Blackberries are fruits of great commercial value, but at the same time highly fragile and with reduced shelf-life. Their extreme fragility and susceptibility to mechanical deterioration justifies the need to deepen into technological alternatives that allow prolonging their useful life. The use of edible coatings emerges as a promising alternative to preserve the postharvest quality of blackberries. Natural additives such as antimicrobials, antioxidants, firmness agents or bioactive ingredients can be added into them in order to increase safety and maintain the sensory, nutritional and functional characteristics of minimally processed fruits. The objective of this work was to evaluate the quality of blackberries (Rubus fructicosus var Ouchita) from the first harvest (December) and their behavior during the postharvest, after applying chitosan, alginate and alginate coatings with the addition of vanillin, as an alternative to maintain the quality of the fruits. The first stage of the work was carried out analyzing the fruits at the time of harvest and during 14 days of refrigerated storage without the application of coatings, in order to determine their useful life. In addition, physicochemical and nutritional quality parameters (firmness, soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid retention, total polyphenols and antioxidant capacity) were evaluated at 0, 4, 7, 11 and 14 days of storage. Microbiological quality, sensory acceptability and fungal deterioration were also evaluated. In a second stage of the experimental design, the blackberries were treated with different edible coatings and stored under refrigeration (5ºC) to determine their useful life, performing the previously detailed determinations. The results obtained indicated that active edible coatings could be considered as a potential alternative for postharvest preservation that allows maintaining the quality attributes of blackberries and prolonging their marketing period; however, even more research is required to be able to be transferred to fruit and vegetable producers.

Given the need to optimize the consumption of vegetables in quantity and biodiversity for optimal human nutrition, it is advisable to incorporate new species into the diet, especially those that are easy to grow and suitable for multiple culinary preparations. In this sense, some succulent plants are suitable for fresh consumption and incorporation into products and preparations. In addition to their ornamental value, some succulents are very tolerant to drought and can be produced in urban, peri-urban and rural areas, an especially important aspect in countries like Argentina, where the majority of the population is urban (92%). In this context, the objective of this work is to review the background of succulents and provide an overview of their cultivation and culinary aptitude, with emphasis on the benefits that their consumption can have. Among them, the following species stand out, commonly known as cactus pear (Opuntia ficus indica), purslane (Portulaca oleracea), pitaya or dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus), blue agave (Agave tequilana), saguaro or cardón (Carnegiea gigantea), aloe (Aloe ssp), sedum (Sedum ssp), barrel cactus (Ferocactus wislizeni), plenty tree (Portulacaria afra), salicornia (Salicornia sp.), lady's fingers (Dudleya edulis), banana yucca (Yucca baccata) and Echeveria (Echeveria ssp.), among others.

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.

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.

Broccoli, Brassica oleraceaL. var. italicPlenck, belonging to the Brassica family, are known for their nutritional health benefits, as they contain bioactive compounds that could reduce cardiovascular, neurological or cancer risk. The demand has been growing in recent decades and is expected to continue in the coming years. Due to its growing popularity, considerable research is focused on different production topics. The main objective of this review is to update the information on broccoli related to the market, genetic improvement, crop management, postharvest and recycling of crop residues. Most of the articles focus on two topics: the functional value of broccoli in human health and the sustainable approach in the production chain. In the first, pre- and post-harvest factors are evaluated to obtain the maximum of bioactive compounds, in the second, new post-harvest practices are developed to minimize losses and new alternatives are proposed for the recycling of harvest and processing residues. Genetic breeding is being used to incorporate pest and disease resistance genes, and more stable cultivars to use in organic management systems. Very few studies arefocused on crop management and those are referred to the efficient water and soil use. It will be necessary to maximize efficiency in all links of the production chain in order to reduce the impact on climate change indicators.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The objective of this review is to highlight the potential and feasibility of the cultivation of native species of the sub-Andean Yungas, Physalis peruviana and P. pubescens, in Argentina. Both species produce fruits with similar characteristics, being almost indistinguishable. Some names of the fruit are Physalis, cape gooseberry, capulí, aguaymanto, Cape goosberry or goldenberry. It is an exotic fruit of worldwide growing interest, mainly for its nutraceutical properties and excellent prices in Europe and the US, where it is considered a "speciality" fruit. It grows in environments with thermal ranges from 5 to 35°C, with a base temperature of 6.29°C and an optimal temperature of 21°C, requiring a constant supply of water, with demands in the range of 1000 to 1800 mm of precipitation, well distributed throughout the year. The main pests are Epitrix cucumeris (Coleoptera), Chloridea (Heliothis) subflexa (Lepidoptera) and Liriomyza sp. (Diptera). The most important pathogen is Fusarium oxysporum, followed by Phoma sp., Pythium sp., Cercospora physalidis and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. The fruit can be affected by postharvest pathogens such as Botrytis sp., Cladosporium, Pestalotia and Phomopsis. In Tucumán, INTA-Famaillá carried out adaptation tests with both Physalis species, verifying their agronomic viability. Argentina’s northwestern region has developed as an agro-export hub for fresh berries to the northern hemisphere, where the main consumer markets for goldenberry are located, constituting an opportunity. The processing of goldenberry allows the production of stable, sensory-pleasant products, broadening the possibilities of commercialization, and allowing the addition of value (pulp, nectars, juices, jams, dehydrated products, energy bars, sauces, ice cream, etc.).