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

Background: The pallar (bean) is the second most representative species of the Phaseolus genus, with the departments of Ica and Lambayeque being the regions with the highest concentration of its cultivation. Thus, there is great cultural and historical interest in the Moche pallar (bean). Remains of the pallar (bean) have been found in caves and on Moche ceramics. These pallars are characterized by the perfect duality of the seed's black and white color. Objective: To carry out the agromorphological characterization through 15 qualitative descriptors and 12 quantitative descriptors; and to historically analyze the importance of the Moche pallar. Methodology: During the months of May to December 2023, an agromorphological characterization was carried out on 10 Moche pallar plants. Descriptive statistical analysis, means, standard error, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation were used. For the historical analysis, a systematic review was carried out to understand the history and the various interpretations of the seed color of the Moche pallar. Results: The Moche pallar belongs to the Big Lima cultigroup with black and white seeds, whose pods presented 3.50 locules and measured 120.36 mm in length and 16.10 mm in width; and the seeds reached a length of 24.33 mm and a width of 14.46 mm with a mass of 1.22 g; while the average number of pods per plant was 382.22 and the average seed mass was 1123.43 g; and the historical analysis highlighted the importance for the Mochica culture of the combination of black and white in the seed tegument. Implications: The agromorphological characterization of the pallar contributes to the conservation of biodiversity and the historical analysis provides important information that will allow the valorization of this ancestral pallar. Conclusions: The agromorphological characterization of the Moche lima bean allowed for the identification of qualitative and quantitative descriptors, which would facilitate its dissemination and conservation in Peru; while the historical analysis revealed the significance of the combination of the white and black colors of its integument.

Background: School gardens implemented at the international, national and regional levels have proven to be a valuable tool for education and sustainable development. However, in the region of Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, there is little permanence of these projects, which affects efforts to offer comprehensive environmental education and promote healthy eating in the student population, becoming a crucial point of study. The descriptive study was carried out at the Federal Secondary School No. 4 David Alfaro Siqueiros, Xalapa city. Objective: To evaluate the impact of a school garden on the learning, links and intrinsic purposes of the students, considering these aspects as factors for the self-determination of students to act on issues of sustainable agriculture and healthy eating. Methodology: The research was developed in two phases: 1) a qualitative survey on a Likert scale was designed, validated (experts and statistically) and applied to students to obtain their initial opinions; 2) after the implementation of the garden and the holding of workshops related to agriculture and healthy eating, a second survey was applied to 80 students who actively participated in the workshops to determine the changes in their opinions at the end of the school year. Results: The results show that the intervention process failed to generate statistically significant changes in learning about what the school garden entails, the plant growth processes, planting, care, harvesting and subsequent processing of vegetables for consumption; in the bonds that develop when working as a team and or differences in the meaning that working in the school garden has for them. Implications: The analysis of the observations in the process and the discourse analysis made it possible to identify factors that affected the process and determine the importance of the continuation of the process. Conclusions: Although the garden is an important teaching tool, a longitudinal study is required to analyze the various factors that affect the permanence of the school garden.

Antecedentes. El cultivo de chile (Capsicum spp.) se extiende en todo el territorio mexicano albergando una gran variedad a nivel mundial. Sin embargo, la sanidad de los cultivos disminuye por la incidencia de microorganismos patógenos como los del género Fusarium, el cual es uno de los principales agentes causantes de marchitez vascular y mortalidad de las especies vegetales. El uso de herramientas moleculares permite una identificación rápida y fiable de los organismos a nivel especie, y ayuda a caracterizar la sintomatología y patogenicidad que ocasionan en los huéspedes, lo cual es importante para el manejo y control en campo. Objetivo. Identificar molecularmente cepas fúngicas aisladas de chile Siete Caldos (C. frutescens) mediante ITS y evaluar su patogenicidad en C. frutescens y C. chinense. Metodología. Se aislaron e identificaron mediante técnicas tradicionales (cámara húmeda y aislamiento en medios de cultivo específicos) y moleculares (ITS1 e ITS4) cepas de Fusarium de plantas de chile Siete Caldos (C. frutescens L.) y se evaluó su patogenicidad en C. chinense Jacq. y C. frutescens. Resultados. Se identificaron siete cepas mediante claves taxonómicas denotadas como: 44hp, 45ta, 46ta, 46hp, 47hp, 45hpssc y 45hpmcsc. A partir de las regiones amplificadas se obtuvo el árbol filogenético mediante el método maximum-likelihood basado en la comparación de secuencias ITS, se identificaron y agruparon los aislados fúngicos, los cuales correspondieron a cepas de F. oxysporum reportadas en la base de datos del NCBI. La prueba de patogenicidad evidenció la presencia de síntomas en C. frutescens, siendo la cepa 45ta la de mayor virulencia (80 % de incidencia en plantas inoculadas). Sin embargo, bajo las técnicas de evaluación empleadas, las plantas de C. chinense no presentaron síntomas de marchitez. Implicaciones. La mayor incidencia de la cepa 45ta en C. frutescens podría deberse a la afinidad de F. oxysporum por su hospedero (chile Siete Caldos), mientras que la ausencia de síntomas en C. chinense podría deberse a una infección asintomática. Conclusiones. Las cepas aisladas tuvieron nula variabilidad en su identificación molecular, pero no todas mostraron la misma capacidad infectiva en la prueba de patogenicidad. Por ello, es necesario realizar pruebas con mayor especificidad para determinar si existen subespecies de los aislados estudiados.

Background: The accidental invasive insects pose a growing threat to agricultural productivity and food security worldwide. Objective: To report for the first time the pepper thrips Thrips parvispinus in Costa Rica. Methodology: Specimens were collected from May to October 2024 in commercial crops Capsicum annuum, Citrus sinensis, Coriandrum sativum, Cucumis sativus, and ornamental Croton spp. in the western region of the country, encompassing both protected environments and greenhouses. The thrips identification was carried out using external morphological characteristics and partial sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Results: Morphological and molecular analyses confirmed the species identity of T. parvispinus. Implications: The observed damage included feeding scars on young leaves, margin curling, necrosis of foliar tissue, and floral deformation; with relevant implications for the health of these crops in Costa Rica. Conclusion: The detection of this invasive species represents a phytosanitary concern in Central America and underscores the necessity for continuous monitoring and implementation of effective insect management strategies throughout the region.

Background: Silvopastoral systems, agroforestry with grazing livestock, have a high capacity for carbon sequestration in tree biomass and enhance biological diversity in grasslands, contributing to counteract the negative effects of deforestation led by the expansion of open pasturelands. Objective: To assess tree structure, species diversity, and carbon storage in biomass components in three different silvopastoral systems (SPS): 1) scattered trees in pasture (STP), 2) live fences (LF), 3) forest plantations (FP), and compare them with pasture monoculture (PM). Methodology: Carbon stock in biomass, relative importance value of tree species, Shannon´s biodiversity, Pileou´s evenness, and Sorenson´s similarity indices were calculated in forty sampling plots, ten for each system in Tabasco, Mexico. Results: Biomass stock varied significantly (P<0.05) between SPS and PM. FP had the highest carbon stock in the biomass pool with an average of 73.5 MgCha-1, followed by STP (45.8), LF (20.8), and PM (9.1). STP system tended to be more diverse with a relatively even distribution of tree species, while tree density per hectare was greater in FP. Species composition and their relative value indices varied between SPS but there was a medium level of similarity between them. Furthermore, we determined an optimum basal area of 14.5 m2ha-1 to harmonize the trade-offs between carbon sequestration in woody biomass and forage production in grass (herbaceous) biomass in these SPS. Implications: These results are useful to farmers and policymakers in developing and incentivizing climate-smart livestock production systems in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Conclusion: SPS are biodiverse and accumulate more carbon in biomass than pasture monoculture. The STP was the most biodiverse, followed by LF and FP, while carbon storage was higher in FP followed by STP and LF. An optimal tree cover with 14.5 m2ha-1 basal area can balance the trade-off between carbon sequestration and forage productivity in SPS. 

Background: Little is known about the long-term physiological effects of salicylic acid (SA) and hydrogen peroxide H2O2 on sprouting potato tubers and their possible short- and long-term effects as signaling molecules. Objective: To evaluate the effects of SA and H2O2 on the control of minituber sprouting. Methodology: The following research was carried out at the INIFAP facilities, Sitio Experimental Metepec, Edo. of Mexico. Microplants were transplanted into the soil in a greenhouse and sprayed twice a week with H2O2 (1, 5 mM)  or SA (10-5, 10-6 M), the number and fresh weight of minitubers per plant were evaluated. Subsequently, the minitubers were stored for sprouting, keeping half of each treatment at 8 °C and the other half at 18 °C. After 60 days of storage at 8 °C, the percentage, length and number of shoots per tuber were evaluated. Results: Low concentrations of H2O2 and SA significantly improved the sprouting percentage, while high concentrations significantly reduced it. Shoot length was reduced by 40% after treatment with 5 mM H2O2 and 10-6 M SA. After 60 days of storage at 18 °C, low concentrations of these molecules such as 1 mM H2O2 and 10-6 M SA reduced the sprouting percentage. The number of shoots per minituber increased by 10-5 M SA. Implications: This work demonstrated the potential of SA and H2O2 for practical application and tuber sprouting research. Conclusion: The results suggest that SA and H2O2 induce postharvest physiological effects on the sprouting of minitubers from the moment the plant is in cultivation.

Antecedentes. En la región pacifica de las provincias centrales de Panamá los árboles de marañón (Anacardium occidentale L.) y mango (Mangifera indica L.) en patios de residencias y comerciales son utilizados para obtener frutos que complementan la dieta alimenticia de la población panameña. La importancia de conocer la ácarofauna asociada a estos frutales, radica en conocer las interacciones de los grupos funcionales de ácaros presentes sobre todo fitófagos y depredadores que pueden tener un impacto sobre el desarrollo de dichos frutales. Objetivo. Identificar ácaros asociados a mango y marañón en la región pacifica de las provincias centrales de Panamá. Metodología. Se realizaron colectas en las provincias de Coclé, Herrera, Los Santos y Veraguas, a razón de tres localidades por provincia, para un total de 12 localidades por frutal, durante el período comprendido entre junio 2022 y diciembre de 2023. Para ello se colectó hojarasca del suelo próximo a la base del tronco, follaje de la parte media y copa de los árboles. Se registraron las capturas de especímenes de ácaros asociados a frutal, provincia, período del año, estrato dentro de la planta, hábito alimenticio y la identificación de morfoespecies sobresalientes dentro de las capturas. Resultados. Se capturaron 1807 especímenes de ácaros, de los cuales 55 % (999) se encontraron en mango y 45 % (808) en marañón.  Se identificó que existen dentro del estrato de las plantas de mango y marañón diversas morfoespecies de ácaros. Dentro de las especies fitófagas destacó la presencia de Brevipalpus yothersi Baker, Oligonychus sp., Cisaberoptus kenyae Keifer y Tetranychus urticae Koch. Implicaciones. Está investigación involucra la importancia de conocer la diversidad de ácaros dentro de diversos estratos de las plantas.  Conclusiones. En la región de las provincias centrales de Panamá se determinó la presencia de una diversidad de especies de ácaros fitófagos, depredadores, fungívoros y detritívoros dentro del agroecosistema que ofrecen los estratos de los árboles de mango y marañón.

Background. This study examines cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) genotypes' water stress resistance molecular and physiological processes. It analyzes the association between VuNCED1 and P5CS gene expression, antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, APX, GR), and growth traits under different irrigation levels. Objective. Gene expression analysis and physiological responses to water stress will be used to assess the drought tolerance of Local, Ramshorn, and Black Crowder cowpea genotypes. Methodology. Split-plot within randomized complete block design was used in Babil Governorate, Iraq. Main plots had three irrigation levels (50 %, 65 %, and 80 % of available water depletion), which represent low, moderate, and high-water stress levels, respectively, to mimic field conditions in arid regions. While subplots had three cowpea genotypes. Important measurements were VuNCED1 and P5CS gene expression, antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD, CAT, APX, GR), and growth-related characteristics. Results. VuNCED1 and P5CS genes activated antioxidant defenses and maintained cellular homeostasis, thereby improving drought tolerance. Black Crowder and Ramshorn genotypes exhibited 30 % and 25 % higher gene expression levels, respectively, compared to the local genotype. Similarly, antioxidant enzyme activity was 35 % and 28 % greater in Black Crowder and Ramshorn genotypes, respectively, relative to the local genotype. Yield increases of 40 % and 25 % were observed in Black Crowder and Ramshorn genotypes, respectively, over the local genotype. Moreover, Black Crowder had 45 % more chlorophyll than Ramshorn and 30 % more than the local genotype, based on average measurements under identical conditions. Implications. Genetic and physiological modifications improve drought resilience, according to the study. The study reveals that Black Crowder and Ramshorn genotypes may be suitable for arid environments due to their better yields and stress resistance. Conclusion. Gene expression and physiological changes are crucial to crop water stress management, according to this study. The Black Crowder and Ramshorn genotypes are promising drought-resistant crop producers due to their flexibility and improved performance under low water conditions.

Background. Currently, sustainable management of production systems is the key to the development of agriculture in Mexico. Objective. To analyze the sustainability of agricultural practices carried out by maize producers in the ejido of San Bartolo, municipality of Acayucan, Veracruz, Mexico. Methodology. The analysis method of this research was mixed, and the instrument was the interview, the information was processed in the Dyane program, and the sustainability indicators were developed from three transversal axes (social, economic and productive). The data were analyzed using Spearman's R correlation. Results. The data showed low sustainability values in the three transversal axes (ranging from 25 to 35%), although the profitability was 1.05, which is very low. Likewise, the correlation analysis indicated that competitiveness may be compromised, since most of the income in the area corresponded to social support, without encouraging productivity, coupled with inefficient marketing channels. Lack of knowledge of technological packages for corn crop management leads to inadequate fertilization and incorrect use of agrochemicals, increasing production costs and affecting yield, crop profitability and the environment. Implications. In future research it would be prudent to expand the study to analyze the perspective of decision makers, in order to generate public policies in favor of economic and productive sustainability. Conclusion. The sustainability analysis indicated that the agricultural practices carried out by the producers of San Bartolo were very low in the productive (0.31), social (0.35) and economic (0.25) axes, therefore, it is recommended to increase performance through technical advice and the generation of sustainable and profitable production strategies.