Prevención y control de contaminación de recursos hídricos en la Mancomunidad del Chocó Andino: alternativas de manejo y uso de agroquímicos para la producción sustentable de naranjilla en la parroquia de Nanegalito.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to learn about the agricultural practices in the production of naranjilla in a farm located in the Nanegalito´s parish, as a case of study, in order to evaluate their environmental impacts and make proposals for a sustainable management of the products used. For this purpose, and as part of a context analysis, the characteristics of the waterscape were determined using the observation technique. The type of vegetation, water flow, elements and characteristics present at the bottom and surface of the water body, uses and activities in its environment were recorded at a bridge accessible to the Alambi River in that parish, for the analysis. In the naranjilla crop, located in the La Armenia zone, information was collected through questions related to the processes and use of products. Information was obtained on the agronomic management applied from planting to harvesting of naranjilla and phytosanitary control. The labels on empty agrochemical containers and information provided by agrochemical distribution centers made it possible to learn about the active ingredients of the agrochemicals and their toxicological characteristics. The environmental aspects were identified for each cultivation process and were used to evaluate the impacts using the Conesa-Simplified matrix, which assigns the level of importance of the impacts in order to prioritize the intervention. Based on this, practices aimed at reducing impacts and moving towards sustainable agriculture were proposed. In the case of study, it is not yet possible to dispense with the use of agrochemicals due to the high susceptibility of the crop to pests and diseases. Integrated pest management and chemical control alternatives based on pesticide rotation and selection with knowledge of their active ingredients were proposed. A protocol was prepared containing the steps to be followed to replicate in the future to determine characteristics of the landscape and a summary of practices towards sustainable production of naranjilla, which was socialized with the farmer in a virtual way. It was concluded that the variability of landscape characteristics can alert us to possible effects on the general environment and that is a relationship with the environmental impacts determined with the case study. Eight moderate impacts and one severe impact were determined, related to the contamination of soil resources. Finally, the proposals suggested for naranjilla crop practices involve prevention and agrochemical substitution.