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

Common bean (a major staple seed crop and legume) is susceptible to bean blight (Xanthomonas axonopodis). The study controlled bean blight in the laboratory and screen-house using botanicals and bactericides. Completely randomized and replicated design was used and recorded percentage germination, number of leaves, shoot length, seed weight, shoot fresh weight, disease incidence, and severity. In vitro, control of the pathogen depended on the application of antibiotics: tetracycline, cephalosporin, lincomycin, and erythromycin in order of efficacy, giving 52.2–100 % inhibition of the pathogen. In vitro, aqueous extracts of Eucalyptus globulus, Aframomum melegueta, Ricinus communis, and Acmella oleracea effectively inhibited 25.0–62.5 % of the bacterial growth. In screen-house, effects of chemical bactericides on Xanthomonas species revealed a significant difference in the number of leaves at 49 days after inoculation (DAI). Also, percentage inhibition of Xanthomonas species by the bactericides ranged from 46.2-97.5 % from 6-56 DAI. Shoot lengths were significantly different under the influence of plant extracts at 35 DAI and 49 DAI. Plant extracts caused 36.4-90.9 % percentage inhibition of the pathogen from 6-56 DAI. Formulation of agricultural applications using these control agents is required.

Ecuador is a small Andean country located in the western hemisphere of South America. The country has 361.747hm3 annual superficial water resources; As a result, Ecuador, in the last fifteen years (2005 to 2020), has been rapidly developing hydropower projects to triple the production in this renewable source. There were eight new hydroelectric plants constructed in Ecuador among 2007 and 2015 invested close to USD 6 billion the projects. Increased the energy response with renewables; for example, in 1985, the country produced 4 TWh, in 2005-registered 7 TWh, and to 2020, 24 TWh. According to the Electricity Corporation of Ecuador in 2020 reported that generated around 80% of all electricity through hydropower; thus, the article aims to critically analyze the development of hydropower in Ecuador in recent years and establish general energy projections to 2030 to expand the fields of knowledge and perspectives. The paper methodology is quantitative, according to scientific editorial sources, articles, investigative documents, and collects data from  government agencies that regulate energy development in Ecuador. It is conclusive between a projection’s calculation, Ecuador will need for the year 2030 around 43 TWh, 47 TWh, or 52 TWh to supply the energy grid, according to the scenarios proposed (low, medium, high). Although hydropower will be essential to contribute to this requirement, the country has a barrier because hydropower is very sensitive to external factors of diverse nature, generating an uncertainly future directly associated with climatic effects.

The moorland or paramo is a threatened ecosystem. The indiscriminate advance of the agricultural frontier is producing the loss of ecosystem services, especially water service. This research estimated the willingness to pay (WTP) of the water users corresponding to the Municipality of Riobamba for the conservation of the water service in the Micro-basin of the Chimborazo River (MCRCH). Four hundred and six surveys were applied by means of the double limit dichotomous contingent valuation method, using a maximum likelihood model in the Stata software. Four models were developed: simple limit, simple limit with other explanatory variables, double limit, and double limit with other explanatory variables, the latter being statistically more significant. As a result, it was determined that the WTP is USD 0.84 per month to conserve the water service of the MCRCH, value that increases if the home ownership variable is included in USD 0.04. The problem of climate change increases in USD 0.24, while the variable level of education decreases the WTP by USD 0.04.

The use of fossil fuels generates Greenhouse Gases (GHG), one of the main causes of global overheating, which has become a problem in recent decades. The use of second generation of biofuels has been perceived as an alternative to replace or reduce the use of fossil fuels; for this reason, the present work aims to obtain bioethanol from cocoa shell (Theobroma cacao) of the clone CCN-51 obtained in Los Rios Province, Ecuador, through a series of steps involving: a) alkaline pretreatment, b) enzymatic hydrolysis using two species of endophytic fungi from the same cocoa shell (Trichoderma reesei and Trichoderma ghanense) at different concentration and c) alcoholic fermentation using Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast. The amount of bioethanol obtained from the process was determined by gas chromatograph with a flame ionization detector (FID). The results show a moderate production of bioethanol ranging from 0.024 % v/v to 0.254 % v/v, which indicates that the cocoa shell (Theobroma cacao) of clone CCN 51 is a potential matrix to bioethanol production. 

Understanding the distribution patterns of species is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies, particularly in regions with high biodiversity and endemism like Ecuador. Amphibians, especially poison dart frogs (Dendrobatidae), serve as important bioindicators of environmental health, yet they face significant threats from habitat loss, climate change, and other anthropogenic factors. This study examines the distribution patterns of poison dart frog species across various provinces and protected areas in Ecuador, utilizing an updated database containing 48 species, 32 of which are endemic to the country. Cluster Analysis and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were applied to compare provinces and protected areas based on species richness, effectively identifying regions with higher and lower poison dart frog species presence. Additionally, ecological factors and the influence of protected areas on the distribution of these frogs are discussed. The findings reveal regions of high species richness, underscore the potential effects of environmental changes on poison dart frog communities, and highlight the crucial role of protected areas in safeguarding biodiversity. This study underscores the importance of integrating these analyses into conservation planning and decision-making processes, aiming to protect poison dart frogs and their habitats. By addressing these challenges, this research contributes complementary perspectives into preserving Ecuador’s unique amphibian diversity.

Globally, increasing competition for water and the effects of climate change have heightened the need to assess the sustainability of irrigation systems, particularly in strategic ecosystems such as the Andean páramos. However, there is a gap in methodological tools that integrate indicators adapted to community-based contexts and aligned with global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems (RAI Principles). This study aims to define indicators for evaluating the sustainability of community-managed irrigation systems in Ecuador. The MESMIS framework and the Delphi technique were applied using a participatory approach that involved community leaders, technicians, academics, and students. A total of 31 indicators were defined, organized into seven attributes and five dimensions (environmental, social, economic, political, and technological), and aligned with nine SDGs and seven RAI Principles. The results reveal critical issues related to water use efficiency, governance, equity, and system resilience. The proposed framework enables a comprehensive and context-specific evaluation of irrigation systems and provides a practical tool for public policy design. In conclusion, this research helps bridge the existing methodological gap and reinforces the role of community irrigation systems as key pillars for sustainable and resilient agriculture.

Ignorance of the rational use of insecticides leads farmers in developing countries such as Ecuador to exceed the limit of permitted applications. In addition, little is known about the effect of insecticides on entomofauna of Lupinus mutabilis (lupine). This study aims to analyze the effect of insecticides on pests and beneficial insects, with special emphasis on pollinators, without neglecting the effect on crop yield. The entomofauna associated with Andean Lupin was used as a reference. Seventy-nine agricultural fields were evaluated in Cotopaxi-Ecuador, with the treatments with chemicals, without chemicals, and without any control. Once the experiment was presented to the participating group, the farmers chose the management treatment for their fields with recommendations from the researchers. For insect monitoring, yellow sticky and plate traps were used to obtain variables of insect abundance and diversity. The use and application of pesticides was recorded using surveys developed with Survey 123. The results showed that the application of insecticides was not always effective in controlling the pests studied. In addition, the treatments evaluated had different effects according to the type of insect pollinator analyzed. On the other hand, the study also showed that certain pests, especially borers, could induce a positive response (70 % more flowers) that can actually benefit the final yield. These results suggest that pest controls for this crop should be more targeted and carried out before flowering to avoid causing damage to pollinators and borers, as well as natural enemies of pests.

Use of floral inducers and foliar fertilizers in coffee production can be used as a strategy to promote foliar and reproductive growth.  In order to evaluate the effect of the application of urea and flowering inducers on abscission, leaf development, flowering and fruiting of coffee trees, a trial was carried out at the Caripe Experimental Station, located in Boquerón, Caripe municipality, with 10°12'40" North latitude and 63°32'35" West longitude, at the altitude of 1 136 m, Venezuela, of the National Research Institute. Agricultural, between the months of March and November 2016. The following treatments were used: 1 ml L-1 of 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (Etephon); 1 ml L-1 of calcium oxide; 5 mg L-1 of gibberellic acid; 50 g L-1 of urea; 25 g L-1 of calcium nitrate and a control (without application). The application was carried out with a Jacto® manual sprayer, 20 days after the last harvest pass, with a cost of 400 L ha-1. The quantified variables were assessed by analysis of variance and the averages were compared by Scott and Knott at 5% probability. It was evident for the number of knots that Etephon and calcium nitrate presented the highest values. The number of total leaves and the number of active leaves presented the same statistical pattern as that observed for the number of nodes; while, for the number of new leaves, only Etephon stood out. The number of active knots treated with Etephon and calcium oxide spray showed superiority; the highest number of total flowers was observed with the spraying of calcium oxide, Etephon and calcium nitrate; Analogous behavior was presented by the variable number of flowers per node. In relation to the number of active nodes, fruits per node and total fruits, all sprayed products were favorable and different from the control.