In strawberry micropropagation, several challenges must be overcome to obtain quality plants and achieve high survival rate to ex vitro acclimatization. In this study, therefore, a set of protocols were evaluated to optimize explant (meristem) disinfection, in vitro growth (multiplication and rooting), and ex vitro acclimatization of strawberry. The results showed that explants treated with 1.0% NaClO for 5 min had a lower percentage of contamination, and achieved a higher percentage of viability, height, and number of leaves. In vitro growth was favored by the use of 1 mg L⁻¹ zeatin, since it allowed greater seedling growth (number of shoots, seedling height, number of leaves, number of roots and root length), and a higher pre-acclimation rate (100%). In the acclimatization phase, plants grown in a substrate composed of compost + peat combined with 4 g of humic acid achieved better response in morphological and physiological variables. In fact, the results of this study could be used to cultivate strawberry plants of the ‘Aroma’ variety with high commercial quality.

The presence of toxic metals such as aluminum is described as a factor that could lead to a significant decrease in crop productivity, particularly for the cultivation of acidophilic plants. In the present study, in vitro cultivation of pineapple was used as a model to evaluate the role of silver nanoparticles (0.005, 0.01, 0.025, 0.05, and 0.1 g L⁻¹ Ag NPs) against the negative effects of aluminum (0, 100, 300, and 500 μM AlCl₃). The results showed that the presence of 0.025 g L⁻¹ Ag NPs stimulated a higher concentration of photosynthetic pigments “a”, “b”, “a + b” and carotenoids in treatments with high levels of AlCl₃. The application of Ag NPs allowed better shoot formation, improved chlorophyll a/b, and total/carotenoid ratios, as well as better levels of proline biosynthesis in response to stress. The synergistic interaction of Ag NPs and AlCl₃ increased the availability and assimilation of mineral elements (K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn) while decreasing Al translocation. In conclusion, the implementation and validation of Ag NPs in agricultural fields would be revolutionary because they represent a novel alternative for overcoming the limitations imposed by the presence of Al.

Pineapple is a crop of great importance for the economic stability of a large number of Peruvians; however, in areas experiencing low degrees of technological intervention, farmers generally adopt low planting densities. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of three plantation densities (35700, 47600, and 55500 plants ha⁻¹) on the agronomic performance and fruit quality of three pineapple cultivars (“Golden,” “Smooth Cayenne,” and “Santa Rosa” ecotype). The experiment was performed under a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in a factorial arrangement, and the data were subjected to analysis of variance and the Tukey test ( ). The results show significant differences in terms of plant height and D-leaf length, with “Golden” being the cultivar that achieved the best performance at the three planting densities. The diameter (11.77–13.29 cm) and weight of the fruit without a crown (1.48–1.85 kg) were not affected by the treatments; in contrast, the length and weight of the fruit with a crown did exhibit significant variations, highlighting the “Smooth Cayenne” cultivar and “Santa Rosa” ecotype at a density of 55500 plants ha⁻¹, respectively. The highest estimated yield (>100 t ha⁻¹) for the three pineapple cultivars was recorded at a density of 55500 plants ha⁻¹. The content of total soluble solids was higher in the “Golden” cultivar, but in general, all the fruits exceeded the established standards. Based on the results, it is recommended that farmers in the area and those with similar conditions establish a planting density of 55500 plants ha⁻¹ because it improves the yield without damaging the quality of the fruit of the pineapple cultivars evaluated.

The Peruvian Andes are the natural habitat of several wild blackberry species that are little known and exploited due to the lack of technological and scientific development to support their agricultural potential. In this context, a study was conducted to understand the physicochemical composition, bioactive compounds, antimicrobial activity, and in vitro multiplication of four wild blackberry (Rubus sp.) species from the northern Peruvian highlands. The results indicate that fruits of R. floribundus presented the highest content of total soluble solids (9.58 ± 1.83°Brix) and titratable acidity (1.88 ± 0.07% citric acid). The fruits of R. weberbaueri recorded the highest total phenolic content (415.06 ± 8.69 mg GAE/100 g Ff). The antioxidant capacity determined by the DPPH assay varied significantly among species, with the highest value found in fruits of R. andicola (50.27 ± 0.11 mg TE/100 g Ff). The fruit extracts of R. weberbaueri and R. andicola showed better antimicrobial activity, with Staphylococcus aureus being the most sensitive bacterium. In the in vitro multiplication phase, the results show that BAP (6-Benzylaminopurine) has a significant effect at a dose of 1.5 mg l⁻¹ on shoot number, leaf number, and shoot length. The results may help in the management of genetic resources.

One of the main daily consumer products in Peru is potato, but in recent years, the addition of agrochemicals with possible heavy metal content, such as cadmium (Cd) has decreased the quality of the final product resulting in a negative impact on soils. The objective of this study is to determine the concentration of Cd in cultivation areas and in potato plantations. For this purpose, 6 tuber samples, 6 leaf samples, as well as 6 samples of agricultural soil used for cultivation were taken. Subsequently, the concentrations of Cd were evaluated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and the results were subjected to variance analysis and mean comparison test (Tukey p<0.05). Soil analysis for Cd shows that 50% of samples are not suitable for agricultural use, with concentrations reaching 3.99 mg kg⁻¹ Cd; 83% of tuber samples pose a health risk, exceeding the Maximum Allowable Limits (0.1 mg kg⁻¹) set by the Codex Alimentarius; and in the case of the leaves as a whole they have alarming levels of Cd, exceeding 2 mg kg⁻¹.

Influencia de especies arbóreas nativas en sistemas silvopastoriles sobre el rendimiento y valor nutricional de Lolium multiflorum y Trifolium repens