Ecuador is the main exporter of passion fruit concentrate. Passion fruit production is located in the subtropical areas of the Ecuadorian coast and, due to the geographical location of the country, it is possible to harvest fruit throughout the year. However, the production yield in Ecuador is low compared to other countries because there is little genetic improvement and there is little information about its behavior in sites at different altitudes. Therefore, the objective of this research was to determine the effect of the genotype x environment interaction on yield and fruit quality of seven passion fruit populations in different productive locations. The experiment was carried out in five production areas (Jama, Rocafuerte, San Isidro, Quevedo and Santo Domingo) with different environmental conditions. The highest yield (29167 kg ha −1 ) was obtained in the locality of Santo Domingo (479 m), while the smallest shell thickness (6.48 mm) was observed in San Isidro (243 m), and the highest solids content soluble (14.87 ° Brix) was shown in Quevedo (73 m). Based on the results, it was concluded that there was a highly significant genotype x environment effect; therefore, the variation observed in the behavior of the evaluated populations was due to the adaptation of the genotypes to the conditions of the different locations.

Tree tomato (Solanum betaceum Cav.) is an Andean fruit crop that is grown in Ecuador. It is an exceptional source of minerals and vitamins, thus has nutraceutical properties. The objective of this research was to carry out a phytochemical characterization of a breeding population composed of 90 segregants. Pulp (including mesocarp, mucilage, seeds and placenta) was ground and sieved in order to obtain the liquid pulp to be lyophilized for the chemical analyzes. Antioxidants compounds were determined by spectrophotometry and vitamin C by reflectometry. Data were analyzed by principal components, grouping, and variance analyses; in addition, Z Score estimation was carried out to select elite individuals. There was a broad variability in the data obtained for the breeding population, polyphenol content varied from 5.11 to 16.59 mg GAE g−1, flavonoids from 1.24 to 6.70 mg cat g−1, carotenoids from 50.39 to 460.72 µg β-carotene g−1, anthocyanins from 1.06 to 240.49 mg cy-3-glu 100 g−1, antioxidant capacity from 49.51 to 312.30 µm Trolox g−1, and vitamin C from 78.29 to 420.16 mg 100 g−1. It can be concluded that tree tomato is a good source of beneficial biocompounds and has a high antioxidant capacity.

There is limited information about the critical period of weed interference (CPWI) in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) and the effect produced by the weed-crop interaction in secondary metabolite accumulation. The objective of the present study was to determine the CPWI and its effect on total polyphenol content in quinoa. The experiments were conducted during two consecutive seasons using a randomized complete block design with 16 treatments consisting of 8 weed growth periods and 8 weed-free growth periods in which weed population and biomass were evaluated; productive parameters, yield components, and total polyphenols were determined in the quinoa crop. Grain number per plant affected yield because of weed interference (P < 0.05), which decreased from 4312 to 162 grains plant-1 in weed growth periods and increased from 181 to 5110 grains plant-1 in weed-free growth periods. Total polyphenol content was affected by stress from weed interference (P < 0.05), which increased from 2.2 gallic acid equivalents (GAE) g-1 to 3.6 mg GAE g-1 in weed growth periods and decreased from 3.6 GAE g-1 to 1.9 mg GAE g-1 in weed-free growth periods, while the population remained constant (P > 0.05). The CPWI was determined between the phenological stages of two true leaves to flowering; therefore, the quinoa crop must remain weed-free between these two phenological stages to rule out production losses greater than 5%.

The impact of herbicide application on the accumulation of secondary metabolites and photosynthesis as stress indicators in the quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) crop is unknown. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of two post-emergence herbicides on production, total polyphenol content, and chlorophyll fluorescence in quinoa. The experiments were conducted for two consecutive seasons using a completely randomized block design with seven treatments, including two herbicides and three commercial product rates, as well as a control without herbicide application. Production parameters, yield components, and stress indicators were evaluated. Yield was affected (P < 0.05) by herbicide application in some treatments; control and treatment with only one bentazon application varied from 1851.23 to 1235.03 kg ha-1 , respectively. Yield affected the number of grains per plant (P < 0.05); control and treatment with only one bentazon application decreased yield from 3984.60 to 2040.94 kg ha-1 , respectively. Total polyphenol content and percentage of germination in quinoa grains were not affected by stress caused by herbicide application (P > 0.05). The herbicide fomesafen did not affect the maximum quantum yield, while the herbicide bentazon had a significant effect (P < 0.05) during the application. Three sequential applications of bentazon and fomesafen in the absence of weeds were sufficient to achieve a yield that was equal (P > 0.05) to the control.

The germination and viability of pollen are characteristics required for fecundation when individuals of different or the same species are crossed. For this reason, assessing these parameters in selected individuals to be used in breeding programs will increase the chances for the obtainment of new progeny. In this study, pollen from different accessions of the red-purple tree tomato (Solanum betaceum Cav.) was used: local cultivar (Morado Puntón), two commercial varieties (Large Red and Oratia Red) and six segregants [(Solanum unilobum x Solanum betaceum) x Solanum betaceum]. Three types of flowers were taken (A-day of anthesis, B-one day after anthesis, and C-two days after anthesis). The pollen was conserved in two temperatures (4° and 22° C) and four storage times (0, 5, 10, 20 days). The percentage of germination and pollen viability of the selected individuals were evaluated. It was observed that the commercial materials showed higher germination percentages than the segregants in flower A and B at a temperature of 4 ° C at all storage times, except for the segregants GT7P47 and GT7P48 at the same temperature on day 0. In addition, high percentages of viability were obtained both in flowers A and B, at both temperatures and at all storage times. However, the immediate use of pollen after it is collected is recommended because better germination is achieved. This study is helpful to improve breeding procedures in the initial stages of directed crosses.