Knowledge of spatial distribution of nitrogen nutrient status of crops is very important for planning of its fertilization, mostly in system of precision agriculture. Aerial hyperspectral sensors can provide very detail information about spectral characteristics of crop which can be used for spatial analysis of nutrient status and physiological condition of crops. Spectral indices derived from spectral data are usually used for estimation of nutrient status. We analyzed relation between 16 spectral indices derived from hyperspectral data and field assessment of nutrient content in winter wheat biomass using Nitrogen Nutrient Index (NNI). The best result provided index REIP (Red Edge Inflection Point Index) with R² = 0.66, however the correlation between REIP and NNI varies spatially and during the vegetation season. Important factor which might have essential impact on the correlation between spectral indices and nitrogen content in crop mass is spatial proportion of both crop and soil cover recorded by spectral sensor. This finding is important mostly on fields with high variability of soil environment and canopy cover. This work was supported by grant of Technological Agency of the Czech Republic TA CR Epsilon TH02030133.

An experiment was conducted at Natore district in Bangladesh during from March to April 2013 to study the effect of polythene bags on shelf life of tomato. Significant variation was found due to the combined effects of different color and types of polythene bags at room temperature (25ËšC) in respect of time required for ripening of tomato and percent of weight loss. Control treatment gave the sign of full ripening after 9.67 days where as black sealed treatment took 12.00 days. Control treatment showed the highest weight loss (19.41%) where as it was the lowest (8.9%) in black sealed polythene. There were non-significant variations found in total soluble solids (TSS), acidity and pH. Significant variation among the treatments resulted from the combination of color and types of polythene in respect of moisture content, percent of dry matter and shelf life. The highest moisture content (94.13%) was recorded in black sealed polythene and the minimum moisture content (82.87%) in white and transparent with perforated polythene. White and non transparent polythene with sealed condition showed the highest dry matter content (17.13%) whereas the lowest dry matter was in black sealed (5.87%). The highest shelf life (28.89 days) was recorded in black perforated polythene and the lowest shelf life (14.33 days) in control.

Polyploidy has played a significant role in the evolution of vascular plants and about 80 % of angiosperms are estimated to be polyploid.  The knowledge of nuclear DNA content in plants (either in relative or absolute units) is used to estimate genome size and the ploidy level. Genome size (C-value or the haploid nuclear DNA content) is used to explain evolutionary patterns and adaptation mechanisms of plants. Genome size varies to about 2400 folds across the angiosperms. Flow cytometry (FCM) is commonly used to estimate genome size and ploidy level in plants. Okra Abelmoschus esculentus L. (Moench), is an economically important vegetable crop grown in tropical and sub-tropical as well as in the Mediterranean region. Ploidy level has been determined mostly by counting the chromosomes of stained root tips but studies on genome size of the genus Abelmoschus are rare. Due to smaller chromosome size, variable chromosome number and high ploidy levels existing within the species the visual counting is laborious and can potentially lead to errors. In this study FCM was used to determine absolute DNA content, genome size, relative chromosome number and ploidy level of 170 genotypes of okra by employing CyStain PI Absolute P kit and CyStain UV Precise P (DAPI) kit. CyStain UV Precise P (DAPI) proved to be a better choice for the determination of ploidy level and relative chromosome number. This was a base specific kit and data obtained showed low CV. Results indicated that relative number of chromosomes varied from 84-189 for Abelmoschus moschatus and 115–170 for Abelmoschus esculentus. Eight groups were formed based on basic set of chromosome i.e., x=12. The ploidy 2n for A. moschatus was 7x, 11x, 13x, 15x and 16x whereas for A. esculentus it ranged 10x–14x. The 2CDNA value for A. moschatus ranged from 2.42pg–6.90pg and genome size in Mbp ranged from 2362.92Mbp–6794.86Mbp. For A. esculentus 2CDNA value ranged from 2.34pg–4.13pg while genome size in Mbp ranged from 2292.31Mbp–4042.30 Mbp. The genome size data was found inadequate to accurately indicate the number of chromosomes and further studies were needed to optimize the protocol to determine the precise chromosome count using the genome size data. Negative correlation between relative ploidy and genome size showed a downsizing of the genome size with increased ploidy level. Correlations among traits showed that increased vegetative growth (more number of branches) reduced reproductive growth in okra under heat stress.

Polyploidy has played a significant role in the evolution of vascular plants and about 80 % of angiosperms are estimated to be polyploid.  The knowledge of nuclear DNA content in plants (either in relative or absolute units) is used to estimate genome size and the ploidy level. Genome size (C-value or the haploid nuclear DNA content) is used to explain evolutionary patterns and adaptation mechanisms of plants. Genome size varies to about 2400 folds across the angiosperms. Flow cytometry (FCM) is commonly used to estimate genome size and ploidy level in plants. Okra Abelmoschus esculentus L. (Moench), is an economically important vegetable crop grown in tropical and sub-tropical as well as in the Mediterranean region. Ploidy level has been determined mostly by counting the chromosomes of stained root tips but studies on genome size of the genus Abelmoschus are rare. Due to smaller chromosome size, variable chromosome number and high ploidy levels existing within the species the visual counting is laborious and can potentially lead to errors. In this study FCM was used to determine absolute DNA content, genome size, relative chromosome number and ploidy level of 170 genotypes of okra by employing CyStain PI Absolute P kit and CyStain UV Precise P (DAPI) kit. CyStain UV Precise P (DAPI) proved to be a better choice for the determination of ploidy level and relative chromosome number. This was a base specific kit and data obtained showed low CV. Results indicated that relative number of chromosomes varied from 84-189 for Abelmoschus moschatus and 115–170 for Abelmoschus esculentus. Eight groups were formed based on basic set of chromosome i.e., x=12. The ploidy 2n for A. moschatus was 7x, 11x, 13x, 15x and 16x whereas for A. esculentus it ranged 10x–14x. The 2CDNA value for A. moschatus ranged from 2.42pg–6.90pg and genome size in Mbp ranged from 2362.92Mbp–6794.86Mbp. For A. esculentus 2CDNA value ranged from 2.34pg–4.13pg while genome size in Mbp ranged from 2292.31Mbp–4042.30 Mbp. The genome size data was found inadequate to accurately indicate the number of chromosomes and further studies were needed to optimize the protocol to determine the precise chromosome count using the genome size data. Negative correlation between relative ploidy and genome size showed a downsizing of the genome size with increased ploidy level. Correlations among traits showed that increased vegetative growth (more number of branches) reduced reproductive growth in okra under heat stress.

Fruits and vegetables are rich sources of vitamins, minerals, dietary fibers. Per capita consumption is still lower (212 g day-1) than desirable amount (400 g day-1). There exists food-phobia in the society. Consumption of fruits and vegetables has been dropped due to perceived health risks due to consumption of adulterated or unsafe foods. There are also reports of rejection of export consignments.  Postharvest loss is substantial. Assurance of quality and safety is a challenge in the context of nutrition security, public health and export. Presence of chemical residues in food is a major food safety concern. Food Safety Act 2013 and establishment of BFSA are noticeable steps to deal with this deep-rooted problem. Consumption of safe fruits and vegetables and expansion of export can only be achieved if quality and safety controls are in place.  Quality and safety issues in horticultural chains to be prioritized for domestic marketing and export. Postharvest loss is substantial. The present paper deals with the safe horticultural production, policy, post-harvest loss reduction and nutritional food security.

Henna (Lawsonia inermis L.) is one of the best known plants for its cosmetic, dyeing, ornamental and medicinal properties. It is grown in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in countries such as Algeria, Egypt, India, Iran, Mali, Morocco, and Senegal. In main exporting regions of the Middle East, Asia and West Africa, the preferred method used for industrial plantations is seed sowing. However, several constraints have been reported as impediments to henna germination, thus limiting a large scale multiplication of the species. Those include the presence of a hard and resistant shell-seeds, low germination percentages that hardly reaching 20% and limited shelf life (<<90 days). In this study, seed multiplication improvement tests have therefore been carried out both en serre and in vitro. In the greenhouse, the effect of light has been tested both by light intensity (0-120 μE.m-².s-1) and by the duration of illumination (variable from 0h, 12h, 14h, 16h then continuously 24/24) as well as of pre- treatments (immersion in distilled water and mechanical scarification). Seed burial tests - from 0 to 30 mm deep with 5 mm increments -were also conducted and the conservation of germinability was studied. In vitro, introduction of local ecotypes was carried out. The results show the necessity of light for the germination of Lawsonia inermis's seeds, which reacts positively to an elongation of the photoperiod from 0% in continuous darkness to 89% for 12h of light and 94% for 16h of light, with a decrease in average germination time of around 36 hours. From 5 mm deep, burial in the substrate causes a drastic drop in germination percentage. The most interesting result of this study was the possibility of preserving henna seeds at an ambient temperature of 25 ± 2 ° C in darkness conditions, for almost 9 months in simple plastic boxes. The seeds used retain a germination capacity exceeding 93%. In vitro culture test, seeds showed more than 90% of germination and a regular growth of seedlings was obtained.

Infiltration zones are defined as areas with high ability of water infiltration to the soil. These soils are usually shallow, with high proportion of sand and low proportion of organic matter and with low retention capacity. The knowledge of infiltration zones spatial distribution is crucial for purposes of fertilization of crops in system of precision farming, management of nutrients loss (mostly nitrates) from soil and for protection of surface waters. In principle, usage of crop water stress for identification of infiltration zones is based on faster drying out of these zones and thus faster crop water stress development than in other areas. We analyzed relation between some several soil types with different water regime with crop water stress index (CWSI) derived from aerial spectral and thermal data. Analysis was developed on example of winter wheat field with heterogenous soil characteristics in Czech Republic. Our results showed good agreement between CWSI and infiltration properties of analysed soils. High values of CWSI corresponding with soils with high ability for water infiltration (arenic cambisols). The difference of results between arenic cambisols and other soil types was statistically significant. This work was supported by grant of Technological Agency of the Czech Republic TA ÄŒR Epsilon TH02030133.

Bangladesh economy is predominantly dependent on agriculture. So, the importance of horticulture in the national economy has been well justified. The Horticultural crops, particularly fruits, vegetables and spices are  playing  a vital role in crop diversification, human nutrition, economy, environment,  with an ultimate goal of balanced diet, fight malnutrition, food self-sufficiency, biodiversity, environmental protection and poverty alleviation.  In Bangladesh around 40 million peoples are suffering from micronutrient deficiency-the hidden hunger. Moreover, almost 70% peoples are below the poverty level.  Our Government has paid much emphasis on rice but not on fruits, vegetable, spices and flowers production as our diet is rice based. Although there has been considerable success in variety development and technology generation in fruits and vegetables but their application are not adequate. Improved varieties of fruit like mango, guava, jackfruit, litchi, pineapple and banana   are available in Bangladesh. The paper deals with mainly achievements, constraints and opportunities of horticultural crops (fruits) in Bangladesh for plantations and climate change.  They are also contributing in nutrition and poverty alleviation of our land scarce, malnutrition affected and poor peoples. Bangladesh Agricultural University also established the largest fruit repository including a number of underutilized, tropical, subtropical, indigenous and temperate fruits here in Mymensingh. Contribution of the horticultural crops in the climate change, nutrition of poor people and to alleviate poverty in coastal (saline), hunger prone (monga) and flood affected areas also addressed. Plantation of underutilized fruit ber (Jujube) cv. BAU Kul 1 tremendously contributes in the poverty reduction and natural soil reclamation from saline to non-saline condition. Finally, the paper focuses on the future policy of the managements of horticultural crops in Bangladesh for economy, nutrition, food security, poverty alleviation and sustainable development.

We examined red light absorbance-transmittance (RAT) and chlorophyll fluorescence (Fo, Fm, Fm-Fo), electron transport from PS II (Fv/Fm, Fv/Fo) of eight maize hybrids since the crop scientist’s curiosity. For it, we conducted an experiment of randomized complete block design of three replications planting seeds on Dec 1, 2017 at farmers’ field at Fulbari-Chitwan, Nepal. We took one hundred observations of RAT measures (using SPAD 502 plus, Spectrum, USA) from T4 leaf of each of the six randomly selected plants in 3 day period from 69th day during early vegetative stage and Fo, Fm, Fv (=Fm-Fo), Fv/Fm and Fv/Fo from the E1 leaf from the same plants in each of twenty four plots from 141 to 148th day during late grain filling (using chlorophyll fluorometer (OS30p+, Opti-Sciences, USA). After analysis of the frequency distributions of the measures and their mean comparisons, we found no significant difference among the single reading, three and 100 readings averages of the measures. Besides, we can conclude that a single reading from sample plants from the T4 and E1 leaves of six plants in each plot is enough to examine the traits from the equipments, but we must eliminate outliers while taking observations from the equipments if we are just examining averages of maize crop genotypes in the respective T4 and E1 leaf. We could not find special peculiarities in the frequency distribution of the variety of the measures for high grain yielding hybrids although we found different types of frequency distribution pattern for different hybrids based on skewness and kurtosis. Three significantly differing highest grain yielding hybrids are Bioseed, Gangakaveri, and Shresta and their corresponding grain yields are 16, 14 and 12 t ha^-1

Onion is the nearly everyone important and indispensable vegetable in kitchen as condiment and vegetable which captured an extensive internal market. The green leaves, matured and immature bulbs are eaten raw or used in preparation of vegetables. It is used as salad and cooked in various ways, in all curries fries boiled or baked. It is also used in processed form e.g. flakes, powder, paste, pickles and some seasoning foods. It is valued much on account of its characteristics pungency which is due to presence of sulphur compound (Ally propyl disulphide). It possesses some important medicinal properties.The organic onion is flourishing mainly due to consumer choice. The organic onion is much preferred than traditionally grown. It makes an increase in varieties and selection of onion in retail, supermarket and restaurant. The market plays an important role in determining the pattern as well as the pace of diversification in favor of high-value crops like onion. An increase in production is of little value unless there is a good marketing system. Keeping the above view a research analysis on “Precious supply chain management of onion (Allium cepa l) by examining the production, quality expansion & market analysis for food safety” was carried out and found among two zones selected such as eastern coastal plateau zone & mid central table land zone, Mid central table land zone found most suitable for onion farming and fulfilling all most all farming requirements. Effect of organic nutrient and botanical pesticides on onion applied, the best onion varieties response to vermi compost (50%) that is 2 t/ha + NPK (50:50:50) 50 Kg each / ha was remarkable and best organic treatment. Effect of cultivation of different onion varieties found best results with onion variety Agri found Dark Red which has got best results in concern to growth & yield of onion. Effect of integrated weed management on weed density, Dry matter weight of weeds & weed control efficiency found best results with weed control treatment one hand weeding at 20 Days After Transplanting + Ridge & furrow making (6” X 6”) length X breadth in onion variety N-53. Experimental State found best in progress with onion infrastructure development for processing of onion, onion storage structures & market development in last three year is concern it is utmost in concern with the agro ecological situations. Experimental Country was found best in fulfilling the annual production & demand of onion, onion cultivation area, production & export of onion by excellent in designing of description about grading, standardization parameters & bulb produced in experimental field as well as in different agro climatic situations are found best to face the global requirements. Market survey found best results with variation within experimental period of time analysis found Bhubaneswar has lowest variations of onion price from wholesale to retail sell price. And also experimental State have best control over onion price hike during the market research & experiment year that is survey results from year 2013 – 2017.  Supply chain management models analyses it is concluded that onion SCM developed after survey that is a new model from research to different marketing channel partner involvement and then grass root label point coverage’s prepared and samples are tested in field found best results. E- Onion marketing & digitalization found a new & best technology to reduce marketing costs and examined during experiment founds best response among primary, secondary & tertiary stock holders. Among different onion farming treatments integrated organic onion production technology found best economic results in comparison to conventional onion farming technology that is C:B = 1.97 (Cost Benefit ratio) & net returns are best with organic onion production technology that is Rs. 1,95,802/- (Rs/ha). Price transmission mechanism is concerned from farmer’s field to consumer points costs is concern the best minimum price transmission is found during Season I during February to July average Rs. 19.25 (Rs/q) in comparison to season II (August to January).