American Journal of Environmental Engineering and Science 2017; 4(6): 78-84 http://www.aascit.org/journal/ajees ISSN: 2381-1153 (Print); ISSN: 2381-1161 (Online) Keywords NPKS Nutrients, Mesta, Fibre Yield, Economics, Location Received: July 3, 2017 Accepted: October 16, 2017 Published: December 8, 2017 Variation in Inorganic Fertilizer Is an Important Regulator of Yield Potential in BJRI Mesta-3 Md. Saheb Ali, Md. Marfudul Hoque, Md. Nasimul Gani, Md. Mahbubul Islam * Agronomy Division, Bangladesh Jute Research Institute, Manik Mia Ave., Dhaka, Bangladesh Email address csoagronomy@bjri.gov.bd (Md. M. Islam), mahbub_agronomy@yahoo.com (Md. M. Islam) * Corresponding author Citation Md. Saheb Ali, Md. Marfudul Hoque, Md. Nasimul Gani, Md. Mahbubul Islam. Variation in Inorganic Fertilizer Is an Important Regulator of Yield Potential in BJRI Mesta-3. American Journal of Environmental Engineering and Science. Vol. 4, No. 6, 2017, pp. 78-84. Abstract A field experiment was conducted to determine the effects of inorganic fertilizer on growth, yield and economic potential of BJRI Mesta-3. The results indicated significant affect of different NPKS levels on Mesta yield and yield contributing characters over control. The highest fibre (3.10t/ha) and stick (7.20t/ha) yield were obtained by the combination dose of N100 Kg/ha with PKS 10-60-20 kg/ha at Manikganj. The plant height (3.08m), base diameter (20.10mm) also found highest with the same treatment of fertilizer combination. By the same treatment produced higher fibre yield and yield contributing characters at Kishoreganj though that yield was slightly lower than that of Manikganj location. Economic analysis favored the use of 100-10-60-20 kg/ha NPKS for yield of 3.10 t/ha Mesta fibre. Therefore this combination seemed to be optimum for good growth and high potential Mesta production in Bangladesh. Application of modern fertilizer technologies on the mechanized management of Mesta will greatly increase grower profit. 1. Introduction Mesta is one of the most important bastfibre crops grown in Bangladesh. Mesta fibre is used for making rope, twines, carpet backing etc. The productivity of Mesta is high in some areas while in others it is low. Mesta (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is a botanical species of the family Malvaceae. Probably native to tropical Central and West Africa, Mesta is mainly cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world for its attractive edible calyces [1-2]. Apart from nutritional and health importance, Mesta plays an important role in income generation and subsistence among rural farmers in developing countries. The different parts of Mesta are the leaves, calyces and seeds and these have been used for different uses as vegetables, source of oils, refreshing drinks and food preserves and for medicinal and health purposes [3-4]. The tender stems, leaves and calyces are used as vegetable in the preparation of soups and sauces – calyces are specially prepared into a textural form suitable for use as meat substitute. The seed of Mesta is a valuable food resource on account of its protein (20-33%), calorie (24%), and fat (22% on dry weight basis) and also substantial amount of fibre (14%) and valuable micro-nutrients [5]. It is also an excellent source of culinary oil. The oil content in Mesta seed is also reported to be of high lysine level. The calyx which may be green, light or dark- red is used as a vegetable or for food and beverages preservation in food industries. More recently the