher in no-tillage than conventional tillage in both the years. Total nitrogen (kg ha^-1) uptake was higher in conventional tillage than no tillage either in transplanted or in direct seeded rice and was higher under conventional tillage and transplanting among the cultivation techniques in both the years. Grain yield was closely associated with uptake of total nitrogen at heading. Although, direct seeded rice had more than 23% higher panicle number than transplanted rice but conventional tillage and transplanting produced higher grain yield due to higher uptake of nitrogen by grain at maturity and bigger sink size.

Bangladesh Rice J. 26 (2): 51-62, 2022

Effect of nitrobenzene on the growth and yield of rice

A Jahan — 2023-10-22

A field experiment was conducted at two locations (Gazipur and Satkhira) during the Boro (dry) season in 2020 to study the performance of Nitrobenzene on the growth and yield of rice. Four different concentrations of Nitrobenzene (2.0 mL L^-1, 2.5 mL L^-1, 3.0 mL L^-1 and 3.5 mL L^-1) as foliar spray with recommended chemical fertilizer (RF) were tested on BRRI dhan89 under wetland condition. Application of Nitrobenzene at different concentrations with RF showed significant effect on rice growth and yield. At both locations, foliar application of Nitrobenzene (2 mL L^-1) + RF gave higher number of tiller/m², panicle/m²and grain/panicle over RF. At Gazipur site, Nitrobenzene (2 mL L^-1) + RF resulted in significant increase of grain and straw yield of BRRI dhan89 over the RF only whereas, at Satkhira site, no significant yield benefit with Nitrobenzene was found over RF. In terms of rice growth, yield and economic point of view, foliar application of Nitrobenzene at low concentration (2 mL L^-1) with recommended fertilizer showed positive effect on the growth and yield of BRRI dhan89 in this study. However, since Nitrobenzene is a new type of plant stimulant, detailed studies on its mode of action, interaction with other plant growth hormones and environmental effects are required to get an insight on rice response to Nitrobenzene and its widespread application in rice cultivation.

Bangladesh Rice J. 26 (2): 63-72, 2022

Long Term Rice-Rape Seed Cropping Effects on Weed Seed Bank Size and Composition

M A Badshah — 2023-10-22

To study the long term rice-rape cropping effect on weed seed bank size and composition, soil samples were collected from a long term (2004–2012) experiment under the cultivation techniques of conventional tillage transplanting (CTTP), no-tillage transplanting (NTTP), conventional tillage direct seeding (CTDS), and no-tillage direct seeding (NTDS) at a various soil depths of 0-5 cm, 5-10 cm, 10-15 cm, and 15-20 cm during 2011- 2012. Results indicated that, the highest weed seed accumulation of most species was in the 0-5 cm soil depth. More than 60% (% to total weed seeds) seeds were germinated at 20 days after placement of tray (DAP). The seed bank size of Echinochloa crus-galli(L) under direct seeded was 53% higher than transplanted in both years irrespective of tillage system. It decreased 67% under CT and 87% under NT from 0-5 to 5-10 cm soil depth in 2011. The ranked of weed species were grass > broad leaf > sedge based on their number per unit area in both years. The rank of Echinochloa crus-galli(L) was CTDS > NTTDS > NTTP > CTTP among the treatments at 0-5 cm soil depth in both years. Monochoria vaginalis (Burm.f) Kunth, Fimbristylis miliacea and C. iria L were fewer in number. The pressure of germination of weed seeds was more at 20 DAP at 0-5 cm soil depth. Total number (up to 60 DAP) of Echinochloa crus-galli was higher in CTDS at 0-5 cm soil depth in both the years and drastically reduced under no tillage than under conventional tillage towards deeper horizon of soil.

Bangladesh Rice J. 26 (2): 73-82, 2022