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Effect of the altitudinal floor on the quality of mora (Rubus glaucus benth) in the interand region of Ecuador

Abstract:

Cultivation of the Andean Raspberry (Rubus glaucus Benth) contributes to the economic livelihood of nearly 12000 medium and small-scale producer families in Ecuador, however the low productivity of this crop and lack of quality of its fruit limit the possibilities of increasing income and fair commercialization of the product. Little knowledge about the effect of agro-climatic zones on the cultivation of this crop contributes to this situation. This research’s aim was to study the effect of three altitudinal levels, in Bolivar Province, Ecuador, on the harvesting of the Andean Raspberry. Plants with higher production and less phytosanitary problems, during the dry season, where selected in cooperation with local producers. Crops from three different altitudes were selected and subjected to in situ phenological and phytopathological characterization, studying 3 producers per zone, with 5 repetitions. An analysis of variance and Tukey test at 5% were conducted in order to determine productivity differences between plants from the three zones. Significant variations were observed in the number of tertiary stems and number of leaves between plants located in the high and low altitudinal levels. This makes it possible to infer a productivity increase in the orchards located in the lowest altitudinal level. Days transcurred between blooming and harvest are also less in the low altitudinal level, which allows for more production cycles per year and consequently a higher revenue for small-scale producers of this berry.