Entomopathogenic fungi represent the pinnacle of efficacy among biological control agents when combating insect pests within natural ecosystems, combating them without altering the environment. This study aimed to isolate and characterize the morphology, physiology, and pathogenicity of native isolates of Metarhizium sp. isolated from soil samples from the province of Rodriguez de Mendoza. Eighteen native isolates of Metarhizium sp. were isolated and characterized. Colony coloration varied between yellow-gray, white, brown, and olive, with feathery or wavy edges. As for radial growth, the highest averages were obtained by isolates LLM-M2 and TOR-M16, with 43.15 mm and 42.85 mm, respectively. Conidia production at 15 days was higher for isolate LLM-M2 with 9.8 × 10⁷ conidia/mL; in the percentage of germination at 14 h, the treatment that reached 100% germination was TOR-M16. Isolate CMR-M7 reached 97.49% mycelial growth percentage at 288 h, being the best result; in the percentage of mortality in CBB adults, the treatments that reached 100% were TOR-M9, TOR-M16, and MNR-M1. In general, the results demonstrate the entomopathogenic potential of native isolates of Metarhizium sp. acting as biocontrol agents of Hypothenemus hampei, being a low-cost, easily accessible, and environmentally friendly alternative.

Coffee is a crop of global importance, and it is especially important in countries such as Peru. However, the presence of the pest Hypothenemus hampei represents a significant challenge with a notable economic impact. This study addresses this challenge using entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria peruviensis and Metarhizium sp. The compatibility of three strains of Beauveria peruviensis (F5, P19, and P4) and seven strains of Metarhizium sp. (MMR-M1, LLM-M2, MHR-M4, PMR-M12, MMR-M15, TOR-M16, and GOR-M18) was evaluated for approximately 2 months. A total of 14 treatments were designed, each consisting of one strain of B. peruviensis and one strain of Metarhizium sp. The Skott–Knott test (p ≤ 0.05) revealed that strain LLM-M2 (Metarhizium sp. strain) had the highest conidial production (3.75 × 10⁷ conidia/mL). Except for T6 (MMR-M1/F5), which showed a mutual growth type interaction (type A), all other strain combinations showed a type B interaction (mutual inhibition by contact or separation between colony margins (<2 mm)). The combination with the highest germination rate was T10 (MHR-M4/F5) at 89%. In addition, the pathogenicity of the combined strains was evaluated, showing a direct correlation with mortality and mycosis development in the coffee berry borer in treatments T1 (PMR-M12/P19), T10 (MHR-M4/F5), and T11 (MMR-M15/P19), reaching 100% mortality at 72 h with grade 4 mycosis. Regarding mycelial growth, treatments T1 (PMR-M12/P19), T4 (MMR-M1/P19), and T12 (GOR-M18/P19) reached the highest percentages, between 85.8% and 83.10% at 240 h. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using native strains of B. peruviensis and Metarhizium sp. as a biocontrol strategy against the coffee berry borer in the Amazon department, presenting them as an alternative to traditional chemical methods.

This research analyzes the relationship between the use of precision technologies and the management of agricultural inputs within the framework of sustainability. Structured surveys were conducted with 120 producers, addressing variables such as access to technology, training, technological integration, productivity, and barriers. Multiple linear regression, Spearman correlation, and cluster analysis were applied to identify the factors influencing efficient, environmentally responsible, and socioeconomically viable input management. The findings show that the Productivity and Sustainability dimension has a significant positive effect, while barriers and challenges have a negative influence. The model related to soil health (adjusted R² = 0.304) highlights the potential of precision technologies to enhance yield and reduce environmental impacts. However, structural limitations, such as high costs, insufficient infrastructure, and lack of training, were identified as major obstacles to adoption. The results emphasize the need for public policies, technical training programs, and support strategies to foster more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive agricultural systems aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Cocoa farming is one of the most important activities in the Peruvian Amazon. Its genetic basis is supported by the introduction of improved clones, so that the local genetic potential are in germplasm bank is not well used due to limited breeding study. This study aimed to estimate the repeatability for the genetic selection of high-yield trees with aromatic cocoa beans. Genetic selection analysis was executed with the SOFTWARE SELEGEN REML / BLUP in a 3-year data for assessing grain yield kg / tree, average grain weight (g) and average weight of cobs (kg) in the bank germplasm INIA-San Martin and Lebuaf Conservation Unit SAC (Plantation Maria). The individual repeatability grain yield / tree and average grain weight was moderate (0.52) and (0.30) respectively, which did not happen for the repeatability of the variable average cob weight was low with (0.24). The variable was more stable grain yield / tree, who threw an average of 3 harvest repeatability was 0.77, favoring selective accuracy of 0.88. Superior genotypes can be accurately selected with 4 to 5 harvests. The selection and cloning of the 20 best genotypes or selected trees should facilitate a genetic gain of 112%, raising the annual average productivity of 1.24 grains per tree kg / tree to 1.54 kg / tree.

La palma aceitera es uno de cultivos de la Amazonía Peruana, que genera en los inversionistas mayor interés, que ha permitido instalar al menos 70 mil ha. Al Perú ha ingresado semillas de palma aceitera de alto valor genético, por su resistencia a enfermedad, plagas y alto rendimiento, pero durante el tiempo ha experimentado variabilidad en los diferentes ecosistemas del país. Este trabajo tuvo por objetivo la selección genética computarizada para la selección de plantas elites de alto rendimiento de racimos de fruta fresca (RFF) de palma aceitera. Para realizar el análisis genético computarizado, se dispuso del software SELEGEN Rml/Blup, que es un programa diseñado para el análisis y la selección. Benin y Costa de Marfil son las que tienen mejor promedio, cuyo valor mínimo es de 22,1 kg/planta y el valor máximo corresponde de 375,9 kg/planta. El hibrido 2301 tiene los mejores promedios de rendimiento, seguido por el híbrido 2401, cuyo valores de rendimiento extremos máximo superior a 340 kg/planta. El primer año, el rendimiento promedio fue de 46,62 kg/planta y para el tercer año de producción el promedio pasó a 142,82 kg/pl. La repetibilidad individual para rendimiento de RFF kg/planta en ambos grupos 2007 y 2008 fue de 0,10 y la repetibilidad del promedio de cosechas fue de 0,87 y 0,82 para los grupos 2007 y 2008, respectivamente. Esto propició una exactitud selectiva de 0,93 para el grupo 2007 y de 0,90 para el grupo del 2008. DOI: 10.17268/sci.agropecu.2014.04.06