Morphology and Organic Compounds in ‘Cacho de Toro’ Potato: a Comparative Study between Aeroponics and Soil

Medrano-Quispecahuana K.S.; Sierra-Taipe F.L.; Sarmiento-Casavilca V.H.; Chaquilla-Quilca G. · International Journal of Agriculture and Biosciences (2026) · DOI: 10.47278/journal.ijab/2026.050

Resumen

This study evaluates the development of pre-basic seed tubers from the native Peruvian potato variety Solanum tuberosum L. ‘Cacho de Toro’. The experiment was conducted under a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications, in a factorial arrangement of two cultivation systems (aeroponics and soil) and three harvest times (158, 187, and 201 days after transplantation). The research was carried out in a controlled greenhouse environment measuring 6.0x4.3x4.5m. Data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and mean separation was performed with Tuke´s test (P<0.05). The variables analyzed included morphological parameters (plant height, stem thickness, polar and equatorial diameter, tuber weight, yield), physicochemical traits (moisture content, ash content, acidity, pH), colorimetric attributes (pulp and skin coloration), and bioactive compounds (total polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity, evaluated using DPPH and ABTS assays). The results indicated enhanced vegetative growth in the aeroponic system. However, the most favorable morphological values were observed in the soil-based system at 187 days, with a polar diameter of 3.86cm, an equatorial diameter of 2.16cm, and a tuber weight of 8.92g. The aeroponic cultivation demonstrated significantly higher productivity, with peak moisture (90.38%), ash content (13.37%). In contrast, the highest pH (6.35) was observed in the soil at 187 days. The maximum titratable acidity (0.42 g ascorbic acid/100g of sample) was observed in the soil system during the same period. Colorimetry results for both systems showed dark, reddish, and yellowish hues. The highest concentration of polyphenols (557.89 mg GAE/100g dry basis) was found at 187 days, in correlation with the antioxidant activity (DPPH: 56.59%; ABTS: 29.64% inhibition) in the aeroponic system at the same time point. The findings confirm that the aeroponic system enhances the production of secondary metabolites and improves productive parameters compared to soil-based cultivation.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Micaela Bastidas de Apurímac