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.

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.

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.

Food quality studies are important to verify authenticity and investigate foreign matter. The objective of this work focused on applying the characters of diagnostic value of the fruits of papaya, fig, mango and tree tomato, for botanical quality control and comparing the labeling of derived products with current legislation. 23 products (industrial and artisanal) acquired in San Salvador de Jujuy were analyzed using scraping micrographic techniques, mild dissociation and combined histochemical reactions. Diagnostic characters (polygonal epidermal cells, tecting hairs, glandular hairs, fibers, sclereids, crystals, laticiferous tubes, starch grains, lipid droplets and seminal hairs) were identified in jams, jelly, sweets, chutney, artisanal wine, candied foods and fig coffee which confirm the presence of the raw material, in correspondence with the specifications of the Argentine Food Code (Chapter V). Of the industrial products, 70% were genuine and 30% were contaminated, while in artisanal products, 92% were genuine and 8% were contaminated. Regarding labeling, 70% of the industrial products met the specifications and 30% did not. On the other hand, only 31% of the artisanal products met the specifications, while the remaining 69% did not. The micrographic method constitutes a reliable strategy to confirm the added value that said quality implies in local preparations in the province of Jujuy.

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.

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.