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.

Rice is an important staple food for Afghans. Its production has been increased, and attention is needed to improve grain quality. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the growth, yield, physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, and morphological structures of four exotic rice varieties widely grown in Afghanistan (Attai-1, Jalalabad-14, Shishambagh-14, and Zodrass). Antioxidant activities, including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), of rice grain were determined. A scanning electron microscopic observation was conducted on the cross-cut section of dehulled rice grains. The results showed a wide variation among four rice varieties for growth, grain yield, physicochemical properties, antioxidant activities, and morphology. Tiller and panicle number per hill, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, and antioxidant activities were found to be highest in Jalalabad-14. Attai-1 showed lower amylose, protein, and lipid contents with a high number of perfect grains, consequently enhanced taste point (score of quality). Grain yield, protein, and amylose contents showed a negative correlation with antioxidant activities. Accumulated structures in Attai-1, Shishambagh-14, and Zodrass were normal; however, Jalalabad-14 increased protein bodies and its traces in the amyloplasts. Information on yield potential, grain quality, and nutritional value of these exotic rice varieties may useful for sustainable food provision and nutritional improvement of rice in Afghanistan.

Materials and Methods Milled rice samples The rice samples of local varieties (Sarda Barah, Garma Barah, Surkha Zurahti and Shah Lawangi) in the form of milled rice were procured from Kunduz province and these varieties are grown enormously in the north of Afghanistan, additionally, to the upward-mentioned local rice varieties, Super Basmati (indica) and Koshihikari (japonica) varieties were procured from the Laboratory of Crop Science, the

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Genetic background, environmental conditions, and agronomical practices could influence yield components, grain quality, and physicochemical properties of rice. The study aim was to investigate the variations in yield potential, quality traits, and morphological observation among Akitakomachi (japonica), IR-28 (indica), and NERICA-4 (hybrid) varieties under the same environmental and agronomical conditions. For this, the cultivars were compared in a randomized complete block design with three replications at the paddy field of Tsukuba International Center, JICA, Tsukuba, Japan in 2017. All cultivars were transplanted at a spacing of 15×30 cm using three seedlings per hill. The results exhibited that Akitakomachi had a higher number of panicles per m2 (344.3), and the ripening ratio (94.3%) across all cultivars. In addition, IR-28 and Akitakomachi achieved significantly higher rough rice yield (6.9 t/h & 6.1 t/h), respectively, compared to NERICA-4 (4.9 t/h). However, NERICA-4 was associated with the significantly higher amylose and protein contents, which resulted in the reduction of the taste point than other cultivars. Furthermore, the lowest grain transparent (34.2%) and highest chalky grain (47.7%) were obtained in NERICA-4, which leads to lower grain quality. IR-28 and NERICA-4 were classified as long and slender grain types, whereas, Akitakomachi as a short and medium grain, respectively. The micrographs observation displayed that regular starch granules with polyhedral shape were arranged without air gaps in transparent grains of all cultivars. In contrast, the endosperm of chalky grains in NERICA-4 and IR-28 revealed that irregular starch granules with round shape were loosely packed. Thus, each cultivar should be considered based on growing regions and the cultivated aims.