Agroforestry systems in the Ecuadorian Amazon play a vital role in environmental conservation and the promotion of sustainable agriculture. Therefore, it is crucial to demonstrate the benefits of the associated species within these production systems. This study aimed to assess the impact of agroforestry systems on cocoa yield, carbon sequestration, earthworm presence, and the nutritional contribution of companion species linked to cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) cultivation under agroforestry systems. The research was conducted at INIAP’s Central Experimental Station of the Amazon using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The agroforestry arrangements were: (1) monoculture; (2) forest (Cedrelinga cateniformis Ducke); (3) fruit forest (Bactris gasipaes Kunth); (4) service (Erythrina poeppigiana (Walp.) O.F.Cook); and (5) forest + service (E. poeppigiana + C. cateniformis). The results indicated that agroforestry systems showed better results than the monoculture in terms of yield (532.0 kg ha⁻¹ compared to 435.4 kg ha⁻¹) and total stored carbon (33.0–42.0 t ha⁻¹ compared to 39.6 t ha⁻¹). Additionally, agroforestry systems provided higher levels of Mg, B, and Ca, contributing to both crop yield and the presence of earthworms. These findings suggest a positive influence of companion species, improving soil nutrition through biomass incorporation and promoting environmental benefits (carbon sequestration). Therefore, agroforestry systems will support sustainable cocoa production in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

The chemical composition and biological capacities of berries depend on environmental parameters, maturity, and location. The Andean blueberry (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth), also known as mortiño, presents a unique combination of several phytochemicals, which play a synergistic role in its characterization as a functional food. We aimed to expose the possible variations that exist in the profile of the phenolic compounds as well as the antioxidant and antimicrobial capacity of the wild Andean blueberry with respect to three ripeness stages and two different altitudes. We found that polyphenols are the predominant compounds in the berry during the early ripeness stage and are the main bioactive compounds that give rise to the antioxidant capacity and inhibition effect on the growth of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, the accumulation of ascorbic acid, free amino acids, and anthocyanins increases as the ripening process progresses, and they were the main bioactive compounds in the ripe berry. The latter compounds influence the production of the typical bluish or reddish coloration of ripe blueberries. In addition, it was determined that environmental conditions at high altitudes could have a positive influence in all cases. Overall, our data provide evidence regarding the high functional value of the wild Andean blueberry.

Tree tomato (Solanum betaceum Cav.) is an Andean fruit crop that is grown in Ecuador. It is an exceptional source of minerals and vitamins, thus has nutraceutical properties. The objective of this research was to carry out a phytochemical characterization of a breeding population composed of 90 segregants. Pulp (including mesocarp, mucilage, seeds and placenta) was ground and sieved in order to obtain the liquid pulp to be lyophilized for the chemical analyzes. Antioxidants compounds were determined by spectrophotometry and vitamin C by reflectometry. Data were analyzed by principal components, grouping, and variance analyses; in addition, Z Score estimation was carried out to select elite individuals. There was a broad variability in the data obtained for the breeding population, polyphenol content varied from 5.11 to 16.59 mg GAE g⁻¹, flavonoids from 1.24 to 6.70 mg cat g⁻¹, carotenoids from 50.39 to 460.72 µg β-carotene g⁻¹, anthocyanins from 1.06 to 240.49 mg cy-3-glu 100 g⁻¹, antioxidant capacity from 49.51 to 312.30 µm Trolox g⁻¹, and vitamin C from 78.29 to 420.16 mg 100 g⁻¹. It can be concluded that tree tomato is a good source of beneficial biocompounds and has a high antioxidant capacity.

Ecuador es el primer exportador de banano del mundo con más de 317 millones de cajas por año, lo que aporta el 26 % del PIB agrícola y genera alrededor de 2.5 millones de empleos directos e indirectos. Ecuador produce 19 000 ha y exporta 36 000 t de banano orgánico. Respecto a las pérdidas poscosecha, estas fluctúan entre el 10 y 80 % y son causadas por un inadecuado manejo tanto de la poscosecha como en lo agronómico. Este estudio tiene el objetivo de determinar la calidad física y química de la fruta orgánica y cuantificar las pérdidas poscosecha. La investigación se llevó a cabo en una plantación de banano orgánico ubicada en la provincia de Los Ríos (Ecuador). Se utilizó un diseño de bloques completamente al azar (DBCA) en arreglo factorial 7 x 2. Los factores fueron las épocas de cosecha (febrero-agosto), y la calidad de la fruta de exportación (primera y segunda) con 3 repeticiones. Las variables estudiadas se determinaron con base en 20 racimos. De los resultados obtenidos, se deduce que la calidad física y química del fruto está influenciada por la época de cosecha, ya que los racimos crecieron y desarrollaron en diferentes condiciones ambientales. En general, el 82 % de la producción se destina para la exportación, debido a que cumple los estándares de calidad.

Fruits of the cherimoya tree (Annona cherimola Mill.) were consumed by native cultures in Central America, from where the crop was disseminated to South America in pre-Columbian times. Despite its historical significance and cultivation in subtropical regions worldwide, cherimoya remains an underutilized crop, particularly in its area of origin where the conservation of its genetic diversity is under threat. In this study, we provide a comprehensive overview of the research performed on this fruit tree over the past two decades, shedding light on its current status in terms of commercial production and germplasm conservation efforts in the main cherimoya producing countries in the Americas and Europe.