National Agricultural Technology Research Articles

Optimization of Crop Establishment Methods and Phosphorus Fertilizer Levels on Growth and Economic Efficiency of Groundnut under Semi-Arid Region of Afghanistan

An experiment was conducted at the farm of Afghanistan National Agricultural Science and Technology University (ANASTU), Kandahar Province, Afghanistan in cropping season of 2020 to investigate the Optimization of Crop Establishment methods and Phosphorus Fertilizer levels on Growth and Economic Efficiency of Groundnut under Semi-arid region of Afghanistan. The experimentation was conducted in split-plot design with 15 treatment combinations and replicated thrice. main-plot consisted of crop establishment methods, viz. ridge and furrow (RF), broad bed and furrow (BBF) and flatbed (FB), while the sub-plots comprised of phosphorus levels, viz. absolute control, 20, 40, 60 and 80 kg P2O5/ ha. The results of the investigation revealed that the growth parameters in terms of plant height in and leave area were highest in BBF, followed by FB and minimum was in RF. Adoption of BBF recorded significantly higher gross return (238928 AFN/ha), net return (202728 AFN/ha) and net benefit cost of ratio (5.2) were in Broad Bed and Furrow, followed in ridged and furrow and the minimum was in flat bed method. It can be concluded, cultivating of groundnut with Broad Bed and Furrow with application of 60 kg P2O5/ha was found beneficial for reaching higher productivity and profitability under semi-arid region of Afghanistan.

Optimization of phosphorus levels for enhancing groundnut productivity under different land configuration in semi-arid ecologies of Afghanistan

The present investigation entitled “Optimization of phosphorus levels for groundnut under different land configuration in Afghanistan” was carried out at Afghanistan National Agricultural Science and Technology University (ANASTU), Kandahar Province, Afghanistan during spring season of 2020. The experiment was conducted in a split-plot design with 15 treatment combinations and three replications. The main-plot consised of land configurations, viz. ridge and furrow (RF), broad bed and furrow (BBF) and flatbed (FB), while the sub-plots comprised of phosphorus levels, viz. absolute control, 20, 40, 60 and 80 kg P2 O5 / ha. The results revealed that the plant growth in terms of dry matter accumulation (above ground and below ground) and number of branches/plant were maximum in BBF, followed by FB and minimum in RF. Adoption of BBF also recorded significantly higher pod yield (2,987 kg/ha) and harvest index (31.0). With respect to P levels, application of 60 kg P2O5 /ha produced significantly higher pod yield (3,363 kg/ha), biological yield (13,157 kg/ha) than other P2 O5 levels. Therefore, growing of groundnut on BBF with application of 60 kg P2 O5 / ha was found beneficial for achieving higher production and productivity under Afghanistan conditions.

Impact of irrigation and nitrogen management on crop performance, yield and economics of sorghum (<i>Sorghum bicolor</i>) inKandahar region of Afghanistan

In Afghanistan the information on the performance of sorghum crop to applied nitrogen (N) fertilizer coupled with water management are still scarce. Therefore, a field study was carried out during rainy (kharif) season of 2020 at the research farm of Afghanistan National Agricultural Science and Technology University, Kandahar, Afghanistan. Kandahar in collaboration with ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi evaluated the effect of different irrigation scheduling and nitrogen management options on growth, yield and economics of sorghum. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with 3 replications consisting of 3 irrigation schedules in main-plots and 4-N rates in sub-plots. Growth parameters of sorghum, viz. plant height, dry matter accumulation, crop growth rate and leaf area index were significantly increased by N120 and N80 compared to N0 plots. Significantly superior yields, viz. seed yield (1546 and 1476 kg/ha), straw yield (5546 and 5467 kg/ha), biological yield (7092 and 6943 kg/ha) and harvest index (21.3 and 21.8%) were observed with N120 and N80 plots, respectively. The N120 and N80 plots remained at par with each other with respect to net B:C ratio (1.87). However, the highest production efficiency (14.7 kg biomass/day) and monetary efficiency (773.90 AFN/day) was obtained with N120 plots. Therefore, the findings of present study suggest that N application @80 kg/ha could be a viable option to attain higher productivity, farm profitability and input-use efficiency irrespective of 2 or 3 irrigations in sorghum in Kandahar region of Afghanistan.

Response of Soybean to Nitrogen Levels and Weed Management on Growth, Yield and Economic Efficiency

A field experiment was conducted during 2021 at the farm of Afghanistan National Agricultural Science and Technology University (ANASTU) to find out the suitable Response of Soybean to Nitrogen Levels and Weed Management on growth, yield and economic efficiency, the experimental design was Split plot design with two factors replicated thrice, the experiment consist of three weed management methods (Un-weeded check, Pendimethalin + hand weeding and Pendimethalin + Imazethapyr) and four nitrogen levels (Control, 40 kg N/ha, 60 kg N/ha and 80 kg N/ha). The maximum growth, yield and economic efficiency was in treatment (Pendimethalin + Imazethapyr), Root dry weight (9.42/plant), Nodules/plant (25.5),Nodes/plant (25.57, 27.68), Internodes distance(36.88 mm), Pods/plant(41.1), Seeds/pod (2.5), 1000 seed weight (102.5 gr), Grain yield (2.20 ton/ha), Gross Returns (187.863 AFN/ha), Net Returns (134.308 AFN/ha) and Benefit: cost ratio (2.504) compared to Un-weeded check and Pendimethalin + hand weeding, Root dry weight (9.67g/plant), Nodules/plant (25.6), Nodes/plant (27.68), Internodes distance(37.99 mm), Pods/plant(45.3), Seeds/pod (2.5), 1000 seed weight (104.7gr), Grain yield (2.20 ton/ha), Gross Returns (187.922 AFN/ha), Net Returns (133.159 AFN/ha) compared to 60 kg N/ha, 40 kg N/ha and control. it can be concluded that the application of (Pendimethalin + Imazethapyr) along with 80 kg N/ha was found to be suitable for profitable cultivation of soybean with optimum quality under the agro-climatic conditions of Kandahar Afghanistan.

Fisheries Extension Interventions: A Review

Since India’s independence, several extension initiatives viz, production oriented programmes, area development initiatives, target group based service schemes and technology delivery mechanisms are implemented with the goal of agriculture and rural development. But most of these programmes failed to meet the needs as well as to utilise opportunities required for the majority of people (MANAGE, 2007). In order to tackle the different constraints as well as to meet the emerging challenges in our extension system, the Innovations in Technology Dissemination component of National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP) implemented Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) as a pilot project in a few states in India and later it spread to other states. A review of different kinds of extension strategies practised through ATMA is studied here and finally the different factors that can qualitatively contribute to an effective extension service delivery are looked upon.

A Study on the Effectiveness of Utilization of the Union Digital Center Agricultural Information by the Farmers in Bangladesh

Aims: The aims of the study were to determine the effectiveness of Union Digital Center (UDC) in the utilization of agricultural information by the farmers, also to investigate the contribution of the selected characteristics of the farmers to the effectiveness of UDC in the utilization of agricultural information and to resolve the problems faced by the farmers in receiving agricultural information from the UDC. Study Design: It is a Field Survey Research. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in a union named Alokjhari under Khanshama Upazila of Dinajpur district of Bangladesh There are eight villages in this union. The study was conducted in these eight villages from January 2020 to February 2022. Methodology: The farmers of Alokjhari Union who were members of the Common Interest Group (CIG) under the National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP) of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) constitute the population of the study. According to Yamane’s (1967) formula, the sample size was determined as 154 from 200 respondents. A simple random sampling method was used in order to select the sample. Data were collected using a  structured interview schedule. Descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression were used for analysis. Results: The highest proportion 49.4 percent of the farmers had low effectiveness of UDC in utilizing agricultural information compared to 30.5 percent with medium effectiveness and 20.1 percent with high effectiveness. And the highest effective information that the farmers asked for was found on ‘compost preparation’ followed by ‘tree plantation’, ‘recommended seed rate’, and so on. Among the influential variables level of education, family income, innovativeness,  agricultural knowledge and aspiration provided a 53.1 percent contribution to the effectiveness of UDC. Conclusion: The findings indicate that UDC plays a moderate role in the utilization of agricultural information. Agricultural knowledge was the main contributor to the improvement of the effectiveness of UDC while agricultural knowledge should be increased to both farmers and UDC staff levels.  

First report of stem-end rot caused by Botryosphaeria fabicerciana on mango fruits in China.

Mango (Mangifera indica L.), belongs to the family Anacardiacea, and is one of the most popular tropical fruits in the world. Stem-end rot is a major postharvest disease of mango fruit, causing severe losses during storage in China (Chen et al., 2015). In July 2021, the mango fruits harvested from Baise Municipal National Agricultural Science and Technology Park (23.683568 N, 106.986325 E) of Guangxi province in China developed stem-end rot during storage. The disease incidence reached ca. 8.3%. The initial symptoms appeared as light brown lesions surrounding the peduncle, which quickly expanded becoming large dark-brown lesions. Small pieces of epidermis (5 mm × 5 mm) from 8 typical diseased friuts were cut from the edges of lesions surface-sterilized with 2% sodium hypochlorite and rinsed with sterile distilled water. The tissue was plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 28 ℃ in the dark for 3 days. Fifteen, similarcolonies were isolated from the symptomatic tissue. The representative isolates DF-1, DF-2 and DF-3 were selected for morphological characterization, molecular identification, and pathogenicity testing. The colonies were circular with fluffy aerial mycelium, initially white turning to smoke-gray from the center in upper side and greenish black in reverse side, covering the 90 mm diameter Petri dish after 4 days of incubationon PDAat 28 ℃in dark. Pycnidia were produced on the surface of the colony after 30 days. Conidia were fusiform, aseptate, hyaline, thin-walled with granular contents, apex sub-obtuse, base subtruncate to bluntly rounded, 14.0-20.3 (16.8±1.6) μm × 3.1-7.2 (5.1±0.9) μm (n=50). The sexual stage was absent. Based on morphology, isolates were preliminarilyidentified asBotryosphaeriaspeices.To accurately identify the pathogen, genomic DNA was extracted from the mycelium of the three isolates DF-1, DF-2 and DF-3. The internal transcribed spacer of rDNA region (ITS), elongation factor 1-alpha (EF-1α) and beta-tubulin gene (TUB) genes were amplified using primers ITS1/ITS4, EF1-728F/EF1-986R and Bt2a/Bt2b, respectively (Slippers et al., 2004). The nucleotide sequences were all deposited in GenBank (ITS: OP729176-OP729178 EF-1α: OP758194-OP758196 and TUB: OP758197-OP758199). Based on the BLASTn analysis, the ITS, EF1-α and TUB sequences of three isolates were 100%, 99% and 99% similar to the Botryosphaeria fabicerciana MFLUCC 10-0098 sequences (ITS: JX646789, EF-1α: JX646854 and TUB: JX646839). Multi-locus phylogenetic analyses (ITS, EF-1α and TUB) showed that the isolate DF-1, DF-2 and DF-3 were clustered within Botryosphaeria fabicerciana clade based on the maximum likelihood , Bayesian inference, and maximum parsimony methods. The pathogenicity test was performed by placing discs mycelium around the peduncle of mature mango fruits by pin-prick method. Each treatment carried out with 12 fruits. The inoculated fruits were placed in plastic boxes at 28 ℃ with three replicates. Three days after inoculation, typical symptoms of stem-end rot were observed. The control fruits were inoculated with sterile PDA discs, and remained symptomless. The same fungus was re-isolated from the symptomatic tissue to complete Koch's postulate. Botryosphaeria fabicerciana (basionym: Fusicoccum fabicercianum) was first reported as pathogen causing senescent twig of Eucalyptus spp. in China (Chen et al., 2011; Phillips et al., 2013). To our knowledge, this is the first report of Botryosphaeria fabicerciana causing stem-end rot of Mangifera indica in China.

National Agricultural Science and Technology Parks in China: Distribution Characteristics, Innovation Efficiency, and Influencing Factors

This study aims to analyze the spatial distribution characteristics and innovation efficiency of national agricultural science and technology parks (NASTPs) and identify the main influencing factors on the parks’ innovation and development. The goal is to optimize the allocation of science and technology innovation resources in these parks, promote national agricultural science and technology innovation, and enhance the quality of agricultural development. To achieve this, the paper employs spatial analysis methods and a three-stage DEA-Tobit model to conduct both macro and micro-level analyses. The research findings are as follows: (1) Distribution characteristics: NASTPs tend to exhibit a uniform distribution at the national scale, but at the provincial level, their distribution appears clustered and uneven. Specifically, three high-density areas and two sub-high-density areas have emerged on the eastern side of the Hu line, displaying a decreasing trend from east to west. (2) Innovation efficiency: By excluding the influence of environmental factors and random interference, the lack of scale efficiency (SE) emerges as the primary reason for the generally low innovation efficiency of NASTPs. (3) Environmental factors: Science and technology training exhibits a negative correlation with innovation efficiency in NASTPs. Leading enterprises, income level, innovation support, and demonstration and promotion show positive correlations with IE in NASTPs. To promote national agricultural science and technology innovation and enhance the quality of agricultural development, it is recommended, based on a central-level development perspective, to focus on the layout of the northeast and northwest regions. At the local level, expanding the scale of key enterprise inputs and increasing the demonstration and promotion of scientific and technological achievements are recommended. Additionally, at the NASTPs level, guiding the construction of a national agricultural high-tech industry demonstration zone is advised.

Productivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum) as influenced by zinc fertilization under semi-arid conditions of Kandahar, Afghanistan

A field experiment was conducted during winter (rabi) season of 2019–20, at research farm of the Afghanistan National Agricultural Sciences and Technology University (ANASTU), Kandahar, Afghanistan, in randomized complete-block design to find out the effect of zinc on growth, yield and yield-attributing characters of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Results revealed that, plant height (100.3 cm), number of tillers/m2 [346 at 60 days after sowing (DAS) and 576 at 90 DAS], leaf-area index (1.98), dry-matter production (291 g/m2 ), number of spikes/m2 (319), spikelets/spike (20.7), grains/spike (51.1) and 1,000-grain weight (52.2 g) obtained with the application of 2.5 kg Zn/ha as basal + 2 foliar sprays @ 0.5% through ZnSO4 , were significantly higher over rest of the treatments. Grain yield (4.09 tonnes/ha), straw yield (6.39 tonne/ha), biological yields (10.2 tonne/ha) and harvest index (40%) too were recorded higher under the application of 2.5 kg Zn/ha as basal + 2 foliar sprays @ 0.5% through ZnSO4. Gross returns (147.23 × 103 `/ha), net returns (103.39 × 103 `/ha) and benefit: cost ratios (3.19) were also higher with the application of 2.5 kg Zn/ha as basal + 2 foliar sprays @ 0.5% through ZnSO4 . Overall, the soil application of 2.5 kg Zn/ha as basal through ZnSO4 + 2 foliar sprays of ZnSO4 @ 0.5% was best in terms of growth, yield and profitability of wheat.

Do China’s National Agricultural Science and Technology Parks Promote County Economic Development? An Empirical Examination Based on Multi-Period DID Methods

China’s National Agricultural Science and Technology Parks (NASTPs) play a key role in improving the nation’s agro-industrial structure and regional economic development; notably, NASTPs can demonstrate innovations in modern agricultural science and technology and, relatedly, incubate emerging modern agri-industries. However, after more than 20 years of development, scholars have not yet to confirm whether NASTPs contribute to local economies. This study sought to explore the impact of NASTPs on county economic development, to identify the mechanisms behind this impact, and to verify these effects using a multi-period double difference method based on panel data from 1743 counties in China collected between 2000 and 2019. The study found that the NASTPs significantly improved county economic development. The policy effects were mainly evident in western regions and counties with higher levels of financial resources. No spatial spillover effects were observed. The NASTPs drove county economic growth through three main channels: agglomeration, institutional environment, and innovation effects. These findings provide insights useful for designing policies related to the high-quality construction of agricultural sci-tech parks, the high-quality growth of county economies, and a reduction in regional economic development gaps.

Efficiency of post-emergence herbicides for enhancing growth and yield of hybrid maize (Zea mays) in Kandahar, Afghanistan

A field experiment was conducted at research farm of the Afghanistan National Agricultural Science and Technology University (ANASTU), Kandahar, Afghanistan, in randomized complete- block (RCBD) design during summer 2017, to evaluate the effect of post-emergence (PoE) herbicides in maize (Zea mays L.). Results revealed that sequential application of atrazine @ 1,500 g/ha as pre-emergence followed by (fb) tembotrione @ 120 g/ha as post emergence (PoE) 25 days after sowing (DAS) recorded significantly higher plant height and leaf-area index at 60 and 90 days after sowing (DAS), while dry-matter accumulation and the yield attributes as grains/row, grain/cob and grain weight/cob at harvesting stages. Weed infestation in hybrid maize caused 35.8% yield loss compared to weed-free control. Application of the weed-management treatments increased the maize yield by 35.2% (11.6 – 51.2) over unweeded check. Significantly higher grain yield (6.50 t/ha) was recorded with sequential application of atrazine (1,500 g/ha) as pre-emergence followed by tembotrione (120 g/ha) at 25 DAS, which was at par with pendimethalin (1,000 ml/ha) as pre-emergence followed by atrazine (750 g/ha) + 2,4-D amine (400 g/ha) at 25 DAS as PoE (6.21.3 t/ha) and atrazine (1,500 g/ha) as pre-emergence fb 2,4-D amine (400 g/ha) at 25 DAS (6.12 t/ha). Therefore, the sequential application of pre-and post-emergence herbicides could be opted for enhancing growth and yield and weed control of hybrid maize in Afghanistan and similar ecologies.

Effect of cultivation method on yield, yield attributes and economics attributes of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) the semi – arid Condition of Kandahar Afghanistan

An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy farm, Afghanistan National Agricultural Science and Technology University, during the period from 2 March to 12 June 2020 to study the effect of two types of cultivation methods such as raised bed and flatbed on the yield, yield attributes and economics attributes of chickpea. The experiment was laid out in a Split Plot design with three replications. All the nutrients were applied as basal on land preparation operation. Seeds were sown manually @ 30 kg ha-1 for a flatbed as well as @ 45cm x 10 cm spacing for a raised bed. Observations were recorded for various growth parameters and yield attributes at 30 DAS, 60 DAS and harvest. Statistical analysis of data was done online through OPSTAT software. Raised bed cultivation method significantly enhanced the growth parameters of chickpea viz., plant height (4.44 cm, 8.40 cm and 25.45 cm at 30 DAS, 60 DAS and harvest), dry matter plant-1 (3.12 g, 5.26 g and 15.50 g at 30 DAS, 60 DAS and at harvest. Yield attributes viz., number of pod plant-1 (20.15), number of grain pod-1 (1.38), and 1,000 grain weight (207.44 g) showed remarkable improvement with raised bed cultivation method Yield of chickpea viz., grain yield (1.21 t ha-1), Stover yield (1.33 t ha-1) biological yield (3.44 t ha-1) and harvest index (27.44 t ha-1) were recorded significantly higher with raised bed cultivation method. Similarly, significantly higher economics attributes viz., Cost of cultivation (26,989 AFN ha-1), gross returns (104,795AFN ha-1), net returns (76,854 AFN ha-1), and benefit cost ratio (2.78), recorded with raised bed cultivation method.

Effect of cultivation method on yield, yield attributes and economics attributes of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L) the semi-arid Condition of Kandahar Afghanistan

An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy farm, Afghanistan National Agricultural Science and Technology University, during the period from 2 March to 12 June 2020 to study the effect of two types of cultivation methods such as raised bed and flatbed on the yield, yield attributes and economics attributes of chickpea. The experiment was laid out in a Split Plot design with three replications. All the nutrients were applied as basal on land preparation operation. Seeds were sown manually @ 30 kg ha-1 for a flatbed as well as @ 45cm x 10 cm spacing for a raised bed. Observations were recorded for various growth parameters and yield attributes at 30 DAS, 60 DAS and harvest. Statistical analysis of data was done online through OPSTAT software. Raised bed cultivation method significantly enhanced the growth parameters of chickpea viz., plant height (4.44 cm, 8.40 cm and 25.45 cm at 30 DAS, 60 DAS and harvest), dry matter plant-1 (3.12 g, 5.26 g and 15.50 g at 30 DAS, 60 DAS and at harvest. Yield attributes viz., number of pod plant-1 (20.15), number of grain pod-1 (1.38), and 1,000-grain weight (207.44 g) showed remarkable improvement with raised bed cultivation method Yield of chickpea viz., grain yield (1.21 t ha-1), Stover yield (1.33 t ha-1) biological yield (3.44 t ha-1) and harvest index (27.44 t ha-1) were recorded significantly higher with raised bed cultivation method. Similarly, significantly higher economics attributes viz., Cost of cultivation (26,989 AFN ha-1), gross returns (104,795AFN ha-1), net returns (76,854 AFN ha-1), and benefit-cost ratio (2.78), recorded with raised bed cultivation method.

Effects of phosphorus application on bunch and spreading genotypes of groundnut

Farm of Afghanistan National Agricultural Sciences and Technology University (ANASTU), Kandahar, Afghanistan to find out most suitable groundnut variety and their phosphorus levels in the study region. The treatments combination was of two groundnut varieties (Kormaki and Paparri) and four levels of phosphorus as P2O5 (P0= 0 kg P2O5 ha-1, P1=40 kg P2O5 ha-1, P2= 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 and P3= 80 kg P2O5 ha-1), were tested in a split plot design. Result revealed that Paparri variety produced significantly higher growth attributes (plant height, dry matter accumulation and number of main branches plant-1) and yield attributes (number of pods plant-1, pods dry weight plant-1, 100 kernel weight and shelling percentage) over Kormaki variety. Likwise, paparri variety produced significantly higher pods yield, kernel yield, haulm yield and biological yield over kormaki variety. In the like manner, significantly higher gross return, net return and benefit cost ratio was recorded from Paparri variety, whereas residual nitrogen was found significantly higher in kormaki variety. Among phosphorus levels, 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 recorded higher values for growth parameters, yield attributes viz. number of pods plant-1, pods weight plant-1, 100 kernel weight and shelling percentage, and yields (including pods yield, kernel yield, haulm yield and biological yield).

Spatial distribution of Mycobacterium bovis spoligotypes in cattle from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Genotyping methods have led to a better understanding of the epidemiology of Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) infection, and its transmission dynamics, as well as the possible phylogenetic relationships between Mycobacterium strains, thus making bovine tuberculosis control programs more efficient. The goal of this study was to characterize the main spoligotypes of M. bovis isolated from cattle in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. It was carried out in 28 municipalities of "Triângulo Mineiro" and "Alto Paranaíba" regions of the state. Viscera samples were obtained from 58 bovines positive for tuberculosis according to comparative cervical tests, and from another 100 bovines with lesions suggestive of tuberculosis, which were donated by the National Agricultural Laboratory of Pedro Leopoldo, Minas Gerais. Microbiological isolation was performed in Stonebrink medium, and molecular identification of mycobacteria was performed by PCR. Genotyping was performed using the spoligotyping method at the Agrobiotechnology and Molecular Biology Institute of National Agricultural Technology Institute-National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Among the 158 viscera samples, we obtained 40 (25%) isolates of M. bovis, and detected 11 spoligotype patterns, with a predominance of SB1142 (37.5%), SB0121 (25.0%), and SB1145 (10.0%). Other standards, SB0295, SB1050, SB0881, SB1144, SB1802, SB0140, SB0120, and SB0849, varied from 2.5 to 7.5%, heterogeneously distributed among the municipalities. The presence of spoligotypes shared with other Brazilian states and different countries indicates their possible exchange through epidemiological relationships, such as the transit of live animals and/or genetic similarity between strains that share a common ancestor.

Effect of herbicides on distribution and interference of weeds, growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum) in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Weeds are the major constraint to achieving higher wheat yield in Afghanistan. To evaluate weed interference and its impact on wheat, a field experiment was undertaken during winter season in 2014–15 at Afghanistan National Agricultural Science and Technology University (ANASTU), Kandahar. Seven weed control treatments comprising isoproturon 0.75 and 1.0 kg/ha at 35 days after sowing (DAS), sulfosulfuron 20 and 25 g/ha at 35 DAS, isoproturon + 2,4-D 0.75 + 0.5 kg/ha at 35 DAS (tank-mix), weed-free check and weedy check were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed that grassy weeds constituted 62.7% of the total weeds and were mostly dominant. All herbicides/weed control treatments influenced weed interference, wheat cropgrowth and yield significantly. Sulfosulfuron 25 g/ha at 35 DAS resulted in significant reduction in weed density by 95.2% (i.e. weed control efficiency) and dry weight by 95.1% (i.e. weed control index), respectively. This treatment led to significant improvements in wheat growth (Leaf area index, dry matter accumulation) and grain (4.6 t/ha) and biological yields (10.6 t/ha), and was superior to other herbicide treatments. It increased wheat grain and biological yields by 24.3% and 17.8%, respectively, compared to weedy check. Therefore, the application of sulfosulfuron 25 g/ha at 35 DAS may be recommended for better weed control and higher wheat yield in Kandahar, Afghanistan, and in similar agro-ecologies of the tropics and sub-tropics.

Study on the Integration Development of Agricultural Science and Technology Parks and Leisure Tourism Based on SWOT Analysis

Agricultural tourism plays an important role in driving farmers to get rich, optimizing industrial structure, enhancing regional image and meeting tourists' tourism demand. At present, tourists who pay attention to life experience take agricultural tourism as an important choice for leisure and vacation. Taking Tai’an National Agricultural Science and Technology Park as an example, this paper adopts SWOT analysis method to systematically analyze the advantages, disadvantages and opportunities and challenges faced in the development of leisure agricultural tourism in modern agricultural parks. It also puts forward countermeasures and suggestions for the development of leisure agricultural tourism in agricultural science and technology parks, in order to provide reference for the sustainable development of modern agricultural science and technology parks.

Nitrogen and weed management effects on weeds and yield of barley in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Growth and yield of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) are highly influenced by nutrients and weed management. Nitrogen (N) is the most crucial nutrient to which barley crop responds readily. Efficient management of N and weeds can provide higher yield, better quality, and higher income to the farmers. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted in a split-plot design with three replications during winter season of 2019-20 in the Afghanistan National Agricultural Sciences and Technology University (ANASTU), Kandahar, Afghanistan to evaluate the effect of weed and N management on weeds growth and barley productivity. There were three weed management options in main plots, such as weedy check, herbicide use alone [post-emergence application (PoE) of clodinafop-propargyl 60 g/ha + metsulfuron-methyl 4 g/ha (tank-mix) at 30 days after sowing (DAS)], and integrated weed management (IWM) involving stale seed bed 15 days before sowing + wheat crop residue (2.5 t/ha) retention + clodinafop-propargyl + metsulfuron-methyl (tank-mix) PoE with half of the recommended dose at 30 DAS]. Four N levels (~0, 40, 80 and 120 kg N/ha, i.e., N0, N40, N80 and N120) were included as sub-plot treatments. The IWM led to significantly lower density and biomass of weeds at 40 and 70 DAS and significantly increased weed control efficiency (WCE) and weed control index (WCI). Clodinafop-propargyl (60 g/ ha) + metsulfuron-methyl (4 g/ha) (tank-mix) PoE also resulted in significantly lower density and biomass of weeds and higher WCE and WCI than weedy check at all stages. IWM being at par with clodinafop-propargyl + metsulfuron-methyl (tank-mix) PoE led to higher growth (crop height, dry weight, leaf area index and growth rate) and yield of barley. On the contrary, the effect of nitrogen levels was not significant on the weed density and biomass reduction. N120 and N80 were comparable with respect to growth, yield attributes and yield of barley. Thus, IWM with 80 kg N/ha may be recommended for better weed management and higher barley yield and income in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Refinement in Cultivar of Indian Mustard for Higher Yield Under Thermal Climatic Condition of Uttar Pradesh

The refinement and assessment based field experiment was laid out during Rabi season of 2002 and 2003 on farmers fields at Mainpuri district under National Agricultural Technology Project, Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Mainpuri. The main objective was to find out suitable variety of Indian mustard for sowing in early period under thermal condition and replace the local Indian mustard cultivar ‘chhapka’. The nutrient status of pilot area was low. Five high yielding varieties i.e. Rohani, Varuna, Kanti, Urvarshi, Pusa Jai Kisan were tested with local cultivar Chhapka. The tested varieties of Indian mustard did not much differ in growth parameters but cv. Urvarshi displayed the superiority over all varieties. The lowest seed weight/plant (15.85 /plant) and test weight (4.30 gram) were weighed in local cultivar Chhapka, while highest seed weight/plant (18.00 g/plant) and test weight (4.95 gram) were recorded in cv. Urvarshi. The highest seed yield of 30.80 q/ha was noted under tested cultivar Urvarshi and lowest noted under Chaapka(15.70 q/ha). The other tested varieties yielded seed between these two limits. The highest net return of Rs. 99667/ha and BCR (1:3.56) were computed under Urvarshi cultivar. The lowest net return of Rs. 31717/ha and BCR (1:1.81) were computed under local cultivar Chhapka. The cultivar Urvarshi also increased net income of famers by 3.15 fold, which was higher over other tested varieties.

Efficiency of post-emergence herbicide for enhancing yield attributes, yield, and economics of hybrid maize (Zea mays L.)

An experiment was conducted at the research farm of National Agricultural Science and Technology University (ANASTU), Kandahar, Afghanistan in a randomized complete block (RCBD) during the summer season of 2017 to evaluate the effect of post-emergence herbicides in maize. The experiment consisted of ten treatments and was replicated thrice. Among the weed control treatments, sequential application of atrazine @ 1.5 kg/ha pre-emergence followed by tembotrione 120 g/ha as PoE at 25 DAS recorded significantly higher grain row-1 (36.18), the number of grain cob-1 (502.48), and Grain weight cob-1 (137.63 g). Significantly higher grain and stover yield (6.7 and 11.6 t ha-1) were recorded in weed-free check plot which is on par with (T10) atrazine @ 1.5 kg/ha pre-emergence fb tembotrione 120 g /ha PoE at 25 DAS (6.5 and 11.4 t ha-1) and (T9) pendimethalin (1000 ml/ha) pre-emergence fb atrazine (750 g/ha) + 2,4-D Amine 0.4 kg /ha at 25 DAS as PoE (6.2 and 11.0 t ha-1). The benefit-cost ratio was higher (1.57) in the sequential application of Atrazine 1.5 kg/ha fb 2,4-D Amine 0.4 kg/ha at 25 DAS as PoE, which was on par with Pendimethalin (1000 ml/ha) pre-emergence fb Atrazine (750 g/ha) + 2,4-D Amine 0.4 kg/ha at 25 DAS as PoE and (T7) Atrazine @ 1.5 kg/ha pre-emergence fb Halosulfuron67 g/ha 25 DAS.