Articles

Effects of Irrigation Intervals on the Growth and Yield of Flax under Kabul Climate Conditions

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Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is an important oilseed and fiber crop with significant economic value. Efficient irrigation management is essential for improving crop productivity under the semi-arid conditions of Kabul, where water resources are limited. However, information on the optimum irrigation interval for flax production in this region is scarce.

This field experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Kabul University, during the spring season of 2025.The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different irrigation intervals (4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 days) on the growth and yield of flax, Badakhshee variety. The experiment was arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five treatments and three replications across two sites.

Data were recorded on plant height, number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, number of grains per pod, 1000-grain weight (g) and total yield per hectare. The results showed that irrigation intervals significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected all measured parameters. The highest plant height (68.67 cm), number of pods per plant (189), and grain yield (1856.67Kg ha⁻¹) were obtained under the 12-day irrigation interval, which increased yield by approximately (27.87%) compared to the 20-day interval. In contrast, the lowest values for most traits were recorded under the 20-day irrigation interval.

These findings indicate that irrigation every 12 days provides optimal moisture conditions for flax growth under Kabul agro-climatic conditions. Therefore, this interval is recommended for maximizing yield while ensuring efficient water use.

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

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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 %).

Impact of Different Levels of Chicken Manure on the Growth and Yield of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris-L.) under the Agro-Climatic Conditions of Kabul

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Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris-L.)  is one of the most popular pulse crops, providing substantial economic benefits in the farming communities of Afghanistan, and it is for both food security and income generation. it is an important source of calories, proteins, dietary fibers, minerals, and vitamins for millions of people in both developing and developed countries worldwide. Organic fertilizers play an important role in the growth, yield, and yield attributes of beans. To study this, an experiment was conducted at the Agriculture Faculty of Kabul University during, (2025) growing season, examining the effects of three different levels of chicken manure (control, 10 t/ha-1, 15 t/ha-1, and 20 t/ha-1) on the yield and yield components of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris -L.) under Kabul’s Agro-climatic conditions. Different crop agronomic traits, including to the growth and yield parameters such as plant height, number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, biological weight t/ha-1 100-seeds weight, and grain yield t/ ha-1.  The experiment was conducted in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), and the data were analyzed with Statistical Tools for Agricultural Research (STAR 2.0.1) software. The results of research indicated that different levels of chicken manure had significant effects on all studied traits (plant height, number of branches/plant, leaves number/plants, number of pods/ plants, number of seeds /pods, one hundred seed weight and seed yield t/ha-1), According to statistical analysis, 20 t/ha-1 chicken manure improved growth and yield characters of common bean. For increased productivity of common beans in Kabul climate, the farmers are recommended to apply a proper dose of chicken manure.

A Case Study of Air Quality in Kabul, Afghanistan

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The air quality in Afghanistan is severely affected by various pollutant sources, the impacts of which often cause acute health problems, particularly among the old, young and those suffering from poor health. The impacts of chronic exposure to air pollutants are also likely to become apparent over time. The purpose of this air quality dissertation is to assist policy makers in the design and implementation of policies, and in the development of monitoring and management tools to restore air quality in Afghanistan. Since 2001, Kabul city’s population has grown from four hundred thousand to six million people. Estimates of various pollutant emissions indicate that vehicular traffic, windblown dust, brick kilns, residential heating during winter season, and domestic and commercial generators are the major sources of air pollution in Kabul. The estimated total annual emissions in Kabul are 17,363 tons of PM10, 16,183 tons of NOx, 2,484 tons of SO2, 97,068 tons of CO2, and 650,846 tons of CO2 .In the article “In Kabul, air pollution a bigger killer than war” that every year around 3,000 people die in Kabul city due to air pollution whereas the total mortality rate due to war across the country is 2,777 cases.