Browsing by Author "Sabas Antonio Vega Mejia"

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    Use of Mycorrhiza as Environmental Social Responsibility: The Case of Melon Cultivation and Marketing in Valledupar
    (2025-06-18) Sabas Antonio Vega Mejia
    In this study, the effect of mycorrhiza on a commercial melon crop in the township of Guacoche, Valledupar, Cesar, was evaluated within the framework of the environmental social responsibility work of the Popular University of Cesar. A randomized complete block design with divided plots was used, where the first factor was the mycorrhiza dose (0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 g per 10 kg of soil), and five mycorrhizal plots and four controls were established, in addition to five replications. The second factor was the crop sampling cycle (10, 20, and 30 days, plus 10 days after harvest). To collect data on the variable number of leaves, two plants were randomly taken from each subsample, classified into two types according to their morphology, each representing a melon crop cycle; two subsamples containing 100 g of soil with strictly measured diluted water were used to analyze six elements. The results showed that plants treated with mycorrhiza exhibited better growth and yield compared to the controls, evidencing greater efficiency in nutrient absorption such as phosphorus, calcium, and nitrogen, which reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. Likewise, the fruits from mycorrhizal plants showed better quality and maturation, and a decrease in production costs and an improvement in photosynthetic activity were observed. It is concluded that the application of mycorrhiza in melon cultivation in Valledupar has a positive impact on the growth, yield, and quality of the fruits, aligning with the principles of environmental social responsibility and sustainable agriculture. However, greater dissemination, training, and technical support are required to promote its adoption among farmers in the region, who face barriers such as lack of knowledge, the cost of the input, and the lack of technology for its management.