Abstract Introduction. Paraguay is the sixth largest producer and third largest exporter of soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) in the world and this crop is the most important socio-economic crop in the country. However, its productivity can be adversely affected by diseases caused by phytopathogenic fungi. In addition, phytosanitary information on soybean cultivation in Paraguay is limited. Objective. To understand farmers’ perceptions of the main soybean diseases and their management. Materials and methods. Between April and May 2022, a questionnaire in Google Forms format with open and closed-ended multiple-choice questions, was applied to 45 soybean producers aged between 30 and 50 years, who cultivate in areas between 200 to 1000 ha in the departments of Alto Paraná, Itapúa, and Caaguazú in Paraguay. Results. Among the respondents, 56% considered Asian soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) as the most significant phytosanitary problem associated with soybean cultivation, followed by late-season diseases (LSD) such as brown spot (Septoria glycines) and frogeye leaf spot (Cercospora kikuchii). Respondents indicated taht they use three to four fungicide applications as a disease control measure, with their choice based on the type of product formulation. A majority of respondents noted that both the cost and frequency of applications increased over time. Additionally, 53% mentioned that biological fungicides are a viable alternative for integrated disease management. Conclusion. The responses obtained in this research allowed obtaining the perception of disease management tactics of soybean producers in Paraguay, underscoring the significance of Asian soybean rust and late-season diseases. However, there is a need for further research that can explore all aspects of pathogen management.

Resumen Introducción. Paraguay es el sexto productor y tercer exportador mundial de soja (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), este cultivo es el de mayor importancia socioeconómica en el país. Sin embargo, su productividad puede verse afectada por enfermedades causadas por hongos fitopatógenos. Además, la información fitosanitaria sobre el cultivo de soja en Paraguay es limitada. Objetivo. Comprender la percepción de agricultores sobre las principales enfermedades de la soja y su manejo. Materiales y Métodos. Entre abril y mayo de 2022, se aplicó un cuestionario en formato de formularios de Google con preguntas abiertas y cerradas de selección múltiple a 45 productores de soja de entre 30 y 50 años, quienes cultivan en superficies de entre 200 y 1000 ha en los departamentos de Alto Paraná, Itapúa y Caaguazú en Paraguay. Resultados. El 56 % de los encuestados consideró que el mayor problema fitosanitario asociado al cultivo es la roya asiática de la soja (RAS) (Phakopsora pachyrhizi), seguida por las enfermedades de final de ciclo (EFC), como la mancha marrón (Septoria glycines) y mancha ojo de rana (Cercospora kikuchii). Los entrevistados indicaron que utilizan de tres a cuatro aplicaciones de fungicidas como medida de control de enfermedades, su elección fue basada en el tipo de formulación de los productos. En su mayoría, los entrevistados señalaron que el costo y la cantidad de aplicaciones aumentó con el transcurso del tiempo. El 53 % mencionó que los fungicidas biológicos son una buena alternativa para el manejo integrado de enfermedades. Conclusión. Las respuestas obtenidas en esta investigación permitieron obtener la percepción de las tácticas de manejo de enfermedades de los productores de soja en Paraguay, lo que resaltó la importancia de la RAS y las EFC. No obstante, resulta necesario que se realicen más investigaciones que puedan explorar todos los aspectos del manejo de los patógenos.

Resumen: La yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) es una hierba ampliamente consumida que se originó en Paraguay, pero que crece en la región entre el sur de Brasil, el norte de Argentina, Paraguay y Uruguay. Se informa que la planta posee múltiples propiedades medicinales que hacen que la yerba mate sea popular para el consumo en esta región. Actualmente también se considera un producto nutracéutico y un alimento funcional que es consumido en diferentes países del mundo. En medicina popular, se ha reportado científicamente que posee múltiples propiedades. Treinta y nueve marcas de muestras de yerba mate se analizaron mediante placas de dilución en serie y se incubaron a 25°C durante 5 días se determinó la incidencia fúngica. De las 39 muestras analizadas, el 15,4% estuvieron libres de la presencia de hongos y levaduras. El 84,6% restante presentó contaminación con incidencias variables de Aspergillus. Se observó la presencia de Aspergillus secciones nigri, flavi, circumdati, fumigati, wentii, usti, versicolor y Emericella nidulans, siendo la prevalente Aspergillus sección nigri, representando el 65,3%. Teniendo en cuenta los riesgos a la salud asociados con estos hongos, es importante considerar la formulación de regulaciones con respecto al tamaño de las partículas y la presencia de ocratoxinas y aflatoxinas en los productos comerciales de yerba mate.

Abstract: Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is a widely consumed herb which originated in Paraguay but grows widely in the region between Southern Brazil, Northern Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The plant is reported to possess multiple medicinal properties which makes yerba mate popular for consumption as tea in this region. It is also being considered as a nutraceutical product and a functional food consumed in different countries around the world. In popular medicine, and it has been scientifically reported to possess multiple properties. Thirty-nine brands of yerba mate samples were analyzed by serial dilution plates. and incubated at 25 ° C for 5 days. Based on their morphological characteristics, the fungal incidence and the number of colonies forming units were determined. Of the 39 samples analyzed, 15.4% were free from the presence of fungi and yeasts. The remaining 84.6% of the samples were contaminated with variable contents of the fungi Aspergillus. The presence of Aspergillus sections nigri, flavi, circumdati, fumigati, wentii, usti, versicolor and Emericella nidulans was observed the most prevalent among them was Aspergillus section nigri, representing 65.3%. Considering the health risks associated with these fungi, it is important to consider formulating regulations regarding the particle size and the presence of ochratoxins and aflatoxins in commercial yerba mate products.

Abstract In Paraguay, the production, commercialization, and use of Cannabis are regulated. Medicinal use was authorized in 2017 by Law 6007/2017. As for Cannabis for recreational use, Law 1340 /1988 is still in force where the amount allowed for personal use, prohibitions, and punishments in case of law violations are specified. In the present study, we survey the general public's opinion about the use and legalization of Cannabis and subsequently analyzed the national legislation in force. We found that a large percentage of respondents favored the medicinal use of Cannabis while, regarding recreational use, opinions were balanced both for and against it.

Resumen En Paraguay, la producción, comercialización y utilización del Cannabis están reguladas. El uso medicinal ha sido autorizado en el año 2017 por la Ley 6007/2017. En cuanto al Cannabis de uso recreativo, sigue vigente la Ley 1340/1988 en donde se especifica la cantidad permitida para la utilización personal, las prohibiciones y las sanciones en caso de violaciones de la ley. En el presente estudio se realizó una consulta, vía formulario electrónico, sobre la opinión del público en general acerca del uso y legalización del Cannabis y posteriormente se analizó la legislación nacional vigente. Hemos encontrado que un gran porcentaje de los encuestados se mostraron a favor del uso medicinal del Cannabis mientras que, en lo que respecta al uso recreativo, las opiniones se equilibran tanto a favor como en contra.

Abstract Corn is one of the most important economic, social and cultural agricultural products in Paraguay, being the main ingredient of several typical foods. Due to the cross-pollination of this plant, it can be contaminated with transgenic maize pollen found in nearby fields. The general objective of this research was to evaluate the presence of transgenic sequences in corn grains marketed in the Departments of Itapúa, Alto Paraná and Canindeyú for the preparation of flour for human consumption. We studied 18 samples of corn kernels marketed for the preparation of flour from the Departments of Itapúa, Alto Paraná and Canindeyú. The DNA was extracted using the Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB) protocol. For the detection of the transgenic sequences, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was used. The bands were analyzed visually and using the ImageJ program. The results showed the presence of 5 positive samples for the P-35S-CaMv promoter and 5 samples for the T-nos terminator, none of them presented both sequences sought in the same construction; this indicates that 10 of 18 samples were contaminated with transgenic sequences. These findings show that transgenic products are available in Paraguayan local markets without consumers being aware of this situation.