Recent Submissions

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Respuesta agronómica de Cratylia argéntea en las condiciones subtropicales de Cotopaxi
(Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi (UTC). La Maná. Agronomía, 2026-11-04) Calva Castillo, Jorge Luis; Calva Castillo, Thalia del Carmen; Espinosa Cunuhay, Kleber Augusto
Forage legumes constitute a strategic resource for livestock production due to their high protein content and nutritional value. Among them, Cratylia argentea stands out for its wide adaptation to tropical and subtropical conditions, high biomass production, and crude protein content ranging from 21 % to 28 %, characteristics that make it a promising alternative for animal feeding. In Ecuador, the effects of climate change have created challenges for the sustainability of production systems, increasing the need to incorporate resilient species adapted to variable environmental conditions. In addition to its forage value, Cratylia argentea contributes to improving soil fertility through organic matter incorporation and helps reduce emissions associated with livestock systems. In this context, the project aimed to determine its potential as a sustainable alternative to strengthen livestock production. Objective: To evaluate the agronomic response of Cratylia argentea under the subtropical conditions of Cotopaxi. Methodology: The study was conducted at the La Playita Experimental Center of the Technical University of Cotopaxi, La Mana Extension, under subtropical conditions. The agronomic ´ response of Cratylia argentea was evaluated using a completely randomized design with four treatments: control, auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins. Seeds were mechanically scarified and subjected to pre-soaking before sowing. Germination, mortality, emergence, and vegetative growth variables were assessed. Data were analyzed through analysis of variance (ANOVA), and treatment means were compared using Tukey’s test at the 5 % significance level with InfoStat software. Results: The application of phytohormones significantly improved the agronomic response of Cratylia argentea. Gibberellin enhanced germination, reduced seed mortality, and promoted the greatest plant height, whereas cytokinin increased the number of leaves and branches. The results demonstrate that these phytohormones constitute an effective alternative for optimizing the establishment, growth, and adaptation of this forage species. Conclusions: The application of phytohormones significantly improved the agronomic performance of Cratylia argentea. Gibberellin promoted germination, reduced mortality, and increased plant height, while cytokinin enhanced leaf production and branching. These findings indicate that phytohormones represent an effective agronomic strategy to improve the establishment and vegetative development of these forage species under subtropical conditions.
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Respuesta agronómica en los clones de cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) CCN-51 y EETP-800 a la aplicación de abonos verdes
(Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi (UTC). La Maná. Agronomía, 2026-11-04) Bravo Travez, Dora Stefania; Tipan Pillasagua, Josue Darlin; Luna Murillo, Ricardo Augusto
To evaluate the agronomic response of cacao clones (Theobroma cacao L.) CCN51 and EETP-800 associated with Mucuna pruriens and Tithonia diversifolia as green manures, due to their potential to improve the growth, productivity, and health of the crop. Methodology: The study was conducted between February and May 2026 at the Sacha Wiwa Experimental Center, Cotopaxi province, Ecuador. A completely randomized block design with six treatments and four replications was employed. The chemical characteristics of the soil, plant height, stem diameter, number of healthy and diseased ears, and total disease incidence were evaluated. Results: The application of green manures favored the vegetative and productive development of both clones. The treatment EETP-800 + Tithonia diversifolia showed the highest values of stem height and diameter, with 238.91 cm and 106.01 mm, respectively, at 930 days. Likewise, this treatment recorded the highest production of healthy ears. The incorporation of Mucuna pruriens reduced the total incidence of diseases to 7.67% in CCN-51 and 5.71% in EETP-800, compared to the control treatments. Conclusions: Green manures constituted a sustainable alternative to improve the growth and productivity of cocoa and contribute to the sanitary management of the crop, with Tithonia diversifolia standing out for productive development and Mucuna pruriens for reducing the incidence of diseases under Ecuadorian subtropical conditions.
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“Diseño de una ruta turística sostenible en los acantilados de la parroquia anconcito como estrategia de desarrollo socioeconómico local”
(Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi (UTC). La Maná. Turismo, 2026-10-26) Alescano Vera, Liz Jordana; Núñez Muñoz, José Luis
The objective of this research was to design a sustainable tourist route along the cliffs of the Anconcito parish, in the Gonzalo Chávez Uquilla neighborhood, as a strategy to strengthen local socioeconomic development. The proposal arose in response to the limited tourism potential of an area rich in natural, scenic, and cultural resources, including cliffs, beaches, viewpoints, palo santo forests, biodiversity, and a fishing heritage. However, deficiencies were identified in infrastructure, signage, safety, accessibility, promotion, and tourism organization—factors that hinder safe visits and reduce opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, and community participation. The study was conducted using a mixed- methods approach, combining literature review and field research. To gather information, surveys, interviews, and direct observation were used, along with site visits, photographic documentation, and the identification of tourism resources. The study population consisted of 200 residents and 150 visitors; based on sample calculations, 132 residents and 108 tourists were surveyed. The results showed that 85.6% of residents and 84.3% of visitors recognized the area’s tourism potential. Furthermore, 90.8% of residents believed the proposal would promote local socioeconomic development, and 89.81% of visitors indicated that it would help strengthen tourism in the parish. Interest was identified in hiking, photography, marine wildlife observation, and environmental interpretation. As a result, the “Anconcito Cliffs Trail” Sustainable Tourism Route Guide was developed, designed as a technical tool to organize the route and guide its implementation. The proposed route is 2.5 kilometers long, takes one hour and forty minutes to complete, and has a low to moderate level of difficulty. It includes the Gonzalo Chávez Uquilla neighborhood, the cliffs, Punta Culebra Beach, a coastal overlook, and the Palo Santo Forest. The guide includes a map, itinerary, points of interest, visitor guidelines, signage, safety measures, environmental conservation information, and complementary services. In conclusion, the route represents a viable alternative for diversifying Anconcito’s tourism offerings, conserving its resources, strengthening community identity, and generating economic opportunities. Its implementation should be planned, gradual, and participatory, with coordination among the community, authorities, and service providers.
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“Análisis del potencial turístico de las termas de Yanayacu en la comunidad de Sarahuasi provincia de Cotopaxi”
(Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi (UTC). La Maná. Turismo, 2026-10-26) Avila Martinez, Wendy Jhussely; Núñez Muñoz, José Luis
This research study focuses on analyzing the tourism potential of the Yanayacu Hot Springs in the community of Sarahuasi, Chugchilán parish, Sighs canton, through a comprehensive assessment of their surroundings, with the aim of establishing a baseline to support future sustainable tourism development initiatives in the area. The research project was conducted using a mixed-methods approach that combined qualitative methodologies with quantitative tools, which made it possible to document the current conditions of the hot springs in terms of infrastructure, accessibility, services, and activities in the surrounding area, extending to the community itself. Inventories were compiled based on primary data collection, detailing the description, classification, and assessment of the site’s cultural and ecological heritage. This resulted in a score of 21 points for the Yanayacu hot springs and 23 points for the Sarahuasi blackberry cultivation, placing them at Hierarchy Level I. In addition, based on this record, 22 animal species and 35 plant varieties representative of the territory were identified. The inductive method consolidated the results matrix from 118 surveys on interest in the destination and community members’ views on the subject. Data analysis revealed that 55.08% and 54.24% of respondents agreed that the hot springs possess the natural attributes to contribute to tourism development within the region; 61.02% also expressed an intention to return and repeat the experience despite the observed limitations. However, despite the area’s natural wealth and the hot springs’ outstanding attributes, there are still challenges related to road connectivity, preventive tourist signage, and basic infrastructure needed to provide services to visitors. Finally, the project team produced a 23-page informational brochure in an accessible, easy-to-understand format, featuring relevant visual and explanatory resources derived from research on the subject of study; this serves as a tool to support future tourism promotion efforts.
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Análisis semiótico de la obra Los empedrados de la sangre de Carlos Luis Ortiz Moyano
(Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi (UTC). Pujilií. Pedagogía de la Lengua y Literatura, 2026-10-22) Castro Salguero, Valeria Nayeli; Romero Obando, Milton Fernando
Contemporary Ecuadorian literature has developed new forms of symbolic representation within poetic discourse, incorporating elements related to memory, identity, and human experience through the use of complex metaphors. Within this context, the present research focuses on the poetry collection Los empedrados de la sangre by the Ecuadorian poet Carlos Luis Ortiz Moyano. The main objective was to analyze the myth of blood within the work through a semiotic study of metaphorical discourse based on Paul Ricoeur's theory of living metaphor. The research was theoretically grounded in Ricoeur's hermeneutic postulates, allowing us to interpret metaphors as symbolic structures that generate meaning. Methodologically, a qualitative, interpretive approach was employed, organizing the analysis around four thematic axes related to blood as a symbol of identity, cultural memory, symbolic violence, and ancestral continuity. The results showed that blood constitutes the central symbolic core of the poetry collection, articulating metaphors related to the body, stone, territory, and family heritage. In conclusion, the metaphor of blood functions as a hermeneutic structure capable of transforming human experience into a profoundly symbolic and cultural poetic discourse