Tomato is the highest economic value vegetable and the most cultivated all over the world. The intensification of its cultivation in greenhouses led to a series of phytosanitary problems, the most significant caused by tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta Meyrick). In this work, the presence of T. absoluta was evaluated in three tomato materials grown under a greenhouse and their yields were quantified. The experiment was carried out in the Experimental Field located in the Department of Agricultural Sciences, National University of San Luis. The genotypes used were the hybrid Houdini (ToH) and the varieties Lomitero INTA (ToL) and Cherry Pomodoro Red Bunch (ToCh). They were planted in experimental plots, arranged in a completely randomized design with a density of 3.3 plants/m2. Each plot had 109 plants, of which 10 of each material were monitored, which were selected through systematic sampling and labeled for recognition. Weekly monitoring was carried out to collect performance data, which were statistically analyzed using non parametric methods. As a result of the observations, the presence of T. absoluta was not detected in any of the three tomato materials, so the incidence of the pest was zero. However, given the importance of this information, their productivity was analyzed, with average yields of 3.14 kg/plant for ToH; 0.80 kg/plant for ToL, and 0.79 kg/plant for ToCh. ToH presented the highest yield and constant production over time, so its use could be recommended for the area.

One of the biggest challenges for the production of bioinputs is that the product is adequately developed. This implies that it contains a sufficient amount of inoculum and that its quality is maintained during storage time. In this sense, the objectives of this work were i) to establish a protocol for the preparation and application of a bioinput based on Trichoderma harzianum and ii) to develop a protocol for family producers on the correct use of the bioinput produced. For the multiplication of T. harzianum, rice grains were used as a solid substrate. Polyethylene bags were prepared with 30 g of rice plus 15 mL of sterile distilled water. The bags were sterilized and seeded with a culture of T. harzianum. The bags were incubated at room temperature for 10 days. Once the rice was colonized, it was dried in an oven at 50° C for 24 h. The quality was evaluated one month, three and six months after the preparation of the solid product. To do this, the concentration of conidia was calculated by counting in the Neubauer chamber and the viability of the product was also calculated by counting colony-forming units of Trichoderma in Trichoderma selective medium culture medium. The results obtained indicate that the concentration of conidia in the solid substrate remains high up to six months of storage. A protocol of use was developed for producers.

The Valle Bonaerense del Río Colorado (VBRC) has proven to be agroclimatically suitable of strawberry production (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.). However, pathogenic soil fungi that affect this crop have been detected in the region, causing reductions in fruit production and plant death. The objective of this work was to evaluate alternative methods to methyl bromide (MB) for soil disinfection in strawberry cultivation and determine their effect on fruit production and plant survival in the VBRC. Three chemical methods were evaluated: the mixture 1,3-dichloropropene+chloropicrin (1,3-D:Pic), metam sodium and the mixture 1,3-D:Pic with subsequent applications of Trichoderma harzianumto the soil. The trial included the cultivars San Andreas and Sweet Ann and lasted two years. The fruit was classified as commercial and non-commercial, the number of dead plants was recorded according to treatments, and weekly monitoring of pests and diseases was carried out. In all treatments with chemical disinfection, plant survival in the second year was higher than soil without disinfection; however, no differences in yield were observed between treatments in either year. Inoculation with T. harzianum did not demonstrate beneficial effects on survival and fruit yield. The chemical methods evaluated, which could replace MB, would be appropriate to achieve greater plant survival in the second year of a biennial strawberry crop in the VBRC.

The value losses of cling peaches processed for halves are generated by lower industrial efficiency, by the presence of undesirable attributes, including inadequate maturity level, presence of pit-splitting, and low caliber of units. In order to analyze the effect of fruit size and maturity level on the losses during the pitting and lye peeling, two trials were carried out with Riegels variety peaches. OMIP knife pitters were used, previously separating fruits into three size categories: “small”, “medium” and “large”. The incidence of maturity level in both processes was determined, according to a maturity level grouping: “consistent”, with flesh firmness measured in the fruit cheeks between 7 and 10 Lbf, and “overripe” fruits, with less than 6 Lbf. The percentage losses in the pitting and peeling processes with lye were inversely proportional to the fruit size. During pitting, the overripe fruits suffered greater losses than the consistent ones and in the peeling process with lye, the overripe halves had a greater loss, which was constant, for the three size categories. The results require an exhaustive analysis of the farm-factory interfase and the objective determination of harvest maturity, which mainly defines the quality of raw material and industry efficiency.

Agriculture in arid regions requires physiological and agronomic studies. Phenology was analysed and morphological and productive responses of garlic (cv. Morado INTA) to irrigation strategies were evaluated in an arid region of La Rioja. The trial was carried out in INTA EEA Chilecito in 2022. The design was a randomized complete block design with three replications and three irrigation treatments were applied: T1-100%, T2-120% and T3-75% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) during 28 days after the 12th visible leaf of the main growth stage 1(main shoot).The extended garlic phenological scale was used. Leaves, plant height, plant pseudostem and neck, basal disc, diameter, height and bulb weight were measured. Phenology results: 97.8% sprouting at 19 dap (days after planting) and 368 growing degree-days (GDD), main shoot development (12th leaf) at 142 dap and 1823 GDD and the 100% bulb diameter at 212 dap and 3095 GDD. Irrigation results: T3 did not affect height, number of leaves or pseudostem length, but modified the basal leaf with respect to T1 and T2. T3 reduced neck diameter and bulb height without affecting final bulb weight, and consequently increased the bulbification index with respect to T2. The application of controlled deficit irrigation (75% of ETc) during the month of September and the return to full irrigation until bulb harvest are strategies that optimize water use and production in the garlic crop (cv. Morado INTA).

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.

Squash in Argentina is a vegetable of great economic, social and nutritional importance, it is among the vegetables with the highest levels of consumption and it is consumed in every social stratum and at all ages. The objective of the study was to determine the natural growth rate, commercial yield, and quality of commercial fruits for plants that were developed after cover crops and extended fallow periods. The study was conducted in a soil known as Petrocalcic Paleustol, located in the semi-arid region of the rocky plain in southern La Pampa, Argentina. For two consecutive seasons, rye, rye and vicia, and fallow without cover crops were planted as cover treatments in the same plot. Each cover treatment was implemented using two methods: rolling andherbicide growth stoppage.In this way, six management treatments for squash cultivation were performed. The results after two consecutive seasons showed that the plants developed under cover crop treatments prior to cultivation, along with conventional weed control management, presented the highest values of natural growth rate, achieving excellent coverage of the sowing area. The highest commercial yields were obtained with prior rye cover treated with herbicide growth stoppage, and with rolled rye-vicia cover, for the first and second seasons respectively. The shape of the commercial fruits was not affected by any treatment. All crops with prior coverage had a positive effect on small and medium sizes,which are the most preferred fruit sizes by the domestic market.

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.

Variation in weather elements affects the production of agricultural crops. Air and soil temperature control plant growth and development, as is the case in garlic (Allium sativum L.). The objective of the study was to evaluate the phenology and productive characteristics of two garlic cultivars according to air and soil temperature during 2022, at the Tilimuqui Experimental Field of INTA EEA Chilecito. The experimental design was Randomized Complete Blocks with three replications. The extended phenological scale of garlic was used. Soil temperature was measured at 5 cm and 15 cm depth and meteorological data recorded by the automatic weather station located at the trial site were used. Height, number of leaves, bulb weight and parameters for calculating the bulbification index were measured. For the same growing conditions, from planting date (both on 11/04/22) they showed different percentages of sprouting, number of leaves and bulb weight. The cv. Morado INTA required a heat summation of 3095 GD and a cycle of 213 days until harvest (09/11/22) and the cv. Nieve INTA required a heat summation of 3397 GD with a cycle of 225 days until harvest (21/11/22). The two cultivars had average photoperiods of 12.2 h in June and 14.5 h in November.

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.