Editorial

We have the pleasure of informing our readers that after 31 years since the creation of the journal Agronomia Colombiana and the publication of 830 tropical agronomy articles, the journal will no longer charge authors for the privilege of publication beginning with issue here of 2014 and for the year 2015. The aim is to facilitate the publication of research results from a higher number of authors, increase the quantity of published articles, and increase the impact of these articles. Since the inclusion of Agronomia Colombiana in Scopus toward the end of 2012, SCImago Journal & Country Rank has presented some bibliologic impact indicators for this bibliographic index. Furthermore, the journal has been included in the ProQuest database and the articles of volume 32, issue 1 can be found in the E-book format.

   

We have the pleasure of informing our readers that after 31 years since the creation of the journal Agronomia Colombiana and the publication of 830 tropical agronomy articles, the journal will no longer charge authors for the privilege of publication beginning with issue three of 2014 and for the year 2015. The aim is to facilitate the publication of research results from a higher number of authors, increase the quantity of published articles, and increase the impact of these articles.

Since the inclusion of Agronomia Colombiana in Scopus toward the end of 2012, SCImago Journal & Country Rank has presented some bibliologic impact indicators for this bibliographic index. Furthermore, the journal has been included in the ProQuest database and the articles of volume 32, issue 1 can be found in the E-book format.

This issue presents the results of different studies of distinct crops of tropical agronomy interest. The Plant breeding, genetic resources and molecular biology section offer a characterization of a common bean collection using different agronomic themes. These results provide a better understanding of this species for use in breeding programs.

Somatic embryogenesis in lulo is the main topic of the article found in the Propagation and tissue culture section. This significant technique will aid in the propagation of this species as well as in other genetic breeding methodologies of this crop.

The Crop physiology section contains different studies, for example an evaluation of pruning on vineyards of Boyaca in order to determine the best vegetative and productive equilibrium in the Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc varieties. Also, there is an article on the reaction of purple passionfruit seeds and plantlets to different concentrations of NaCl. In addition, a model of potential growth is presented for the carnation cv. Delphi under greenhouse conditions on the Bogota High Plateau. Finally, there is a study on the effects of light quality on chard plant growth and water consumption.

The Crop protection section offers the results of a study on the co-infection of two viruses in potato cultivars. This study sets a new precedent for the diagnosis of diseases and for seed certification programs. Similarly, a second article shows the population determination of the pests Strategus aloeus and Rhynchophorus palmarum in seven renewal methods of oil palm.

Among the topics found in the Postharvest physiology and technology section, there is an analysis of the antioxidants of cape gooseberry fruits in a forced-air preservation system. Another article presents a determination of the best conditions for the treatment of tree tomato fruits with CaCl₂ using different storage temperatures.

This issue contains an article on the use of digital evaluation models (DEM) with relief parameters for determining the suitability of soil for mango cultivation in the Soils, fertilization, and management water section. The second article in this section contains the results of a study on fertilization with nitrogen and potassium on the quality of Jatropha oil from the El Espinal zone (Colombia).

The Economy and rural development section includes a study on the role of rural families in agriculture in the countries of Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru. The second article in this section deals with the application of multivariate analysis to the lulo production system in the Nariño Department (Colombia), a region that is noted for significant production of this crop. Lastly, this section analyzes the issue of food wastage in developing countries as compared to developed countries.

Agronomia Colombiana shall continue to strive toward an increase in the number of articles, it contains so that the results of studies from different tropical agriculture areas can be disseminated and so that the necessary visibility of the journal’s articles can be ensured.

GERHARD FISCHER
Editor
FACULTY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES