Nuclear techniques for food and nutritional security in Bangladesh
Dr Md. Abdul Malek :
From previous issue
Drought tolerant varieties development
Binatil-2 and Binatil-4 (average seed yield of 1.2-1.3 t/ha) and Binachinadam-4, Binachinadam-6 and Binachinadam-8 (average seed yield of 2.5-2.9 t/ha) are giving satisfactory yield in the char areas without having irrigation facilities. Adopting drought tolerant Binatil-2 and Binatil-4; Binamug-7, Binamug-8, Binamug-11, BINA mug12 (average seed yield of 1.8-2.0 t/ha), Binasola-4, Binasola-6 and Binasola-10 (average seed yield of 1.6-1.8 t/ha), Binamsur-9, Binamsur-10 and BINA masur12 (average seed yield of 1.8-2.2 t/ha) farmers of drought-prone Barind areas are being benefited economically.
Spices crop varieties development
BINA developed two summer onion varieties Binapiaj-1 and Binapiaj-2 with average bulb yield of 8.2-8.7 t/ha) and one chilli Binamrich-2 (average green fruit yield of 30 t/ha) are also playing a role to meet the spices demand of the country.
Fruit variety development
Very recently BINA has developed sapota variety BINA sofeda1 with average fruit yield of 30 t/ha will play role to meet the fruit demand of the country.
Contribution to increase production in edible oil in Bangladesh
It will be possible to reduce the dependency on import of edible oil by introducing early maturing high yielding and climate resilient BINA developed oilseed varieties of mustard-rapeseed (Binasarisha-4, Binasarisha-9, Binasarisha-11 and BINA sarisha12 with average seed yield of 1.7-2.0 t/ha), sesame (Binatil-2 and Binatil-4 with average seed yield of 1.4-1.5 t/ha), soybean (Binasoybean-5, Binasoybean-6 and BINA soybean7 with average seed yield of 2.5-2.8) and groundnut (Binachinabadam-4, Binachinabadam-6, Binachinabadam-8, Binachinabadam-9, Binachinabadam-10 and Binachinabadam-11 with average seed yield of 2.5-3.0 t/ha) in the existing cropping pattern of the country. These varieties can also be cultivated in temporary fallow land to bring the fallow land under cultivation. Rapeseed varieties (Binasarisha-4, Binasarisha-9 and BINA sarisha12) having potentiality to grow under zero tillage system or in relay cropping, tolerant to diseases and temporary water-logged condition, having potential to late sowing are especially suitable for cultivation after late Aman cultivation in southern Barishal and Khulna regions and before Boro cultivation in Haor region. BINA developed oilseed varieties mentioned above are playing important roles in meeting 40 per cent of the national demand of the edible oil from domestic production during the project period (up to June 2025) through the government’s priority based project “Enhance Production of Oilseed Crops Project” and may contribute more in the near future.
Role in nutritional security
Not only rice, BINA developed varieties of oilseeds, pulses, vegetables, spices and fruit are playing a significant role in meeting the nutrition demand as well as in nutritional security.
Soil health is an important issue for crop production. Nuclear techniques are also being used in modern soil management to improve chemical, physical and microbiological properties of soil and to prevent environmental pollution. 15N is being used efficiently in studies of nitrogen-enriched fertilizer efficiency, atmospheric nitrogen fixation in soil, selection of microorganisms capable of nitrogen fixation, and greenhouse gas emissions. Radioisotope 32P is being used in residual phosphorus studies and determination of exchangeable phosphorus in soil including determining the efficiency of phosphatic fertilizers in soil. Stable carbon isotope (13C) is used to know the sources soil organic matter and their storage, carbon sequestration, photosynthesis, carbon cycle studies, and greenhouse gas detection and source determination. 65Zn is used to detect zinc fertilizer efficiency and deficiency in soil. Radioisotope of carbon (14C) is being used in photosynthesis, soil organic matter and carbon balance studies.
Sulphur radioisotope 35S is being used in soil sulphur cycle studies. Cesium radioisotope 137Cs is being used worldwide to detect soil erosion and to prevent soil erosion. Rubidium radioisotope (86Rb) is used as a surrogate isotope in the determination of potassium function. Calcium radioisotopes (40Ca and 45Ca) and strontium radioisotope (85Sr) are used in soil and crop nutrition research. Moreover, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur isotopes namely: 13C, 14C, 15N, 32P and 13S are used to determine the nutrient uptake efficiency of crops in adverse environments and sodium, chlorine and potassium isotopes 22Na, 36Cl and 40K are used to identify salinity tolerant plant genotypes.
To build a hunger and poverty-free Sonar Bangla, BINA has taken activities to disseminate the varieties and technologies with Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE). BINA is organizing season and crop-based training and workshops at regional and district levels for DAE and BADC officers, private seed producers and traders. In addition, BINA has been imparting training for the farmers. With the aim of achieving food and nutritional security of the country through the rapid expansion of the potential technologies at the farmer level, farmer motivation programs are being organized conducting field days. BINA is regularly distributing handbooks on agricultural technology, factsheets and leaflets on specific technology to farmers along with extension workers. BINA developed varieties and technologies are expanding rapidly at the farmer level and contributing to achieve food and nutritional security of Bangladesh.
Research programs in order to reduce the post-harvest loss of field and horticultural crops by enhancing the shelf-life as well as to ensure the safe and quality of agricultural produce, especially onion, potato, vegetables, perishable fruits and flowers through irradiation techniques are on-going, and already have some success. Moreover, short, medium and long-term research work-plans have been undertaken to develop varieties of early maturing cereals, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits, legumes and spices to meet the challenges of future agriculture. At the same time, research is being carried out to develop high-yielding varieties of rapeseed-mustard with relatively low erucic acid content and early varieties of groundnut, sesame, soybean and sunflower to meet the demand of edible oil in the country. The scientists of BINA are committed to building a happy and prosperous Sonar Bangla as per dream of Bangabandhu through the peaceful use of nuclear energy including the implementation of BINA’s future research plans and the vision of the present government under the leadership of Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
[The writer is Director (Research), Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture, Mymensingh].
