Yam is an interesting rustic productive alternative, adapted to multiple environments, whose consumption has important health benefits, since it is a food rich in protein and has agro-industrial aptitude. In order to provide an overview of the particularities of the yam agrifood chain and its possibilities of use, this review was carried out, based on the analysis of the available bibliography. The work consists of different parts: Importance, crop history, taxonomy and botany, production factors, genetics and improvement, agroclimatic requirements, cultivation, management, harvest and yield, diseases and pests, nutritional value, health benefits, culinary preparations, agroindustry and added value and market. Given the agro-industrial potential and the benefits of consumption, yam represents an interesting productive alternative, being necessary to deepen the studies regarding its possibilities of use.

Due to the scarce antecedents and the need to contribute to professional training, the following objectives were proposed: To study occupational hazards in the agricultural sector of the northeast of the province of Buenos Aires. To train students of the career of Higher Technician in Occupational Hygiene and Safety in the Workplace to carry out an investigation. A survey was carried out with 104 people of the local agricultural sector, during 2021 under the different modalities allowed by the coronavirus pandemics. The main risks surveyed were those related to the use of tractors and agricultural machinery, the use of agrochemicals, overexertion and exposure to climatic factors. A diversity of chemical products used was observed, which is directly related to the diversity of agricultural activities in the area. Training was scarce, with INTA being the main institution that carries out training in the region. The coronavirus pandemics had little impact on the activity, mainly in terms of less sales, difficulty in working according to protocols and loss of wages. There was agreement on the need for greater training and control by the authorities in terms of hygiene, safety and ergonomics in the field of agricultural work. With respect to the pedagogical objective sought, the research enabled the students to be trained for their future professional life.

The Argentinean State implements the Social, Preventive and Mandatory Isolation (ASPO in Spanish) since 20th of March 2020. The ASPO does not include the social actors involved in food production and distribution. However, in order to avoid crowds, some municipalities have closed, temporarily, Agriculture Family, Peasant and Indigenous Fairs, besides, some wholesale markets have reduced their activity. By taking into account La Banda and Santiago del Estero’s fruit and vegetable belt as a social space, this paper analyses how a group of producers, workers, consumers and distributors implemented a new commercial channel in a controversial context. In order to explain how a network of actors innovates the way of selling, qualitative methods were used (interviews, participatory observation, etc.). These practices were developed in 60 km radio. Santiago del Estero´s experience shows the potential of collective work among different actors, who try to build a sustainable territory. This experience was analysed under the agroecology elements, such as, farmers´ autonomy to decide what and how to produce, the promotion of local and medicinal products such as jarilla, and the knowledge exchanged between producers, consumers, churches of different faiths and public workers.

Homeopathic treatments influence growth, production of secondary metabolites, essential oil yield, phytochemical profile, and tolerance to salt stress, among others, when applied to various crops. Homeopathic ultra high dilution is used safely for various purposes (seed germination, soil health improvement, seedling growth, flowering, fruiting, disease protection and to overcome environmental stress). Proper selection of Homeopathy medicament for each case is very important, to have hight efficiency and profitability. The agrohomeopathy can increase farmers' income by reducing the cost of use chemical fertilizers and insecticides. Literature articles on research related to the use of homeopathic preparations in plant cultivation were collected. Their impact on growth, yield, essential oil composition and tolerance to salt stress was emphasized. Various publications in which homeopathy was applied to various crops and its use increased crop yield, production of secondary metabolites (coumarins, alkaloids, phenylpropanoids), absorption and growth of nutrients in medicinal plant species, as well as tolerance to saline stress. Therapeutic treatments for human and animal health are shown to be important for various plant crops. The application of homeopathic preparations is an alternative for plant growth, friendly to the environment. It is also affordable for farmers and researchers, however more studies are required to improve its influence and effects.

Fresh fruit and vegetable wholesale markets are known as very important places for economy and society. However, little attention has been paid to them in food studies or political spheres. This lack of wholesale markets` visibility has implications in improving the circulation of healthy foods such as fruit and vegetables. Wholesale markets play an important role as price makers between production and consumption. Wholesale markets link the production of different geographical areas and supply urban consumers of different communities where they are situated. By using qualitative survey, this paper analyses the situation of Argentinean Wholesale Markets nowadays. Wholesale market different aspects were taken into account: market organization (public, private, etc.);building infrastructure (types of floors, internal streets, market access); technology and control (devices to load and unload merchandise, cold chambers, etc.); social actors involved in different activities-including price publishing and trainings (wholesale sellers, civil servants, employees, clients, suppliers, etc.); network (retailers, wholesalers, horticultural associations, consumers, etc.); integration with local production (geographical location of the market, sales volume of local products with respect to extra premises, etc.). The objective of the paper is to know the general state of wholesale markets in Argentina. The information gathered in this survey can be key input to delineate guidelines and state regulations that consolidate these markets as articulating axes between the production and consumption of fruits and vegetables nationwide. Policymakers should agree with all the actors involved in the productive and commercial fruit and vegetable networks to innovate these spaces according to their multiple perspectives and strategies.

In Uruguay, there are native tree species that produce edible fruits, highly appreciated by local people. Currently, these fruits participate poorly in the food chain, although recently their cultivation, use and commercialization have increased. The Faculty of Agronomy, Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria and Ministerio de Ganadería Agricultura y Pesca, have developed a native fruit selection program, along with other institutions, social actors and people in general. The program is based on the prospection and collection of interesting material, that are grown in Introduction Gardens and farmer lands, where they are characterized and evaluated. At the same time, a controlled pollination program is being conducted, with the objective of complementing desirable characteristics. Five of the ten species studied are highlighted, feijoa (Acca sellowiana Berg Burret), Surinam cherry (Eugenia uniflora L.), strawberry guava (Psidium cattleyanum Sab.), guaviyú (Myrcianthes pungens Berg Legr.) and cereza de monte (Eugenia involucrata L.). There have been important improvements on the characterization, evaluation and studies on the biodiversity. At present, the program counts with plant selections. On the other hand, protocols of industrialization have been developed, formation and promotion seminaries, agroecological projects, home and school gardens and regional projects. Deepening on the valorization description of native fruit trees will help their development and conservation in a sustainable way.

The cultivation of edible and medicinal mushrooms generates large volumes of substrate degraded by fungi (SDF). Mushroom cultivation implies a solid-state fermentation (SSF) with production of fungal metabolites and the consequent biodegradation of lignocellulosic materials. SSF accelerates organic matter mineralization; therefore, at the end of the cultivation cycle, SDH has greater stability than the original substrate. SDF properties depend largely on whether prior to inoculation of the mushroom species, the starting substrate is composted or just decontaminated. In the first case, the cultivated mushroom species are more substrate-sensitive. In the latter, the mushroom species used are more substrate-adaptable, and are the most widely adopted by small and medium-sized producers as well. After mushroom cultivation, SDF is removed from the production site. Henceforth, depending on its further use, certain storage conditions should be observed, and physical and/or chemical conditioning is usually needed. In horticulture, particle size reduction and dilution of excess salts, by mixing with other materials or leaching, are especially required. The aim of this review is to highlight SDF’s potential as a valuable resource. Particularly, the physical and chemical properties of SDF reported in the literature are summarized, and its different uses evaluated in horticultural systems are described. Among these are: substrate for seedlings, soil amendment and biofertilizer.

The squash is a vegetable of high economic and social value for the Argentina. Cultivars Frontera INTA and Cuyano INTA belong to the species Cucurbita moschata and possess different plant architecture that makes presume a specific optimal spatial distribution for the production of fruit and seed. The objective of the trial was to probe different densities and determine the effects on the yield of fruits and seeds in the two cultivars. The trials were conducted in the seasons 2007-2008; 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 in La Consulta, Mendoza, Argentina, and were tested densities between 0.17 and 0.91 plants·m-2 by changing the distance between lines (2.0 m to 3.0 m) and between plants on the line (0.5 m to 2.0 m). Fruits and seeds yield per plant and unit area, average weight of fruit, seed yield per fruit, seed weight and seed germination, were determined. A factorial analysis with two factors, density and cultivar, was made independently by season, and Fisher test was used for means (α ≤ 0.05). The increase in density caused the decrease in the yield of fruits and seeds per plant. Yields per unit area were generally superior with the higher densities, both with respect to fruit and seed. Among cultivars the fruit yield per plant and surface were very similar although the fruit weight of Frontera INTA was greater: the ability to produce seed of Frontera INTA was superior to Cuyano INTA. The quality of the seeds was not changed significantly between densities.

Worldwide, L. sativa is the leaf vegetable most cultivated and consumed as fresh. Pest aphids are among the biotic factors affecting production and marketing. In Bahía Blanca, the aphid species most frequently found are Macrosiphum euphorbiae and Uroleucon sonchi. The aim of this study was to estimate the biological and demographic parameters of M. euphorbiae and U. sonchi on L. sativa varieties under laboratory conditions. Aphids were collected on a lettuce crop and were reared at the laboratory. For the study, cohorts of 30 neonate females, for each aphid species and lettuce varieties were used at 20 ± 1 °C, 70-80 % relative humidity and 12:12 h light dark cycle. The main differences among aphid species were observed in the duration of nymphal, pre-reproductive and reproductive periods. M. euphorbiae had the shortest nymphal and pre-reproductive periods and the longest reproductive period in L. sativa var. crispa. With regard to population parameters, the highest rm, R0, λ and TVR were observed in M. euphorbiae on L. sativa var. crispa. These studies would indicate that, according to the cultivated employed lettuce varieties and taking into account the population growth rate of different aphid species, it could infer the dominant aphid species and the potential damage they would cause to the lettuce crop.

The richness of cultural values found in Argentinean Andean communities is reflected by resource diversity and ancestral crop management practices. Traditional landraces are highly appreciated for their flavour, colour and aromas. However, social, economic and environmental factors have an effect on crop diversity conservation. In this context, germplasm recuperation and conservation is a priority. The objectives of this work was to recover a representative collection of autochthonous crop genetic resources still cultivated in Andean valleys of Argentina, tomato in particular, analyze its distribution, and document farmers’ crop experiences and uses. One hundred and thirty families were interviewed, and they donated a total of 561 samples of landraces belonging to 41 species, including 29 tomato samples. The landraces collected shows a geometric distribution, typical in communities with low number of species; and a pattern of dominance, showing that common species are present in almost all farms while rare species are found in specific environments. Traditional agriculture is a familiar economic activity, mainly affected by environmental factors. Local germplasm recover could prevent genetic erosion and help to link in situ and ex situ conservation in a more efficient way, consequently both the formal breeding sector and farmers can use the diversity of the collections for their crop-improvement efforts.