This study proposes an alternative biodegradable material for use with lettuce crops utilizing the bare-root hydroponic system, with the aim of functionally replacing expanded polystyrene, commonly used as a supporting material despite being a highly contaminating substance. This proposal is based on the production of individual pieces of floating material made from agro-industrial waste with an organic wax waterproof coating. The materials were produced in Quito, Ecuador, and the variables analyzed were hardness, compressive strength, flexural strength and microbiological contamination of the material during the vegetable growing period. Results showed that the alternative substrate with the greatest adaptability to the crops was made from a carnauba wax-coated palm fiber (Elaeis guineensis) blended with rice, in a ratio of 70%-30%, respectively.

La presente investigación propone una alternativa de material biodegradable para uso en cultivos en medios hidropónicos de lechuga mediante el sistema de producción a raíz desnuda, con el objetivo de sustituir funcionalmente al poliestireno expandido, utilizado de manera habitual como material de soporte, a pesar de ser un elemento altamente contaminante. La propuesta tiene base en la elaboración de módulos individuales de material flotante a partir de desechos agroindustriales con un recubrimiento impermeabilizante de cera orgánica. Los materiales fueron elaborados en la ciudad de Quito, Ecuador, y las variables evaluadas fueron: dureza de superficies, resistencia a la compresión y a la flexión, y contaminación microbiológica del material durante el tiempo de cultivo del vegetal. Como resultado, se obtuvo que la propuesta con mayor adaptabilidad al cultivo fue la elaborada a ...

Genus Vaccinium groups plants like shrubs that grows in the highlands of the Andes Mountains. Its fruits are characterized by their antioxidant and nutritional properties. The objective of this paper review was to understand the effect of endophytic and associated microorganisms with the rhizosphere of Vaccinium spp. Wild Vacciunium species present low genetic variability, in comparison with cultivated species that present high variability. Therefore, wild species must be domesticated in order to achieve permanent production in various locations along the year. Domestication of this plant could be achieved by stablishing physiological plant system, determining its edaphoclimatic requirements and analysis of interactions with the plant. One of the main problems of the Vaccinium genus is fungal diseases, such as Botrytis sp. and Hemileia vastatrix. However, other endophytic and rhizosphere...

Genus Vaccinium groups plants like shrubs that grows in the highlands of the Andes Mountains. Its fruits are characterized by their antioxidant and nutritional properties. The objective of this paper review was to understand the effect of endophytic and associated microorganisms with the rhizosphere of Vaccinium spp. Wild Vacciunium species present low genetic variability, in comparison with cultivated species that present high variability. Therefore, wild species must be domesticated in order to achieve permanent production in various locations along the year. Domestication of this plant could be achieved by stablishing physiological plant system, determining its edaphoclimatic requirements and analysis of interactions with the plant. One of the main problems of the Vaccinium genus is fungal diseases, such as Botrytis sp. and Hemileia vastatrix. However, other endophytic and rhizosphere...