Capirona (Calycophyllum spruceanum Benth.) is a tree species of commercial importance widely distributed in South American forests that is traditionally used for its medicinal properties and wood quality. Studies on this tree species have been focused mainly on wood properties, propagation, and growth. However, genetic studies on capirona have been very limited to date. Currently, it is possible to explore genetic diversity and population structure in a fast and reliable manner by using molecular markers. We here used 10 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers to analyze the genetic diversity and population structure of 59 samples of capirona that were sampled from four provinces located in the eastern region of the Peruvian amazon. A total of 186 bands were manually scored, generating a 59 × 186 presence/absence matrix. A dendrogram was generated using the UPGMA clustering algorithm, and, similar to the principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), it showed four groups that correspond to the geographic origin of the capirona samples (LBS, Irazola, Masisea, Iñapari). Similarly, a discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) and STRUCTURE analysis confirmed that capirona is grouped into four clusters. However, we also noticed that a few samples were intermingled. Genetic diversity estimation was conducted considering the four groups (populations) identified by STRUCTURE software. AMOVA revealed the greatest variation within populations (71.56%) and indicated that variability among populations is 28.44%. Population divergence (F_st) between clusters 1 and 4 revealed the highest genetic difference (0.269), and the lowest F_st was observed between clusters 3 and 4 (0.123). RAPD markers were successful and effective. However, more studies are needed, employing other molecular tools. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first investigation employing molecular markers in capirona in Peru considering its natural distribution, and as such it is hoped that this helps to pave the way towards its genetic improvement and the urgent sustainable management of forests in Peru.

Tornillo is a forest species of wide distribution in the Peruvian Amazon, its irrational exploitation has generated losses in its diversity. Currently, there is no baseline for the development of conservation strategies due to limited knowledge of the structure genetic in tornillo populations which would allow the implementation of an adequate conservation program for the species. 91 individuals of the species were collected in five departments (Madre de Dios, Loreto, Puno, San Martín and Ucayali). The 5 most polymorphic RAPD primers were selected (OPA02, OPA04, OPA12, OPA18, and OPF05), identifying 96 polymorphic markers. The PIC ranged from 0.24 - 0.31; the AMP was 47.86%. No duplicates were reported. He between populations varied between 0.265 - 0.296; Madre de Dios presented a lower value (0.174). The Shannon index presented the same variation (0.402 - 0.447; 0.262). There is a spatial-genetic correlation (rxy = 0.311; p value < 0.001), specifically a genetic variability is found between departments (PhiPT = 0.256; p value < 0.0001). Loreto and Ucayali are genetically related. At the same time, San Martín and Puno have an origin in Ucayali (Masisea) and San Martín have an origin in Loreto (San Juan Bautista). These results will allow to initiate the bases of a conservation program for the sustainable use of the species.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the fourth most consumed food crop in the world, whose production in Peru is diminished due to phytosanitary problems and high costs of chemical fertilizers. In the present work, 32 actinomycetes isolated from the rhizosphere of organic native potato crops collected in the town of Cabana, Lucanas, Ayacucho, were characterized phenotypically and evaluated for their in vitro antagonistic capacity against Oomycete phytopathogen Phytophthora infestans. The characterization tests showed that 97% of the actinomycetes were able to assimilate glucose, sucrose, and mannitol; as well as producing extracellular enzymes like amylases (100%) and cellulases (50%). Furthermore, the growth in laboratory culture was better in the range of pH 5.5-8.5 and temperature 28-30 °C. From the tests of antagonism in oat agar (71.9%) and rye agar (31.2%), three strains were selected according to the native potato variety were selected as CAB10-J2 (Ccompis), CAB9-CA4 (Cuchipa-akan) and CAB5-F5 (Futis) with pathogen inhibition rates of 80.05, 77.47 and 37.5% respectively. The strains were identified by molecular tests as members of the genus Streptomyces and owners of polyketide synthase (PKS) genes. It is concluded that the rhizospheric actinomycetes of potato are producers of bioactive compounds capable of remarkably inhibiting the pathogen Phytophthora infestans, being able to be considered candidates in biological control programs of the "potato blight".

Capirona (Calycophyllum spruceanum Benth) is a tree species of commercial importance widely distributed in South American forests and is traditionally used for its medicinal properties and wood quality. Studies on this tree species have been focused mainly on wood properties, propagation and growth. Genetic studies on capirona are very limited to date. Today it is possible to explore genetic diversity and population structure in a fast and reliable manner by using molecular markers. We here used 10 Random Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs) markers to analyze genetic diversity and population structure of 59 samples of capirona that were sampled from four provinces located in the eastern region of the Peruvian amazon. A total of 186 bands were manually scored, generating a 59 x 186 presence/absence matrix. We used R software to calculate genetic distances based on provesti coefficient. A dendrogram was generated using the UPGMA clustering algorithm and showed four groups that correspond to the geographic origin of the capirona samples. Similarly, a discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) confirmed that capirona is grouped into four clusters. However, we also noticed few accessions are intermingled. Genetic diversity estimation was conducted considering the four groups (populations) identified by adegenet package in R. Nei's genetic diversity estimate varied from 0.26 to 0.39 and Shannon index ranged from 2.48 to 2.83. AMOVA analysis revealed the greatest variation exist within populations (69.7%) and indicated that variability among populations is 31.5%. To our best knowledge, this is the first investigation employing molecular markers in capirona in Peru considering their natural distribution, and sheds light towards its modern genetic improvement and for the sustainable management of forests in Peru.

El Pisco es el destilado del Perú, elaborado a partir de mostos recientemente fermentados con uvas criollas denominadas “pisqueras”. Las levaduras son los microorganismos clave en la fermentación y el uso de cepas nativas seleccionadas presenta ventajas competitivas para la tipicidad del producto, así como también para la estandarización del producto y el control microbiológico del proceso. El objetivo fue identificar y seleccionar las cepas de levaduras nativas para la producción del Pisco de uva Quebranta aisladas de procesos productivos de Pisco en el valle de Ica. Para ello, se emplearon técnicas microbiológicas y moleculares mediante el análisis de ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 PCR-RFLP para la identidad taxonómica. La evaluación de las cepas para producir Pisco consistió en el análisis fisicoquímico y organoléptico del destilado obtenido con las cepas seleccionadas. Se evaluaron 3 aislados para la producción de Pisco identificados como Saccharomyces cerevisiae: UNA SC – 25, UNA SC – 49 y UNA SC – 54, de los cuales la cepa UNA SC-49 destacó por mostrar aptitudes enológicas diferentes a las otras cepas. Este trabajo constituye el primer registro de levaduras nativas del Perú para mostos procedentes de uva Quebranta.

El grano de Chenopodium quinoa Willd (quinua), es importante a nivel internacional por su alto valor nutricional, siendo la principal fuente de proteínas de los pobladores del altiplano Peruano Boliviano. En el proceso del cuidado y mantenimiento de las especies en los bancos de germoplasma para quinua se han elaborado programas que permiten evaluar la variedad genética que incluyen incrementar la calidad del grano, la resistencia a enfermedades, tolerancia a la sequedad y modular el contenido de saponinas. Actualmente se trata de discriminar las variedades con técnicas moleculares sensibles como los RAPDs, microsatélites, RFLP, por lo que nuestro objetivo fue evaluar el polimorfismo de seis variedades de quinua utilizando la técnica de AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism). Así, variedades de quinua: Quillahuaman INIA (Q), Mantaro (M), Hualhuas (H), Real boliviana (B), Salcedo INIA (S) y Illpa INIA (I), fueron evaluadas en combinaciones de cinco pares de primers empleando adaptadores para EcoRI y MseI para determinar su polimorfismo. Nuestros resultados encontraron tres combinaciones de mayor polimorfismo E33/M60, E32/M48 y E32/M61, pudiendo discriminar la variedad Mantaro (M) como una variedad alejada de las variedades propias del sur del altiplano peruano- boliviano, de acuerdo al análisis de UPGMA. Esta combinación de cebadores también discriminó las variedades Illpa INIA y Salcedo INIA siendo estas variedades obtenidas por cruces de mejoramiento genético.