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The Role of Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering in the Improvement of Medicinal Plants in Afghanistan
Get PDFMost pharmaceutical products are derived from plants, making plants an essential source for developing and discovering novel therapeutic compounds. The phytochemical components of medicinal plants (MPs), particularly the secondary metabolites (SMs), are linked to the pharmacological effects of MPs. The widespread interest in phytotherapy, consumer preference to use natural resources, the continuous exploitation of natural resources, the economic importance of MPs in the self-sufficiency of developing countries like Afghanistan, difficulties associated with the traditional breeding methods of MPs, and resulting insufficient plant yield have made wild MPs resources unable to meet the current requirements and led researchers to search for alternative solutions. The application of genetic engineering (GE) techniques and biotechnological tools, including combinatorial biosynthesis, CRISPR/Cas9-based systems, and genetically encoded biosensors to select, multiply, improve the bio-production, biodiversity preservation; conservation of the elite and rare genotypes of important MP species in extinction is considered a possible solution. Afghanistan is one of the main exporters of MPs due to its rich flora. Even though it’s uncommon in the country to apply modern biotechnology and GE procedures to improve MPs, they may still be considered promising methods. This paper reviewed the recent successes and developments in the previously/at present use of various biotechnological and GE approaches for the improvement of MPs in Afghanistan and also to identify the main challenges the country’s plant breeders and/or scientists may face during the use of these approaches to improve MPs shortly
A Review on Troubleshooting Effective Factors in Raw Milk Off-Flavor Production: Its Control, Reduction, and Elimination Methods
Get PDFMilk, a vital product derived from mammalian mammary glands, is essential for newborn nourishment and widely consumed as a food source. However, various internal and external factors can negatively impact milk’s quality, particularly its odor and flavor, which can limit its marketability and cause significant economic losses for farmers. The olfactory sense, being much more sensitive than the sense of taste, plays a key role in the perception of milk’s freshness. This review aims to evaluate the factors contributing to off-flavors and odors in raw milk and the methods for controlling, reducing, and eliminating these undesirable characteristics. Through the examination of published literature, preventive strategies and treatment options are explored, including heating, vapor treatment, Vitamin E supplementation, food additives, and flavoring agents. Additionally, proper management of nutrition, mastitis, and other influencing factors are discussed as effective ways to prevent off-flavors. By addressing these challenges, the economic situation of farmers can be improved, leading to enhanced milk quality, greater consumer acceptance, and increased profitability in the dairy sector
Analysis of Agromorphological Characteristics, Nutritional Values and Phytochemical Constituents of Two Fonio Species in Gombe State, Nigeria towards the Enhancement of Afghanistan National Food Security
Get PDFFonio is a traditional African cereal grain that is poorly studied, as revealed in the literature. It has the potential to contribute significantly to whole grain diets, wellness, economic status improvement, and play an important role in food security in developing economies. A comprehensive study compared the agromorphological characteristics and nutritional values of Digitaria exilis and Digitaria iburua (black and white fonio, respectively), both of West African origin. The parameters measured for morphological and physiological screening included the number of leaves, leaf area, number of tillers, number of spikes, spike length, number of seeds per spikelet, days to flowering, and thousand-seed weight. Nutritional values were determined, such as crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, carbohydrate, moisture, and ash content. Minerals, including sodium and potassium, were measured using flame photometry, while zinc, iron, and calcium were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were carried out to assess the presence and quantities of bioactive compounds in the grains using methanol as the solvent for extraction. The results revealed that black fonio had the highest number of leaves (19), a shorter lifecycle (56 days to flowering), and a higher number of seeds with greater weight (0.84g). They were found to be more nutritious than white fonio in terms of proximate composition: moisture (3.81%), ash (1.69%), crude protein (12.3%), ether extract (2.81%), crude fiber (1.37%), carbohydrate (77.97%), and mineral composition. Additionally, black fonio contains many bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, tannins, steroids, and glycosides in all plant parts. At the same time, alkaloids and anthraquinones were present only in its roots. Black fonio (Digitaria iburua) is, therefore, suggested as a viable candidate for breeding programs aimed at crop and yield improvement and
Comparing the Yield of Various Wheat Varieties in the Climatic Conditions of Maidan Wardak Province
Get PDFWheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a staple crop in Afghanistan that is vital to nutrition, food security, and farmer income. It is widely cultivated in different ecological regions in the country and is highly dependent on seasonal precipitation. Varieties with good agronomic performance help farmers earn more and improve their food security. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted during the winter season of 2022- 23 at the Agriculture Faculty Research Farm of Wardak University to compare the growth and yield of different wheat varieties in Wardak climatic conditions. The experiment comprised four different wheat crop varieties, V1: Solh 0.18, V2: Elham 0.15, V3: Wahdat 0.15, and V4: Diama 0, 17. Out of four varieties, Solh and Elham were winter wheat varieties, while the Daima and Wahdat were facultative wheat varieties. Three replicates of the experiment were set up in a randomized complete block design. Cultivation, irrigation, fertilization, weeding, and other fields were the same for all varieties. As a result, The V3 and V2 significantly increased plant height, number of tillers per m2, number of spikes per m2, number of spikelets per spike, number of grain per spike, number of grain per spikelet,1000 seed weight, and grain yield per ha, respectively, compared to the V4. Considering the performances of varieties, it seems that V3 and V2 have the potential to produce high-yield products in Maidan Wardak, Afghanistan. 
Comparison of Yield and Identification of Effective Traits on Yield of Some Wheat Genotypes in Baghlan Province
Get PDFWheat is Afghanistan's primary staple food crop, and improving its productivity is essential. Selecting high-yield varieties is a key approach to enhancing wheat production. This study aims to compare the average yields of 17 wheat genotypes cultivated in Baghlan province and identify traits that significantly impact yield. The experiment was conducted during the winter season of 2022-2023 at the research farm of the Agriculture Faculty of Baghlan University. The soil was sandy loam, and a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and 17 treatments was used. Fifteen traits of these genotypes were evaluated. Analysis of variance showed highly significant differences in all characteristics (at the <1% significance level). Kabali, Lalmi 17, Chonta, and Wahdat demonstrated the highest yields among the varieties. Correlation coefficient analysis revealed that grain yield per m² had a significant positive correlation with traits such as the number of grains per spike, grain weight per spike, spike weight, grain yield per plant, biological yield per plant, stem height, biological yield per m², and harvest index. In the regression analysis (stepwise method), the number of grains per spike, spikes per m², and 1000-grain weight remained in the final model (R² ≈ 0.86). Path analysis indicated that the number of grains per spike, spikes per m², 1000-grain weight, and days to flowering had the most substantial direct effects on grain yield. Cluster analysis classified the genotypes into three groups. Based on the results, the high-yielding varieties identified in this study are recommended for cultivation in Baghlan province and can be utilized in breeding programs. For future breeding efforts to develop high-yielding wheat varieties, the number of grains per spike, number of spikes per m², thousand-grain weight, and days to flowering should be prioritized as selection traits
Impact of Urbanization on the Standard of Living of Farmers in Injil District of Herat Province
Get PDFThis research was conducted to study the Impact of urbanization on farmers' living standards in the Injil district of Herat province of Afghanistan in 2019. Based on the research requirements, four villages within the radius of five kilometers of districts’ centers as villages with high urban influence and four villages outside the five kilometers of districts’ centers as villages with low urban influence have been selected. Ten farmers (a total of 80 farmers) were randomly selected from each town. An ex post facto research design was applied to this research. Pre-prepared questionnaires were distributed to the respondents, collected data were analyzed statistically, and the findings showed that forty percent of the farmers in the villages with high urban influence had high living standards. 30% and 20% of farmers in villages with high and low urban influence have taken up non-agricultural activities and turned to business. 95% of the farmers mentioned high production costs as the main reason for changing jobs to non-agricultural activities. This was followed by other reasons, such as the non-existence of a special market for agricultural products (90.00%). Ninety percent of the farmers continued their agricultural activities due to financial constraints, and 76.25% did not know about other jobs
Determination of Phenolic and Flavonoid Content in Ziziphus Jujuba Mill. Fruit Collected from Farah Province, Afghanistan
Get PDFThe fruit of jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.), a member of the Rhamnaceous family, is a valuable exporting dry fruit of Afghanistan. The plant is found in some provinces of the country, but Farah province produces it more. The purposes of this study were to standardize the jujube fruit collected from Farah Province and to determine the amount of its phenolic and flavonoid contents. Jujube fruit (JFs22) was collected from medicinal plant sellers in Kabul. After identification and pharmacogenetic evaluation of JFs22, the amount of phenolic and flavonoid content in the fruit was determined using UV-Vis spectroscopy. The test sample was Ziziphus jujuba. The JFs22 had 10.27±0.532% foreign matter, 4.58±0.33% moisture, 1.97±0.09% total ash, 0.26±0.04% acid insoluble ash, 50.69±0.30% water soluble extractive content, and 24.93±0.59% methanolic extractive value. The JFs22 had flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, phenolic substances, saponin, and mucilage as its active ingredients. The total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid (TFC) contents of the methanolic extract of JFs22 were 9.84±1.65 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) and 0.55±0.04 mg rutin equivalent (RE) in 3 grams of dry fruit weight, respectively. Although in most of the cases, the values obtained from the pharmacogenetic evaluation of JFs22 were lower than the standard, nevertheless, they are within the standard range available in pharmacopeias, and this may be considered a good quality of tested jujube fruit and notice for paying much attention for its processing. The determination of TPC and TFC of JFs22 showed that the Farah province jujube fruit has many polyphenols
Numerical and Symbolic Analysis for Mathematical Problem-Solving with Maple
Get PDFThis study explores the versatile capabilities of Maple, a widely used mathematical software, in addressing a wide range of numerical and symbolic computations essential for scientific and engineering applications. The researchers investigated Maple's diverse suite of tools, including numerical integration, nonlinear equation solving, polynomial interpolation, symbolic integration, and various numerical methods. Through an in-depth literature review, illustrated case studies, and detailed performance evaluations, the paper demonstrates the effectiveness and accuracy of Maple's computational approaches in dealing with complex problems in various areas of applied mathematics. This study's findings underscored Maple's tremendous value as a reliable and comprehensive software package for researchers, scientists, and professionals involved in advanced mathematical analysis and scientific computing. Furthermore, the paper highlighted Maple's versatility in creating high-quality three-dimensional plots, crucial for visualizing and analyzing complex mathematical and scientific data. Using either sets or lists, the ability to display multiple surfaces in a single three-dimensional plot showcases Maple's power in data visualization and communicating complex ideas. By positioning Maple as a powerful platform for solving versatile mathematical problems, this study highlights the software's indispensable role in advancing scientific discoveries and engineering innovations
Assessing Precipitation Impact on Vegetation Using Satellite Data and Remote Sensing Techniques: A Case Study of Yakawalang-Afghanistan
Get PDFWater is essential for all living creatures, including humans. Precipitation directly impacts plant growth; adequate water supply promotes sufficient growth, while drought conditions lead to inadequate growth and plant desiccation. This research investigates the effects of precipitation on vegetation in the Yakawalang District. The study utilizes NDVI vegetation data from the MODIS Terra satellite and precipitation data from the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) system. This study employed the non-parametric Mann-Kendall test to identify changes in the obtained data. The research covers the period from 2010 to 2020. Our findings indicate an increasing trend in precipitation and vegetation in the Yakawalang District during the study period. Interestingly, 2010 recorded the lowest precipitation (277 mm) but the highest vegetation index (0.100). Conversely, 2015 saw high precipitation (510 mm) but the lowest vegetation index (0.079). Further analysis of temperature data for 2015 suggests that low temperatures may have inhibited vegetation growth despite increased precipitation. This research concludes that precipitation alone does not guarantee increased vegetation. Other factors, such as appropriate temperature, are crucial in vegetation growth. These findings underscore the complex interplay of environmental factors in plant development and highlight the need for comprehensive approaches to understanding and managing vegetation dynamics
Comparison of Newton Raphson – Linear Theory and Hardy Cross Methods Calculations for a Looped Water Supply Network
Get PDFThis study conducts a comparative analysis between the Newton-Raphson and Hardy Cross methods for solving a looped main linear water network consisting of 4 pipes. The research findings demonstrate a high degree of unity between the outcomes obtained from these two methods, thereby validating their accuracy and reliability in solving water network equations. While the Newton-Raphson method shows faster convergence than the Hardy-Cross Method, both approaches effectively plan and analyze water networks. The analytical methodology employed in this study provides valuable insights into the applicability and efficiency of these methods in optimizing gravity main water networks. By combining the strengths of the Newton-Raphson and Hardy Cross methods, engineers and planners can make informed decisions to enhance the performance and sustainability of water distribution systems. The findings contribute to advancements in water infrastructure planning and design, aiming to ensure efficient and reliable water supply to meet the evolving needs of urban and rural communities