Manejo agronómico del cultivo de naranjilla (Solanum quitoense Lam.) en el Ecuador.

The naranjilla or lulo (Solanum quitoense Lam.) is a species of great socioeconomic interest from the Solanaceae family, native to the Andes. The fruit is grown extensively in Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Central America and is highly sought after in international agroindustrial product markets for its aroma, flavor and high content of nutritional ingredients. It plays an important role in the rural economy, as it is an important source of livelihood for some 12,000 families and provides employment and industrial development. In Ecuador, naranjilla is grown on some 10,000 hectares; this growth is due to increased domestic consumer demand and more dynamic prices. In this context, it should be noted that the lack of integrated pest management strategies and the limited number of recognized and effective varieties for producers and processors are the main reasons for the low productivity of this crop. In summary, this synthesis has evidenced the most significant points of the naranjilla crop and has determined that it contributes to the diversification of the Ecuadorian agroecosystem and represents a feasible option for national production.

The naranjilla or lulo (Solanum quitoense Lam.) is a species of great socioeconomic interest from the Solanaceae family, native to the Andes. The fruit is grown extensively in Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Central America and is highly sought after in international agroindustrial product markets for its aroma, flavor and high content of nutritional ingredients. It plays an important role in the rural economy, as it is an important source of livelihood for some 12,000 families and provides employment and industrial development. In Ecuador, naranjilla is grown on some 10,000 hectares; this growth is due to increased domestic consumer demand and more dynamic prices. In this context, it should be noted that the lack of integrated pest management strategies and the limited number of recognized and effective varieties for producers and processors are the main reasons for the low productivity of this crop. In summary, this synthesis has evidenced the most significant points of the naranjilla crop and has determined that it contributes to the diversification of the Ecuadorian agroecosystem and represents a feasible option for national production.

La naranjilla o lulo (Solanum quitoense Lam.) es una especie de gran interés socioeconómico de la familia de las solanáceas, originaria de los Andes. El fruto se cultiva extensivamente en Perú, Ecuador, Colombia y Centroamérica y es muy apetecido en los mercados de productos agroindustriales internacionales por su aroma, sabor y alto contenido de ingredientes nutricionales. Cumple un papel relevante en la economía rural, ya que constituye una importante fuente de sustento para unas 12 000 familias, y proporciona empleo y desarrollo industrial. En Ecuador, la naranjilla se cultiva en unas 10 000 hectáreas; este crecimiento se debe al aumento de la demanda de los consumidores nacionales y a la mayor dinámica de los precios. En este contexto, cabe destacar que la falta de estrategias de manejo integrado de plagas y el número limitado de variedades reconocidas y eficaces para los productores y procesadores son las principales razones de la baja productividad de este cultivo. En resumen, esta síntesis ha evidenciado los puntos más significativos del cultivo de la naranjilla y ha determinado que el mismo contribuye a la diversificación del agroecosistema ecuatoriano y representa una opción factible para la producción nacional.