María Alejandra Guzmán-Flórez

Ms. María Alejandra Guzmán-Flórez

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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9 February 2026 in Agriculture
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Journal Article
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KSKaren Esther Muñoz salas
Karen Esther Muñoz salas
MGMaría Alejandra Guzmán-Flórez
María Alejandra Guzmán-Flórez
XGXilena Galezo-Diaz
Xilena Galezo-Diaz
CGClaudete Gindri
Claudete Gindri
Fausto A. CanalesFausto A. Canales
Fausto A. Canales
Edson Campanhola BortoluzziEdson Campanhola Bortoluzzi
Edson Campanhola Bortoluzzi
Dependence on fertilizers limits the sustainability of tropical agriculture. Remineralization using rock byproducts offers a solution that is conditioned by the mineralogical–soil interaction. This study evaluated the agronomic and geochemical potential of a gabbro rock byproduct (GRB) as a bulk amendment in yellow maize (Zea mays L.) cultivation in Atlántico, Colombia. The specific objectives were (1) to characterize the mineralogy and geochemistry of the local GRB; (2) to quantify its neutralizing and fertilizing effect in an acidic Arenosol soil; and (3) to evaluate the biometric response of yellow maize (Zea mays L.) in a field trial. The trial was conducted in an acidic haplic Arenosol (pH 5.4) in 2023, with a 70-day cycle, comparing three management systems: M1 (control), M2 (47 Mg·ha−1 GRB, seed type: ICA-109), and M3 (47 Mg·ha−1 GRB, seed type: V-114). The assessed GRB, with 52.75% SiO2 and 5.46% CaO, is rich in calcic plagioclase, clinopyroxenes, and zeolites. Application of GRB at 47 Mg·ha−1 in treatment M3 coincided with marked changes in soil properties over the course of the trial, with pH rising from 5.4 to 6.4, cation exchange capacity from 5.0 to 12.1 cmol_c·kg−1, and available phosphorus from 9.8 to 35.0 mg·kg−1. Plants in M3 showed statistically significant increases (p < 0.001) in ear weight (median: 150 g vs. 60.5 g in M1) and in vegetative development. Because the trial was pseudo-replicated, used a high single-dose “shock-loading” rate, involved different maize genotypes across treatments, and covered only one 70-day cycle, these results should be interpreted as exploratory and site-specific. Even so, they indicate that GRB can act as an effective acidity corrector and slow-release multinutrient source under Arenosol conditions, with relevance for circular-economy strategies. Future work should evaluate agronomically doses, include replicated multi-cycle trials, and incorporate comparative and risk-assessment analyses.