Agricultural mulches from plant waste constitute an ecological alternative due to their capacity to biodegrade and incorporate into the soil. This work aimed at evaluating, during a drought, the effects of a mat mulch, based on banana rachis and rice straw, on bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) production, and to characterize the material, both mechanically (traction resistance) and physical-chemically (water retention capacity, organic and inorganic components). Two contrasting irrigation regimes were used to determine the effect of the mat mulch on edaphic and productive parameters such as plant height, basal stem diameter, number of fruits and flowers, harvest, plant biomass, macro- and micronutrients in leaves, weeds/m², and soil temperature. Treatments with the mat mulch resulted in increased height, number of fruits and flowers, biomass, and P, Zn and Cu concentrations. The mat mulch contributes to soil water retention, improves pepper agronomic variables response in plant’s height, basal stem diameter, and the number of flowers and fruits, especially with a low water irrigation regime. Furthermore, a 95% reduction in weed/m², and soil temperature (18 °C) compared to air temperature (26.8 °C) was found. The characteristics of the waste-based mat mulch in soils offer new possibilities for environmentally friendly, efficient, and sustainable agricultural practices.

Water is an essential element for agricultural sustainability. In volcanic islands, freshwater sources are limited, challenging the local farming water supply. Rainfall dependence in the Galapagos Islands limits continuous agriculture, and despite using natural water sources, their irrigation quality is little known. This study aimed to carry out a control–diagnosis of irrigation water quality of the natural sources of the four agrarian islands of the Galapagos, considering water quality parameters for the proposal of sustainability strategies in the water and agricultural context. The workflow included (i) freshwater supply situation diagnosis, (ii) physicochemical parameters measurement and hydrochemical characterisation, and (iii) irrigation analysis and sustainability strategies configuration. Results indicated that of the 34 sources analysed, 55.88% are suitable for irrigation and are located in San Cristobal and Santa Cruz. The remaining 44.12% showed problems with parameters such as faecal coliforms, salinity, metals, carbonates, BOD₅, and COD above the national permitted limits. Six strategies for water and agricultural sustainability are proposed, including periodic water monitoring, academy–government–community projects, community water board creation, water sowing and harvesting systems, effective management of effluent, and agricultural strengthening. The study guides comprehensive hydric management initiatives to benefit agrarian development and food security, aligning with SDGs 2 and 6.

Se evaluaron tres híbridos de maíz bajo tres niveles de fertilización nitrogenada (50, 100 y 150 kg de N/ha) durante la estación lluviosa 2019 en la Granja Experimental Agrícola de la ESPOL (Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral), Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador. El suelo donde se implementó el experimento se clasifica como Vertisol y es conocido como de alta fertilidad, teniendo en cuenta su alto contenido de mineral arcilloso tipo 2:1 tales como la montmorillonita y/o ilita. Con una CIC y saturación de bases en la superficie son de 43,9meq/100g y 99,4%, respectivamente. Los híbridos que se experimentaron son: Pioneer 4039 (P4039), Advanta 9313 (AV9313) y Advanta 9139 (AV9139), distribuidos por la compañía FARMAGRO. En el área experimental, se aplicaron tres niveles de fertilización nitrogenada (50, 100 y 150kgN/ha), 50 kg de P2O5 y 50 kg de K2O/ha, respectivamente. Como característica agronómica, se observó diferencia significativa al 1% no sólo para el híbrido sino también para el nitrógeno, así como en la longitud de hoja, obteniendo el más alto valor para el AV 9139. Al igual que el caso anterior, el rendimiento del grano con 14% de humedad, se observó una diferencia significativa al 5% para la interacción. Aunque el más alto rendimiento fue para el AV9139, se observó una tendencia negativa de acuerdo a la mayor dosis de nitrógeno. Recomendándose el híbrido AV 9139 con la aplicación de 50kgN/ha de acuerdo con los resultados obtenidos en el análisis económico.

Sustainable agricultural development in natural heritage sites poses a challenge, requiring food security without compromising the conservation of ecosystems and their outstanding universal values (OUV). The Galapagos Islands, recognized as a Natural World Heritage, have problems of scarce water and arable land, compounded by anthropogenic pressures such as high population and tourism growth and dependence on food imports. The objective of this research is to evaluate the environmental impacts of implementing agricultural greenhouses in the Galapagos by applying a traditional environmental matrix alongside a UNESCO World Heritage approach, integrated with a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis, to formulate strategies for strengthening local agriculture without compromising ecosystems. This study employed a semi-quantitative methodological approach, integrating three key aspects: (i) a baseline of agricultural information and water availability on the islands; (ii) an integrated Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approach to greenhouse implementation; and (iii) sustainable agricultural development and environmental impact mitigation strategies. The results of the traditional EIA and the UNESCO approach through the OUV showed negative impacts classified as insignificant to moderately significant. For the evaluated design, these impacts can be managed through the active participation of academia, the community, and government entities. However, their scalability depends on a more in-depth analysis of the potential long-term risks associated with the availability of natural resources, microplastic pollution, and the use of agrochemicals. Among the proposed strategies, the importance of monitoring water and soil quality and of agricultural and environmental education campaigns in the community was highlighted. This study presents agricultural greenhouses as well-known alternatives for food self-sufficiency, adapted to the realities of the island territory and the objectives of ecosystem conservation. The proposed methodological approach can be applied in protected areas to promote conservation and sustainable agricultural production.

En Ecuador se utiliza el método del análisis químico con Olsen-Modificado para determinar N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Zn y Cu en el suelo como el disponible. Pero no puede evaluar el Na ni CIC en la región salina y/o sódica. Es muy importante que evalúe el nuevo método para determinar las cuatro bases (K, Na, Ca y Mg), CIC y saturación de bases en el suelo. En Ecuador, tiene región de Costa y Sierra que tienen la región salina y/o sódica. En el suelo arcilloso Vertisol con mineral arcilloso tal como montmorillonita e ilita, es necesario que evalúe las bases intercambiables por acetato de amonio y CIC. Además, es necesario que evaluar calidad de agua irrigada y extracto de pasta para determinar las bases soluciones solubles para determinar la salinidad del suelo. Actualmente, se manifestó la acumulación de las bases con sodio en el suelo ecuatoriano. Como aprovechamiento del suelo, es muy importante que introduzca planta tal como Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) que pueden adaptar con alta absorción del N, K Ca y Fe…etc. Se utiliza como abono verde con el fin de reciclar los nutrientes.