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Strengthening national genebanks through genomics and regional collaboration: Lessons from Latin America and the Caribbean
(Elsevier B.V., 2025-12-23) Carbajal Yepes, M.; Petroli, C.; Correa, M.; Breseghello, F.; Tapia, G.; Salazar, E.; Chassaigne, A.; Ferreyra, M.; Reyes Herrera, P.H.; Guzmán, M.; Mendoza, A.; Vidal, R.; Condón, F.; de Almeida, N.; Fernandez Huaytalla, Elizabeth; Rodriguez, L.; Solano, W.; Morales, A.J.; Velasquez Flores, B.L.; Soto, J.; Robles, R.; Ledesma, A.; Aragón, M.; Castillo, D.; Roa, C.; López Noriega, I.; Wenzl, P.; Sansaloni, C.
Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is a center of origin and domestication for globally important crops such as cassava, common bean, maize, and potato, all of which are key to food and nutrition security worldwide. Despite this strategic role, many national genebanks in the region face technical, financial, and policy barriers that limit the use of genomic tools for characterization and conservation. These genebanks safeguard the genetic diversity needed to enhance crop yields, climate-change resilience, nutritional quality, and pest and disease resistance. In 2022, CGIAR Centers and partners established the "Community of Practice (CoP) of national genebanks in LAC" to strengthen regional capacity for generating and interpreting digital sequence information (DSI), facilitate collaboration, and promote sustainable management of plant genetic resources. Through coordinated capacity-building activities, joint crop-based analyses, and shared learning, the CoP has connected 17 institutions across 13 countries. Members have begun generating and interpreting DSI for common bean, maize, and potato, while addressing gaps in data sharing, interoperability, and policy frameworks. Looking ahead, the CoP seeks to conduct diversity analysis, establish regional core collections, integrate existing global data portals, and advocate for policy alignment to sustain genomic characterization and access to diversity. This CoP initiative provides a model applicable in other regions to strengthen genebank operations through collaborative innovation and coordinated action, contributing to resilient and equitable global food systems.
The Germination and Subsequent Development of Cocoa Seedlings (Theobroma cacao L.) Are Subject to Influence From the Pregerminative Methods Employed
(John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 2025-12-20) Chuquibala Checan, Beimer; Torres de la Cruz, Magdiel; Mendoza Merino, Jani Elisabet; Tineo Flores, Daniel; Arce Inga, Marielita; Álvarez Robledo, Yeltsin Abel; Atalaya Marin, Nilton; Gómez Fernández, Darwin; Goñas Goñas, Malluri
In Peru, cocoa production has increased significantly, thereby establishing a prominent position for this crop in the country's agricultural landscape. The effect of different pregerminative methods on seed germination of cocoa ecotypes and their influence on seedling development in nursery were evaluated. Three cocoa ecotypes were used INDES 24, INDES 31, and INDES 67, and five pregerminative methods were applied to the seeds with mucilage, mucilage removal, tegument removal, water immersion, and immersion in Trichoderma harzianum solution. Parameters such as germination percentage GP, mean germination time GT50, mean germination rate GR50, and plant growth characteristics in terms of cotyledon height, plant height, number of leaves per plant, and stem diameter were evaluated. The results revealed that the treatments INDES 24 removal tegument, INDES 67 removal tegument, INDES 67 water immersion, and INDES 67 immersion in T. harzianum showed the best GPs of 100% at 72 h. Additionally, the INDES 67 tegument removal showed the best mean germination time and rate GT50 and GR50 with 24 h and 8 seeds/24 h, respectively. For growth parameters, INDES 67 mucilage removal showed the highest values for cotyledon height and the number of leaves per plant with 4 cm and 13.33 leaves/plant; for plant height and stem diameter, the treatments INDES 31 tegument removal and INDES 24 mucilage removal obtained the highest average values with 30.21 cm and 6.65 mm, respectively. These findings demonstrate that pregerminative methods significantly impact the germination and growth of cocoa plants. This insight can enhance cocoa propagation practices and improve the success rate of their establishment in the field.
Soil Organic Carbon Variability in Tropical Cropping Systems: Interactions With Texture, pH, Macronutrients, and Organic Matter
(John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 2026-01-09) Solórzano Acosta, Richard Andi; Cruz Luis, Juancarlos Alejandro; Chuchon Remon, Rodolfo Juan; Gaona Jimenez, Nery; Vallerjos Torres, Geomar
Soil organic carbon (SOC) plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change and enhancing soil fertility. Its storage and dynamics are particularly significant in agricultural ecosystems of the Peruvian Amazon, where the expansion of agriculture and livestock farming may disrupt the regional carbon balance. This study aimed to analyze SOC variability and its relationship with edaphic and nutritional properties in agricultural systems in Eastern Peru (San Martín and Loreto regions). Four representative cropping systems were evaluated: coffee grown in agroforestry and polyculture systems; maize as a monoculture; and camu-camu and cocoa cultivated in monoculture and agroforestry systems, respectively. The highest SOC content (80.70 t·ha−1), phosphorus (12.03 mg·kg−1), and moisture (52.36%) were observed in coffee-growing soils, likely due to the presence of shade trees that enhance organic matter inputs in soils at 0–20 cm depth. In contrast, soils under maize cultivation exhibited the highest levels of nitrogen (0.19%), potassium (364.02 mg·kg−1), and pH (7.61), likely due to the frequent fertilization applied to this crop. The lowest carbon saturation deficits were found in soils under camu-camu (31.67%), cocoa (26.88%), maize (24.80%), and coffee (20.59%), with the most pronounced deficits occurring in camu-camu and cocoa soils in Yurimaguas (Loreto), indicating a heightened vulnerability to carbon loss. These findings underscore the significant influence of crop type and management practices on carbon and nutrient dynamics in tropical soils. Long-term studies are recommended to assess carbon sequestration over extended periods, informing sustainable soil management policies in the Peruvian Amazon.
Sustainable Management of Potato Tuber Moths Using Eco-Friendly Dust Formulations During Storage in the Andean Highlands
(MDPI, 2026-01-13) Villanueva Spelucín, Alex; Escobal Valencia, Fernando; Cántaro Segura, Héctor Baroni; Diaz Morales, Luis Alberto; Matsusaka Quiliano, Daniel Claudio
Postharvest losses caused by potato tuber moths severely impact storage in the Andean highlands, where reliance on synthetic insecticides poses sustainability and safety concerns. This study evaluated eco-friendly alternatives for protecting stored seed tubers of the widely adopted cultivar INIA 302 Amarilis in Cajamarca, Peru. In two storage facilities, a completely randomized block design compared four treatments: Bacillus thuringiensis plus talc (Bt-talc), talc, agricultural lime, and wood ash against an untreated control. Powders were applied at 50 g per 10 kg of tubers, and incidence, severity of damage, and live larvae were assessed over 150 days. Bt–talc consistently achieved the lowest damage. Incidence in Cochapampa was 16.8% ± 6.2 with Bt-talc, compared with 58.1% ± 3.9 in the control; in Sulluscocha, incidence was 25.5% ± 4.8 and 64.2% ± 3.0 for Bt-talc and the control, respectively. A similar pattern was observed for moth-damage severity in both localities. Live larvae per unit were also markedly lower with 1.3 ± 0.3 (Cochapampa) and 1.6 ± 0.6 (Sulluscocha) under Bt–talc. A single dusting with Bt–talc, or alternatively agricultural lime, offers effective, accessible, and sustainable control of potato tuber moths in high-Andean storage.
¿Por qué elegir la raza Kuri?
(Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria (INIA), 2025-10-31) Sánchez Larrañaga, Jessica Isabel; Díaz Garmendia, Francis Renato
Kuri es una raza compuesta originada a través del proceso de mejoramiento genético por cruzamiento de las razas Perú, Inti y Andina desarrollada por el Programa Nacional de Cuyes del Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria (INIA).
Esta raza es una de las alternativas más competitivas en términos de eficiencia reproductiva y rentabilidad para el productor, debido a su precocidad y prolificidad.
Para entender los beneficios y atributos de esta raza es importante conocer sobre el proceso de mejoramiento genético. Se identifica que la raza Kuri posee una proporción genética de 5/8 de Perú, 3/8 de Inti x Andina.
Azospirillum brasilense as a Bioinoculant to Alleviate the Effects of Salinity on Quinoa Seed Germination
(MDPI, 2025-12-16) Apaza Calcina, Jose David; Muñoz Salas, Milagros Ninoska; Lozano Isla, Flavio; Rezende, Rachel Passos; Santana Silva, Raner José
Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is valued for its resilience to abiotic stress; however, germination and seedling establishment remain highly sensitive to salinity. While its salt tolerance at later growth stages has been well studied, strategies to improve early development under high salinity are limited, and the role of halotolerant plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) in quinoa has not been systematically investigated. This study assessed the ability of three Azospirillum brasilense strains (BR-11001, BR-11002, and BR-11005) to increase the germination and seedling performance of the cultivar 'BRS Piabiru' under saline stress. A 3 × 4 factorial design with three bacterial treatments and four NaCl concentrations (0, 150, 300, and 450 mM) was conducted in a completely randomized arrangement, with four replicates per treatment. Seeds were surface sterilized, inoculated, and incubated at 18 °C under constant light for 10 days. Elevated salinity (≥300 mM NaCl) drastically reduced germination and seedling vigor in the controls. Inoculation with BR-11002 significantly alleviated salinity-induced damage, sustaining over 84% germination at 450 mM and increasing seedling biomass at 300 mM. These findings highlight the potential of halotolerant A. brasilense, particularly BR-11002, as bioinoculants to promote quinoa establishment in salt-affected soils, supporting sustainable agriculture and food system resilience.
Improvement and Maturation of Liquid Biofertilizers in Series-Connected Biodigesters: Comparative Analysis of Guinea Pig Manure and Vermicompost Leachate
(MDPI, 2025-11-05) Gómez Montoya, Juan Pablo; Castillo Alvarez, Yoisdel; Ortiz Dongo, Luis Felipe; Solórzano Acosta, Richard Andi; Patiño Agudelo, Alisson Dahian; Luna delRisco, Mario; Arrieta Gonzales, Carlos E.
The recovery of livestock waste through multistage anaerobic digestion represents a key strategy for producing high-efficiency liquid biofertilizers within circular economy frameworks. This study compared two underexplored substrates—guinea pig manure and vermicompost leachate (VL)—processed in series biodigesters to evaluate their nutrient composition and agronomic performance. The guinea pig manure biol exhibited higher macronutrient concentrations (N = 1.09–3.74 g L−1 ; P = 0.06–0.64 g L−1 ; K = 1.85–3.20 g L−1 ) and electrical conductivity (14.1–26.5 mS cm−1 ), while VL presented a more balanced nutrient profile (N = 0.65–0.71 g L−1 ; P = 0.04–0.09 g L−1 ; K = 2.46–3.76 g L−1 ) and slightly lower salinity (15.0–17.2 mS cm−1 ). Micronutrient levels (Fe, Mn, Zn, B) exceeded the reference thresholds established by EU Regulation 2019/1009 for liquid fertilizers, suggesting the need for dilution prior to field application. In maize field trials, VL diluted 1:7 increased above-ground biomass by 28%, and guinea pig biol diluted 1:10 achieved a 22% increase compared to the control, confirming their biostimulant potential. However, the high sodium content (848–1024 mg L−1 ) may limit application on saline or poorly drained soils, requiring adaptive agronomic management. These findings demonstrate that multistage anaerobic digestion effectively transforms unconventional organic waste into nutrient-rich biofertilizers, expanding the scientific foundation for alternative substrates and reinforcing their potential to enhance Andean smallholder agriculture, nutrient recycling, and food security within a sustainability-oriented bioeconomy.
Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in high Andean crops of the Peruvian Andes: comparative evaluation between irrigated and dry systems
(Elsevier B.V., 2025-12-13) Ccopi Trucios, Dennis; Requena Rojas, Edilson Jimmy; Ortega Quispe, Kevin Abner; Solórzano Acosta, Richard Andi; Révolo Acevedo, Ronald; Pizarro Carcausto, Samuel Edwin
Heavy metal contamination in Andean agricultural systems is a growing concern for food safety and environmental health. This study assessed the concentrations and bioaccumulation patterns of eleven metals (Cd, Pb, As, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Hg, Mo) in seven representative crops cultivated under irrigated and rainfed conditions in the Mantaro Valley, central Peruvian Andes. Soil and foliar samples were collected from paired plots, and bioaccumulation factors (BAF) were calculated to evaluate metal transfer to plant tissues. Irrigated soils showed higher and more homogeneous concentrations of Cd, Pb, and As, reflecting long-term accumulation from historical mining activities and irrigation with contaminated water from the Mantaro River. Foliar concentrations exceeded Codex Alimentarius limits for Cd, Pb, and As in several crops, especially potato and broad bean. BAF analyses revealed distinct crop-specific behaviors: potato, quinoa, and broad bean frequently exhibited BAF >1 for metals such as Cd, Cu, Zn, and Mn, indicating active uptake and translocation. In contrast, cereals such as maize and barley maintained low BAF values (<1), suggesting conservative absorption patterns. Irrigation increased the bioavailability of several metals, resulting in higher foliar concentrations and elevated BAF values compared to rainfed systems. Multivariate analyses further differentiated metal accumulation profiles by crop type and water management system. These findings highlight the need for strengthened monitoring of high-accumulation crops and improved soil and water quality management in historically contaminated Andean agricultural regions.
Clustering-Based Characterization of Mixed Herds and the Influence of Pasture Fertilization in High-Andean Livestock Systems
(MDPI, 2026-01-08) Nuñez, Jesus; Paxi Meneses, Felimon; Cruz, Wilder; Estrada Cañari, Richard
Livestock production in the high Andes is vital for rural livelihoods and food security but is limited by poor pasture quality, environmental variability, and restricted resources. Pasture improvement, achieved through management practices and particularly through fertilization, may enhance productivity and sustainability in high-Andean livestock systems. This study aimed to characterize mixed herds composed of domestic sheep (Ovis aries), alpacas (Vicugna pacos), llamas (Lama glama), and domestic cattle (Bos taurus) and to evaluate the role of pasture fertilization on herd composition and livestock size. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 88 randomly selected livestock producers, complemented by direct field observations of grazing areas, corrals, shelters, and water sources. The survey documented herd structure, grazing management, pasture conservation, fertilization practices, and farm infrastructure. Data from multiple farms were analyzed using a clustering approach to group production units with similar characteristics, and statistical models were applied to assess the effects of fertilization, pasture area, and water sources. Three distinct clusters were identified: one dominated by alpacas, another by sheep, and a third by llamas with the most uniform stocking density. Pasture fertilization was most common in the sheep-dominated cluster and was significantly associated with higher sheep numbers, while no significant effects were detected for alpacas, llamas, or cattle. Farms without fertilization showed slightly higher overall livestock size; however, a strong negative interaction between pasture area and lack of fertilization indicated that expanding grazing land alone could not offset low forage quality. These findings suggest that targeted fertilization, when combined with sustainable grazing practices, may contribute to improved herd performance and long-term resilience in heterogeneous Andean livestock systems.
Effects of Diet and Altitude on the Microbiota of the First Compartment of the Stomach in Peruvian Alpacas in Highland Puna Regions and Their Correlations with Blood Parameters
(MDPI, 2026-01-08) Flores Huarco, Nils H.; Estrada Cañari, Richard; Romero Avila, Yolanda Madelein; Coila, Pedro; Sanchez, Diana; Maicelo, Jorge L.; Alvarado, Wigoberto C.; Quilcate Pairazaman, Carlos Enrique; Aliaga, Mery; Galindo, Walter; Saavedra Ramírez, Jorge; Apaza, Henry; Arbizu, Carlos I.
This study explores the intestinal microbiota of eight 18-month-old male alpacas from two distinct high-altitude regions in Peru: the Wet Puna (4200 m above sea level) and the Dry Puna (4900 m above sea level). Using 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA metabarcoding, microbial communities of bacteria, archaea, fungi, and protists were analyzed from the first compartment of the stomach (C1) to investigate the diversity, taxonomic composition, and correlations with hematological parameters. Significant differences in microbial diversity and composition were observed between regions, driven by dietary and environmental factors. The Wet Puna exhibited greater alpha diversity in bacterial and fungal communities, while beta diversity highlighted distinct microbial compositions. Key taxa, such as Prevotella ruminicola and Acetitomaculum, were associated with energy metabolism and host adaptation, whereas methanogenic archaea (Methanobrevibacter, Methanosphaera) dominated in the Dry Puna, reflecting adaptations to arid conditions. Correlations between microbial taxa and hematological variables, such as Acetitomaculum with red blood cell count and Eremoplastron with neutrophil percentage, emphasize the complex interplay between microbiota and host physiology. These findings contribute to understanding microbial adaptations in high-altitude livestock and provide practical insights for enhancing alpaca management and conservation strategies through tailored nutritional approaches and sustainable grazing practices.