په افغانستان کې د جلغوزي راټولول، سمون او ساتنه

Abstract

    The appropriate time for harvesting pine nuts in Afghanistan depends on the climatic conditions of the forested areas, with the collection starting in late August and continuing until the end of November. After collection, the cones need to be properly dried. Various methods can be used for drying the cones, such as direct sun exposure, solar drying tunnels, and solar dryers. After drying and opening the cones, the nut should be separated from them, and different techniques could be employed for this purpose. After separating the pine nuts (cones), they must be properly dried again, which can be done using either sunlight or artificial heat. If the pine nut is properly dried, its storage life is extended. Pine nuts with their shells could be stored well for 3-6 months, but if the nut is without its shell, its storage life is reduced to two months. After drying, the pine nuts could be stored properly in hermetic bags at room temperature. In storage, the fungus Penicillium citrinum is the most common cause of disease. Additionally, the Indian meal moth and the Naval Orangeworm are among the significant pests. If live insects are found in the storage, fumigation with carbon dioxide, methyl bromide, or phosphine (PH₃) could be used to control them. Future research on Chilgoza pine production in Afghanistan should focus on improving pest and disease management, optimizing harvesting and drying techniques, and exploring advanced storage solutions to extend shelf life.