MS Zaman’s scientific contributions

p>An experiment was conducted at the farmers’ field of Phulpur MLT site of On- Farm Research Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Mymensingh during 2015-16 and 2016-17 to find out a suitable intercrop combination of garden pea with maize for higher productivity and profitability. Five treatments, viz. T₁= Maize (100%) + one row garden pea (33%) in between maize lines, T₂= Maize (100%) + two row garden pea (66%) in between maize lines, T₃= Maize (100%) + garden pea broadcast (100%) in between maize lines, T₄= Sole maize and T₅= Sole garden pea were tested following RCB design with six dispersed replications. Maize var. BARI Hybrid Maize-9 and garden pea var. BARI Motorshuti-3 were used in monoculture as well as in intercropping situations. Intercropping of garden pea improved the yield components of maize and offered some additional yield. The highest maize grain yield (8.62 t ha^-1) and maize equivalent yield (20.22 t ha^-1 yr^-1) were recorded with maize (100 %) + two rows of garden pea (66 %) in between maize lines (T₂). The values of all the competition functions were greater than unity and maize (100 %)+ two rows of garden pea (66 %) in between maize lines (T₂) showed higher values of land equivalent ratio (1.56), gross return (Tk. 311920 ha^-1), gross margin (Tk. 175697 ha^-1) and BCR (2.29) as compared to other treatments. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 43(4): 691-702, December 2018</p

p>The experiment was conducted at the farmers’ field of Bhaluka Upazilla under On-Farm Research division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Mymensingh during 2014-15 and 2015-16 to evaluate the performance of Wheat-Mungbean-T.aman rice improved cropping pattern against a farmers cropping pattern of Wheat-Fallow-T.aman rice. The findings of the study indicated that three crops could be grown successfully in sequence in the tested site. The higher rice equivalent yield (15.33 t hd^-1 yr^.-1), production efficiency (34.74 kg ha^-1 day^-1) and land utilization index (70.69 %) were obtained from the improved cropping pattern than the farmer’s one. Average gross return (Tk. 262750 ha^-1), gross margin (Tk 126204 ha^-1) and marginal benefit cost ratio (MBCR) 2.23 of the improved pattern indicate it’s superiority over farmers’ existing pattern. The fertility status of soil i.e. pH, organic matter, total N, available P, S, Zn and B content in soil were increased over the initial soil due to addition of mungbean biomass.Thus, inclusion of mungbean in the existing farmer’s cropping pattern will improve soil health and the system productivity as a whole. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 43(2): 333-343, June 2018</p

p>The experiment was conducted at Multiplication Testing Site (MLT) Trishal of on-farm research division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Mymensingh during 2015-16 and 2016-17 to study the comparative agro-economic performance of four crops pattern for increasing cropping intensity and productivity as compared with existing farmers’ pattern. Four crops pattern (Boro-T.Aus-T.Aman-Mustard) and farmers’ existing pattern (Boro-fallow-T.Aman- fallow) as control were tested. On an average, organic matter 3.94 t ha-1and 2.60 t ha-1 were added to soil in four crops pattern and farmers existing pattern by incorporation of biomass of respective crops.. Two years average results showed that the highest rice equivalent yield (20.63 t ha^-1) was obtained from four crops pattern. The highest average gross return and gross margin of the four crops pattern were obtained Tk.359570 and Tk. 170162 ha^-1 which were 80 and 207 % higher over farmers’ pattern. Farmers’ practice gave the lower gross return (Tk. 199790 ha^-1). The mean marginal benefit cost ratio (MBCR) was found 2.23 which indicated the superiority of four crops pattern over the farmers’ existing pattern. The marginal benefit cost ratio (MBCR) analysis also showed that inclusion of mustard and T.Aus rice in the existing pattern might be profitable and acceptable to the farmers. Nutrient uptake and balance showed that considerable amounts of N, P, K and S were removed by crops every year. However, the N, K and S balances were found negative in all cases but P balance was found positive. From the above result showed that four crops can be grown successfully one after another in sequence of the tested pattern. SAARC J. Agri., 15(2): 103-112 (2017) </p

p>The experiment was carried out at the farmers’ field of On-Farm Research Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Mymensingh during two consecutive years 2015 and 2016 to find out the suitable intercropping system for increasing crop productivity and profitability of groundnut with sesame intercropping system. The treatments were T₁=sole groundnut, T₂=sole sesame, T₃= Two rows of groundnut in between paired rows of sesame and T₄= Three rows of groundnut in between paired rows of sesame. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with six dispersed replications. Between intercropped treatments, three rows of groundnut within paired rows of sesame showed higher sesame equivalent yield (2.33 tha^-1) and groundnut equivalent yield (2.14 tha^-1) which provided the yield advantages of 108 and 32% over the respective sole crops. The highest land equivalent ratio (1.64), gross return (Tk 1,28,350 ha^-1) and benefit cost ratio (2.15) were also achieved in three rows of groundnut within paired rows of sesame compared to other intercropping and sole cropping systems. The result showed that three rows of groundnut in between paired rows of sesame is found most productive and profitable than sole sesame or sole groundnut for maximum profit in Mymensingh region Bangladesh Agron. J. 2017, 20(1): 99-105 </p

p>Due to depletion of per capita land, consistent stress on improving factor productivity has warranted many alternative cropping strategies. The intercropping effect of red amaranth ( Amaranthus gangeticus Linn, var. BARI Lalshak-1), jute leaf ( Corchorus capsularis , var. Local) and stem amaranth ( Amaranthus tricolor var. BARI Data-1) on the yield performance and thereby economic return of ash gourd as main crop was tested in low nitrogen and medium phosphorus and potassium under Netrakona district of Bangladesh. The experiment consisted of four crop combinations viz., sole ash gourd, ash gourd + red amaranth, ash gourd + jute leaf and ash gourd+ stem amaranth.Companion vegetables did not influence on the yield and yield parameters of ash gourd. Although, the highest yield was obtained from sole ash gourd (34.11 t ha^-1)which was close to ash gourd + jute leaf (30.65 t ha^-1) followed by ash gourd + red amaranth ( 29.34 t ha^-1) intercrop combination. By intercropping of ash gourd with different vegetables, total productivity increased up to 6-16% over sole ash gourd due to the contribution of companion crops. The highest ash gourd equivalent yield (39.61 t ha^-1) was recorded from ash gourd + stem amaranth combination. Ash gourd + stem amaranth combination gave the highest monetary returns in respect of gross return (Tk. 296880 ha^-1) and gross margin (Tk. 174433 ha^-1). The LER and ATER value for all the treatments were above one and this indicated that intercropping in ash gourd is biologically efficient. Considering the experimental findings, ash gourd + stem amaranth might be suitable combination for higher productivity and economic return. Progressive Agriculture 28 (2): 92-99, 2017 </p

Adoption of intercropping may increases crop production instead of declining trend of agricultural land in Bangladesh. Thus, a field experiment on intercropping of root crops with chilli was executed at char area of Dori Bhabkhali in Mymensingh district during October 2014 to March 2015 to find out an appropriate intercrop for cultivation with chilli for higher productivity and maximum economic return. The experiment was consisted with five crop combinations viz., sole chilli, chilli + radish, chilli+ carrot, chilli + onion and chilli + garlic. Significantly the highest yield (green chilli) was obtained with sole chilli (10.26 t ha-1). Among the intercropping treatments, the highest chilli yield (10.31 tha-1) was obtained from chilli + garlic which were close to chilli + onion whereas the lowest (7.71 tha-1) was found in chilli + radish combination. Intercropping reduced 3 to 48 % chilli yield but total productivity as expressed by chilli equivalent yield increased by 80-135% over sole chilli due to the contribution of companion crops. The highest chilli equivalent yield (25.01 t ha-1), gross return (1250500 Tk ha-1), gross margin (1133500 Tk ha-1) and marginal benefit cost ratio (8.56) were obtained from chilli + garlic combination. Considering the experimental findings, chilli + garlic might be suitable combination for higher productivity and economic return.Progressive Agriculture 26 (2): 109-114, 2015