A total of twenty BRRI rice varieties i.e., BRRI dhan 56 to BRRI dhan 75 were collected from Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) to detect the seed borne fungi associated with seeds of selected rice varieties. Four antagonistic potentials of soil fungi comprising three species of Aspergillus viz., A. flavus Link, A. fumigatus Fresenius, A. niger van Tieghem and species of Trichoderma viride Pers. were used against six important rice pathogenic fungi (i.e. Bipolaris oryzae (Breda de Haan) Shoemaker, Curvularia lunata (Wakker) Boedijn, Fusarium equiseti (Corda) Saccardo. Fusarium fujikuroi Nirenberg, Microdochium fisheri Hern.-Restr. and Crous. and Nigrospora oryzae (Berk. & Br.) for the purpose of biological control. In dual culture colony interaction out of four antagonistic fungi, T. viride showed the highest growth inhibition (87.15%) against Fusarium fujikuroi. The maximum inhibition (82.63%) of radial growth of the test pathogens were observed in case of T. viride owing to the volatile metabolites. On the other hand, the highest amount for the effect of non-volatile metabolites of T. viride on N. oryzae and F. fujikuroi at 20% concentration. The present investigation suggests that the isolates of Trichoderma is a biocontrol agent that can help control seed borne fungi in rice. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 34(1): 109-117, 2025 (January)

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality globally. The rising expenses, significant side effects, and increasing resistance to traditional CRC treatments suggest the critical need for new and more effective therapeutic options. This study explored the anticancer potential of Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Merr. phytocompounds targeting the promising apoptosis signal-regulatory kinase 1 (ASK1) protein using computational biology approaches including molecular docking, ADMET analysis, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, and MM/GBSA calculations. Virtual screening of the 17 phytoconstituents identified two lead compounds: ellagic acid and physcion, with binding affinities of -9.6 kcal/mol and -9.3 kcal/mol, respectively. ADMET analysis revealed favorable pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and toxicity profiles for the lead compounds. MD simulations supported the stability and compactness of the two leads in comparison to the control drug erbitux for 200 ns. The lead compounds displayed fewer rotatable bonds compared to Erbitux, resulting in lower torsional flexibility and greater stability during the simulations. PCA-based essential dynamics analysis demonstrated highly similar global motions in phase space for both lead compounds and erbitux, indicating comparable dynamic properties. Free binding energy calculations identified ellagic acid (-69.20 kcal/mol) as the superior lead compound over physcion (-65.68 kcal/mol). These results may open new avenues for the development of novel drug candidates targeting colorectal cancer. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 34(1): 1-23, 2025 (January)

Family functioning, such as family adaptability and family cohesion, is a crucial component of every individual’s life, can influence his/her self-esteem and resilience, acting as protective factors in the environment. The present study examined the impact of family functioning on self-esteem and resilience among university students in the southern region of Bangladesh. A cross-sectional survey was carried out on 400 students from four different universities situated at Gopalganj, Khulna, Barisal, and Jessore. Bangla version of Resilience Scale for Adults, Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale, Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale II, and Personal Information Form were used for data collection. Independent sample ‘t’ test revealed significant gender differences in family functioning; Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed significant positive relationship among family functioning, self-esteem and resilience; regression analysis showed both self-esteem and resilience can be predicted by family functioning. The results can inform efforts to strengthen family relationships and enhance communication within families. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 33(2): 87-95, 2024 (July)

The utilization of organic fertilizers is currently on the rise to sustain higher food quality while minimizing environmental pollution. Mulching with organic materials maintains soil physical conditions, crucial for realizing a crop’s genetic yield potential even when all other requirements are met. Hence, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of mustard oil cake (MOC), poultry manure (PM) and vermicompost (V) alone and in combination with mulching (Mu) on growth and yield parameters of Tomato. Significant increases were (p ≤ 0.05) observed in plant height, leaf number, leaf area, stem girth, root length and root girth of tomato plants compared to the control (T1), where no fertilizers were applied. At 90 days after transplantation (DAT), the T9 (V8Mu0) treatment resulted in the highest plant height (142 cm) and the longest root length (25 cm) while the maximum quantity of fresh weight (154.63 g plant-1) for tomato plant was obtained from the treatment T6, which received vermicompost at 4 t ha-1 with mulching. Application of poultry manure at the rate of 8 t ha-1 without mulching (T8) resulted in a significant higher number (14 fruits plant-1) of green tomatoes. Fresh weight of green tomatoes were varied significantly (p ≤ 0.05) among the treatments with the maximum fresh weight obtained from the T₉ (128.97 g plant-1) and the minimum from T₁ (12.73 g plant-1) treatments. Nitrogen, P, K, Ca, Mg and S of green tomatoes varied significantly among the treatments. The utmost P, K, S, Ca and Mg contents (0.72, 6.26, 0.23, 0.54 and 0.31 g kg-1, respectively) of green tomatoes were recorded in the treatment T₆ (V₄Mu). Hence, the utilization of organic fertilizers, either alone or in conjunction with mulching, markedly enhanced the growth and yield of the tested vegetable, offering viable strategies for enhancing the yield potential. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 33(2): 53-65, 2024 (July)

Traditionally, inorganic chemical-based fertilizers is used for soil management strategies, which can cause public health and environmental threats. Alternatively, bio-fertilizer can be used to increase the productivity and sustainability of soil without causing environmental pollution. The present study aimed to cost-effectively produce bio-fertilizer using agricultural residues and determine the shelflife and efficacy of the bioinoculants. We used sterilized rice husk ash and alluvial soil (1:2) to prepare cost-effective carriers. Rhizobium sp., Azotobacter sp., and Trichoderma sp. were grown in a newly designed culture medium for economic production as bio-inoculants. The efficacy of the formulated bio-fertilizer was tested on a small scale, where it significantly improved the growth of the sponge gourd (Luffa aegyptiaca) plant (p<0.01). The formulated bio-fertilizers were stored at room temperature for one year. Initially, the total viable count of microorganisms was 8.0×107 CFU/g in the formulated bio-fertilizer. The total viable count of the bio-inoculants increased significantly after one month (2.2×108 CFU/g) and one year (2.2×109 CFU/g). Rice husk ash might have supported the growth and survival of the bioinoculants under room temperature (25°C) because of its nutrient retention capacity, adsorptive capability, and high content of silica. Therefore, this study suggests that sterile rice husk ash combined with alluvial soil can be used as a carrier for bio-fertilizers formulation with Rhizobium sp., Azotobacter sp., and Trichoderma sp. bioinoculants. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 32(2): 189-199, 2023 (July)

A field experiment was conducted at the research farm of Charfasson Govt. College, Bhola, Bangladesh in rabi season in 2015-2016 to evaluate the effect of cow dung and chemical fertilizers on growth and yield of sunflower cv. BARI-2 (Keroni-2). Highest plant height (208.4 cm), leaf area (410.5 cm2) and leaf area index (12.75) were recorded in T16 (7.5 ton CD ha-1 +N120P90K150kg ha-1). Highest dry matter yield viz. stem (60.67g plant-1) found in treatment T16 (7.5 ton CD ha- 1+N120 P90K150kg ha-1). Maximum dry weight of leaf (25.33g plant-1) and dry weight of root (12.83g plant-1) were found in treatment T15 (7.5 ton CD ha-1 +N80P60K100kg ha-1). Highest dry weight of seed (64.7 g plant-1) and dry wt. of 100 seed (9.8 g) were found in treatment T15 (7.5 ton CD ha-1 +N80P60K100kg ha-1) but the highest number of seed (735.7plant-1) and florescence diameter (52.67 cm) were observed in treatment T13 (5 ton CD ha-1 +N120P90K150kg ha-1). Maximum total dry matter yield per plant was 92.01 g and per hectare was 5.75 ton in T16 (7.5 ton CD ha-1+N120P90K150kg ha-1). Results revealed that the combined application of cow dung and NPK fertilizers produced better growth and yield of sunflower in field condition at the coastal belt of Bangladesh. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 32(1): 83-90, 2023 (January)

Bangladesh government has imposed a 65-day marine fishing ban since 2015 to conserve marine fisheries, particularly to boost hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) production. However, the ecological impacts of the marine fishing bans on water quality and hilsa’s growth are not assessed yet. Thus, this study aims to contribute here using data from coastal waters and fish from pre-contacted fishers in the Nijhum Dwip seascape during and outside the fishing ban in 2021 – 2022. Data were analyzed using R software. The measured mean dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and transparency of the sample water were 7.1 ± 1.13 mg/l, 31.1 ± 0.71°C, 8.45 ± 0.07, 40000 ± 2828 μS/cm, 18000 ± 1414 mg/L and 63.5 ± 2.12 cm at 1 week prior to the ban ends (July) and 8.45 ± 0.21 mg/l, 22.35 ± 0.49°C, 8.45 ± 0.07, 20500 ± 1060.66 μS/cm, 10350 ± 212.13 mg/l and 63.5 ± 7.78 cm before the ban starts (February). The values might be varied due to seasonal differences. The mean length (38 cm) and weight (601 g) of sampled hilsa during the ban periodwere comparatively larger than the mean length (29 cm) and weight (229 g) of hilsa which were sampled during the outside fishing ban period. Therefore, this study concludes that the marine fishing ban has positive impact on the growth and size of hilsa. This study suggests that further research is required to assess the fishing ban’s impact on the growth and production of other coastal and marine fish species across the Bay of Bengal. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 32(1): 33-43, 2023 (January)

The study was conducted to identify the protozoan parasites in a freshwater indigenous air breathing fish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch, 1794). The host fish was collected during mid of the April 2018 to end of the March 2019 from freshwater bodies of Mymensingh, Kishoregonj, Faridpur, Jashore, Manikganj and Bogura districts of Bangladesh. Three species of phylum myxozoa namely Henneguya singhi, Henneguya qadrii, Henneguya mystusia, one species of phylum ciliophora namely Trichodina siddiquae and two species of phylum mastigophora namely Trypanosoma singhii and Piscinoodium pillulare were identified in H. fossilis. The parasites of all infected hostswere observed in gill, body slime and blood, however gillswere commonly infected by parasites rather than body slime and blood. Three species of parasite Piscinoodium pillulare, Henneguya qadrii and Henneguya mystusia were first recorded in this host fish and novel locality record in Bangladesh. H. fossilis was found to be infected over the three major (p<0.05) (summer, rainy and winter) seasons and demonstrated a strong significant association (P0<05) with season during the study period. In H. fossilis, highest variety and highest number of parasites were found in winter season, prevalence and intensity was found 78.31% and 5.17 respectively. Lowest prevalence and intensity were found in rainy season respectively 45.87 and 4.72. Among all the parasites Henneguya singhi was common in all the three seasons and its rate of infection was found elevated in summer (20.69%) and rainy season (19.27%). In H. fossilis prevalence of female fish were highest in all the three seasons, summer (55.22%), rainy (50.75%) and winter (85.57%) than their male counterparts 38.76%, 38.09% and 68.12%, respectively. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 32(1): 21-32, 2023 (January)

Out of six hilsa sanctuaries in Bangladesh, the newly established Hizla- Mehendiganj sanctuary is significantly lacking in data in terms of fish diversity and physicochemical properties. Therefore, the present study aims to assess water quality variables and fish biodiversity of the Hizla-Mehendiganj hilsa sanctuary. Water and fish samples were collected from different sites within and outside the sanctuary. Physicochemical variables such as dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS) and transparency were measured and fish biodiversity was estimated using different richness and evenness indices. The mean DO, temperature, pH and transparency inside the sanctuary were 5.6 ± 0.1 mg/l, 29.1 ± 0.7°C, 8.3 ± 0.05 and 20.5 ± 2.3 cm, respectively which were nearly similar to the estimated values of those variables of the outside sanctuary. This study found a total of 374 individuals of 21 fish species under 6 orders and 14 families. According to the IUCN report 2015, this study found that 76.19, 9.52 and 4.76% of these species are listed in the Least Concern, Endangered and Vulnerable category, respectively. Within the sanctuary, 76 individuals of 13 fish species under 4 orders were recorded which was lower than the recorded number of total individuals and number of species outside the sanctuary sites. Within the sanctuary, estimated Shannon’s, Simpson’s, Margalef’s and Buzas and Gibson’s indices were 1.881, 0.214, 1.881 and 1.156, respectively which indicated comparatively moderate diversity. The highest biodiversity was found in the Ilisha river near Rukundi, outside the sampling site of the sanctuary. The findings of this study can be used for future biodiversity assessments, conservation and impact assessments of the Hizla- Mehendiganj hilsa sanctuary. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 31(2): 289-301, 2022 (July)

A field experiment was carried out at the research farm of Charfasson Govt. College, Bhola, during rabi season in 2016-2017 to evaluate the effect of poultry litter compost and NPK fertilizers on concentration, uptake, oil and protein content of sunflower cv. BARI-2 (Keroni-2). The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized block design (CRBD) having sixteen treatments with three replications. The unit plot size was 3 m x 2 m. Treatments were T1: Control (- PL and -NPK), T2:1.5 t PL ha-1, T3:3 t PL ha-1, T4: 4.5 t PL ha-1, T5:N40P30K50 kg ha-1, T6:N80P60K100 kg ha-1, T7:N120P90K150 kg ha-1, T8: 1.5 t PL ha-1+N40P30K50 kg ha-1, T9:1.5 t PL ha-1+ N80P60K100 kg ha- 1, T10:1.5 t PL ha-1+ N120P90K150 kg ha-1, T11: 3 t PL ha-1+N40P30K50 kg ha-1, T12: 3 ton PL ha-1+ N80P60K100 kg ha-1, T13:3 t PL ha-1+ N120P90K150 kg ha-1, T14: 4.5 t PL ha-1+N40P30K50 kg ha-1, T15:4.5 t PL ha-1+ N80P60K100 kg ha-1 and T16:4.5 t PL ha-1+ N120P90K150 kg ha-1. Sixty plants were grown in each plot for 90 days. Maximum values of NPKS concentration (%) in different organs of sunflower were 0.65, 0.42, 1.80, 0.17 for stem; 1.02, 0.54, 1.54, 0.18 for root; 4.47, 0.57, 3.14, 0.20 for leaf; 2.60, 0.64, 3.20, 0.32 for petiole and 5.18, 0.86, 1.02, 0.31 for seed due to application of poultry litter and NPK fertilizers. The highest concentrations of NPKS of different organs of sunflower at maturity, were found significantly (P<0.05) higher in combined treatments 5 t PL ha-1 + N120P90K150kg ha-1 and 7.5 t PL ha-1 + N120P90K150kg ha-1, respectively, in most of the cases. However, their uptake pattern also followed the same trend as in concentration and those were found in same treatments in most of the cases. The lowest concentration and uptake were measured almost in control treatment (-PL and -NPK). Content of oil and protein increased variably due to variation in treatments. The highest content of oil in seed (47.7%) was extracted from the treatment 5 t PL ha-1 + N80P60K100kg ha-1 and the lowest value (37.7%) was recorded in the highest dose of NPK fertilizers and poultry litter which was lower than control treatment. Protein content also followed the same pattern as in oil. The highest content of protein (31.8%) was recorded from the treatment 5 t PL ha-1 + N120P90K150kg ha-1 and the lowest values (18.8%) was observed in control treatment. The overall findings of this study indicated that poultry litter compost in combination with chemical fertilizers can be applied to achieve better concentration, uptake of NPKS in different organs and oil and protein content in seeds of sunflower under field conditions at coastal zone. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 30(3 CSI): 359-369, 2022 (June)