We describe a new vanilla species growing in sympatry with Vanilla planifolia Jacks. ex Andrews (Orchidaceae) in the province of Limón, Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. The morphology of the reproductive and vegetative organs observed on vines cultivated under shade-house, the nuclear (Internal Transcribed Spacer) and plastid (matK) nucleotide sequences, as well as the contents of aromatic compounds measured in ripe fruits, show that this species is close to but distinct from V. planifolia. The name V. sotoarenasii M.Pignal, Azofeifa-Bolaños & Grisoni sp. nov. is proposed for this new Vanilla species endemic in Costa Rica. It is especially distinguished from V. planifolia by a reduction of about 30% of the size of the fruits and flowers, by a divergence of ITS sequences for at least two species-conserved nucleotides compared to seven other species of the V. planifolia group, and by the presence of anisic compounds and low content of phenolic compounds (including vanillin) in the fruits. These results confirmed the extension of the area of distribution of V. planifolia southward to Costa Rica, where a recent speciation process occurred. Because of its particular agronomic and aromatic properties, V. sotoarenasii sp. nov. could represent a valuable biological resource for the vanilla industry.

This study was carried out with the objective of describing the evolution and importance of andragogical processes in the search of rural profiles committed to the university work in the development and implementation of programs and projects. Among its main contributions, the importance of knowing and teaching processes applied strictly for adults by university coordinators of programs and projects stands out. The relevance of applying this kind of knowledge will allow efficient use of institutional financial resources, particularly for the real commitment of the rural adult community towards the implementation of field activities and accomplishing, in a shorter term, the expected academic achievement. A successful project experience is described in which some andragogical strategies were applied through extension, and which produced a better participation and engagement from rural people with the projects developed by the University. Consequently, applicability of these concepts in the programs and projects of rural development promoted through universities must lay the foundation for regional rural development strategies with the ultimate goal of finding ways to improve the quality of life of people in particular scenarios.

This investigation was carried out to evaluate the effect of two cytokinins: 6-benzilaminopurine (BAP) (6.5 mg l-1) and kinetin (K) (2.5 mg l-1), as well as the growth inhibitor abscisic acid (ABA) (1.0 mg l-1) on the in vitro tuberization capacity of two potato varieties: Atlantic and Alpha. The basal culture medium MS (1962) was used as a control. The responses were different between varieties. In cv. Atlantic, the analysis of the number (NM), weight (WM) and diameter (DM) of microtubers indicated that the addition of growth regulators did not affect induction and development of microtubers. However, when BAP was used, a non-significant increment of 41 % was observed in the number of the microtubers compared to the control treatment, from 2.6 to 4.4. The addition of cytokinins and ABA to the medium did not have a significant impact on the development of microtubers. In cv. Alpha the cytokinins used without ABA increased the number of microtubers, which were larger and heavier than those of the control treatment. In this variety, ABA significantly reduced the values of the NM, WM and DM variables. The exogenous action of cytokinins in the culture medium is likely to have caused an endogenous hormonal imbalance in the Atlantic and Alpha genotypes which interfered with their innate microtuberization ability, a result that was even more evident for cv. Alpha, which showed the need to continue optimizing protocols of genotype-specific systems in potato tissue culture to increase yield and seed quality.

Introduction. The aseptic establishment in laboratory conditions of wild type Vanilla planifolia has not been documented in any sterilization and regeneration protocols, nor has been evaluated the importance of disinfection to enhance the plant vigor. Objective. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of a double disinfection process (greenhouse and laboratory) on the morphogenetic response of nodal segments of vanilla during the establishment and in vitro multiplication. Materials and methods. Laboratory experiments were conducted during 2015 and 2016 at “Instituto de Investigación y Servicios Forestales (INISEFOR) de la Universidad Nacional (UNA)”, Heredia, Costa Rica. The culture medium used was Murashige and Skoog (MS). Six treatments were evaluated: 1) alcohol 70%/NaClO 0.35%; 2) kilol/NaClO 0.35%; 3) control/NaClO 0.35%; 4) alcohol 70%/HgCl2 0.2%; 5) kilol/HgCl2 0.2% and 6) control/HgCl2 0.2%. Growth variables evaluated were: percentage of total, bacterial and fungal contamination; length, weight, and diameter of the shoot; number, length and weight of the roots. Results. The main genera of bacteria and fungi were Pantoea sp. (33%) and Fusarium sp. (12%). The best disinfection treatment was obtained with the use of kilol in the nursery and HgCl2 in the laboratory, where 100% pathogen-free explants were obtained. For this treatment, a significant increase of length and weight of the shoot, number and weight of the roots were achieved during the establishment. In the multiplication stage, the experimental groups in the aseptic condition showed significant higher values for the variables length and weight compared to the morphogenic response obtained for the green and vigourous in vitro plants in the condition of contamination. Conclusion. The disinfection treatments sequence represents the base line to the optimization of in vitro culture protocols of wild type relatives of V. planifolia, this constitutes a contribution for the ex situ conservation of unique materials and increases promising genetic material.

In Costa Rica, an urgent ex situ national conservation program for V. planifolia is needed due to the rarity, high risk of extinction in the wild and the economic importance; that places it, as the most profitable orchid worldwide. Due to the lack of research about wild species conservation and the importance to evaluate the agronomic performance of the wild-type relatives, as a strategy to increase the reduced genetic variability, the aim of this research was to evaluate the acclimatization capacity and morphogenetic performance of wild V. planifolia under nursery conditions. The effect of two treatments 1) qualitatively selected cuttings according to their phytosanitary quality, mechanical damage and vigorousness and 2) cuttings without selection, were evaluated. Some growth variables were evaluated: survival rate, weight, length, number of nodes of the new and original shoot; number and weight of the roots The survival of the selected cuttings was greater (60%) than those that were not (45%). The morphogenetic responses of the selected explants were statistically significant for all variables evaluated. This is the first time that an initial process of acclimatization and morphogenetic performance with a known genotype individual of V. planifolia, is reported under greenhouse condition, in Costa Rica. Therefore, it is the first attempt to the ex situ conservation of the species as a part of an integrated program focus on the in situ conservation in a systematic and sustainable way, as well as, the first values of the vigorousness to some growth variables out of natural conditions.

In order to understand the performance of Solanum tuberosum L. “Floresta” in producing microtubers, the effect of four concentrations of boric acid (6.2 mg l^-1, 7.75 mg l^-1, 9.3 mg l^-1, and 10.85 mg l^-1) under two conditions—1) 8 hour dark and 2) 16 hour light photoperiod and 8 hour dark—was evaluated under in vitro culture conditions. Full-strength Murashige and Skoog medium was used as a control. The data analysis for the number and biomass of microtubers were significant for the condition (p ≤ 0.05). Concerning the concentration of boric acid and the interaction between factors, a significant difference was obtained for biomass (p ≤ 0.05). In dark conditions, a greater number of microtubers was obtained, although the biomass was lower compared to the light conditions where the biomass was higher, and the number of microtubers was lower. A concentration of 9.3 mg l^-1 of boric acid in both types of conditions was the best treatment to produce a greater number and more biomass of microtubers. The differences identified in this work with regards to the number and biomass of microtubers were probably the combined result of genotype and specific culture conditions. Even considering this, the use of lighting conditions is proposed to induce larger and greener microtubers.