Spinach is characterized by having a high water content and different vitamins and minerals. However, this vegetable could have high oxalate and nitrate concentrations and can affect human health if consumed.The aim of this study was to evaluate the nitrogen fertilization effect on the yield, nitrate and oxalic acid content of spinach produced in an autumn-winter cycle under different growing systems. Spinach was grown in soil in a greenhouse and in an open field at the experimental field of the Faculty of Agronomy of the University of Buenos Aires. Soil treatments were 0.50 and 100 kg N.ha-1. Another culture was in substrate (perlite) where nitrogen supply restriction was applied 15 days before harvest. Color, leaf area, harvest index, yield, nitrate and oxalic acid levels were determined for each crop at harvest. Leaves were selected and 60 g were packaged in 31 micron polyolefin bags. Bags were stored in a refrigerated chamber at 5 ºC for 9 days. The nitrate and oxalic acid content of spinachwas also determined at the end of the storage period. Yield and leaf area were higher with 100 kg N.ha-1 without differences between greenhouse and open field. Oxalate content was higher in spinach from the open field, showing the highest value in the case of 100 kg N added, without changes at the end of postharvest period. The maximum nitrate content was 2.7 in greenhouse with 100 kg N.ha-1. The nitrogen restriction reduced the commercial yield, oxalic acid and nitrate content at harvest in perlite. The difference was maintained postharvest, except for the nitrate content.

Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) is considered a special vegetable due to its nutritional and medicinal qualities. Aphids are one of the major pests on this horticultural crop. The aim of this paper was to identify and characterize the entomopathogenic fungi infecting aphids in artichoke crops in the southwest region of Buenos Aires province. A fungal species identified as Pandora neoaphidis caused natural infections on Capitophorus eleagni between August and October 2021. The infection levels reached up 80 % (n= 184). The high air humidity percentages recorded during the development of this work, added to relatively low air temperatures, would have favored its development. This is the first record of P. neoaphidis on the aphid C. eleagni in the southwest of Buenos Aires. Knowledge of P. neophidis spontaneous presence and infection levels could be a tool to develop alternative management tactics and reduce the use of conventional insecticides in vegetables for direct consumption.

Garlic is a species with nutraceutical properties that is cultivated in Córdoba as a component of the diversity planned by producers in their agrosystems. It is especially important as a component of orchards and family farms, since it is incorporated into the family diet, due to its beneficial effect on human health, and as raw material for bioinputs used to manage potential pests. Society increasingly demands food produced in a more respectful way with the environment. The potential yield of garlic in the province is achieved with nitrogen fertilization with chemical synthesis products. Therefore, the objective of this work is to evaluate the effect of two bio-inputs (bokashi and supermagro) on garlic yield, as a contribution to the transition of the agroecosystems that produce it. The trial was carried out in the Campo Escuela of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences - National University of Córdoba. In March 2021, three garlic cultivars (Alpa Suquía; Pampeano and Serrano) produced the previous year were implanted in the institution's Germplasm Bank, which were biofertilized, leaving an unfertilized control. In two of the three cultivars used, Serrano and Pampeano, bokashi and supermagro generated higher potential crop yield. The bulbs harvested in the biofertilization treatments showed higher weight in the Serrano and Pampeano cultivars; and a greater proportion of bulbs of caliber 4 and 5. It is necessary to continue analyzing this type of management over time to corroborate other effects that result in the best use of the resources of the productive system.

In the production of aromatic-condiment seedlings, it is common to use less renewable substrates, such as peat, "black earth" or "mulch". To verify their replacement with a more sustainable substrate, the use of a bioestabilized residue (RB) based on household waste rich in yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) was evaluated as substrate in basilicum (Ocimum basilicum) seedlings. RB was obtained by treating mixtures of household waste from yerba mate, in a 70/30 proportion with remains of fruits and vegetables, in aerated containers that were weekly mixed. After 120 days of the process, the RB was sifted and its physicochemical properties and effects on basil seedlings were evaluated. Five treatments (T) were established with different combinations of MB and a commercial substrate (SC): T1: 100% SC; T2: 75% SC+ 25% RB; T3: 50% SC + 50% RB; T4: 25% SC + 75% RB and T5: 100% RB. Each treatment consisted of 3 repetitions with 24 sample plants each. The germinative power, plant height and root length were significantly reduced in T5. The height of plants and number of leaves were significantly higher in T3 and T4. In all the combinations of components (T2, T3, T4) the highest fresh and dry mass of the aerial part, and the fresh mass of the whole plant were found with respect to T1.The T4 presented the highest dry mass of the aerial part. The RB was suitable as a substrate component in basil plantations.

In the production of horticultural seedlings, it is common to use less renewable substrates, such as peat and "black earth". To evaluate its possible replacement with a more sustainable one, the quality of home compost and vegetable waste was analyzed, and its subsequent use in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), with a completely randomized design, in two stages and with four substrates: 100 % soil (S), 50% compost + 50% soil v v-1 (CS), 100% compost (C) and 70% Sphagnum peat + 30% perlite v v-1 (TP). Lettuce was planted in trays of 30 cm3 per cell. At 25 days, aerial part length (LPA) and number of leaves (NHP) were measured and transplanted into one-litre containers with soil, for the second stage. At 20 days, LPA, NHP, aerial part fresh mass (MFPA), and aerial part dry mass (MSPA) were evaluated. The analyzed compost meets the quality conditions and is suitable for substrate. In the first stage, the growth parameters had significant differences in favor of C treatment with respect to S and CS, and similar with respect to TP. In the second stage, the measured variables were also significantly higher in C compared to S and CS. It is possible to use pure home compost as the one evaluated in lettuce seedlings: it did not present inhibitory effects and had a similar behavior to another widely used substrate (TP). Its use could generate environmental, economic and productive benefits.

This research was carried out in the city of Asunción Central Department - Paraguay in the Mburukuya neighborhood, whose georeferenced coordinate is 25°18'00'S 57°38'00''W . The objective of the work was to evaluate the effect of a biostimulant on the yield of the lettuce cv. ‘Verenada’ in a hydroponic system. The experimental design used was completely random and had three treatments and four repetitions with a total of 120 plants per treatment. It was concluded that there is an influence with the use of biostimulant on the variables studied. Regarding the height and weight of the plant, the treatments T1 (one application) and T2 (two applications) were the ones that presented the highest values. Treatment T1 (one application) presented a greater number of lettuce plant leaves. Regarding root weight, there was no statistical difference between treatments.

Asparagus is a perennial vegetable, with an extensive productive stage and a progressive yield according to the age of the plantations; being the initial nursery stage determinant for the success of the crop and dependent on the starting system, management and quality of the seedlings. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of biofertilization (BF) on the growth of green asparagus seedlings (PEV) improving quality and implantation. An organic production trial was conducted (28/12/2021), in Tandil (Buenos Aires), using UC-157 genotype F2 and in pots. There were four treatments, a control without fertilization (T1), a fertilization treatment with arbuscular endomycorrhizae (T2-BRE), a fertilization treatment composed of micronutrients and plant hormones (T3-BFMH) and a combined fertilization treatment (T4-BRE+ BFMH). A heated greenhouse was used at the Faculty of Agronomy (UNCPBA) and a randomized block design with 3 replications, with weekly monitoring until the final size. Height (H) and number of stems (NT) were evaluated from 3/21/2022 to 5/31/2022. In the laboratory, fresh and dry weights of roots and stems (PFR-PFT-PSR-PST) were determined. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and LSD test (P≥0.05). The PFT and PFR in T4 were superior, finding no statistically significant differences in the biomass of stems and in PFR, surpassing T1, with T2 standing out with respect to T3 and T4. In summary, PEV BF increases biomass, mainly root biomass, constituting a valuable technique to achieve better plantations.

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.