César Augusto Ticona-Benavente

Yam bean (Pachyrhizus spp.) is a promising, yet underutilized, leguminous crop with considerable potential for biopesticide development. However, baseline data on seed yield, the heritability of pod traits, and antibacterial effects against Ralstonia solanacearum (RS) are lacking, limiting informed selection for seed production and biopesticide use. This study evaluated the morpho-agronomic traits of nine Amazonian yam bean progenies and screened their seed extracts for in vitro antibacterial activity against RS. We conducted the experiment on a Spodosol, using a trellis system in a randomized complete block design with four replications and four plants per plot. Seed yield varied from 0.56 to 0.98 t ha⁻¹, with progenies P14, P20, and P23 exhibiting the highest numerical yields. Broad-sense heritability (H²) was high for pod length (0.77), pod width (0.81), and 100-seed mass (0.85), suggesting considerable potential for genetic improvement of these traits. In vitro antibacterial assays revealed concentration-dependent biphasic activity: 0.5% (w/v) extracts initially stimulated bacterial growth at 6 and 12 h but suppressed multiplication by 88–90% at 24 h, whereas 5% (w/v) extracts promoted growth throughout the 24 h period. These findings establish baseline seed yield data for yam bean grown in Amazonian Spodosols and highlight the genetic variability available for breeding programs in the region. Progenies P14, P20, and P23 warrant further investigation as sources of natural compounds for sustainable plant protection, underscoring the need for optimized formulations and extended exposure periods.

In Amazonian Spodosols, soil acidity and nutrient constraints limit the cultivation of cutleaf groundcherry. One sustainable alternative for cultivating this species is the use of Trichoderma inoculants, but studies on their use in this crop are scarce. This study evaluated whether rice-based inocula of Trichoderma harzianum (TH) CCB-LA101 and T. viride (TV) CCB-LA103 improved growth and fruit production of cutleaf groundcherry and whether the responses varied with the application dose. Plants were grown in a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement: two Trichoderma species and three inoculum doses applied to the soil (0, 4, and 8 g plant⁻¹; Trichoderma concentration of 3.2 × 10⁹ CFU g⁻¹). Species and dose affected fruit width, length, number, and yield, with TH more effective than TV at increasing fruit number and yield. The contrast between inoculated and non-inoculated plants was significant for all traits. The 8 g plant⁻¹ dose significantly increased fruit number and yield by 22.8% and 17.7%, respectively, relative to the non-inoculated control, whereas fruit width and fruit length decreased by 8.3% and 7.3%, respectively. Considering the six treatment combinations, the 8 g plant⁻¹ TH inoculum (TH8) was the only treatment to significantly increase fruit yield, with net returns for smallholders estimated at USD 1104.46 ha⁻¹. Therefore, under the tested conditions, TH8 could be used to grow cutleaf groundcherry in Amazonian Spodosols.

Yam bean is a leguminous crop that produces toxic seeds with potential for biopesticide development. This study evaluated seed yield of nine yam bean progenies and their activity against Ralstonia solanacearum (RS) phylotype II isolate FIO104B, which was collected from tomato in Iranduba, Amazonas, Brazil. A field experiment was conducted using a trellis system following a randomized complete block design with four replications and four plants per plot. Antibacterial activity was evaluated by exposing 30 µL of RS (1 × 10⁶ cells·mL⁻¹) to 20 mL of yam bean seed extracts at 0.5% and 5% (w/v) in sterile yeast-peptone-glucose medium for 6, 12, and 24 h. Seed yield ranged from 0.56 to 0.98 t·ha⁻¹. Antibacterial assays revealed biphasic, concentration-dependent activity: 0.5% (w/v) extracts stimulated bacterial growth at 6 and 12 h but suppressed multiplication at 24 h, whereas 5% extracts at 6, 12, and 24 h promoted bacterial growth. Progenies P14, P20, and P23 demonstrated both relatively high seed yields and strongest antibacterial efficacy (88-90% growth reduction at 24 h and 0.5% concentration). These findings establish baseline seed productivity for Amazonian yam bean and demonstrate that optimal biopesticide formulations require low concentrations (0.5%) with extended exposure periods (≥ 24 h).

Cocona (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal) is an underutilized Amazonian fruit species with significant food, nutritional, and economic potential, but its genetic improvement remains limited. This study aimed to estimate the heritability of 13 morpho-agronomic traits in two F₂ populations, assess the efficiency of early visual selection, and identify traits associated with fruit yield. Approximately 250 plants from each population were grown in the Central Amazon. One week before the first harvest, plants were visually screened for yield potential, and the selected individuals were further evaluated for fruit traits. Broad-sense heritability (h²) was significant for most traits; the highest values were for number of flowers per plant (h² = 0.88), petiole length (h² = 0.87), collar diameter (h² = 0.71), canopy diameter (h² = 0.58), and fruit length (h² = 0.55). Early visual selection achieved ~65% efficiency. Fruit yield was correlated strongly and positively with the number of fruits per plant. These results indicate that phenotypic selection is effective for improving key plant and fruit traits in cocona. Early visual selection can be used to identify high-yielding individuals and the number of fruits per plant can be used as a complementary criterion to enhance selection accuracy for fruit yield.

This study evaluated the suitability of three floodplain environments near Iquitos for cowpea cultivar recommendations and estimated the adaptability and phenotypic stability of 12 cowpea lines evaluated in 2004. Climatic conditions between 2004 and 2020–2024 were also compared. Three field trials used a randomized complete block design with 12 lines and two replications, assessing grain yield, number of pods per plant, days to flowering, days to 50% maturity, and days to harvest. Combined Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Duncan’s means test, Genotype + Genotype Environment Interaction (GGE) biplot, and Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interactions Interaction (AMMI) analyses revealed that the three sites are contrasting. The Annicchiarico index, GGE biplot, and AMMI analyses identified line CAR 3010 as having superior adaptability and stability. Paired t-tests and Mann–Kendall analyses showed that climatic conditions in 2020–2024 differed significantly from 2004. Therefore, Muyuy, Rafael Belaunde, and San Miguel are suitable locations for testing advanced cowpea lines prior to cultivar recommendation. Line CAR 3010 is recommended for breeding programs in the Peruvian Amazon in response to ongoing climate change. This research addresses a critical knowledge gap as the first study evaluating cowpea adaptability and stability across multiple floodplain locations in the Peruvian Amazon.

This study evaluated the suitability of three floodplain environments near Iquitos for cowpea cultivar recommendation. It also estimated the adaptability and phenotypic stability of 12 cowpea lines evaluated in 2004 and compared the climatic conditions between 2004 and the period of 2020–2024. Field trials were conducted using a randomized complete block design with 12 treatments and two replications. Five traits were assessed: grain yield, number of pods per plant, days to flowering, days to physiological maturity, and days to harvest. Combined ANOVA revealed significant environmental effects for all traits. Analyses using Duncan’s means test, GGE biplot, and AMMI indicated that the three sites are contrasting. The Annicchiarico index, GGE biplot, and AMMI analyses identified line CAR 3010 as having superior adaptability and stability. Paired t-tests showed that the conditions in 2020-2024 were warmer and drier than those in 2004. Therefore, Muyuy, Rafael Belaunde, and San Miguel are suitable locations for testing new cowpea lines, and CAR 3010 line is recommended for inclusion in cowpea breeding programs in the Peruvian Amazon in response to ongoing climate change.

Cocona is a semi-perennial shrub from the Amazon that produces acidic edible fruits. There is little information about the genetic parameters of this species, as well as the efficiency of visual selection for productivity. Therefore, this work aimed to estimate the heritability of 13 morph-agronomic traits in two F2 families (Pop 1 and Pop 2). A total of 250 plants from each family and 13 control plants (CUB-4) were planted in Central Amazon. One week before the first harvest, all morph-agronomic evaluations were conducted, and 45 plants from Pop 1 and 80 from Pop 2 were visually selected for fruit productivity. The results showed heritabilities greater than zero for most plant and fruit characteristics, with the highest values observed for the number of flowers per plant (0.88), petiole length (0.87), collar diameter (0.71), canopy diameter (0.58), and fruit length (0.55). The efficiency of visual selection for fruit productivity was 64% in Pop 1 and 65% in Pop 2. These findings suggest the efficiency of phenotypic selection, early visual selection for fruit productivity, and recommend the selection of fruit size and shape from F2 generation onwards because the maternal effect is strong in F1.

O cubiu (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal) é uma planta amazônica subutilizada. A fim de retirar a pilosidade urticante do fruto, foram criadas 1000 plantas mutantes irradiando com 150 Gy de radiação no genótipo CUB-08. Em seguida, a partir da geração M2 foi iniciado a seleção pelo método genealógico. A fim de avaliar precocemente a produtividade das famílias mutantes M2:3 um experimento foi realizado em um Latossolo Amarelo em Manaus, Amazonas, nos meses de dezembro a maio de 2018/2019, com nove progênies M2:3 mais a testemunha CUB-08. A semeadura foi feita em copos de plástico de 180 mL, após 90 dias as mudas foram transplantadas a campo seguindo o delineamento de blocos casualizados com 10 tratamentos, 4 repetições e 8 plantas por parcela no espaçamento de 1,2x1,0 m. Antes do transplante foi colocado na cova, um litro de esterco de galinha curtido, 30 g de superfosfato triplo e 20 g de cloreto de potássio. Foram realizadas 5 colheitas e avaliada a massa total de frutos por parcela. Os dados foram submetidos a ANOVA e teste de médias de Duncan. Os resultados mostraram que a produtividade das progênies variou de 6,11 a 12,44 t ha-1 e média de 8,57 t ha-1. Entretanto, CUB-08 produziu 7,86 t ha-1. Isto mostra que a radiação gama criou variabilidade genética para produtividade, tendo destaque as progênies P12 (12,44 t ha-1) e P28 (11,35 t ha-1), as quais foram significativamente mais produtivas que CUB-08. Portanto, a radiação gama poderia ser utilizada para aumentar a produtividade de frutos em cubiu.

New tomato lines adapted to Amazonian conditions have been developed by the National Institute for Amazonian Research, but have not yet been evaluated for hydroponic cultivation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the production of these lines in a hydroponic system in the municipality of Manaus-AM. The experiment was carried out at Hidroponia Green Health (02°58'26.35“ S and 60°04'39.94” W), in a greenhouse, using the NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) system during the rainy season (January to April). A PLANTPAR nutrient solution were used for the vegetative phase and another for the productive phase, adjusting the pH (5.5-6.5) and electrical conductivity (1.3-1.5 dS m-1) daily and replacing the nutrient solution every 15 days. A completely randomized block design was adopted, with 10 treatments [8 lines + 2 controls (Yoshimatsu and Santa Cruz Kada), 3 replications and 5 plants per plot, with a spacing of 0.60 × 0.50 m between lines and plants respectively, and conducted with a single stem. Cultivation and pest and disease were control with the application of acaricide, insecticide and fungicide. The results showed that the lines varied from 3 to 30 t/ha, Yoshimatsu 17 t/ha and Santa Cruz Kada 10 t/ha. The lines P28-4-4-8 (30 t/ha) and P28-8-40-7 (27 t/ha) produced significantly more than the controls according to Duncan's test (P<0.05). This indicates that these strains could be launched as cultivars for hydroponic cultivation.

A Pereskia spp. é uma hortaliça não convencional perene da família Cactaceae, distribuída nas Américas e que possui folhas, flores e frutos comestíveis. Suas folhas contêm teores significativos de proteína, fibras e carboidratos, sendo referida como “bife vegetal”. Considerando a importância e necessidade de novas fontes de proteínas para consumo humano, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a composição centesimal das folhas de diferentes clones de ora-pro-nóbis. Os ramos foram coletados em plantas cultivadas na Estação Experimental de Fruticultura do Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Manaus. Após a separação das folhas, foram higienizada s e secadas em estufa com circulação de ar forcada por 72 horas a 40º C. As análises foram realizadas no laboratório de alimentos do INPA, onde foram determinados os teores de cinzas, proteína bruta, lipídios. Os clones Ora-05, Ora-01 e Ora-03 apresentaram teores significativos de proteína (21,74%, 20,65% e 19,85% respectivamente), cinzas (2,38 ± 1,77%) e lipídios (0,34 ± 0,12%) por 100g de matéria seca, enquanto os teores de umidades foram de 89,23 ± 82,55%. Com base nos resultados obtidos, conclui-se que as folhas de ora-pro-nóbis apresentam uma excelente fonte de proteína. Devido ao seu valor nutricional, as folhas podem ser incorporadas na alimentação, possibilitando preparações culinárias.