Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth is directly affected by sowing dates. However, the yield of wheat in Afghanistan is significantly lower than the global standard. Several factors including fertilizers, sowing dates, seeds and cultivation methods, contribute to this low yield. The objective of this research was to address this critical issue by comparison of the effects of different sowing dates on wheat yield and its components under Kabul climatic conditions. The same experiment was conducted at two sites in 2020 using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and twelve treatments. The varieties used were Darolaman-07 (V1), Mazar- 99 (V2), and Chunta-1 (V3) as factor one, and sowing dates of November 10th (S1), November 18th (S2), November 26th (S3), and December 4th (S4) as factor two. Growth and yield parameters measured and analyzed included plant height, number of leaves plant-1, total number of tillers plant-1, leaf area index (LAI), leaf nitrogen content (N), spike length, number of spikelets spike-1, number of grains spike-1, grain weight spike-1, thousand- grain-weight, days to maturity, number of spikes plant-1, biological yield, grain yield, straw yield, and harvest index. Sowing dates had significant effects on some wheat growth and yield parameters. Sowing on November 10th, 2020, resulted in the highest plant height and leaves number per plant compared to later sowing dates. There was a significant interaction between sowing date and variety at (P˂0.01) in both growth and yield parameters. ANOVA analysis highlighted significant differences among wheat varieties in spike length, grain weight spike-1, thousand grain-weight, and harvest index, with notable variations observed among different varieties. Based on the results, the longest duration to maturity and the highest grain yield were observed on sowing date of November 10, 2020.

This experiment was conducted in Antsokia Gemza district, Ethiopia in 2017/18 to evaluate the effect of intra-row spacing on bulb quality and storability of onion varieties. A 4×4 factorial experiment with four different varieties (Adama Red, Bombay Red, Melkam and Shendi) and four levels of intra-row spacing (5.00, 7.50, 10.00 and 12.50 cm) was laid on randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were collected on bulb quality attributes and storability and subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using statistical analysis system (SAS) computer software 9.1. The mean separation test was done by list significant difference (LSD) test at 5% probability level. Simple linear correlation analyses between and among the different parameters were made using Pearson Correlation Coefficient. Accordingly, most of the parameters were significantly affected by intra-row spacing and variety. Variety Melkam exhibited the highest bulb diameter, bulb length, bulb dry matter content and bulb fresh weight. Melkam and Adama Red were with the lowest weight loss in storage while Bombay Red and Shendi scored the highest weight loss in storage. Most of the bulb quality parameters were significantly highest at the widest intra-row spacing of 10.00 and 12.50 cm. However, there was no significant variation between 7.50 and 10.00 cm intra-row spacing on average bulb weight which is considered as the most important bulb quality parameter for the producers from the market point of view. Weight loss was higher at the widest intra-row spacing for all varieties. Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that the bulb quality and storability of onion in Antsokia Gemza district can be optimized through cultivating variety Melkam at intra-row spacing of 7.5 cm.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth is directly affected by sowing dates. However, the yield of wheat in Afghanistan is significantly lower than the global standard. Several factors including fertilizers, sowing dates, seeds and cultivation methods, contribute to this low yield. The objective of this research was to address this critical issue by comparison of the effects of different sowing dates on wheat yield and its components under Kabul climatic conditions. The same experiment was conducted at two sites in 2020 using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and twelve treatments. The varieties used were Darolaman-07 (V1), Mazar- 99 (V2), and Chunta-1 (V3) as factor one, and sowing dates of November 10th (S1), November 18th (S2), November 26th (S3), and December 4th (S4) as factor two. Growth and yield parameters measured and analyzed included plant height, number of leaves plant-1, total number of tillers plant-1, leaf area index (LAI), leaf nitrogen content (N), spike length, number of spikelets spike-1, number of grains spike-1, grain weight spike-1, thousand- grain-weight, days to maturity, number of spikes plant-1, biological yield, grain yield, straw yield, and harvest index. Sowing dates had significant effects on some wheat growth and yield parameters. Sowing on November 10th, 2020, resulted in the highest plant height and leaves number per plant compared to later sowing dates. There was a significant interaction between sowing date and variety at (P˂0.01) in both growth and yield parameters. ANOVA analysis highlighted significant differences among wheat varieties in spike length, grain weight spike-1, thousand grain-weight, and harvest index, with notable variations observed among different varieties. Based on the results, the longest duration to maturity and the highest grain yield were observed on sowing date of November 10, 2020.

The maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky) causes significant quantitative and qualitative losses during storage. To identify resistant varieties of maize against this pest, an experiment was conducted in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 11 varieties in free and no-choice conditions. The study measured weight loss, mean bored grain, debris, and weevil numbers at 30, 60, and 90 days. The findings showed that BG13Y-POP, Manakamana-7, and RML-19/RML-6 were the most resistant varieties, with weight loss percentages of 1.99%, 1.47%, and 1.74%, respectively, and final weevil numbers of 104, 72, and 73. Ganesh-2 and ZM-401 were the most susceptible varieties, with weight losses of 7.34% and 6.05%, respectively. The maximum debris weight was found in RML-761/RL-105 (1.98 g), while the minimum was found in Manakamana-7 (0.26 g). The highest number of bored grains was observed in Ganesh-2 (81), while the lowest number was observed in Rampur-4 (51). Similarly, ZM-401 (158) and Ganesh-2 (165) exhibited the highest weevil population, while the lowest count was found in Rampur-4 (72). Overall, using resistant varieties, such as Manakamana-7, BG13Y-POP, and RML-19/RML-6, can be an effective approach for reducing post-harvest losses from weevil infestation.

The maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky) causes significant quantitative and qualitative losses during storage. To identify resistant varieties of maize against this pest, an experiment was conducted in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 11 varieties in free and no-choice conditions. The study measured weight loss, mean bored grain, debris, and weevil numbers at 30, 60, and 90 days. The findings showed that BG13Y-POP, Manakamana-7, and RML-19/RML-6 were the most resistant varieties, with weight loss percentages of 1.99%, 1.47%, and 1.74%, respectively, and final weevil numbers of 104, 72, and 73. Ganesh-2 and ZM-401 were the most susceptible varieties, with weight losses of 7.34% and 6.05%, respectively. The maximum debris weight was found in RML-761/RL-105 (1.98 g), while the minimum was found in Manakamana-7 (0.26 g). The highest number of bored grains was observed in Ganesh-2 (81), while the lowest number was observed in Rampur-4 (51). Similarly, ZM-401 (158) and Ganesh-2 (165) exhibited the highest weevil population, while the lowest count was found in Rampur-4 (72). Overall, using resistant varieties, such as Manakamana-7, BG13Y-POP, and RML-19/RML-6, can be an effective approach for reducing post-harvest losses from weevil infestation.