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

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of foliar fertilization with alternative zinc (Zn) sources on the nutritional status and growth of young ´Valencia´ orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) trees grown in calcareous soil (pH = 8.1). Nine treatments were tested: the commercial amino chelates Aton Zn (0.3% and 0.5%) and Kelatex Zn Forte (0.5% and 1.0%); the commercial Zn microparticles Basfoliar Zn 75 Flo (0.1% and 0.2%); ZnSO4H2O (0.3% and 0.5%); and a control treatment with no Zn application. The Zn concentration in leaves increased with the application of Aton Zn (0.3%), Kelatex Zn Forte (0.5% and 1.0%), and ZnSO4H2O (0.3% and 0.5%). The Zn concentration in roots increased only in trees sprayed with Kelatex Zn Forte (1.0%). The chlorophyll index (SPAD readings) decreased in most treatments, except in leaves sprayed with ZnSO4H2O (0.3%) and Kelatex Zn Forte (1.0%). The N concentration in leaves increased with the application of ZnSO4H2O (0.5%), while P levels did not increase in any treatment. The foliar K concentration increased in trees sprayed with Aton Zn (0.3% and 0.5%), Basfoliar Zn 75 Flo (0.1%) and ZnSO4H2O (0.3%). The concentrations of Mn, Cu, and B in leaves remained unchanged across all treatments. Foliar Fe concentration increased in trees sprayed with Kelatex Zn Forte (0.5%) and ZnSO4H2O (0.3%). Zn application had no significant effect on tree growth. The amino chelate Kelatex Zn Forte at a 1.0% dose shows promising potential by increasing Zn concentrations in leaves and roots while maintaining the chlorophyll index.

La investigación tuvo como objetivo evaluar los efectos en el desarrollo vegetativo de esquejes de V. pompona inoculadas con cepas de Trichoderma, realizado dentro del territorio de la comunidad nativa de Alto Naranjillo. La cepa se aisló de una muestra de suelo de bosque secundario y se reprodujo en grano de arroz esterilizado. Se aplicaron dosis de 20 y 40 gramos por esqueje en dos diseños experimentales: un diseño completamente aleatorizado con esquejes de 4 nudos y un diseño en bloques con esquejes de 3, 4, 5 y 6 nudos. Los esquejes se plantaron en hojarasca bajo condiciones de sombra controlada. Los resultados mostraron que los esquejes inoculados con 40 gramos de Trichoderma nativa desarrollaron más brotes y raíces que los controles y la cepa comercial Trichoderma harzianum. El mayor número de brotes y raíces se obtuvo en esquejes con 5 y 6 nudos, y bajo un nivel de sombra de 57-60%, siendo este el ambiente más favorable. Se concluye que el uso de Trichoderma ghanense nativa es eficaz para promover el desarrollo vegetativo de Vanilla pompona, ofreciendo una alternativa sostenible al uso de agroquímicos.

The propagation of banana seedlings in nurseries is an essential practice to increase productivity in a shorter period. This study aimed to determine the influence of corm size on the initial growth of Williams banana seedlings. The research was conducted at the “La María” Campus of the Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo, Ecuador, between November 2022 and February 2023. A total of 150 corms were planted in controlled conditions using a specific substrate. The corms were classified into three categories: small, medium, and large. Growth parameters such as height, diameter, fresh and dry biomass, number of leaves, and phyllochronic index were evaluated. Results indicated that larger corms significantly increased plant height and diameter compared to smaller and medium-sized corms. Additionally, larger corms contributed more to biomass accumulation in seedlings. However, no significant differences were observed in the number of leaves among treatments. The phyllochronic index was influenced by corm size, with an average of 7.72 days to produce a new leaf. The use of larger corms resulted in more vigorous and uniform banana seedlings, facilitating their adaptation to the field in less time.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the zootechnical performance, macronutrient composition, physicochemical analysis of the water, and hematological parameters of the L. pardalis at different densities (5, 7, 10 fish m-2), during four-month period. A total of 660 fish were utilized in the study, with an initial mean weight of 54.89 ± 0.18 g. They were distributed across nine earthen ponds, with the number of fish allocated to each treatment as follows: T1 (150 fish), T2 (210 fish), and T3 (300 fish). The most efficacious treatment, exhibiting optimal growth, was T2 (7 fish m-2). The FW was 198.24 ± 0.69 g, and the TL was 18.2 ± 0.44 cm. These values were significantly different (p < 0.05) from those observed in the other treatments. The physicochemical parameters of the water demonstrated fluctuations at higher stocking densities. The findings demonstrate that L. pardalis modifies its lifestyle to a low metabolic capacity, resulting in alterations to the red series hematological parameters (Ht, HGB, ERIT, VCM, CHCM, HCM) in response to the increase in temperature and decrease in oxygen. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between the initial and final samples. Nevertheless, this work demonstrates the importance of relating zootechnical and hematological parameters as indicators of productivity and health. Further studies are recommended on fish of the family Loricariidae to establish differences between genera, habitat, and production systems. This will facilitate the development of sustainable Amazonian aquaculture.

Garlic is a widely consumed plant species around the world. In the Dominican Republic there is high genetic diversity in the white and purple garlic varieties cultivated in Constanza, La Vega, with more than twenty genotypes having been cultivated; however, some have disappeared, or their production has been discontinued due to poor adaptability, productivity, or convenience, mainly due to the lack of chemical characterization. In this research, the total fat content and bioactive compounds of the prevailing and cultivated genotypes were analyzed: Taiwan 1, Taiwan 2, Taiwan 3, Taiwan 3A, Taiwan 05, Cuban Morado, Cuban Morado #3, Morado Rosello, Morado Rosello #1, Morado Niño, IDIAF 1, IDIAF SEA 14 and Ramón Collado. A completely randomized design was used, and an ANOVA and Tukey's test were applied at 95% confidence. The results were: total fat (0.08 to 0.38 % dry basis), allicin (167.92 to 2,335.55 mg/kg), antioxidant activity (23.83 to 98.83 μmolTE/100g), total phenolic content (89.70 to 136.85 mgGAE/100g), tannins (293.33 to 535.76 mg TAE/kg) and flavonoids (23.78 to 61.62 μgEqRutin/g). Total fat and bioactive compounds fluctuated between genotypes, highlighting the difference in chemical composition according to their genetic variation.

Structural composition of bread crumb, as well as its volume, are important factors in fresh bread characterization. ImageJ was used as a digital technique to evaluate the morphometry, color, and alveolar constitution in crumb. Wheat bread was made with partial replacement of papaya seed flour in percentages ranging from 5% to 30%. Morphometric analysis allowed characterizing the circularity (between 0.8433 ± 0.00 and 0.8833 ± 0.01), radius aspect (between 1.03 ± 0.01 and 1.10 ± 0.01), and roundness (between 0.9000 ± 0.02 and 0.9700 ± 0.01), which were not statistically significant (p < 0.05). However, the alveolar count was higher in the control (399.00 ± 66.09), compared to bread added with papaya seed flour (155.33 ± 23.71-211.00 ± 158.07). When color determining, values showed tendencies towards red with maximum values in control treatment with 214.83 ± 23.32 pixels. In dimensions values, a decrease in these was observed, being affected by percentage increase in papaya seed flour. Therefore, papaya seed flour addition showed effects that can be evaluated using digital techniques as a non-invasive tool.

In Ecuador, bananas are the second most important export product after oil and a key pillar of its economy. However, their production faces phytosanitary challenges, primarily the attack of foliar diseases caused by phytopathogenic fungi, traditionally controlled through the application of chemical fungicides. This study evaluated, under in vitro conditions, the antagonism of three Trichoderma strains (T. harzianum, T. asperellum, and T. sp.) against Neocordana musicola and Phoma musae, pathogens isolated from diseased leaves collected in the province of Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Ecuador. The trials were evaluated using dual cultures, quantifying mycelial growth and the degree of competition for space. A completely randomized design (CRD) with an axb factorial arrangement and two controls was used. Based on the results, the highest percentage of inhibition corresponds to T. harzianum against Neocordana musicola with 97.6% and T. harzianum against Phoma musae with 78.6%, followed by T. asperellum against Neocordana musicola with 76.8% and T. asperellum against Phoma musae with 46.6%. In comparison, T. sp. registered the lowest percentages, being 39.4% against Neocordana musicola and 35%,4 against Phoma musae. These results demonstrate the potential of Trichoderma harzianum as a biological control agent.

El objetivo de esta investigación fue comparar el proceso de fermentación en los centros de acopio para la calidad del grano en el cantón Bolívar. Se diagnosticaron las condiciones de fermentación de cada centro empleando fichas de observación. Se tomaron un total de 120 muestras de granos secos al azar de diferentes lotes. La calidad física de los granos se valoró inicialmente según su forma, color y aroma. Se realizaron pruebas de corte para inspeccionar el interior de los granos y clasificarlos según su fermentación. La prueba de Kruskal-Wallis reveló diferencias significativas en el nivel de fermentación entre los centros, con el C2 mostrando el mayor nivel y el C4 el más bajo. Asimismo, el C2 mostró mayor cantidad de muestras clasificadas como grado 1, sugiriendo una fermentación de mayor calidad. La prueba de Chi-cuadrado indicó una asociación significativa entre los centros y el grado de fermentación, aunque el índice V de Cramer mostró que esta relación no es determinante. Estos resultados indican que, además de las prácticas de fermentación, factores como la calidad del suelo, el clima, la altitud y la madurez de las mazorcas influyen en la calidad final del grano.

By-products are generated in the agri-food industry and are often considered as waste; however, they are still rich in proteins, antioxidants and other beneficial compounds. This is an opportunity to revalue them in the development of ingredients for the food industry, reducing environmental impact and promoting a circular economy. Foods and beverages made from these ingredients contribute to sustainability and offer nutritional benefits that can improve sports performance and metabolic control. This review assesses the potential of these by-products as functional ingredients in sports nutrition, meeting the demands for beverages in this sector, the interest in health and an active lifestyle; highlighting the opportunity to generate innovative products that align with consumer expectations regarding environmental and health concerns.

La eficiencia en el uso de fósforo (P) está regulada por la forma en que la planta adquiere y utiliza el recurso en condiciones restrictivas. Se evaluó el proceso de acumulación, partición y removilización de materia seca y P en maíz y su relación con la eficiencia en la utilización de P (EUtP). Se cultivaron seis genotipos de maíz de maduración precoz y tardía en un suelo ácido, con una reducida (25 kg P2O5 ha-1) (BP) y adecuada (50 kg P2O5 ha-1) (AP) fertilización fosforada. El estudio identificó variabilidad genotípica para EUtP. Los genotipos de maduración tardía presentaron alta acumulación de materia seca y P en órganos vegetativos, pero una menor removilización de asimilados a la semilla en desarrollo, en BP. Al contrario, los genotipos precoces mantuvieron una constante acumulación y partición de materia seca entre órganos y alta removilización de P hacia la semilla, en BP y AP. Independientemente de la dosis, los genotipos precoces removieron mayor biomasa (22 %) y P (21 %) del vástago a la semilla en comparación con los tardíos (18 y 15 %). Una óptima partición de materia seca en la planta y una mayor partición de P hacia tejidos jóvenes y activos incrementan la EUtP, en suelos ácidos.