This study optimized a homogeneous photo-Fenton process for the simultaneous degradation of the emerging pesticides atrazine and methomyl in water using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). A synthetic agricultural effluent containing 2.0 mg L⁻¹ of each pesticide (COD = 103.2 mg O₂ L⁻¹; TOC = 26.1 mg C L⁻¹; BOD₅ = 45.8 mg O₂ L⁻¹) was treated in a recirculating UV–H₂O₂/Fe²⁺ reactor. A 2³ factorial design with replication and five central points identified the H₂O₂/Fe²⁺ ratio and irradiation time as the main factors controlling mineralization, achieving up to 88.9% COD removal in the best screening run. Steepest-ascent experiments were then performed to approach the region of maximum response, followed by a rotatable Central Composite Design (20 runs). The resulting quadratic model explained 98.14% of the COD variance (R² = 0.9814; adjusted R² = 0.9646; predicted R² = 0.8591; CV = 0.2736%) and predicted a maximum COD removal of 94.5% at a volumetric flow rate of 0.466 L min⁻¹, a Fenton ratio of 12.713 mg mg⁻¹, and a treatment time of 71.0 min. Experimental validation under these optimized conditions yielded highly reproducible removals of 94.2 ± 0.04% COD and 81% TOC, confirming the predictive capability of the RSM model and demonstrating a high degree of organic mineralization. The response surfaces revealed that increasing the Fenton ratio enhances oxidation up to an optimum, beyond which hydroxyl-radical self-scavenging slightly decreases efficiency. Overall, the integration of multivariable experimental design and RSM provided a robust framework to maximize photo-Fenton performance with moderate reagent consumption and operating time, consolidating this process as a viable alternative for the mitigation of pesticide-laden agricultural wastewaters.

The pronounced heterogeneity of high-Andean soils constitutes a critical constraint to the sustainable productivity of quinoa in southern Peru, where current yields (1.6 t ha⁻¹) remain well below potential (>5 t ha⁻¹). This study aimed to develop a spatially predictive model of a weighted soil quality index (SQIw), the edaphic supply of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), and the agricultural gypsum requirement by integrating edaphoclimatic covariates through regression–kriging. A total of 198 quinoa-cultivated soil samples were analysed; a minimum data set (MDS) was defined using correlation and principal component analyses, and regression–kriging was applied to map SQIw and the variables of interest. The MDS comprised electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), available P, exchangeable Na, sand, clay, and effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC); exchangeable Na (Wi = 0.160) and available P (Wi = 0.158) received the largest weights in the SQIw. SQIw values ranged from 0.22 to 0.84 and supported a five-class soil quality taxonomy; spatial modelling revealed a dominance of moderate-quality soils across the territory (85.21% of the agricultural area, 13,461.19 ha). The model achieved R² = 0.56, RMSE = 0.05, and MAE = 0.04 for SQIw. Most of the area (12,175.65 ha; 77%) exhibited an intermediate gypsum requirement (9.73–14.33 t ha⁻¹). Nitrogen and phosphorus showed the greatest territorial limitations, whereas potassium was largely non-limiting (84.82–570.17 kg ha⁻¹). These results indicate that sodicity and N–P deficiencies are the primary functional constraints; the generated maps enable prioritisation of gypsum amendments and targeted variable-rate fertilisation strategies to optimise the sustainability of quinoa production in the Altiplano.

High‐Andean forage systems are characterized by extensive management of cultivated forages, primarily through rotation of forage oats ( Avena sativa ) and alfalfa ( Medicago sativa ), under marginal edaphoclimatic conditions. Within this context, soil sodicity severely constrains the productivity of these systems in the districts of Ayaviri and Macarí, Melgar Province, Peru. However, spatially explicit information on gypsum requirements (GR) for sodic‐soil reclamation remains unavailable. To address this gap, this study aimed to: (i) develop a weighted Soil Quality Index (SQIw) for sodic soils, (ii) delineate sodicity‐affected areas across districts, soil classes and environmental conditions and (iii) generate high‐resolution maps of gypsum requirements using regression kriging (RK). A total of 1273 soil samples were analysed in high‐altitude areas of Ayaviri and Macarí. Key sodicity‐related variables included exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), clay flocculating charge and Modified Soil‐Adjusted Vegetation Index (MSAVI) selected through Pearson correlation and principal component analysis to construct the SQIw, while regression kriging was used to generate spatially explicit gypsum requirement maps. Results showed wide variability in pH and ESP, reflecting heterogeneous sodicity conditions across the study area, with Macarí presenting higher soil quality (SQIw = 0.61) than Ayaviri (SQIw = 0.44). Sandy loam soils and acid saline–sodic soils exhibited the greatest vulnerability. Regression kriging achieved high predictive accuracy for GR estimation ( R ² = 0.97 in Ayaviri; R ² = 0.85 in Macarí), enabling precise delineation of priority intervention zones. The resulting GR maps provide a robust basis for site‐specific gypsum application, improving amendment efficiency, reducing unnecessary costs and supporting sustainable sodicity management in vulnerable High‐Andean agroecosystems.

This study aimed to bibliometrically analyze the scientific production on pre-Hispanic agricultural technologies, highlighting their potential to address contemporary challenges related to food security and sustainability. To achieve this, 584 documents from SCOPUS (1932–2024) were examined using VOSviewer and CiteSpace, enabling the mapping of co-authorship networks, keywords, and institutional collaborations, as well as reviewing citation indicators, h-index, and g-index.The results indicate a substantial increase in publications since the 1980s, with accelerated growth from the 2000s onward. The United States leads in publication volume, followed by the United Kingdom, China, India, and France. Prominent among the research institutions are multidisciplinary centers specializing in archaeology, ecology, and biotechnology. Influential journals in the field include Journal of Archaeological Science, The Holocene, and Vegetation History and Archaeobotany. The keyword analysis underscores the significance of ancestral agricultural systems (raised fields, terraces, chinampas) and the integration of modern methodologies (genomics, remote sensing) to enhance their applicability in climate change scenarios. In conclusion, the growing attention to these technologies highlights their value as viable and sustainable alternatives, rooted in agroecological diversity, to strengthen food security and increase the resilience of modern agricultural systems.

The farmers of Andes in rural areas commonly use fish hydrolysate and vermicompost leachate as cost-effective bio-inputs, either due to limited economic resources or a part of organic farming practices. However, their agronomic effectiveness for primary sources of plant nutrition under rainfed conditions remains insufficiently documented. This study evaluated the phenological response of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) to the applications of fish hydrolysate (1% and 2%) and vermicompost leachate (10%) at the Illpa Agrarian Experimental Station in Puno, Peru. Morphological parameters and yield components of quinoa and soil chemical properties were assessed at the end of the crop cycle. The results revealed a differentiated response by phenological stage: vermicompost leachate significantly enhanced plant height during the grain-filling stage, while 1% fish hydrolysate increased above ground dry weight without translating into significant yield gains compared to the control. Both biofertilizers improved soil parameters, including pH and cation exchange capacity, indicating a positive effect on soil quality. In conclusion, these inputs exert specific biostimulant effects during the vegetative stages, but do not entirely replace the function of comprehensive fertilization to achieve high yields. Nonetheless, their strategic use at key phenological stages of the cycle may support the development of more sustainable production systems in high Andean rainfed environments.