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Research that works for developing countries and AustraliaBangladesh - Achievements
AchievementsKey indicators and performance for 2008-09Indicators: Implementation of a cluster of projects delivering a tested suite of winter-season cropping options to intensify or diversify rice-based cropping systems in southern and north-western Bangladesh Performance: An integrated project cluster has focused on rice intensification and constraints to maize, lentil, chickpea, mungbean, mustard and wheat production during the winter season, specifically addressing winter maize production in Bangladesh. Indicators: Active partnerships established with major NGOs in Bangladesh to facilitate adoption of more profitable and sustainable winter-season cropping options Performance: Use of the Seed Multiplication Trial concept has resulted in expansion of cropping near the trial sites. Achievements from the 2008-09 Annual ReportSmall farmers from South Asia and other parts of the world use two-wheel tractors as the main means of land preparation and other farm operations. Until now, no commercially available versatile seed drill existed for these tractors. An ACIAR project has tested seven seed drills fabricated by a New South Wales agricultural implement manufacturer—five of the tine type on a tool bar frame (modelled on the original CIMMYT two-wheel tractor seed drill) and two modified from a Chinese rotary tillage seed drill. Both types were successfully tested on most crops in farmers’ fields in north-western Bangladesh, generating considerable farmer interest. The increased availability of short-season (60–100 days), well-adapted wheat varieties bred by the Bangladesh Wheat Research Centre, and mungbean varieties which mature in 60 days, have contributed significantly to southern farming systems in Bangladesh. ACIAR-funded research on wheat has manipulated variables, including time of sowing, crop nutrition and irrigation, to optimise yield and resource use. Trials undertaken during 2007–08 indicated that one irrigation 20 days after sowing was the most efficient use of limited water resources, increasing wheat yield by 0.7 t/ha compared to three irrigations (with 100 kg/ha of nitrogen applied in both instances). Analysis of the results indicates that the response relates to increased mobilisation of applied nitrogen and associated improved development of adventitious roots and tillers. Recommendations for wheat production in southern Bangladesh have been changed in light of these findings and now differ from those in the north, where at least three irrigations are required for successful wheat production. Analysis of records of groundwater level at key locations across the south suggest an underused resource—the watertable is high, having the potential to contribute significantly to wheat production through capillary rise. This effect is minimal further north in Bangladesh, where the water table is much deeper. North-western Bangladesh, the poorest region of the country with regular food shortages and dietary imbalances, grows few pulse crops such as chickpea, lentil, mungbean and black gram. A project is instituting a targeted program to increase the production of chickpea and lentils in this part of Bangladesh, to enhance income generation, improve human health and contribute to cropping system sustainability. Experiments with chickpea to determine optimum soil moisture level for seedling establishment, effect of mulching with strip tillage, optimum seed and phosphorus rates with strip tillage plus other factors were successfully conducted. In northern districts, yields from most of the 35 lentil demonstrations were around 1 t/ha, with low yields attributable to excessive soil moisture and use of strip tillage. The IRRI–CIMMYT joint project ‘Sustainable intensification of rice–maize production systems in Bangladesh’ started in November 2008. This is separately reported in the ‘Multilateral program’ section. |
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