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.

Effects of Different Levels of DAP on Agronomical Characteristics and Yield of Mung bean

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Phosphorus deficiency is one of the main factors restricting mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) production in many parts of the world, including Afghanistan. Therefore, a field experiment was carried out in the 2025 growing season at the Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Kabul University, to determine the influence of different diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer levels on mung bean growth and yield. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications, consisting of four DAP rates: 0, 30, 60, and 90 kg ha⁻¹. The collected growth and yield data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and mean comparisons were performed using the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test at a 5% probability level. The application of DAP fertilizer significantly improved plant height, shoot dry matter, number of branches, pods per plant, pod length, seeds per pod, and 100-seed weight. However, leaf number, grain weight per square meter, seed yield, and harvest index did not show significant differences among fertilizer treatments, although higher values were generally observed compared with the control treatment. The maximum seed yield (870.83 kg ha⁻¹) was obtained from the application of 60 kg DAP ha⁻¹, while the highest performance for most growth and yield-related traits was recorded under 90 kg DAP ha⁻¹. The findings suggest that DAP fertilizer application enhances mung bean growth and yield performance under the environmental conditions of Kabul. Among the tested fertilizer levels, 60 kg DAP ha⁻¹ was found to be the most effective rate for achieving higher grain yield.

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 %).

Effects of Varying Levels of Poultry Manure on Growth and Yield of Canola (Brassica napus L.) under Kabul Agro-climatic Conditions

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Canola (Brassica napus L.) is one of the key oilseed crops worldwide, serving as a vital source of edible oil, livestock feed, and biofuel. In Afghanistan, canola production faces significant challenges due to declining soil fertility and over-reliance on expensive chemical fertilizers. Poultry manure, as a low cost and nutrient-rich organic fertilizer, offers a sustainable alternative for improving crop productivity. However, limited scientific information is available regarding the optimal poultry manure application rate for canola under Kabul’s agro-climatic conditions. Therefore, an experimental research was conducted at Kabul University Agricultural Research Farm during the 2025 cropping season using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications and four treatments. The study aimed to evaluate Effects of Different Levels of Poultry manure on Growth, Yield, and Yield Components of Canola. The findings of the study revealed that the application of poultry manure significantly influenced on growth, yield and yield components of canola. Overall, the application of 8-ton poultry manure ha-1 had better performance than control. The maximum plant height (117.45 cm), number of branches plant-1 (5.65), number of leaves plant-1 (39.77), number of siliques plant-1 (184.61), silique length (6.01 cm), number of seeds silique-1 (18.39), thousand seed weight (3.40 g), seed yield (2.74 t ha⁻¹), biological yield (9.87 t ha⁻¹), and harvest index (27.76%) were all recorded in T4. The lowest values for all parameters were observed in the control treatment (T1). It is recommended that use 8 tons of poultry manure ha-1 in order to realize optimal seed yield and biological yield of the crop.

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.

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

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‘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.

Response of Zea Mays L to Tillage and Urea Fertilizer

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The purpose of cultivation intensity and using kind Urea mature as an activity in corn culture creates the best environmental to plant growth and yield. The experiment was conducted in Sempaja village-Samarinda district. Randomized Split-Plot Design analysis in Randomized Block Design was used with 2 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments consist of two method of tillage (no tillage and conventional tillage) and two kind of urea mature (without Urea, Prill Urea and Briket Urea). The result showed that combination with conventional tillage method and briket urea give significantly effect on plant growth, yield components, and yield of corn.

Use of Intermediate Crops in the Establishment of Sown Parsley (Coriandrum Sativum L.) Plantations

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The article states that the Coriandrum sativum L. plant can be used as an intermediate crop in the establishment of plantations. Experiments have shown that the use of intermediate crops in the cultivation of cashmere (Coriandrum sativum L.) on plantations has yielded effective results. In particular, in the cultivation of Coriandrum sativum L., the use of intermediate crops for one year increased the yield to 6%, and in the case of continuous crop rotation using intermediate crops, this figure increased to 12-14%. The use of intermediate crops in the cultivation of medicinal and spice plants is important not only to improve the structure of the soil, but also to increase its economic efficiency.

Integrated Use of Co-Compost with Lignite Fly Ash on Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Certain Crops

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A field experiment was conducted to know the response of crops to combined application of co compost and lignite fly ash. Field experiments were conducted in experimental farm (rice and maize) and farmers holding (groundnut and brinjal) to study the response of certain crops to the application of co composts and lignite fly ash grown in clay loam and sandy clay loam soil, respectively. The treatment consisted of Dairy Farm Waste + Crop Residues, Pressmud+ Crop Residues, Dairy Farm Waste + Crop Residues + LFA @5 t ha-1, Dairy Farm Waste + Crop Residues + LFA @10 t ha-1, Dairy Farm Waste + Crop Residues + LFA @15 t ha-1, Pressmud + crop residues + LFA @5 t ha-1, Pressmud + crop residues + LFA @10 t ha-1and Pressmud + crop residues + LFA @15 t ha-1 .The grain and straw yield in rice and maize, pod and haulm yield in groundnut and fruit yield of brinjal were recorded during harvest. Differences in yield of crops between the treatments indicate significantly different effects on soil fertility and crop yield after long-term fertilization. The uptake of nutrients increased linearly with levels of LFA tried and it was higher when it was applied with co compost of pressmud and crop residue. The addition of co composts alone or with graded dose of lignite fly ash significantly improved the physical properties of the soil.