Characterization of the acetohydroxyacid synthase multigene family in the tetraploide plant Chenopodium quinoa

Background: Currently, the technology called Clearfield\uae is used in the development of crops resistant to herbicides that inhibit the enzyme acetohydroxy acid synthase (AHAS, EC 2.2.1.6). AHAS is the first enzyme of the biosynthetic pathway that produces the branched-chain of the essential amino acids valine, leucine, and isoleucine. Therefore, multiple copies of the AHAS gene might be of interest for breeding programs targeting herbicide resistance. In this work, the characterization of the AHAS gene was accomplished for the Chenopodium quinoa Regalona-Baer cultivar. Cloning, sequencing, and Southern blotting were conducted to determine the number of gene copies. Results: The presence of multiple copies of the AHAS gene as has been shownpreviously in several other species is described. Six copies of the AHAS gene were confirmed with Southern blot analyses. CqHAS1 and CqAHAS2 variants showed the highest homology with AHAS mRNA sequences found in the NR Database. A third copy, CqAHAS3, shared similar fragments with both CqAHAS1 and CqAHAS2, suggesting duplication through homeologous chromosomes pairing. Conclusions: The presence of multiple copies of the gene AHAS shows that gene duplication is a common feature in polyploid species during evolution. In addition, to our knowledge, this is the first report of the interaction of sub-genomes in quinoa

Effect of plant density on yield components of common bean grown under inter-Andean Mountain conditions of Ecuador

El fréjol es un cultivo importante debido a su alto valor nutritivo. En los últimos años la producción en Ecuador de este cultivo ha disminuido drásticamente debido entre otros factores a ineficientes procesos y falta de tecnificación en la producción. Entender cómo se generan y determinan los componentes del rendimiento del grano es primordial para diseñar estrategias que permitan aumentar el rendimiento del cultivo. En este estudio, se modificó la densidad de plantas con el objetivo de evaluar su impacto sobre el número de granos, peso de granos y rendimiento, bajo condiciones de campo en una región andina de Ecuador. Se realizaron dos experimentos sembrados en fechas distintas, donde se evaluaron densidades de plantas contrastantes 4 y 11 plantas m-2. El efecto de los tratamientos se estudió sobre la duración del periodo emergencia - antesis, el número de vainas llenas y vanas, el número de granos, el peso seco de 100 granos y el rendimiento de grano. Los resultados indican que la densidad de plantas tiene un efecto significativo (p<0,05) sobre el rendimiento, alcanzando un promedio de 257,15 g m-2 en alta densidad y 151,45 g m-2 en baja densidad. Los componentes principales del rendimiento mostraron una respuesta distinta a la modificación de la densidad de plantas; el número de granos presentó una fuerte variabilidad y fue positivamente asociado con el rendimiento final del grano (p<0,05), mientras que el peso del grano no fue afectado.Common bean is an important crop due to its high nutritional value. However, its production in Ecuador has decreased due to biotic and abiotic factors. Understanding the mechanisms that determine the yield components of this crop is essential to establish strategies that allow increasing the yield. In this study, the plant density was modified to evaluate its impact on yield and its two main components, the grain number and grain weight under field conditions in an Andean region of Ecuador. Two experiments planted on different dates were performed, where two planting densities 4 and 11 plants m-2 were evaluated. The effect of the treatments was studied on the length of the period, from emergence to anthesis, the number of full and empty pods, grain number, 100 grain weight and grain yield. The results indicate that the plant density has a significant effect (p<0.05) on the yield, reaching an average of 257.15 g m-2 in high density, and 151.45 g m-2 in low density. The yield main components showed a different response to plant density modification; the grain number exhibited a strong variability and was positively associated with final grain yield (p<0.05) while the grain weight was not affected.

Coastal Scenic Evaluation of Continental Ecuador and Galapagos Islands: Human Impacts and Management Issues

The scenery, safety, facilities, water quality and litter quantities in coastal areas are relevant and determining elements in the choice of a tourist destination. This paper focused on the evaluation of coastal scenic value in 55 and 12 sites respectively located in continental Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. The information obtained gives public administrators and coastal managers the relevant data to avoid further environmental degradation and suggests measures to improve the present scenic value of tourist destinations. The methodology used was based on the analysis of 26 physical/human factors and applied fuzzy logic analysis and weighting matrices that allowed the sites to be classified into five classes, from Class I (natural areas with superior scenic characteristics) to Class V (poor scenic areas with relevant impact of human interventions). The most attractive beaches were in the Galapagos Islands due to the magnificent physical and environmental characteristics, while the Esmeraldas province presented sites of lower scenic beauty due to the low natural scenic value and the increase of human impacts. In total, 22% (15 out of 67) of the beaches investigated belonged to Class I, 12% (8) to Class II and 15% (10) to Class III. The last two classes included 51% of the beaches (i.e., 34 out of 67), of which 31% (21) was in Class IV and 20% (13) in Class V. Such results provide local managers and planners a solid inventory on coastal scenic characteristics and baseline information for any envisaged subsequent management plan

An Attempt to Characterize the "3S" (Sea, Sun, and Sand) Parameters: Application to the Galapagos Islands and Continental Ecuadorian Beaches

Sea, Sun, and Sand (3S) are relevant and determining elements for choosing a tourist destination in Ecuador, a country with about 1200 km of coast along the Pacific Ocean. This study analyzed the market potential of the 3S in 64 beaches, 10 located in the Galapagos and 54 in the continental zone (of Ecuador). The methodology used was exploratory and bibliographical, complemented by a descriptive analysis. The color of the water was assessed by direct observation, sand samples were taken to a laboratory for color analysis, and information on the hours of light was obtained from international archive data. The data obtained were compared with other world famous 3S tourism destinations. The Galapagos had the best results, with attractive white sand beaches, sea blue water color, and an elevated sunshine time; meanwhile, the continental zone presented poor beaches with dark sand and unattractive water color. To strengthen 3S tourism, managers should work on the enhancement of complementary aspects such as culture, gastronomy, and architecture, promoting the creation of new coastal tourist routes and destinations

Tourism in Continental Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands: An Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Perspective

Tourism in coastal areas is becoming increasingly important in Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) as an integrated approach that balances the requirements of different tourist sectors. This paper analyzes ICZM in continental Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands from the perspective of the 3S tourism, and presents its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT). The methodology used was based on a literature review of ten aspects of the highest relevance to ICZM, i.e., Policies, Regulations, Responsibilities, Institutions, Strategies and Instruments, Training, Economic Resources, Information, Education for Sustainability, and Citizen Participation. The results highlight four aspects as strengths (Policies, Responsibilities, Institutions and Citizen Participation), while the most notable weaknesses were Regulations and Education for sustainability. Strategies and Instruments, as well as Information, were identified as opportunities to stand out. The main threats were Economic Resources and Training. Ecuador does not have clearly established public policies that would allow for the integrated management of 3S tourism and be considered as productive, valuable alternatives. It is necessary to consolidate and promote 3S tourism as a State policy and as a means to improve the economies in coastal areas. Finally, Ecuador needs to overcome negative changes in the macroeconomic environment and reverse its current deteriorated image

Efecto de la densidad de plantas sobre los componentes del rendimiento de fréjol cultivado en condiciones de campo en un valle interandino de Ecuador

El fréjol es un cultivo importante debido a su alto valor nutritivo. En los últimos años la producción en Ecuador de este cultivo ha disminuido drásticamente debido entre otros factores a ineficientes procesos y falta de tecnificación en la producción. Entender cómo se generan y determinan los componentes del rendimiento del grano es primordial para diseñar estrategias que permitan aumentar el rendimiento del cultivo. En este estudio, se modificó la densidad de plantas con el objetivo de evaluar su impacto sobre el número de granos, peso de granos y rendimiento, bajo condiciones de campo en una región andina de Ecuador. Se realizaron dos experimentos sembrados en fechas distintas, donde se evaluaron densidades de plantas contrastantes 4 y 11 plantas m-2. El efecto de los tratamientos se estudió sobre la duración del periodo emergencia - antesis, el número de vainas llenas y vanas, el número de granos, el peso seco de 100 granos y el rendimiento de grano. Los resultados indican que la densidad de plantas tiene un efecto significativo (p<0,05) sobre el rendimiento, alcanzando un promedio de 257,15 g m-2 en alta densidad y 151,45 g m-2 en baja densidad. Los componentes principales del rendimiento mostraron una respuesta distinta a la modificación de la densidad de plantas; el número de granos presentó una fuerte variabilidad y fue positivamente asociado con el rendimiento final del grano (p<0,05), mientras que el peso del grano no fue afectado

Aerospace technology, a global dizzying advance, its applications and problems in Agricultural Sciences

La tecnología aeroespacial en estos últimos diez años ha venido desarrollándose vertiginosamente, sus aplicaciones se encuentran en la mayoría de las líneas del conocimiento. Puntualmente en las ciencias agrícolas su uso ha aumentado debido a dos grades factores. El primero es el apoyo para generar soluciones a muchos de los problemas de optimización y rendimiento de los cultivos, dentro de una era de crecimiento poblacional exponencial, que ha aumentado las necesidades de mejorar el rendimiento del alimento en base a tecnologías, en un mundo globalizado cuya reproducción social se basa a la acumulación de capitales. El segundo punto es el desarrollo de la ingeniería electrónica, mecánica y la física, que, en base a las necesidades sociales y agrícolas mencionadas, está innovando y desarrollando tecnología aeroespacial que brinde soluciones a estos problemas. En este contexto, sacamos a relucir los beneficios de la tecnología aeroespacial en las ciencias agrícolas, citando estudios de diversos autores que han aplicado esta tecnología, pero a la vez también trataremos las consecuencias negativas indirectas que puede ocasionar su uso en el proceso agrícola, en espacial en el reemplazo del trabajo y mano de obra humana, además de la limitación de acceso de esta tecnología a los pequeños grupos agrícolas, y su futuro en el mundo globalizado.Aerospace technology in the last ten years has been developing rapidly, its applications are found in most lines of knowledge. Specifically, in agricultural sciences its use has increased due to two great factors. The first is the support to generate solutions to many of the problems of optimization and crop yield, within an era of exponential population growth, which has increased the need to improve food yield based on technologies, in a globalized world. whose social reproduction is based on the accumulation of capital. The second point is the development of electronic, mechanical and physical engineering, which, based on the mentioned social and agricultural needs, is innovated and developed aerospace technology that provides solutions to these problems. In this context, we bring out the benefits of aerospace technology in agricultural sciences, citing studies by various authors who have applied this technology, but at the same time we will also address the indirect negative consequences that its use in the agricultural process can cause, in space in the replacement of work and human labor, in addition to the limitation of access of this technology to small agricultural groups, and its future in the globalized world

Optimization of pH Levels in Soils Intended for Oil Palm (Elaeis Guineensis Jacq.) Cultivation Through the use of Solid and Flocculent Amendments

La investigación se realizó en dos tipos de finca (orgánica y convencional) y tuvo como objetivo determinar la eficiencia de enmiendas floables y sólidas en corrección de pH en el cultivo de palma aceitera. Para ello se emplearon tres tipos de enmiendas, dos floables y una sólida. Los lotes fueron divididos en parcelas de 9x27 m que ocuparon 8 plantas cada uno, con cuatro tratamientos y cuatro repeticiones. Se empleó un diseño de parcelas divididas (DPD) en un diseño completamente al azar (DCA). Los resultados fueron sometidos a la prueba de Tukey al 95% de probabilidad. El mejor tratamiento para mejorar el pH de un suelo cultivado de palma aceitera fue la enmienda floable 2 (T2) además de tener el menor costo. El tratamiento enmienda sólida (T3) presentó el valor más alto de disponibilidad de nitrógeno, en el suelo con 29,50 ppm de disponibilidad a los 60 días de aplicada la enmienda. En cuanto al fósforo, la enmienda floable 2 (T2) presentó el valor más alto con 34 ppm de disponibilidad a los 120 días de aplicada la enmienda. Mientras que, para potasio (K) la enmienda sólida (T3) presentó el valor más alto con 0,74 ppm.The research was carried out on two types of farms (organic and conventional) and its objective was to determine the efficiency of flocculent and solid amendments in pH correction in oil palm cultivation. Three types of amendments were used, two flocculent and one solid. The plots were divided into 9x27 m plots of 8 plants each, with four treatments and four replications. A split-plot design (DPD) was used in a completely randomized design (DCA). The results were subjected to Tukey's test at 95% probability. The best treatment for improving the pH of an oil palm cultivated soil was flocculent amendment 2 (T2), in addition to having the lowest cost. The solid amendment treatment (T3) presented the highest value of nitrogen availability in the soil, with 29.50 ppm availability 60 days after application of the amendment. As for phosphorus, the flocculent amendment 2 (T2) had the highest value with 34 ppm of availability 120 days after application of the amendment. For potassium (K), the solid amendment (T3) presented the highest value with 0.74 ppm