Work at the Frontier
Soil fertility, nanotechnology, atmospheric science, and open-source software — active research across three institutions in Dhaka.
Bentonite-Biochar
Coated Urea &
Nitrogen Use Efficiency
Optimizing Nitrogen Efficiency Using Bentonite–Biochar–Coated Urea (BBCU) in Rice and Eggplant Systems — University of Dhaka, 2025–Ongoing
Nitrogen is the most yield-limiting nutrient in South Asian agriculture — and the most wasted. Conventional urea loses up to 70% of applied nitrogen through leaching, volatilisation, and denitrification before crops can absorb it. This thesis investigates whether a locally manufactured slow-release coating — combining rice husk biochar, sodium bentonite, and corn starch — can significantly reduce those losses while improving crop performance and soil health.
The fertilizer (BBCU) is synthesised from entirely local, low-cost materials: rice husk biochar pyrolysed at 550°C, sodium bentonite clay, and corn starch as a biodegradable binder. N-release kinetics are modelled using four mathematical models — zero-order, first-order, Higuchi, and Korsmeyer-Peppas — across soil incubation experiments, 50 cm leaching columns, and jar-based volatilisation setups running simultaneously.
The study evaluates four NUE indices against an unfertilized control and conventional urea, with post-harvest soil analysis covering residual NH₄⁺/NO₃⁻ (KCl extraction), Walkley-Black organic carbon, pH, and EC. This work was awarded the National Science and Technology Fellowship by Bangladesh's Ministry of Science and Technology.
Research Collaboration Enquiries- Rice husk biochar — pyrolysed at 550°C
- Sodium bentonite clay
- Corn starch binder (biodegradable)
Pot and field experiments
50 cm leaching columns
Jar-based volatilisation
- Zero-order
- First-order
- Higuchi
- Korsmeyer-Peppas
- Residual NH₄⁺ / NO₃⁻ (KCl extraction)
- Walkley-Black organic carbon
- Available nutrients
- pH and EC
Nano Urea vs. Conventional Urea
on Wheat (BARI Gom 33)
A CRD pot experiment (8 treatments × 3 replications, 24 pots) comparing nano-urea versus conventional urea application methods on the growth, yield, and nutrient quality of wheat variety BARI Gom 33. The experiment was designed to establish whether nano-scale nitrogen delivery can reduce application rates while maintaining or improving agronomic performance.
A significant hailstorm mid-experiment destroyed most grain yield across multiple pots, making conventional yield-based analysis impossible. Rather than abandoning the dataset, the study was strategically redirected to focus on plant tissue nutrient quality and post-harvest soil dynamics — areas where the data remained intact and scientifically valuable.
- Plant tissue analysis: Kjeldahl N digestion, protein estimation (N% × 5.7)
- Multi-element analysis: P, K, S, Ca, B via AAS and ICP-OES
- NUE indices: AE, RE, PE, NHI, and Partial Factor Productivity (PFP)
- Post-harvest soil: residual mineral N, available nutrients, pH, EC, Walkley-Black OC
- Developed SPADE software platform for integrated NUE analysis (see below)
- Master sample log maintained across 24-pot tissue and soil datasets
- Project completion report submitted to DUNTC
Study Details
Ultrafine PM & Heavy Metal
Characterisation in Dhaka
Dhaka is among the most polluted cities in the world by particulate matter concentration. This research focuses on the ultrafine end of the size spectrum — PM₀.₁ (particles below 0.1 micrometers) — which penetrate deepest into the respiratory system and carry the highest toxic metal loads. Using the Nanosampler II (Model 3182, Kanomax, Japan), particulate matter is collected at representative urban sites across Dhaka for heavy metal characterisation and ecological risk assessment.
- PM₀.₁ sampling using Nanosampler II (Kanomax Model 3182, Japan)
- Heavy metal analysis via AAS (Varian AA 240 FS) — Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, Fe, Mn
- Contamination indices: geo-accumulation index and enrichment factor
- Ecological risk index assessment for urban atmospheric contamination
- Spatial distribution mapping across Dhaka urban zones
Study Details
Heavy Metal Contamination
in Industrial Dhaka
An integrated, self-funded assessment of heavy metal contamination in the industrial zones surrounding Dhaka, led by a four-member research team. Over 40 soil, dust, and leaf samples were collected from sites representing different industrial categories — tanneries, garment factories, light engineering, and food processing — to build a spatial picture of contamination levels and ecological risk across the peri-urban agricultural fringe.
- 40+ soil, dust, and leaf samples collected from Dhaka industrial zones
- Metals analysed: Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, As, Fe, Mn
- Spatial distribution and contamination index mapping
- Geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and enrichment factor (EF) calculated
- Ecological risk factor (RI) assessed for surrounding agro-ecosystems
- Research team of four members co-led through full study cycle
Study Details
SPADE —
Built from the Research
During the DUNTC wheat experiment, I found that calculating and reporting the five standard nitrogen use efficiency indices — each with their own formula, statistical assumptions, and figure requirements — was repetitive, error-prone, and consumed a disproportionate amount of analysis time. So I built SPADE.
SPADE (Statistical Platform for Agronomic Data Evaluation) is an open-source Python/Streamlit application that automates the full NUE analysis pipeline: computing all five indices, running factorial ANOVA with Tukey HSD and compact letter display, detecting outliers, and exporting publication-ready figures in PNG or JPG format. It was written to serve small-plot agricultural experiments of the type common in South Asian research institutions where specialised software is often unavailable or unaffordable.
A software manuscript describing SPADE is in preparation, targeting Computers and Electronics in Agriculture (Elsevier) or SoftwareX.
Publications & Manuscripts
— ❧ —Conferences & Proceedings
— ❧ —Eight presentations at international and national conferences across four countries — Bangladesh, Thailand, Turkey, and Kazakhstan.
| Year | Conference & Location | Title & Authors | DOI / Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 |
International Conference 🇧🇩Bangladesh |
Rahman, S. — Nano-fertilizers in wheat cultivation: a comprehensive review and strategic framework for sustainable productivity and biofortification | 10.13140/RG.2.2.29613.35043 |
| 2024 |
AIT International Conference 🇹🇭Bangkok, Thailand |
Rahman, S., Hossain Rubab, M. M., Payal, M. P., Maksud, F. H., & Islam, R. — Economic viability and sustainability of hydroponics in flood-prone Bangladesh | Proceedings |
| 2024 |
3rd Intl. Ege Congress on Scientific Research 🇹🇷Turkey |
Rahman, S. — IoT on the development of Agriculture 5.0: prospects and challenges. In G. N. Günay (Ed.), Proceedings (pp. 170–178). IKSAD Publishing House. | 10.13140/RG.2.2.17269.69600 |
| 2024 |
Intl. Congress on Food, Agriculture & Environmental Research 🌐International |
Rahman, S., Hossain Rubab, M. M., Payal, M. P., Maksud, F. H., & Islam, R. — Climate change and resilient farming approaches in Bangladesh: a review | 10.13140/RG.2.2.33718.72005 |
| 2024 |
HODJA AKHMET YASSAWI 8th Intl. Congress 🇰🇿Kazakhstan |
Rahman, S., Hossain Rubab, M. M., & Payal, M. P. — Smart, sustainable agriculture in Bangladesh: a data-driven approach to food security | 10.13140/RG.2.2.35396.44165 |
| 2024 |
Intl. Congress on Sustainable Agriculture 🌐International |
Rahman, S., Hossain Rubab, M. M., Payal, M. P., Maksud, F. H., & Islam, R. — Organic fertilizer adoption and challenges among farmers in the Dhaka region | 10.13140/RG.2.2.21075.55849 |
| 2023 |
IEEE SIGHT "Ideas for Life" Conference 🇧🇩Dhaka, Bangladesh |
Rahman, S., Hossain Rubab, M. M., & Payal, M. P. — Improving crop productivity in Bangladesh through advanced yield prediction techniques | 10.13140/RG.2.2.16907.36644 |
| 2022 |
2nd Intl. Competition for Young Researchers 🌐International |
Rahman, S., Hossain Rubab, M. M., & Payal, M. P. — An assessment and analysis of Bangladesh's agricultural approach based on technology | 10.13140/RG.2.2.13587.96809 |
Interested in the Work?
— ❧ —I am open to research collaborations, data sharing on published experiments, and discussions about slow-release fertilizers, NUE methodology, and urban environmental science. I am also actively seeking fully funded postgraduate and research opportunities abroad.