Revista de la Facultad de Agronomía de la Universidad del Zulia

Controlled deficit irrigation on growth variables of Pennisetum purpureum x Pennisetum typhoides

2025-06-22T21:43:57+00:00

Currently, efficiency in water use in agriculture is being sought through techniques that allow for the reduction of the water footprint of crops. This is why the effect of controlled deficit irrigation on the growth variables of King Grass Morado (Pennisetum purpureum x Pennisetum typhoides) was evaluated in the canton of Chone, Ecuador. The treatments studied were: irrigation levels at 40, 60, 80, and 100 % of the crop evapotranspiration (ETc). The grass was sown in black polyethylene bags with a capacity of 10 kg of soil. A completely randomized experimental design with repeated measures over time was used, along with five replicates. The results obtained from the Friedman test showed significant differences (p<0.0001) due to the effects of the study factors: deficit irrigation and successive cuts of the grass on the net assimilation rate of the grass (TAN), growth rate (TC), relative growth rate (TCR), and leaf area index (IAF) did not occur in the same way for the interaction between them. When the irrigation sheet is applied at 80 % of ETc, the TC is better at 0,0002409 g.(dm².d)^-1, TCR is -0,00022 g.g.d^-1, and TAN is 0,0072065 g.(dm².d)^-1. The leaf area index performs best with the irrigation sheet at 100 % of ETc with 1,81. King Grass Morado can reduce its actual water requirement by up to 80 % without being affected in growth variables.

Effect of fulvic acid on the growth of hydroponic pea (Pisum sativum L.) microgreens

2025-07-06T22:22:33+00:00

Fulvic acid is a widely recognized biostimulant due to its benefits in traditional crops; however, its application in hydroponic systems, particularly in microgreen production, is not well documented. This study evaluated the effect of fulvic acid on the growth of hydroponic pea microgreens (Pisum sativum L.). The experimental design was completely randomized and consisted of four treatments (n=5): nutrient solution (NS), fulvic acid solution 0.01 % (FA), NS + FA, and water (control). After 12 days, growth and biochemical parameters were measured. The results showed that NS and NS+FA treatments significantly increased stem length (7.73 cm and 7.28 cm), fresh weight (0.613 g and 0.618 g), and yield (6.15 kg.m^-2) compared to the FA treatment or control. The FA treatment increased stem diameter (2.38 mm) but did not significantly increase biomass. Biochemical analysis showed that FA and control had higher nitrate content, while NS and NS+FA reduced nitrate accumulation. Antioxidant capacity, chlorophyll content, and color index were similar among treatments. However, the pH increased with the application of fulvic acid. Fulvic acid alone moderately improved growth but was less effective than the nutrient solution. The combination of fulvic acid with a complete nutrient solution did not produce additive effects, highlighting the importance of balanced nutrition in hydroponic microgreen production.

Effect of solar irradiation, substrate type and environment on the growth and ornamental quality of Euphorbia cotinifolia plants

2025-07-07T20:56:51+00:00

Euphorbia cotinifolia L. is an ornamental plant of economic importance due to the red-purple color of its foliage. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of solar irradiation, substrate type and environment on the growth and ornamental quality of E. cotinifolia plants propagated from semi-woody cuttings. Two experiments were conducted from June 2022 to March 2023, in Tetela de Ocampo and Huitzilan de Serdan, Puebla, Mexico. Each experiment had 20 treatments. The experiments had a 2x5x2 factorial design; factor 1 was growth environments, its levels: temperate climate (STC), and subtropical (SHC). Factor 2 was solar irradiation, its levels: 80, 240, 347, 394, and 571 µmol.m^-2.s^-1. Factor 3 was the type of substrate, its levels: river sand with peat moss (AT), and forest soil with perlite (SP). At 243 days after rooting, the highest values were: 32.98 cm for terminal shoot growth, 4.80 mm.day^-1 in growth rate, 1.76 in robustness index, 1.32 in Dickson's index. The maximum anthocyanin concentration was 4.94 mg.g^-1 in red-purple leaves. The highest values and the red-purple color of the foliage (quality indicator) occurred when the plants were grown on AT substrate, at 571 µmol.m^-2.s^-1 in SHC climate. It is concluded that in tropical climate, plants develop with better quality; river sand with peat moss is recommended as substrate, and exposure to high light intensities.

Physicochemical evaluation of humus and compost as a strategy to strengthen sustainable agriculture

2025-08-03T17:23:59+00:00

Soil degradation due to unsustainable anthropogenic management has generated the deterioration of its quality and health, for this reason alternatives such as the use of organic fertilizers are sought for the rehabilitation of its ecological functions. Therefore, the present study evaluated the physical-chemical properties of humus and compost produced at the Tunshi experimental station, Chimborazo, Ecuador, in order to validate their suitability for sustainable agriculture. Formulations based on local inputs were used, including guinea pig manure, plant residues, green manure, and rice husks. The analyses included parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM) and macronutrients, following the Ecuadorian standard NTE INEN 211:1998 and the INIAP technical manual. The results revealed that the compost and humus formulations comply with quality standards, highlighting the F2 compost formulation and the H2 formulation for humus with their high total nitrogen and OM content. The compost (F3) and humus (H3) formulations showed higher levels of phosphorus and potassium, although with lower nitrogen content, where F2 (35 % guinea pig manure, 25 % green manure) and H2 (50 % guinea pig manure, 50 % plant residues) showed higher nitrogen and OM content, while in F3 (25 % guinea pig manure, 30 % green manure) and H3 (40 % guinea pig manure, 60 % plant residues), there were no significant differences in the parameters of the humus formulations. These fertilizers represent a viable and sustainable agroecological alternative for the rehabilitation of degraded soils.

Morphological response of the ‘Barraganete’ plantain (Musa AAB) to magnesium levels under dryland conditions

2025-08-24T17:58:18+00:00

Platain (Musa AAB) is a crop of great economic importance in Ecuador due to its extensive planting area, high production, and job creation. Considering its high nutrient requirement, this research was conducted to evaluate the response of morphological variables in 'Barraganete' banana (Musa AAB) to the application of different levels of magnesium. An experiment was carried out in 'El Carmen' canton, province of Manabí, Ecuador (-0,259503 S, -79,427558 W), which included six levels of Mg application (0, 25, 50, 75, 100, and 125 kg.ha^-1), under a randomized complete block design with three replications. The variables evaluated (plant height, pseudostem circumference, leaf length and width, leaf area, and total leaves) were subjected to repeated measures analysis over time, with weekly measurements. Statistical analyses showed that the morphological variables evaluated did not present significant differences between Mg doses; however, the temporal analysis highlighted that the highest doses promoted greater growth of vegetative organs. Overall, the results suggest that Mg application at doses equal to or greater than 50 kg.ha⁻¹ could be considered. This finding supports the need for future studies to compare morphological variables with yield, as well as evaluate profitability, to provide useful information for improving crop production under the study conditions.

Nanoparticles that stimulate the production and quality of cucumber fruits (Cucumis sativus L.)

2025-09-15T22:38:08+00:00

Due to the high consumption of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) and its economic importance, improving resource efficiency is a priority to maximize yields. The combination of silicon oxide (SiO₂), chitosan, and micronutrients are beneficial for plant growth and development. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of micronutrient- provided SiO₂ nanoparticles encapsulated in a chitosan gel on the growth, yield, and quality of cucumber fruits. The study was conducted in a cultivation house, where three concentrations of silicon nanoparticles and a control were evaluated in a randomized block design with four replicates. Plant growth (height and stem diameter), days to flowering, number of fruits per plant, yield, and fruit quality were evaluated. Foliar application of Si-NPs promoted greater plant growth at the highest concentration (2,000 mg.L^-1), as well as improved the nutraceutical quality of cucumber fruits by increasing the contents of antioxidants, flavonoids, phenols and total soluble solids.

Single-nucleotide polymorphism panels in the racial authentication of Hairless pigs in Mexico

2025-07-06T22:18:22+00:00

Massive genotyping panels of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were evaluated to create an authentication and racial identification strategy for the Hairless pig. Three populations of Hairless pigs from the states of Nayarit (n=10), Oaxaca (n=10) and Yucatán (n=143), Mexico, were genotyped with the porcine-GGP-50K chip, and genotypes for the Duroc (n=66), Hampshire (n=33), Landrace (n=95), Large White (n=47), Pietrain (n=42) and Iberico hairless (n=15) breeds were added. Three strategies involving previously reported SNP panels and a fourth strategy involving the combination of all SNP panels was evaluated. Using canonical discriminant analysis (CDA), the canonical correlations and percentages of racial discrimination were obtained, and with the first two canonical variables, distance trees between populations were constructed. Racial separation was achieved with all four strategies; the greater the number of SNPs used, the better the identification of the Hairless pig. The combined panel with 96 SNPs achieved 100 % racial assignment and had the greatest canonical correlation in the CDA, revealing a racial grouping of the three Hairless pig populations close to the Iberian population. With SNP panels, it is possible to achieve the racial authentication of the Hairless pig and discriminate it from other pig breeds.

Effect of dietary ion supplementation on the survival and growth of Penaeus vannamei during the pre-nursery stage in well water

2025-09-08T19:09:33+00:00

Aquaculture has become an essential activity to ensure global food security, with white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) standing out as one of the most important species due to its high demand and adaptability to diverse environments. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary ion supplementation on the survival, growth and feed efficiency of P. vannamei during the pre-nursery stage using well water. The experiment included a control treatment (T0) with seawater (34 ppt) and no added ions, and three treatments using well water and ion-supplemented diets: T1 (0.1 mg Ca²⁺, 1.2 mg Mg²⁺, 0.4 mg K⁺), T2 (0.2 mg Ca²⁺, 2.2 mg Mg²⁺, 0.8 mg K⁺), and T3 (0.4 mg Ca²⁺, 4.2 mg Mg²⁺, 1.4 mg K⁺). Each treatment consisted of three replicates, with 50 post-larvae per tank, over a 28-day period. Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in survival, growth and feed conversion ratio (FCR). The highest growth (1.03 %) was recorded in T0, followed by T2 (0.91 %) and T3 (0.83 %), while T1 showed the lowest growth (0.68 %) and the best FCR (1.027). Treatment T3 showed a favorable balance between growth and survival (94.5 %) with a competitive FCR (1.091). It is concluded that dietary ion supplementation improves the zootechnical performance of P. vannamei cultured in well water, and that appropriate adjustment of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and K⁺ concentrations in feed can optimize both survival and feed efficiency under low-salinity conditions.

Effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and nitrogen compounds on the fermentation of banana pulp (Musa spp.)

2025-08-03T17:02:28+00:00

The use of agro-industrial by-products, such as banana pulp (Musa spp.), represents a sustainable alternative for animal production, reducing costs and improving resource utilization. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, urea, and ammonium sulfate on the nutritional value of banana pulp, seeking to optimize its bromatological properties to transform it into a nutritionally viable and sustainable input. A completely randomized experimental design with a factorial arrangement was employed, considering two treatment levels: 1 % Saccharomyces cerevisiae, 0.8 % urea, and 0.1 % ammonium sulfate, and 1.5 % Saccharomyces cerevisiae, 1 % urea, and 0.2 % ammonium sulfate. The aerobic fermentation times studied were 2, 4, and 6 hours. The results showed that the best bromatological quality was achieved at 6 hours with 1 % Saccharomyces cerevisiae, 0.8 % urea, and 0.1 % ammonium sulfate. However, the most economically efficient treatment was obtained with 1.5 % Saccharomyces cerevisiae, 1 % urea, and 0.2 % ammonium sulfate in 4 hours of fermentation, due to its lower energy consumption. These findings highlight the potential of banana pulp treated as a cost-effective and sustainable input, contributing to more efficient animal production systems.

Effect of drying methods on the physicochemical composition and microstructure of pumpkin powders

2025-08-03T17:10:18+00:00

To increase the shelf life of fruit and vegetables, to be able to enjoy them in all four seasons, and to preserve their genetic make-up, drying has been found to be the best technique of conservation. The aim of this work is based on the study of the drying kinetics of pumpkin (Curcubita maxima) by two drying methods namely oven drying at a temperature of 60 °C and microwave drying at 180 W, with the purpose to model the drying kinetics of thin layers of pumpkin by four mathematical models (Two-Term, Modified Henderson and Pabis, Henderson Pabis and Bousselma et al.) and to study the effect of the two drying methods on the nutritional and microstructural properties of pumpkin powders. The results showed that the Microwave drying was faster than oven drying. The Modified Henderson and Pabis and Bousselma et al., models were chosen to adequately describe the drying behavior of oven- and microwave-dried thin pumpkin slices, respectively, due to a high R² value and low χ² and RMSE values. The physicochemical composition of the two powders (POD and PMD) was significantly different (p < 0.05) in terms of water content, pH, brix, lipids, and potassium. The analysis of the qualitative composition by FTIR did not show a change between the two powders. Similarly, the structure studied by SEM showed an identical and homogeneous structure. These powders have high nutritional properties, and their incorporation into foods should therefore be recommended.

Physicochemical characterization of Annona muricata L., fruits in Junin, Peru

2025-08-24T17:15:19+00:00

Soursop (Annona muricata L.) is an exotic fruit with high international demand, valued for its flavor, nutritional properties, and applications in the food industry. In Peru, its use includes fresh consumption and the production of pulp, nectars, and nutraceutical products. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of fruits from selected soursop plants grown at the San Ramón Agricultural Experimental Station in the Department of Junín, Peru. The physical characteristics (fruit mass, polar and equatorial diameter), chemical characteristics (titratable acidity, ionic acidity, total soluble solids, and maturity index), as well as mineral content (phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium) were determined from the fruits. A completely randomized experimental design (CRD) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were applied. The results showed that the FRCUNCP_09 and FRCUNCP_12 genotypes had the largest fruit mass (2.49 and 2.16 kg, respectively). On the other hand, the FRCUNCP_08, FRCUNCP_09, and FRCUNCP_12 genotypes presented optimal values of titratable acidity (0.8367, 0.9900, 1.1133), ionic acidity (3.99, 4.16, 3.62), and total soluble solids (16.5, 15.9, 17.7 BRIX), suitable for direct consumption and industrial processing. Regarding mineral content, FRCUNCP_09 had the highest concentrations of phosphorus (23,135 mg.100 g^-1) and calcium (6,200 mg.100 g^-1), while FRCUNCP_08 stood out for its magnesium content (21,604 mg.100 g^-1). It is concluded that these materials have potential for genetic improvement programs and the development of nutraceutical products.

Modified atmosphere packaging of an endemic garlic species, Allium Tuncelianum

2025-08-24T19:08:37+00:00

Allium tuncelianum is an important endemic food ingredient widely used in Tunceli cuisine, Turkey, because of its health benefits, and its less tangy unique flavor and aroma compared to cultured garlic. In the present study, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) of Allium tuncelianum, and changes in its quality during 28 days of refrigerated storage were investigated. This study is the only study on minimal processing of Allium tuncelianum. Effect of the initial gas mixture during storage was investigated using two distinct initial gas mixtures A and B: 5 % O₂, 5 % CO₂, 90 % N₂, and 3 % O₂, 8 % CO₂, 89 moles N₂ on molar basis, respectively. Samples were analyzed every seven days with respect to weight loss, dry matter, water activity, total phenolic content, pH, titratable acidity, ash content, color, degree of sprouting, and texture profile. Modified atmosphere packaging resulted in 3.7- 4.45 g.100 g^-1 weight loss compared with 20.67 g.100 g^-1 in the control group stored at room temperature and humidity. No sprouting was detected in the control group, whereas fractional sprouting was 0.875 for the MAP samples. Therefore, the key parameter related with MAP storage of Allium tuncelianum seems to be the moisture content of the packaging atmosphere. MAP with moisture adsorbant packages is a promising method for maintaining the freshness of Allium tuncelianum providing a marketing strategy for this endemic ingredient.

Antioxidant capacity and lipid oxidation of alpaca sausages with red quinoa cooked Sous Vide

2025-09-04T21:24:43+00:00

Currently, sausage consumption has been linked to health problems due to its high fatty acid and cholesterol content, forcing the use of low-fat meats, natural antioxidants, extenders, and new processing technologies to maintain its nutritional properties and reduce oxidation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of red quinoa as an extender on the antioxidant capacity and lipid oxidation in alpaca sausages cooked sous vide at different temperatures. For the study, alpaca sausages were made by mixing ground alpaca meat, salt, animal fat, and extenders (raw quinoa, quinoa flour, cooked quinoa, and corn starch). The mixtures were cooked sous vide at 60 °C and 80 °C, and stored at 50 °C for 12 days, taking samples on days 1, 7, and 12, to determine the antioxidant capacity (ABTS method), lipid oxidation (TBARS method), pH, color, and texture. The results indicated that the highest values of antioxidant capacity were obtained in alpaca sausages with quinoa flour, causing a lower degree of lipid oxidation, indicated by the low TBARS value, in addition to the greater stability in the values of pH, luminosity (L*), redness (a*) and lower discoloration (b*), which can be attributed to the phenolic antioxidants of red quinoa. In conclusion, the use of red quinoa is an alternative because it can not only be used as an extender in sausage production, but also because it inhibits lipid oxidation and improves the antioxidant activity of the product.

Characterization of bovine production system typologies on indigenous reservations (Etnia-Pijao) at Natagaima-Tolima, Colombia

2025-07-07T01:01:02+00:00

In southern Tolima, Colombia, the Indigenous Reservations (IR) of the Pijao ethnic group depend on cattle ranching, but their productive dynamics are poorly understood, making it difficult to design sustainable models. The objective of this study was to characterize the emerging typologies of the bovine production system of these IR by considering the sociocultural, techno-economic, and environmental processes. In 2023, a semi-structured interview was conducted in fifteen production units (PU) of the twenty-nine existing in the area. Indicators from each dimension (techno-economic, sociocultural, and environmental) were analyzed through multivariate analysis, identifying three typologies: G1 (46.6 %), composed by small IRs whith technology low level, showing a small-scale production; G2 (26.7 %), also grouped small IRs with small-scale production but moderately technified; and G3 (26.7 %) was integrated by large IRs, moderately technified and with a medium scale production. G3 stood out for some indicators of the techno-economic dimension. Although, all groups showed a low level of technological adoption, which resulted in poor productive and reproductive performance. The differences in G3’s better economic outcomes are due to its larger scale of production. In the social sphere, female leadership stood out, especially in groups with the highest proportion of trained people (G2 and G3). Overall, the PUs showed soils with poor organic matter content, low fertility level, little forest coverage and a moderate degree of erosion, indicating some alterations of the agroecosystem.