Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

Background. Cacao is an important source of income, especially for small farmers in developing countries. However, its commercialization, and consequently its production, is threatened by the high levels of cadmium (Cd+2) in grains. Objective. This work was carried out with the objective of determining the differentiated uptake of six cacao genotypes in San Ramón, central Peruvian jungle. Methodology. The treatments consisted of the combination of different doses Cd+2 (0, 50, 100 and 150 ppm) with the genotypes CCN-51, ICS-60, ICS-95, POUND-7 and VRAE-99. Results. The results indicate that POUND 7 absorbed a greater amount of Cd+2 concentrated mainly in the root, while CCN-51 concentrated it mainly in the aerial tissues. In VRAE-99, a significant drop in stem height and diameter was observed, especially at the 150 ppm dose. This genotype was shown to be more sensitive to this metal at high doses (150 ppm) and decreased its photosynthetic rate and its efficiency in the use of water, which was confirmed by the increase in the internal carbon content. Implications. In general, it was found that POUND-7 is a promising genotype that can potentially be used as a rootstock because it is capable of accumulating Cd+2 mainly in the roots. Conclusion. Although cacao is considered a Cd+2 accumulator plant, this heavy metal can negatively affect the physiology of the plant as in the case of VRAE-99. Further studies are suggested to better understand how Cd+2 affects cacao physiology.

Background. The Afro-descendant communities inhabiting the lower portion of the Atrato River basin in Colombia maintain a close relationship with their environment's biological diversity and ecosystem. Although the wild birds in the basin have been studied for their richness and ecological value, there are no ethnobiological accounts, even though this resource has been traditionally used in these communities’ feeding. Even though most of such communities consist of fishers, farmer families, and wood merchants, they have a solid vocation for occasional hunting since the performance of their regular activities requires that they carry tools such as a shotgun for hunting the wild birds and mammals they come across in passing through the jungle or near a swamp. Objective. Know the traditional use of meat and wild bird by-products by two Afro-descendant communities in the lower basin of the Atrato River in northwestern Colombia. Methodology. Interviews were conducted with 21 key informants (local experts) as well as 173 household surveys. Mann-Whitney end Kruskal Wallis tests were performed to determine statistically significant differences using the R Software 4.1.2 and RStudio 1.4.1103 programs. Results. Wild bird diversity in the tropical rainforest provides a wide range of meat products for food security of the Afro-descendant communities that inhabit the lower portion of the Atrato River basin in Colombia. This assortment consists of at least 20 species, Galliformes foremost. Meat and viscera are generally consumed through preparations such as sancocho, stewed meat, fried meat, smoked meat, roasted meat, ground meat, or shredded meat, and no disease or discomfort for human health have thus far been associated with its consumption. Wild birds are consumed in all the households that were surveyed, and the most important for these communities are Cairina moschata sylvestris (mountain duck), Penelope ortoni (dusky-legged guan), Dendrocygna autumnalis (black-bellied whistling duck), Chauna chavaria (northern screamer), Colinus cristatus (crested bobwhite), Phalacrocorax brasilianus (crow duck) and Ortalis cinereiceps (little ground tyrant). Comparisons between the two communities showed that this resource becomes more critical the more isolated the territory. Implications. This study is an input to understand the importance of wild biological diversity for family feeding in human communities in tropical zones. Conclusions. The seven species indicated above constitute the basis for prioritizing wild birds for bioprospecting purposes in planning food and nutritional security for these communities, which also requires that the parties involved in biodiversity conservation pay particular attention to certain species being used for food.

Background. The associations of poaceae and fabaceae forage species are important to provide cattle with a balanced diet between proteins and carbohydrates; also to contribute to the sustainable management of soils. Objective. The objective of the research was to determine the effect of the natural biostimulant on the triticale forage components during staggered sowing associated with faba bean. Methodology. The research was carried out under a randomized complete block experimental design with three repetitions. The genetic material was a line of semi-late triticale and a local variety of faba bean. Applications of a biostimulant were made in two phenological of the triticale stages forage during the staggered sowing (0, 20 and 40 days after sowing the bean). The variables evaluated were percentage increase of foliar N in triticale, biomass in triticale and broad bean, green forage yield of triticale and faba bean, presence of Rhizobium nodules in faba bean and interspecific competition indices of the associated system. Implications. The establishment of a triticale-faba bean association requires certain planting arrangements, varieties and nutrition to avoid the effects of competition, which cause the dominance or displacement of any of the species. Conclusions. The application of biostimulant in triticale in the tillering stage 20 days after sowing the bean, the highest yield of triticale forage was found, allowing the increase in the concentration of foliar nitrogen (1.8%) and rhizobial nodules per plant (175.83) of broad bean; higher biomass (6.49 t ha-1) in triticale and higher amount of total forage (39.02 t ha-1). The competition indices indicate that the bean cultivation in association favors the total relative yield without showing aggressive behavior between crops (A = 0); triticale and faba bean share their competitive capacity (CR>1) according to staggered plantings with and without biostimulant in a certain phenological state of triticale.

Background: Prior to freezing goat semen, it is necessary to perform seminal washing by centrifugation to eliminate Phospholipase A, with the consequent loss of elements involved in maintaining sperm functions. Objective: Determine the adequate concentration of egg yolk (YH) for freezing goat semen in a lyophilized diluent based on Tris-glucose and citric acid, without performing seminal washing by centrifugation. Methodology: ninety ejaculates were evaluated with 12 replicates, collected twice a week by means of Artificial Vagina. Volume, motility, concentration, viability and total pathologies were measured. The fit ejaculates were united and divided into five portions, each one received the corresponding diluent: Tris-glucose-Ac. Citrus with YH (2.25%, 3.37%, 4.45% and 5.65%) and the control diluent containing lactose-skimmed milk (DC). The final sperm concentration in the samples was 1.5 x 109 mL-1. The equilibrium period was carried out at 5°C for 2 h. Subsequently, it was frozen in 0.1 mL tablets in nitrogen vapors, and stored for 7 d in liquid nitrogen, thawed at 37°C and the percentages of motility (30 min, 120 min and 240 min), viability and total pathologies (30 min and 120 min) were determined. The diluents were compared using a Binary Logistic Regression model. Results: YH (4.45%) and DC had the highest probability (P <0.05) of motility at all times. The highest probability (P <0.05) of viability was for YH (4.45%), and the lowest probability (P <0.05) of total pathologies for 4.45% YH and DC, at 30 min and 120 min. Implications: In the freezing of goat semen, it is possible to eliminate the seminal washing process by centrifugation. Conclusion: Goat semen can be frozen in a Tris-based lyophilized extender with 4.45% egg yolk, without performing seminal washing by centrifugation.

Background. Growth curves allow to predict the mature weight, the grow rate unto maturity, as well as the age and weight at inflexion point, to improve management on productive animals. Objective. To identify the best non-linear model (NLM), which best describe the growth curve of Creole sheep from the Mixteca region of Oaxaca, Mexico.  Material and methods. The live weights of 720 sheep (438 females and 239 males) between 1 and 60 months of age were used. The NLM evaluated were: Logistic, Gompertz, Michaelis-Menten, Weibull and Mechanist. Analyzes were performed with SAS JMP software. The criteria used to select the best model were the corrected Akaike information criterion (AICc), Bayesian (BIC) and coefficient of determination (R2). Results. For females, the Mechanist and Weibull models adjusted better de data (lowest AICc, BIC), but not being differences with the Michaelis-Menten and Gompertz. For males the lowest AICc, BIC and the highest R2 (0.84) values were for the Logistic, Gompertz and Mechanist models. Implications. The knowledge of the parameters of the growth curves of the creole sheep of the Mixteca region could be used for taking better decisions on the management of this type of sheep. Conclusion. According to the models, the inflection point of the growth curves was reached at a young age and a lower body weight in females than in males; therefore, different models should be used to study the growth kinetics between sexes.

Background: Nitrogen (N) plays an important role within milk production systems (MPS), as an indicator of environmental and economic efficiency. Objective. The objective was to determine utilisation of N offered in the ration and estimate GHG from the enteric fermentation and manure management in 12 small-scale dairy farms under two feeding strategies. Methodology. Six farms had their herds in confinement under a cut-and-carry feeding system, and six farms implemented day grazing of mixed pastures, both systems used commercial concentrates as a supplement. Cows in milk production and their replacements were considered in the study. Pasture intake was calculated by difference in dry matter intake, using 3.2 % of live weight as intake factor. The N utilisation was determined by difference between N intake and excretion at each farm during a whole year operation. The GHG emissions were estimated following Tier 2 guidelines rom IPCC. Differences in feeding strategies were analysed with a completely random block design using farms as a blocking factor. Results. Mean farm size was 5.0 ha for cut-and-carry and 16.0 ha for grazing, and dry matter feed self-sufficiency was 62 and 83% respectively, considering 12% and 22% refusals for each strategy. There were no statistically significant differences (P>0.05) for any of the N utilisation components (N in diet, N in milk, N in manure, NH3 and N2O or GHG emissions. Implications. This is a novel report on assessing N fluxes and GHG emissions from small-scale dairy systems in Mexico and Latin America. Conclusions. In general, 87.6% of the N consumed is excreted in manure and urine. The feeding strategies did not diverge enough to have an impact on GHG emissions.

Background. The nutrient content of Moringa oleifera, such as vitamin A and B, calcium, iron, copper, carbohydrates and protein, make this shrub an option as a supplement in poultry feed. Objective. To evaluate the effect of the incorporation of three levels of Moringa oleifera in the diet of semi-heavy Plymouth Rock hens, on post-moult recovery and egg quality. Methodology. Ten hens per treatment were randomly assigned to one of three levels of moringa (0%, 3% and 6%, for T1, T2 and T3, respectively), 11d after the start of the moult a corn-based diet was provided, plus the percentage of moringa corresponding to each treatment. According to the moult method used, 10 g were increased every two days until completing 20 d and / or reaching 120 g of feed per bird. On day 31, the laying diet plus moringa was restarted for 20 more days. The hens and the egg were weighed, registering the following variables: number, weight, measurements (width and length) of the egg, weight of the hen, breast measurements (length and width), culling test (horizontal and vertical), feed consumption, pH, height and diameter of the white and the yolk, and thickness of the shell. Results. No significant differences (P> 0.05) were observed between the aforementioned variables, except for the thickness of the shell, which was thicker (P <0.05) for the eggs produced by the hens subjected to the T2 and T3 treatments. Implications. Moringa oleifera is a viable option to replace soy or fish meal as a source of protein in poultry feed, in addition to improving the quality of the egg in relation to its resistance.

Background. In the new global economy, cocoa is an important crop. However, far too little attention has been paid to the nutritional aspects. On the other hand, nitrogen is the most important nutrient in crop production, and mineral nitrogen fertilizers are the most widely used by farmers. Improving the efficiency of nitrogen uptake and utilization could potentially increase crop yields and quality, as well as reduce nitrogen fertilization and environmental pollution. Objective. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of three nitrogen sources on morphological characteristics, yield and quality of CCN-51 cocoa, and soil chemical characteristics in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Methodology. A randomized design was established with 4 treatments with the same N dose, but varying the source (amide: urea, calcium nitrate, NC, and ammonium sulfate, SA), plus a control without N application. The investigated variables are soil chemical characteristics, shoot growth, fruit morphology, seed chemical characteristics, production and yield estimates, and agronomic efficiency of the sources. Results. NC maintained soil pH at 5.29 points compared to SA and urea, which acidified at a higher rate (4.32 and 3.96), leading to an increase of N and a decrease Ca in the soil. SA increased the fat content in the cocoa seed (54.1 %), with a higher number of fruits per plant (16.7) and, therefore, a better yield (0.799 t/ha). Implications. These results provide basic information on the nitrogen source effects and cocoa nutrition to be considered for future research. Conclusion. The findings suggested that NC conserves soil pH better than the other sources. SA increases production and fat content, so it can be considered the most efficient. 

Introduction: pulmonary thromboembolism is a clinical situation triggered by the obstruction of the pulmonary arteries by a thrombus in situ or from the venous system.Objective: to characterize deceased patients with a diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism treated at the "Dr. Leon Cuervo Rubio” Teaching Surgical Clinical Hospital.Method: observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study of deceased patients diagnosed with pulmonary thromboembolism, treated at the “Dr. León Cuervo Rubio” Teaching Surgical Clinical Hospital between January 2018 and December 2019. The universe consisted of 63 patients with a pathological diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism, working with all the patients.Results: There was a predominance of male patients (63,49 %) and age groups between 71 and 80 years (36,51 %), with age over 65 years (80,95 %) and immobility due to more than 72 hours (49,21 %) as the most common risk factors. Predominance of patients with tachycardia (98,41 %) and tachypnea (96,82 %) as clinical manifestations was found. 65,7 % of the patients presented occlusion of large caliber branches, and pulmonary infarction in 89% of the patients.Conclusions: It is concluded that male patients, past the sixth decade of life and immobilized for several days, are likely to die in the event of pulmonary thromboembolism; presenting tachycardia and tachypnea as clinical manifestations. Occlusion of large caliber branches, as well as pulmonary infarction, occur to a great extent in patients.