COVID-19 pandemic has made the future uncertain for many in general, but students in particular because institutes suddenly shutting down, while this new transition has hit everyone differently. Still, it has left significant pressure on the students specifically. This pandemic has changed the ways of living - financially, physically, emotionally, and mentally. This study analyses the impact of COVID-19 on students' mental health. It covers the globe, how they have been dealing with it, and which coping mechanisms worked best for them during this time. The study also discussed how different financial backgrounds had left a different psychological impact on the students. The methodology adopted utilizes all the previous research and their data, which helped us determine the most worked solution vs the least worked solution. In addition to literature, data from UNICEF about education and COVID-19 are utilized to determine the adverse impact of COVID-19. This study has also briefly touched on the impact of remote learning on students' mental health and how students have coped with this sudden yet uncertain new change. The research has come up with some proven solutions for students to perform better academically during this uncertain time without compromising their mental health.

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Zunaira Iftikhar 
Department of Physiotherapy & Allied Health Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan

Mir Sayed Shah Danish 
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan

Alexey Mikhaylov 
Research Center of Monetary Relations, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russian Federation

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The author(s) has received no specific funding for this article/publication.

Aquaculture systems and technologies are growing industries in many countries with high environmental and socio-economic advantages. Afghanistan, a landlocked country in South Asia with diverse geographic and ecological features, reported the lowest fish consumption rate (just above 2 kg per capita). After conflicts and instability in Afghanistan, aquaculture and fisheries sectors revived slowly, followed by a rapid production and demand increase in the last four years. However, Afghanistan can demonstrate with a long history of fishery and agriculture productions in the past, but the post-conflict and stability efforts are minimal. Therefore, Afghanistan's aquaculture and fisheries sectors are conventional and require more effort to study and propose viable solutions aligned with today’s technological and sustainability requirements. Adequate and historically documented information about Afghanistan's aquaculture and fisheries activities are pretty limited. This study covers previous aquaculture initiatives, establishes a thematic review of the current situation based on little available information, and follows by a foresight outlook of the future trends. Besides, it presents the essential factors associated with production-efficient aquaculture and fishery systems in light of economic and production performance indicators. These indicators are briefly discussed that contribute to system planners and practitioners in decision-making and optimizing economic and operational efficiencies. Besides of studying Afghanistan aquaculture and fishery sectors, the basic criteria for successful small scale aquaculture are also presented that can be counted as one of the recent compositions of the subject in terms of scholarly managed information within an exhaustive insight.

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Mir Sayed Shah Danish 
Strategic Research Project Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan

Abdul Matin Ibrahimi 
Strategic Research Project Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan

Mohammad Aman Yaqobi 
Strategic Research Project Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan

Shingo Udagawa 
Strategic Research Project Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan

Alexey Mikhaylov 
Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Moscow 125167, Russia

Nadeem Faisal 
Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology, Centre for Skilling and Technical Support, Balasore, Odisha, India

Tomonobu Senjyu 
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan

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The author(s) has received no specific funding for this article/publication.

Onion botanically named Allium cepa L. is a major crop of the Alliaceae family. It is one of the largest commercially grown vegetables in the world, including Afghanistan. This crop originated from Afghanistan and a large number of its wild varieties are observed in the country. The local variety named Safid e Paisaye was selected for this investigation due to its capacity for longer storage and higher demand in the market. Very little research effort has been made to improve its bulb quality and share in the market. This investigation is carried out at Kabul University agriculture research farm in coordination with Amity University Uttar Pradesh, to study the effect of land management and planting date on the physical properties of onion bulbs. The parameters studied in this investigation include bulb width (cm), length (cm), thickness (cm), geometric mean diameter, arithmetic mean diameter, shape index, sphericity, roundness, ellipsoid ratio, frontal surface, cross-sectional area, total area, number of scales, equatorial firmness (Kg/cm2), and polar firmness (Kg/cm2). The data is collected using required tools and was analyzed using R statistical analysis software. The results showed a significant effect of planting date on the physical properties of onion bulbs. The first planting date (10th May) recorded the largest bulb width (6.95 cm), length (4.42 cm), thickness (6.75 cm), geometric mean diameter (5.91 cm), arithmetic mean diameter (6.04 cm), frontal surface (24.26 cm2), cross-sectional area (28.84 cm2), and total area (110.63 cm2). The same planting date recorded the lowest values for bulb shape index (0.64) and sphericity (0.85). Land management practices did not have a significant effect on the physical properties of onion bulbs. None of the studied factors had a significant effect on bulb roundness, ellipsoid ratio, number of scales, equatorial firmness, and polar firmness. Conclusions: early planting of Safid e Paisaye onion seedlings can increase bulb size and improve bulb physical characteristics. This also helps to maintain the flat and round shape of onion bulbs. Land preparation method and plough depth do not have a significant influence on the physical properties of onion bulbs.

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Hamid Salari 
Department of Horticulture, Amity Institute of Horticulture Studies and Research, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India

B.S. Hansra 
Department of Horticulture, Amity Institute of Horticulture Studies and Research, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India

Yashpal Singh Saharawat 
Department of Soil Science, Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi, India

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The author(s) has received no specific funding for this article/publication.

The Zero Energy Cool Chamber (ZECC) is the needed evaporative cooling system introduced as one of the economical small scale on-farm storage in Afghanistan for enhancing the shelf life of tomato and other fresh crops. Tomato is one of the highest value crops, and due to excellent flavor, higher juice, and pulp content of tomato fruits of “Pearson” variety makes it further valuable. Hence, this study aims to understand the effect of ZECC and postharvest treatments on shelf life and quality of tomato’s fruits harvested at turning and light red colors’ stages. Fruits were treated with different concentrations of CaCl2 and mint leaf extract solutions and kept in both ZECC and ambient storages. The shelf life of tomato fruits extended up to 29 days under T4 (turning color fruits + 6% CaCl2 + ZECC). Under the same treatment, the highest firmness as 840.0 grcm-2 and the lowest PLW, Decay Losses and TSS were recorded as 1.80%, 0.0% and 4.400 brix, respectively; on the 20th day of the storage. The lowest shelf life under T11 (Light red color fruits + distilled water dip + Ambient condition) was about 8 days. As a result, the ZECC as an evaporative cooling system significantly enhanced the shelf life and maintained the quality of tomato fruits harvested at the turning color stage treated with 6% CaCl2.

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Sayed Samiullah Hakimi 
Horticulture Department, Agriculture Faculty, Kabul University, Kabul, Afghanistan
AIHSR, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India

Ravinder Raina 
AFAF, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India

Yashpal Singh Saharawat 
SSAC, Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi, India

1. [1] Rayaguru K, Khan MK, Sahoo NR (2010) “Water use optimization in zero energy cool chambers for short term storage of fruits and vegetables in coastal area” J Food Sci Technol (vol. 47, no. 4, pp. 437–441) https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-010-0072-7
2. [2] Lal Basediya A, Samuel DVK, Beera V (2013) “Evaporative cooling system for storage of fruits and vegetables - a review” J Food Sci Technol (vol. 50, no. 3, pp. 429–442) https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-011-0311-6
3. [3] National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA) - Afghanistan (2019) “Afghanistan statistical yearbook 2018-19” (https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Afghanistan-Statistical-Yearbook-2018-19_compressed.pdf) Accessed: 1 December 2020
4. [4] Dandago MA, Gungula D, Nahunnaro H (2017) “Effect of postharvest dip and storage condition on quality and shelf life of tomato fruits (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) in Kura, Nigeria” Pakistan Journal of Food Sciences (vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 61–71)
5. [5] Dhall RK, Singh P (2013) “Effect of Ethephon and Ethylene Gas on Ripening and Quality of Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) during Cold Storage” Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences (vol. 3, no. 6, pp. 1–7) https://doi.org/10.4172/2155-9600.1000244
6. [6] Dumas Y, Dadomo M, Lucca GD, Grolier P (2003) “Effects of environmental factors and agricultural techniques on antioxidantcontent of tomatoes” Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture (vol. 83, no. 5, pp. 369–382) https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.1370
7. [7] Pinheiro SCF, Almeida DPF (2008) “Modulation of tomato pericarp firmness through pH and calcium: Implications for the texture of fresh-cut fruit” Postharvest Biology and Technology (vol. 47, no. 1, pp. 119–125) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2007.06.002
8. [8] Saraswathy S et al, Preethi TL, Balasubramanyan S, Suresh J, Revathy N, et al. (2013) “Postarvest management of horticultural crops” Jodhpur, Agrobios India. 36–37 p. ISBN: 978-81-7754-322-3
9. [9] Islam MP, Morimoto T, Hatou K (2012) “Storage behavior of tomato inside a zero energy cool chamber” Agricultural Engineering International: CIGR Journal (vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 209–217)
10. [10] Islam MP, Morimoto T (2012) “Zero Energy Cool Chamber for Extending the Shelf-Life of Tomato and Eggplant” Japan Agricultural Research Quarterly: JARQ (vol. 46, no. 3, pp. 257–267) https://doi.org/10.6090/jarq.46.257
11. [11] Abiso E, Satheesh N, Hailu A (2015) “Effect of storage methods and ripening stages on postharvest quality of tomato (Lycopersicom esculentum Mill) cv. Chali” Annals. Food Science and Technology 2015 Targoviste, Romania, Valahia University Press, vol. 16 - pp. 127–137. (https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/9809/8738e65c315b8a4efc4c4adede4d821448ac.pdf?_ga=2.219181342.643294641.1587536878-321628801.1585267670) Accessed: 1 November 2019
12. [12] Arthur E, Oduro I, Kumah P (2015) “Postharvest Quality Response of Tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum, Mill) Fruits to Different Concentrations of Calcium Chloride at Different Dip- Times” American Journal of Food and Nutrition (pp. 1–8)
13. [13] Al-Sum BA (2013) “Antimicrobial activity of the aqueous extract of mint plant” SJCM (vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 110) https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjcm.20130203.19
14. [14] Moghaddam M, Pourbaige M, Tabar HK, Farhadi N, Hosseini SMA (2013) “Composition and Antifungal Activity of Peppermint (Mentha piperita) Essential Oil from Iran” Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants (vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 506–512) https://doi.org/10.1080/0972060X.2013.813265
15. [15] A LB, Dv S, V B (2011) “Evaporative cooling system for storage of fruits and vegetables - a review.” J Food Sci Technol (vol. 50, no. 3, pp. 429–442) https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-011-0311-6
16. [16] Senevirathna P, Daundasekera W a. M (2010) “Effect of postharvest calcium chloride vacuum infiltration on the shelf life and quality of tomato (cv. ’Thilina’)” Ceylon Journal of Science (Biological Sciences) (vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 35–44) https://doi.org/10.4038/cjsbs.v39i1.2351
17. [17] Moneruzzaman KM, Hossain ABMS, Sani W, Saifuddin M, Alenazi M (2009) “Effect of harvesting and storage conditions on the post harvest quality of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) cv. Roma VF” Australian Journal of Crop Science (vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 113–121)
18. [18] Casierra-Posada F, Aguilar-Avendaño ÓE (2008) “Quality of tomato fruits (Solanum lycopersicum L.) harvested at different maturity stages” Agronomía Colombiana (vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 300–307)
19. [19] Parker R, Maalekuu B (2013) “The effect of harvesting stage on fruit quality and shelf-life of four tomato cultivars (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill)” Agriculture and Biology Journal of North America (vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 252–259) https://doi.org/10.5251/abjna.2013.4.3.252.259
20. [20] Chepngeno J, Owino W, Kinyuru J, Nenguwo N (2016) “Effect of Calcium Chloride and Hydrocooling on Postharvest Quality of Selected Vegetables” Journal of Food Research (vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 23–40) https://doi.org/10.5539/jfr.v5n2p23
21. [21] Wu T, Abbott JA (2002) “Firmness and force relaxation characteristics of tomatoes stored intact or as slices” Postharvest Biology and Technology (vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 59–68) https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-5214(01)00133-8
22. [22] Sabreen ML, l-Ali Ghalib NH, l-Shimmery (2011) “Effect of ripening class and dipping in calcium chloride and the storage time on storage characters of tomato fruits. Lycopersicon esculentum Mill)” urnal Of Tikrit University For Agricultural Sciences (vol. 11, no. 4, )

The author(s) has received no specific funding for this article/publication.

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) is one of the important commercial high value crops of Afghanistan. Among the different local varieties grown in Afghanistan, the “Pearson” variety is most popular because of its good commercial value due to its uniform globe shape and medium to large size. The study is conducted to understand the effects of different harvesting stages and postharvest treatments on the shelf life and postharvest quality of tomatoes (Pearson variety) stored under the Pusa Zero Energy Cool Chamber (ZECC) at the research farm of Agriculture Faculty, Kabul University. This is the first time that ZECC is introduced in Afghanistan for enhancing fruit shelf life. The standard dimension ZECC was built with 165 x 115 x 67.6 cm dimensions. After harvesting tomatoes at different maturity stages (Turning, Pink, and Light red color stages), fruits were precooled, graded, and treated with different concentrations of CaCl2 and mint leaf extract solutions. Thereafter, the tomatoes were placed in plastic baskets and stored in the Zero Energy Cool Chamber. During storage period, Total Soluble Solids (TSS, 0brix), pH, firmness (gr cm-2), shelf life, pericarp thickness (mm), fruit volume (cc), and fruit density were recorded. Two factorial CRD design was considered with harvesting stages as the first factor and postharvest treatments as the second factor. The data revealed that the shelf life of tomatoes was extended up to 29 days under T2 (turning color fruits treated with 6% CaCl2) and followed by T8 (turning color fruits treated with 6% CaCl2 + 6% mint Leaves extract) up to 28 days. Under T2, quality parameters such as TSS and pH increased from 3.85%brix and 2.85 to 4.4 0brix and 3.4, respectively. Firmness, pericarp and volume decreased from 1750 grcm-2, 0.75cm and 135 cc to 840 grcm-2, 0.67cm and 127 cc, respectively. At the last observation, density remained unchanged (1.00 gr/cc). In conclusion, tomatoes harvested at the turning-color stage treated with 6% CaCl2 and followed by 6% CaCl2 + 6% mint leaves’ extract had a significant effect on the enhancement of shelf life and quality of tomatoes under ZECC condition.

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Sayed Samiullah Hakimi 
Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Kabul University, Kabul, Afghanistan

Neeru Dubey 
Amity International Centre for Post-Harvest Technology and Cold Chain Management, Faculty of Horticulture, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

Yashpal Singh Saharawat 
Department of Soil Science and Agriculture Chemistry (SSAC), Department of Soil Science, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India

1. [1] Agriculture Statistic Department (2017) Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (https://www.mail.gov.af/en) Accessed: 1 November 2019
2. [2] Saraswathy S, Preethi TL, Balasubramanyan S, Suresh J, Revathy N, et al. (2008) “Postharvest management of horticultural crops,” 1st ed. Rajasthan, India, Agrobios (India). 577 p. ISBN: 978-81-7754-322-3
3. [3] Arthur E, Oduro I, Kumah P (2015) “Postharvest Quality Response of Tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum, Mill) Fruits to Different Concentrations of Calcium Chloride at Different Dip- Times” American Journal of Food and Nutrition (pp. 1–8)
4. [4] Al-Sum BA, Al-Arfaj AA (2014) “Antimicrobial Activity of the Aqueous Extract of Mint Plant” Science Journal of Clinical Medicine (vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 110) https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjcm.20130203.19
5. [5] Moghaddam M, Pourbaige M, Tabar HK, Farhadi N, Hosseini SMA (2013) “Composition and Antifungal Activity of Peppermint (Mentha piperita) Essential Oil from Iran” Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants (vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 506–512) https://doi.org/10.1080/0972060X.2013.813265
6. [6] A LB, Dv S, V B (2011) “Evaporative cooling system for storage of fruits and vegetables - a review.” J Food Sci Technol (vol. 50, no. 3, pp. 429–442) https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-011-0311-6
7. [7] Islam MP, Morimoto T, Hatou K (2012) “Storage behavior of tomato inside a zero energy cool chamber” Agricultural Engineering International: CIGR Journal (vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 209–217)
8. [8] Islam MP, Morimoto T (2012) “Zero Energy Cool Chamber for Extending the Shelf-Life of Tomato and Eggplant” Japan Agricultural Research Quarterly: JARQ (vol. 46, no. 3, pp. 257–267) https://doi.org/10.6090/jarq.46.257
9. [9] Abiso E, Satheesh N, Hailu A (2015) “Effect of storage methods and ripening stages on postharvest quality of tomato (Lycopersicom esculentum Mill) cv. Chali” Annals. Food Science and Technology 2015 Targoviste, Romania, Valahia University Press, vol. 16 - pp. 127–137. (https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/9809/8738e65c315b8a4efc4c4adede4d821448ac.pdf?_ga=2.219181342.643294641.1587536878-321628801.1585267670) Accessed: 1 November 2019
10. [10] Casierra-Posada F, Aguilar-Avendaño ÓE (2008) “Quality of tomato fruits (Solanum lycopersicum L.) harvested at different maturity stages” Agronomía Colombiana (vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 300–307)
11. [11] Dhall RK, Singh P (2013) “Effect of Ethephon and Ethylene Gas on Ripening and Quality of Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) during Cold Storage” Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences (vol. 3, no. 6, pp. 1–7) https://doi.org/10.4172/2155-9600.1000244
12. [12] Dumas Y, Dadomo M, Lucca GD, Grolier P (2003) “Effects of environmental factors and agricultural techniques on antioxidantcontent of tomatoes” Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture (vol. 83, no. 5, pp. 369–382) https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.1370
13. [13] Parker R, Maalekuu B (2013) “The effect of harvesting stage on fruit quality and shelf-life of four tomato cultivars (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill)” Agriculture and Biology Journal of North America (vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 252–259) https://doi.org/10.5251/abjna.2013.4.3.252.259
14. [14] Chepngeno J, Owino W, Kinyuru J, Nenguwo N (2016) “Effect of Calcium Chloride and Hydrocooling on Postharvest Quality of Selected Vegetables” Journal of Food Research (vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 23–40) https://doi.org/10.5539/jfr.v5n2p23
15. [15] Senevirathna P, Daundasekera W a. M (2010) “Effect of postharvest calcium chloride vacuum infiltration on the shelf life and quality of tomato (cv. ’Thilina’)” Ceylon Journal of Science (Biological Sciences) (vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 35–44) https://doi.org/10.4038/cjsbs.v39i1.2351
16. [16] Pinheiro SCF, Almeida DPF (2008) “Modulation of tomato pericarp firmness through pH and calcium: Implications for the texture of fresh-cut fruit” Postharvest Biology and Technology (vol. 47, no. 1, pp. 119–125) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2007.06.002
17. [17] Wu T, Abbott JA (2002) “Firmness and force relaxation characteristics of tomatoes stored intact or as slices” Postharvest Biology and Technology (vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 59–68) https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-5214(01)00133-8
18. [18] Moneruzzaman KM, Hossain ABMS, Sani W, Saifuddin M, Alenazi M (2009) “Effect of harvesting and storage conditions on the post harvest quality of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) cv. Roma VF” Australian Journal of Crop Science (vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 113–121)

The author(s) has received no specific funding for this article/publication.

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is among the most cultivated vegetable crops in the world. Afghanistan is thought to be the origin as several local and wild varieties are found in different parts of the country. Safid e Paisaye is a local variety grown in central parts of Afghanistan in the Ghorband valley. This variety has long storability and high market demand among restaurants in the region, but little research has been done to increase the quality and its availability to the market to increase its market share in Afghanistan. Conducted under supervision of Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India, at Agriculture Faculty Research Farm of Kabul University, this investigation looks at plough depth, land preparation methods, and planting date on quality and yield of onion bulb; it also studied other cultural practices including irrigation and fertilization dose and frequency. The parameters studied in this investigation include neck diameter (cm), bulb diameter (cm), neck to bulb ratio, bulb weight (gr), bulb volume (cm3), bulb density (gr/cm3), Total Soluble Solids (TSS) (Brix), firmness (Kg/cm2), marketable yield (MT/Ha), and total yield (MT/Ha). The data revealed that planting date has significant influence on bulb quality and yield of onion. The highest bulb diameter (6.95 cm), bulb weight (121 gr), bulb volume (128 cm3), marketable yield (32.54 MT/Ha), and total yield (34.24 MT/Ha) and the lowest neck to bulb ratio (0.04) were recorded for the first planting date (seed sown in nursery on 10 March - seedlings planted in field on 10 May). Land preparation methods only had significant influence on marketable yield; the highest marketable yield (26.90 MT/Ha) was recorded for flat bed land preparation method. Plough depth had no significant influence on onion quality and yield. Bulb density, TSS,and firmness were not significantly influenced by factors studied in this investigation. Conclusions: early sowing and planting of onion variety Safid e paisaye can significantly increase yield and productivity. Flat bed land preparation method is more suitable for higher productivity of onion variety Safid e Paisaye as compared to raised beds.

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Hamid Salari 
Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Kabul University, Kabul, Afghanistan

B.S. Hansra 
Department of Horticulture, Amity Institute of Horticulture Studies and Research, Amity University, Noida, India

Yashpal Singh Saharwat 
Department of Soil Science, Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi, India

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The author(s) has received no specific funding for this article/publication.