The formulation of substrates for ornamental plants in containers implicates a compromise between physicochemical and biological characteristics, costs, andenvironmental impact for the use of peat. A way to optimize this relationship is by using local components. This work proposes the elaboration of a substrate based on Sphagnum peat and perlite, complemented with compost from regional agricultural residues as a possible replacement for a commercial substrate. The growth and development of Impatiens walleriana and Antirrhinum majus L. plants were compared in containers with different substrates: commercial (SC), peat/perlite 9/1 (TP), pure compost (C), and four TP/C mixtures (v:v): 8/2, 6/4, 4/6 and 2/8. The parameters evaluated in Impatiens walleriana were foliar area, number of flowers and accumulated biomass and in Antirrhinum majus L., plant height, nodes per plant, chlorophyll content (SPAD), estimated flowering percentage and accumulated biomass. A physicochemical characterization was carried out for the substrates, and it showed that the main limitation of incorporating compost is the increase of electric conductivity and pH, but with good management it is possible to increase its proportion in the mixtures. The TP/C 8/2 treatment obtained the best results among the mixtures, significantly exceeding the rest. No significant differences were found with the commercial substrate for most of the parameters measured in both ornamental species. The TP/C 8/2 treatment is the more economical and sustainable option due to the reduction in the use of peat and the recovery of wastes.

High solar radiation promotes stress conditions in apple plants[Malus domestica (Suckow) Borkh.],which can be attenuated using sunburn suppressants products. Generally, the effect of sun protection agents has been analyzed using univariate techniques. The aim of the present study was to characterize, through multivariate statistical analysis, the effect of CaCO3-based sunburn suppressants on quality variables of 'Braeburn' apples. The experiment was conducted under a completely randomized design with three treatments (T=control, A=CaCO3, B=CaCO3+ZnO) and four replicates. Each treatment was sprayed four times: A, 2% w v-1; B, 5% w v-1 for the first application and 2.5% w v-1 for the three remaining ones. At harvest, sunburn degree and, in non-affected fruit, size and maturity indices were determined. Three groups (G) were distinguished. G1 consisted of T fruit and was characterized by lower fruit weight, more severe sun damage proportion of fruits, and an advanced maturity. G2 encompassed A and T fruit and showed intermediate characteristics between G1 and G3. G3 consisted of B fruit and showed higher weight, less severe sun damage, and lower maturity. Multivariate analysis allowed visualizing the effect of CaCO3-based formulations on fruit several quality variables simultaneously. We conclude that application of CaCO3 decreased severe sunburn, increased fruit weight, and delayed fruit maturity at harvest. Further research is needed to elucidate the physiological, biochemical and oxidative mechanisms mediating the effects of foliar CaCO3 applications on apple fruit.

The cucumber is an economically important crop for the vegetables growers, especially in the Cordillera, Paraguay zone, due to the distance to the market and its appreciated value as food. The research was done in Colonia Curupayty, in the Cordillera department, in the Eusebio Ayala district, (latitude S 25° 22′ 54.34″ meridian W 56° 57′ 38.77″), Paraguay. The aim of this work was to evaluate cucumber crop yield(Cucumis sativusL.) applying different doses of boron (B), and were measured: yield of experimental unit (EU), fruit weigth, plant yield, fruit diameter and length and economic analysis. The experimental design was completely random, composed of four (4) treatments(T1: 0,5 lt/ha T2: 1,0 lt/ha; T3 1,5 lt/ha and T4 ( without boron) and five (5) repetitions.A liquid mineral fertilizer with boron ethanolamine was used, with a concentration of 11% boron.The crop was established in double files. The distance between plants was 1,0 m x 0,70 m. Variance analysis (ANAVA) and Tukey test at 5% demonstrated that boron influences cucumber production. The best results were for treatmentT3 (1,5 lt B/ha), with a yield/m2 of 11,90 kg, a fruit weight of 345 gr, yield per plant of 4,83 kg, fruit diameter with 4,6 cm and length of 26,02 cm.

Environmental impact indicators are tools in process of permanent revision and improvement. Thus, any enriching contribution towards them provides accurate information on the real state of the situation being evaluated. The following research has two objectives: To validate the results of environmental impact indicators obtained through the AgroEcoIndex periurban methodology (AEIp) in horticultural soils; and to arrive to conclusions on the general condition of such soils by comparing them with uncultivated soils as well as soils in the area where other agricultural activities are carried out. A comparison was made between the mean of the results of the horticultural soils and the uncultivated soil, and a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) that also includes the reference values of agricultural soils in the area. A partial coincidence is observed between the data obtained in the soil analyses, and those indicators of the AEIp referring to nitrogen balance and phosphorus balance. In turn, the nitrogen and phosphorus contamination risk indicators reflect the current state of the soils analyzed. In conclusion, there are no signs of degradation or contamination in the soils of the analyzed horticultural establishments according to the methodology used in this study and in comparison, with other agricultural soils in the area.

The environmental impact indicators (IIA) summarize relevant information, making visible phenomena of interest to quantify, measure and publish them. The AgroEcoIndex®, is a sistem designed at the National Institute of Agricultural Technology for extensive productions in the Pampean region. Currently, this system is being adapted to horticultural productions and is called Periurban AgroEcoIndex (AEIp), which could become a valuable tool for evaluating environmental impact and accompanying improvement processes in horticultural farms. The objectives of the work are to evaluate fifteen commercial horticultural farms near the city of Córdoba, and generate reference values for three production models (conventional in the field, conventional intensive and agroecological), based on the academic contribution of experts from the horticultural sector in the area, in order to compare IIA. Data analysis was performed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). By estimating the IIA used in this evaluation, it is concluded that no risks of soil contamination by nitrogen and phosphorus were detected, and that the risk of contamination due to pesticide use was low in light vegetable farms (of green leaves) and high in those where they included potato cultivation. In general, the fifteen horticultural farms evaluated in the study area presented similar values compared to the values of the three theoretical models designed, which means an acceptable environmental impact for this type of production.

Aconcagua INTA is an Argentine widespread cucurbit cultivar with high yield and suitability for the dehydration industry, developed from an interspecific cross (Cucurbita maxima x Cucurbita moschata). Its seed production involves the use of etephon in the maternal progenitor to castrate male flower organs, while the other line serves a pollen donor. Because this process is not totally effective, some hermaphrodite flowers remain in the maternal line, leading to self-pollination and –therefore- seeds of non-hybrid origin, which are phenotypically different from the hybrid. Thus, the percentage of non-hybrid seeds needs to be estimated and labelled in commercial seed lots of this cultivar. To this end, the present study analyzed, comparatively, morphological, biochemical and molecular markers that may be used for the early identification of this hybrid and its parental lines. Thus, a morphological marker based on leaf characteristics, protein profiles by UTLIEF, and the microsatellite molecular marker CMBR22, were evaluated in hybrid and parental plants. All three marker systems were able to accurately identify the hybrid and the parental lines, with results revealing 100% correspondence among the three types of markers. The protein and molecular markers developed herein represent a valuable tool for the early identification of hybrids in seed lots of cv. Aconcagua INTA.

Salicornia constitutes an innovative seasonal productive alternative of great rusticity, adapted to saline and arid environments, which grows naturally on the coasts of Patagonia Argentina. It is being valued globally as food, for its therapeutic and nutritional properties due to its low sodium content, and for its agro-industrial potential, including biofuel, as well. In order to provide an overview of the particularities of the agri-food chain Salicornia spp. and its possibilities of use, the present review was carried out based on the analysis of the available bibliography. This work consists of different parts: botanical, biological and physiological characteristics of salicornia, production peculiarities (necessary inputs and productive sequence), harvest and postharvest, benefits of production and consumption, market and agro-industry. Due to the potential salicornia has to survive under conditions of extreme temperatures, drought and salinity throughout its life, and for its potential as a phytoremediator and as a biomass producer for food and agro-industrial use, it represents an interesting productive alternative for saline and / or desert areas, being necessary to further studies regarding its possibilities of use.

In the horticultural agri-food chains, it is a challenge to implement strategies aimed at intensifying the use of raw material and its added value (VA), giving a useful destination to the non-commercial fresh proportion in fresh, which, in the case of some vegetables, like asparagus, it exceeds 50%. In this way it is possible to reinsert the waste into the system, VA, extend the period of use, minimize losses, inserting it within the framework of the circular economy. The agribusiness of the dehydrated II Gama range, such as the manufacture of flour, is a challenge for the fruit and vegetable chains; being necessary to work in research and development generating new products through strategies based on science that supports the recovery and conversion of lost and / or wasted food. In this sense, the objective was to prepare an updated scenario of the agro-industrial potential of the dehydration of asparagus (and other vegetables), as a strategy to intensify the use of raw material (by-products) and the addition of value, to promote a better life quality of life, in the framework of the current global and national socioeconomic health context; taking as reference national and international sources of information. These product categories would represent alternatives to optimize the population's diet and contribute to improving health, impacting food and nutritional security and environmental sustainability. They would allow the recovery / conversion of lost / wasted food, from production to consumption, into nutritious and safe food with added value; through the use of processing technologies.

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis var. Altilis L.), is a globally valued vegetable, marketed mainly as I Gama (fresh); the industrialization processes for obtaining II Gama by-products (dehydrated, canned and creams) are still incipient, which has the particularity of generating a high proportion of discard (30-50%) corresponding to the bases of the stems, which are cut at the time of conditioning, shoots with shape defects and spikes. The supply of asparagus in Argentina is concentrated in the September-December period; Therefore, in the months where the demand is unsatisfied , there is the possibility of extending the supply calendar, through agro-industrial processing (dehydrated, etc.). Although the by-products obtained from this species are numerous, the production of powders and flours is a segment of the agro-industry with incipient studies and applications. In this context, the objective of this study was to prepare a review of the characteristics of the crop, quality requirements, benefits of consumption, market, agroindustry experiences (flours and flavoring powders), market potential of asparagus powder (uses, trends of the market and type of consumers), tending to intensify the use of the raw material (by-products) taking as reference national and international sources of information. These product categories would promote the recovery / conversion of lost / wasted food, from production to consumption, into nutritious and safe food with added value and would represent alternatives to optimize the population's diet, contributing to improve health, food security and environmental sustainability.

Aromatic and medicinal plants (AMP) have been used since ancient times to treat people’s health, either because they are considered natural remedies for their low cost or by popular knowledge. Numerous studies show the relationships between humans and the plants in their environment, the consumption patterns, the use in the communities and the places where they are sold in different regions of our country. However, there are no up-to-date national surveys describing the consumption of AMP in the Argentine population. During the isolation due to the Covid-19 pandemic, INTA's project team for the genetic improvement of ornamental, aromatic and medicinal plants decided to update the information on the national market of these plants. An exploratory descriptive study was carried out through an online nation-wide survey, by non-probabilistic sampling, with the objective of characterizing the profile of consumers of aromatic and medicinal plants and to inquire about their preferences, forms of consumption and supply of the main AMP used. The results indicated that the surveyed population has a high consumption of AMP and uses a great diversity of plants with different levels of industrialization and origin. The consumer acceptance and interest in natural products is remarkable. This work will define the current market needs and new lines of research and development that will contribute to the sustainability of the sector.

Sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) is a 90% Creole variety grown mainly in backyards. The objective of this work is to make a report of its production in El Fuerte, Sinaloa, Mexico. The production information obtained by the main producers during the months of September 2019 to September 2020 in 12 locations in the micro-regions of Valle and Ribera Alto of El Fuerte, Sinaloa was used. Data were processed with the OfficeExcel program and the PAST 4.05 software was used for the statistical analysis. Production is maintained throughout the year, with no significant differences between the autumn-winter and spring-summer seasons or between the towns in both micro-regions. Sour orange is an important forest resource for backyards, which contributes to the diversity of these agroecosystems and also to the trade in the native peoples where this activity occurs.

About 50% of species of the botanical family Asteraceae have been studied in relation to their morphogenesis capacity in vitro; in the case of the genus Tagetes, only 5% of the species have been explored. Research on the in vitro culture of cells, tissues and organs of this genus was reviewed as a basic reference to explore other species, highlighting the critical role of factors involved in in vitro morphogenesis of Tagetes. Callogenesis is promoted by a ratio of auxin and cytokinin concentrations, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid is a frequent inducer of callus. Another auxin used successfully has been naphthaleneacetic acid. Organogenesis is influenced by the type of growth regulators and the auxin / cytokinin ratio. The best responses have been recorded using indoleacetic acid, naphthaleneacetic acid, benzyladenine and kinetin. The genotype is also important, since a relationship of growth regulators can induce shoots in one species or variety, but in another it can generate different responses. To induce direct organogenesis, gibberellins play an important role, since they inhibit callus formation. Embryogenesis is regulated by the auxin / cytokinin ratio; being 2,4-D, supplemented with benzyladenine the most used. These factors to induce morphogenesis basically correspond to domesticated species, and it is expected that such factors will be useful for ruderal, weed or wild species of this genus.