Colombian Corporation for Agricultural Research - AGROSAVIA

The aim of the study was to characterize the electrophoretic profiles of alpaca seminal plasma (SP) proteins and establish their association with sperm quality parameters at different cryopreservation stages. Sperm quality was assessed in raw, cooled, and thawed semen from 128 ejaculates collected from 16 Huacaya alpacas, and SP proteins were analysed by SDS-PAGE in raw samples. Statistical associations were determined using Spearman's rank correlation (p ≤ 0.05). Twenty-three protein bands were identified: 21 bands ranging from 9.23 to 138.38 kDa, and 2 below 6.5 kDa. Notably, the 21.03 kDa protein was absent in six males, five of whom also lacked the 18.88 kDa band. These individuals exhibited superior post-thaw sperm quality, particularly higher motility. The 21.03 kDa protein showed a negative correlation (p ≤ 0.05) with sperm motility and membrane function in raw, cooled, and thawed semen, and a positive correlation with acrosome integrity in thawed semen. Similarly, the 18.88 kDa protein showed a negative correlation with sperm motility and membrane function, but a positive correlation with acrosome integrity in thawed semen (p ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, these findings suggest that specific SP proteins may serve as potential biomarkers for sperm quality and cryotolerance in alpacas, reflecting individual variability in response to cryopreservation.

ABSTRACT Rhipicephalus microplus is a widespread tick species causing significant economic losses and transmitting pathogens to cattle. The R. microplus populations utilized in tick research are frequently maintained under laboratory conditions for many years. Despite this, morphological abnormalities developed in laboratory‐maintained strains remain underexplored. Here, we analyzed the Porto Alegre (POA) strain, maintained under controlled conditions for nearly four decades, assessing external and internal morphological abnormalities across generations and their impact on biological parameters. We identified a low frequency (~0.9%) of diverse external malformations, predominantly idiosomal asymmetries, accompanied by histological gut alterations indicative of cellular dysfunction. Malformed ticks exhibited significantly reduced body weight, oviposition, and fertility compared to normal individuals. These abnormalities were not heritable but persisted sporadically, suggesting multifactorial origins. Our findings indicate that morphological malformations impair feeding efficiency and reproductive capacity, potentially limiting the fitness of affected ticks. This study enhances understanding of morphological variation in R. microplus and its biological implications and will inform strain maintenance and tick biology research.

Abstract Plant spectral signatures can reveal specific metabolic responses through variations in reflectivity. However, the link between canopy reflectance and photosynthetic behaviour under water stress has been scarcely studied in potato, especially concerning xylem water potential. This study investigated the relationships between xylem water potential, gas exchange variables (net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration), and changes in the spectral signature of the visible region. Measurements were performed at the tuber differentiation and maximum tuberization phenological stages under three water stress intensities. There was a strong relationship between visible-range reflectance and gas exchange variables across all stress levels and growth stages. The Blue/Red Index (400R/690R) and the Blue/Green Index (450R/550R), along with their foundational spectral bands (550 nm and 710 nm), were powerful predictors of gas exchange dynamics and for the detection of moderate-to-severe water stress in potatoes. These results contribute to the monitoring of photosynthetic performance and the detection of water stress in potato plants, providing a direct pathway to integrate these visible-range indicators into precision agriculture platforms.

Cassava is an economically important crop in Colombia, particularly along the Caribbean Coast, where major processing industries are located. Seasonality in cassava production poses a major challenge for both industry and farmers, as current commercial varieties exhibit a pronounced decline in dry matter content (DMC) when harvest is extended beyond 10–12 months after planting (MAP). To address this issue, several experimental genotypes and three commercial checks were evaluated in multi-location trials across the Caribbean Coast under several harvest ages and specially after 10, 14, and 18 MAP. Genotype SM2828-28 emerged as a promising candidate due to its adequate sprouting, plant height, first branching height, fresh root yield, and low susceptibility to root rot and lodging. A key advantage of this clone is the stability of its DMC across different harvest ages. Extending the harvest period with appropriate germplasm may increase farmers’ income and reduce the downtime of processing facilities caused by seasonal production gaps. The evidence also suggests that DMC stability is under genetic control, indicating that it can be effectively improved through targeted breeding. However, research involving extended harvest intervals poses considerable logistical challenges.

Los municipios ubicados en el sur de Córdoba presentan un alto potencial para el desarrollo del cultivo de cacao (Theobroma cacao L), cuya productividad depende de condiciones edáficas específicas. En este sentido, se hace necesario evaluar si los suelos del sur de Córdoba presentan las condiciones óptimas para su establecimiento y desarrollo. Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo caracterizar las propiedades fisicoquímicas de los suelos cacaoteros e identificar sus principales limitaciones. La investigación se realizó en el año 2022, en cuatro municipios: Tierralta, Valencia, Montelíbano y Puerto Libertador, donde se evaluaron 111 fincas cacaoteras de distintas edades (5 a 25 años), evaluando propiedades fisicoquímicas del suelo (método cuantitativo), parámetros en campo y laboratorio. No se evidenciaron procesos de compactación, asociados a valores bajos de densidad aparente (Da), el grupo textural predominante fue el franco arcilloso (F Ar). El pH presentó valores ligeramente acido restrictivos para el cultivo en Montelíbano y Puerto Libertador, el contenido de fósforo (P) fue bajo (<15 mg kg-1), con alta variabilidad (CV > 100%). La materia orgánica mostró niveles medio a alto, y las bases de intercambio catiónico mostraron valores elevados en la mayoría de los sitios de evaluación. Se identificaron algunas limitantes químicas, principalmente en los municipios de Montelíbano y Puerto Libertador. En general, los resultados indican que el área de estudio presenta condiciones edáficas adecuadas para el cultivo de cacao.

Carrots, rich in carotenoids and other bioactive compounds, are a promising raw material for value-added applications such as nutricosmetics. Nutricosmetics represent a rapidly expanding segment of the beauty and wellness industry, driven by rising consumer interest in natural ingredients and health-focused products. However, the use of carrots as bio-ingredients in nutricosmetics remains limited due to a disconnect between production systems, scientific research, and market expectations. This study integrates bibliometric, social media, consumer-survey, market-trend, and foreign-trade analyses to identify the key gaps hindering the valorization of carrots within this industry. A systematic literature analysis showed a strong emphasis on postharvest quality and bioactive characterization (approximately 70% of the dominant thematic focus), with minimal attention to commercialization or circular-economy frameworks (less than 5%). Social media results revealed that public discourse is dominated by culinary and gardening themes (around 82% of extracted mentions), with very limited awareness of cosmetic or wellness applications (below 10%). Google Trends demonstrated moderate global growth in interest in nutricosmetics (approximately 28% increase over the analyzed period), with higher activity concentrated in Spanish-speaking countries (about 63% of the top interest locations). Consumer surveys in Colombia (n = 191) indicated that 70.16% of respondents were unfamiliar with the term “nutricosmetics,” though 54.45% reported consuming such products once definitions were provided, revealing a latent market potential. Trade analysis highlighted Colombia’s dependence on high-value imported ingredients, despite existing capacity to export value-added goods. Together, these findings reveal structural gaps between research, industry, and consumer awareness, offering a roadmap for positioning carrots as a viable ingredient for value-added applications in the nutricosmetics sector.

Frosty Pod Rot (FPR) caused by Moniliophthora roreri is the most devastating disease affecting cacao production in Colombia. This study evaluated the efficacy of different management strategies against FPR in commercial cacao plantations (clone ICS-39) located in Huila, Colombia. Traditional Crop Management (TCM), which involved diseased fruit removal, was compared with Integrated Crop Management (ICM), which additionally included biweekly or weekly applications of chemical and biological fungicides. These management techniques were tested across three frequencies of diseased fruit removal: every 7, 14, and 21 days. Disease incidence (evaluated in immature and mature cacao pods) was quantified using the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC). Yield and a differential management index were also calculated. For immature cacao pods under natural infection conditions, ICM strategies significantly decreased disease incidence. In particular, ICM combined with diseased fruit removal every 7 days reduced AUDPC by 70% when compared to traditional management (TCM-7). In contrast, fruit removal every 21 days, even with ICM, proved less effective. These findings demonstrate the critical role of frequent removal of diseased cacao pods in combination with chemical and biological products. Integrated management represents an effective and valuable approach for FPR control, contributing to improved cacao productivity in commercial plantations in the Huila region.

Context High-mountain páramos provide essential hydrological services across the Andes. However, green onion cultivation in these ecosystems has led to nitrogen (N) losses, compromising water quality. Aims This study aimed to improve understanding of soil N dynamics in páramo agroecosystems by analyzing the vertical and temporal distribution of total and mineral N in páramo soils, and by developing pedotransfer functions (PTFs) to predict these pools. Method From two cultivated plots and one native grassland plot, 288 soil samples were collected over 7 and 4 months, respectively, at three depths. Samples were analyzed for soil N concentrations, mineral N stocks, and 16 edaphic properties. Using random forest and multiple linear regression (MLR), PTFs were developed incorporating edaphic and remote-sensing covariates. Key results Green onion cultivation altered mineral N distribution, with subsurface nitrate-N reaching 114 mg kg−1, compared to 1.76 mg kg−1 in native grassland. Monthly declines in mineral N stocks reached 75.8 kg N ha−1 in cultivated soils, nearly triple the losses in uncultivated soil. The MLR using edaphic properties performed best for total N and nitrate-N prediction (R2 = 0.80 and 0.64, respectively), while ammonium-N was poorly predicted. Conclusions Shifts in N dynamics were consistent with soil acidity neutralization associated with repeated chicken manure applications, fallow history, and soil texture. These conditions favored subsoil mineral N accumulation, increasing leaching risk. The developed PTFs demonstrate potential to inform site-specific assessments of soil N pools in páramos. Implications Future research should include additional N pools, microbial processes, and isotopic tracers to deepen understanding of N dynamics.

La eficiencia de la inseminación artificial a tiempo fijo (IATF) en ovinos es altamente variable y los factores que condicionan su exitosa implementación en esta especie no están completamente esclarecidos. Este estudio evaluó el perfil metabólico de ovejas sometidas a protocolo de sincronización hormonal de corta y larga duración. Para ello, 37 ovejas fueron distribuidas en dos grupos: Grupo A (n=20) recibió, en el día 0, una esponja intravaginal con 60 mg de acetato de medroxiprogesterona; en el día 14 la esponja fue retirada y, simultáneamente, fueron aplicadas 300 UI de gonadotropina coriónica equina (eCG, Novormon®). Grupo B (n=17), se le colocó, en el día 0, la esponja y su retiro se realizó al día 7, junto con la aplicación de 300 UI de eCG y 0,0375mg de D-cloprostenol (Prostal®). Todas las ovejas fueron inseminadas 52–56 h después del retiro de las esponjas. Las concentraciones séricas de glucosa, albumina, proteínas totales (PPT), colesterol, urea y nitrógeno ureico (BUN) fueron evaluadas los días 0, 14 y 29 y, 0, 7 y 22, en los animales de los grupos A y B, respectivamente. Los datos se analizaron con Chi-cuadrado y ANOVA. No hubo diferencias en la tasa de preñez; no obstante, las concentraciones de PPT, albumina y colesterol fueron mayores en las ovejas del Grupo B. En conclusión, la duración del protocolo no afectó las tasas de preñez; sin embargo, las ovejas sometidas a protocolo hormonal de corta duración presentaron un perfil metabólico compatible con condiciones favorables para la reproducción.