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Analysis of Vegetation Change Trends Using Satellite Data and Remote Sensing Techniques (Case Study: BAGRAM-Afghanistan)
Get PDFGarden and agricultural species are closely related phenomena mainly observed in different regions of the world. Wherever there is agriculture, there are bound to be both fruitful and non-fruitful trees. Bagram district is one of the districts of Parwan province, where most of the people of this district are engaged in agriculture for their livelihood. The main objective of this research is to use satellite data, and an effort was made to extract the areas under plant cover and separate garden and crop species. The normalized vegetation cover index was used to obtain the areas covered by vegetation. All the areas covered by vegetation were extracted, and then the supervised maximum likelihood classification method was used to separate garden and agricultural species from each other. This research applied the vegetation index to Sentinel-2 imagery from 2018 and 2023, followed by supervised classification on the same datasets. Finally, the result was that the area of agricultural land in 2018 was equal to 92 square kilometres, but it reached 100 square kilometres in 2023. Also, the land area of gardens was 15.92 square kilometres in 2018. However, by 2023, it reached 27 square kilometres, and the area of agricultural lands and gardens in the Bagram district has increased by almost 20 square kilometres from 2018 to 2023
The Growth and Yield of Potatoes as Influenced by Planting Dates and Varieties under Dry Temperate Climate
Get PDFThis investigation aimed to study the effect of planting dates and variety on plant growth and yield of potatoes. The experiment was conducted in 2023 at the Agriculture Research Farm of Kabul University. The study was designed in a split-plot, using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), and data for plant growth and yield was recorded. Statistical Tools for Agricultural Research (STAR) software analyzed the recorded data statistically. The findings of this investigation reveal that early planting dates increase the yielding capacity of potatoes. The performance of varieties regarding growth and yield was different, and variety Milva recorded the most significant plants and highest yield among all other varieties. Milva, on the early planting date, produced vigorous plants and larger tubers and recorded significantly higher yields than other varieties. Faransawi and Laura were second and third best performers after variety Milva, especially when grown in early planting dates (20th March). Based on the study's findings, it is recommended that farmers grow varieties Milva, Faransawi, or Laura on early planting dates for a higher yield of potatoes in dry temperate agro-climatic conditions
Effects of Microplastics on Aquatic Animals: A Case Study on Daphnia
Get PDFPlastic is one of the most significant technological products of the twentieth century. Its environmental impact includes the release and accumulation of toxins and contaminants, as well as endocrine disruption in aquatic organisms. Microplastics, in particular, are increasingly present in freshwater ecosystems; however, their specific effects on small aquatic organisms, such as Daphnia, remain poorly understood. In this study, various types of virgin plastics (HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, PA6, PA6.6, PVC (rigid and flexible), PP, PS, TPU) were obtained from Hi-Tech Polymer Products in Ludhiana. These plastics were ground into small particles and measured using a micrometer, yielding a mean particle size of 0.398 µm. The chemical structures of the microplastics were identified using FTIR spectroscopy. The Daphnia culture was maintained in 1000 ml glass beakers. Microplastic particles and small elongated fibres, approximately 300 µm in size, were introduced into the aquatic environment to evaluate ingestion and toxicity. The findings revealed that Daphnia ingested long synthetic fibres and that exposure to microplastics negatively affected their normal biological functions. Mortality increased with both exposure time and microplastic concentration. This study contributes to the understanding of microplastic toxicity in freshwater ecosystems and emphasizes the vulnerability of Daphnia to plastic pollution
Assessing Rangeland Conditions and Sustainable Management Strategies in Bamyan, Afghanistan
Get PDFIdentifying effective solutions for rangeland-related challenges has become increasingly complex. Rangelands cover the majority of Bamyan province and serve as a vital source of meat and dairy production. Most farmers in the region are agro-pastoralists who depend heavily on rangelands as their primary asset, while intensive livestock farming systems remain uncommon. Given the ecological importance and the widespread degradation of natural resources, this study aimed to explore sustainable solutions to prevent further destruction of rangelands in Bamyan. Although previous research has largely focused on identifying causes of degradation, there has been limited attention to practical and localized solutions. This study employed a dual-method approach: (1) a review of library and online resources, and (2) fieldwork using observational tools, semi-structured interviews, and questionnaires based on a five-point Likert scale. Due to the absence of a complete list of farmers, simple random sampling was used to select 110 participants in 2023. The findings indicate that most Bamyan farmers are older, married, and illiterate, with primary agricultural outputs including potatoes, wheat, legumes, and fruits. Factor analysis revealed three key areas for intervention: (1) the role and support of government institutions, (2) the contribution of researchers, and (3) the internal involvement of local beneficiaries. Each of these factors encompasses a range of specific solution-oriented variables. The study highlights the importance of collaborative efforts and researcher engagement in the sustainable management of natural resources in Bamyan
Adoption and Impact of Six Sigma Methodology on Operational Efficiency in Afghanistan with a Focus on Food and Medicine Industry
Get PDFManufacturing and industrial processes are dynamic in nature, and sustaining operational excellence while securing long-term competitive advantages involves continuous innovation. Six Sigma and its updated version Lean Six Sigma (LSS) are among the various approaches developed to address these challenges and are proven to be effective. This study aimed to explore the adoption and impact of the Six Sigma methodology on operational efficiency in Afghanistan, focusing specially on the food and medicine industries. The data was collected through online survey and physical distribution of the questionnaire. The main tool was a self-administered questionnaire containing 24 questions divided into seven sections. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS 26, which enhanced the reliability of the results and facilitated accurate calculation of statistical measures. Although Six Sigma has shown significant success worldwide, its adoption in Afghanistan remains limited, with only 42.3% of surveyed organizations formally implementing the methodology. Notable improvements were observed among those applying Six Sigma, in areas such as faster production cycles, cost reduction, and better resource utilization. Conversely, challenges including low awareness, inadequate training, and limited use of Six Sigma tools continue to limit its broader impact. The findings of this study suggest that overcoming these obstacles and fully realizing Six Sigma’s potential in Afghanistan requires tailored approaches, leadership support, and easily accessible training programs. This study provides valuable insights to encourage the adoption of Six Sigma, supporting sustainable development and recovery in Afghanistan’s industries
Effects of Humic Acid Applications on Growth and Yield of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) in Kandahar, Afghanistan
Get PDFGarlic (Allium sativum L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops and a common culinary spice used daily by most people around the world. Humic acid can enhance garlic growth and yield, and previous studies have reported that its application improves these traits. Although the effects of humic acid combined with other nutrients on the growth and quality of garlic have been studied, further comprehensive investigations are still needed, especially in Afghanistan's bioclimatic conditions. Therefore, the study aimed to examine the effects of humic acid on the growth and yield of garlic. The specific objective of the study was to determine the optimal amount of humic acid for promoting the growth and yield of garlic in Kandahar. A filed experiment was conducted at the research farm of Afghanistan National Agricultural Sciences and Technology University (ANASTU), using Randomized Complete Block Desing (RCBD) with five treatments T0 (no Humic acid), T1 (10 Kg ha-1 Humic acid), T2(15 Kg ha-1 Humic acid), T3 (20 Kg ha-1 Humic acid), and T4 (25 Kg ha-1 Humic acid) each replicated trice. The results showed that plant height, No. Leaves of plant-1, and leaves length increased significantly by 30.40%, 28.21%, and 19.97% respectively, compared to the control at harvest; moreover, Bulb weight, bulb polar diameter, bulb equatorial diameter, No. Of cloves bulb-1, cloves weight, cloves length, clove diameter, and bulb yield also significantly increased by 68.79%, 59.42%, 20.72%, 17.38%, 26.50%, 36.36%, 47.28%, 71.09 %, respectively, in comparison to the control. It is concluded that the highest growth and yield of garlic was recorded in the treatment where 25 kg ha-1 Humic acid was applied
Recognition and Ranking of Factors Influencing Flood Occurrence in Baghlan Markazi District Using AHP and SAW Methods
Get PDFFloods are one of the major natural hazards globally, leading to substantial economic damages and loss of human lives annually as a result of various contributing factors. Among natural disasters, floods contribute to approximately 20% of global disaster-related mortality and 33% of total economic losses. Afghanistan is one of the developing countries that, due to its broader challenges, has not yet implemented a comprehensive strategy for flood management. Baghlan Province, as one of Afghanistan's key industrial and agricultural regions, is highly vulnerable to flooding due to its topographical features. Central Baghlan District experienced significant human and financial losses as a result of floods in the spring of 1403 AH. This paper first conducts a detailed analysis of the factors influencing flood occurrence in Sheikh Jalal, Darwaza Kan, Laqiha, and Shahrak Mohajerin areas of Central Baghlan District. Subsequently, four key factors and twenty specific criteria were identified as significantly affecting flood occurrence in the region. After conducting field observations and site studies, a questionnaire was developed in accordance with the identified effective factors and criteria, structured within the framework of the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Interviews were then carried out with local residents, domain experts, and government officials to collect relevant data. After obtaining the weights of the criteria, the second questionnaire was designed using the Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) method, and interviews were conducted with local residents, experts, and relevant officials. The influencing factors were ranked based on their normalized weights, where the environmental factor ranked first with a weight of 0.261, while the economic factor ranked last with a weight of 0.224
Assessment of Potentially Dangerous Glacial Lake Outburst Flood in Panjshir , Afghanistan Using RS and GIS
Get PDFThis study provides the first systematic assessment of glacial lake hazards in Panjshir Province, Afghanistan, where rapid glacier retreat has facilitated the formation and expansion of numerous glacial lakes and intensified downstream risk. Using Landsat and Sentinel-2 imagery, a 5-m DEM, and GIS-based morphometric extraction, 135 glacial lakes were identified and evaluated through a composite Glacial Lake Outburst Flood Risk Index (GLOFRI). Six key parameters—lake area, outlet slope, glacier proximity, dam type, cascade configuration, and elevation—were used to calculate normalized hazard scores. GLOFRI values ranged from 0.0162 to 0.575 and were classified by the Equal Interval method into three hazard levels. Results show that four lakes (2.96%) fall within the high-risk category, primarily characterized by relatively large surface areas, unstable moraine dams, steep outlet slopes, and direct proximity to active glaciers. Fifty-nine lakes (43.70%) were classified as medium-risk and seventy-two (53.33%) as low-risk. Spatial analysis confirms that high-risk lakes are clustered immediately downstream of glacier fronts and connected to steep, confined valleys, representing the most immediate threat to communities, infrastructure, and irrigated land in Panjshir. The resulting prioritized inventory of potentially dangerous glacial lakes provides an essential baseline for monitoring, early-warning development, and GLOF-focused disaster risk reduction, and it offers a transferable framework for glacial lake hazard assessment in other data-scarce mountain regions
Response of Onion Growth and Yield to Potassium Application in Alkaline Soils
Get PDFOnion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the most important commercial vegetables, which, after tomatoes, ranks second in the world, especially in Afghanistan. It is a great source of vitamins, protein, and amino acids, which are useful for human food and traditional medicine. This experiment was conducted in 2022 at the research farm of the agriculture faculty of Kabul University to find out the response of onion to potassium application in alkaline soil. The different levels of potassium (0, 11.25, 22.5, 33.75, 45, 56.25, 67.5, 78.75, and 90 kg per hectare) were used as treatments. The growth, quality, and yield attributes of onions were studied in this investigation. The research was designed in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), and the data was analyzed with Statistical Tools for Agricultural Research (STAR 2.0.1) software. The results show that the application of 22.5 kg per hectare potassium boosts both growth and yield attributes of onion. Farmers are suggested to apply this quantity of potassium through the sulfate of potash to produce a higher yield of onion
Impacts of Humic Acid on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Tomato: A Review
Get PDFTomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most adaptable, popular, and widely consumed vegetable crops in the world. However, current production levels of tomatoes fall short of consumer needs. Enhancing soil fertility presents a viable solution to address the issue of low productivity in tomato cultivation. Humic acids (HA) are organic molecules that significantly improve soil characteristics, plant growth, yield, and quality. There was limited information available in previous studies regarding the issue; therefore, the review was conducted to investigate the issue in greater detail. The review aims to consolidate existing knowledge on the topic and encourage further investigation to refine agricultural practices and enhance crop production. In the narrative literature, keywords related to the topic investigated in popular databases over the last three decades were screened for relevant papers, and the information was presented in different sections of the manuscript. The application of humic acid has positively influenced several parameters, including growth, development, yield, and quality of tomatoes. Humic acid increased the stem diameter, number of leaves per plant, and plant height. Additionally, humic acid topically improved fruit weight, fruit diameter, fruit number per plant, and yield. Furthermore, skin color, lycopene content, fruit juice acidity, ascorbic acid, and total soluble solids were all markedly improved by applying humic acid. The information synthesized here may benefit policymakers, agricultural advisors, and experts in the field, supporting the development of effective strategies for sustainable tomato production using humic acid