Abstract The growth and development of Moringa oleifera seedlings, produced in substrates with sewer sludge and bovine manure, were studied. A randomized block design with four replications was applied. A total of 12 treatments were elaborated, plus the commercial substrate Bioplant as a control. During 22 days, the emergence speed index was determined, and before transplantation, physiological and morphological measurements were made and the Dickson quality index was calculated. The physiological measurements were made on a fully expanded leaf and a portable LI-6400 meter was used. The emergence speed index differed between treatments and showed high correlation with respect to the physical properties of the substrate. The physiological indicators were similar, with values between 5.86-9.73 (µmol m-2 s-1) of liquid photosynthesis; 0.02-0.13 (mol m-2 s-1) of stomatal conductance and 1.04-1.76 (µmol CO2 mmol H2O-1) of transpiratory rate. The morphological variables plant height and stem diameter were higher (P <0.0143 and P <0.0077) in the prepared substrates, although some of them did not differ from the control. The number of leaves/plant was lower (P <0.0001) in the commercial substrate. In this treatment, the root volume (8.25 cm3) and the Dickson index (0.56) reached the highest values. The use of sewer sludge and bovine manure in substrates for seedlings production did not affect the growth and development of M. oleifera.

Resumen Se estudió el crecimiento y desarrollo de posturas de Moringa oleifera, producidas en sustratos con lodo de alcantarilla y estiércol bovino. Se aplicó un diseño en bloques al azar con cuatro réplicas. Se elaboraron 12 tratamientos, más el sustrato comercial Bioplant como testigo. Durante 22 días se determinó el índice de velocidad de emergencia, y antes del trasplante se hicieron mediciones fisiológicas y morfológicas y se calculó el índice de calidad de Dickson. Las mediciones fisiológicas se realizaron en una hoja completamente expandida y se utilizó un medidor portátil LI-6400. El índice de velocidad de emergencia difirió entre tratamientos y mostró alta correlación con respecto a las propiedades físicas del sustrato. Los indicadores fisiológicos fueron similares, con valores entre 5.86-9.73 (µmol m-2 s-1) de fotosíntesis líquida; 0.02-0.13 (mol m-2 s-1) de conductancia estomática y 1.04-1.76 (µmol CO2 mmol H2O-1) de tasa transpiratoria. Las variables morfológicas altura de la planta y diámetro del tallo resultaron superiores (P < 0.0143 y P < 0.0077) en los sustratos elaborados, aunque algunos de ellos no difirieron del testigo. El número de hojas/planta fue inferior (P < 0.0001) en el sustrato comercial. En este tratamiento, el volumen radicular (8.25 cm3) y el índice de Dickson (0.56) alcanzaron los mayores valores. La utilización del lodo de alcantarilla y el estiércol bovino en sustratos para la producción de posturas no afectó el crecimiento y desarrollo de M. oleifera.

RESUMO A pesquisa foi desenvolvida em três municípios da Província de Pastaza, (Mera, Santa Clara e Pastaza), na Amazônia equatoriana. O objetivo do estudo foi identificar espécies vegetais utilizadas na medicina tradicional pelos agricultores nestas localidades e classificar as espécies segundo a localidade, etnia do produtor e as aflições nas que eram utilizadas. Alem disso, na pesquisa analisaram-se as diferença de uso das plantas entre as etnias Kichwa e Mestiça. A metodologia do trabalho consistiu na aplicação de questionários e entrevistas pessoais com 213 agricultores das diferentes etnias. Utilizaram-se as tabelas de contingência por freqüência de uso com os dados gerados, para determinar as espécies mais representativas e em cada grupo realizou-se comparação por análise de proporções. Os principais resultados mostraram a existência de 52 espécies de plantas medicinais pertencente a 34 famílias. A espécie mais utilizada foi Ilex guayusa com 48 registros. Os produtores Kichwa do município Santa Clara registraram o maior número de espécies pertencente às famílias Lamiaceae e Solanacease e as plantas foram utilizadas para tratamento de dor de estômago, gripe e inflamações. A prova de "chi quadrado" mostrou diferenças (p < 0,05) entre os municípios e as etnias. Conclui-se que existe diferença no uso de plantas medicinais entre as localidades e os grupos étnicos estudados. A espécie Ilex guayusa foi a planta medicinal mais usada pelos agricultores independentemente da localidade e a etnia.

ABSTRACT Mera, Santa Clara and Pastaza municipalities are located in the Ecuadorian Amazon region. The objective of the study was to identify plant species used in traditional medicine by small farmers of these localities, and to classify these plants according to locality, farmer ethnicity and purposes of use. It was also investigated whether the use of medicinal plants differs between the ethnic groups. Data were collected by applying a questionnaire and personal interview with 213 farmers belonging to two ethnicities (Kichwa and mestizo), and to different municipalities (Mera, Santa Clara and Pastaza). Generated data were analyzed using contingency tables and frequency and the most representative species were determined by proportion analysis comparison. A total of 34 families and 52 species of medicinal plants were identified. The most used species was Ilex guayusa which was cited 48 times. Santa Clara municipality and Kichwa farmers used the highest number of species. These species belonged to the Lamiaceae and Solanacease family, and the plants were used for treating stomach pain, cold and inflammations. There were significant differences (Chi square test p < 0.05) between localities and ethnicities (Kichwa and mestizo). There were differences in the use of medicinal plant species among members of the Kichwa ethnicity and mestizo farmers, depending on locality, being Ilex guayusa the most used species.

This research was conducted in the Pastaza province, Ecuador, its aim was identify the main species used for human consumption on farms of Pastaza, Mera and Santa Clara cantons, comparing their reporting frequency depending on the canton and producer ethnia, for which a survey, consisting of aspects of identification of farmers, plants used in human food and ways of uses, which was applied to 214 producers in the province, corresponding to 30 % of producers identified was developed. Globally, 59 species were reported by canton bearing 32 species in Pastaza, 16 in Mera and 56 in Santa Clara, depending on the ethnia of the producer 44 species used by half-breeds and 46 species used by Kichwas were reported. 33 botanical families was obtained, Solanaceae and Arecaceae the highest number of species reported, frequency analysis reports through contingency tables with respect to the canton and producer ethnia, presented significant differences in the value of P for Pearson Chi Square statistics and Chi square MV-G2. The proportion comparison analysis showed nine species, being the highlights: Musa sp Schott, Manihot esculenta Crantz L. and Colocasia esculenta (L.), which are the most reported. It concludes that there is diversity in the use of plants for human consumption, in which variability is influenced by the canton components and the producer ethnia

Esta investigación se realizó en la provincia de Pastaza, Ecuador, su objetivo fue identificar las principales especies vegetales utilizadas en alimentación humana, en las explotaciones agropecuarias de los cantones Pastaza, Mera y Santa Clara, comparando su frecuencia de reporte en función del cantón y etnia del productor, para lo cual se elaboró una encuesta, que consta de aspectos de identificación de los agricultores, plantas utilizadas en alimentación humana y sus formas de usos, la cual fue aplicada a 214 productores en la provincia, correspondiente al 30 % de productores identificados. A nivel global, se reportaron 59 especies, teniendo por cantón 32 especies en Pastaza, 16 en Mera y 56 en Santa Clara, en función de la etnia del productor se reportaron 44 especies utilizadas por mestizos y 46 especies utilizadas por Kichwas. Se obtuvo 33 familias botánicas, siendo Solanaceae y Arecaceae las que mayor número de especies reportan. El análisis de frecuencia de reportes, a través de cuadros de contingencia, con respecto al cantón y etnia del productor, presentó diferencias significativas en el valor de P para los estadísticos Chi cuadrado de Pearson y Chi cuadrado MV-G2. El análisis de comparación de proporciones mostró nueve especies, siendo las más destacadas Musa sp Schott, Manihot esculenta Crantz L. y Colocasia esculenta (L.). Se concluye que en la zona existe diversidad en el uso de plantas para la alimentación humana, en la cual su variabilidad está influenciada por los componentes cantón y etnia del productor

The aim of this work was to evaluate the associated zoological diversity of a silvopastural system leucaena-guinea grass, by characterizing the composition and structures of the birds, insects and the macrofauna of the soil, in four establishment times of the silvopastural systems (3, 4, 5 and 6 years of exploitation). For the species recorded in each zoological group, the following ecological indices were determined: number of individuals, richness, diversity and abundance of species, in each establishment times of the system. A significant increase, in all the zoological groups, was observed for the richness of species and for the index of biological diversity of Shannon, as the system developed. An increase in the abundance of bioregulator insects was observed, and for the birds, the sampling time showed no interaction with the different sowing years. The macrofauna of the soil increased during the management of the system, and a dominance of annelids (Polyferetrina elongata and Oligochaeta elegans) was noted during the 6th and 7th year of exploitation. The silvopastural system leucaena-guinea grass increases the biomass production and other biological components, and contributes to create a sustainable system which is compatible with the environment.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la diversidad zoológica asociada a un silvopastoreo con leucaena-guinea, por medio de la caracterización de la composición y estructura de las aves, insectos y la macrofauna del suelo, en cuatro edades de establecimiento (3, 4, 5 y 6 años de explotación). Con las especies registradas en cada uno de estos grupos zoológicos, se calcularon los índices ecológicos: número de individuos, riqueza, diversidad y abundancia de especies, en diferentes edades del sistema. En todos los grupos, se apreció el aumento significativo en la riqueza de especies y en el índice de diversidad biológica de Shannon, en la medida que se desarrolló el sistema. Se observó incremento en la abundancia de insectos biorreguladores y, en relación con las aves, el horario de muestreo no mostró interacción con los distintos años de siembra. La macrofauna se incrementó, observándose dominancia de anélidos al 6º y 7º año de explotación, caracterizado por Polyferetrina elongata y Oligochaeta elegans. El desarrollo del silvopastoreo leucaena-guinea logra sistemas productivos pecuarios que aumentan la producción de biomasa y de otros componentes biológicos y contribuir para crear un sistema sostenible y compatible con el ambiente.