Numerous epidemiological studies have highlighted the positive effects on health of wholegrain bakery products made from ‘old’ common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties. However, ‘old’ common wheat varieties display poor rheological properties, and there is limited information on its free asparagine (ASN) content, the main precursor to acrylamide during the baking process. This paper evaluates the effects of two seeding density levels (SD: 200 and 350 seed m⁻²), three nitrogen levels (NL: 35, 80 and 135 kg N ha⁻¹), and two sulfur levels (SL: 0 and 6.4 kg S ha⁻¹) towards improving the grain yield (GY), rheological characteristics, and ASN content of 14 ‘old’ common wheat varieties. SL and SD treatments significantly increased GY without decreasing the protein content (PC), while NL significantly increased the PC without affecting GY. The dough strength (W) increased significantly with increasing SL and NL but was significantly reduced with increasing SD. ASN significantly increased by 111% as NL increased from 35 to 135 kg ha⁻¹, while ASN significantly decreased by 85.1% with the SL treatment. The findings show that 135 kg N ha⁻¹ combined with 6.4 kg S ha⁻¹ can improve the technical performance of ‘old’ wheat wholegrain flours while maintaining the ASN as low as possible.

The response of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to the application of different rates of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) on different agro-climatic zones (ACZs) has not been well studied in Afghanistan. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine the impact of soil and climate on the responses of wheat to N and P fertilization, (2) quantify the specific N and P response of winter wheat for different ACZs, and (3) determine the economical application rates of N and P for farmers for each considered ACZs. This paper evaluates the effects of nitrogen levels (NL) at 35.28, 65, 95, and 120 kg N ha⁻¹ and phosphorus levels (PL) at 0, 50, 70, and 90 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹, respectively, in four locations (L) for two growing seasons (GS), on both yield and quality characteristics of winter wheat. Soil pH was the main environmental parameter affecting straw yield (SY), grain yield (GY), protein content (PC), and protein yield (PY). Winter wheat SY, GY, PC, and PY increased significantly (p < 0.05) with PL rates up to 50 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ and with NL rates up to 120 kg N ha⁻¹. NL was the most important parameter in determining PC, thus showing potential for further improvement in N management. The highest marginal rate of return was used as an index for the farmers to accept site-specific N and P fertilizer recommendations.

The lower common wheat productivity and quality are major constraints in Afghanistan. The objectives of this study were to (1) quantify the effect of soil and climatic parameters on the yield and quality of common wheat and (2) investigate the response of different wheat varieties to different N and P fertilization rates, to improve the yield and quality of common wheat. Three wheat varieties (DLN7, ZRDN, and KBL13), three phosphorus levels (PL) at 60, 90, and 120 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹, and three nitrogen ratios (NP) at 1:1, 1.25:1, and 1.5:1, respectively, in four locations (L), were evaluated. The higher average grain yield (GY), straw yield (SY), and starch yield (STY) were obtained with DLN7, followed by KBL13 and ZRDN, for all locations. As PL increased, GY, SY, protein yield (PY), and STY significantly increased in all locations. The PL significantly affected protein content (PC), gluten content (GC), and dough strength (W). The NP significantly improved PC, GC, and PY. Starch (ST), STY, and amylopectin (AP) increased significantly with increasing PL. The amylose to AP ratio increased significantly with increasing NP ratios. The findings show that at NP1/PL120, GY, SY, ST, and AP improved significantly, while at NP1.5:1/PL120, PC and GC improved significantly.

Replacing fallow periods with cover crops (CCs) is a key conservation agriculture measure to enhance soil health, yet its effectiveness depends on pedoclimatic conditions. However, the effects of CCs, such as tillage radish (TR), on soil health indicators under different environmental and management conditions remain insufficiently unexplored. This study assessed the effects of TR on soil health indicators related to carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) cycling in two locations (Signa –SN– and Cesa –CS–) under conservation agriculture with different pedoclimatic conditions. Biomass accumulation and P uptake by TR were significantly higher at SN than CS, likely due to more favourable soil and climatic conditions. The higher biomass at SN resulted in a threefold higher accumulation of soil organic carbon (SOC) in the upper 5 cm compared to CS. TR increased SOC, labile organic C, soil P test, and microbial biomass C, N, and P, although most effects varied by location. Soil P test increased with TR biomass, confirming its role in P mobilisation. At SN, TR improved nitrogen retention in the soil by about 34 mg N kg ⁻¹ compared to fallow management. These findings highlight TR's positive effects on some soil health indicators related to relevant ecosystem services, particularly C storage, microbial biomass, P mobilisation and recycling, and N balance, with site‐specific variations depending on pedoclimatic conditions. Future studies should explore the long‐term impacts of TR on soil fertility and nutrient cycling across diverse agroecosystems, involving different management practices and pedoclimatic conditions for solid practical recommendations.