Cocoa Yield Development of Different Sites, Varieties, Production Systems and Years, in Alto Beni, Bolivia

One of the most essential limiting factors of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) productivity worldwide is pests and diseases. Each of the major production regions has its specific pests and diseases. Reported yield losses range from minor to almost 100 per cent. In Alto Beni, located in the Amazonian watershed of the department La Paz, Bolivia, the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and its local partners are addressing several problems of cocoa producers using a participatory technology development approach. Problems were identified in a participatory way and are, in order of priority, i) to reduce the incidence of pests and diseases, mainly the cocoa mirid (Monalonion dissimulatum) and Frosty Pod Rot (Moniliophthora roreri); ii) to evaluate the productivity of different cocoa varieties (local selections, introduced clones), and iii) to document the management practices and plantation layouts of high yielding cocoa farmers. In order to develop novel biological pest control measures, both the knowledge of cocoa yield development in the course of the harvest period, as well as the dynamics of pests and diseases are of great interest. Data from three different research activities of the mentioned project are analysed for yield development, the appearance, and the incidence of pests and diseases, where available. The research data are from: a) On-farm trials in multiple locations which were established in 2004. The performance of 16 cocoa varieties has been assessed for 3 years (2010–2012). b) Four high yielding cocoa farmers’ fields (2012 only). c) A long-term field experiment assessing the sustainability of five cocoa production systems (2011 and 2012). The trial investigates the influence of monocultures and different agroforestry systems under organic and conventional management on the yield development, among other agronomic, economic and environmental parameters

Complicaciones y causas de fallo en cirugía de implante coclear en la población de usuarios del servicio de otorrinolaringología del Hospital Universitario clínica San Rafael

Este estudio corresponde a un análisis descriptivo de los pacientes del Hospital Universitario Clínica San Rafael llevados a cirugía de implante coclear entre Ene/2000 a Dic/2010 y describe la ocurrencia de complicaciones menores y mayores en la cirugía de implante coclear con un mínimo de seguimiento de 12 meses

Diagnóstico de la aplicabilidad de los comparendos ambientales, ley 1259 de 2008, en el municipio de Saladoblanco Huila entre los años 2009 a 2014

FormatoEl presente trabajo tiene como objeto principal, realizar un diagnóstico de la aplicabilidad de los comparendos ambientales, ley 1259 de 2008, en el Municipio de Saladoblanco Huila, entre los años 2009 a 2014. Recolectándose información de archivo que permitió identificar la cantidad de los comparendos aplicados y sus características, así mismo se aplicó una encuesta, para lo cual se tomó como muestra un total de 375 personas residentes en el Municipio de Saladoblanco Huila, y que facilitó la obtención de información referente a la descripción de la muestra y el conocimiento que la comunidad posee frente a la ley 1259 de 2008 o la aplicabilidad de los comparendos ambientales. Los resultados obtenidos permitieron la redacción de recomendaciones dirigidas a las autoridades con competencia en la aplicación de la ley, el control y cuidado del medio ambiente.This work has as its main object, a diagnosis of the applicability of environmental subpoenas, Law 1259 of 2008, in the Municipality of Saladoblanco Huila, between 2009 and 2014. Collecting samples file information, identifying a number of subpoenas applied and their characteristics, also a survey was conducted, for which was sampled a total of 375 residents in the municipality of Saladoblanco Huila, and easier to obtain information concerning the description of the sample and knowledge the community has against the law 1259 2008 or applicability of environmental subpoenas. The results led to the drafting of recommendations to the authorities with jurisdiction in law enforcement, control and care of the environment

Electronic Structure and Forbidden Energy in AlAs Crystalline Alloy

We present the energy bands and the DOS, the forbidden energy and total energy of the crystalline compound of AlAs, calculated with the LMTO orbital method within the framework of density functional theory (DFT). Se solved the Schrödinger equation with a potential in the local density approximation (LDA) that uses the Barh-Hedin approximation for the term exchange and correlation. Potential calculated with a small homogeneous fraction of electron charge in the empty spheres and an electronic charge similar to that of the free atom in the atomic spheres of the crystal lattice. The structure of the energy bands presented an indirect forbidden energy gap of 0.160Ry or 2.18 eV with a minimum total energy of -18.10 Ry that fit well with the experimental results

Elaboración del atlas solar de la cuenca del río Ambi con fines energéticos, mediante la evaluación de variables atmosféricas con aplicación de sistemas de información geográfica

Evaluar la intensidad, distribución temporal y espacial de la energía radiante del sol que incide en la cuenca del Río Ambi con fines energéticos, mediante la evaluación de variables atmosféricas con aplicación de Sistemas de Información Geográfica.La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo elaborar el atlas solar de la cuenca del Río Ambi con fines energéticos, mediante la evaluación de variables atmosféricas con aplicación de sistemas de información geográfica (SIG). La investigación se desarrolló inicialmente con un marco referencial en el que se describen conceptos importantes sobre el origen de la radiación solar, la acción de los campos electromagnéticos encargados de transportar la energía de un lugar a otro, se especifican las formas de radiación que llega a la tierra. El marco metodológico de este estudio permitió recabar información fehaciente y puntual de las estaciones meteorológicas que se encuentran al interior de la cuenca del Río Ambi. Los datos de heliofanía publicados en los anuarios meteorológicos del INAMHI, se analizaron y se contrastaron con datos satelitales. En el capítulo de resultados y discusión se determina la radiación solar mensual y anual, con información de 17 años, comparando los datos de cada estación año por año y se determinó la radiación solar promedio que incide en el área de estudio. Se elaboró el atlas solar como herramienta importante para identificar las áreas que pueden ser proyectadas para la instalación de parques solares a gran escala par generación eléctrica solar fotovoltaica. El resultado de la investigación indica que este fenómeno de heliofanía máxima se presenta reiteradamente en los meses de julio, agosto y septiembre, asemejándose con la temporada seca en Ecuador y con una potencia de 16,41 KJ/m2/día. La baja irradiancia de la cuenca del Río Ambi, se manifiesta en los meses de enero, febrero y marzo con una potencia de 15,70 KJ/m2/día. Con base a los resultados del potencial energético del sol, se garantiza la ejecución de proyectos de generación eléctrica con uso de la energía radiante del sol. Finalmente el presente estudio amerita propiciar: seminarios, foros, mesas redondas, dando a conocer las bondades del uso de las energías no contaminantes que contribuyen a disminuir los efectos del cambio climátic

Research Design, Soil and Biodiversity Baseline for Long-term Farming Systems Comparison of Full Sun and Shaded Agroforestry Cocoa Production under Conventional and Organic Management in Alto Beni, Bolivia

Cocoa, mainly produced by 5 to 6 millions of smallholder farmers, is considered as one of the most sustainable production system in the humid tropics. Little is known about the sustainability of different cocoa production systems. A long-term experiment is set up in Alto Beni at 400m above sea level with a humid winter dry climate, 1’540 mm annual rainfall. The trial assesses the sustainability of five cocoa (Theobroma cacao) production systems with the parameters of yield and yield stability, input-output efficiency of nutrients and energy, soil fertility, biodiversity, economic result, climate change mitigation and adaptation. The two-factorial experiment is arranged in an completely randomised block design; the five cocoa treatments, based on local and international practices, are four times repeated. The production systems are differentiated by the diversity of shade canopy and by crops, from mono culture full sun cocoa to a agroforestry cocoa with leguminous species (Inga edulis, Erythrina poeppigiana) shade canopy, including fruits (e.g. Euterpe precatoria, Theobroma grandiflorum) and timber (e.g. Centrolobium ochroxylum, Swietenia macrophylla) species, and a higher diversified agroforestry system based on the natural successions of species. The management of the cocoa is conventional and organic. The five treatments are: mono culture full sun cocoa conventional, mono culture full sun organic, agroforestry conventional, agroforestry organic and successional agroforestry organic. Fallow plots and nearby forests plots are monitored for soil fertility and biodiversity. Field clearing started in 2007 followed by maize (Zea mays) crop and end of 2008 the cocoa plots (48m×48 m) were established. The results of the baseline studies concerning soil fertility show good nutrient level for cocoa production; the variance of soil parameters is documented in a soil map. According the FAO soil classification (2006) the soils are Lixisole and Luvisole with high base saturation

Cocoa Yield Development in Alto Beni, Bolivia: Influence of Sites, Varieties and Years

One of the most essential limiting factors of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) productivity worldwide is pests and diseases. Each of the major production regions has its specific pests and diseases. Reported yield losses range from minor to almost 100 per cent. In Alto Beni, located in the Amazonian watershed of the department La Paz, Bolivia, the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and its local partners are addressing several problems of cocoa producers using a participatory technology development approach. Problems were identified in a participatory way and are, in order of priority, i) to reduce the incidence of pests and diseases, mainly the cocoa mirid (Monalonion dissimulatum) and Frosty Pod Rot (Moniliophthora roreri); ii) to evaluate the productivity of different cocoa varieties (local selections, introduced clones), and iii) to document the management practices and plantation layouts of high yielding cocoa farmers. In order to develop novel biological pest control measures, both the knowledge of cocoa yield development in the course of the harvest period, as well as the dynamics of pests and diseases are of great interest. Data from three different research activities of the mentioned project are analysed for yield development, the appearance, and the incidence of pests and diseases, where available. The research data are from: a) On-farm trials in multiple locations which were established in 2004. The performance of 16 cocoa varieties has been assessed for 3 years (2010–2012). b) Four high yielding cocoa farmers’ fields (2012 only). c) A long-term field experiment assessing the sustainability of five cocoa production systems (2011 and 2012). The trial investigates the influence of monocultures and different agroforestry systems under organic and conventional management on the yield development, among other agronomic, economic and environmental parameters

Cocoa agroforestry systems vs. monocultures under conventional and organic management - results from tropical Bolivia

Cocoa is one of the most important export commodities for many developing countries and provides income for millions of smallholders. The expansion of cocoa production has resulted in habitat destruction, biodiversity loss, and soil degradation. The prevalent cocoa production systems worldwide are conventional monoculture full sun systems. Agroforestry systems are argued to be a viable strategy for sustainable cocoa production. However, data-based information on advantages and limitations of different cocoa production systems is limited. Pairwise comparisons on the long-term performance of cocoa monocultures and agroforestry systems under conventional and organic management are inexistent. FiBL is pioneering to fill this knowledge gap with a unique long-term field trial in tropical Bolivia established in 2008. The trial consists of six treatments: two monocultures (MONO CONV/ORG) and two agroforestry system (AF CONV/ORG) under conventional and organic management, one organic successional agroforestry system (SAFS) with dynamic shade management, and a fallow of the same age serving as a reference for biodiversity and soil fertility studies. The treatments are representative for current cocoa production systems of smallholders. Parameters regularly assessed include canopy openness, cocoa stem diameter and bean yield, pests and diseases, soil fertility, carbon stocks, economic data and biodiversity. Five years after planting, results showed significantly shorter tree circumference (18% and 33%) in AF systems and SAFS, respectively, compared to MONO systems. Tree circumference correlated strongly with cocoa bean yield, and highest bean yields were recorded in MONO CONV as expected. Additional products like banana/plantain, cassava, pineapple, etc. were harvested in AF systems and SAFS, which may compensate for lower cocoa yield in the first years. First results indicate that disease incidences were higher in MONO systems compared to AF and SAFS. Future research will investigate cocoa performance after the establishment phase and thus provide indications on the long-term sustainability of the different systems

Labour Demand in Five Different Cocoa Production Systems in Bolivia

Cocoa cropping systems vary from full-sun monocrops to highly diversified agroforestry systems, which combine the cocoa production with by-crop such as bananas or plantains and trees with different functions. Additionally, these systems can be organically or conventionally managed. Although labour demand is one of the main activities contributing to the total production costs of the plantations and it may highly differ between production systems, there are still scarce data and information available. In this study we present the labour demands of five different production systems in a newly established cocoa plantation in Alto Beni, Bolivia. The trial was established in 2008 within the framework of the SysCom programme (www.systems-comparison.fibl.org) and comprises monoculture and agroforestry systems under organic and conventional management and one successional agroforestry system with organic management, each one replicated four times. From 2009 to 2013, the establishment phase of the plantation, the time spent in all the farming activities, mainly weeding, pruning, harvesting and fertilising was recorded separately for each plot. Overall, total labour demand was higher in the successional and agroforestry systems compared with the monocultures, mainly due to the time devoted to the management of the multifunctional trees and by crops. However, no significant differences were found between organic and conventional management under both agroforestry and monoculture systems. On the contrary, the time needed for pruning the cocoa trees was higher in the monocultures. Similarly, the time spent in cocoa harvesting was also higher in the monocultures, especially under conventional management, which well correspond to the yield obtained. Weeding was high time demanding the first years of the plantation but decreased with the time. However, no differences between the monoculture and agroforestry systems and between the organic and conventional management were found. An economic analysis of the gross margins for each system at plot level, including the input costs (herbicides, fertilisers, etc.) and the associated cost for their preparation (e.g. compost preparation), and the income generated from the harvested produces (cocoa, banana, plantain and other by-crops out of the highly diversified system ) is under evaluation