Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is one of the most important crops in Ecuador; however, its production is limited, among other factors, by the crop nutrition. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of the combined nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilization on soil characteristics, growth traits and quality of shoots and fruits in cocoa. The experiment was carried out under a completely randomized design with factorial arrangement, with three factors, N, P and K, and two levels by factor (with and without fertilization), plus an absolute control without fertilization. The chemical characteristics of the soil, including pH, N, P, K, Ca and Mg content were evaluated. New shoots were also evaluated by measuring its number, length, leaf area, and growth rate. In the fruits, the weight, length and growth rate were measured. In shoots and fruits, quality traits including dry matter, fiber, ash, lipids and protein content were measured. Significant interactions of the applied nutrients were found, which increased the content of P and K, and decreased Ca and Mg of the soil. The N fertilization alone did not affect the growth of the shoots and foliar area. The interactions of the primary elements significantly increased the dry matter and fiber of the shoots, while the growth and quality of fruits were not modified.

Cocoa is a crop in increasing demand and cultivated worldwide. However, basic information concerning the movement of nutrients in leaves over time is still unknown, and methods to find an optimal time to collect a sample are still ambigu-ous. The present work focused on describing the movement of foliar nutrients (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) in productive 5-year-old cocoa clone CCN51 plants at the same dose of 114.8 kg ha-1 under different sources of nitrogen fertilization (Urea, calcium ni-trate, ammonium sulfate and a control without application). Samples were taken from the time the leaf reached 70% of its total expansion until 10 months of age. The results indicated that the contents of N, Ca and Mg increased as the leaf grew, remained stable between 116 and 158 days of shoot emergence (DSE) and then decreased at the beginning of the leaf senescence period. While the K and P con-tents decrease from the beginning of the trial until 158 DSE where they are stable until the final stage of leaf life. Around 110 to 120 DSE, the leaves of cocoa CCN51 show a more stable nutritional content, a period in which samples can be collected for leaf analysis.

Background. In the new global economy, cocoa is an important crop. However, far too little attention has been paid to the nutritional aspects. On the other hand, nitrogen is the most important nutrient in crop production, and mineral nitrogen fertilizers are the most widely used by farmers. Improving the efficiency of nitrogen uptake and utilization could potentially increase crop yields and quality, as well as reduce nitrogen fertilization and environmental pollution. Objective. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of three nitrogen sources on morphological characteristics, yield and quality of CCN-51 cocoa, and soil chemical characteristics in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Methodology. A randomized design was established with 4 treatments with the same N dose, but varying the source (amide: urea, calcium nitrate, NC, and ammonium sulfate, SA), plus a control without N application. The investigated variables are soil chemical characteristics, shoot growth, fruit morphology, seed chemical characteristics, production and yield estimates, and agronomic efficiency of the sources. Results. NC maintained soil pH at 5.29 points compared to SA and urea, which acidified at a higher rate (4.32 and 3.96), leading to an increase of N and a decrease Ca in the soil. SA increased the fat content in the cocoa seed (54.1 %), with a higher number of fruits per plant (16.7) and, therefore, a better yield (0.799 t/ha). Implications. These results provide basic information on the nitrogen source effects and cocoa nutrition to be considered for future research. Conclusion. The findings suggested that NC conserves soil pH better than the other sources. SA increases production and fat content, so it can be considered the most efficient.

Waterlogging is an increasing constraint to crop productivity under climate change, yet information on quinoa’s sensitivity to excess water remains limited. This study aimed to identify the most vulnerable phenological stage of quinoa to waterlogging stress. A greenhouse experiment was conducted using the variety Tunkahuan, applying waterlogging (12 days) at six growth stages according to the BBCH scale, plus a well-drained control. Growth, chlorophyll content, biomass, yield components, and harvest index were assessed. Waterlogging significantly reduced growth and yield at all stages (p ≤ 0.05). Early vegetative stress reduced canopy cover and chlorophyll, with partial recovery after stress removal, but caused 73% plant mortality at BBCH 25. Reproductive stress, especially at anthesis (BBCH 60–67), was most critical, reducing yield by 71–77% compared to the control due to severe declines in grain number and harvest index. Stress during grain filling caused moderate yield reductions (22–28 g plant⁻¹). We conclude that quinoa is sensitive to waterlogging throughout its development, but anthesis is the most vulnerable stage for irreversible yield loss. These findings highlight the need for breeding programs targeting waterlogging tolerance and improved management practices to minimize flooding risk during flowering.

Background. Climate change has direct impacts on current and future crop productivity, negatively affecting food security, particularly in Latin America. Objective. To assess the impact of projected climate change on the phenology and yield of white maize using the DSSAT CERES-Maize model, which was calibrated and validated under Andean conditions. Methodology. The crop model was validated using data from field trials carried out in 2018-2019 and 2020-2021 under different planting densities and nutrient management regimes. Climate projections from the sixth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) and emissions scenarios from Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP) were used. Results. Calibration and validation of the CERES maize crop model demonstrated good agreement between simulated and observed values for white maize phenology and yield under Andean conditions. The error rate percentage was less than 10%, which indicates high accuracy of the simulation results. The phenology of white maize was significantly affected under all SSP climate scenarios, particularly in the 2090s, indicating a decrease of up to 83 days (approximately 39%) in the SSP370 and SSP585 scenarios. Regarding maize productivity, a reduction in yield is expected under SSP370 and SSP585 (up to a maximum of 20%), with declines being more significant at the end of the century. Conversely, projections for the SSP126 scenario indicate a slight increase in yields. Implications. These results suggest that climate change will have a negative impact on the white maize crop under Andean conditions. Therefore, mitigation and adaptation measures will be necessary to reduce the risk of meeting population demand in the mid-to-late century under the most severe emissions scenario. Conclusion. The findings estimate that white maize will considerably shorten the growing season under future climate change, with potential impacts on crop yield.