Horticulture constitutes an engine of development for countries like Argentina that have the challenge of optimizing the consumption of vegetables in quantity and diversity, given that the plurality of species and varieties consumed is traditionally very limited. In this sense, the objective of this work is to analyze the current importance of the Argentine horticultural sector, taking as reference the information generated by the main Argentine concentrator market: Mercado Central de Buenos Aires (MCBA), where annually between 17- 20% of the national total is commercialized. The variables considered were: diversity and volume (t.ha-1) of vegetables marketed, main vegetables consumed (PHC) (potato, tomato, squash, onion and carrot) and monthly evolution of the marketing of leafy vegetables (EHH), by province and main varieties marketed, in 2018. A total of 69 species was recorded among vegetables (60) and aromatics (9). In vegetables, 80% of the total volume marketed corresponded to 5 species: potato (38%), tomato (14%), onion (12%), squash (6%), carrot (6%), summer squash (3% ), pepper (3%); followed by lettuce, sweet potato, corn, melon, cassava, watermelon, eggplant, chard, cabbage, cucumber, spinach, beets, green onion, garlic, broccoli, parsley, green bean, celery, cauliflower, pea, arugula, leek, sweet corn , fennel, accuse, asparagus, artichoke, endive, radicheta, cabbage, bean, turnip, Brussels sprout, radish, pack-choy, chicory, salsify, mushrooms, potatoes, radicchio, radicchio, bean, endive, grelo, soybean sprout, kale, cress, ciboullete, shallot, achojcha, thistle, turmeric and chervil. Regarding aromatics, the order of importance corresponded to: basil, ginger, coriander, mint, oregano, sage, turnip, rosemary and other aromatics. Although the diversity of commercialized species is encouraging, a greater balance in consumption is a priority.

Argentina, one of the main South American strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) producers, shows an increasing trend to reduce the use of agrochemicals (pesticides and fertilizers), and incorporate bio-inputs. In this context, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of MO.14 (a liquid organic amendment, rich in humic and fulvic acids), applied alone or combined with a biological activator (Biomix), on the yield and fruit quality of four strawberry cultivars. A trial was carried out in the 2016 productive season and part of 2017, in Famaillá (Tucumán). Treatments: MO.14 (drench), MO.14 (drench) + Biomix (foliar) and untreated control (T). Cultivars: Benicia, Camino Real, Merced and San Andreas. Yield (total fruit weight/plant, Yld), number of fruits/plant (NF), marketable fruit average weight (MFAW) and percentage of rotten fruits (%RF) were evaluated. Experimental design: CRD with three replications of 30 plants per cultivar and treatment. Data were subjected to ANOVA. Treatments improved Yld and NF, but not %RF and MFAW (genotypic effects prevailed). MO.14 showed Yld and NF values higher than MO.14 + Biomix. Treatment-cultivar interactions were significant for NF. Regarding the cultivars, Merced stood out (Yld, MFAW). In May 2017, when the first harvests of the 2nd year started, biostimulants exceeded T in Yld. Biostimulant treatments could reduce the use of chemical fertilizers in strawberry, contributing to agroecosystem sustainability, although new studies (dose, concentration, number of applications) should validate that.

Sweet corn has gene in recessive homozygosis, whose function is to retard or prevent the complete transformation of soluble sugars from grain to starch, being this the main difference with the grain maize. The objective of this review is to bring together the basic concepts related to ecophysiology of sweet and super sweet corn. Botanical characteristics of maize in general and the distinctive physiological properties of sweet and super sweet corn compared to corn grain are presented. From this point, and on the review presents the main ecophysiological variables that affect the growth and development of sweet and super sweet corn. Factors affecting germination and crop growth are considered, taking into account the plant density, nutritional, water and thermal requirements, with an special focus on the effect they have on the crop physiology of the crop when they are limiting.

Weed control in horticultural crops based only on the use of high doses of herbicides is very difficult because it implies a significant increase in production costs, higher pollution of the environment, and the growth of weeds which are not affected by these chemicals. The use of a reduced dose of herbicide is a very important alternative in order to reduce production costs and environmental damage, and basically to carry out effective weed control that will not affect the yield of the crop. The reduction of the doses of herbicides can be achieved with the replacement of these chemicals by the implementation of the use of other weed control methods or applying doses which are minimal or lower than the usually recommended ones. Adopting an integrated weed control technique requires thorough knowledge of the situation, the field to be used, main weed types and their stages of development as well as the appropriate management of the crop where it will be applied.

Rattin, J.; Valinote, J.P.; Gonzalo, R. and Di Benedetto, A. 2008. Transplant and density effects on sweet maize hybrids (Zea mays L.). Horticultura Argentina 27(62): 5-10

The aim of this work were determine both the agronomic and economic suitability of the transplant as an alternative to direct seeded and the effect of three plant densities (4, 8 and 12 plants·m-2) on light penetration and light utilization in view to optimize plant and crop productivity for two sweet maize hybrids mutants (Canner and Butter Sweet). The experiments were conducted at the INTA Balcarce Experimental Station, Argentina (37º 45’ S; 58º 18’ W and altitude 130 m) during the 2004/2005 and 2006/2007 growing seasons on a typic argiudol soil. A factorial experimental design was used. Our results showed (a) that transplant change dry weight accumulation, increased light interception, the harvest index, the radiation use efficiency and yield; (b) optimal plant density would be increased near 12 plants·m-2 although daily maximum and minimum temperature during the first stages of vegetative growth must be considered and (c) when plant density and prices increased, transplant would be an acceptable alternative.