Recent Submissions
Variability in Fruit Production of Carapa guianensis Associated with Edaphoclimatic Factors in the Amazon
(MDPI, 2026-02-10) Angulo Villacorta, Carlos Darwin; Silva da Conceição, Denilson; Chunchon Remon, Rodolfo Juan; Manigat, Donald; Antunes Jimenez, Lorena; De Toledo, José Julio
Carapa guianensis Aubl., widely distributed throughout the Amazon, is recognized for its ecological, economic, and social importance, and constitutes a key source of income for numerous extractive communities. However, fruit production exhibits marked spatial variation that may be influenced by soil properties and climatic factors. In this study, we assessed this variability using data from 21 studies conducted in the Brazilian Amazon, incorporating georeferenced information from each site on climate and soil characteris-
tics. Environmental variables were evaluated using Random Forest models. Although the number of independent production estimates available in the literature is limited, average fruit productivity showed a broad range (0.34 to 34.6 kg·tree−1·year−1), with higher values in várzea forests (16.5 kg·tree−1·year−1) and lower values in igapó forests (2.5 kg·tree−1
·year−1). The Random Forest model explained 42% of the variability in fruit
production according to cross-validation, whereas the model fit using the full dataset showed a higher R2 value (0.83). Soil organic carbon, mean annual temperature, and clay content were the most influential predictors. These findings demonstrate that fruit production is shaped by the interaction between edaphic and climatic conditions, which determine the species’ productivity patterns and highlight the need to foster adaptive management strategies that ensure the sustainable use of andiroba across Amazonian
ecosystems. Nevertheless, it is acknowledged that the number of available production estimates is limited and that methodological heterogeneity exists among the analyzed studies. Despite this, the results reveal consistent patterns of association between Carapa guianensis fruit production and edaphoclimatic gradients, highlighting the influence of climatic and soil-related variables at a regional scale.
Protocol for in vitro germination and micropropagation of Himatanthus Sucuuba (Spruce ex Müll. arg.) Woodson
(Scientia Agropecuaria, 2026-02-16) Sáenz Ramírez, Lyanna H.; Revilla Chávez, Jorge; Ramírez Flores, Noe; Imakawa, Angela Maria; Barbosa Sampaio, Paulo de Tarso
Himatanthus sucuuba is important in folk medicine and is widely used as an antitumor, antifungal, vermifuge and anti-anemic agent1. In this context, the objective of this study was to develop a protocol for in vitro germination and micropropagation of H. sucuuba. The seeds were immersed in a 1.0% (v/v) Cabrio Top solution for one hour on a magnetic stirrer and then in a 0.1% (v/v) diluted NaOCl solution for 30 minutes under agitation, followed by immersion in 70% alcohol for 1 minute. Subsequently, the seeds were rinsed four times with sterile distilled water and then inoculated in MS medium supplemented with the auxins AIA, ANA and AIB at concentrations of 0.0; 1.0; 3.0; 5.0 mg L-1. The experimental design was completely randomized, using 10 treatments with 3 replicates of 10 seeds (n = 30). It was observed that the MS medium supplemented with IAA (5.0 mg L-1) resulted in 80% germination and seedlings with 5.97 cm in height and 4.2 nodal segments. To stimulate rooting, the nodal segments were cut and inoculated in MS medium supplemented with BAP (0.1 mg L-1) and in interaction with the auxins IAA, 2,4-D and ANA, at concentrations of 0.0; 3.0; 5.0 and 8.0 mg L-1 and kept in a growth room at 25 ± 2 °C, with a photoperiod of 16 h. The combination BAP+IAA (0.1 + 8.0 mg L-1) showed the best results with 100% sprouting, 40% callus formation and 30% rooting. In conclusion, in vitro propagation is a promising technique to produce H. sucuuba seedlings, however, hormonal adjustments are necessary.
Soil functioning indicators decline with land-use intensification in the Peruvian Amazon: evidence from Ucayali
(Frontiers, 2026-03-04) Abanto Rodríguez, Carlos; Guerra Blas, Juan Carlos; Castillo Torres, Dennis del; Ramírez Flores, Noe; Gonzalo García, Diego; Moya Ambrosio, María Fernanda; Guerra Arévalo, Héctor; Guerra Arévalo, Wilson; Bravo, Jhon Alison; Panduro Tenazoa, Nadia; Tadashi Sakasaki, Roberto; Monteiro Neto, João Luiz Lopes; Revilla Chávez, Jorge; Murga Orrillo, Hipólito
Rapid land-use change in the Peruvian Amazon threatens soil processes that sustain productivity and ecosystem resilience. This study assessed soil functioning indicators along a land-use intensification gradient in Ucayali, Peru.Methods: We evaluated physicochemical (texture fractions, pH, organic matter, cation-exchange capacity, carbon, and micronutrients) and biological indicators (cultivable microbial groups, microbial biomass carbon, respiration, and macrofauna) from 54 independent composite topsoil samples (0–20 cm) across seven land-use systems, multiple localities, and soil texture classes. Principal component analysis and univariate tests were applied to identify multivariate gradients and significant differences among groups. PCA revealed a dominant texture–fertility gradient contrasting sand-rich soils with finer-textured soils associated with higher CEC, organic matter, total carbon, and micronutrients (notably Mn and Cu). Significant differences among land-use systems were detected for CEC, OM, Mn, pH, Cu, SOC, and sand. Cacao agroforestry differed from pasture and oil palm systems in key fertility indicators. Biological indicators showed weaker global separation, although macrofauna differed significantly among land uses. Soil texture modulated baseline fertility and the expression of land-use impacts. Cacao agroforestry and secondary forests occupied transitional positions between forests and intensive systems. A reduced monitoring set including texture fractions, OM, CEC, pH, Mn, and selected biological metrics is recommended for tracking soil degradation in heterogeneous Amazonian landscapes.
Soil functioning indicators decline with land-use intensification in the Peruvian Amazon: evidence from Ucayali
(Frontiers, 2026-03-04) Abanto Rodríguez, Carlos; Guerra Blas, Juan Carlos; Castillo Torres, Dennis del; Ramírez Flores, Noe; García Soria, Diego Gonzalo; Moya Ambrosio, María Fernanda; Guerra Arévalo, Héctor; Guerra Arévalo, Wilson Francisco; Bravo, Jhon Alison; Panduro Tenazoa, Nadia; Tadashi Sakasaki, Roberto; Monteiro Neto, João Luiz Lopes; Revilla Chávez, Jorge; Murga Orrillo, Hipólito
El estudio encontró que la calidad del suelo cambia de manera importante según el tipo de uso que se le da al terreno. Uno de los resultados más relevantes fue que la textura del suelo influye mucho en su fertilidad natural. Los suelos con mayor contenido de arena tienden a tener menos materia orgánica, menos nutrientes y menor capacidad para retener elementos importantes para el crecimiento de las plantas. En cambio, los suelos con textura más fina presentan mejores condiciones de fertilidad. También se observó que, al pasar de coberturas más naturales a usos más intensivos, algunos componentes del suelo se modifican con claridad. Entre los más sensibles estuvieron la materia orgánica, el carbono del suelo, el pH, ciertos micronutrientes y la capacidad del suelo para retener nutrientes. Esto indica que el cambio de uso del terreno no solo altera la cobertura vegetal, sino también el funcionamiento interno del suelo. Otro hallazgo importante fue que los sistemas agroforestales con cacao mostraron mejores condiciones que las pasturas y las plantaciones de palma aceitera. Esto sugiere que los sistemas productivos que conservan mayor cobertura vegetal y diversidad pueden ayudar a mantener mejor la salud del suelo. Los bosques secundarios también mostraron una condición intermedia favorable, lo que refuerza su valor en procesos de recuperación del paisaje. En cuanto a los organismos que viven en el suelo, los cambios no siempre fueron tan evidentes como en las propiedades químicas y físicas; sin embargo, se encontró que la fauna del suelo tiende a disminuir en los sistemas más intensivos. Esto es relevante porque estos organismos cumplen funciones clave en la descomposición de materia orgánica y en el reciclaje de nutrientes. En conjunto, los resultados muestran que el uso intensivo de la tierra puede deteriorar progresivamente la calidad del suelo, mientras que sistemas más diversos, como los agroforestales, ofrecen mejores condiciones para conservar sus funciones. Por ello, el estudio resalta la importancia de monitorear indicadores sencillos pero útiles, como la textura, la materia orgánica, el pH y la capacidad de retención de nutrientes, para orientar un manejo más sostenible del suelo.
Attalea: Revista de Divulgación Científica n°2 (2025)
(Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana, 2025-12) Martín Brañas, Manuel; Schulz, Christopher; Flores Gonzales, Anai; Paz, Gabriela; Ccolqquehuanca, Jhon; Muñoz Ushñahua, Adenka; Babilonia Medina, Jorge; Paredes Salas, Marian; Inga, Jorge; Nayhua, Rubén; Silva, Carol; Sicclia, Giancarlo; Chan, Juan; Flores, Jimmy; Kennedy, Ronald; Favero, Gisele; Fernández Méndez, Christian; Flores, José; Ramírez Flores, Noe; Gonzalo García, Diego; Abanto Rodríguez, Carlo; Rojas Mego, Krystel; Bravo, Jhon Alison; Sáenz Ramírez, Lyanna H.; Del Castillo Torres, Dennis; Ruiz Balcazar, Alexander; Rojas Padilla, Omar; Pinedo Panduro, Mario; Celis, Carmen; Vásquez Arévalo, Francisco; Panduro Tenazoa, Nadia; Herrera López, José Antonio; Rojas Padilla, Omar; Huarcaya Huamán, Kristel; Rojas Padilla, Omar; Fachín Malaverri, Lizard; Rengifo Marín, Jhon; Bellido Collahuacho, Juan José
Attalea reúne en este número historias y hallazgos que miran la Amazonía desde varios frentes: el valor cultural del bosque, una entrevista central, experiencias productivas más limpias (libres de mercurio), y aprendizajes para restaurar paisajes tras incendios. También presenta notas sobre biocontrol con avispas, relaciones ecológicas alrededor del camu camu, registros de fauna en Tingo María, el papel de las turberas en el carbono y un cierre que apuesta por fortalecer una ciencia panamazónica.