The cyst nematode Globodera pallida poses a critical threat to potato production in Colombia, where severe infestations can cause yield losses of up to 90%. This study evaluated the efficacy of two biological products, Onix® (Bacillus methylotrophicus) and Alicerce® (B. licheniformis and B. subtilis), alongside a chemical alternative, Verango® (fluopyram), for the control of G. pallida under potato agroecological conditions. Compared with the control, Onix® reduced cyst populations by 77.6%, J2 juveniles by 88.1%, and female counts by 68.5%. Furthermore, Onix® significantly increased the first-grade tuber production, demonstrating high biological efficacy. In conclusion, Onix® (B. methylotrophicus) represents a sustainable and effective alternative for the integrated management of G. pallida, providing significant environmental benefits without compromising crop yield.
Fungal diseases are a major cause of postharvest losses in papaya, encouraging the search for alternatives to synthetic fungicides. This study evaluated UV-C irradiation combined with edible coatings containing the antifungal lactic acid bacterium Lacticaseibacillus paracasei TEP8 against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in Maradol papaya. In the first assay, fruits at two ripening degrees were subjected to combinations of coating matrix (starch, carboxymethylcellulose, or uncoated) and UV-C dose (0, 0.97, 2, or 2.88 kJ m⁻²), plus fungicide controls. Disease incidence and severity were monitored for 10 days. In second assay, wounded degree-3 fruits were used to evaluate spore germination and lesion diameter according to the order of coating application. Factorial analysis showed that incidence was significantly affected by coating matrix, UV-C dose, ripening degree, and their interactions, whereas severity was affected by coating matrix, ripening degree, and their three-way interaction, but not by the main effect of UV-C dose. The lowest final incidence (80%) occurred in degree-1 fruits treated with 2 kJ m⁻² UV-C followed by starch-TEP8 coating, while 0.97 kJ m⁻² plus starch-TEP8 produced one of the lowest final severity values. Applying the coating after inoculation yielded the lowest final spore germination (52.5%), although lesion diameter did not differ from the inoculated control. Overall, treatment performance depended on the interaction among fruit maturity, coating matrix, and UV-C. Because coating-only controls without TEP8 were absent, the observed effects cannot be attributed exclusively to the bacterium. Further studies should verify TEP8 viability, fruit quality, and treatment effectiveness under postharvest storage conditions before application.
Andisols are highly productive soils formed by the progressive weathering of volcanic products. Two volcanic areas of Colombia were evaluated to compare soil characteristics and the influence of volcanic products on regional soil components. Fifty-four sites were sampled in the Tapias-Guacaica (TGMVF) and Guamuez-Sibundoy (GSMVF) monogenetic volcanic fields, and different production systems were assessed using soil physicochemical parameters. The results indicate that the soils of the TGMVF have a neutral pH, good cation exchange capacity, structural stability, macroporosity, and adequate drainage of water and nutrients, with low retention capacity. In contrast, the soils of the GSMVF exhibit high levels of organic matter, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as microporosity, mesoporosity, and efficient mobility and fixation of water and nutrients. Based on these parameters, the analysis of variance identified two and three distinct groups for the TGMVF and GSMVF, respectively. The behavior of the physicochemical variables, mainly total porosity (Pr), bulk density (ρa), particle density (ρr), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and structural stability (SS), may be affected by external factors such as compaction and internal factors such as soil wetting and drying cycles, especially in the pasture system of both volcanic fields. In general, the physicochemical variation of the soils has been influenced by factors such as geological time, soil management, vegetation, topography, and parent material. These results establish the basis for promoting appropriate agricultural practices in the fields.
Information on how climatic conditions affect cannabidiol (CBD) biosynthesis in Cannabis sativa is limited, restricting the development of the cannabis industry in Colombia. This study evaluated the CBD content in flowers cultivated in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and compared the results with records from producers Colombian Caribbean under different temperature, relative humidity, and altitude conditions. Flowers from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (1,800 m; 18–24 °C; 70–80% HR) were compared with records from Cannavida, Pharmacielo, and coastal producers (26–30 °C; 65–85% HR). Cannabinoids were quantified by HPLC-PDA and differences were evaluated using analysis of variance and Tukey’s post hoc test. In the results, Flowers from the Sierra Nevada presented the lowest CBD concentration (1.25 ± 0.08% p/p), which was significantly lower than the values reported for Cannavida (2.0–4.0% p/p) and Pharmacielo (3.8% p/p). Higher temperatures and lower relative humidity in crops at sea level were associated with higher CBD concentrations, suggesting that heat and stress may promote cannabinoid accumulation. However, the observed variation may reflect differences in genotype and cultivation practices. These findings indicate that temperature, relative humidity, and altitude should be considered when selecting cultivation areas and designing management strategies. This study provides a basis for optimizing agronomic practices and breeding programs aimed at increasing CBD yield and the phytochemical quality of cannabis produced in Colombia.
Brassica rapa L. is an alternative source of carotenoids that can be included in animal diets as a natural pigment. Therefore, β-carotene and lutein-zeaxanthin extracted from the leaves, flowers, and seeds of Brassica were evaluated in quail egg yolks. The carotenoids were extracted by chemical maceration with HPLC-grade ethanol and incorporated into the quail diet. Lutein-zeaxanthin and β-carotene present in the egg yolk were quantified by HPLC-PAD. In addition, yolk color was evaluated using the DMS method. The effect of the extracts was compared using a completely randomized design with four treatments (three plant parts and one control), three replicates, and five eggs per replicate. The results showed luteinzeaxanthin contents of 118.05, 9.65, and 11.8 μg/g in leaves, flowers, and seeds, respectively, whereas β-carotene contents were 102.25, 2.85, and 0.20 μg/g, respectively; statistical analysis for both compounds showed higher contents in leaves (p < 0.05). Only lutein-zeaxanthin was found in the egg yolk, with values of 40.17, 34.37, and 33.83 μg/g for birds fed with seed, leaf, and flower pigments, with higher content in the treatment with seed extract (p < 0.05). In the DMS test, a higher score was observed in birds fed a diet that included seed extract (p < 0.05). The results indicate that seed extracts improved yolk pigmentation despite their lower carotenoid content, whereas leaf extracts provided higher carotenoid concentrations but had a lesser effect on yolk color.
