Cocoa beans are the raw material for the chocolate industry. In this study, the total fat contents and fatty acid profiles of fine-aroma cocoa beans of 30 cocoa ecotypes from northeastern Peru were evaluated. Results showed that SJJ-1 and ACJ-11 ecotypes from San Martin and Amazonas regions, respectively, presented highest percentages of total fat with an average of 30.49%. With respect to fatty acid profiles, it was found that cocoa ecotypes are composed of 10 fatty acids (C14:0, C16:0, C16:1, C18:0, C17:0, C18:1, C18:2, C18:3, C20:0, and C22:0); based on this profile, 5 clusters were determined. Cluster 5 had the highest content of C17:0 fatty acid (0.47%); however, the clusters 1, 2, 3, and 4 had the lowest content of this fatty acid (0.37%, 0.32%, 0.32%, respectively). The clusters 3 and 4 showed the highest content of C16:0 fatty acid (31.13% y 28.97%, respectively). The clusters 3 and 5 contained the highest content of the acid C18:1 (27.08% y 26.82%, respectively). The PCA found that C18:0 and C20:0 fatty acids are correlated, and are fundamentally opposite to C18:1, C16:0, and C18:3 acids. These results may be useful in identifying raw material for the development of specialty chocolates with better nutritional value than traditional cocoa.

Pineapple is a crop of great importance for the economic stability of a large number of Peruvians; however, in areas experiencing low degrees of technological intervention, farmers generally adopt low planting densities. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of three plantation densities (35700, 47600, and 55500 plants ha−1) on the agronomic performance and fruit quality of three pineapple cultivars (“Golden,” “Smooth Cayenne,” and “Santa Rosa” ecotype). The experiment was performed under a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in a factorial arrangement, and the data were subjected to analysis of variance and the Tukey test ( p < 0.05 ). The results show significant differences in terms of plant height and D-leaf length, with “Golden” being the cultivar that achieved the best performance at the three planting densities. The diameter (11.77–13.29 cm) and weight of the fruit without a crown (1.48–1.85 kg) were not affected by the treatments; in contrast, the length and weight of the fruit with a crown did exhibit significant variations, highlighting the “Smooth Cayenne” cultivar and “Santa Rosa” ecotype at a density of 55500 plants ha−1, respectively. The highest estimated yield (>100 t ha−1) for the three pineapple cultivars was recorded at a density of 55500 plants ha−1. The content of total soluble solids was higher in the “Golden” cultivar, but in general, all the fruits exceeded the established standards. Based on the results, it is recommended that farmers in the area and those with similar conditions establish a planting density of 55500 plants ha−1 because it improves the yield without damaging the quality of the fruit of the pineapple cultivars evaluated.

Lilies are one of the most important, beautiful, and economically valuable flowers in the world. Lilium is regarded as a popular floral trade cut flower, so viable protocols are needed to provide seed production, multiplication, and preservation. In vitro protocols allow for rapid large-scale production and rejuvenation of planting material, but to be a commercially viable multiplication method, the procedure must allow for rapid production of viable, true-to-type plants quickly. The objective was to evaluate the in vitro production of microbulbs of five lily varieties (Lilium “Champion Diamond,” Lilium “Yellow Diamond,” Lilium “Batavus,” Lilium “Hyde Park,” and Lilium sp.) using different concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 1.5, and 2.0 mg L−1 BAP) and to determine the commercial quality (flowering) of the plants grown from the seed obtained. Results from the micropropagation phase show Lilium “Batavus” and Lilium “Hyde Park” varieties had better in vitro responses, especially when grown with 1.0 and 1.5 mg L−1 BAP, respectively. Plants (of all varieties) grown from microbulbs showed positive growth and generally resulted in commercially viable flower production. Finally, the results of this study support the use of bulb scales as an alternative for obtaining vegetative seeds with high potential for lily cultivation.

<p>La producción de flores de azucena (<em>Lilium candidum</em>) se convierte en una importante alternativa de negocio a nivel regional y nacional por ser una especie ornamental de alta demanda en floristerías de diferentes mercados. Sin embargo, este cultivo está afectado principalmente por el hongo fitopatógeno <em>Botrytis</em> spp, que puede causar una significativa reducción del rendimiento en cantidad y calidad de los botones florales. En atención a este problema fitopatológico, se plantean nuevas alternativas de manejo y control fitosanitario que permitan una eficiente represión del agente causal y consiguiente control de la enfermedad. Se propone el uso de herramientas de control amigables con el medio ambiente y de fácil acceso al productor. En este sentido, se llevó a cabo la presente investigación con el objetivo principal de evaluar el efecto de extractos naturales y fungicidas químicos inhibiendo el desarrollo del hongo<em> Botrytis</em> spp en condiciones de laboratorio. Para ello se evaluó el efecto que tienen los extractos de <em>Eucalyptus</em> sp, <em>Allium sativum</em> y <em>Chenopodium ambrosioides</em> a razón de 200 pL, y de Carbendazim 4 pL, y (Cimoxanil+Propineb) 2 mg por placa de 20mi de medio PDA. El análisis estadístico indicó una alta significancia del tratamiento T6 (Cimoxanil+Propineb) ante los demás tratamientos, ya que este inhibió totalmente el hongo, mientras que en la estrategia sostenible fue el T5 (extracto de ajo) el que respondió mejor.</p>

The efficient establishment of nodal segments during the micropropagation of Guadua angustifolia is limited by factors such as the high percentage of microbial contamination and necrosis due to the exudation of phenols. Therefore, this study aimed at evaluating the effect of different concentrations of two broad-spectrum biocides (Germon and PPM TM ) and the consistency of the culture medium (liquid and semi-solid) on the response to the in vitro establishment of G. angustifolia The experiment was established under a completely randomized design (DCA) with factorial arrangement. Data were subjected to an analysis of variance and Duncan's test (P ≤ 0.05). Results indicate that the explants treated with 1 mL L -1 of Germon 80 for 10 min had a lower percentage of oxidation, although to reduce microbial contamination it is necessary to increase the disinfection time and the concentration of the disinfectant agent. On the other hand, the addition of 2 mL L -1 of Plant Preservative Mixture (PPM TM ) to the culture medium allowed improving the control of endophytic contaminants, favoring the efficient development and elongation of axillary shoots. Regarding the culture media, it can be mentioned that the use of liquid medium generally led to better responses in the in vitro establishment of the explants.