Aim: Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) is expected to be vulnerable to climate change. The objectives of this study were to (a) assess the future impact of climate change on cacao in Peru and (b) identify areas where climate change‐tolerant genotypes are potentially present.Location: PeruMethods: Drawing on 19,700 and 1,200 presence points of cultivated and wild cacao, respectively, we modelled their suitability distributions using multiple ensemble models constructed based on both random and target group selection of pseudo‐absence points and different resolutions of spatial filtering. To estimate the uncertainty of future predictions, we generated future projections for all the ensemble models. We investigated the potential emergence of novel climates, determined expected changes in ecogeographical zones (zones representative for particular sets of growth conditions) and carried out an outlier analysis based on the environmental variables most relevant for climate change adaptation to identify areas where climate change‐tolerant genotypes are potentially present.Results: We found that the best modelling approaches differed between cultivated and wild cacao and that the resolution of spatial filtering had a strong impact on future suitability predictions, calling for careful evaluation of the effect of model selection on modelling results. Overall, our models foresee a contraction of suitable area for cultivated cacao while predicting a more positive future for wild cacao in Peru. Ecogeographical zones are expected to change in 8%–16% of the distribution of cultivated and wild cacao. We identified several areas where climate change‐tolerant genotypes may be present in Peru.Main conclusions: Our results indicate that tolerant genotypes will be required to facilitate the adaptation of cacao cultivation under climate change. The identified cacao populations will be target of collection missions.

Ullucus tuberosus is an Andean region crop adapted to high-altitude environments and dryland cultivation. It is an essential resource that guarantees food security due to its carbohydrate, protein, and low-fat content. However, current change patterns in precipitation and temperatures warn of complex scenarios where climate change will affect this crop. Therefore, predicting these effects through simulation is a valuable tool for evaluating this crop’s sustainability. This study aims to evaluate ulluco’s crop yield under dryland conditions at 3914 m.a.s.l. considering climate change scenarios from 2024 to 2100 by using the AquaCrop model. Simulations were carried out using current meteorological data, crop agronomic information, and simulations for SSP1-2.6, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5 of CMIP 6. The results indicate that minimum temperature increases and seasonal precipitation exacerbation will significantly influence yields. Increases in rainfall and environmental CO₂ concentrations show an opportunity window for yield increment in the early stages. However, a negative trend is observed for 2050–2100, mainly due to crop temperature stress. These findings highlight the importance of developing more resistant ulluco varieties to heat stress conditions, adapting water management practices, continuing modeling climate change effects on crops, and investing in research on smallholder agriculture to reach Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, and 13.

Background: The exclusive application of synthetic or organic fertilizers continues to generate controversy. Evidence indicates that the integrated use of these practices can enhance crop nutrition, reduce the reliance on synthetic fertilizers, and mitigate their polluting impact on soil quality. Objective: To evaluate organic and mineral fertilization doses used on hard yellow maize Megahybrid 619 INIA growth and yield using a liquid biofertilizer derived from slaughterhouse waste fermentation. Methodology: Using a randomized complete block experimental design with a 4x2 factorial arrangement, four doses of NPK chemical fertilization and biofertilizer application were tested. Mineral fertilization was divided into two parts, while slaughterhouse waste fermented biofertilizer applications were carried out via drench during vegetative growth and between the tasselling and grain filling stages at a 50 L∙ha-1 product dose. Results: Liquid biofertilizer (K1) use positively impacted growth, with a comparable effect on height and leaf area applying fertilization medium dose (F2_K1). The lowest dose of chemical fertilization in combination with the biofertilizer (F1_K1) obtained a significantly higher maize harvest index (+14%) compared to complete fertilization (F3_K1). Implications: While the highest fertilization levels did not result in increased yields, it is plausible that under different conditions and with other maize hybrids, significant differences may be observed. Conclusion: The application of liquid biofertilizer combined with a reduced dose of mineral fertilization results in a higher harvest index and a yield comparable to that achieved with full mineral fertilization in the hard yellow maize Megahybrid 619 INIA.

Hard yellow maize is a crucial crop in Peruvian agriculture that plays a significant role in food security and livestock production. However, intensive fertilization practices in agronomic management have negatively impacted soil health. To explore more sustainable agricultural technologies, researchers investigated solutions using microorganisms to enhance plant growth. This study assessed the synergistic effects of microbial inoculants and mineral fertilization on INIA 619 and Dekal B-7088 maize varieties’ yield and nutritional quality. A split-plot design was employed, incorporating four inoculation treatments—no inoculant, Bacillus subtilis, Trichoderma viride, and Pseudomonas putida—combined with fertilization levels of 0%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. The findings revealed that Bacillus subtilis boosted yields by 13.1% in INIA 619 and 55.5% in Dekal B-7088. Additionally, combined with 100% fertilization, microbial inoculation increased protein content by 47% and carbohydrates by 6% in INIA 619 while maintaining nutritional quality with 75% fertilization. Similarly, in Dekal B-7088, inoculation with total fertilization enhanced protein content by 54% and fiber by 27%. These results demonstrated that microbial inoculation could reduce mineral fertilization by up to 25% while sustaining high yields and improving the nutritional quality of maize.