Maize Breeding in the Highlands of Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia: A Review
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
This manuscript reviews highland maize breeding programs in Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru. It highlights the history of the programs and the advances that have been made over the past decades. It also highlights areas for improvement in the future, specifically the potential to increase yields and implement newer breeding technologies.
This manuscript is an important contribution to the field and can be useful in guiding future maize breeding programs. It would be useful to know what selection criteria were used during the breeding process, as noted in the attached file. There were minor grammatical errors that should be corrected before publication. Please see the attached file for specific edits.
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
Thank you very much for your recommendations to improve the manuscript: Maize Breeding in the Highlands of Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia: A Review. It was reviewed by experts in the field and minor revisions were requested. All the changes and suggestions made by the reviewers were made.
Corrections were made at the email address of two authors.
Reviewer 1.
The reviewer provided a file with minor grammatical errors that have been solved in this version:
In the abstract: the spelling mistake of line 4 was corrected. In line 9 the word “bred” was deleted as suggested. In line 10, coma was placed, and the grammar errors were corrected as suggested.
In the introduction: At the end of the first paragraph the word “prematurely” was included as suggested. In the second paragraph, line 4 and 5, the grammar mistake was corrected as suggested. In the second paragraph of page 2, the words “temporary crop” were changed by short-term crops, and the word department was changed by region. I think it gives a better idea and solve any doubt of the reader. In Bolivia and Peru, departments are used instead of provinces.
In the third paragraph of page 2, the words “with a tendency to decrease” were deleted. These could words caused doubts to readers, and tendency of the planted area is not analyzed in the document.
In the fourth paragraph of page 2, the word “formal” was included. I agree that breeding have been carried out since long time ago by farmers, for instance.
In page 3, the two grammar mistakes were corrected. In page 3, the answer to the question of the reviewer “What traits are selected on?” in answered in line 4 and 5 of the same page: grain quality for human consumption (texture and color), nutritional quality of the grain (QPM), and disease resistance”.
In page 4, the recommendations for line 2, 7, and 42 to use the words suggested by the reviewer were accepted. I consider these words clarify the idea.
Reviewer 2 Report
This is a good review about floury-maize in the highland so fo Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.
However, the author needs to:
1. Use clear and succinct sentences.
Most seeds come from landraces adapted to high altitudes, with kernel
characteristics that are unique for the elaboration of traditional dishes and other elaborates for human consumption. - this section of the sentence does not give a clear indication of what the author intended to communicate. Please rewrite
Since 1961, the MBP of the National Institute for Agricultural Research (INIAP), based at the Santa Catalina Experiment Station, has dedicated its efforts to the improvement of native varieties, with the aim of obtaining better varieties that satisfy the needs and production systems of farmers in the highlands of Ecuador on the basis of the local genetic diversity of maize.- This sentence is too long
2. Use correct punctuation for the sentences
3. Be consistent with hyphenated words
4. Check on the spelling of words e.g. opaco-2, opaque-2 gen etc.
Author Response
Thank you very much for your recommendations to improve the manuscript: Maize Breeding in the Highlands of Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia: A Review.
The manuscript was reviewed by experts in the field and minor revisions were requested. All the changes and suggestions made by the reviewers were made.
Corrections were made at the email address of two authors.
Reviewer 2:
In response to:
- Use clear and succinct sentences. Please rewrite
Most seeds come from landraces adapted to high altitudes, with kernel characteristics that are unique for the elaboration of traditional dishes and other elaborates for human consumption. - this section of the sentence does not give a clear indication of what the author intended to communicate.
Changed (in the abstract):
Most of seeds come from landraces with their own kernel characteristics. The kernels are used for the elaboration of traditional dishes and other elaborates for human consumption.
Since 1961, the MBP of the National Institute for Agricultural Research (INIAP), based at the Santa Catalina Experiment Station, has dedicated its efforts to the improvement of native varieties, with the aim of obtaining better varieties that satisfy the needs and production systems of farmers in the highlands of Ecuador on the basis of the local genetic diversity of maize.- This sentence is too long
The sentence was split and edited (page 4):
Since 1961, the MBP of the National Institute for Agricultural Research (INIAP), based at the Santa Catalina Experiment Station, has dedicated its efforts to the improvement of native varieties. Since then, the objective of the MBP has been to develop OPVs that satisfy the needs and production systems of farmers in the highlands, on the basis of the local genetic diversity of maize.
- Use correct punctuation for the sentences
In order to avoid grammar mistakes, the manuscript was sent for English editing service by MDPI. I can provide the certification if needed. Few mistakes found by the other reviewer were corrected.
- Be consistent with hyphenated words
This was corrected. In page3, paragraph 5 “Mass Selection”.
Page 3, seventh paragraph, and page 5 second paragraph the word floury-maize was corrected.
Page 4, paragraph 2. The word genetic-improvement was corrected.
Page 6, last paragraph the words: seed-production and commercialization.
- Check on the spelling of words e.g. opaco-2, opaque-2 gen e.tc
In page 5, second paragraph. The word opaco was changed by opaque. Opaco is Spanish.
