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.

Watersheds are vital for water regulation, biodiversity conservation, agriculture, and ecosystem services for local and downstream communities. Evaluating traditional Andean land-management practices is therefore crucial for designing sustainable strategies. In this cross-sectional study, we partnered with the Marjuni, Kishuara, and Payanca communities in the Paymakis Agrobiodiversity Zone, located in the Peruvian Andean department of Apurímac. It was analyzed 103 soil samples from continuously cropped fields and Layme fallows of varying durations. It integrated physical and chemical properties into a soil quality index, spatially mapped the results, and complemented them with interviews with 80 farmers on agroecological practices and communal governance. Traditional Laymes fallowing reconfigured soil fertility rather than enhancing all properties uniformly. This fallows generally maintained more favorable acidity, potassium availability, exchangeable nutrients, and nutrient retention. Continuously cropped soils had higher organic carbon but were more acidic and nutrient-depleted. Long-term fallows maintained carbon levels similar to cultivated fields. Although soil quality index values were comparable among management systems, they arose from different combinations of underlying properties. Locally, soil quality was most influenced by texture, acidity, organic carbon, and iron. At the landscape scale, elevation and vegetation were primary structuring factors. Farmers commonly conserved native seeds, avoided chemical inputs, and relied on local knowledge, but structural soil and water conservation practices were limited. These findings highlight the value of community-specific, participatory research that directly links management practices to field-level soil quality, supporting communal governance, ecosystem services, and sustainable management in high-Andean watersheds.

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.