Articles

Effect of Foliar Application of Gibberellic Acid at Different Concentrations on Growth, Yield and Quality of Soybean (Glycine max L) under Semi-Arid of Kabul conditions

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is one of the most important legume crops cultivated worldwide for its high-quality protein and oil content. Using the Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs), particularly gibberellic acid (GA₃) for foliar application, is considered to have great potential in enhancing the yield of soybeans. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of foliar-applied GA₃ on the growth and yield of soybean under the semi-arid condition prevailing in the Kabul University research farm during the 2025 growing season (May-September). Different concentrations of GA₃, such as 0, 50, 100, and 150 ppm, were used at the V6, pre-flowering, and pod-setting stages. The results showed that GA₃ application significantly influenced the growth performance, yield attributes and, seed quality. The plants treated with 150 ppm produced the tallest plants (64.14 cm). The maximum branch number (6.1) and leaf area (42.4 cm²) were recorded in plants treated with 100 ppm GA₃, and there was no significant difference between 100 and 150 ppm. The maximum number of pods per plant (60.35), seed yield (2967.3 kg ha), harvest index (43.4%), 100-seed weight (15.17 g), and seeds per pod (3.07) were noted in plants treated with 150 ppm. However, for all these parameters, there was no significant difference between 100 ppm and 150 ppm treatments. Protein and oil contents were highest in the 100-ppm treatment (38.03 and 19 %).

Yield and Quality Aspects of ‘Sra Roucha’ Seedless Grapes as Affected by Gibberellic Acid

‘Sra Roucha’ is an early ripening seedless variety grown successfully under Steppe climate of Afghanistan. Its main problems are lower yield and quality, in terms of, cluster compactness, berry size and firmness. This experiment was undertaken for three growing seasons (2015-2017) at Ordokhan research station in Herat province of Afghanistan to investigate the effect of GA3 on yield, cluster and berry characters as well as sensory features. Treatments were: control, 10mg/L GA3 pre-bloom; 20mg/L GA3 pre-bloom; 10mg/L GA3 at 40% bloom; 20mg/L GA3 at 40% bloom; 10mg/L GA3 at 40% bloom + 10mg/L GA3 at 80% bloom; 20mg/L GA3 at 40% bloom + 20mg/L GA3 at 80% bloom; 10mg/L GA3 pre-bloom + 60 mg/L GA3 at 4 mm berry-size stage; 10mg/L GA3 pre-bloom + 60mg/L GA3 at 4 mm berry-size stage). Each treatment was replicated thrice with one vine per replicate. The experiment was run as split-plot in the frame of randomized complete block design. Data pertinent with sensory attributes were analyzed by Friedman’s non-parametric two-way ANOVA. Results showed that GA3 treatments significantly affected yield, cluster length, weight and compactness, berry diameter, berry length and berry TSS, color, taste and firmness. Application of 20 mg/L GA3 before flowering plus 60 mg/L GA3 at 4 mm berry-size stage, resulted in higher yield, cluster and berry characteristics as well as berry sensory features. Therefore, GA3 (20 mg/L pre-bloom + 60 mg/L at 4mm berry-size stage) is the reasonable technique for enhancing yield and quality aspects of ‘Sra Roucha’ seedless grapes.