ABSTRACT The coffee sector is estimated to have a retail market value in excess of USD 83 billion, and over 125 million jobs have been created in the global coffee chain. The coffee specialty market has recently increased significantly, generating opportunities to certify coffee beans produced by sustainable practices. This avoids practices potentially harmful to the environment. Agroforestry, organic farming, intercropping, and soil conservation strategies are examples of sustainable alternatives in the production of coffee. In this review, we focus on practices for the sustainable management of coffee plantations that can help farmers fight problems caused by global warming. More specifically, we address soil organic matter and microbiota, the use of Urochloa grass as intercrop in coffee plantations, shading systems (including agroforestry), and organic coffee production. We concluded that from the agronomic viewpoint, we already have production techniques that can replace traditional ones with significant advantages accruing to the quality of coffee orchard ecosystems. Nevertheless, we need scientific research efforts to deal with the existing gaps and the engagement of the whole coffee chain as a means of guaranteeing an adequate profit to those smallholders who adopt and maintain sustainable practice and are capable of bringing several positive changes to the coffee crop, including the use of microbia-based commercial products and new organic sources of nutrients to complement chemical fertilizers and improve coffee quality.

Resumen Introducción La pandemia de COVID-19 provocó el cese de las actividades académicas desde el formato presencial al confinamiento de las clases virtuales, de las que poco se ha estudiado sobre su efecto en la salud mental. Objetivo Determinar los niveles de depresión, ansiedad y estrés en estudiantes de medicina de México y Colombia durante la pandemia de COVID-19; además de comparar depresión, ansiedad y estrés por género, nivel educativo y país. Método Se realizó un estudio transversal con 426 estudiantes de medicina. Los datos se recopilaron mediante una encuesta en línea que contenía el cuestionario DASS-21. Resultados Las puntuaciones generales de depresión, ansiedad y estrés fueron 6.7 ± 1.2, 8.8 ± 1.2 y 5.6 ± 1.2, respectivamente. Las mujeres tuvieron puntajes generales significativamente más altos para depresión (.24-fold increase), ansiedad (.25-fold increase) y estrés (.40-fold increase). El riesgo de ansiedad y estrés por año escolar mostró que los años básicos se asociaron con puntajes más altos que los estudiantes en años los avanzados (.25 y .38-fold increase). Para las mujeres, cursar años básicos mostró un mayor riesgo de depresión en comparación con los estudiantes varones (.38-fold increase). Por último, los estudiantes mexicanos tuvieron un mayor riesgo de depresión y ansiedad (p ≤ .022 y p ≤ .004, respectivamente) pero no de estrés (p ≤ .402) en comparación con los estudiantes Colombianos. Discusión y conclusión Se observó ansiedad y depresión significativas en estudiantes de medicina mexicanos y colombianos. Los factores asociados a un mayor riesgo de depresión y ansiedad fueron; ser estudiante en años básicos además de ser mujer.

Abstract Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic caused the cessation of academic activities from the face-to-face format to confinement and virtual classes, in which little is studied about its effect on mental health. Objective Determine levels of depression, anxiety, and stress in medical students in Mexico and Colombia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, depression, anxiety, and stress were compared by gender, education status, and country. Method A cross-sectional study was carried out with 426 medical students. Data was collected using an online survey containing the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21) questionnaire. Results Overall scores for depression, anxiety, and stress were 6.7 ± 1.2, 8.8 ± 1.2, and 5.6 ± 1.2, respectively. Females had significantly higher overall scores for depression (.24-fold increase), anxiety (.25-fold increase), and stress (.40-fold increase) than males (p ≤ .01). The risk for anxiety and stress by school year showed that basic years were associated with higher scores than advanced years (.25 and .38-fold increase, respectively). For females, starting medical school did show an increased risk of depression when compared to male students in their basic years (.38-fold increase). Lastly, students from Mexico had an increased risk for depression and anxiety (p ≤ .022 and p ≤ .004, respectively) but not for stress (p ≤ .402), when compared to students from Colombia. Discussion and conclusion Significant anxiety and depression were observed in medical students from Mexico and Colombia. Factors associated with an increased risk of depression and anxiety are students in their basic years as well as being female.

Resumen La isoforma AMPKβ2 (proteína quinasa activada por AMP) favorece la homeostasis glucémica a través de un mecanismo independiente de insulina. Muchos "importagogos” de glucosa como SC4 actúan como activadores de AMPK, pero su consumo prolongado se asocia a efectos indeseables. Objetivo: en este trabajo se utilizó el acoplamiento molecular para analizar la posible interacción entre sapogeninas y AMPK. Métodos: se ha procedido a la preparación de los blancos proteicos, preparación de los ligandos y el acoplamiento molecular. Resultados: los resultados mostraron que ocho sapogeninas presentes en Chenopodium quinoa interactúan en el mismo sitio de unión que SC4 correspondiente al sitio ADaM de AMPK. Estas interacciones puntuaron valores de ΔG que oscilan entre -6,2 y -7,7 kcal/mol, siendo el ácido serjánico la sapogenina con el ΔG más bajo. La adición de grupos hidrofílicos como -OH y -COOH en la estructura química del ácido serjánico mejoró su afinidad de unión a la isoforma AMPKβ2 abriendo la posibilidad de generar fármacos semi-sintéticos a partir de compuestos naturales con mayor actividad biológica y mejor especificidad.

Abstract The AMPKP2 (AMP-activated protein kinase) isoform promotes glycemic homeostasis through an insulin-independent mechanism. Many glucose "importers" such as SC4 act as AMPK activators, but their prolonged consumption is associated with undesirable effects. Objetive: in this work, molecular docking was used to analyze the possible interaction between sapogenins and AMPK. Methods: the preparation of the protein blanks, preparation of the ligands and molecular coupling have been carried out. Results: the results showed that eight sapogenins present in Chenopodium quinoa interact at the same binding site as SC4 corresponding to the ADaM site of AMPK. These interactions scored ΔG values ranging from -6.2 to -7.7 kcal/mol, with Serjanic acid being the sapogenin with the lowest ΔG. The addition of hydrophilic groups such as -OH and -COOH in the chemical structure of Serjanic acid improved its binding affinity to the AMPKβ2 isoform opening the possibility of generating semi-synthetic drugs from natural compounds with higher biological activity and better specificity.

ABSTRACT The decoupling factor (Ω) reflects the leading mechanisms responsible for canopy transpiration and allows to know the relevance of the control of stomatal or canopy conductance on transpiration (T). The Ω is strongly dependent on water availability and can be a good approach to describe how plants minimize excessive water loss by increasing the dominance of biotic factors that controls evapotranspiration under water deficit conditions. We provided an overview of how the Ω concept can be broadly used and applied for studying the sensitivity of evapotranspiration and water conservation potential of canopies under water deficit conditions. A decoupling condition indicates that, under water deficit, the increase of canopy resistance will not have control over the transpiration. Therefore, a structural context of the canopy in which predominantly uncoupled regions will have a lower capacity to reduce evapotranspiration and avoid water losses. Furthermore, because of the water deficit, stomatal closure restricts photosynthesis more than transpiration, and water use efficiency can be lower in decoupled canopies compared to more coupled ones. Yet, we summarized the characteristics that depict structural context predisposing coupled or decoupled conditions that can indicate the capacity of canopy/crop to reduce excessive water losses and maintain a high assimilation/transpiration relation under water deficit.e farmers to design disease management programs accordingly to avert yield losses.

Abstract Background Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that often leads patients to muscle impairment and physical disability. This study aimed to evaluate changes in the activity of proteasome system in skeletal muscles of mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and treated with etanercept or methotrexate. Methods Male DBA1/J mice were divided into four groups (n = 8 each): CIA-Vehicle (treated with saline), CIA-ETN (treated with etanercept, 5.5 mg/kg), CIA-MTX (treated with methotrexate, 35 mg/kg) and CO (healthy control group). Mice were treated two times a week for 6 weeks. Clinical score and hind paw edema were measured. Muscles were weighted after euthanasia and used to quantify proteasome activity, gene (MuRF-1, PMSα4, PSMβ5, PMSβ6, PSMβ7, PSMβ8, PSMβ9, and PSMβ10), and protein (PSMβ1, PSMβ5, PSMβ1i, PSMβ5i) expression of proteasome subunits. Results Both treatments slowed disease development, but only CIA-ETN maintained muscle weight compared to CIA-MTX and CIA-Vehicle groups. Etanercept treatment showed caspase-like activity of 26S proteasome similar to CO group, while CIA-Vehicle and CIA-MTX had higher activity compared to CO group (p: 0.0057). MuRF-1 mRNA expression was decreased after etanercept administration compared to CIA-Vehicle and CO groups (p: 0.002, p: 0.007, respectively). PSMβ8 and PSMβ9 mRNA levels were increased in CIA-Vehicle and CIA-MTX compared to CO group, while CIA-ETN presented no difference from CO. PMSβ6 mRNA expression was higher in CIA-Vehicle and CIA-MTX groups than in CO group. Protein levels of the PSMβ5 subunit were increased in CO group compared to CIA-Vehicle; after both etanercept and methotrexate treatments, PSMβ5 expression was higher than in CIA-Vehicle group and did not differ from CO group expression (p: 0.0025, p: 0.001, respectively). The inflammation-induced subunit β1 (LMP2) was enhanced after methotrexate treatment compared to CO group (p: 0.043). Conclusions The results of CIA-Vehicle show that arthritis increases muscle proteasome activation by enhanced caspase-like activity of 26S proteasome and increased PSMβ8 and PSMβ9 mRNA levels. Etanercept treatment was able to maintain the muscle weight and to modulate proteasome so that its activity and gene expression were compared to CO after TNF inhibition. The protein expression of inflammation-induced proteasome subunit was increased in muscle of CIA-MTX group but not following etanercept treatment. Thus, anti-TNF treatment may be an interesting approach to attenuate the arthritis-related muscle wasting.

Resumo O objetivo desta pesquisa foi identificar e analisar os temas da cultura corporal mobilizados nas intervenções dos profissionais de Educação Física que trabalham em Centros de Atenção Psicossocial (CAPS) e compreender a presença destes centros nos espaços urbanos exteriores aos CAPS. Realizamos a coleta de dados através de entrevistas semiestruturadas com 18 profissionais de Educação Física, integrantes das equipes de oito CAPS da cidade de Goiânia, Goiás. Os dados foram analisados a partir da técnica de análise de conteúdo. Os resultados indicaram que as intervenções envolvem temáticas diversas. As atividades que no imaginário social estão mais relacionadas com a perspectiva de desenvolvimento da aptidão física estão presentes, com “esportes” e “exercícios físicos e ginásticos” os mais relatados. Entretanto, percebe-se uma abrangência para outras que são menos marcadas pela expectativa de desenvolvimento da aptidão física.

Abstract This study aimed to identify and analyze the themes of body culture mobilized in the interventions of Physical Education professionals working in Psychosocial Care Centers (CAPS) and understand their presence in urban spaces outside the CAPS. We collected data through semi-structured interviews with 18 Physical Education professionals, members of the eight CAPS teams in Goiânia (GO), Brazil. Data were analyzed using the content analysis technique. The results indicated that the interventions involve different themes. In the social imagination, the activities are instead related to the perspective of physical fitness development, and “sports” and “physical and gymnastic exercises” were the most reported. However, there is a scope for others that are less marked by the expected physical fitness development.

Resumo O objetivo desta pesquisa foi identificar e analisar os temas da cultura corporal mobilizados nas intervenções dos profissionais de Educação Física que trabalham em Centros de Atenção Psicossocial (CAPS) e compreender a presença destes centros nos espaços urbanos exteriores aos CAPS. Realizamos a coleta de dados através de entrevistas semiestruturadas com 18 profissionais de Educação Física, integrantes das equipes de oito CAPS da cidade de Goiânia, Goiás. Os dados foram analisados a partir da técnica de análise de conteúdo. Os resultados indicaram que as intervenções envolvem temáticas diversas. As atividades que no imaginário social estão mais relacionadas com a perspectiva de desenvolvimento da aptidão física estão presentes, com “esportes” e “exercícios físicos e ginásticos” os mais relatados. Entretanto, percebe-se uma abrangência para outras que são menos marcadas pela expectativa de desenvolvimento da aptidão física.

Abstract This study aimed to identify and analyze the themes of body culture mobilized in the interventions of Physical Education professionals working in Psychosocial Care Centers (CAPS) and understand their presence in urban spaces outside the CAPS. We collected data through semi-structured interviews with 18 Physical Education professionals, members of the eight CAPS teams in Goiânia (GO), Brazil. Data were analyzed using the content analysis technique. The results indicated that the interventions involve different themes. In the social imagination, the activities are instead related to the perspective of physical fitness development, and “sports” and “physical and gymnastic exercises” were the most reported. However, there is a scope for others that are less marked by the expected physical fitness development.

Abstract This paper studies the Twitter communication strategies of @lopezobrador_, @RicardoAnayaC, and @JoseAMeadeK, Mexican presidential candidates in 2018. The content of the candidates’ messages -the tweets, the copies and arts, hashtags, mentions and links- and their reach among users -measured in number of comments, retweets, likes and reproductions-is studied. Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) personalized his campaign, and its content generated the most positive sentiment. Ricardo Anaya Cortés (RAC) and José Antonio Meade Kuribreña (JAMK) attacked him and their content produced less engagement.

Resumen El objetivo de esta investigación es estudiar la estrategia comunicativa en Twitter de @lopezobrador_, @RicardoAnayaC y @JoseAMeadeK, candidatos a la presidencia de México en el 2018. Se analiza el contenido de los mensajes en los tuits -copies y artes, hashtags, menciones y vínculos- de los candidatos. Además, se estudia el alcance -medido en número de comentarios, retuits, me gusta y reproducciones- entre los usuarios. Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) hizo una personalización de su campaña, su contenido generó el mayor sentimiento positivo. Ricardo Anaya Cortés (RAC) y José Antonio Meade Kuribreña (JAMK) atacaron al puntero; sus contenidos tuvieron menor engagement.

Resumo O objetivo da pesquisa é estudar a estratégia comunicativa no Twitter de @lopezobrador_, @RicardoAnayaC e @JoseAMeadeK, candidatos à presidência do México em 2018. O conteúdo das mensagens é analisado nos tweets -cópias e artes, hashtags, menções e links- dos candidatos. Além disso, é estudado o alcance -medido pelo número de comentários, retweets, curtidas e reproduções- entre os usuários. Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) realizou uma personalização da sua campanha, o seu conteúdo gerou as maiores reações positivas. Ricardo Anaya Cortés (RAC) e José Antonio Meade Kuribreña (JAMK) atacaram o líder, os conteúdos de les obtiveram um menor engajamento por parte do público.

Abstract Objective: To provide guidelines on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases (IMRD) to rheumatologists considering specific scenarios of the daily practice based on the shared-making decision (SMD) process. Methods: A task force was constituted by 24 rheumatologists (panel members), with clinical and research expertise in immunizations and infectious diseases in immunocompromised patients, endorsed by the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology (BSR), to develop guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination in patients with IMRD. A consensus was built through the Delphi method and involved four rounds of anonymous voting, where five options were used to determine the level of agreement (LOA), based on the Likert Scale: (1) strongly disagree; (2) disagree, (3) neither agree nor disagree (neutral); (4) agree; and (5) strongly agree. Nineteen questions were addressed and discussed via teleconference to formulate the answers. In order to identify the relevant data on COVID-19 vaccines, a search with standardized descriptors and synonyms was performed on September 10th, 2021, of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov, and LILACS to identify studies of interest. We used the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale to assess the quality of nonrandomized studies. Results: All the nineteen questions-answers (Q&A) were approved by the BSR Task Force with more than 80% of panelists voting options 4—agree—and 5—strongly agree—, and a consensus was reached. These Guidelines were focused in SMD on the most appropriate timing for IMRD patients to get vaccinated to reach the adequate covid-19 vaccination response. Conclusion: These guidelines were developed by a BSR Task Force with a high LOA among panelists, based on the literature review of published studies and expert opinion for COVID-19 vaccination in IMRD patients. Noteworthy, in the pandemic period, up to the time of the review and the consensus process for this document, high-quality evidence was scarce. Thus, it is not a substitute for clinical judgment.

RESUMEN. La fiebre botonosa mediterránea es una enfermedad zoonótica febril aguda causada por Rickettsia conorii y transmitida a los humanos por la garrapata marrón Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Todo el mundo es susceptible a las picaduras de garrapata, diversos estudios demuestran que el porcentaje de seropositividad es más elevado en los residentes del medio rural. La mayoría de las veces, al realizar el diagnóstico diferencial de exantema generalizado pruriginoso (causa alérgica, medicamentosa, infecciones bacterianas, virales, fúngicas, estrés…) dejando a un lado las enfermedades por picaduras. Se debe cambiar esa mentalidad dado que el aumento de este tipo de enfermedades es exponencial. Se ha de tener en cuenta que dentro de los riesgos biológicos se encuentran las picaduras y no todas son vánales, requiriendo en nuestro día a día como médicos del trabajo: correcta anamnesis, seguimiento, diagnóstico y tratamiento. Un diagnóstico y tratamiento tardío lleva a un aumento de sintomatología en fase avanzada.

ABSTRACT Mediterranean spotted fever is an acute febrile zoonotic zoonotic disease caused by Rickettsia conorii and transmitted to humans by the brown tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Everyone is susceptible to tick bites, but studies show that the rate of seropositivity is higher in rural residents. Most of the time, when making the differential diagnosis of pruritic generalised exanthema (allergic cause, medication, bacterial, viral, fungal infections, stress, etc.), we leave aside diseases caused by bites. We must change this mentality as the increase in this type of disease is exponential. It must be borne in mind that among the biological risks are stings and not all of them are viral, requiring in our day-to-day work as occupational physicians: correct anamnesis, monitoring, diagnosis and treatment. Late diagnosis and treatment leads to an increase in symptoms at an advanced stage.

RESUMEN. La fiebre botonosa mediterránea es una enfermedad zoonótica febril aguda causada por Rickettsia conorii y transmitida a los humanos por la garrapata marrón Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Todo el mundo es susceptible a las picaduras de garrapata, diversos estudios demuestran que el porcentaje de seropositividad es más elevado en los residentes del medio rural. La mayoría de las veces, al realizar el diagnóstico diferencial de exantema generalizado pruriginoso (causa alérgica, medicamentosa, infecciones bacterianas, virales, fúngicas, estrés…) dejando a un lado las enfermedades por picaduras. Se debe cambiar esa mentalidad dado que el aumento de este tipo de enfermedades es exponencial. Se ha de tener en cuenta que dentro de los riesgos biológicos se encuentran las picaduras y no todas son vánales, requiriendo en nuestro día a día como médicos del trabajo: correcta anamnesis, seguimiento, diagnóstico y tratamiento. Un diagnóstico y tratamiento tardío lleva a un aumento de sintomatología en fase avanzada.

ABSTRACT Mediterranean spotted fever is an acute febrile zoonotic zoonotic disease caused by Rickettsia conorii and transmitted to humans by the brown tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Everyone is susceptible to tick bites, but studies show that the rate of seropositivity is higher in rural residents. Most of the time, when making the differential diagnosis of pruritic generalised exanthema (allergic cause, medication, bacterial, viral, fungal infections, stress, etc.), we leave aside diseases caused by bites. We must change this mentality as the increase in this type of disease is exponential. It must be borne in mind that among the biological risks are stings and not all of them are viral, requiring in our day-to-day work as occupational physicians: correct anamnesis, monitoring, diagnosis and treatment. Late diagnosis and treatment leads to an increase in symptoms at an advanced stage.

ABSTRACT Rationale: the subject Medical Microbiology and Parasitology provides the necessary tools for the approach of health problems of the population, in which biological agents are involved. Objective: to design a complementary booklet on the topic Medical Parasitology of the subject Medical Microbiology and Parasitology for second academic-year students of medicine major at Ernesto Che Guevara de la Serna School of Medical Sciences of Pinar del Río. Methods: an educational research was carried out with a target group of 455 students from second academic-year students of medicine major during the course 2019-2020 at Ernesto Che Guevara de la Serna School of Medical Sciences of Pinar del Río and 118 professors comprising the teaching staff of this academic year in medicine major. The sample included 171 students and 16 professors who were intentionally selected. Theoretical, empirical and statistical methods were applied. Results: there was evidence of a certain degree of lack of updating on the contents of Medical Parasitology in the Microbiology and Medical Parasitology course. The need of students and professors to have a complementary booklet on Medical Parasitology was noted. A Complementary Booklet on Medical Parasitology was devised for students of medicine major. Conclusions: the booklet was considered useful and pertinent by the specialists, due to its updated contents and methodological treatment.

RESUMEN Fundamento: la asignatura Microbiología y Parasitología Médica aporta las herramientas necesarias para el abordaje de los problemas de salud de la población, en los que intervienen agentes biológicos. Objetivo: diseñar un folleto complementario sobre el tema Parasitología Médica de la asignatura Microbiología y Parasitología Médica para estudiantes de segundo año de la carrera de Medicina de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas Ernesto Che Guevara de la Serna de Pinar del Río. Métodos: se realizó una investigación educativa, con un universo de 455 estudiantes de segundo año de Medicina durante el curso 2019-2020, en la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas “Ernesto Ché Guevara de la Serna” de Pinar del Río, y 118 profesores que conforman el claustro de este año de la carrera. La muestra quedó conformada por 171 estudiantes y 16 profesores seleccionados de manera intencional. Resultados: se evidenció cierto grado de desactualización sobre los contenidos de Parasitología Médica en la asigantura Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Se constató la necesidad de estudiantes y profesores de contar con un folleto complementario de Parasitología Médica. Se elaboró un Folleto Complementario de Parasitología Médica para estudiantes de la carrera de Medicina. Conclusiones: el folleto confeccionado fue valorado por los especialistas como útil y pertinente, por la actualización de sus contenidos y tratamiento metodológico.

Resumen Introducción. La especie Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lamb es una planta dicotiledónea de la familia Convolvulaceae, originaria de la zona tropical de América. Objetivo. Determinar la edad de corte y segmentos del tallo de la variedad de batata Agrosavia Aurora, para obtener semilla. Materiales y métodos. El estudio fue realizado en el Centro de Investigación Turipaná de AGROSAVIA, donde se evaluó la tecnología de producción de esquejes de batata a diferentes edades de cosecha y segmentos del tallo. Se utilizó un diseño de parcelas divididas con 3 repeticiones y se evaluó el porcentaje de prendimiento, rendimiento de raíces y el retorno económico. Resultados. Los mejores prendimientos se presentaron con esquejes cortados a 60 días después de la siembra (DDS) con un 84,7% y 90 días con 74,9% que superaron a los de 120 días (67,9%). Los prendimientos de los segmentos de semilla apical y preapical fueron de 83,4 y 80,2%, respectivamente. En producción de raíces, los mayores valores se obtuvieron con semilla cortada a los 60 DDS (26 903 kg.ha-1), la cual presentó diferencia estadística con respecto a las cortadas a los 90 y 120 DDS, al ser esta última la de menor valor (18 679 kg.ha-1). En cuanto a tipo de semilla la de mayor producción fue obtenida por medio del segmento apical (25 309 kg.ha-1) sin ser desde el punto de vista estadístico, diferente a la preapical (24 296 kg.ha-1) y superó en producción a la del tercer (20 504 kg.ha-1) y cuarto segmento (17 578 kg.ha-1). Conclusión. Los segmentos apical y preapical con edad de corte de 60 DDS fueron los mejores.

Abstract Introduction. The species Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lamb is a dicotyledonous plant of the Convolvulaceae family, native to the tropical zone of America. Objective. To determine cutting age and stem segments of sweet potato variety Agrosavia Aurora in order to obtain quality cuttings for sowing. Materials and methods. The study was carried out at the Turipana Research Center of AGROSAVIA, where the production technology of sweet potate cuttings at different cutting ages and stem segments was evaluated. A split block design with 3 replications was used and sprouting percentage, field yield, and economic return were evaluated. Results. Segments cut at 60 and 90 days after sowing (DAP) showed higher sprouting, with values of 84.7 and 74.9%, respectively; statistically exceeding that of segments cut at 120 DDS (67.9%). Sprouting of segments from the apical and preapical portion of the stem were 83.4 and 80.2%, respectively. In root yield, the highest values were obtained with cuttings from segments cut at 60 DDS (26 903 kg.ha-1), which presented statistical differences with respect to those cut at 90 and 120 DAP, as the latter presenting the lowest yield (18 679 kg.ha-1). Regarding type of seed, the one with the highest production was obtained through the apical segment (25 309 kg.ha-1) without being statistically different from the preapical (24 296 kg.ha-1), and also exceeded in production that of the third (20 504 kg.ha-1) and fourth segment (17 578 kg.ha-1). Conclusion. Apical and preapical segments with a cut-off age of 60 DAP were the best for obtaining cuttings for planting sweet potatoes.