Nutritional and ethnobotanical characterization of unconventional forages for guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) production systems in the high-Andean tropics

Nutritional and ethnobotanical characterization of unconventional forages for guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) production systems in the high-Andean tropics | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Nutritional and ethnobotanical characterization of unconventional forages for guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) production systems in the high-Andean tropics Pedro Bacca–Acosta, José Benavides, Roberto Argoti–Erazo, Edwin Castro–Rincón, and 2 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9152946/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 4 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Guinea pig ( Cavia porcellus ) production represents a key strategy for food security in rural households in the high-Andean region of southern Colombia. However, the sustainability of these production systems is limited by rising dependence on commercial feeds and the loss of traditional knowledge regarding local forage use. This study aimed to characterize the nutritional and ethnobotanical properties of unconventional forages used in guinea pig production systems in the high-Andean tropics. The methodological approach integrated participatory surveys, guided farm recognition, and collective knowledge dialogues to document plant use and management practices. Nutritional composition was assessed using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), and compositional variables were analyzed through Principal Component Analysis and hierarchical clustering. A total of 24 forage species from different taxonomic families were identified. Species were grouped by their feeding role and associated with medicinal, human food, soil protection, ornamental, and repellent functions, highlighting their multifunctional value within smallholder systems. Nutritional analysis revealed substantial variability in protein content, structural fiber fractions, mineral composition, and digestibility indicators. Multivariate analysis identified four nutritional forage groups: Group 1 protein–mineral dense forages potentially relevant for growth and reproduction; Group 2 structurally fibrous forages associated with cecal fermentation processes; Group 3 high-moisture forages with intermediate nutritional contribution and complementary bulking function; and Group 4 intermediate-value basal forages. The integration of ethnobotanical knowledge with nutritional evaluation demonstrates that local forage biodiversity constitutes a strategic resource to diversify diets, improve feeding efficiency, reduce reliance on external inputs, and enhance the sustainability of guinea pig production systems in high-Andean tropics in Colombia. Cavia porcellus Nutritional analysis Ethnobotany Agroecology High-Andean tropic Food sovereignty Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Introduction Guinea pig ( Cavia porcellus ) meat production represents a strategic productive activity across the Andean region of South America, particularly in Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Colombia. Due to its short reproductive cycle, efficient feed conversion, and adaptability to smallholder systems, this species constitutes a key resource for meat production in family-based farming systems (Cardona Iglesias et al., 2021 ; Pinchao-Pinchao et al., 2024 ). Guinea pig production, predominantly managed by rural women under small-scale schemes, represents a culturally and economically significant livestock activity in the Andean regions of Colombia and an important source of income for smallholder families, often integrated into diversified agroecosystems that combine traditional husbandry with subsistence agriculture (Vallejo-Timaran et al., 2026). It plays a central role in food and nutritional security by providing direct access to high-quality animal protein while generating complementary income opportunities (Álvarez-Sánchez et al., 2025 ; Forero et al., 2023 ). The Andean guinea pig population is estimated at approximately 36 million animals, with Colombia accounting for nearly 2.7 million, of which more than 90% are in the department of Nariño (DANE, 2015). In this region alone, production is sustained by nearly 30,000 peasant and Indigenous households, underscoring its socioeconomic and cultural relevance (Forero et al., 2023 ). Over the past decade, guinea pig production systems have undergone significant transformation, driven by the incorporation of improved breeds and the increasing reliance on commercial supplements as the dietary base. Feed costs represent between 60% and 70% of total production for intensified systems; however, within smallholder systems, dependence on external inputs may absorb up to 40% of net household income, increasing economic vulnerability (Beltrán-Mesías & Revelo-Salgado, 2025 ; Hinojosa-Benavides et al., 2022 ; Guamán et al., 2024 ). From a digestive physiology perspective, guinea pigs are hindgut-fermenting monogastric herbivores whose nutritional efficiency depends on the balance between structural fiber, fermentable protein, and soluble carbohydrates. Adequate provision of neutral detergent fiber supports cecal fermentation and cecotrophy, which enhance microbial protein utilization and nutrient recycling. As hindgut fermenters, guinea pigs depend on short-chain fatty acids from enteric fermentation to cover 30–40% of their maintenance energy requirements, and their cecal microflora is better adapted to plant polysaccharide substrates than to animal protein sources (Tsukahara & Ushida, 2000 ). Excessive lignification may reduce digestibility and voluntary feed intake, compromising productive performance and growth efficiency (Sánchez-Macías et al., 2018 ; Harkness & Wagner, 2010 ; National Research Council [NRC], 1995). In addition, the growing dependence on commercial feeds increases the erosion of traditional ecological knowledge related to the identification, management, and use of locally available forage plants, threatening functional agrobiodiversity and reducing household productive autonomy (Cardona Iglesias et al., 2021 ; Castañeda et al., 2014 ). Reporting ethnobotanical knowledge associated with forage resources is essential, both for cultural preservation and for strengthening sustainable resource management strategies in high-Andean agroecosystems (Castañeda et al., 2014 ; Tello-Ceron & Flores Pimentel, 2025 ). Despite its relevance, the nutritional potential of unconventional forage species remains poorly explored, particularly regarding their compositional value, functional dietary roles, and implications for productive performance. This study aimed to conduct a nutritional and ethnobotanical characterization of unconventional forages for guinea pig production systems in the high-Andean tropics. This work seeks to provide a scientific foundation for the development of diversified, sustainable feeding strategies adapted to guinea pig production systems in the high-Andean tropics. Materials and methods Study design An observational cross-sectional study with a participatory approach for the selection of unconventional forage species for guinea pig meat production was designed. The study was carried out from February to October 2025 in smallholder farms located in the Nariño region, southwestern Colombia (Fig. 1 ), the country’s main guinea pig-producing area. Farm selection and sampling Two locations representative of guinea pig production with contrasting environmental conditions were selected. The first site was the Temperate High-Altitude area (Nariño municipality), located at 2400 m above sea level, with a temperate climate with average temperatures ranging from 13 to 19°C. The second site was the Cold High-Altitude area (Pasto municipality), at 2900 m above sea level, with cold climatic conditions, temperatures ranging from 8 to 14°C, and high relative humidity (IDEAM, 2018). For the forage selection through a participatory process, a focus group sampling strategy using snowball recruitment was implemented (Fowler et al., 2025 ). The participant groups were women smallholders of guinea pig meat (n = 8) from a high-altitude temperate area and Indigenous Quillacinga women smallholders of guinea pig meat (n = 10) from a high-altitude cold area. All participants managed active guinea pig production units and had at least 15 years of husbandry experience. Participation was voluntary following prior informed consent procedures, ensuring confidentiality and ethical recognition of traditional knowledge. Collection of nutritional and ethnobotanical forage information The methodology was grounded in a participatory approach focused on the recognition and systematization of local knowledge through an ethnobotanical framework (Castañeda et al., 2014 ; Tello-Cerón & Flores Pimentel, 2025). The research process was structured into two complementary stages. In the first stage, guided tours were conducted on each of the properties to identify the production system, with an emphasis on the plants used to feed guinea pigs. Each tour was led by the producer involved in the study, who explained the common names of the species, their uses, and the practices associated with their management. Simultaneously, botanical samples of the species were collected, which were subsequently preserved and taxonomically described in a herbarium. The second stage consisted of collective dialogues in each focus group aimed at exploring in greater depth the uses assigned to the identified species. For this purpose, a classification system was developed jointly by the technical team and the producers, defining six categories that complement the use of forage in guinea pig feed: 1) Human Consumption (HC): associated with species used for culinary purposes; 2) Ornamental (OR): plants with showy flowers or foliage used decoratively; 3) Medicinal (MD): species with medicinal properties for guinea pigs, such as anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, and antidiarrheal properties; 4) Soil Protection (SP): an attribute associated with soil cover to prevent erosion on the property; 5) Repellent (RP): plants with a strong fragrance, used to control external parasites in guinea pigs, such as mosquitoes, lice, or mites; and 6) Ecosystem Service (ES): plants that promote the conservation and regulation of water resources, as well as the diversity of flora and fauna on the property. For the nutritional analysis of forage species, leaves and stems from the middle third of each plant were manually collected for nutritional analysis. Samples were individually collected, placed in a greenhouse, and oven-dried under forced ventilation at controlled temperature (60°C) for 72 h until constant weight. The forage composition was determined in the laboratories of the Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation (AGROSAVIA) using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). The equipment was calibrated using validated equations for tropical forages following standard proximate analysis protocols (Molano et al., 2016 ). The variables evaluated were dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), lignin (LIG), total digestible nutrients (TDN), dry matter digestibility (DMD), ether extract (EE), and ash (A), estimated as a percentage. Gross energy (GE), expressed in megacalories (Mcal), was also evaluated. Statistical analysis Descriptive statistics were used for taxonomic and ethnobotanical characterization. Nutritional profiles were analyzed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering. Bromatological variables were standardized before analysis (mean = 0; SD = 1). Squared Euclidean distance and Ward’s linkage method were applied. Cluster interpretation was performed using value-test comparisons against global means. All analyses were conducted in R software (v. 4.1.2) using factoextra, FactoMineR, and agricolae packages. Results Forage species for Guinea Pig feeding Results show a family-scale guinea pig production system with an average of 30–50 animals per production unit. These are managed in spaces adjacent to the house, mainly in wooden or metal cages (Fig. 2 ). Participants indicated that production is primarily geared towards self-consumption, supplemented by occasional sales as a secondary income-generating strategy. Feeding is primarily based on cut grass established on the property and forages available in the immediate surroundings, supplemented sporadically with commercial concentrate. Through the participatory process and ethnobotanical tours, 24 non-conventional forage species belonging to 15 botanical families were identified for use in guinea pigs' feeding. This set of species constitutes a diverse plant assemblage, demonstrating an intentional management of diversity within the farm system (Table 1 ). Complementary uses were frequently assigned to the recorded species: 75% were reported as medicinal, 50% for human consumption, 33% as ornamental, 20% as repellent, and 25% as related to soil protection and/or ecosystem services (Table 1 ). Table 1 Taxonomic classification, use, and bromatological evaluation of non-conventional forages (n = 24) supplied to guinea pigs on small-scale farms in temperate high-altitude and cold high-altitude study areas from Pasto, Nariño Region, southwest of Colombia. Scientific Name Common Name Order Family UC DM CP AZ EE NDF ADF LIG TDN SC Ca P Mg Acroceras zizanioides Vetiver Poales Poaceae SP 15,6 14,6 3,0 54,2 31,6 6,7 56,6 8,3 0,4 0,3 0,3 Ambrosia arborescens Altamisa Asterales Asteraceae MD 28,1 25,8 16,3 2,7 49,3 29,5 6,3 64,8 6,3 0,9 0,4 0,6 Anethum graveolens Eneldo Apiales Apiaceae MD/HC 17,8 22,8 11,9 2,3 40,2 21,3 5,1 65,0 13,4 0,9 0,3 0,3 Baccharis latifolia Chilca Asterales Asteraceae MD/SE 33,0 23,6 12,5 3,4 40,3 30,2 7,2 62,9 8,6 1,3 0,3 0,5 Lapsana communis Navillo Brassicales Brassicaceae SP/HC 20,8 17,4 11,7 2,9 44,3 26,9 4,9 59,3 14,6 0,8 0,3 0,4 Canna indica Achira Zingiberales Cannaceae MD/OR/HC 20,8 19,0 15,2 2,0 50,8 25,5 6,8 60,9 9,1 1,1 0,3 0,3 Chamaemelum nobile Manzanilla Asterales Asteraceae MD/HC 19,7 15,6 12,2 2,6 39,9 24,7 4,8 58,6 14,0 0,8 0,3 0,4 Cyperus polystachyos Pasto de perro Poales Cyperaceae MD/SP 20,8 16,4 12,1 2,1 58,9 32,4 7,5 57,0 6,7 0,2 0,3 0,2 Dysphania ambrosioides Paico Caryophyllales Amaranthaceae MD/RP/HC 23,3 25,8 18,0 1,5 42,6 24,7 6,0 66,1 6,2 1,9 0,3 0,6 Heliconia rostrata Platanillo Zingiberales Heliconiaceae MD/OR 21,4 17,2 12,8 2,1 42,4 23,1 5,8 60,3 13,1 1,2 0,3 0,3 Lathyrus odoratus Alverjilla Fabales Fabaceae MD/HC 16,8 22,4 11,6 2,3 50,2 27,3 6,2 62,9 7,9 0,6 0,3 0,3 Cyclanthera pedata Chauchilla Cucurbitales Cucurbitaceae OR/MD 18,8 17,9 12,4 4,1 39,4 19,1 3,4 62,0 15,6 0,8 0,3 0,3 Medicago sativa Alfalfa Fabales Fabaceae MD 21,5 22,4 11,7 2,5 40,8 21,8 4,5 64,5 12,1 0,9 0,3 0,3 Oxalis megalorrhiza Vinagrera Oxalidales Oxalidaceae MD/HC 16,9 22,1 12,4 3,6 48,5 25,3 4,5 63,3 9,0 0,5 0,3 0,5 Oxalis corniculata Trébol morado Oxalidales Oxalidaceae MD/HC 23,2 17,6 10,0 1,9 43,9 23,1 4,6 60,6 12,5 1,0 0,2 0,3 Tagetes elliptica Gallinazo Asterales Asteraceae RP/HC/MD 21,7 21,8 11,9 2,9 38,4 21,4 4,3 64,2 13,4 0,8 0,3 0,4 Rumex acetosella Lenguilla Caryophyllales Polygonaceae MD/HC 27,3 15,4 8,8 2,1 67,4 30,2 6,8 56,9 10,1 0,0 0,2 0,4 Minthostachys mollis Tipo Lamiales Lamiaceae MD/SP 35,7 12,7 10,4 2,7 44,8 26,8 6,2 55,9 10,2 1,0 0,1 0,3 Hymenostephium quitensis Sarapanga Asterales Asteraceae OR/ES 25,7 21,7 17,2 1,7 51,4 30,6 7,6 61,4 8,4 1,2 0,4 0,6 Solanum nigrum Hierbamora Solanales Solanaceae RP/MD 20,3 23,3 12,7 3,3 40,1 23,8 4,7 64,6 13,0 0,9 0,3 0,4 Sonchus oleraceus Canayuyo Asterales Asteraceae MD/HC 18,3 15,4 11,8 3,0 44,6 25,7 4,7 58,2 16,2 0,8 0,3 0,3 Sorghum halepense Maicillo Poales Poaceae SP 13,6 18,4 13,7 3,3 51,3 26,8 5,0 60,1 10,5 0,8 0,3 0,4 Taraxacum officinale Diente de león Asterales Asteraceae MD/HC 16,1 20,9 14,3 2,9 33,7 22,0 3,0 63,3 17,4 1,0 0,3 0,4 Geum urbanum Valeriana Rosales Rosaceae MD/HC 25,3 15,9 8,5 1,5 41,6 17,8 5,4 60,8 16,0 0,5 0,3 0,2 Growing Guinea Pig Nutritional Requirements (NRC, 1995) 88 17 8 3 20 14 5 63 10 0,9 0,5 0,25 Pregnant Guinea Pig Nutritional Requirements (NRC, 1995) 88 18 9 3,5 22 16 6 64 11 1,1 0,6 0,3 Lactation Guinea Pig Nutritional Requirements (NRC, 1995) 88 19 10 4 22 16 6 67 12 1,3 0,7 0,35 Male Guinea Pig Nutritional Requirements (NRC, 1995) 88 15 8 2,5 24 18 6 60 11 0,8 0,5 0,25 CU= Complementary Use; HC=Human Consumption; OR=Ornamental; MD=Medicinal; SP=Soil Protection; RP=Repellent; ES=Ecosystem Service; DM = Dry Matter (%); CP=Crude Protein (%); AZ = Ash (%); EE=Ether Extract (%); NDF=Neutral detergent fiber (%). ADF=Acid detergent fiber (%). LIG=Lignin (%). TDN= Total digestible nutrients (%). SC=Structural carbohydrates (%). Ca=Calcium (%). P=Phosphorus (%). Mg=Magnesium (%). The Asteraceae family was the most represented, accounting for 25% of the recorded species, followed by Fabaceae and Polygonaceae. The participatory knowledge exchange process revealed that approximately 60% of the species within these families were assigned dual functions, reflecting their multifunctional role within smallholder production systems. Several species in the families Poaceae and Fabaceae contributed substantially to the forage base of guinea pig diets, underscoring their importance as commonly available feed resources in the region. In contrast, species from Oxalidaceae were more frequently associated with sanitary management practices or used during periods of limited forage availability, particularly during the dry season (Table 1 ). The remaining eleven taxonomic families were reported as complementary forage resources that contribute to dietary diversification and provide additional functions within the farm system (Table 1 ). Nutritional analysis of forage species Nutritional characterization revealed marked variability in the proximate profile of the forages, reflecting substantial differences in their potential use within feeding systems (Table 1 ). Multivariate analysis allowed the synthesis of the combined variability of the proximate characteristics and the evaluated species into three components, which collectively accounted for 88.7% of the total inertia. In this regard, the first principal component (PC1) was mainly associated with variables linked to nutritional value, showing positive contributions from crude protein (CP), ash (AZ), total digestible nutrients (TDN), and the minerals calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and magnesium (Mg) (Table 2 ). The second principal component (PC2) was associated with the fibrous characteristics of the species (Table 2 ). In this component, Lignin (LIG), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) showed a high and positive contribution, reflecting their importance in explaining the structural characteristics of the plant material. The third principal component (PC3) was mainly influenced by dry matter (DM) and calcium (Ca) (Table 2 ). Table 2 Main Components of Principal Component Analysis of non-conventional forages (n = 24) supplied to guinea pigs on small-scale farms in study areas, high altitude and high cold pasture temperate, Nariño Region, southwest of Colombia. Variable PC1 PC2 PC3 Dry matter (DM) -0,62 21,21 43,32 Crude protein (CP) 83,69 0,01 -0,67 Ash (AZ) 57,82 10,19 -0,72 Ether extract (EE) 0,04 -12,22 -29,42 Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) -13,54 63,42 -10,15 Acid detergent fiber (ADF) -0,35 79,93 -5,81 Lignin (LIG) -0,14 86,61 3,26 Total digestible nutrients (TDN) 72,05 -11,57 0,03 Structural carbohydrates (SC) -8,41 -74,77 0,32 Calcium (Ca) 44,65 -1,75 34,02 Phosphorus (P) 54,94 0,96 -18,71 Magnesium (Mg) 62,11 8,78 0,19 Eigenvalue 3,98 3,71 1,49 Variance (%) 37,2 35,0 16,5 Cumulative variance (%) 37,2 72,2 88,7 After hierarchical cluster analysis, four distinct nutritional groups were identified based on bromatological profiles (Fig. 3 – Table 3 ). G1 ( A. peruviana, B. latifolia, D. ambrosioides , and S. stellulata ) was characterized by significantly higher crude protein and ash values ​​compared to the global average, as well as higher mineral concentrations, particularly Mg and Ca. G2 ( A. zizanioides , C. polystachyos , R. acetosella , and S. dulciscon) exhibited a markedly fibrous profile, characterized by high NDF and ADF values, along with higher lignin concentrations. This pattern was reflected in lower energy content and TDN values ​​below the global average. G3 ( C. indica , L. odoratus , O. medicaginea , and S. halepense ) was distinguished by having the lowest dry matter values, falling below the global average (22.01%). This group occupied an intermediate position in the multivariate space, indicating a balanced nutritional profile, but with high moisture content. G4 (the rest of the evaluated species) showed a profile characterized by high levels of structural carbohydrates and relatively high fiber values ​​(NDF and ADF), along with lower lignin concentrations. This group presented an intermediate nutritional composition, with TDN values ​​close to the global average, suggesting greater functional versatility as a forage base. Table 3 Description of non-conventional forages (n = 24) supplied to guinea pigs on small-scale farms in study areas, high altitude and high cold pasture temperate, Nariño Region, southwest of Colombia Variable Value-Test Group Average General Average Group 1 (n = 4) Magnesium (Mg) 3,84 0,57 0,37 Ash (AZ) 3,09 15,99 12,68 Crude Protein (CP) 2,85 24,19 19,45 Phosphorus (P) 2,77 0,36 0,29 Calcium (Ca) 2,61 1,31 0,84 Dry Matter (DM) 2,33 27,53 22,01 Lignin (LIG) 2,26 6,81 5,51 Structural Carbohydrates (SC) -2,65 7,36 11,36 Group 2 (n = 4) Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) 3,09 56,31 45,78 Acid detergent fiber (ADF) 2,65 30,25 25,48 Lignin (LIG) 2,24 6,79 5,51 Calcium (Ca) -2,54 0,41 0,84 Phosphorus (P) -2,63 0,23 0,29 Crude protein (CP) -2,65 15,02 19,45 Total digestible nutrients (TDN) -3,42 56,59 61,26 Group 3 (n = 4) Dry Matter (DM) -2,11 17,02 22,01 Group 4 (n = 12) Structural carbohydrates (SC) 4,26 14,29 11,36 Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) -3,31 40,76 45,78 Lignin (LIG) -3,53 4,59 5,51 Acid detergent fiber (ADF) -3,65 22,54 25,48 Discussion Forage diversity, management logic, and women’s knowledge The guinea pig production system analyzed in this study is consistent with reports from southern Colombia (Cardona Iglesias et al., 2021 ; Forero, Patiño, et al., 2023 ) and other Andean contexts in Peru (Pinchao-Pinchao et al., 2024 ) and Ecuador (Fowler et al., 2025 ; Guamán et al., 2024 ), where guinea pig farming is predominantly a family-based activity with a leading role for women, sustained by the use of a wide diversity of plant species and feeding practices often labeled as empirical. The dietary management in the evaluated farms is based on fresh forage supply using species widely distributed in the region, such as Holcus lanatus , Cenchrus clandestinus , Lolium sp., Axonopus scoparius , Trifolium repens , and Phalaris arundinacea , consistent with similar studies (Cardona Iglesias et al., 2021 ; Castañeda et al., 2014 ; Forero, Patiño, et al., 2023 ). In Andean regions, some authors emphasize problems in Guinea pig productive systems related to low levels of technological adoption and limited technical assistance, particularly in feeding, which translates into low productivity indicators (Guamán et al., 2024 ; Beltrán-Mesías & Revelo-Salgado, 2025 ). However, this interpretation should consider the sociocultural dimensions shaping this productive activity. Forero et al. ( 2023 ) argue that guinea pig keeping is a deeply rooted cultural practice in Andean peoples, where production and feeding decisions express territorial identity. From this perspective, dismissing “empirical” knowledge implies neglecting historically built expertise. In addition, women show a close relationship with plants, playing a central role in forage collection not only in cultivated plots but also in fallows, secondary vegetation, and wild areas, reflecting local ecological knowledge that guides dietary diversification (Forero, Patiño, et al., 2023 ; Tello-Ceron & Flores Pimentel, 2025 ; Ramirez-Santos et al., 2023 ). The main taxonomic families reported in this region match findings by Castañeda et al. ( 2014 ) and Tello-Ceron & Flores Pimentel ( 2025 ), who showed that Poaceae dominates as feed for small animals in high-Andean Peru, followed by Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Solanaceae. Among 50 species consumed by guinea pigs reported by Castañeda et al. ( 2014 ), we concur on native species such as Ambrosia arborescens , Baccharis latifolia , Oxalis megalorrhiza , Minthostachys mollis , and Sonchus oleraceus , each reported with both forage and medicinal uses. Tello-Ceron & Flores Pimentel ( 2025 ) also report traditional uses of Medicago sativa , Oxalis sp., Tagetes elliptica , and others. In Nariño, Cardona Iglesias et al. ( 2021 ) recorded more than 60 plant species used in guinea pig feeding; even if only the most frequently cited were reported, overlap in species such as Baccharis latifolia (“chilca”) highlights an underexplored floristic richness and its strong linkage to local agri-environmental contexts. Multiple uses are commonly assigned to a single plant. Medicinal use is particularly prominent and has recently been explored as a preventive health strategy, a way to reduce antibiotic use, and potentially as a growth-promoting approach in guinea pigs (Guamán et al., 2024 ; Tello-Ceron & Flores Pimentel, 2025 ). This plant diversity therefore emerges as a productive strategy through which farmers identify the specific benefits of each plant, recognize the optimal timing for supply, and observe its effects on animal behavior, health, and weight gain. An additional element emerging from the participatory process was the role of women’s experiential knowledge in regulating the amount and timing of forage supply. Producers reported that some plant species are offered only in small quantities or restricted to specific physiological stages of the animals, particularly during growth or lactation. These practical rules reflect accumulated empirical knowledge regarding palatability, digestive tolerance, and possible adverse effects associated with certain plants. Such decision rules represent a form of adaptive management that helps avoid digestive disturbances or mineral imbalances when using botanically diverse diets. Therefore, women’s knowledge not only identifies useful forage species but also regulates their safe incorporation into feeding practices. Nutritional variability and functional forage groups The nutritional characterization showed marked variability in forage profiles, reflecting substantial differences in their potential role within feeding schemes (Table 1 ). Mean crude protein was close to 20%, ranging from 12.7% ( S. dulcis ) to 25.81% ( A. peruviana ). Species from Asteraceae and Fabaceae stood out for higher protein levels, positioning them as alternatives to cover requirements linked to growth and production phases. Neutral detergent fiber averaged 45%, and acid detergent fiber averaged 25% (Table 1 ). Together with relatively low lignin (5–6%), these values suggest adequate digestibility and favorable conditions for cecal health in most forages. However, some species exceeded 50% NDF, which could be limited if supplied at high inclusion rates. Taraxacum officinale had the lowest NDF (33.7%), while Rumex acetosella reached 67.38% (Table 1 ). Lower fiber species were associated with greater digestibility and better utilization, whereas high-NDF species represent higher bulk and lower nutrient density, requiring balance. Total digestible nutrients were around 60%, and non-structural carbohydrate indicators were near 10% (Table 1 ). Yet the low ether extract (2–3%) suggests the need to complement diets with readily available energy sources during high-demand stages. The joint pattern of non-structural carbohydrates and lignin suggests differences in effective digestibility. Taraxacum officinale and C. pepo , for instance, showed low lignin (2.98–3.37%) and higher availability of non-structural carbohydrate fractions, making them relevant sources of rapidly available energy. In contrast, species with higher lignin showed limited digestibility even when crude protein was relatively high, restricting their use. Mineral contribution also varied widely; B. latifolia and H. rostrata showed high calcium (1.2–1.26%). A particularly important finding was the Ca:P imbalance in R. acetosella (approx. 0.04:1), which could interfere with mineral metabolism and bone health; thus, it should be used in small amounts and always mixed with other species (Table 1 ). The results reveal that non-conventional species such as A. peruviana (25.8% CP), D. ambrosioides (25.7% CP), and B. latifolia (23.5% CP) have higher crude protein levels than Medicago sativa (22.4% CP), the traditional standard. his finding suggests that knowledge associated with spontaneous vegetation may help identify locally available alternatives to partially replace high-cost protein sources and promote nitrogen balance (Hinojosa Benavides et al., 2022; Apráez & Gálvez, 2020; Benavides et al., 2022). The high nitrogen concentration suggests that these species could act as substitutes for expensive protein sources, promoting balance during critical stages (Benavides et al., 2022). This substitution strategy is reinforced by the use of poultry meals in gestation diets (NRC, 1995), indicating that protein reinforcement, whether plant-based or animal-based, is the cornerstone of productivity in C. porcellus . Regarding Non-Structural Carbohydrates (NSC) and Economic Sustainability, the high concentration of NSC in dandelions ( T. officinale , 17.3%) represents rapidly fermentable energy. In systems where commercial feed is expensive, utilizing these species and diverse forage mixtures (Tacuri-Lalbay et al., 2024) offers a way to reduce external dependence. Even the use of nutritional blocks with Amaratus Hibridus (Guamán et al., 2024 ) presents itself as a complementary innovation to ensure that the protein from local forages is used for tissue synthesis and not as an energy source, promoting resilient agroecological models in Temperate High-Altitude areas. On the other hand, nutritional limitations and the impact of secondary compounds are present. Despite the identified protein potential, the variability in the fiber fraction (NDF between 33.66% and 67.38%) indicates a significant physiological restriction. “Lenguilla” ( Rumex acetosella ), with an NDF of 67.3%, is above the maximum recommended limit for optimal digestibility in guinea pigs. According to the NCR (1995), excessive levels of lignified fiber can depress dry matter intake and energy efficiency. This digestibility challenge is what technologies like hydroponic green fodder (Castillo-Soto et al., 2015 ) attempt to address, offering a highly digestible fiber alternative to lignified terrestrial species. Furthermore, it is important to highlight the mineral imbalance and the presence of secondary compounds, which add another layer of complexity. While guinea pigs require a Ca:P ratio between 1.2:1 and 2:1, excessive use of Polygonaceae forages can induce calcium deficiencies due to the presence of oxalates (Pinchao Pinchao et al., 2024; Rahman et al., 2013). Non-ruminant animals such as guinea pigs are particularly sensitive to dietary oxalates because, unlike ruminants, they lack ruminal bacteria capable of degrading oxalic acid, meaning that high oxalate intake can precipitate insoluble calcium oxalate salts in the kidneys, leading to renal failure (Rahman et al., 2013; Holowaychuk, 2006 ). In addition, there is a negative correlation between total tannins and forage acceptance, as guinea pigs tend to reject astringent flavors (Bindelle et al., 2009 ). These metabolites, described by Apráez & Gálvez (2020), as plant defense mechanisms, act as limiting factors not only for palatability but also for protein utilization. It is important to consider that guinea pigs are hindgut fermenters; the balance between fermentable substrates, effective fiber, and passage rate modulates how much microbial protein and energy become available through cecal fermentation and cecotrophy. However, a suitable formulation that balances these limitations can enhance growth and carcass yield (Sánchez-Macías et al., 2018 ). This study proposes a preliminary decision-support framework for producers, directly impacting the family farming economy. Identifying local forages with superior nutritional profiles allows for a reduction in dependence on expensive concentrates, especially during stages where protein requirements are critical (Benavides et al., 2022). Animal response to the nutritional profile of non-conventional forages Guinea pigs are small hindgut fermenters with an enlarged cecum; cecotrophy allows them to recover microbial protein and vitamins, so diets must supply enough fermentable substrate and appropriate particle structure to sustain stable cecal fermentation (Sakaguchi et al., 2003). The information reported in Table 1 allows forage composition to be interpreted in relation to nutritional requirements across physiological stages, providing a preliminary framework for matching forage profiles with stage-specific dietary needs. The clustering suggests a protein–mineral dense group (useful for protein-demanding stages), a highly fibrous group (useful for effective fiber but limited by digestibility), high-moisture balanced profiles, and intermediate “basal” forages. For minerals, the NRC reports that 8 g Ca/kg and 4 g P/kg diet meet calcium and phosphorus requirements under the conditions reviewed, and highlights strong mineral interactions (NRC, 1995). The extreme Ca:P imbalance observed for R. acetosella in our dataset should be treated as a practical risk marker in diet design, particularly when that species is offered frequently or as a large proportion of the forage mix. For protein, NRC indicates that natural-ingredient diets supplying 18–20% crude protein can support reproduction and adult maintenance, even though pregnancy/lactation amino acid requirements are not fully established, supporting the use of protein-dense local forages as partial substitutes for commercial concentrates when formulated in mixtures (NRC, 1995). Digestibility trials in male guinea pigs fed fibrous ingredients show that nutritional value depends on the ingredient’s fiber quality and digestibility, reinforcing the need to interpret NDF/ADF/lignin as functional constraints rather than descriptive numbers (Bindelle et al., 2009 ; Castro-Bedriñana & Chirinos-Peinado, 2021 ; Alagón et al., 2024 ). The results suggest that locally available forages can strategically improve the traditional grass-based diet to enhance feed conversion and carcass outcomes (Guamán et al., 2024 ), expand plant availability during water scarcity (Guamán et al., 2024 ; Pinchao-Pinchao et al., 2024 ), and potentially influence organoleptic meat attributes (Guamán et al., 2024 ; Pinchao-Pinchao et al., 2024 ). For fattening diets, Table 1 supports two forage groups: (i) a basal forage platform ensuring intake and effective fiber, plus (ii) a controlled inclusion of protein–mineral dense forages to meet growth needs without overloading lignin or creating mineral imbalances. This approach is compatible with hindgut fermentation dynamics and directly targets the economic problem of commercial supplements reliance (Sakaguchi et al., 2003). However, high-NDF and high-lignin species may depress voluntary intake and usable energy in fast-growth phases if not diluted in mixtures (Bindelle et al., 2009 ). The PCA grouping can therefore be used as a practical reference to include non-conventional forages in the diet accompanied by a posterior in vivo digestibility and productive performance trials which define safe thresholds of these forages in the diet (Bindelle et al., 2009 ). Taken together, the multivariate statistical results provide support for producers’ empirical knowledge regarding forage selection and use (Fig. 3 ). Group 1 (G1) was characterized by higher crude protein and mineral concentrations, suggesting potential relevance for physiologically demanding stages such as growth and lactation. Group 2 (G2) showed a nutritional profile dominated by higher structural fiber fractions, indicating a potential role in supporting cecal fermentation and digestive regulation within forage-based diets (Tacuri-Lalbay et al., 2024). Regarding protein potential, the bromatological results revealed that several non-conventional species showed crude protein levels comparable to or higher than those of the traditional reference forage Medicago sativa (22.4% CP). For example, Ambrosia peruviana (25.8% CP), Dysphania ambrosioides (25.7% CP), and Baccharis latifolia (23.5% CP) showed high protein concentrations within the evaluated dataset. This finding is consistent with previous reports indicating that spontaneous vegetation in high-Andean agroecosystems can equal or surpass introduced forages in nutritional quality (Apráez Guerrero & Gálvez Cerón, 2020). Group 3 (G3) was defined by lower dry matter content and an intermediate nutritional profile, suggesting that these forages may function primarily as complementary bulk sources rather than major nutrient suppliers. High-moisture forages can contribute to dietary intake by increasing palatability and feed volume while maintaining moderate levels of digestible nutrients. In smallholder guinea pig systems, where fresh forage constitutes the main dietary component, these species may help maintain feed intake and hydration during periods of limited pasture availability or seasonal forage scarcity. However, their high moisture content implies that their nutritional contribution per unit of dry matter may be limited, reinforcing the importance of combining them with protein-dense or structurally fibrous forages to achieve balanced diets. Group 4 (G4) represented the largest nutritional cluster and displayed intermediate nutritional values with moderate fiber and relatively low lignin concentrations. These characteristics suggest that these forages may function as a basal component within traditional feeding systems. Their nutritional stability and moderate fiber fractions may support regular intake and digestive function without the limitations associated with highly lignified species. In practice, these forages likely form the structural basis of daily rations, while other nutritional groups provide complementary protein or fiber contributions. Sustainability, Food Sovereignty, and Knowledge Co-production The results of this research support the idea that the sustainability of guinea pig farming systems in High-Altitude areas in Nariño Region, Colombia, is not determined solely by the adoption of external technology. The integration of ethnobotanical knowledge with laboratory validation (NIRS) strengthens household autonomy and reinforces food sovereignty by reducing dependence on external inputs and market volatility (Forero, Patiño, et al., 2023 ; Pinchao-Pinchao et al., 2024 ). This study has limitations that should be considered when extrapolating its findings. First, the nutritional composition was estimated using NIRS and represents the sampled plant parts and the collection context; seasonal variation, plant maturity, and soil conditions can modify the nutritional profiles. Second, the study did not include in vivo studies of intake, digestibility, or growth/carcass yield. Therefore, the nutritional profile of evaluated forages for specific physiological stages should be interpreted based on their composition and multivariable grouping, rather than as validated predictors of productive performance. Third, secondary metabolites (e.g., oxalates, tannins, bitter compounds) were not quantified, but these can influence palatability, mineral availability, and protein utilization, especially in species with medicinal uses. The main contribution of this study is not simply the listing of forage species, but the generation of an interpretable nutritional-functional framework that can be used in advisory services and participatory training with women producers, linking local decision rules with measurable nutritional constraints such as fiber quality, digestibility indicators, and Ca:P risk. This self-sufficiency approach is economically viable; Mixed feeding systems with local forage and supplements such as nutritional blocks generate high profitability (Aliaga Coronado & Huacani Rivera, 2024; Guamán et al., 2022). Ultimately, integrated management that combines nutrition based on local biodiversity with population management techniques guarantees a sustainable and competitive practice for food security (Álvarez-Sánchez et al., 2025 ; Forero, Patiño, et al., 2023 ). The integration of these local forages strengthens food sovereignty by reducing dependence on external inputs (Aliaga Coronado & Huacani Rivera, 2024; Pinchao Pinchao et al., 2024). The modernization of guinea pig farming should not be based solely on external technology, but on ensuring that traditional knowledge is an integral part of the process (Forero, Patiño, et al., 2023 ). The use of lab analyses and ancestral knowledge allows for a transition toward resilient agroecological models, ensuring the use of local biodiversity to contribute to Andean food security. This study demonstrates that smallholder guinea pig production systems in the high-Andean tropics of southern Colombia rely on a diverse assemblage of non-conventional forage species whose management is strongly supported by the traditional ecological knowledge of peasant and Indigenous women. The participatory ethnobotanical characterization identified 24 forage species belonging to 15 botanical families, highlighting the multifunctional role of plant biodiversity within smallholder agroecosystems. Nutritional analysis revealed substantial variability in crude protein, fiber fractions, and mineral composition, allowing the identification of four distinct nutritional groups: (G1) protein–mineral dense forages, (G2) structurally fibrous forages associated with cecal fermentation processes, (G3) high-moisture forages with complementary bulking function, and (G4) intermediate-value forages that likely constitute the basal component of diversified diets. Several non-conventional species, including Ambrosia peruviana, Dysphania ambrosioides, and Baccharis latifolia, showed crude protein levels comparable to or higher than those of Medicago sativa, highlighting their potential relevance as locally available protein sources. However, nutritional management must consider mineral imbalances, such as the Ca:P ratio observed in Rumex acetosella, as well as the potential influence of secondary metabolites on palatability and nutrient utilization. The integration of ethnobotanical knowledge with NIRS-based nutritional characterization provides a preliminary evidence-based framework that can support extension services and participatory training processes aimed at improving feeding strategies, reducing dependence on external inputs, and strengthening household autonomy and food sovereignty in high-Andean guinea pig production systems. Future research should focus on in vivo digestibility and productive performance trials to define safe inclusion levels and validate the functional role of these forage groups under practical production conditions. Declarations Acknowledgments. The authors express their sincere gratitude to the farmers who generously shared their knowledge and participated in the development of this study. Special thanks are extended to the Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation (AGROSAVIA) for institutional support, and to Alexandra Córdoba Vargas and July Carolina Rojas Gómez for their valuable contributions within the framework of the project. Funding. This work was supported by the Colombian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture through the Colombian–German Agroecology Project (PACA). Competing interests. The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose. Author contributions. All authors contributed to the conception and design of the study. Conceptualization: PBA, and DAS; Data curation: PBA, RAE and JB; Funding acquisition: DAS; Investigation: PBA, RAE, JB, and DAS; Methodology: DAS, ECR, and DVT; Project administration: DAS; Resources: DAS, and DVT; Supervision: LBE; Visualization: DVT; Writing– original draft: DVT and DAS; Writing– review & editing: DAS, ECR, and DVT. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. Data availability. The datasets generated during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Ethical approval. The project has the ethical approval of the Ethics Committee of the Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation (AGROSAVIA). References Aliaga-Coronado PA, Huacani-Rivera T (2024) Evaluación del nopal (Opuntia ficus-indica) como alternativa forrajera en la alimentación de cuyes (Cavia porcellus). Revista de Investigaciones Veterinarias del Perú 35(1):e25412. https://doi.org/10.15381/rivep.v35i1.25412 . 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Hinojosa-Benavides RA, Valle-Velasco JL, Cárdenas-Quintana R (2022) Dietas alimenticias y valor nutritivo de la canal en (Cavia porcellus). Revista Alfa 6(17):346–356. https://doi.org/10.33996/revistaalfa.v6i17.173 IDEAM, Instituto de Hidrología, Meteorología y Estudios Ambientales (2018) Atlas climático de Colombia (2018–2019). http://atlas.ideam.gov.co/visorAtlasClimatologico.html Luna J (2022) Rentabilidad de sistemas de alimentación mixta en la producción de cuyes de la región andina [Tesis de Maestría, Universidad Nacional]. Molano ML, Cortés ML, Ávila P, Martens SD, Muñoz LS (2016) Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) calibration equations to predict nutritional quality parameters of tropical forages. Trop Grasslands–Forrajes Trop 4(3):139–145. https://doi.org/10.17138/tgft(4)139-145 National Research Council (NRC) (1995) Nutrient Requirements of Laboratory Animals (4.ª ed. revisada). National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/4759 Pinchao-Pinchao Y, Serna-Cock L, Osorio-Mora O, Tirado DF (2024) Guinea pig breeding and its relation to sustainable food security and sovereignty in South America: nutrition, health, and production challenges. CyTA - Journal of Food 22(1):2392886. https://doi.org/10.1080/19476337.2024.2392886 Ramirez-Santos AG, Ravera F, Rivera-Ferre MG, Calvet-Nogués M (2023) Gendered traditional agroecological knowledge in agri-food systems: a systematic review. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 19:11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-023-00576-6 Sánchez-Macías D, et al. (2018) Guinea pig carcass and meat quality: A review. Meat Science 145:329–337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2018.07.006 Sakaguchi E (2003) Digestive strategies of small hindgut fermenters. Anim Sci J 74:327–337. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1344-3941.2003.00124.x Tacuri-Lalbay D, Usca-Méndez J (2024) Fodder Mixture Evaluation for the Feeding of Growing-fattening Guinea Pigs in the Quijos Canton. ESPOCH Congresses 4(1):842–855. Tello-Ceron G, Flores Pimentel M (2025) Las plantas tradicionalmente usadas en la comunidad de Cocharcas, Provincia de Chincheros, Apurímac, Perú. Ecología Aplicada 23(2):131–149. https://doi.org/10.21704/rea.v23i2.2218 Tsukahara T, Ushida K (2000) Effects of animal or plant protein diets on cecal fermentation in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus), rats (Rattus norvegicus) and chicks (Gallus gallus domesticus). Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 127(2):139–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1095-6433(00)00244-0 Vallejo-Timarán D, Portillo-López P, Hernández-Oviedo F, Betancourth-Chaves P (2026) Detection and antibiotic resistance of Pasteurella, Salmonella, and Yersinia from guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) production smallholders in Colombia. Veterinary Research Communications 50:158. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-025-11036-9 Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Reviewers agreed at journal 31 Mar, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 31 Mar, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 20 Mar, 2026 First submitted to journal 17 Mar, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9152946","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":615159903,"identity":"f60b14e7-2bf1-42de-9021-d2154588e824","order_by":0,"name":"Pedro Bacca–Acosta","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Corporacion Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria: AGROSAVIA","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Pedro","middleName":"","lastName":"Bacca–Acosta","suffix":""},{"id":615159904,"identity":"109f07d7-865d-4141-bd26-794adec4dc0f","order_by":1,"name":"José Benavides","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Corporacion Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria: AGROSAVIA","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"José","middleName":"","lastName":"Benavides","suffix":""},{"id":615159905,"identity":"e5ed2bb6-588f-4505-9049-9b3681b208aa","order_by":2,"name":"Roberto Argoti–Erazo","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Corporacion Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria: AGROSAVIA","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Roberto","middleName":"","lastName":"Argoti–Erazo","suffix":""},{"id":615159906,"identity":"9a721344-7987-4951-8068-2ea037b4426c","order_by":3,"name":"Edwin Castro–Rincón","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Corporacion Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria: AGROSAVIA","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Edwin","middleName":"","lastName":"Castro–Rincón","suffix":""},{"id":615159907,"identity":"dc177c31-117e-4414-9e45-a5d4d2adae51","order_by":4,"name":"Dario Vallejo-Timaran","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA/0lEQVRIiWNgGAWjYDCCA0D8oICBmYG9ASrCTIyWBAOgOp4DJGphYJBIINJdfMfPGH5IMLBh55d8/Ph1RUWdvMFx5gcMPypwa5E8k2MskWCQxiw5O83M8syZw4YbDrMZMPacwa3F4EBaAlDLYWaD2wlmho1tBxhnNjMYMDO24dFy/lnyjwSD/8wGN49/A2qps5/ZzP4Bv5YbyceAthxgNrjBY/ywsY05sZ+ZB78tkjceH7NIMEhmluzJKWNsOHM4Gail4CA+v/CdT2y+8aHCLpmf/fjmjw0VdbZt/Mc3PsAXYjCQDMRsEjDeAcIaGBjsgJj5AzEqR8EoGAWjYOQBAAeOU0xY4fVyAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6682-7743","institution":"Colombian Corporation of Agricultural Research: AGROSAVIA","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Dario","middleName":"","lastName":"Vallejo-Timaran","suffix":""},{"id":615159908,"identity":"b7486697-c1c2-4ab9-8dc2-5de34ecb341b","order_by":5,"name":"David Álvarez–Sánchez","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Corporacion Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria: AGROSAVIA","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"David","middleName":"","lastName":"Álvarez–Sánchez","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-03-17 23:52:36","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9152946/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9152946/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":106054496,"identity":"6db2bd38-36b1-4b2f-88b6-21df8740a8f9","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-03 00:50:29","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":364593,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eGuinea pig farms selection. Temperate High-Altitude and Cold High-Altitude study areas located in the municipality of Pasto, Nariño Region, southwest of Colombia.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA: Geographical location (Red Color) of the Nariño Region, in the southwest of Colombia; B: Geographical location (Red Color) of Pasto Municipality, in the Nariño Region. C: Study area (Dots) in Pasto municipality (Red Color). Green arrow: Temperate High-Altitude study area; Blue arrow: Cold High-Altitude study area.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Figure1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9152946/v1/963a4234b7d8d7368971b8fd.png"},{"id":106094675,"identity":"880ffb4b-848e-478c-b5dd-7cc809a35e60","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-03 11:43:06","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":793573,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eGuinea pig (Cavia porcellus) production system and forage-based feeding practices in smallholder farms of the high-Andean tropics (Pasto, Nariño, Colombia).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnimals are managed in cages located adjacent to the household and are fed with freshly harvested forages collected from cultivated and surrounding vegetation. The feeding system is based on a diverse mixture of grasses and non-conventional forage species, reflecting the integration of local ecological knowledge and plant biodiversity in smallholder production systems.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Figure2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9152946/v1/c67a6558e245eb809c264124.png"},{"id":106054498,"identity":"379ea436-d60c-4684-8126-1c428be944f9","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-03 00:50:29","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":838606,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eBiplot of the hierarchical classification of non-conventional forage species (n = 24) based on their bromatological profiles. Four nutritional forage groups were identified: (G1) protein–mineral dense forages, (G2) structurally fibroBus forages, (G3) high-moisture forages with intermediate nutritional contribution, and (G4) intermediate-value basal forages.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocal forage biodiversity allows for the structuring of balanced rations that integrate metabolic, digestive, and productive functions in high-Andean guinea pig farming systems, clustered into four functional nutritional profiles according to their bromatological characteristics: (G1) high biological value protein-mineral species, associated with growth, gestation, and lactation processes; (G2) fibrous structural species with a regulatory function of cecal fermentation and digestive motility; (G3) high moisture content and intermediate nutritional contribution species, which act as complementary bulking forages; and (G4) species with low energy content, moderate fiber, and low contribution of fermentable structural carbohydrates, which constitute the functional basis of the diet.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Figure3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9152946/v1/f7b0feac01e53775144d968e.png"},{"id":106402015,"identity":"5185dbaa-960c-4548-855e-64502a3052ee","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-08 09:10:43","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":2938197,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9152946/v1/60bdd2c0-1a3f-4031-a3a8-6ae0c5fe89d4.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"","formattedTitle":"Nutritional and ethnobotanical characterization of unconventional forages for guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) production systems in the high-Andean tropics","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eGuinea pig (\u003cem\u003eCavia porcellus\u003c/em\u003e) meat production represents a strategic productive activity across the Andean region of South America, particularly in Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Colombia. Due to its short reproductive cycle, efficient feed conversion, and adaptability to smallholder systems, this species constitutes a key resource for meat production in family-based farming systems (Cardona Iglesias et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Pinchao-Pinchao et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGuinea pig production, predominantly managed by rural women under small-scale schemes, represents a culturally and economically significant livestock activity in the Andean regions of Colombia and an important source of income for smallholder families, often integrated into diversified agroecosystems that combine traditional husbandry with subsistence agriculture (Vallejo-Timaran et al., 2026). It plays a central role in food and nutritional security by providing direct access to high-quality animal protein while generating complementary income opportunities (\u0026Aacute;lvarez-S\u0026aacute;nchez et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e; Forero et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Andean guinea pig population is estimated at approximately 36\u0026nbsp;million animals, with Colombia accounting for nearly 2.7\u0026nbsp;million, of which more than 90% are in the department of Nari\u0026ntilde;o (DANE, 2015). In this region alone, production is sustained by nearly 30,000 peasant and Indigenous households, underscoring its socioeconomic and cultural relevance (Forero et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOver the past decade, guinea pig production systems have undergone significant transformation, driven by the incorporation of improved breeds and the increasing reliance on commercial supplements as the dietary base. Feed costs represent between 60% and 70% of total production for intensified systems; however, within smallholder systems, dependence on external inputs may absorb up to 40% of net household income, increasing economic vulnerability (Beltr\u0026aacute;n-Mes\u0026iacute;as \u0026amp; Revelo-Salgado, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e; Hinojosa-Benavides et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e; Guam\u0026aacute;n et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrom a digestive physiology perspective, guinea pigs are hindgut-fermenting monogastric herbivores whose nutritional efficiency depends on the balance between structural fiber, fermentable protein, and soluble carbohydrates. Adequate provision of neutral detergent fiber supports cecal fermentation and cecotrophy, which enhance microbial protein utilization and nutrient recycling. As hindgut fermenters, guinea pigs depend on short-chain fatty acids from enteric fermentation to cover 30\u0026ndash;40% of their maintenance energy requirements, and their cecal microflora is better adapted to plant polysaccharide substrates than to animal protein sources (Tsukahara \u0026amp; Ushida, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2000\u003c/span\u003e). Excessive lignification may reduce digestibility and voluntary feed intake, compromising productive performance and growth efficiency (S\u0026aacute;nchez-Mac\u0026iacute;as et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e; Harkness \u0026amp; Wagner, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e; National Research Council [NRC], 1995). In addition, the growing dependence on commercial feeds increases the erosion of traditional ecological knowledge related to the identification, management, and use of locally available forage plants, threatening functional agrobiodiversity and reducing household productive autonomy (Cardona Iglesias et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Casta\u0026ntilde;eda et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReporting ethnobotanical knowledge associated with forage resources is essential, both for cultural preservation and for strengthening sustainable resource management strategies in high-Andean agroecosystems (Casta\u0026ntilde;eda et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e; Tello-Ceron \u0026amp; Flores Pimentel, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e). Despite its relevance, the nutritional potential of unconventional forage species remains poorly explored, particularly regarding their compositional value, functional dietary roles, and implications for productive performance.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study aimed to conduct a nutritional and ethnobotanical characterization of unconventional forages for guinea pig production systems in the high-Andean tropics. This work seeks to provide a scientific foundation for the development of diversified, sustainable feeding strategies adapted to guinea pig production systems in the high-Andean tropics.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Materials and methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eStudy design\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e An observational cross-sectional study with a participatory approach for the selection of unconventional forage species for guinea pig meat production was designed. The study was carried out from February to October 2025 in smallholder farms located in the Nari\u0026ntilde;o region, southwestern Colombia (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e), the country\u0026rsquo;s main guinea pig-producing area.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFarm selection and sampling\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo locations representative of guinea pig production with contrasting environmental conditions were selected. The first site was the Temperate High-Altitude area (Nari\u0026ntilde;o municipality), located at 2400 m above sea level, with a temperate climate with average temperatures ranging from 13 to 19\u0026deg;C. The second site was the Cold High-Altitude area (Pasto municipality), at 2900 m above sea level, with cold climatic conditions, temperatures ranging from 8 to 14\u0026deg;C, and high relative humidity (IDEAM, 2018).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFor the forage selection through a participatory process, a focus group sampling strategy using snowball recruitment was implemented (Fowler et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e). The participant groups were women smallholders of guinea pig meat (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;8) from a high-altitude temperate area and Indigenous Quillacinga women smallholders of guinea pig meat (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;10) from a high-altitude cold area. All participants managed active guinea pig production units and had at least 15 years of husbandry experience. Participation was voluntary following prior informed consent procedures, ensuring confidentiality and ethical recognition of traditional knowledge.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCollection of nutritional and ethnobotanical forage information\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe methodology was grounded in a participatory approach focused on the recognition and systematization of local knowledge through an ethnobotanical framework (Casta\u0026ntilde;eda et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e; Tello-Cer\u0026oacute;n \u0026amp; Flores Pimentel, 2025). The research process was structured into two complementary stages. In the first stage, guided tours were conducted on each of the properties to identify the production system, with an emphasis on the plants used to feed guinea pigs. Each tour was led by the producer involved in the study, who explained the common names of the species, their uses, and the practices associated with their management. Simultaneously, botanical samples of the species were collected, which were subsequently preserved and taxonomically described in a herbarium.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe second stage consisted of collective dialogues in each focus group aimed at exploring in greater depth the uses assigned to the identified species. For this purpose, a classification system was developed jointly by the technical team and the producers, defining six categories that complement the use of forage in guinea pig feed: 1) Human Consumption (HC): associated with species used for culinary purposes; 2) Ornamental (OR): plants with showy flowers or foliage used decoratively; 3) Medicinal (MD): species with medicinal properties for guinea pigs, such as anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, and antidiarrheal properties; 4) Soil Protection (SP): an attribute associated with soil cover to prevent erosion on the property; 5) Repellent (RP): plants with a strong fragrance, used to control external parasites in guinea pigs, such as mosquitoes, lice, or mites; and 6) Ecosystem Service (ES): plants that promote the conservation and regulation of water resources, as well as the diversity of flora and fauna on the property.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFor the nutritional analysis of forage species, leaves and stems from the middle third of each plant were manually collected for nutritional analysis. Samples were individually collected, placed in a greenhouse, and oven-dried under forced ventilation at controlled temperature (60\u0026deg;C) for 72 h until constant weight. The forage composition was determined in the laboratories of the Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation (AGROSAVIA) using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). The equipment was calibrated using validated equations for tropical forages following standard proximate analysis protocols (Molano et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). The variables evaluated were dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), lignin (LIG), total digestible nutrients (TDN), dry matter digestibility (DMD), ether extract (EE), and ash (A), estimated as a percentage. Gross energy (GE), expressed in megacalories (Mcal), was also evaluated.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eStatistical analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eDescriptive statistics were used for taxonomic and ethnobotanical characterization. Nutritional profiles were analyzed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering. Bromatological variables were standardized before analysis (mean\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0; SD\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1). Squared Euclidean distance and Ward\u0026rsquo;s linkage method were applied. Cluster interpretation was performed using value-test comparisons against global means. All analyses were conducted in R software (v. 4.1.2) using factoextra, FactoMineR, and agricolae packages.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eForage species for Guinea Pig feeding\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eResults show a family-scale guinea pig production system with an average of 30\u0026ndash;50 animals per production unit. These are managed in spaces adjacent to the house, mainly in wooden or metal cages (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). Participants indicated that production is primarily geared towards self-consumption, supplemented by occasional sales as a secondary income-generating strategy. Feeding is primarily based on cut grass established on the property and forages available in the immediate surroundings, supplemented sporadically with commercial concentrate.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e Through the participatory process and ethnobotanical tours, 24 non-conventional forage species belonging to 15 botanical families were identified for use in guinea pigs' feeding. This set of species constitutes a diverse plant assemblage, demonstrating an intentional management of diversity within the farm system (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). Complementary uses were frequently assigned to the recorded species: 75% were reported as medicinal, 50% for human consumption, 33% as ornamental, 20% as repellent, and 25% as related to soil protection and/or ecosystem services (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTaxonomic classification, use, and bromatological evaluation of non-conventional forages (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;24) supplied to guinea pigs on small-scale farms in temperate high-altitude and cold high-altitude study areas from Pasto, Nari\u0026ntilde;o Region, southwest of Colombia.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"17\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" 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colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eApiales\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eApiaceae\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMD/HC\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11,9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40,2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5,1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e65,0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBaccharis latifolia\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChilca\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAsterales\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAsteraceae\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMD/SE\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33,0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23,6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12,5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30,2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7,2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e62,9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8,6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLapsana communis\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNavillo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBrassicales\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBrassicaceae\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSP/HC\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11,7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2,9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26,9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4,9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e59,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14,6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCanna indica\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAchira\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eZingiberales\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCannaceae\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMD/OR/HC\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19,0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15,2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2,0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25,5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60,9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9,1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1,1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eChamaemelum nobile\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eManzanilla\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAsterales\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAsteraceae\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMD/HC\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19,7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15,6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12,2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2,6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39,9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24,7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e58,6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14,0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCyperus polystachyos\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePasto de perro\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePoales\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCyperaceae\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMD/SP\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12,1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2,1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e58,9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7,5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e57,0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6,7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDysphania ambrosioides\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePaico\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCaryophyllales\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAmaranthaceae\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMD/RP/HC\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18,0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1,5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42,6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24,7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6,0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e66,1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6,2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1,9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHeliconia rostrata\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlatanillo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eZingiberales\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHeliconiaceae\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMD/OR\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17,2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2,1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23,1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13,1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1,2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLathyrus odoratus\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlverjilla\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFabales\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFabaceae\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMD/HC\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11,6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50,2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6,2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e62,9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7,9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCyclanthera pedata\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChauchilla\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCucurbitales\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCucurbitaceae\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOR/MD\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17,9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4,1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19,1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e62,0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15,6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMedicago sativa\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlfalfa\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFabales\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFabaceae\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMD\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21,5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11,7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2,5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4,5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64,5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12,1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOxalis megalorrhiza\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVinagrera\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOxalidales\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOxalidaceae\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMD/HC\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16,9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22,1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3,6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e48,5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4,5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e63,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9,0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOxalis \u003cem\u003ecorniculata\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTr\u0026eacute;bol morado\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOxalidales\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOxalidaceae\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMD/HC\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23,2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17,6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10,0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1,9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43,9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23,1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4,6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60,6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12,5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1,0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTagetes elliptica\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGallinazo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAsterales\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAsteraceae\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRP/HC/MD\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21,7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11,9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2,9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64,2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRumex acetosella\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLenguilla\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCaryophyllales\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePolygonaceae\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMD/HC\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2,1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e67,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30,2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56,9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10,1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMinthostachys mollis\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTipo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLamiales\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLamiaceae\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMD/SP\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35,7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12,7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2,7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6,2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e55,9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10,2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1,0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHymenostephium quitensis\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSarapanga\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAsterales\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAsteraceae\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOR/ES\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25,7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21,7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17,2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1,7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e51,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30,6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7,6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e61,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1,2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSolanum nigrum\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHierbamora\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSolanales\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSolanaceae\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRP/MD\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12,7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40,1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4,7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64,6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13,0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSonchus oleraceus\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCanayuyo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAsterales\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAsteraceae\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMD/HC\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3,0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44,6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25,7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4,7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e58,2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16,2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSorghum halepense\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaicillo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePoales\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePoaceae\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSP\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13,6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13,7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e51,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5,0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60,1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10,5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTaraxacum officinale\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiente de le\u0026oacute;n\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAsterales\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAsteraceae\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMD/HC\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16,1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20,9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2,9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33,7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22,0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3,0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e63,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1,0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGeum urbanum\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValeriana\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRosales\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRosaceae\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMD/HC\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15,9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8,5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1,5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41,6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5,4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16,0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"5\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGrowing Guinea Pig Nutritional Requirements (NRC, 1995)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e88\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e63\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"5\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePregnant Guinea Pig Nutritional Requirements (NRC, 1995)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e88\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3,5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1,1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"5\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLactation Guinea Pig Nutritional Requirements (NRC, 1995)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e88\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1,3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,35\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"5\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMale Guinea Pig Nutritional Requirements (NRC, 1995)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e88\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2,5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c16\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c17\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"17\"\u003eCU= Complementary Use; HC=Human Consumption; OR=Ornamental; MD=Medicinal; SP=Soil Protection; RP=Repellent; ES=Ecosystem Service; DM\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Dry Matter (%); CP=Crude Protein (%); AZ\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Ash (%); EE=Ether Extract (%); NDF=Neutral detergent fiber (%). ADF=Acid detergent fiber (%). LIG=Lignin (%). TDN= Total digestible nutrients (%). SC=Structural carbohydrates (%). Ca=Calcium (%). P=Phosphorus (%). Mg=Magnesium (%).\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Asteraceae family was the most represented, accounting for 25% of the recorded species, followed by Fabaceae and Polygonaceae. The participatory knowledge exchange process revealed that approximately 60% of the species within these families were assigned dual functions, reflecting their multifunctional role within smallholder production systems. Several species in the families Poaceae and Fabaceae contributed substantially to the forage base of guinea pig diets, underscoring their importance as commonly available feed resources in the region. In contrast, species from Oxalidaceae were more frequently associated with sanitary management practices or used during periods of limited forage availability, particularly during the dry season (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). The remaining eleven taxonomic families were reported as complementary forage resources that contribute to dietary diversification and provide additional functions within the farm system (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNutritional analysis of forage species\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNutritional characterization revealed marked variability in the proximate profile of the forages, reflecting substantial differences in their potential use within feeding systems (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). Multivariate analysis allowed the synthesis of the combined variability of the proximate characteristics and the evaluated species into three components, which collectively accounted for 88.7% of the total inertia. In this regard, the first principal component (PC1) was mainly associated with variables linked to nutritional value, showing positive contributions from crude protein (CP), ash (AZ), total digestible nutrients (TDN), and the minerals calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and magnesium (Mg) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). The second principal component (PC2) was associated with the fibrous characteristics of the species (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). In this component, Lignin (LIG), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) showed a high and positive contribution, reflecting their importance in explaining the structural characteristics of the plant material. The third principal component (PC3) was mainly influenced by dry matter (DM) and calcium (Ca) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMain Components of Principal Component Analysis of non-conventional forages (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;24) supplied to guinea pigs on small-scale farms in study areas, high altitude and high cold pasture temperate, Nari\u0026ntilde;o Region, southwest of Colombia.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePC1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePC2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePC3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDry matter (DM)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0,62\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21,21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43,32\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCrude protein (CP)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e83,69\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0,67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAsh (AZ)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e57,82\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10,19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0,72\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEther extract (EE)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-12,22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-29,42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNeutral detergent fiber (NDF)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-13,54\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e63,42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-10,15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcid detergent fiber (ADF)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0,35\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e79,93\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-5,81\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLignin (LIG)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0,14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e86,61\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3,26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal digestible nutrients (TDN)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e72,05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-11,57\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStructural carbohydrates (SC)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-8,41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-74,77\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,32\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCalcium (Ca)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44,65\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-1,75\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34,02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhosphorus (P)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e54,94\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-18,71\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMagnesium (Mg)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e62,11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8,78\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEigenvalue\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3,98\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3,71\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1,49\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariance (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37,2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35,0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16,5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCumulative variance (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37,2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e72,2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e88,7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAfter hierarchical cluster analysis, four distinct nutritional groups were identified based on bromatological profiles (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e \u0026ndash; Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). G1 (\u003cem\u003eA. peruviana, B. latifolia, D. ambrosioides\u003c/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eS. stellulata\u003c/em\u003e) was characterized by significantly higher crude protein and ash values ​​compared to the global average, as well as higher mineral concentrations, particularly Mg and Ca. G2 (\u003cem\u003eA. zizanioides\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eC. polystachyos\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eR. acetosella\u003c/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eS. dulciscon)\u003c/em\u003e exhibited a markedly fibrous profile, characterized by high NDF and ADF values, along with higher lignin concentrations. This pattern was reflected in lower energy content and TDN values ​​below the global average. G3 (\u003cem\u003eC. indica\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eL. odoratus\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eO. medicaginea\u003c/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eS. halepense\u003c/em\u003e) was distinguished by having the lowest dry matter values, falling below the global average (22.01%). This group occupied an intermediate position in the multivariate space, indicating a balanced nutritional profile, but with high moisture content. G4 (the rest of the evaluated species) showed a profile characterized by high levels of structural carbohydrates and relatively high fiber values ​​(NDF and ADF), along with lower lignin concentrations. This group presented an intermediate nutritional composition, with TDN values ​​close to the global average, suggesting greater functional versatility as a forage base.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDescription of non-conventional forages (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;24) supplied to guinea pigs on small-scale farms in study areas, high altitude and high cold pasture temperate, Nari\u0026ntilde;o Region, southwest of Colombia\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValue-Test\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGroup Average\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGeneral Average\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGroup 1 (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMagnesium (Mg)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3,84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,57\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,37\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAsh (AZ)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3,09\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15,99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12,68\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCrude Protein (CP)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2,85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24,19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19,45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhosphorus (P)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2,77\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,29\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCalcium (Ca)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2,61\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1,31\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDry Matter (DM)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2,33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27,53\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22,01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLignin (LIG)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2,26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6,81\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5,51\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStructural Carbohydrates (SC)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-2,65\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7,36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11,36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGroup 2 (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNeutral detergent fiber (NDF)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3,09\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56,31\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45,78\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcid detergent fiber (ADF)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2,65\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30,25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25,48\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLignin (LIG)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2,24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6,79\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5,51\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCalcium (Ca)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-2,54\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhosphorus (P)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-2,63\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,29\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCrude protein (CP)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-2,65\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15,02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19,45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal digestible nutrients (TDN)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-3,42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56,59\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e61,26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGroup 3 (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDry Matter (DM)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-2,11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17,02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22,01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGroup 4 (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;12)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStructural carbohydrates (SC)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4,26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14,29\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11,36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNeutral detergent fiber (NDF)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-3,31\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40,76\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45,78\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLignin (LIG)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-3,53\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4,59\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5,51\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcid detergent fiber (ADF)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-3,65\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22,54\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25,48\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eForage diversity, management logic, and women\u0026rsquo;s knowledge\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe guinea pig production system analyzed in this study is consistent with reports from southern Colombia (Cardona Iglesias et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Forero, Pati\u0026ntilde;o, et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e) and other Andean contexts in Peru (Pinchao-Pinchao et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e) and Ecuador (Fowler et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e; Guam\u0026aacute;n et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e), where guinea pig farming is predominantly a family-based activity with a leading role for women, sustained by the use of a wide diversity of plant species and feeding practices often labeled as empirical. The dietary management in the evaluated farms is based on fresh forage supply using species widely distributed in the region, such as \u003cem\u003eHolcus lanatus\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eCenchrus clandestinus\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eLolium\u003c/em\u003e sp., \u003cem\u003eAxonopus scoparius\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eTrifolium repens\u003c/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003ePhalaris arundinacea\u003c/em\u003e, consistent with similar studies (Cardona Iglesias et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Casta\u0026ntilde;eda et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e; Forero, Pati\u0026ntilde;o, et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn Andean regions, some authors emphasize problems in Guinea pig productive systems related to low levels of technological adoption and limited technical assistance, particularly in feeding, which translates into low productivity indicators (Guam\u0026aacute;n et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Beltr\u0026aacute;n-Mes\u0026iacute;as \u0026amp; Revelo-Salgado, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e). However, this interpretation should consider the sociocultural dimensions shaping this productive activity. Forero et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e) argue that guinea pig keeping is a deeply rooted cultural practice in Andean peoples, where production and feeding decisions express territorial identity.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrom this perspective, dismissing \u0026ldquo;empirical\u0026rdquo; knowledge implies neglecting historically built expertise. In addition, women show a close relationship with plants, playing a central role in forage collection not only in cultivated plots but also in fallows, secondary vegetation, and wild areas, reflecting local ecological knowledge that guides dietary diversification (Forero, Pati\u0026ntilde;o, et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Tello-Ceron \u0026amp; Flores Pimentel, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e; Ramirez-Santos et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe main taxonomic families reported in this region match findings by Casta\u0026ntilde;eda et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e) and Tello-Ceron \u0026amp; Flores Pimentel (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e), who showed that Poaceae dominates as feed for small animals in high-Andean Peru, followed by Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Solanaceae. Among 50 species consumed by guinea pigs reported by Casta\u0026ntilde;eda et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e), we concur on native species such as \u003cem\u003eAmbrosia arborescens\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eBaccharis latifolia\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eOxalis megalorrhiza\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eMinthostachys mollis\u003c/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eSonchus oleraceus\u003c/em\u003e, each reported with both forage and medicinal uses. Tello-Ceron \u0026amp; Flores Pimentel (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e) also report traditional uses of \u003cem\u003eMedicago sativa\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eOxalis\u003c/em\u003e sp., \u003cem\u003eTagetes elliptica\u003c/em\u003e, and others. In Nari\u0026ntilde;o, Cardona Iglesias et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e) recorded more than 60 plant species used in guinea pig feeding; even if only the most frequently cited were reported, overlap in species such as \u003cem\u003eBaccharis latifolia\u003c/em\u003e (\u0026ldquo;chilca\u0026rdquo;) highlights an underexplored floristic richness and its strong linkage to local agri-environmental contexts.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMultiple uses are commonly assigned to a single plant. Medicinal use is particularly prominent and has recently been explored as a preventive health strategy, a way to reduce antibiotic use, and potentially as a growth-promoting approach in guinea pigs (Guam\u0026aacute;n et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Tello-Ceron \u0026amp; Flores Pimentel, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e). This plant diversity therefore emerges as a productive strategy through which farmers identify the specific benefits of each plant, recognize the optimal timing for supply, and observe its effects on animal behavior, health, and weight gain.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn additional element emerging from the participatory process was the role of women\u0026rsquo;s experiential knowledge in regulating the amount and timing of forage supply. Producers reported that some plant species are offered only in small quantities or restricted to specific physiological stages of the animals, particularly during growth or lactation. These practical rules reflect accumulated empirical knowledge regarding palatability, digestive tolerance, and possible adverse effects associated with certain plants. Such decision rules represent a form of adaptive management that helps avoid digestive disturbances or mineral imbalances when using botanically diverse diets. Therefore, women\u0026rsquo;s knowledge not only identifies useful forage species but also regulates their safe incorporation into feeding practices.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNutritional variability and functional forage groups\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe nutritional characterization showed marked variability in forage profiles, reflecting substantial differences in their potential role within feeding schemes (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). Mean crude protein was close to 20%, ranging from 12.7% (\u003cem\u003eS. dulcis\u003c/em\u003e) to 25.81% (\u003cem\u003eA. peruviana\u003c/em\u003e). Species from Asteraceae and Fabaceae stood out for higher protein levels, positioning them as alternatives to cover requirements linked to growth and production phases.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNeutral detergent fiber averaged 45%, and acid detergent fiber averaged 25% (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). Together with relatively low lignin (5\u0026ndash;6%), these values suggest adequate digestibility and favorable conditions for cecal health in most forages. However, some species exceeded 50% NDF, which could be limited if supplied at high inclusion rates. \u003cem\u003eTaraxacum officinale\u003c/em\u003e had the lowest NDF (33.7%), while \u003cem\u003eRumex acetosella\u003c/em\u003e reached 67.38% (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). Lower fiber species were associated with greater digestibility and better utilization, whereas high-NDF species represent higher bulk and lower nutrient density, requiring balance.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal digestible nutrients were around 60%, and non-structural carbohydrate indicators were near 10% (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). Yet the low ether extract (2\u0026ndash;3%) suggests the need to complement diets with readily available energy sources during high-demand stages. The joint pattern of non-structural carbohydrates and lignin suggests differences in effective digestibility. \u003cem\u003eTaraxacum officinale\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eC. pepo\u003c/em\u003e, for instance, showed low lignin (2.98\u0026ndash;3.37%) and higher availability of non-structural carbohydrate fractions, making them relevant sources of rapidly available energy. In contrast, species with higher lignin showed limited digestibility even when crude protein was relatively high, restricting their use.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMineral contribution also varied widely; \u003cem\u003eB. latifolia\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eH. rostrata\u003c/em\u003e showed high calcium (1.2\u0026ndash;1.26%). A particularly important finding was the Ca:P imbalance in \u003cem\u003eR. acetosella\u003c/em\u003e (approx. 0.04:1), which could interfere with mineral metabolism and bone health; thus, it should be used in small amounts and always mixed with other species (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe results reveal that non-conventional species such as \u003cem\u003eA. peruviana\u003c/em\u003e (25.8% CP), \u003cem\u003eD. ambrosioides\u003c/em\u003e (25.7% CP), and \u003cem\u003eB. latifolia\u003c/em\u003e (23.5% CP) have higher crude protein levels than \u003cem\u003eMedicago sativa\u003c/em\u003e (22.4% CP), the traditional standard. his finding suggests that knowledge associated with spontaneous vegetation may help identify locally available alternatives to partially replace high-cost protein sources and promote nitrogen balance (Hinojosa Benavides et al., 2022; Apr\u0026aacute;ez \u0026amp; G\u0026aacute;lvez, 2020; Benavides et al., 2022). The high nitrogen concentration suggests that these species could act as substitutes for expensive protein sources, promoting balance during critical stages (Benavides et al., 2022). This substitution strategy is reinforced by the use of poultry meals in gestation diets (NRC, 1995), indicating that protein reinforcement, whether plant-based or animal-based, is the cornerstone of productivity in \u003cem\u003eC. porcellus\u003c/em\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRegarding Non-Structural Carbohydrates (NSC) and Economic Sustainability, the high concentration of NSC in dandelions (\u003cem\u003eT. officinale\u003c/em\u003e, 17.3%) represents rapidly fermentable energy. In systems where commercial feed is expensive, utilizing these species and diverse forage mixtures (Tacuri-Lalbay et al., 2024) offers a way to reduce external dependence. Even the use of nutritional blocks with \u003cem\u003eAmaratus Hibridus\u003c/em\u003e (Guam\u0026aacute;n et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e) presents itself as a complementary innovation to ensure that the protein from local forages is used for tissue synthesis and not as an energy source, promoting resilient agroecological models in Temperate High-Altitude areas.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOn the other hand, nutritional limitations and the impact of secondary compounds are present. Despite the identified protein potential, the variability in the fiber fraction (NDF between 33.66% and 67.38%) indicates a significant physiological restriction. \u0026ldquo;Lenguilla\u0026rdquo; (\u003cem\u003eRumex acetosella\u003c/em\u003e), with an NDF of 67.3%, is above the maximum recommended limit for optimal digestibility in guinea pigs. According to the NCR (1995), excessive levels of lignified fiber can depress dry matter intake and energy efficiency. This digestibility challenge is what technologies like hydroponic green fodder (Castillo-Soto et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e) attempt to address, offering a highly digestible fiber alternative to lignified terrestrial species.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFurthermore, it is important to highlight the mineral imbalance and the presence of secondary compounds, which add another layer of complexity. While guinea pigs require a Ca:P ratio between 1.2:1 and 2:1, excessive use of Polygonaceae forages can induce calcium deficiencies due to the presence of oxalates (Pinchao Pinchao et al., 2024; Rahman et al., 2013). Non-ruminant animals such as guinea pigs are particularly sensitive to dietary oxalates because, unlike ruminants, they lack ruminal bacteria capable of degrading oxalic acid, meaning that high oxalate intake can precipitate insoluble calcium oxalate salts in the kidneys, leading to renal failure (Rahman et al., 2013; Holowaychuk, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2006\u003c/span\u003e). In addition, there is a negative correlation between total tannins and forage acceptance, as guinea pigs tend to reject astringent flavors (Bindelle et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e). These metabolites, described by Apr\u0026aacute;ez \u0026amp; G\u0026aacute;lvez (2020), as plant defense mechanisms, act as limiting factors not only for palatability but also for protein utilization. It is important to consider that guinea pigs are hindgut fermenters; the balance between fermentable substrates, effective fiber, and passage rate modulates how much microbial protein and energy become available through cecal fermentation and cecotrophy.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHowever, a suitable formulation that balances these limitations can enhance growth and carcass yield (S\u0026aacute;nchez-Mac\u0026iacute;as et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). This study proposes a preliminary decision-support framework for producers, directly impacting the family farming economy. Identifying local forages with superior nutritional profiles allows for a reduction in dependence on expensive concentrates, especially during stages where protein requirements are critical (Benavides et al., 2022).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAnimal response to the nutritional profile of non-conventional forages\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eGuinea pigs are small hindgut fermenters with an enlarged cecum; cecotrophy allows them to recover microbial protein and vitamins, so diets must supply enough fermentable substrate and appropriate particle structure to sustain stable cecal fermentation (Sakaguchi et al., 2003). The information reported in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e allows forage composition to be interpreted in relation to nutritional requirements across physiological stages, providing a preliminary framework for matching forage profiles with stage-specific dietary needs.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe clustering suggests a protein\u0026ndash;mineral dense group (useful for protein-demanding stages), a highly fibrous group (useful for effective fiber but limited by digestibility), high-moisture balanced profiles, and intermediate \u0026ldquo;basal\u0026rdquo; forages. For minerals, the NRC reports that 8 g Ca/kg and 4 g P/kg diet meet calcium and phosphorus requirements under the conditions reviewed, and highlights strong mineral interactions (NRC, 1995). The extreme Ca:P imbalance observed for \u003cem\u003eR. acetosella\u003c/em\u003e in our dataset should be treated as a practical risk marker in diet design, particularly when that species is offered frequently or as a large proportion of the forage mix.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFor protein, NRC indicates that natural-ingredient diets supplying 18\u0026ndash;20% crude protein can support reproduction and adult maintenance, even though pregnancy/lactation amino acid requirements are not fully established, supporting the use of protein-dense local forages as partial substitutes for commercial concentrates when formulated in mixtures (NRC, 1995). Digestibility trials in male guinea pigs fed fibrous ingredients show that nutritional value depends on the ingredient\u0026rsquo;s fiber quality and digestibility, reinforcing the need to interpret NDF/ADF/lignin as functional constraints rather than descriptive numbers (Bindelle et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e; Castro-Bedri\u0026ntilde;ana \u0026amp; Chirinos-Peinado, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Alag\u0026oacute;n et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe results suggest that locally available forages can strategically improve the traditional grass-based diet to enhance feed conversion and carcass outcomes (Guam\u0026aacute;n et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e), expand plant availability during water scarcity (Guam\u0026aacute;n et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Pinchao-Pinchao et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e), and potentially influence organoleptic meat attributes (Guam\u0026aacute;n et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Pinchao-Pinchao et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). For fattening diets, Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e supports two forage groups: (i) a basal forage platform ensuring intake and effective fiber, plus (ii) a controlled inclusion of protein\u0026ndash;mineral dense forages to meet growth needs without overloading lignin or creating mineral imbalances. This approach is compatible with hindgut fermentation dynamics and directly targets the economic problem of commercial supplements reliance (Sakaguchi et al., 2003).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHowever, high-NDF and high-lignin species may depress voluntary intake and usable energy in fast-growth phases if not diluted in mixtures (Bindelle et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e). The PCA grouping can therefore be used as a practical reference to include non-conventional forages in the diet accompanied by a posterior in vivo digestibility and productive performance trials which define safe thresholds of these forages in the diet (Bindelle et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTaken together, the multivariate statistical results provide support for producers\u0026rsquo; empirical knowledge regarding forage selection and use (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). Group 1 (G1) was characterized by higher crude protein and mineral concentrations, suggesting potential relevance for physiologically demanding stages such as growth and lactation. Group 2 (G2) showed a nutritional profile dominated by higher structural fiber fractions, indicating a potential role in supporting cecal fermentation and digestive regulation within forage-based diets (Tacuri-Lalbay et al., 2024).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRegarding protein potential, the bromatological results revealed that several non-conventional species showed crude protein levels comparable to or higher than those of the traditional reference forage Medicago sativa (22.4% CP). For example, Ambrosia peruviana (25.8% CP), Dysphania ambrosioides (25.7% CP), and Baccharis latifolia (23.5% CP) showed high protein concentrations within the evaluated dataset. This finding is consistent with previous reports indicating that spontaneous vegetation in high-Andean agroecosystems can equal or surpass introduced forages in nutritional quality (Apr\u0026aacute;ez Guerrero \u0026amp; G\u0026aacute;lvez Cer\u0026oacute;n, 2020).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGroup 3 (G3) was defined by lower dry matter content and an intermediate nutritional profile, suggesting that these forages may function primarily as complementary bulk sources rather than major nutrient suppliers. High-moisture forages can contribute to dietary intake by increasing palatability and feed volume while maintaining moderate levels of digestible nutrients. In smallholder guinea pig systems, where fresh forage constitutes the main dietary component, these species may help maintain feed intake and hydration during periods of limited pasture availability or seasonal forage scarcity. However, their high moisture content implies that their nutritional contribution per unit of dry matter may be limited, reinforcing the importance of combining them with protein-dense or structurally fibrous forages to achieve balanced diets.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e Group 4 (G4) represented the largest nutritional cluster and displayed intermediate nutritional values with moderate fiber and relatively low lignin concentrations. These characteristics suggest that these forages may function as a basal component within traditional feeding systems. Their nutritional stability and moderate fiber fractions may support regular intake and digestive function without the limitations associated with highly lignified species. In practice, these forages likely form the structural basis of daily rations, while other nutritional groups provide complementary protein or fiber contributions.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSustainability, Food Sovereignty, and Knowledge Co-production\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe results of this research support the idea that the sustainability of guinea pig farming systems in High-Altitude areas in Nari\u0026ntilde;o Region, Colombia, is not determined solely by the adoption of external technology. The integration of ethnobotanical knowledge with laboratory validation (NIRS) strengthens household autonomy and reinforces food sovereignty by reducing dependence on external inputs and market volatility (Forero, Pati\u0026ntilde;o, et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Pinchao-Pinchao et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study has limitations that should be considered when extrapolating its findings. First, the nutritional composition was estimated using NIRS and represents the sampled plant parts and the collection context; seasonal variation, plant maturity, and soil conditions can modify the nutritional profiles. Second, the study did not include in vivo studies of intake, digestibility, or growth/carcass yield. Therefore, the nutritional profile of evaluated forages for specific physiological stages should be interpreted based on their composition and multivariable grouping, rather than as validated predictors of productive performance. Third, secondary metabolites (e.g., oxalates, tannins, bitter compounds) were not quantified, but these can influence palatability, mineral availability, and protein utilization, especially in species with medicinal uses.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e The main contribution of this study is not simply the listing of forage species, but the generation of an interpretable nutritional-functional framework that can be used in advisory services and participatory training with women producers, linking local decision rules with measurable nutritional constraints such as fiber quality, digestibility indicators, and Ca:P risk. This self-sufficiency approach is economically viable; Mixed feeding systems with local forage and supplements such as nutritional blocks generate high profitability (Aliaga Coronado \u0026amp; Huacani Rivera, 2024; Guam\u0026aacute;n et al., 2022). Ultimately, integrated management that combines nutrition based on local biodiversity with population management techniques guarantees a sustainable and competitive practice for food security (\u0026Aacute;lvarez-S\u0026aacute;nchez et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e; Forero, Pati\u0026ntilde;o, et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). The integration of these local forages strengthens food sovereignty by reducing dependence on external inputs (Aliaga Coronado \u0026amp; Huacani Rivera, 2024; Pinchao Pinchao et al., 2024). The modernization of guinea pig farming should not be based solely on external technology, but on ensuring that traditional knowledge is an integral part of the process (Forero, Pati\u0026ntilde;o, et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). The use of lab analyses and ancestral knowledge allows for a transition toward resilient agroecological models, ensuring the use of local biodiversity to contribute to Andean food security.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study demonstrates that smallholder guinea pig production systems in the high-Andean tropics of southern Colombia rely on a diverse assemblage of non-conventional forage species whose management is strongly supported by the traditional ecological knowledge of peasant and Indigenous women. The participatory ethnobotanical characterization identified 24 forage species belonging to 15 botanical families, highlighting the multifunctional role of plant biodiversity within smallholder agroecosystems.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNutritional analysis revealed substantial variability in crude protein, fiber fractions, and mineral composition, allowing the identification of four distinct nutritional groups: (G1) protein\u0026ndash;mineral dense forages, (G2) structurally fibrous forages associated with cecal fermentation processes, (G3) high-moisture forages with complementary bulking function, and (G4) intermediate-value forages that likely constitute the basal component of diversified diets. Several non-conventional species, including Ambrosia peruviana, Dysphania ambrosioides, and Baccharis latifolia, showed crude protein levels comparable to or higher than those of Medicago sativa, highlighting their potential relevance as locally available protein sources. However, nutritional management must consider mineral imbalances, such as the Ca:P ratio observed in Rumex acetosella, as well as the potential influence of secondary metabolites on palatability and nutrient utilization.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e The integration of ethnobotanical knowledge with NIRS-based nutritional characterization provides a preliminary evidence-based framework that can support extension services and participatory training processes aimed at improving feeding strategies, reducing dependence on external inputs, and strengthening household autonomy and food sovereignty in high-Andean guinea pig production systems. Future research should focus on in vivo digestibility and productive performance trials to define safe inclusion levels and validate the functional role of these forage groups under practical production conditions.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgments.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors express their sincere gratitude to the farmers who generously shared their knowledge and participated in the development of this study. Special thanks are extended to the Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation (AGROSAVIA) for institutional support, and to Alexandra C\u0026oacute;rdoba Vargas and July Carolina Rojas G\u0026oacute;mez for their valuable contributions within the framework of the project.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding.\u003c/strong\u003e This work was supported by the Colombian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture through the Colombian\u0026ndash;German Agroecology Project (PACA).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting interests.\u003c/strong\u003e The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor contributions.\u003c/strong\u003e All authors contributed to the conception and design of the study. Conceptualization: PBA, and DAS; Data curation: PBA, RAE and JB; Funding acquisition: DAS; Investigation: PBA, RAE, JB, and DAS; Methodology: DAS, ECR, and DVT; Project administration: DAS; Resources: DAS, and DVT; Supervision: LBE; Visualization: DVT; Writing\u0026ndash; original draft: DVT and DAS; Writing\u0026ndash; review \u0026amp; editing: DAS, ECR, and DVT. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003eData availability.\u003c/strong\u003e The datasets generated during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003eEthical approval.\u003c/strong\u003e The project has the ethical approval of the Ethics Committee of the Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation (AGROSAVIA).\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAliaga-Coronado PA, Huacani-Rivera T (2024) Evaluaci\u0026oacute;n del nopal (Opuntia ficus-indica) como alternativa forrajera en la alimentaci\u0026oacute;n de cuyes (Cavia porcellus). 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Veterinary Research Communications 50:158. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-025-11036-9\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1007/s11259-025-11036-9\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"tropical-animal-health-and-production","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"trop","sideBox":"Learn more about [Tropical Animal Health and Production](https://www.springer.com/journal/11250)","snPcode":"11250","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/11250/3","title":"Tropical Animal Health and Production","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"Cavia porcellus, Nutritional analysis, Ethnobotany, Agroecology, High-Andean tropic, Food sovereignty","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9152946/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9152946/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eGuinea pig (\u003cem\u003eCavia porcellus\u003c/em\u003e) production represents a key strategy for food security in rural households in the high-Andean region of southern Colombia. However, the sustainability of these production systems is limited by rising dependence on commercial feeds and the loss of traditional knowledge regarding local forage use. This study aimed to characterize the nutritional and ethnobotanical properties of unconventional forages used in guinea pig production systems in the high-Andean tropics. The methodological approach integrated participatory surveys, guided farm recognition, and collective knowledge dialogues to document plant use and management practices. Nutritional composition was assessed using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), and compositional variables were analyzed through Principal Component Analysis and hierarchical clustering. A total of 24 forage species from different taxonomic families were identified. Species were grouped by their feeding role and associated with medicinal, human food, soil protection, ornamental, and repellent functions, highlighting their multifunctional value within smallholder systems. Nutritional analysis revealed substantial variability in protein content, structural fiber fractions, mineral composition, and digestibility indicators. Multivariate analysis identified four nutritional forage groups: Group 1 protein\u0026ndash;mineral dense forages potentially relevant for growth and reproduction; Group 2 structurally fibrous forages associated with cecal fermentation processes; Group 3 high-moisture forages with intermediate nutritional contribution and complementary bulking function; and Group 4 intermediate-value basal forages. The integration of ethnobotanical knowledge with nutritional evaluation demonstrates that local forage biodiversity constitutes a strategic resource to diversify diets, improve feeding efficiency, reduce reliance on external inputs, and enhance the sustainability of guinea pig production systems in high-Andean tropics in Colombia.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Nutritional and ethnobotanical characterization of unconventional forages for guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) production systems in the high-Andean tropics","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-04-03 00:50:25","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9152946/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"","date":"2026-03-31T09:50:01+00:00","index":0,"fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2026-03-31T09:37:54+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2026-03-20T12:21:28+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Tropical Animal Health and Production","date":"2026-03-17T19:51:36+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"tropical-animal-health-and-production","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"trop","sideBox":"Learn more about [Tropical Animal Health and Production](https://www.springer.com/journal/11250)","snPcode":"11250","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/11250/3","title":"Tropical Animal Health and Production","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"52e099ec-20c6-41d8-a8ce-d6cfade7eef5","owner":[],"postedDate":"April 3rd, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-04-03T00:50:25+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-04-03 00:50:25","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-9152946","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-9152946","identity":"rs-9152946","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}