One of the most important impacts of the Covid 19 pandemic that broke out in China in the last months of 2019 was on the agricultural sector and, consequently, on the food supply. This situation manifested itself in an increase in food insecurity and food prices in countries around the world, and rising food prices highlighted the risk of undernourishment. The study attempted to statistically represent the impact of the pandemic on food security and food price increases in countries around the world. The study first compared the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods in terms of three basic indicators, such as food security, food prices, and undernourishment rates, and examined whether there was a significant difference between the two periods. Within the context of these three indicators, an attempt was then made to determine whether the negative impact of the pandemic was more severe in low-income countries. The results of the analysis showed that food prices, food insecurity, and undernourishment increased during the pandemic and that these impacts were relatively greater in developing countries. Therefore, the financial burden of these negative impacts associated with food supply was greater in developing countries.

Latin America is a diverse region that exhibits a high environmental, cultural and social wealth, likewise, this region presents a variety of ways according to their agricultural production conditions, cultures, practices and cultural, economic and political factors; this wide variety of factors influence the levels of agricultural productivity and hence competitiveness capacity of the region. The seed sector is different in each country and includes features, activities, dynamics and norms according to their local contexts, even within the same country coexist differences among seed crops sectors and / or regions. Considering that each system has its own characteristics, actors and interactions, it is necessary to propose studies to address knowledge through which the state of development of the sector in each country is determined. In this study a literature review and search for available data on seed systems in Brazil, Guatemala, Peru and Colombia is done to present factors and conditions on the state and development of the seed system in each of these countries. Overall, Brazil system shows an evolved system according to the Douglas (1982) classification criteria system. Colombia and Peru, have more developed systems for some crops than others, the most developed systems correspond to crops with higher economic interest while other cultures rely on informal systems such as self-sufficiency. In Guatemala, the supply of seeds is largely dependent on the farmers’ own production and public organizations through programs aimed at supporting small farmers | América Latina es una región que posee una gran riqueza ambiental, cultural y social, con sistemas variables de agricultura según sus condiciones de producción, cultivos, y factores culturales, económicos y políticos. Esta amplia diversidad de factores influye en los niveles de productividad agrícola y en la capacidad competitividad de la región. El sector de semillas es diferente en cada país y posee características, dinámicas y normas propias según sus contextos locales, incluso, dentro de un país coexisten diferencias entre los sectores semilleros entre cultivos y/o regiones. Considerando que cada sistema tiene sus propias características, actores e interacciones, se hace necesario proponer estudios para abordar su conocimiento a través de los cuales se determine el estado de desarrollo del sector en cada país. En este estudio se realiza una revisión bibliográfica y búsqueda de datos disponibles referentes a los sistemas de semillas de Brasil, Guatemala, Perú y Colombia con el fin de presentar el estado y desarrollo del sistema en cada uno de ellos. En general, el sistema en Brasil muestra un sistema evolucionado según los criterios de clasificación de Douglas (1982). Colombia y Perú presentan sistemas desarrollados para algunos cultivos, especialmente los de tipos comercial de mayor interés. En Guatemala el abastecimiento de semillas depende principalmente de la producción propia de agricultores y/u organizaciones públicas mediante programas dirigidos al apoyo de pequeños agricultores

The aim of the experiment is to study in vitro regeneration efficiency of international potato center (CIP)-bred salt tolerant potato genotypes under salt stress condition and to identify effective potato genotype(s) for saline belt areas of Bangladesh. An in vitro shoot bioassay of eight CIP-bred potato genotypes viz. CIP 102, CIP 106, CIP 111, CIP 117, CIP 124, BARI Alu 72 (CIP 139), and BARI Alu 73 (CIP 127) and CIP 136 were used. In this study, single node of these genotypes was cultured in MS media supplemented with 0, 80, 100, 120, 140 and 160 mM NaCl. Among the eight genotypes, BARI Alu 72 (CIP 139) showed the highest tolerance against salinity up to 160 mM NaCl (14.61 dS/m) for all studied parameters (except shoot and root initiation) with the highest plant height (9.67 cm), leaves number (13.60), nodes number (9.50), root length (6.50 cm), roots number (7.80), fresh weight of shoot (536.1 mg) and root (205.60 mg). On the other hand, CIP 106 was found the most susceptible genotype against salinity showing its highest salinity tolerance up to 120 mM NaCl (10.96 dS/m) with maximum plant height (7.17 cm), leaves number (12.50), nodes number (6.50), root length (7.50 cm), roots number (9.7), fresh weight of shoot (572.3 mg) and root (250 mg). The experiment's findings corroborated CIP's findings that they were salt tolerant, as well as recommended for their cultivation suitability in saline-affected area in Bangladesh.

A research was carry out in Palmira (Valle, Colombia) to test the solarization (poliethylene mulch). The experimental design consisted in "random blocks" and ten treatments obtained from the following factors combination: soil solarization during 2, 4 and 6 weeks, chemical treatrnent (Dazornet), control, all of them with and without application of rabbit manure (2 kg). The plot size was 1.44 m2. The soil was inoculated with the mixture of four isolations of Rhizoctonia solani which were pathogenics to the tomato (Tropic Variety). Temperatures of 49.7oC and 44.8oC at 5 and 10 cm deep respectively were reached in the soil under solarization treatment. The control reached temperatures of 41.6 y 38.8oC at the same depths. Rhizoctonia population was reduced to 0.8 colony formation units (C F U) per 100 g of soil in the solarization treatment, during the first experiment (september to october 1987). In the second experiment (january to february 1988) the CFU was reduced to zero. The chemical treatment reduced the CFU to zero in both experiments. The control plots showed and average of 24.6 CFU during both experiments. The number of seedlings per row and the number of healthy plants (93% in both experiments) was greater in the soil under chemical and solarization treatment than the control treatment. This showed 52.3 % and 88.7% of healthy plants in both experiments. The plots where the manure was applied the number of plants per row decreased in 3.3 (solarization) and 15.3 % (chemical), during the first experiment. The second experiment showed that the number of plants per row increased in 19.2% and 9.5% to the same treatments. | En Palmira (Valle, Colombia) se comparó la solarización del suelo (cubrimiento con láminas de polietileno) durante 2, 4 y 6 semanas, con un producto químico (Dazomet) para la desinfestación de semilleros abonados con conejinaza (2 kg en 1.44 m2) y sin abonar, en presiembra. El suelo se inoculó con una mezcla de cuatro aislamientos de Rhizoctonia solani patogénicos a tomate variedad Tropic. En los suelos solarizados se alcanzaron temperaturas de 49.7 y 44.8 C a 5 y 10 cm de profundidad respectivamente y 41.6 y 38.8C en los testigos a las mismas profundidades. La solarización redujo la población de Rhizoctonia, en promedio, a 0.8 U.F.C (unidades formadoras de colonias) por 100 g de suelo, en el primer ensayo (septiembre-octubre de 1987) y a cero en el segundo ensayo (enero-febrero de 1988); el Dazomet la redujo a cero en los dos ensayos. El testigo presentó un promedio de 24.6 U.F.C para los dos ensayos. El número de plántulas por surco fue mayor en los suelos tratados (solarización y producto químico) lo mismo que el porcentaje de plántulas sanas (93 %), en los dos ensayos; el testigo presentó 52.3 y 88.7% plántulas sanas en los dos ensayos respectivamente. En los semilleros abonados el número de plántulas por surco fue menor en 3.3 (solarización) y 15.3 % (producto químico) para el primer ensayo, pero fue mayor, 19.2 y 9.5%, en el segundo ensayo.

The depletion of minerals in agricultural soils through subsistence farming has been a major food security challenge in many parts of the world. To curtail this problem, farmers use inorganic fertilizer to boost soil fertility even though it poses a lot of environmental challenges. In this research, an alternative route to soil nutrient amendment was explored via the use of compost and nano-gel water accumulator for blending different soil samples derived from rock side soil and spent farm soils blended in different ratios of 1:0, 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1using a suitable potting media for the greenhouse production of A. spinosus L. Physicochemical values, mineral, and heavy metals concentration were evaluated on the soil and compost samples while mineral, proximate, anti-nutrients and vitamins compositions were analyzed on A. spinosus L. grown on the soils. Data obtained were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a 95% confidence limit using SPSS 20.0 software. The properties of the prepared compost (PC) and commercial compost (CC) varied significantly (P

Studies on the maturation of mangoes in growing regions may help determine the optimal harvest strategies to support proper post-harvest handling and improve the fruit shelf life. The aim of the present study is to evaluate changes and establish correlations of physical and mechanical parameters during the ripening of mangoes cv. 'Tommy Atkins' collected from fifty plant rows in a commercial orchard. The fruits were picked at 35, 50, 65, 80, 95, 110, 125 and 135 days after flowering (DAF). Fruit mass, longitudinal diameter (LD), transverse diameter (TD), fruit firmness, force and maximum deformation compression, tension and Hencky’s strain were evaluated. The statistical design was totally randomized with four replications with ten fruits each. The results were submitted to longitudinal data analysis due to the quantitative nature imposed by the harvest time factor. Hencky’s strain curves and deformity underwent an analysis of the standard error of the mean. From the beginning of the harvest up to 125 DAF, the fruit went through an increase in its mass, in its longitudinal and transverse diameters and in its compressive strength. Both physical and mechanical parameters exhibited high correlation, up 0.93, as regards the fruit maturation stages. This demonstrates that the mangoes cv. 'Tommy Atkins’ hold excellent prospects of development.

This study evaluated the possibility to use pomegranate peel: an agro-industrial bay product as a conservative agent for fruit juice. Extraction of active compounds of. Punica granatum L. peels was made by maceration with ethanol and the evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activity were conducted using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and disk diffusion method in agar medium, while self-life tests of orange juice monitoring the pH, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, cloud value, browning index and total mesophilic germs were conducted during 18 days. The results highlighted that pomegranate peel extract (PPE) showed a higher phenol and flavonoid content and strong antioxidant activity with an inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 6.22 μg / mL, as well as the antimicrobial activity indicated a higher inhibitory effect. Furthermore, shelf life tests showed a significant effect on browning index, titratable acidity, and lowering of microbial growth during storage compared to the controls, while pH, total soluble solids, and cloud value are not affected. These results allow us to consider pomegranate peel extract as a potential conservator for healthy and sustainable food.

At the facilities of "El Verdal" poultry farm, located 1.6 miles away from Cali in the road to Jamundí, Valle del Cauca department, one research was conducted using 20 crossbred Yorkshire x Landrace pigs with 22 kg average initial weight, which were 127 days until they reached an average final weight of 86.4 kg. They were distributed at random in three treatments with different number of replications (one for the control and two for the experimental). The treatments were as follows: Boiled hens + Energy supplement (T1), Raw hens + Energy supplement (T2)and Control or Commercial type feed according to phase (T ). The main aim of this experiment was to look for the biological and economical feasibility of using whole hens (plus supplement) comming from the normal daily mortality or discard, from a commercial poultry farm, as an alternative feeding source for growing finishing pigs. There were no statistical significant differences for daily weight gain, feed efficiency and feed consumption. There was a slight higher feed consumption (dry matter) for T3 (2.14 kg), followed for TI and T2 (2.13 kg). In relation to daily weight gain, T) had 515 g; TI' 507 g and T2, 497 g. The best feed efficiency was for T) (4.16), followed for TI (4.2) and for T2 (4.28). Related to the economical results, higher feeding costs were for T) ($ 52 167) and lower for TI and T2 ($ 42 167). Profits for fattening pig were better for TI ($ 15 415), followed for T2 ($ 14587) and for T3 ($ 8208). | En las instalaciones de la granja avícola "El Verdal", localizada a un Km del perímetro urbano en la vía que de Cali conduce a Jamundí, Valle del Cauca se realizó un trabajo de investigación empleando 20 cerdos cruzados de las razas Yorkshire y Landrace, con un peso inicial promedio de 22 kg, los cuales fueron llevados hasta un peso final promedio de 86.4 kg a los 127 días y se distribuyeron al azar en tres tratamientos con diferente número de repeticiones (dos para los experimentales y una para el testigo). Los tratamientos fueron: gallinas cocidas + suplemento energético (T1), gallinas crudas + suplemento energético (T2) y como testigo, el concentrado comercial según fase (T3). La finalidad del ensayo fue comprobar la factibilidad biológica y económica del empleo de gallinas enteras suplementadas, provenientes de la mortalidad normal diaria o el despaje en una avícola comercial, como fuente alternativa de alimentación en cerdos de Levante-Ceba. No hubo diferencias estadísticas significativas para ganancia diaria, consumo de alimento y conversión alimenticia. Se notó un leve mayor consumo en m. seca en T3 (2.14 kg) seguido de T1 y T2 (2.13 kg). El T3 tuvo mayor ganancia diaria (515 g), seguido del TI (507 g) y del T2 (497 g). La mejor conversión alimenticia la tuvo T3 (4.16), seguida de TI (4.2) y luego de T2 (4.28). Los mayores costos en alimentación por cerdo los tuvo T3 ($ 52.167) y los menores TI y T2 ($42.167). En relación con utilidad por cerdo cebado, el mejor resultado fue para T1 ($15.415), seguido de T2 ($14.587) y luego por T3 ($8.208).