Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

Background: Agaves in Mexico are plants with great economic, gastronomic and cultural value. Despite the multiple forms of reproduction of plants belonging to the genus Agave, several of these species are threatened due to their slow growth, low percentage of seed viability, destruction of its habitat, excessive looting, interruption of its ripening cycle due to the use of their different organs,however, it has been posible to establish biotechnological techniques for its propagation, conservation and genetic improvement. Objective: At the present work were selected a representative species  of Agave, one of them for pulque production (A. salmiana) (As) and the other one in the production of mezcal (Agave marmorata) (Am) with the aim to establish an efficient micropropagation protocol optimizing the concentrations of the citokinin benzylaminopurine (BA) and the auxin 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), on the in vitro morphogenesis of both species. Methodology: Two in vitro culture systems were conducted in three explants (zygotic embryonic axis (E1), in vitro meristematic zone (E2) and ex vitro meristematic zone (E3)). Results: Shoots regeneration was achieved in all tested experiments; the highest number of shoots in As was 23.8 for explant using the E2 of directly regenerated in vitro germinated plants using a concentration of 10 mg L-1 of BA, while in Am 24.7 shoots/explant were obtained with 5 mg L-1 of BA using the zygotic embryonic axis who throughing a callus phase. Implications: The results obtained help to understand the importance of developing specific micropropagation protocols for each species, as well as contribuiting in the masive multiplications of A. salmiana and A. marmorata by understanding the effect of cytokinin BA and auxin 2,4-D and their combination in the formation of shoots by direct and indirect organogenesis. This provides a conservation alternative and an opportunity to startgenetic improvment programs. Conclusion: The results of this research suggest that the choice of explant, multiplication system, species and plant growth regulators are the key to obtain a greater number of shoots with high ex vitro survival rates.

Background. Zabrotes subfasciatus (Boh., 1833) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae), is considered one of the most important pest of stored beans. Objective. This study reports the possible toxicity and repellence of powders prepared from eight plant species against the Mexican bean weevil in two formulations (dry powder and sachets). Methodology. A 10 ˟ 2 factorial design (10 species ˟ 2 formulations) with 8 repetitions in a completely randomized design was employed. Pots with no powder were used as a negative control, and a pyrethroid insecticide [K-Obiol® 2 DP (deltamethrin, 0.5 g a.i. ton-1)] was applied as a positive control. Results. A mixture of powdered Chenopodium ambrosioides L., Ruta graveolens L. and Mentha pulegium L. added to bean grains was confirmed to be toxic to Z. subfasciatus adults with promising grain protector properties. C. ambrosioides powder had the same effect when in a sachet. A mixture of powdered R. graveolens, M. pulegium and C. ambrosioides with the beans inhibited weevil oviposition. The same effect was achieved for M. pulegium and C. ambrosioides in sachets. A mixture of powdered C. ambrosioides, M. pulegium, R. officinalis and R. graveolens repelled Z. subfasciatus adults from bean grains. Implications. This is the first report of using botanical derivatives by means of sachets or dry formulations, a pre-commercial purpose for aromatic plants with insecticidal/repellent activities. Conclusions. Sachets containing powdered C. ambrosioides and M. pulegium efficiently controlled the Mexican bean weevil in stored beans and constitute an useful tools for domestic grain stock or post-harvest management of organic grains.

Background. The bijao (Calathea lutea) is a plant of great importance since it has been used for years in the wrapping of an emblematic Colombian confectionery that is a cultural and financial staple in the area where it is produced. Objective. The aim of the research was to identify socioeconomic characters of peasant families dedicated to the production and sale of bijao leaf were, identify the main plant species that accompany bijao in the ecosystem and document the community's perception of the ecosystem services associated with the plant's ecosystem. Methodology For the development of this study, were used community interviews, questionnaires, workshops and verification visits at farms and cover forest areas and crop field with Bijao.   Results. Predominantly, leaf production was conducted through family farming in transition, with women playing a fundamental role in the process. The community attributes an important ecological role to bijao, which is predicated on the protection and regulation of water, soil, climate and biodiversity. Implications. The study identified conservation values in an ecosystem where pressures exerted on the natural environment by agricultural production, urbanization and tourism prevail. Conclusions. The bijao leaf has socioeconomic importance and is part of the local tradition and culture of peasant families, the leaf is embedded in customs and gives identity to the territory. Women maintain the traditional knowledge of bijao for the next generations and it is an option of life and income for young people. The community recognized the environmental services and goods of the bijao areas on soil and water conservation. It provides conservation values of natural resources in an area with conflicts between forest conservation and where they produce agricultural goods.

Antecedentes. Estudiar la comunidad de aves en espacios antrópicos urbanos, semiurbanos o agroecosistemas, permite identificar los efectos de la perturbación humana sobre la biodiversidad y, de este modo, diseñar estrategias de conservación. Objetivo. Analizar la estructura de la comunidad de aves en un estrato antropizado en el centro del estado de Veracruz, México, durante la temporada primavera-verano 2016. Metodología. El muestreo se realizó en dos estratos mediante mapeo por parcelas: la parcela jardines y la parcela campos agrícolas fue muestreada por dos observadores, entre 7:00 y 12:00 h, cada 8.6 días en promedio. Se determinaron la riqueza, abundancia, estacionalidad y estatus de conservación de la avifauna. Resultados. Se observaron 98 especies pertenecientes a 28 familias y 14 órdenes, siendo la familia Parulidae la que mostró mayor riqueza. Se registraron 54 especies en los jardines y 87 en los campos agrícolas, pero los indicadores predijeron hasta 70 y 115, respectivamente, lo que representa el 76% de completitud del muestreo. El índice de Shannon no difirió significativamente entre la avifauna de cada estrato, pero el análisis de rarefacción indicó una riqueza de aves significativamente mayor en los campos que de los jardines. Conclusión.  Este paisaje antropizado sirve de refugio para siete especies en riesgo.

Antecedentes. El suelo constituye el principal reservorio de microorganismos, así como la mayor fuente de diversidad biológica; un grupo de organismos abundantes en el suelo son los hongos, los cuales pueden llevar a cabo diversas funciones, además pueden existir en cualquier tipo de ambiente, incluyendo los ecosistemas cálidos. Los hongos queratinofílicos agrupan agentes etiológicos de dermatomicosis (dermatofitos y no dermatofitos) humana siendo esta una de las principales causas de consulta dermatológica en México. Metodología. Con la finalidad de determinar la diversidad de este grupo de hongos, se realizó un muestreo del suelo en las regiones: Cerro de las Noas de Torreón, Coahuila (TC) y en la comunidad Francisco Villa de Iguala de la Independencia, Guerrero (GUE); para el aislamiento e identificación de microorganismos queratinofílicos se utilizó la técnica del anzuelo de queratina de Vanbreuseghem, microcultivos y pruebas bioquímicas. Por otra parte se determinó el pH del suelo. Las determinaciones ecológicas aplicadas fueron el índice de Shannon H y el índice de Sorensen CC. Resultados. Del total de muestras obtenidas (9) en TC el 44% (4) resulto positiva para dermatofitos, el 88.9% (8) para hongos queratinofílicos no dermatofíticos de los cuales Chrysosporium fue dominante y el 55.6% (5) para actinomicetos, mientras que, en GU de las 9 muestras obtenidas en el 55.6% (5) de las muestras se identificaron dermatofitos, en el 100% (9) hongos queratinofílicos no dermatofíticos dominando Fusarium y Chaetomium  y en el 1% (1) actinomicetos. El valor de pH de las muestras del suelo de TC fue de 7.6 y el de GU 7.5. La diversidad de Shannon para TC H: 2.13 y para GU H: 2.49. El índice de Sorensen reporto un CC: 68% de similitud entre ambas comunidades. Conclusión. De acuerdo a los resultados obtenidos se puede observar que la diversidad de hongos queratinofílicos agentes etiológicos de dermatomicosis  está dominada por no dermatofitos observándose que a pesar de las diferencias ambientales son capaces de adaptarse en diversas condiciones ambientales

Background. The patios are traditional productive units that provide plants with multiple use value to the rural families of Mexico. However, capitalism promotes its deterioration and violates food security. Objetive. Analyze the useful plants of the courtyards to the families of Santo Domingo Ocotitlán in Tepoztlán, Morelos, Mexico. Methodology. Ethnobotanical knowledge was documented of 27 open interviews, guided tours and collection of botanical material for identification; the Cultural Value Indices (CVI) and medicinal diversity (MDV) of each plant were calculated. Results. 94 species belonging to 45 botanical families were recorded, Rosaceae highlighted (11.1%). Ten use values were recorded, with food (37.2%) and medicinal (29.7%) standing out. The medicinal plants treat 27 diseases classified in 10 categories, highlighting: digestive system (35.5%) and respiratory system (22.6%). 90% of the species are destined for self-sufficiency. The plants with the highest CVI were: Persea americana and Citrus aurantifolia (0.47). The species with the highest MDV was Aloe vera (0.19). Implications. The information generated in this research must be included in public management, conservation and social welfare policies.Conclusion. The traditional patios studied provide environmental goods and services to the peasant families of Santo Domingo.

Background: Aspergillus parasiticus is a mold to produce aflatoxins, and growth in maize; the used synthetic fungicides for their inhibition are risk to health and the environment.  However, garlic essential oil to have antifungal activity and can be alternative for control A. parasiticus. Objective/hypothesis: Essential garlic oil can inhibit the in vitro growth of A. parasiticus and its aflatoxins.  Methodology: The in vitro antifungal activity of garlic (Allium sativum L.) essential oil was evaluated against A. parasiticus (radial growth and spore germination). In addition, the mean inhibitory concentrations (IC50) and minimum inhibitory (MIC) were calculated. Aflatoxins were tested on maize with High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC). Results: The mean inhibitory concentration (IC50) and minimum inhibitory (MIC) obtained by Probit analyses with radial growth were 971 and 2875 ppm of garlic essential oil, respectively, in A. parasiticus. These concentrations inhibited spore germination until 24 h. Starting from 100 ppm of garlic essential oil, mycelial inhibition was shown. Evidence of inhibition of aflatoxin production by A. parasiticus in maize was not possible at concentrations of 971 and 2875 ppm garlic essential oil. Implications: The concentrations 971 and 2875 ppm of garlic essential oil inhibited the growth in vitro of A. parasiticus. However, they did not inhibit aflatoxin production by A. parasiticus into maize. Conclusion: Garlic essential oil inhibit the in vitro growth of A. parasiticus on growth radial and germination spores; but not inhibit aflatoxins production on maize to concentrations 971 and 2875 ppm of garlic essential oil.

Background. The Jatropha curcas species can be reproduced asexually by stakes, grafting and meristem cultivation, however, the main way to establish plantations is by means of botanical seed of high physiological quality that will ensure the germination and development of vigorous plants. Objective. To evaluate the variations in physiological and biochemical quality in stored seeds of J. curcas caused by accelerated aging deterioration method in different periods of exposure time. Methodology. Seeds with 75 days of storage were subjected to aging periods of 96, 72, 48 and 24 h at 40 ± 1 °C and 100 % relative humidity. Treated seeds were measured by germination percentage (PG), electrical conductivity (EC), protein content (CProt), fatty acids (CLip), peroxidation (IP). The lowest germination loss was obtained at 18 days in seeds with 24 h of treatment (93 %), and with 96 h they did not germinate (0 %). The EC identified progressive cell deterioration during the imbibition process (after six hours). The IP rose due to the moisture gain in the seed during the treatment period. The CProt and CLip had minimal variation.  Conclusion. The physiological and biochemical quality of the Jatropha curcas seed showed serious variations with exposure to different periods of accelerated aging; It can withstand up to 72 hours of aging at 40 ± 1 °C and 100 % relative humidity before losing its viability.

Antecedentes. La mosca blanca Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius, 1889) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) es una plaga que causa pérdidas significativas en los cultivos de campo e invernadero a nivel mundial. Objetivo.  Evaluar los efectos de la integración de insecticidas biorracionales y químicos en la densidad de población de la mosca blanca Bemisia tabaci, el rendimiento y calidad de fruto de tomate. Metodología. Se integraron tres tratamientos: Biorracional (insecticidas botánicos y reguladores de crecimiento), Biorracional-Intermedio (insecticidas botánicos y químicos convencionales) y Químico (insecticidas químicos convencionales). Resultados. En general la densidad poblacional de B. tabaci fue baja desde el momento de retirar la malla flotante y hasta los muestreos realizados del día 61 a los 78 días después del trasplante (ddt). Sin embargo, del día 92 al 108 ddt las poblaciones de inmaduros y adultos incrementaron substancialmente. El tratamiento Químico fue el más efectivo para suprimir poblaciones de adultos de B. tabaci cuando las poblaciones fueron bajas, pero cuando hubo incremento poblacional de B. tabaci, el tratamiento Biorracional-Intermedio fue el más efectivo. La densidad de ninfas y huevos fue similar en los tres tratamientos. El rendimiento del fruto de tomate y en general sus características bromatológicas no fueron significativamente diferentes entre tratamientos. Conclusión. El tratamiento Biorracional-Intermedio podría representar la mejor alternativa para manejo de Bemisia tabaci en el cultivo de tomate.

Background. Soil health assessment has been based on narrow disciplinary approaches that overlook the multiple and interacting biological processes that are the basis of sustainable crop productivity. Objective. Determine the influence of seasonal variations in nematode assemblages in different soil groups, sites and disturbance levels as an indicator of soil health. Methodology. Sampling was done in areas characterized by small scale subsistence agriculture in Kenyan Northern sites and Southern sites over three distinct seasons. The sampling points included disturbed (tilled) and the adjoining undisturbed (untilled) soils within three soil groups, namely Vertisols, Cambisols and Arenosols. Nematodes were extracted using the centrifugal-floatation technique, enumerated and assigned to their respective trophic groups. Results. Total nematode abundance in the three seasons varied significantly (p ≤ 0.05) with a mean of 68, 93 and 52 nematodes in 200 cm3 of soil in seasons I, II and III, respectively. Nematodes abundance in the undisturbed soils was significantly higher (98) compared to the disturbed soils (62) nematodes per 200 cm3). Mean abundance of nematodes was highest in Cambisols. In addition, nematode abundances, in all trophic levels across the three seasons, were significantly higher (p≤0.05) in the northern compared to the southern sites. Bacterivores (28%) had the highest percentage frequency of detection followed by herbivores (27%) and fungivores (21%) while omnivores (11%) had the least. Implications. Nematode communities do respond variably to different soil groups and seasonal changes. Conclusion.  Nematodes can therefore be utilized as viable bio-indicators of soil health and quality.