A research study was established at the research farm of the University of Agriculture, Peshawar during winter 2018–2019. Commercial biochars were given to the experimental site from 2014 to summer 2018 and received 0.95, 130 and 60 tons ha⁻¹ of biochar by various treatments viz., (Biochar₁) BC₁, (Biochar₂) BC₂, (Biochar₃) BC₃ and (Biochar₄) BC₄, respectively. This piece of work was conducted within the same study to find the long-term influence of biochar on the fertility of the soil, fixation of N₂, as well as the yie1d of chickpea under a mung–chickpea cropping system. A split plot arrangement was carried out by RCBD (Randomized Complete Block Design) to evaluate the study. Twenty-five kilograms of N ha⁻¹ were given as a starter dosage to every plot. Phosphorous and potassium were applied at two levels (half (45:30 kg ha⁻¹) and full (90:60 kg ha⁻¹) recommended doses) to each of the four biochar treatments. The chickpea crop parameters measured were the numbers and masses of the nodules, N₂ fixation and grain yield. Soil parameters recorded were Soil Organic Matter (SOM), total N and mineral N. The aforementioned soil parameters were recorded after harvesting. The results showed that nodulation in chickpea, grain yield and nutrient uptake were significantly enhanced by phosphorous and potassium mineral fertilizers. The application of biochar 95 tons ha⁻¹ significantly enhanced number of nodules i-e (122), however statistically similar response in terms of nodules number was also noted with treatment of 130 tons ha⁻¹. The results further revealed a significant difference in terms of organic matter (OM) (%) between the half and full mineral fertilizer treatments. With the application of 130 tons ha⁻¹ of biochar, the OM enhanced from 1.67% in the control treatment, to 2.59%. However, total and mineral nitrogen were not statistically enhanced by the mineral fertilizer treatment. With regard to biochar treatments, total and mineral N enhanced when compared with the control treatment. The highest total N of 0.082% and mineral nitrogen of 73 mg kg⁻¹ in the soil were recorded at 130 tons ha⁻¹ of biochar, while the lowest total N (0.049%) and mineral nitrogen (54 mg kg⁻¹) in the soil were recorded in the control treatment. The collaborative influence of mineral fertilizers and biochars was found to be generally non-significant for most of the soil and plant parameters. It could be concluded that the aforementioned parameters were greater for treatments receiving biochar at 95 tons or more per hectare over the last several years, and that the combination of lower doses of mineral fertilizers further improved the performance of biochar.

| The research study entitled“Postharvest life of guava ( Psidiumguajava L.) varieties as affected by storage intervals at room temperature” was conducted at post harvest laboratory, Department of Horticulture, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, during the year 2015. The research work was conducted in Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications and two factors i.e. guava varieties (Safeda and Karela) and storage intervals (0, 3, 6, and 9 days). The data was recorded onfirmness (kg/cm 2 ), weight loss (%), moisture contents (%), taste, decay fruits (%) and total soluble solids (TSS). The experimental result showed that both the varieties were significantly influenced the fruit decay (%), TSS (%), taste and moisture content (%), while firmness (kg/cm 2 ) and weight loss (%) was found non-significant. Also storage interval significantly affected all the parameters. Interactive affect of varieties and storage intervals significantly affected all the parameters except firmness (kg/cm 2 ), taste and weight loss (%). The fruits of safeda variety lowest fruit decay (5.82%), more TSS (11.53 0 Brix), taste (5.17) and moisture content (42.68%), while fruit store for zero days no fruit decay (%), weight loss (%), less firmness(1.43 kg/cm 2 ) and more moisture content (44.24%), however on 9 days storage more TSS (15.13 0 Brix) and taste (6) was observed. The fruit store for 9 days and safeda variety perform better on all the parameter, so recommended for postharvest life extension of guava fruits under uniform room temperature 21 0 C.

The core findings of this study revealed that physicochemical properties fluctuate with soil texture and soil class. Sandy soil showed inconsistent variation with geographical directions. Bulk density, lime content, EC and pH decreases with topography and soil elevation while these parameters increased from surface to subsurface soil within a profile. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and micronutrient increased with increase in elevation. All these parameters decreased from surface to subsurface soil. Water holding capacity and saturation percentage increased with increase in elevation, while decreased from surface to subsurface soil. Based on the critical level of phosphorus, the altitude was low in available P and available P was quite low than the crop requirements and so they will be classified as phosphorus-deficient soils.

The rapid climate changes are imperative to evaluate and find ways that suite to maize-specific varieties either hybrids or varieties with appropriate sowing dates to avoid the critical growth stages from the stresses due to climate condition. Sowing at proper time and selection of good verity are the most important factor cropping system. A field experiment was conducted at the University of Agriculture Research Farm during summer 2016 to evaluate the influence of sowing dates on varying maize varieties grown under the agro-climatic condition of Peshawar. The experiment was laid out in RCBD (randomized complete block design) were replicated three times with split plot arrangement. Sowing dates (10 June, 21 June, 1 July, 11 July, 22 July) were allotted to main plot and varieties (Iqbal, Azam, Jalal, Babar, SB-989, SB-909, SB-292, CS-200, CS-220, and W-888) were placed in the subplot. The subplot size was 5 m × 3 m. Experimental result showed that maximum days to tasseling (60), days to silking (65), tasseling and silking interval (6), plant height (185 cm), biological yield (21745 kg ha-1), 1000 grain weight (413 g) grain yield (5162 kg ha-1) were observed in different sowing intervals. Among the different verities the maximum days to tasseling (57), days to silking (62), tasseling and silking interval (7). Plant height, (176 cm), biological yield (17279 kg ha-1), 1000 grain weight (410 g), grain yield (5113 kg ha-1). It is concluded from the result that early sowing and tested variety W-888 give higher grain yield and yield traits of maize.