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.

Cocoa beans are the raw material for the chocolate industry. In this study, the total fat contents and fatty acid profiles of fine-aroma cocoa beans of 30 cocoa ecotypes from northeastern Peru were evaluated. Results showed that SJJ-1 and ACJ-11 ecotypes from San Martin and Amazonas regions, respectively, presented highest percentages of total fat with an average of 30.49%. With respect to fatty acid profiles, it was found that cocoa ecotypes are composed of 10 fatty acids (C14:0, C16:0, C16:1, C18:0, C17:0, C18:1, C18:2, C18:3, C20:0, and C22:0); based on this profile, 5 clusters were determined. Cluster 5 had the highest content of C17:0 fatty acid (0.47%); however, the clusters 1, 2, 3, and 4 had the lowest content of this fatty acid (0.37%, 0.32%, 0.32%, respectively). The clusters 3 and 4 showed the highest content of C16:0 fatty acid (31.13% y 28.97%, respectively). The clusters 3 and 5 contained the highest content of the acid C18:1 (27.08% y 26.82%, respectively). The PCA found that C18:0 and C20:0 fatty acids are correlated, and are fundamentally opposite to C18:1, C16:0, and C18:3 acids. These results may be useful in identifying raw material for the development of specialty chocolates with better nutritional value than traditional cocoa.

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.

It has been established that climate change has a direct impact on water availability, an essential resource for agricultural development. As a result, controlling, mitigating, and adapting to water deficit requires the advancement of research on promising wild flora species. As recent studies have shown, wild relatives of certain cultivars are tolerant to adverse factors, enabling the development of sustainable and resilient agriculture. The present study evaluated the morpho-physiology and productivity of tomato scions grafted on wild Solanaceae (Datura stramonium, Solanum sisymbriifolium, Solanum quitoense, and Cyphomandra betacea) grown under water deficit conditions (100% ETc - high level, 75% ETc - moderate level, 50% ETc - medium level, and 25% ETc - low level). The results showed that tomato plants grafted on Datura stramonium rootstocks performed better morpho-physiologically under deficit irrigation. The improved osmoregulation caused by a higher relative water content (98.49%) allowed the scion to be more tolerant to water stress. In addition, these scions showed high water potential during their phenological stages (vegetative -0.47 MPa, flowering -0.59 MPa, and production -0.64 MPa), as well as improved photosynthetic efficiency. The overall tolerance of the scion resulted in better yield (8.14 kg/plant) with higher number of commercially valuable fruits. The D. stramonium rootstock allowed better management and use of irrigation water, increasing productivity (54.95 kg/m³); that is, it is presented as a species with potential for establishing tomato production areas in scenarios of water scarcity or cultivation under deficit irrigation.

BIOAGRO is a scientific journal of the Agronomy Faculty of the Universidad Centroccidental Peru has a high genetic diversity of Andean legumes, especially of the genus Phaseolus. Its identification through agromorphological descriptors is essential to promote its conservation, which allows the development of genetic improvement studies. Under this scenario, the objective of the present work was to characterize morphologically and agronomically 58 accessions of common bean (Phaseolus spp) deposited in the germplasm bank of the Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria del Perú. For this purpose, 24 quantitative and 18 qualitative descriptors were used to evaluate the phenology of each accession. Cluster analysis and multiple correspondence analysis identified the formation of four groups according to their similar characteristics. The largest number of accessions were located in the third and fourth groups. However, the seven accessions that made up the second group exhibited promising characteristics for their high productivity (2777.86 kg/Ha), with white seeds, of acceptable dimensions, with early epigeal germination (10 days), ovate-lanceolate leaves of indeterminate growth (174.79 cm plant height) that develop numerous guides. Besides having a prolonged flowering (33.86 days) with pink and white petals, which give rise to a greater number of green pods (66.71 per plant) until they reach physiological maturity. These qualities make them a valuable source for the appropriate implementation of future breeding programs. El Perú cuenta con una alta diversidad genética de leguminosas andinas, especialmente del género Phaseolus. Su identificación a través de descriptores agromorfológicos es trascendental para impulsar su conservación y desarrollar estudios de mejoramiento genético. Bajo este escenario, el objetivo del presente trabajo fue caracterizar morfológica y agronómicamente 58 accesiones de frijol común (Phaseolus spp) depositadas en el banco de germoplasma del Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria del Perú. Para ello, se utilizaron 24 descriptores cuantitativos y 18 cualitativos que se evaluaron en la fenología de cada accesión. El análisis de conglomerados y de correspondencias múltiples, permitió identificar la formación de cuatro grupos en función de sus características semejantes. Donde el mayor número de accesiones se localizaron en el tercer y cuarto grupo. Sin embargo, las siete accesiones que conformaron el segundo grupo, exhibieron características promisorias por presentar alta productividad (2777,86 kg/Ha), con semillas blancas, de aceptables dimensiones, con una germinación epigea temprana (10 días), hojas ovada-lanceoladas de crecimiento indeterminado (174,79 cm de altura de planta) que desarrollan numerosas guías. Además de ostentar una floración prolongada (33,86 días) con pétalos rosados y blancos, que dan origen a un mayor número de vainas (66,71 por planta) de color verde hasta alcanzar su madures fisiológica. Cualidades que las convierten en fuente valiosa para la implementación apropiada de futuros programas de mejoramiento genético.

Lilies are one of the most important, beautiful, and economically valuable flowers in the world. Lilium is regarded as a popular floral trade cut flower, so viable protocols are needed to provide seed production, multiplication, and preservation. In vitro protocols allow for rapid large-scale production and rejuvenation of planting material, but to be a commercially viable multiplication method, the procedure must allow for rapid production of viable, true-to-type plants quickly. The objective was to evaluate the in vitro production of microbulbs of five lily varieties (Lilium Champion Diamond, Lilium Yellow Diamond, Lilium Batavus, Lilium Hyde Park, and Lilium sp.) using different concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 1.5, and 2.0mg L⁻¹ BAP) and to determine the commercial quality (flowering) of the plants grown from the seed obtained. Results from the micropropagation phase show Lilium Batavus and Lilium Hyde Park varieties had better in vitro responses, especially when grown with 1.0 and 1.5mg L⁻¹ BAP, respectively. Plants (of all varieties) grown from microbulbs showed positive growth and generally resulted in commercially viable flower production. Finally, the results of this study support the use of bulb scales as an alternative for obtaining vegetative seeds with high potential for lily cultivation.