Nutrient management and fertilizer application are influential elements for high yield and preferred grain quality. Negligible information is available regarding fertilizer application in the paddy fields in Afghanistan. This research elucidates the efficacy of different fertilizers’ application on growth attributes, yield potential, and grain quality of rice. The treatments included the traditional application rate of nitrogen and phosphorus (RD), animal manure (AM), animal manure with 50% nitrogen and phosphorus of the traditional application rate (AMRD), sawdust (SD), and sawdust with 50% nitrogen and phosphorus of the traditional application rate (SDRD). Growth parameters, grain yield and its components, physicochemical properties, and morphological observation using scanning electron microscopy were recorded. The results revealed that the greatest panicle number, spikelet number, and grain yield were recorded in AMRD and SDRD treatments. Both AMRD and SDRD treatments increased the percentage of protein, amylose, and lipid contents, as well as the percentage of perfect grain compared to the RD treatment. Rice grain in RD treatment had very few protein bodies and their traces (pits), as well as the formation of amyloplasts and starch granules, were normal. However, AMRD and SDRD increased the number of protein bodies and their pits in the rice endosperm. The shapes of the amyloplasts were round and polyhedral with diverse sizes. Starch granules were polygonal with sharply defined edges. This research encourages farmers to adopt the combined application of manures and fertilizers to decrease the dependence on inorganic fertilizers.

Background The projected increase in global temperature is expected to negatively impact food production in many regions. Rice exposure to heat stress can limit plant growth in different stages, especially at the seedling stage. In this experiment, two Indica parental lines N22 (heat tolerant) and BIM (heat sensitive) along  with their F2 hybrid were elucidated under different high temperatures (28 °C, 35 °C, and 42 °C) at the seedling stage. Results The results indicated that the F2 hybrid inherited the heat tolerance rate from the male heat-tolerant N22 parent. Based on phenological and physiological attributes, the F2 hybrid exhibited excessive-performance as compared to its BIM parent under different high-temperature conditions. Specifically, absorbing the ample available water through the long-rooted system enabled rice seedlings to carry out high transpirational cooling. Furthermore, there was a strong relationship (r = 0.89, p < 0.01) between root length and transpiration rate under 42 °C. The temperature 35–42 °C caused a significant reduction in seedlings’ growth, chlorophyll content, and survival rate (18–20%), while the relative heat injury percentage and leaf temperature increased in heat-sensitive BIM parent as compared to F2 hybrid. Conclusion This study suggests that the breeding of heat-tolerant hybrid rice plays an important role in the production of a resilient rice plant through heat-tolerant seedlings at the initial vegetative growth stage.

Nutrient management is a crucial factor and needs consideration for better growth and high yield of green pepper. An experiment was conducted in the experimental farm of Nangarhar University Faculty of Agriculture to evaluate the influence of different methods of biofertilizer on growth and yield performances of green pepper during 2017. The experiment was conducted with randomized complete block design in five treatments and four replications. The treatments were (1) control, (2) traditional method (TM), (3) root dipping (RD), (4) soil application (SA), and (5) root dipping and soil application (RDSA). Results showed that plant length, branch number, fruit number, and fruit weight were significantly different among treatments. RDSA increased branch and fruit numbers, as well as fruit length, compared to other treatments. RDSA had a greater yield which was 5.4 ton per hectare, followed by TM, SA, RD, and control which were 5.1, 4.7, 4.3, and 3.8 ton per hectare, respectively. Economic analysis of fertilizer’s expenses revealed that TM, RDSA, SA, and RD used a huge amount of chemical and biofertilizers. However, RDSA enhanced net income followed by TM, SA, and RD. This research will encourage farmers to adopt with biofertilizers and decrease the use of chemical fertilizers for eco-friendly forming.

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