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Copyright of Revista Colombiana de Biotecnología is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

With the objective of evaluating the phenotypic diversity of Cuban rice cultivars obtained by INCA, supported by morphoagronomic characters and multivariate analysis techniques, this work was developed in Scientific and Technological Base Unit belonging to the National Agricultural Sciences Institute of Cuba. 30 qualitative and 23 quantitative characters were evaluated and data processed through a multiple correlation analysis and multivariate analysis of automatic classification (clusters). The results showed that 11 characters qualitative were homogeneous and 10 were distinctive of some cultivars, within them, the color of the ligule, the leaf blade, node, internode, subnodal ring, stigma, as well as, the position of the apex of the first leaf below the flag leaf, lemma, palea and leaf pubescence, and panicle exertion. There is a positive and significant correlation between yield and grains per panicle; also, between mesocotile and coleoptile length with industrial yield and tillering capacity, respectively. Variation ranges are appreciated in all the quantitative traits evaluated and although the cultivars obtained are genetically related, they differ phenotypically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Agronomía & Ambiente is the property of Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of this study was to determine, in agrobiodiversity fairs, farmers' contribution regarding the selection of tomato varieties (Solanum lycopersicon L.) better adapted to the characteristics of a locality or specific productive system. The research was carried out at the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, San José de Las Lajas, Cuba, in 2008-2009 season, applying the traditional methods to assess varieties; subsequently, at an agro-biodiversity fair in Batabanó, in 2010-2011 season, taking into account the producers criteria on the varieties studied. The statistical evaluation was focused on the descriptive analysis of the variables, analysis of variance, conglomerate formation, and use of contingency tables. The results of the comparative test were crosschecked to the data from the agro-biodiversity fair. In order to discriminate varieties, producers took into account not only the variables related to the performance, but also others related to their farming expertise and personal preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During crop years 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 at three locations ( National Institute of Agricultural Sciences-Mayabeque , Agricultural Enterprise "V. Lenin"- Matanzas and Agricultural Enterprise "La Cuba"-Ciego de Ávila), 13 progenies from seedling tubers were evaluated and three witnesses varieties (Romano, Spunta and Cal White). Number of tubers per plant, yield per hectare (t ha-1) and incidence of spots on the foliage by the fungus Alternaria solani Soraeur were recorded. The data were processed by analysis of variance, and adjusted with additive main effects and multiplicative interaction model (AMMI) to the characters which was significant genotype environment interaction was adjusted. The sexual progeny Lajera x 6-3-98 were stable for tuber number and yield in six environments studied. The Lajera x 6-3-98, Lajera x 9-80-98, progenies were stable for yield and average tuber mass in the six environments studied. The progeny Samila x 2-130-98, Yara x 1-10-96, Yara x 9-80-98, Atlantic x Aninca y Samila x 6-3-98, were the most unstable for the three studied traits but specific adaptation in each locality. These contrasts in the agronomic performance of the progeny of sexual seed suggest the need to evaluate the materials in each production area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cuba faces the need to diversify alternatives for animal feed, so the clone evaluation from Alocasia gender means a starting point in this direction. This work was performed at the Research Institute of Tropical Root and Tuber Crops (INIVIT). Three accessions collected in the country to analyze their potential use were tested. Bromatological characteristics were evaluated such as, as percentage of dry matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, crude protein and crude fiber as indicators of their nutritional value and their potential use in animal feed. At 11 months, the yield (kg.plant-1) of plant organs was evaluated. A list of descriptors which represents a contribution to the description of Alocasia species was defined. Assessment of bromatological characters to identify clones ‘Picante verde' and ‘Picante variegada' with higher potential use in animal feed because of its high protein content in the leaf blade and in full leaf, and its high green mass yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finding new alternative sources for animal food is a need in Cuba. the evaluation of Alocasia genus clones seems to be a starting point. This research was done at the Research Institute of Tropical Root and Tuber Crops (INIVIT). Three accessions were collected throughout the country and were tested in order to analyze their potential for use . While the collected accessions were characterized and evaluated, the descriptors list for this genus was elaborated, including qualitative and quantitative traits for each plant organ. A list of descriptors, which is a contribution to the description of Alocasia species, was elaborated. Alocasisa spp. Is an unknown crop in Cuba. However, the germplasm characterization, carried out in this study, provides information to identify clones that can be cropped for animal feed based on sustainable agriculture principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the crop seasons 2006-2007, 20007-2008 and 2008-2009 were planted in controlled conditions (house of culture) botanical seeds (SB) of potato obtained by hybridization and open pollination (PL). The aim of this study was to evaluate morfoagronómic characters and uniformity of tubers. We found variability in the progeny, although the hybrid progenies Atlantic x Aninca, 2-13-98 x 1-10-96 and Yara x 9-80-98 showed high uniformity of tubers color. While Atlantic x Aninca and Samila-PL showed high uniformity for tubers shape. The vigor, plant height and tubers yield could be related to the effect of heterosis or hybrid vigor in the hybrid progenies and the depressing effect of inbreeding in the progeny of PL in varying degrees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current development of researchers in the field of genetic improvement in Cuba and the necessity of economizing experimental area and resources outlines the necessity to value experimental designs that facilitate an appropriate efficiency with a maximum of economy. This work intends to combine the kindness of DAM, with the adjustment method for line-column to control the soil heterogeneity, and the statistical multivariate techniques, offering the investigator a mathematical tool in the selection of test lines in rice breeding programs. DAM was structured by means of a Latin Square (4x4), with four controls lines (INCA LP-5, INCA LP-2, J-104 and Reforma) and 120 test lines distributed at random in the corresponding subplot. The use of DAM that allows to compare a considerable number of test lines, overcoming the limitations of a not replied experiment, what presupposes an economic benefit for the area reduction, the economy of experimental material and control of the environmental heterogeneity, in combination with statistical multivariate techniques provides a methodology more efficient in the selection of promissory lines in rice breeding program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genetic variability in maize (Zea mays, L.) is due to the same mechanisms operating in populations of organisms in the evolutionary process, both spontaneously and under domestication ways, as well as to the numerous ecological niches and the environmental effects that each climatic condition has on the populations during their adaptation. However, the experiences of the programs of plant breeding developed by farmers in this crop have been little documented. The present work shows evidences about the advantages of a program of plant breeding developed in Cuba, to obtain populations of maize adapted to the low inputs conditions in Batabanó, Mayabeque province. The morphological evaluation showed that it was characterized by high plants, with shafts of medium grosor, leaves of half width and a tendency to have from 1 to 2 ears. They had a good coverage; were long and thin in a conical-cylindrical way, with few willing arrays lightly in hairspring and grains numerous semidents of color orange. It was found that the quantitative characters of grain and cob were in which bigger selection pressure was exerted by, influencing in the determination of the characteristic morphologicals of final population. This characterization coincided with the genetic patterns of the Canilla type. The major results in the yield of poblation «RAUL» with respect to control, should validate the selection made by the farmer, being an indicator of the advantages of the processes of participatory plant breeding in allogamous plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing new potato varieties with a higher tuber quality is at present, the most important challenge to the cuban breeding program. On this sense, it is necessary to make an exhaustive evaluation to the main characters that can be affect this relevant attribute. So, the objective of this work was focusing to carry out an evaluation to a several potato varieties, representative from the cuban potato germplasm, for tuber quality properties to be used as parents in the potato breeding program. Seventy potato cultivated accessions from the cuban germplasm bank were used. Several quality tuber characters were evaluated: specific gravity, dry matter, reduced sugar, starch, tuber average weight, equatorial and long tuber diameter and sensorial evaluation. Media, standard deviation, minimum and maximum values and coefficient of variation were estimated. A Principal Components Analyses, by means a biplot representation, to known accessions clusters and selects it according its behaviour for tuber quality was used. A good behaviour for tuber quality were found in the collection (22,9 %). Values of dry matter content and starch content were higher to 19 and 12 %, respectively and sugar reducer content was very low (> 0,5 %). All the varieties could be used as parent in a breeding program to obtain new varieties for industrial processing or directly on the different production systems. Atlantic, Bellini, Cal White, Derby, Maranca, Romano, Santana and Slaney and the new cubans clons; 1-10-96, 2-31-95, 4-6-93 and 9-32-93 were the most remarkable genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study were to assess the locations contributions in the final testing stage for the sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) Breeding Program in the south- eastern region of Cuba and to identify valuable locations for testing new genotypes and determine the most productive cultivars at each location. To assess these purpose 15 cultivars, six locations and two crops cycles were evaluated. Data of cane yield (t cane.ha-1), pol percentage in cane and pol.ha-1 were recorded. Results were visualized using Sites Regression model (SREG). Genotype by environment interaction was determined for each location, and variation among environments accounted the major variability for the three evaluated variables. Combining results obtained from GGE model we recommended adding the locations of «Enidio Diaz» and «Dos Ríos» to the «America Líbre» existing one in the final testing stage to improve the selection of new cultivars in the south-eastern region of Cuba. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ciencia en su PC is the property of Instituto de Informacion Cientifica y Tecnologica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The poor flowering and the differences in the date of exit of the flower in commercial varieties of sugar cane at Guayos's locality make hard the realization of crossbreedings, which is why objective of this work is to propose a strategy that it enable to increase them. Several experiments, that they executed themselves in areas of the seat of the National Center of Hybridization, located in Guayos got on for it and included two dates of plantation, two dose of fertilizers, two methods of sheets, use of irrigation and Ethrel in the inductive stage and Fitomás-E, in the stage after inductive of the flower. You used a control with the methodology in use of handling of the flower for this locality for all of the cases, and they measured the bloomed varieties, intensity of flowering and date or days to start of flowering, the one with which an analysis of variance was used and when it was significant the stockings through Tukey's proof compared . As a result it was found that flowering increased in with use irrigation, than the Fitomás-E you advanced the date of exit of the flower, in the meantime than July's and January's plantations, the cut of sheets, the application of Ethrel and of fertilizers, you delay it. These combined results can be used to enlarge the time of flowering and served as base stops a strategy that it enables proposes the quantity of crossbreedings at Guayos's locality increasing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black Sigatoka (Mycosphaerella fijiensis Morelet.) is considered as the most destructive disease in the banana world. The banana and plantain breeding program in Cuba, under INIVIT mandate is aimed at searching for resistant genotypes to this disease, as it is the most economically and environmentally sustainable strategy. With the aim to evaluate the response of improved banana (Musa spp.) genotypes against M. fijienis in comparison to reference cultivars, a research was carried out in the edaphoclimatic conditions at INIVIT. Through a research protocol and evaluations of variables for resistance / tolerance, useful feedback information is available for plant breeders and pathologists. Variable responses related with epiphytology, incubation time, evolution time of symptoms and developing time for evaluation varied depending on genotype susceptibility. The improved banana genotype 'H-10' (AAAB) showed tolerance to pathogen attack, only exceeded by 'FHIA 25' (AAA) which resulted resistant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigation aimed to compare the incidence of Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) De Bary and Phytophthora nicotianae Breda de Haan on the potato crop in The Horquita Enterprise of Varied Crops, Cienfuegos, Cuba. For that, the information on the two pathologies was obtained from the samplings carried out weekly in potato fields by the Yaguaramas Plant Protection Station. Phytophthora nicotianae impacted in all the growing seasons studied, becoming an endemic disease, while Phytophthora infestans was present only in two seasons with an epidemic behaviour, affecting a larger area and reaching a wider distribution and higher intensity. The results showed a decrease of the incidence frequency of P. infestans and the occurrence of P. parasitica in all the season which were associated with the climatic change, forcing the Horquita Enterprise to adequate the first pathology management and to establish a different management strategy for the second one, taking into account resistant varieties, crops rotation, sanitation measures and the meteorological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The participatory monitoring and evaluation of the local agricultural innovation processes strengthen as a change of the methodological approach, in which community, donors y politicians get together to decide how to measure project advances and what actions should be implemented to maintain and improve results. Starting from the indicators of direct effects and products, two practical tools are known for planning, self-monitoring, self-evaluating and externally evaluating local agricultural innovation processes, to let design operation plans, identify gradual progress when fulfilling the predicted goals, as well as visualize possible impacts. This paper presents and discusses information gathered at the workshops celebrated during 2007 and 2008 in the Local Centers of Agricultural Innovation (CLIA), with producers and other local actors participating in nine provinces from the west, center and east of Cuba. It shows the CLIA case of Las Tunas. Also, it presents the self-evaluation of a group of farmers taking part in the Participatory Plant Breeding (FP) since 2000 to 2008, in order to evaluate the direct effects y impacts reached, all of them set in concluded FP and PIAL projects guided by the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences (INCA), along with other research and training institutions linked to the agricultural sector. The first case describes the steps followed up to change attitude by using a five-steps qualitative scale that enables to evaluate more clearly the indicators of direct effects on its evolution and where the initial value is the base line. The second case employs a group of indicators with a 10-levels scale to measure FP impact on the farm and family, self-evaluating those involved as they were and where they are today. Both forms are proved to be nice indicators of the direct effect reached on the target groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Producers' participation in the varietal selection of Solanum lycopersicon L. species, adapted to their farm agroecological characteristics, requires them to have available methodological tools to perform these tasks efficiently and qualitatively. To face this demand, results from research studies performed in the areas of INCA, San José de las Lajas, Havana province, and INIVIT, Camagüey province, must be taken into account, besides other works that were also carried out in «Juan Benito Ruiz» CCS, Batabanó. In the first case, comparative yield trials were conducted, as it was established by traditional plant breeding, whereas in the second one, some agro-biodiversity fairs were celebrated, as one of the tools from the new improvement methods known as participatory plant breeding. Trial results were compared with those from the fairs, in which Mara cv. and lines 1, 35 and 44 showed good performances in the comparative test and were among the most selected ones in the agro-biodiversity fair from Havana; however, line 43 did not show good performance in the comparative test, but it obtained the highest vote number in the fair. Lignon, Campbell-28, C-28 and Tropical-V varieties achieved the greatest values in the comparative test of Camaguey; nevertheless, just Lignon was the most selected one in the fair, surpassed by line 38 and equal to line 43 in the amount of votes. These results prove that final tomato varietal selection must be done by producers in their own farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research work was conducted with the aim of evaluating thermotolerance at tissue level in a representative sample of ex situ preserved tomato (Solanum L. section Lycopersicon subsection Lycopersicon) germplasm in Cuba, besides identifying the most tolerant accessions to be used in plant breeding programs. Thus, cell viability was measured by reducing tetrazolium salt to formazan through dehydrogenase enzyme action in 122 tomato accessions, which were classified for their thermotolerance, taking into account three well known controls: Nagcarlang, Amalia and AN-104-1. Concerning the ex situ preserved germplasm in Cuba, there are thermotolerant accessions, mainly from S. lycopersicum var. Cerasiforme and S. pimpinellifollium, that can be employed in plant breeding programs, to obtain good-behaving varieties and hybrids under these conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out at the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences (INCA), with the objective of evaluating Anthurium vitroplant acclimatization. Thus, varietal influence on vitroplant behaviour of Tropical, Merengue and Sonate varieties was considered, after recording their survival by means of countings from the 15 up to 90 days of being transplanted. The influence of vitroplant size was also taken into account, so that three groups were formed according to its height: small (<2.5 cm), medium (2.5-3.5 cm) and big (>4 cm) ones. Vitroplant survival was likewise evaluated per each group through physically counting them. Transplanting time was another factor considered in the study, evaluating its influence on vitroplant behaviour in May, July, October and December. Results confirm that despite survival dynamics marked a very similar tendency independently of the variety, its absolute values were notably different, standing out the Tropical variety with the biggest percentages of survival, whereas Sonate showed the lowest survival. On the other hand, vitroplant size had a significant influence on their survival in favour of the biggest ones; however, their survival proved not to be influenced by transplanting time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work was developed with the aim of evaluating heat tolerance in a representative sample of ex situ preserved tomato (Solanum L. section Lycopersicon subsection Lycopersicon) germplasm in Cuban collections and identifying the most tolerant accessions to be used in plant breeding programs. Thus, fruit set percentage was evaluated over the optimal and heat-stressing (spring-summer) crop periods for calculating the following stress criteria: stress susceptibility index (ISE); stress tolerance value (TOL), stress tolerance index (ITE), stress geometric fruit set (FGE) and relative tolerance index (IT). Thus, 122 accessions were classified for their plant heat tolerance based on fruit set percentage in spring-summer sowings, besides the relationship among tolerance indexes was performed through Biplot analysis. Regarding the germplasm evaluated, there were accessions with high fruit set percentages within the springsummer period, indicating that the ex situ preserved germplasm in Cuba has heat tolerant accessions, which can be used in plant breeding programs to obtain good-performing varieties and hybrids under these conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowing about maize origin and classification as well as the theories protecting crop evolutionary processes are subjects of great interest nowadays. This review presents an outlook of the most controversial theories in this regard and a debate on maize race classification in Cuba, as well as the role of landraces related to in situ diversity preservation and generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agrobiological diversity management restrictions in Cuba, as a result of a financial deficit, enabled an alternative and complementary plant breeding strategy to the conventional and centralized one. This important way called Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB), as forming part of the local agriculture innovation, started in 2000 and eight years after being implemented, even farmers joining these ideas have evaluated its impact. PPB achievements were assessed regarding farm production, family infrastructure and home welfare, training/competitions, social capital/empowerment and farmer's participation in local innovation processes. Farmers from Pinar del Rio, Havana, Cienfuegos, Villa Clara and Holguín met together and classified development in every aspect by means of a gradation scale, besides evaluating the existing situation prior to the project and the current situation. At the end, everyone recognized a high impact on several aspects related to farm production, family welfare as well as a high and competent knowledge was achieved in different agrarian aspects; on the other hand, a significant farmer's empowerment was also evident and a greater farmer and his family's selfesteem. Finally, the effect of this breeding strategy was observed in local innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite participatory varietal selection (PVS) as a concept is every time more widely implemented in different areas from Cuban agrarian sector, the existing information concerning its effectiveness is not yet enough; therefore, this work study was aimed to help improve information for the specific case of grain crop, taking kidney beans as a reference point, extensively grown by Cuban farmers. Consequently, in September 2004, a demonstrative plot with 46 bean varieties was seeded in "Osvaldo Sínchez" farmland, Güines, Havana. Some days before crop harvest, farmers were called to celebrate diversity fair and practice PVS. Results were compared with breeders' selection based on yield at selection pressures between 95 and 5 % of the total population presented in the fair, which was calculated from the total production weight of each variety. Among other aspects, in general, high percentages of selected varieties were recorded for their yield that were also selected by farmers for each selection pressure evaluated; such a coincidence, particularly analyzed by every farmer, achieved from mid to low values, so proving that they apply different criteria and show distinct preferences for one or another variety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of participatory seed dissemination (PSD) appeared in Cuba after integrating seed diversity fairs and farmers' seed experimentation and dissemination. Seed diversity fair is a method by which plant breeders, growers and extension agents have access to one or more crop diversity. Both, formal and informal system varieties are seeded through the current management of the target environment. Thus, all farmers participating in this practice select seeds and test them in their production systems, to be further multiplied and diffused to the other farmers. This work describes PSD results in the productive, environmental and socioeconomic terms of Cuba and México. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the aim of increasing the genetic diversity of the species (Solanum lycopersicon L.) in the farmers' hands from the eastern region of Cuba, both research and extension activities were carried out in such region along with the Extension, Research and Agricultural Training Unit of Holguín (UEICA-H) and "Pedro Días Cuello" CCS from Velasco people council, where a yield comparative assay was conducted including nine varieties derived from the breeding programs of "Liliana Dimitrova" Horticultural Research Institute (IIHLD) and the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences (INCA). Also, some works were performed in "Lidia Doce" UBPC of the same Velasco people council and "17 de Mayo" CPA, Caujerí valley, in San Antonio del Sur municipality, Guantánamo province, where biodiversity fairs were celebrated using lines and varieties derived from the previously mentioned centers together with the Main Research Institute on Tropical Agriculture (INIFAT). Results from yield comparative assay were evaluated through a Two-way Classification Variance Analysis and Newman Keuls' test to establish varietal effect. Fair results were analyzed by the number of farmers selecting each variety and participants' most useful selection criteria. Amalia, Vyta, Mariela and Mara were among the most selected varieties in both fairs, occupying different places in each of them, according to participants' favourite ones. Mamonal-4 was included among the most selected varieties in Holguín whereas HC-2580 in Guantánamo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey of species and varieties was performed in 17 farms from La Palma municipality, over the areas involved by Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB) project. The study was aimed at analyzing how much the municipal agriculture ecosystem has been improved by introducing diversity. Margalef's specific diversity and Shannon-Weiner's specific richness indexes were calculated, besides considering three stages: previous to PPB, after PPB, and when implementing the Local Agricultural Innovation Program (PIAL). Results showed that diversity has increased with time, mainly regarding grain, garden and vegetable groups; farmers adopt diversity according to their own interests, ecosystems are still ready for adopting new species and varieties, also the diversity introduced has led to ecosystem stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Participatory plant breeding (PPB) is a relatively new approach for germplasm development, which includes crop improvement and participatory varietal selection (PVS). In Cuba, PPB started on rice crop in 2001, based upon centralized PVS at the beginning; however, it was further participatory and decentralized. This work study was aimed at presenting the experiences gathered on rice crop, not only in some regions of Cuba but also over the world. In our country, diversity fairs constituted the best form for providing a quick and efficient varietal entry through non-specialized rice growers'participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several research studies were carried out to continue increasing the genetic diversity of Solanum lycopersicum L section Lycopersicon species in Camagüey, to let the farmers adopt the most adapted varieties to their farm conditions. These investigations were conducted at the experimental areas from INIVIT in Camagüey and a producer's farm from "Niceto Perez" CSC in Vertientes. In both cases, a comparative yield trial was performed, according to the traditional plant breeding methods, and two agrobiodiversity fairs, which is an important tool of the new breeding methods known as Participatory Plant Breeding. The comparative trial results were evaluated through a two-way classification Variance Analysis and Newman--Keuls' test, to establish varietal effect. Results from the fair were analyzed by the amount of times each variety was selected, besides determining the influence of participants' gender and social function on selection. Lignon, Campbell-28 and Tropical C-28-V reached the highest values in the comparative trial of Camagüey; however, lines 38, Lignon and 43 showed a good performance in both fairs. Rilia and Amalia were the most selected varieties in the fair from Vertientes. It is recommended to continue the extension work to the commercial production of these varieties: Lignon, Rilia, Amalia, Mariela and Mara, also including lines 38 and 43 to new tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research work was carried out in San José de las Lajas, Havana province, with the objective of applying different participatory methodologies, as a tool to support the traditional extension methods that have been employed in Urban Agriculture for some years and enabling to solve farmers' problems regarding seed diversity access, either from species or varieties, as well as its management. Therefore, several stages were needed: the first one corresponded to three Agrobiodiversity fairs' celebration, in which producers had the opportunity to select different varieties from their favourite crops, like banana, tomato and pepper. The most selected varieties were FIAT-01 --banana-, Amalia --tomato- and Comandante Largo -pepper. The second stage was aimed at farmers' schools and rural experimentation on green bean, following farmers' criteria that allowed not only to increase varietal diversity but also to encourage spreading and adopting these new varieties. At the end of the study, economic profits of producers' access to different varieties are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The varietal selection performed by farmers based on their own criteria, known as participatory varietal selection (PVS), has become quite interesting within Cuban agricultural environment and all over the world, for its deep contribution to increase local diversity. However, due to its efficiency, there is not enough information about it. Therefore, the present paper was mainly conducted to study its efficiency specifically on potato crop. In December 2005, a demonstrative plot was planted with 73 commercial and noncommercial potato varieties at the areas from "Cultivos Varios" Enterprise, Batabanó, Havana. At harvest time, in March 2006, the breeders from INCA evaluated the following characters: commercial and noncommercial tuber number and total tuber weight to calculate yield per hectare. Also, some other characters as tolerance to Alternaria solani, damages by potato scab, tuber shape, color and appearance were taken into account. The selection was performed before harvest by 26 farmers from La Palma, Pinar del Río. In general, these results proved farmers' great capacity to combine several characters at the visual selection process, so that they can differentiate the best performing varieties among a group of them. Other results are shown in the paper related to different percentages of selected individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of previous investigations and the diagnostic phase of the Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB) project as a complementary strategy in Cuba, it was found that more than 85 % farmers had not used formal seed; therefore, most of them could not get the resulting varieties. It has been confirmed in other locations and productive systems. Consequently, an alternative tool was employed to introduce diversity into locations, biodiversity fairs, which were designed and performed in the late 90's and are considered an important world PPB contribution, mainly aimed to let seed flow from research institutions to farmers and vice versa. Once the fairs are celebrated, farmers start their own experiments in cooperatives and land holdings, establishing a wide net that can not be arranged by any other breeding program without involving farmers, since the current input restrictions make each farm becomes a different ecosystem. This PPB approach enables a specific varietal response selection, enhanced by GE interaction, which is a hard problem in centralized programs when wide-response materials are selected through precise technological packages with guaranteed inputs, that is more an exception than a rule under the conditions of our country. Farmer experimentation has achieved significant impacts on an increased field efficiency, recorded by higher yields per plot and diversity for using more plant and animal species, so that the farmers and their family may have a better livelihood. The highest social impact of the project is that a learning process is established among farmers, researchers and decision makers. All of them have changed some of their previous work approaches and conceptions by acquiring a more integrated and systemic comprehension of how local agricultural systems work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over 2002-2003, 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 seasons, 63 wild species from the Cuban potato germplasm were studied at the National Institute of Agriculture Sciences. A morphoagronomic characterization of the species was conducted, including the following qualitative characters: tuber shape, tuber colour and eye depth as well as the quantitative ones as: yield per plant (t.ha-1), average tuber weight, tuber number per plant and stem height. Also, its behaviour versus A. solani and potato leaf roll virus (PLRV) was evaluated. The qualitative characters are presented by its percentage within the collection. With regard to the quantitative ones, the descriptive statistics as media, maximum and minimum values, standard deviation and coefficient of variation were determined. A main components analysis was performed to know the distribution of each species within the collection and its possible use in Cuban potato breeding program. A high variability was recorded among the wild species collection for the environmental conditions of Cuba, and the resistant sources for A. solani and PLRV. This work proved there is an extended gene pool in this collection, to be more efficiently used in Cuban potato breeding program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) constitutes one of the biggest restrictive factors for tomato crop in Cuba. Obtaining resistant genotypes is one of the most attractive solutions for production, as a result of the threat of this virus to crop yield. In the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences (INCA), a breeding program began using commercial varieties with the resistant gene (Ty-1) to TYLCV starting from the resistant variety Vyta. Crosses between the resistant variety Vyta and the susceptible varieties Amalia, Mariela, Mara, Inifat-28 and Inca-33 were carried out, and their hybrid offspring, F1, was subjected to a virus diagnosis (molecular and not molecular); also the agronomic evaluation to them, to the parental genotypes, to the hybrid HA-3019 and the variety Campbell-28 was performed, these ones used as resistant and susceptible control respectively. Results of the diagnosis proved the resistant character of Vyta to the disease, the good behavior of hybrids derived from this and HA-3019 hybrid, the susceptibility of commercial varieties and Campbell-28. Results from the diagnosis along with the agronomic evaluations allowed to select Mara x Vyta and Mariela x Vyta as promising hybrids to continue the plant breeding program to TYLCV that is being developed at INCA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic resistance, together with the application of antinematode products and other methods of integrated fight, is the most recommended control choice. Many modern varieties and hybrids have introduced Mi gene, that confers incomplete resistance to several species from genus Meloidogyne. The National Institute of Agricultural Sciences (INCA), along with La Mayora-CSIC Experimental Station, has developed a breeding program, with the objective of introducing the Mi gene to a few tomato varieties with good acceptance by Cuban producers. The methodology used was marker-assisted selection by using Aps-1¹, an isozyme marker that integrates the same linkage group as Mi gene. Codominant marker Aps-1¹ helps the indirect selection of nematode resistance, with no need of infesting the soil. The selection by Aps-1¹ during backcross and selfing process made between 1997 and 2003 enabled to obtain Aps-1¹/Aps-1¹ lines. This paper reports the first results of incorporating Mi gene to tomato varieties Mariela, Amalia, Rome and Rilia as well as describes the methodology followed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The called "participatory plant breeding", by means of its fundamental tools (biodiversity fairs and school for farmers), constitutes a valuable tool to make arrive to the producers, mainly to those of the private Sector associated to the Agricultural Cooperatives of Production (CPA) and Cooperatives of Credit and Services (CCS), the available positive genetic diversity in each cultivated plant. This aim is not accomplishment appropriately by means of the formal system of distribution of seeds. In these moments it is conduced, in Villa Clara province, a Cooperated Project by the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences (INCA) and the Centre of Agricultural Investigations (CIAP) of the Central University of Las Villas, with the financing of the Switzerland Corporation for the Development (COSUDE). Results obtained from the biodiversity Fairs of beans carried out in Villa Clara province are analyzed in this paper. By this way it has been introduced, to the agricultural system of bean production in Villa Clara, 108 new varieties (21 of them belong to the category of official commercial varieties, 19 of them are within the "varietals structure" proposed by our Research Centre, 71 are promoted by different Research Centres of our country, 17 correspond to local varieties and 11 of them are inside the group classified as resistant or tolerant to rust). These data demonstrate that Participatory Plant Breeding, through Biodiversity Fairs, constitutes an efficient resource for the introduction of desirable genetic characters to the agricultural systems [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work was carried out in order to continue increasing the genetic diversity of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill species by farmers from Havana province and to let them adopt the best adapted varieties to the agroecological conditions of their farms. Investigations were conducted in the experimental areas of the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, San José de las Lajas and a producer's farm from "Juan Benito Ruiz" Credit and Service cooperative, Batabanó. In the first case, a comparative trial of yield was performed according to traditional plant breeding methods; in the second one, an agrobiodiversity fair was celebrated, following the new breeding method known as Participatory Plant Breeding. Results were evaluated by double classification variance analysis and Newman-Keuls test to establish varietal effect. Results of the agrobiodiversity fair were analyzed by every producer selecting each variety, also determining the influence of gender and participants' social function. The variety Mara and lines 1, 35 and 44 showed a good behaviour in both tests; therefore, they are recommended to be extended in Batabanó and to continue being evaluated in other localities of the province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the tobacco plantations in Cuba, in the last years the blue mold and the black shank have become the most lowering illnesses for the cultivation of the tobacco. In the Experimental Station of the Tobacco of Cabaiguán county of Sancti Spiritus, during the tobacco campaigns 2001-2002, 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 were carried out a comparative test with nine varieties obtained in previous works, resistant to the blue mold and the black shank with the objective of selecting an or more varieties for the tobacco production of the central and oriental counties of the country. An experimental design of blocks was used at random, with four repetitions and the characters were measured: total height of the plant with inflorescence, days to blossom, width of green sheet, number of useful leaves, longitude and with of the central leaf, distance between knots, net yield and yield in superior classes and stockings in the selection of the dry tobacco. The studied varieties introduced morphological characteristic superior or similar l to the witness. In the value of total yield there was not significant difference. In yield of superior classes the lines 3 and 7 overcame significantly to the variety 'Sancti Spiritus-96' [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development duration, mortality, sex ratio, reproduction, survival and feeding behavior of Amblyseius largoensis were determined when it fed on Polyphagotarsonemus latus. Studies were carried out under laboratory conditions at 20,9±1,2°C and 80,4±6,0% RH. The average duration of life-history stages were: egg 2,62±0,70 days; larva 1,06±0,51 days; protonymph 1,23±0,47 days; and deutonymph 1,43±0,47 days. The total period from egg deposition to adulthood averaged 6,33±1,49 days. Preoviposition and oviposition periods averaged 1,33±1,11 and 12,55±3,63 days, respectively, and average oviposition was 25,85±7,10 eggs per female. Mean of female longevity was 30,08±8,98 days. Sex ratio was 70% of female. No immature mortality was observed. Eggs had a 96,14% of fertility. The average number of eggs laid per females per day increased from the beginning of oviposition to 10 days. A. largoensis fed on all stages of the prey development, but it had less difficulty feeding on the immature life stages than on the adult mites. The phytoseiid mite spent most of the time in active component, walking and feeding. Biological and predation data indicated that broad mite was a suitable prey for A. largoensis. These results suggest that this predatory mite is a potential biological control agent for P. latus in our conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The more adequate selection for hybridisation the females and male progenitors from INIVIT Germplasm Bank of Musa spp in Cuba were carry out. The selections of male progenitors were make in base to major performance against to pest and diseases and morphological characters. The females progenitors were selection according to production of botanic seed (fertile female), morphological characterization and quality of botanic seed obtained. The cultivars 'SH-3142' (AA), 'SH-3362' (AA), 'Calcuta-4' (AA) Pisang Jary Buaya (AA) y 'Paka' (AA) obtained the best percentage of fertile pollen, best results against to pest and diseases that affected this plants. This group have to all morphological characters for accepted as male progenitors. The cultivars 'Saba' (ABB), 'Somaclon Saba' (ABB) and 'Pelipita' (ABB) showed the best results in botanic seed production and were selection and included as females progenitors in the INIVIT Genetic Programme of Musa. Finally all the progenitors selected were recommended for the new hybridisation in Cuba because they are contributed to introduce the high genetic variation for adaptation in tropical condition like Cuba. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El artículo describe un estudio, realizado con participación comunitaria, de la diversidad genética de cultivos de maíz en Catalina de Güines, provincia de La Habana, Cuba. Se recolectaron mazorcas de maíz de varios productores locales y se sembraron bajo condiciones de bajos insumos. Se comprobó su variabilidad genética y se compararon sus características con las de líneas comerciales. Un jurado de campesinos seleccionó las mejores líneas.

Se presentan los resultados de un estudio de los criterios de fitoselección utilizados por campesinos que participaron en una feria de diversidad agrícola en la provincia de La Habana, Cuba. Se analizan los criterios de selección de variedades de maíz con atención al genero y localidad de origen de los agricultores. Los criterios favorecidos incluyeron la altura de la mazorca, el ciclo de cultivo y el grosor del tallo.

Se presentan los resultados de varios casos de estudio sobre el fitomejoramiento de especies de maíz y frijol y la experimentación campesina en la provincia de La Habana, Cuba. Se cita la efectividad de las ferias de diversidad agrícola y la participación de campesinos en la selección y producción de semilla. Se describen los resultados de dos casos de estudio en cooperativas agrícolas con especies de maíz y de frijol y se evalúa el impacto de las nuevas variedades introducidas.

El artículo considera, desde una perspectiva social, el impacto de varias experiencias de fitomejoramiento participativo (FP) llevadas a cabo por investigadores del Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Agrícolas (INCA) de Cuba en cooperativas cubanas. Los autores consideran los cambios sociales generados por la autogestión y participación comunitaria en el proceso de desarrollo y suministro de insumos de agricultura (semillas de frijol y maíz).

Se presentan los resultados de un proyecto de fitomejoramiento participativo de cultivos de frijol en la provincia de La Habana, Cuba. Se analiza el efecto de la época de siembra y la microlocalización sobre las variedades y se considera la incidencia de la participación campesina en la ampliación de la diversidad varietal y el autoabastecimiento de semilla.

Wheat is not considered a tropical species but the variety Cuba C-204 was well grown in Cuba since more than 40 years ago. Thus its radiosensibility was studied to use radiomutagenesis with in a program to obtain new varieties. Survival, height of plant and root, green and dry mass, pollen formation and fertility, percentage of florest carrying seeds and M1 seed features were considered as indexes. Original seeds with 12-14% humidity was irradiated to 300-800 Gy seeded and cultivated together control at underset laboratory and fields conditions. The GR50 (growth reduction) was determinate at 695 Gy; its was higher than report for Triticum aestivum L in International Atomic Energy Agency. The 300 Gy doses induced reparable affectation during ontogenesis development; at 400 Gy injuries in some index is were reparaid even provoking stimulus. The 500 Gy doses induced unrecovered damage; 600 Gy induced total sterility and lethality was 100% at 800 Gy, so that sterility is then index limiting the doses increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The determination of four Cuban varieties of garlic was made so as to optimize the use of ionizing radiations in Cuba to breed vegetatively propagated crops such as garlic. The dose-effect regresion equation characterizing the radioinhibition zone of each crop was presented. We used a criteria to select the irradiation dose to be used in mutation breeding techniques based on obtaining height variability in the productive indicators, a survival and a number of garlic cloves high enough to allow an adequate reproduction of M1 plants. It was verified that this small inhibitor doses of radiations produced a higher percentage of good variability than the medium and high doses. With the use of small inhibitor doses (GR10-GR20) on the Guadalupe-15 garlic variety, 65 variety plants were obtained., 93.7% out of this number is higher than the control in the indicators considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vanesa cardui Poey (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) is reported in soybean crop for the first time in Cuba. Larvae were detected feeding on Cubasoy-23 foliage variety in farms located at the National Institute of Agricultural Science, Havana province. Field observations on the caterpillar attack and foliage damages were made. Larvae were reared up to adults in order to identify butterflies. Larvae, pupae and adult description and possible causes determining infestation are discussed. In our country, there is not any report mentioning caterpillar attack on soybean. For this reason, it should be considered as a new record to be included in the harmful insect list in the crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop and wild plants were sampled by striking plants over a white cardboard in Guantánamo province. The specimens were collected and prepared by techniques of clearing for slide mounting. Identification was done using the regional taxonomic keys for thrips species. As a result, the species Ceratothripoides claratris Shumsher was reported in soybean, cucumber, pepper, banana and wild plants for the first time in Cuba. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]