The ancestral knowledge of the community of Colón Putumayo unfolds in several dimensions that allow us to recognise the ethnomedicinal properties of plants. The research focused on systematising ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal knowledge on the use of plants as alternatives for treating illnesses. A cross-sectional study was carried out through semi-structured questionnaires to 100 inhabitants of the community of Colón. We found 38 plant species catalogued in 18 botanical families where 10 species of medicinal plants were prioritised by the community for the treatment of illnesses. The use value (UV) evaluation showed that Chamaemelum nobile equals 0.18 compared to Cymbopogon citratus and Lippia alba with 0.04. The Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) for the cited medicinal use categories equivalent to 1.00 are for the treatment of six types of ailments, however, the plants can treat 16 types of ailments. The Fidelity Level (LF) found identified that four plants are used for the treatment of one type of ailment while three are used to alleviate several ailments. The local knowledge of the community of Colón Putumayo is linked to the ancestry of the territory, culture, and family farming practices.

This research aimed to assess carbon (C) stocks (living biomass, soil and detritus) in silvopastoral systems (SPS), the C density in living biomass (CLB) at the farm level, technological adoption and milk yields in an integrated fashion in small dairy farms in the Andean-Amazon region of Colombia. Technological adoption was assessed on a scale of 0 to 100% across 26 points. Milk yields from the top 10% highest-yielding farms were used for gap analysis. The lactation period and weaning age were considered as herd management variables. The study included 30 farms classified as high, medium or low SPS coverage. The average farm size was 9.1 ± 0.8 ha⁻¹ where live fences (LF) and woodlots (WL) were the main SPS. The total C were 152.0 ± 13.8 Mg·ha-¹, 152.2 ± 10.3 Mg·ha-¹, and 73.2 ± 4.4 Mg·ha-¹ in WL, LF and pastures. Farms with high SPS coverage (10.8 ± 1.1%) presented a CLB density of 8.6 ± 2.0 Mg·ha⁻¹, 3.4 and 43 times higher than those with medium and low coverage, respectively. Average milk yield was 3190.1 ± 237.5 kg fat and protein-corrected milk (FPCM) cow⁻¹ yr⁻¹, with the top 10% of farms having 6056.7 kg·FPCM·cow⁻¹ yr⁻¹. Farms with low SPS coverage had the smallest yield gap (1221.4 ± 290 kg·FPCM·cow⁻¹ yr⁻¹) but also a lower average yield (2883.0 ± 290 kg·FPCM·cow⁻¹·yr⁻¹). The farms averaged 48.9 ± 2.1% in the technological adoption level, 271.5 ± 8.4 days of lactation period, and 129.3 ± 17.8 days of weaning age, with no significant differences across SPS levels. An integrated approach to jointly increase technology adoption, herd management, and the enhancement of SPS coverage at the farm level can reduce the yield gap while enhancing C stocks.

Silvopastoral systems (SPS) are recognized for their potential to sequester carbon (C) and mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in livestock production. However, the extent to which small-scale dairy farms in the Andean region can offset emissions through SPS remains unclear. This study assessed the C capture of SPS to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in small-scale dairy farms in Colombia's Andean-Amazon region. The average annual carbon increment (AACI) in living biomass (above and below ground) was evaluated in woodlots (WL), live fences (LF), and topsoil of pastures (TP) at plot and farm levels. The carbon footprint (CFP) was calculated using a cradle-to-gate approach with biophysical allocation for fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM) and expressed per product (MgCO ₂ -eq MgFPCM⁻ ¹ ) and area (MgCO ₂ -eq·yr⁻ ¹ ha⁻ ¹ ) across 30 farms categorized by high, medium, and low SPS coverage. At plot level, AACI values were 4.54 ± 0.57 Mg·C·ha⁻ ¹ ·yr⁻ ¹ (LF), 3.20 ± 0.61 Mg·C·ha⁻ ¹ ·yr⁻ ¹ (WL), and 0.24 ± 0.08 Mg·C·ha⁻ ¹ ·yr⁻ ¹ (TP). At farm-level AACI was 4.43 ± 0.96, 1.28 ± 0.41, and 0.24 ± 0.08 Mg·C·ha⁻ ¹ ·yr⁻ ¹ for high, medium, and low SPS coverages respectively. Between 78 and 86% of AACI was attributed to Eucalyptus globulus (LF). CFP per product averaged 1.24 ± 0.16 MgCO ₂ -eq MgFPCM⁻ ¹ . Total emissions per farm averaged 28.27 ± 2.58 MgCO ₂ -eq·yr⁻ ¹ and per area 3.35 ± 0.32 MgCO ₂ -eq·yr⁻ ¹ ha⁻ ¹ , with no differences across SPS coverages. Carbon balance was negative regardless of SPS coverage. The mitigation potential of SPS were 63%, 26%, and 4% for high, medium, and low SPS coverage. The required area to offset emissions ranged from 11.5 ha⁻ ¹ considering the soil AACI to 1.2–10.2 ha⁻ ¹ based on the AACI of SPS. Small dairy farms (9.11 ± 0.75 ha ⁻¹ ) in the Andean-Amazon region can mitigate total emissions using a SPS coverage over 13% together with optimized feeding practices, lactation and weaning periods.

Changes in soil utilization exert detrimental effects on its properties, emphasizing the critical need for a thorough evaluation to mitigate their repercussions on the ecosystem. This investigation was conducted aiming to assess the physical degradation in histosol soils in the Putumayo department, Colombia, caused by alterations in land use. For this, we assessed two types of areas: those without intervention (T0) and those affected by deformation in mound structures caused by the combined actions of livestock and high moisture, commonly known as “tatucos”. The assessment categorized these areas based on the percentage deformation incidence: low degradation (T1), moderate degradation (T2), and high degradation (T3). Sampling was conducted at a depth of 15 cm, both in the tatuco-affected zone and its surrounding area. Measurements were taken for mound height and diameter, as well as physical properties such as bulk and real density, porosity, volumetric moisture, penetration resistance, and the degree of organic material decomposition. The primary land use identified in the study area was extensive livestock farming. It was established that in areas with high levels of degradation (T3), there was an average mound diameter of 151.9 ± 4.46 cm and a height of 22.7 ± 2.59 cm. Regarding physical properties in the area adjacent to the mound, there was a bulk density of 0.24 g.cm-3, a real density of 1.62 g.cm-3, and a penetration resistance of 0.71 MPa. These values were significantly higher than those observed in areas without intervention. Hence, it can be inferred that the alteration in land use is causing a substantial change in the physical properties of these soils, which are vital for the agroecosystems in the southern regions of Colombia. Changes in soil utilization exert detrimental effects on its properties, emphasizing the critical need for a thorough evaluation to mitigate their repercussions on the ecosystem. This investigation was conducted aiming to assess the physical degradation in histosol soils in the Putumayo department, Colombia, caused by alterations in land use. For this, we assessed two types of areas: those without intervention (T0) and those affected by deformation in mound structures caused by the combined actions of livestock and high moisture, commonly known as “tatucos”. The assessment categorized these areas based on the percentage deformation incidence: low degradation (T1), moderate degradation (T2), and high degradation (T3). Sampling was conducted at a depth of 15 cm, both in the tatuco-affected zone and its surrounding area. Measurements were taken for mound height and diameter, as well as physical properties such as bulk and real density, porosity, volumetric moisture, penetration resistance, and the degree of organic material decomposition. The primary land use identified in the study area was extensive livestock farming. It was established that in areas with high levels of degradation (T3), there was an average mound diameter of 151.9 ± 4.46 cm and a height of 22.7 ± 2.59 cm. Regarding physical properties in the area adjacent to the mound, there was a bulk density of 0.24 g.cm-3, a real density of 1.62 g.cm-3, and a penetration resistance of 0.71 MPa. These values were significantly higher than those observed in areas without intervention. Hence, it can be inferred that the alteration in land use is causing a substantial change in the physical properties of these soils, which are vital for the agroecosystems in the southern regions of Colombia. Changes in soil utilization exert detrimental effects on its properties, emphasizing the critical need for a thorough evaluation to mitigate their repercussions on the ecosystem. This investigation was conducted aiming to assess the physical degradation in histosol soils in the Putumayo department, Colombia, caused by alterations in land use. For this, we assessed two types of areas: those without intervention (T0) and those affected by deformation in mound structures caused by the combined actions of livestock and high moisture, commonly known as “tatucos”. The assessment categorized these areas based on the percentage deformation incidence: low degradation (T1), moderate degradation (T2), and high degradation (T3). Sampling was conducted at a depth of 15 cm, both in the tatuco-affected zone and its surrounding area. Measurements were taken for mound height and diameter, as well as physical properties such as bulk and real density, porosity, volumetric moisture, penetration resistance, and the degree of organic material decomposition. The primary land use identified in the study area was extensive livestock farming. It was established that in areas with high levels of degradation (T3), there was an average mound diameter of 151.9 ± 4.46 cm and a height of 22.7 ± 2.59 cm. Regarding physical properties in the area adjacent to the mound, there was a bulk density of 0.24 g.cm-3, a real density of 1.62 g.cm-3, and a penetration resistance of 0.71 MPa. These values were significantly higher than those observed in areas without intervention. Hence, it can be inferred that the alteration in land use is causing a substantial change in the physical properties of these soils, which are vital for the agroecosystems in the southern regions of Colombia.

The use of biofertilizers has shown positive effects on soil fertility and increased crop productivity. For this reason, and understanding that one of the main economic activities in the municipality of Colón is based on agriculture, training was provided to horticultural producers on the preparation, application and evaluation of the advantages of biofertilizers and their importance at an environmental level. the objective was to assess four types of biofertilizers in vegetables as an alternative to good agricultural practices (GAP), four types were developed and evaluated: panthetonate, anaerobic broth, superlean and forest mulch broth. Surveys were carried out that provided information on the handling of seeds, soil, use of fertilizers, agronomic and by-product management, in addition, theoretical-practical training was given on the advantages of applying liquid fertilizers in the production of vegetables and the elaboration of these . To evaluate the response to the application, an unrestrictedly randomized block design (BIA) was established, where it was evaluated in the plants in the cultivation of lettuce (Lactuca sativa). The variables evaluated were plant height every 15 days, wet plant weight and dry matter. A statistical analysis of variance (Andeva) and a Tukey significance test were performed where (P < 0.05), the results of lettuce growth presented significant differences where the anaerobic broth biofertilizer was used, which increased the height, fresh weight of the plant, compared to the absolute control.

Andisols are highly productive soils formed by the progressive weathering of volcanic products. Two volcanic areas of Colombia were evaluated to compare soil characteristics and the influence of volcanic products on regional soil components. Fifty-four sites were sampled in the Tapias-Guacaica (TGMVF) and Guamuez-Sibundoy (GSMVF) monogenetic volcanic fields, and different production systems were assessed using soil physicochemical parameters. The results indicate that the soils of the TGMVF have a neutral pH, good cation exchange capacity, structural stability, macroporosity, and adequate drainage of water and nutrients, with low retention capacity. In contrast, the soils of the GSMVF exhibit high levels of organic matter, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as microporosity, mesoporosity, and efficient mobility and fixation of water and nutrients. Based on these parameters, the analysis of variance identified two and three distinct groups for the TGMVF and GSMVF, respectively. The behavior of the physicochemical variables, mainly total porosity (Pr), bulk density (ρa), particle density (ρr), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and structural stability (SS), may be affected by external factors such as compaction and internal factors such as soil wetting and drying cycles, especially in the pasture system of both volcanic fields. In general, the physicochemical variation of the soils has been influenced by factors such as geological time, soil management, vegetation, topography, and parent material. These results establish the basis for promoting appropriate agricultural practices in the fields.