The tomato is a significant vegetable in the world on the basis of consumption, nutrition, and extensive use in processed foods. During plant growth and development, amino acids especially exogenous application of proline (Pro), plays a crucial role to increase stress tolerance under various abiotic stresses. Among abiotic stressors, temperature is considered as an important and alarming stressor for plant development and growth. Sometime a significant drop in crop productivity is the outcome of harsh temperature increment. An investigation was carried out at the Horticulture Lab, College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, during 2021-22 to inspect the role of foliar application of proline under heat stress in tomato plants. Tomato seedlings with true leaves were exposed to high temperatures (25°C [control], 40°C, and 45°C) with exogenous proline sprays of (0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mili-molars). Various growth attributes like morphological i-e number of leaves, leaf area cm2, shoot fresh weight (mg), shoot dry weight (mg), root fresh weight (mg), root dry weight (mg), and physiological [photosynthetic rate (µ mol/m-2s-1)], chlorophyll contents (spad), stomatal conductance (µ mols m-2 s-1 transpiration rate (µ mol/m-2 s-1),)] were studied. The findings indicated that foliar application of proline at 1.5 mM under heat stress on 40oC and 45oC was found to be more advantageous to improve growth attributes like number of leaves (12.2), leaf area (8.3 cm2), shoot length (10.39 cm), shoot fresh weight (1.88 mg), shoot dry weight (0.28 mg), root dry weight (0.20 mg), and remediated the detrimental effect of heat stress in tomato plants. The variation between control and proline treated heat-stressed plants supported that proline may have a function in alleviating heat stress.

It is critical that Bangladesh faces water scarcity during the dry season, affecting lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) yield and some yield components during seedling and flowering stages. Thus, a two-factorial pot experiments (The experiment comprises Factor A: three fertilization levels i.e. F1 = Control [inorganic], F2 = poultry litter-based compost [20 ton/ha], F3 = poultry litter-based compost [30 ton/ha]; Factor B: two irrigation levels such as W1 = 100% field capacity [FC] and W2 = 70% FC) were designed at Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, from November 2018 to April 2019. And it was investigated how the poultry litter-based composts affected the morpho-physiology, yield and yield components of the lentil (BARI Masur-4) variety under different irrigation stress levels. Obtained results revealed that the tallest plant (30.7 cm at 75 DAS) and maximum branch number per plant (14.1 at 65 DAS), leaf chlorophyll a (0.30 mg/g), highest RLWC (70.28%), lowest proline content (1.57 µ moles g-1 FW), maximum number of pods per plant (39.4 at 75 DAS) and total grain yield (3.62 kg/m2) were recorded from compost F3 (poultry litter-based compost 30 tons/ha) with W1 (100% FC). Results also showed that the yield contributing attributes and yield of lentils were drastically reduced by water stress conditions with different rates of fertilization. In drought conditions (W2 = 70% FC), F3 (30 ton/ha poultry litter-based compost) fertilization produced the highest plant height (30.20 cm at 75 DAS), number of branches (11.5 at 65 DAS), stem dry weight (0.35 g), lowest proline (3.88 µ moles g-1 FW), highest pod number per plant (33.1), weight of 100-seed (2.36 g), total grain weight (2.77 kg/m2), harvest index (58.84%) compared to other fertilizations (F1 and F2). In summary, F3 (30 tons), a compost made from poultry litter, provides better soil conditions under drought conditions compared to F1 and F2 in the year of 2018-19 at the 0 and 20 tons/ha, respectively under the field conditions.

The aims of this study were i) to evaluate the seasonal changes in births of Anatolian buffaloes, ii) to examine the changes of some milk [lactation milk yield (LMY) and lactation length (LL)] and fertility [first calving age (FCA) and calving interval (CI)] according to seasons and iii) to investigate the effects of seasons on the growth traits of calves [birth weight (BW0), live weight at 6 mo (LW6) and live weight at 12 mo (LW12)]. A total of 8614 to 15605 yield records were evaluated including milk yield and fertility traits of buffalo cows and growth traits of calves between 2012 and 2023. The mean temperature, relative humidity, the duration of sunshine, and temperature humidity index (THI) values were calculated for these years. While the highest birth rate was observed in the summer season (34.27%), the lowest birth rate was determined in the winter season (11.99%). The BW0, LW6 and LW12, LMY, LL, FCA, and CI values of the calves were determined as 30.8±0.04 kg, 107.6±0.23 kg, 172.6±0.27 kg, 994.7±2.05 kg, 262.6±0.22 d 1175.5±3.46 d and 561.7±1.84 d, respectively. Except for CI, all characteristics were significantly affected by seasonal changes (P<0.001). The growth traits of the calves born in autumn were higher than the other seasons. The LMY values in spring and winter were higher than those determined in the different seasons. Also, the highest FCA was obtained in heifers born in the winter. It was concluded that the season could affect both some fertility and milk yield characteristics of buffalo cows and the growth performance of calves.

Mulching, a widely employed agricultural practice, has been recognized for its influence on soil moisture retention, temperature regulation, and weed suppression, thereby improving growth and yield of crops. An experiment was conducted to study the effect of mulching materials on growth and yield attributes of summer squash under water constraint condition during March to May 2023 in Chitwan, Nepal. The experiment was laid in single factor Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four different mulches (rice straw, wheat straw, rice husk and silver on black plastic mulch 30 microns) and control replicated 4 times. All the Plant growth parameters, including plant height, number of leaves per plant and plant spread, were highest in silver plastic mulch and the poorest in the un-mulched plots. Mulching also significantly influenced floral characters, with plastic mulch demonstrating superiority in traits such as days to flowering, number of flowers per plant, and sex ratio compared to organic mulches and the control. Fruit length, diameter, and weight exhibited the highest values under plastic mulch and the lowest values under the control, while all organic mulches showed similar results. The highest yield of 41.44 Mt ha-1 was achieved with silver plastic mulch, highlighting its effectiveness in enhancing crop productivity, while the lowest yield of 11.77 Mt ha-1 was recorded in the control plots. Despite its higher cost, silver pastic mulch exhibited highest net return and benefit-cost ratio. Rice husk mulch, with the second highest benefit-cost ratio and relatively low cost of production, emerged as promising alternative. Although mulching did not notably affect the soil pH, the varying soil organic matter percentages were observed, with the highest on rice straw mulch and the lowest on silver plastic mulch. The study suggests that while plastic mulch can significantly boost productivity during water scarcity, rice husk mulch offers a cost-effective alternative with substantial economic benefit.

Growth retardation and decreased vivid coloration are significant issues in the ornamental fish market, particularly among cichlids. This study investigates the effects of Schizochytrium sp. microalgae supplementation on the growth and skin coloration of the Jack Dempsey cichlid (Rocio octofasciata). Three experimental groups were established: a control group (C) with no supplementation, and two microalgae-supplemented groups with 0.5% (S05) and 1% (S10). The control group was fed a commercial diet, while the S05 and S10 groups received the microalgae mixed with the commercial feed via spraying. A total of 135 Jack Dempsey fish (mean initial weight: 1.17 ± 0.14 g) were stocked into nine glass tanks (100 L each), with three replicates per group. After a 60-day feeding trial, growth indices revealed significant differences (p<0.05) between the control and algae-supplemented groups. The S10 group exhibited the highest final weight (FW) and the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR). Additionally, the weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) values for the S10 group were significantly higher than those of both the control and S05 groups (p<0.05). However, skin color parameters, including L* (brightness), a* (+red/-green axis), b* (+yellow/-blue axis), chroma (Ch), and hue angle (Hue), showed no statistical differences among the groups. This study demonstrates that a diet supplemented with 1% Schizochytrium sp. can enhance growth parameters and serve as a beneficial feed additive for Jack Dempsey cichlids.

The aims of this study were i) to evaluate the seasonal changes in births of Anatolian buffaloes, ii) to examine the changes of some milk [lactation milk yield (LMY) and lactation length (LL)] and fertility [first calving age (FCA) and calving interval (CI)] according to seasons and iii) to investigate the effects of seasons on the growth traits of calves [birth weight (BW0), live weight at 6 mo (LW6) and live weight at 12 mo (LW12)]. A total of 8614 to 15605 yield records were evaluated including milk yield and fertility traits of buffalo cows and growth traits of calves between 2012 and 2023. The mean temperature, relative humidity, the duration of sunshine, and temperature humidity index (THI) values were calculated for these years. While the highest birth rate was observed in the summer season (34.27%), the lowest birth rate was determined in the winter season (11.99%). The BW0, LW6 and LW12, LMY, LL, FCA, and CI values of the calves were determined as 30.8±0.04 kg, 107.6±0.23 kg, 172.6±0.27 kg, 994.7±2.05 kg, 262.6±0.22 d 1175.5±3.46 d and 561.7±1.84 d, respectively. Except for CI, all characteristics were significantly affected by seasonal changes (P<0.001). The growth traits of the calves born in autumn were higher than the other seasons. The LMY values in spring and winter were higher than those determined in the different seasons. Also, the highest FCA was obtained in heifers born in the winter. It was concluded that the season could affect both some fertility and milk yield characteristics of buffalo cows and the growth performance of calves.

It is critical that Bangladesh faces water scarcity during the dry season, affecting lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) yield and some yield components during seedling and flowering stages. Thus, a two-factorial pot experiments (The experiment comprises Factor A: three fertilization levels i.e. F1 = Control [inorganic], F2 = poultry litter-based compost [20 ton/ha], F3 = poultry litter-based compost [30 ton/ha]; Factor B: two irrigation levels such as W1 = 100% field capacity [FC] and W2 = 70% FC) were designed at Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, from November 2018 to April 2019. And it was investigated how the poultry litter-based composts affected the morpho-physiology, yield and yield components of the lentil (BARI Masur-4) variety under different irrigation stress levels. Obtained results revealed that the tallest plant (30.7 cm at 75 DAS) and maximum branch number per plant (14.1 at 65 DAS), leaf chlorophyll a (0.30 mg/g), highest RLWC (70.28%), lowest proline content (1.57 µ moles g-1 FW), maximum number of pods per plant (39.4 at 75 DAS) and total grain yield (3.62 kg/m2) were recorded from compost F3 (poultry litter-based compost 30 tons/ha) with W1 (100% FC). Results also showed that the yield contributing attributes and yield of lentils were drastically reduced by water stress conditions with different rates of fertilization. In drought conditions (W2 = 70% FC), F3 (30 ton/ha poultry litter-based compost) fertilization produced the highest plant height (30.20 cm at 75 DAS), number of branches (11.5 at 65 DAS), stem dry weight (0.35 g), lowest proline (3.88 µ moles g-1 FW), highest pod number per plant (33.1), weight of 100-seed (2.36 g), total grain weight (2.77 kg/m2), harvest index (58.84%) compared to other fertilizations (F1 and F2). In summary, F3 (30 tons), a compost made from poultry litter, provides better soil conditions under drought conditions compared to F1 and F2 in the year of 2018-19 at the 0 and 20 tons/ha, respectively under the field conditions.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of 10 mM silicon (Si) application on salt stress (50, 100, and 200 mM NaCl) tolerance in Hungarian vetch seedlings (Ege Beyazi-79) based on growth parameters (shoot length and fresh weight, organic dry matter, and moisture), bioactive compounds as chlorophyll, carotenoid, proline, protein, nitrate, and nutrient status. Silicon was applied to the seedlings from the leaves and NaCl from the salt soil, both of which were dissolved in Hoagland solution. The results revealed that the highest shoot length Si+100 mM NaCl was recorded and the highest fresh and dry weight was recorded with length Si+50 mM NaCl. The highest dry matter was obtained from Si and 200 mM NaCl. The highest chlorophyll, carotenoid, proline, protein, and nitrate were obtained from 100 mM NaCl+Si, while the lowest chlorophyll, carotenoid, and nitrate were obtained from 200 mm NaCl and the lowest proline and protein from 100 mM NaCl, respectively. The amount of K, Mg, and S were low in NaCl doses but high in Si and Si + NaCl doses, and P was higher in all groups compared to the control. The content of Na, Co, and Se were high in all groups except Cl 50 NaCl, while Mn, Zn, and Ni were higher in Si and Si + NaCl doses. Silicon content of samples was high at higher NaCl + Si doses. The results provided by this investigating indicated that silicate concentrations positively affected the parameters examined in Hungarian seedlings, and increased the tolerance of seedlings to salt stress.

The study was carried out to the effects of different plant densities and nitrogen levels on okra yield and plant development. Field trials were conducted in two locations, the training fields of the Ege University, Ödemiş Research and Training area, and Ege University Faculty of Agriculture, Menemen Research and Training Farm. The field layout was a split-plot design with 3 replicates, where main plots consisted of nitrogen applications and sub-plots of plant densities. Fertilizer was applied in the form of Triple Superphosphate, Potassium Sulfate, Urea and Ammonium Nitrate. Five different nitrogen levels (F1: 0, F2: 40, F3: 80; F4: 120 and F5: 160 kg N ha-1) and two different rows spacing (PD1: 15 cm×70 cm and PD2: 25 cm×70 cm) have been tested. Yield and yield components, plant height at flowering, height of the first fruits, the number of leaves, the number of branches, the number of days from sowing to first flowering, the number of days from sowing to first harvest, plant height, foliation status, total yield, yield of plant, average fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter have been noted in the field experiments. Total yield ranged from 5923.8 to 12888.9 kg ha-1 at the Ödemiş location, while it was 3363.3-5009.2 kg ha-1 at the Menemen location. In conclusion, the highest yield is taken from F2 in both plant densities in Ödemiş. In Menemen, the highest yield is taken from the dose of F3 (80 kg Nha-1) and F4 (120 kg Nha-1).