Little is known about the major issues leading to postharvest losses in Peru, which are estimated to be 15–27%. We surveyed 503 farmers from the lowlands and Andean regions of Arequipa to learn more about the major grains produced and issues encountered during drying and storage. Rice, common bean, and quinoa were the most grown crops in the lowlands while starchy maize was the most cultivated crop in the highlands. Most farmers (90%) dried their crops in-field directly on the ground, which exposes them to rodents, birds, and insect pests. The majority of farmers (92%) used subjective methods to assess grain moisture content. About 77% of farmers identified insects as a major challenge during storage but only 44% said they used preventive measures such as the application of insecticides. Among farmers who stored grain, the main reason was for household consumption (61%); while among those who did not store, the main reason was the need for immediate cash at harvest (75%). Farmers who experienced insect problems, who stored seed or grain for sale, who stored longer, or farmers from the lowlands were more likely to apply insecticides on their stored products. These findings provide an opportunity for researchers, development organizations, and government agencies to improve postharvest handling and storage in Arequipa by disseminating drying technologies, moisture assessment tools and hermetic storage solutions among farmers.

Plant-parasitic nematodes cause 14 % of annual losses in different crops in the world and there are more than 35 genera of phytoparasitic nematodes associated with the rhizosphere of the papaya crop (Carica spp.), being the most important the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp). The present study aimed to carry out the morphological identification of the genera of nematodes associated with the cultivation of Andean papaya (Carica pubescens), in Sandia district, Puno, Perú. One-hundred and fifty-five soil and roots samples from eight communities were evaluated. The samples were processed by the centrifugal fluctuation method in sucrose solution and subsequent identification of the nematodes at the genus level, using the dichotomous key of Mai and Mullin. We found the genus Meloidogyne, Pratylenchus, Helicotylenchus, Mesocriconema, Apelenchus, Dorilaymus, Tylenchus, Xiphinema, Mononchus, Discocriconemella, Trichodorus and other unidentified free-living nematodes. This information may allow the design of an integrated nematode management plan in Andean papaya crops.

Phaseolus lunatus es una leguminosa de gran importancia cultural en el Perú, que ha sido domesticada por las culturas Nazca, Paracas y Mochica. La gran variabilidad genética obtenida por estas civilizaciones aún no ha sido plenamente identificada. Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo realizar la caracterización agro-morfológica de nueve accesiones, comparando 17 variables cualitativas y 12 cuantitativas a través de análisis descriptivos, ANOVA y prueba de Tukey, de correlación, de componentes principales y de clúster jerárquico. Los resultados indicaron variabilidad genética. Hubo correlación positiva y significativa entre la longitud del tallo principal y el número promedio de vainas por planta, pero negativa en relación al peso promedio de semilla. Se identificaron tres grupos de características similares en cuanto a la morfología y el rendimiento, resaltando los altos valores de ancho de vaina y semilla, número promedio de vainas por planta y peso promedio de semillas. Las accesiones promisorias fueron 1ac, 2ac, 5ac, 8ac y 9ac.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is the most cultivated fodder crop in Peru with 172,000 ha cultivated (MINAM 2019), and Arequipa is the top producing region with 40% of the national production in 2015 (S...