Evaluación, de las plantas con flores en el cultivo de quinua (Chenopodium quinoa W) en Colta y Calpi, provincia de Chimborazo, para control biologico conservativo

Abstract

In organic quinoa cultivation, insect pests cause yield losses. For this reason, the use of flowering strips has been proposed to attract beneficial insects and strengthen conservative biological control. The aim of the following research was to study strips of flowering plants in organic quinoa cultivation in Colta and Calpi sectors. The research study was conducted in two strategic places in the province of Chimborazo: Nitiluiza in the canton of Riobamba and Majipamaba in the canton of Colta, starting with a bioprospecting of the existing vegetation in the place, then the type of plant was selected (annual and perennial), seed collection and photographs were taken of the flowers, fruit and seeds, germination tests were conducted to determine the method of sexual and asexual propagation and finally the garden design. The results showed a taxonomic catalog comprising 20 species belonging to 10 different family taxa, among these, 7 species were selected for sexual propagation and 3 species for asexual, the implementation of the strips was carried out at the edges of the plots, with a dimension of 7m long and 1 m wide, with planting density 0.20m x 0.20m in two sites of Nitiluiza. It is concluded that the recognition of the existing floristic diversity in the quinoa crop and its identification of herbaceous plants attractive to beneficial insects were crucial for the design of a garden. This practice will reduce reliance on chemical pesticides and promote a more sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural approach, thus contributing to the long-term health of agricultural ecosystems.