Avocado demand has increased in recent years due to the nutraceutical properties that this fruit has and its positive impacts on human health; however, avocado production also requires sustainable alternatives to improve its cultivation. The objective of this study was to carry out characterization of the mineral content and phytochemical compounds in avocado fruit of the Hass variety grown using sustainable agricultural practices in Ecuador. Our results show an increase in fruit quality traits, such as firmness, and in the content of soluble solids, protein, fiber, fat, carotenoids, Ca, Mg, Zn and stearic acid in the pulp of the avocado Hass variety, as well as an initial trend of yield increase with the application of sustainable practices. Moreover, antioxidant activity was associated with polyphenol content. There were positive correlations of Mg with K and Ca, and of flavonoids with linolelaidic, linoleic and linolenic acids. Overall, our results indicate that avocado can be used as a functional and nutritional food due to its phytochemical composition and the mineral content of its pulp, which contributes to the promotion of its consumption and encourages healthy eating. In addition, the use of sustainable practices, such as fertigation and the application of microorganisms, is also promoted for growing avocado.

Se aplicaron consorcios microbianos en un sistema de producción de plántulas de aguacate (Persea americana Mill.) cultivar ‘Criollo’, evaluándose posibles influencias en el crecimiento y estado nutricional de los patrones. Se evaluaron 4 tratamientos en un diseño de bloques completamente al azar (DBCA). Las semillas utilizadas fueron sembradas en sustrato estéril (tierra negra y pomina; 3:1) colocado en bolsas de vivero (polietileno, capacidad: 2,2 kg). Las inoculaciones de microrganismos (Glomus spp, Trichoderma spp., Bacillus spp., Pseudomonas spp.) se realizaron a los 70, 100, 120 y 150 días después de la siembra (DDS). Las variables altura de planta, diámetro de tallo e índice de verdor fueron evaluadas a lo largo del ensayo (80, 110, 140 y 170 DDS); una vez culminado el ensayo (170 DDS) se evaluó la concentración de nutrientes en tejido, materia seca de tallos, hojas y raíces. Existieron diferencias estadísticamente significativas a los 170 DDS para: altura de planta, diámetro de tallo y contenido de clorofila; el análisis de concentración de nutrientes en tejido reportó valores dentro de los parámetros adecuados para la especie e incremento en la concentración del Cu. Esta investigación reporta el efecto favorable de los microorganismos evaluados en el crecimiento de las plántulas y en la asimilación de nutrientes.

Maize (Zea mays L.) germplasm from the Ecuadorian Higlands has low tolerance to inbreeding especially in starchy cultivars. To create competitive varieties at the commercial level it is necessary to identify outstanding progenitor lines by early testing. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the yield potential of S1 lines of black corn by early testing. The experiment was conducted at the “Tunshi” Experiment Station, Licto parish, Chimborazo province, Ecuador using a complete random block design with four replications. Twenty-four treatments were evaluated, each consisting of an S1 line of black corn. Agronomic traits were registered and the percentage of inbreeding depression was calculated. The lines presented statistical differences (P ≤ 0.05) in the variables days to male and female flowering, plant height, ear height, leaf disease, ear length, weight of 100 kernels and grain yield. All the variables showed inbreeding depression, except days to male flowering, which presented a low increase. Lines 16, 15 and 22 were the most productive with yields of 2.00; 2.08 and 1.95 t ha-1 respectively. These results allow to select lines with less depressive effects on yield produced by inbreeding, and to continue with the improvement processes of black maize.

En el cultivo de naranjilla y tomate de árbol, las arvenses presentes pueden ser hospederas de insectos parasitoides que permiten un control biológico natural de plagas. En este estudio se muestreó especies arvenses en las localidades de El Chaco (Napo) y Río Negro (Tungurahua) donde las familias encontradas mayoritariamente fueron Asteraceae, Poaceae y Cyperaceae.