Marián Hermoza-Gutiérrez

Capsicum pubescens (rocoto) is an Andean domesticate with notable agronomic and nutraceutical potential, yet it remains underrepresented in chili pepper breeding programs. In this study, 78 accessions from the Peruvian Andes were evaluated in a single field environment during the 2024 growing season for 28 variables spanning plant architecture, phenology and yield, color (CIELAB), weight, fruit morphology, physicochemical variables, and functional phytochemicals, including total phenolics, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, capsaicinoids, and antioxidant activity (FRAP, DPPH, ABTS). Descriptive analyses revealed broad phenotypic diversity in key variables such as yield and bioactive compounds. Spearman correlations uncovered a clear modular structure, with strong within-domain associations across morphological, chromatic, and biochemical variables, and statistically significant but low-magnitude cross-domain associations (e.g., fruit length with pungency, redness with total phenolics). Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering resolved three differentiated phenotypic profiles: (i) low-pungency accessions with high soluble solids and varied fruit colors; (ii) highly pungent materials with elevated antioxidant capacity; and (iii) large, red-fruited accessions with considerable carotenoid content and high moisture. This multivariate architecture revealed weak cross-block correlations among agronomic, color, and functional traits, enabling selection of promising accessions combining desirable agronomic attributes and favorable bioactive profiles in specific accessions. These results provide a quantitative foundation for future breeding strategies in C. pubescens, opening concrete opportunities to develop improved cultivars that simultaneously meet productivity and functional quality criteria.

Mineral composition modulates plant health, agro-morphological attributes, and functional quality in coffee, yet large-scale evaluations remain limited. In 150 Coffea arabica L. accessions, we quantified grain minerals (Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn); resistance to coffee leaf miner (CLM), coffee berry borer (CBB), and coffee leaf rust (CLR); agro-morphological traits; bioactive compounds (phenolics, flavonoids, chlorogenic acid, trigonelline, caffeine); and antioxidant capacity (ABTS, DPPH, FRAP). Mn and Zn were associated with greater resistance to CBB and CLM, whereas P and Ca related with lower susceptibility to CLR; a P–Zn antagonism emerged as a critical nutritional axis. Phosphorus was linked to larger size and higher 100-bean mass; Ca and Mg to greater fruit number and fruit mass per plant; and Fe to improved filling and higher 100-bean mass in parchment coffee. For bioactive compounds, P and K were positively associated with total phenolics, total flavonoids, caffeine, and ABTS/FRAP antioxidant activity, while trigonelline and chlorogenic acid correlated positively with the micronutrients Zn, Cu, and Fe. Cluster analysis resolved groups associated with resistance, Zn/Fe biofortification, productivity, and functional quality. PER1002287, PER1002216, PER1002207, and PER1002197 emerged as promising accessions balancing plant health, yield, and phytochemical quality. Overall, grain mineral composition is linked to plant health, productivity, and functional quality in coffee, providing a foundation for precision nutrient management and breeding programs aimed at resilient and high–value-added coffee.

Grapevines face the dual challenge of sustaining yield and fruit quality under arid and increasingly variable environmental conditions. This study characterized the phenotypic variability and multi-year stability of 49 grapevine (Vitis spp.) accessions conserved in the Chincha germplasm bank over three consecutive growing seasons, with the aim of identifying promising material for table grape, pisco (a traditional grape-based distilled spirit from Peru), and wine production. Morphological traits (cluster weight, berry weight and dimensions), colorimetric parameters (CIELAB), and physicochemical attributes (moisture, dry matter, soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, maturity index, and reducing sugars) were evaluated. Multivariate analyses (PCA, hierarchical clustering), genotype × environment interaction models (AMMI and GGE), stability indices (ASV and WAASBY), and assessments of interannual stability were applied, together with a multi-criteria selection index tailored to the intended end use. The results revealed two contrasting phenotypic profiles: one characterized by high berry volume/weight and elevated water content and another with smaller berries but higher dry matter, sugars, balanced acidity, and superior maturity indices. Genotypic effects were predominant for size-related traits such as berry weight, whereas titratable acidity and reducing sugars exhibited a more pronounced genotype × year interaction, supporting the use of AMMI models and the WAASBY index to select genotypes that are both productive and stable. The ranking identified accessions PER1002061, PER1002062, and PER1002168 as outstanding candidates for table grape production; PER1002076, PER1002097, and PER1002156 for pisco; and PER1002122, PER1002131, PER1002135, and PER1002098 as accessions with high oenological potential. Overall, these findings highlight the value and diversity of Peruvian grapevine germplasm and provide a foundation for breeding programs targeting varieties adapted to specific market niches, including table grape, wine, and pisco.

Coffee quality arises from the interaction among genotype, environment, and postharvest management, yet few large-scale studies jointly integrate agronomic, phytochemical, and processing traits. We characterized 150 Coffea arabica L. accessions from six Peruvian regions, evaluated in the INIA coffee germplasm collection, quantifying agro-morphological traits, colorimetric parameters in cherries and beans, fermentation indicators, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity. Correlation analyses showed that total phenolics (TPCs) and total flavonoids (TFCs) were strongly associated with antioxidant activity, whereas caffeine content (CAF) varied, largely independently. Several chromatic parameters in parchment and green coffee (a*, b*, C*) showed positive correlations with phenolic content and antioxidant activity (ABTS, DPPH, FRAP), while final fermentation pH (FPH) was negatively associated with these compounds, supporting both color metrics and pH as operational indicators of chemical quality. Principal component analysis disentangled a morphometric gradient from a functional (phenolic–antioxidant) gradient, indicating that bean size and antioxidant potential can be improved in a semi-independent manner. Hierarchical clustering identified complementary ideotypes, and a multi-trait selection index highlighted promising accessions—PER1002197 (Cajamarca), PER1002222 (Cajamarca), PER1002288 (Pasco), and PER1002184 (Cajamarca)—that combine high phenolic/antioxidant levels, favorable chlorogenic acid (CGA)/trigonelline (TGN) profiles, contrasting (high/low) caffeine, and competitive yield (YPP)/bean size. These accessions represent promising candidates for breeding climate-smart and nutraceutical-oriented coffee.

El sector minero peruano tiene una gran importancia para las poblaciones rurales por los beneficios económicos que genera; sin embargo, también puede producir efectos negativos en los recursos hídricos. El objetivo de este estudio es abordar un enfoque multidisciplinario para el estudio de la influencia minera en la Comunidad de Ollachea y la Comunidad Minera mediante la evaluación fisicoquímica del río Osccocachi, la percepción social de la calidad del agua y el análisis comparativo de la expansión territorial minera y poblacional. Los resultados revelan que existe un nivel de acidez leve con un pH de 5.9 en el tramo final del río que podría afectar a la población aledaña, quienes manifestaron que la prevalencia de enfermedades gastrointestinales es causada principalmente por el desarrollo de la minería en la zona. Las imágenes satelitales multitemporales desde el año 2010 al 2019, revelaron que el crecimiento de la Comunidad de Ollachea está fuertemente asociado a la expansión territorial de la Comunidad Minera de Ollachea (r=0.95, p<0.05). Finalmente, se concluye que la expansión territorial y las características fisicoquímicas del río coinciden con la percepción de la población sobre la calidad del agua, revelando que existe una alteración ambiental generada principalmente por la actividad minera.

El objetivo de la investigación es identificar la demanda social de tecnología agropecuaria en el altiplano peruano como base para un proceso de comunicación horizontal: caso Centro Poblado de Santa Bárbara de Moro, en el departamento de Puno. Aplicando el método cuantitativo-no experimental, se encuestó a 80 jefes de familia para analizar la relación de 10 variables socioeconómicas con las demandas de tecnología agropecuaria. La actividad principal de los actores productivos es la crianza de ganado vacuno, cuyas demandas son predominantes con mayor incidencia en la implementación de cobertizos, sanidad animal, establos, máquinas ordeñadoras, entre otros; de igual forma, para el desarrollo de la pequeña agricultura, se evidenció la necesidad de adquisición de maquinaria agrícola y riego tecnificado. El estado civil, la actividad principal y la tenencia de ganado vacuno están altamente asociados a la demanda de tecnología al 99% (p-valor < 0.01), mientras que el nivel de escolaridad tiene una significancia del 95% (p-valor < 0.05). En conclusión, el estudio demuestra la importancia de la fase de identificación de la demanda de tecnología agropecuaria a partir de la comunicación horizontal, que contribuye al fortalecimiento de las actividades agroalimentarias.

The presence of hydrocarbons in soils and waters represents a serious problem of global environmental pollution, often caused by accidental spills of petroleum products such as diesel. Natural bioremediation is shown as an environmentally friendly alternative. The native communities of microorganisms present in a body affected by pollution, metabolicallycooperate with each other to survive; these have developed mechanisms of adaptation to adverse environments using the contaminating agent itself as a substrate. Currently, bioremediation systems require long times to obtain efficient degradation results; that is why, in the present investigation, microorganisms from a soil with the presence of diesel have been isolated from spills, for which the physicochemical characterization of contaminated soil was carried out. Next, two strains were isolated and molecularly identified, determining that the CR strain belongs to Kocurea Rosea and the CB strain to the Burkholderia pseudomallei, which grew inmedium enriched with glucose and diesel as substrates. The hydrocarbon degradation indicator parameters were evaluated: microbial concentration, hydrocarbon concentration, glucose concentration and pH variation in reactors provided with enriched liquid mineral medium whoseinitial pH was 5. The isolated strains achieved degradation percentages of 51.27% (Kocurea Rosea) and 32.84% (Burkholderia pseudomallei) of diesel, while the mixed native consortium degraded 48.78% of the diesel present in the medium during 13 days of residence time.