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

Objective. To contribute to characterize the diversity and functioning of croppingsystems of four communities in the Northern Sierra of the state of Puebla, Mexico, topropose actions through sociotechnical practices in order to contribute towards anagroecological transition and territorial sustainability.Design and methodology. Surveys were applied to key informants in four communities,afterwards a stratified random sampling (SRS) was used to apply a questioner to 76family systems and their main plot. R program ver. 3.5.2. was used to test normality,basic statistics, ANOVA and HSD Tukey.Results. Family systems have 2.21 ha for farming, main plot is 0.74 ha on average. Sixcropping systems were identified, and they are practiced by families in different 2proportions: 1) maize, collecting weeds and fruits (Mmr), 47.37% of families; 2) coffeemonoculture (Uc), 15.79%; 3) split plot (Pd), 11.84%; 4) maize-bean intercrop withcollecting (Amfr), 10.53%; 5) fruits and annual crops intercrops (Afa), 9.21%; 6) Othercropping systems (Osc), 5.26%. There were identified eight crops and 16 collectingspecies. Pd system had statistical advantage related to production value.Limitation. Management strategies are explained at family farming system scale.Conclusions. Cropping systems show a diversity of farming management, and due totheir knowledge, local resources and socio technical practices evidence a favourablestate for the agroecological transition of the territorial agriculture.

Objective: Identify the main factors that determine the behavior of production and demand for fresh orange (Citrus Sinensis)  in Mexico, and quantify the effects between different levels of real prices. Methodology: A model of simultaneous equations was estimated, consisting of an equation of supply, one of demand, three of price transmission and an identity of foreign trade balance. Annual data from 1980 to 2018 were used. Results: Orange production and demand in Mexico respond inelastically to their respective prices. With regard to price transmission, the international real price does not significantly affect the average rural price or the average real consumer price (0.2% and 0.4%, respectively); on the contrary, the real wholesale price does affect them (3.8% and 9.7%, respectively). Limitations: Only some results are contrasted, because literature on the orange market in Mexico is scarce. Conclusion: The factors that most affected the supply of orange in Mexico are the temperature and the real minimum wage; and the quantity demanded of orange with a year of lag and the real average price of the consumer of melon, are those that affect the demand to a greater extent. It is recommended that policies consider the real wholesale price, because it significantly affects two main agents in the orange market (consumers and producers) through their respective prices.

Objective: To evaluate the practices to agricultural production and productivity improvement. Design/methodology/approach: A comparatively analysis of practices performed by land producer in an agroforestry module was carried out. As well as the yield obtained in two-year period, both from the economic income point of view and diversification of plant species that were established. Results: The practices used in the module were: a) conservation (reduced tillage), b) vegetative (crop diversification, associated crops, intercropping and crop rotation) and c) agronomic (bottom fertilization and fertigation). During this study (2015-2018), 16 plant species were established. Yields and income from the sale of surplus production increased over time, which contributed to the food security and economy of the rural family. Limitations on study/implications: The present work, did not evaluate the biological efficiency of the crop association in the agroforestry module, which could give an additional value to this type of production versus monoculture systems. Findings/conclusions: The type of practices used in the production of food and fodder in an agroforestry module was documented. The production of crops in small areas, under the agroforestry approach, can represent a sustainable alternative of agricultural production for the arid and semi-arid regions and a mean to improve income and nutrition of the rural family.

México se considera un país megadiverso ya que cuenta con aproximadamente 10% de la diversidad terrestre del planeta

Objective: To evaluate the tlacoyo as a food resource and its relationship with the local tourism offer, its contribution to the welfare of families and the work of women, in the municipalities of Texcoco and Chiconcuac, State of Mexico, Mexico. Design/methodology/approach: The points of sale of tlacoyos were identified and listed in places with more tourist influx in the municipalities of Texcoco and Chiconcuac, State of Mexico. These municipalities offer two different types of tlacoyos and places of sale. To obtain the population sample it was used the stratified random sampling method, with no replacement for the group of people who make and sell tlacoyos, and simple random sampling for the group of tourists. The population was stratified into four groups according to characteristics and 72 surveys were applied to people who prepare and sell tlacoyos and 72 surveys to tourists. Results: The tlacoyo was identified as a traditional food that preserves its original ingredients and form of preparation, knowledge that has been inherited from generation to generation. Up to 87% of people who make and sell tlacoyos in the municipalities of Texcoco and Chiconcuac, and 100% tourists consider it a traditional food that is part of the region's cuisine, though its touristic value has not been measured yet. The elaboration and sale of the tlacoyo promotes family unity with the participation and distribution of work among all family members. The participation of women in the elaboration of tlacoyo is 90%; 52% of them are single with social status of widows, single mothers and divorced. Women are the economic support of their families. Tlacoyo is an identity food with the potential to strengthen the local tourism offer that influences the family unit and represents an important income for the livelihood of women. Limitations on study/implications: We were not able to identify the exact origin of the maize types or races used to prepare the tlacoyos. Findings/conclusions: The tlacoyo is traditional local food in Texcoco and Chiconcuac, State of Mexico, but its value to boost gastronomic tourism has not been visualized in the studied region.

Objective: To describe the use of artificial drinking fountains by the central American Agouti (Dasyprocta punctata) in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. Design/methodology/approach: Eight artificial drinking fountains were monitored each one with a trap camera with the aim to estimate the relative abundance index and activity patterns of visits to the drinking fountains. The monitoring was during the dry season of 2019. The analyzes were carried out with the InfoStat and R programs. Results: From January to May 2019, with a sampling effort of 1121 days/camera, average abundance of 160.08±85.44. The pattern of visits to the drinking troughs was mainly diurnal. Limitations of the study/implications: The use of trap cameras in the artificial drinking fountains allows us to know the extent of habitat modification in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. Findings/conclusions: The implementation of artificial drinking fountains in the RBC during the dry season was a successful action to mitigate the effects of water scarcity. The use of the water resource by the Central American Agouti in artificial drinking fountains was constant, other species of mammals and birds were also observed making use of artificial drinking fountains.

Objective: Obtain and characterize a biodegradable material, using as raw material the breadfruit (Artocarpus altillis (s. park) fosberg) starch. Desing/methodology/approach: The breadfruit starch was extracted using wet method. The dried starch was mixed with glycerol, water and HCl 1N approx. at 75 °C until obtaining the bioplastic, which was characterized by FT-IR and SEM-EDX spectroscopy. Results: The highest starch content is obtained in the intermediate stage of fruit development (mature-green) with a 10% yield. Infrared and SEM-EDX tests were performed on both the starch and the bioplastic obtained. The SEM-EDX showed that for the starch the average granule diameter is between 2.5 ± 0.2 to 8.4 ± 0.2 µm with a spherical geometry, with cuts in random directions. Limitations on study/implications: There are no significant technological limitations, but there are implications that impact the accelerated development of the bioplastics trade. Findings/conclusions: Breadfruit starch was isolated and characterized with Infrared and SEM-EDX techniques. A bioplastic material was obtained from starch, using glycerol and water as plasticizer, finding that the ratio (1:10, starch: water) generates a material with the best thermoplastic characteristics.

Objetivo: Caracterizar fisicoquímicamente aceite de pulpa de coyol como materia prima potencial para la producción de biodiesel. Diseño / metodología: Los frutos fueron colectados en ocho localidades entre las regiones de Chiapas y Oaxaca. Estos fueron procesados y separados en cascara, pulpa y almendra, colocados en bolsas y almacenados a 4°C. Para la caracterización fisicoquímica se utilizaron los métodos estandarizados y recomendados por las normas nacionales e internacionales. Los experimentos fueron realizados por triplicado, se realizó un análisis de varianza y comparación múltiple de medias con la prueba de Scott-Knott (p? 0.05) utilizando el programa R. Resultados: Se determinó el contenido de humedad y contenido de aceite de ocho colectas de Acrocomia aculeta. Además, se caracterizó fisicoquímicamente el aceite de pulpa de coyol de las ocho colectas, obteniendo valores altos en los ácidos grasos, que representa un parámetro que puede afectar el rendimiento para la obtención de biodiesel. Limitaciones/implicaciones: Los frutos de coyol recién cosechados deben ser almacenados inmediatamente para evitar la formación de ácidos grasos libres. Conclusiones: Los análisis fisicoquímicos del aceite de pulpa indican que son comparables a los aceites vegetales de buena calidad como soya, moringa, colza, dado el predominio de los ácidos grasos monoinsaturados, en particular del ácido oleico. La pulpa de A. aculeata de las colectas analizadas, son una excelente fuente de lípidos y con alto contenido de aceite y poseen buenas características fisicoquímicas, lo que representa su viabilidad como materia prima para la producción de biodiesel.

Objective: To know what young graduates of schools and business faculties in Mexico think about undertaking (or investing) in the agricultural sector and identify what are the determining factors that affect how to start an agribusiness. Design/methodology/approach: A sample of 3,213 young graduates from a database generated by the Business Development Center of the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon during the first quarter of 2019 is used. With the information collected a model is made of structural equations that explain the way in which young people classify their perceptions on the subject of study. Results: Research shows that young graduates of schools and business faculties in the south of the country give greater weight (44.3%) to the commitment they consider to have with Mexican agriculture and to the satisfaction of knowing that if they undertake an agribusiness, they will help their communities, while young graduates from the north of the country value more the economic remuneration they could generate if they start a business of this type (35.4%). Study limitations/implications: The work performed is not comparable and generalizable, so that expanding the population or sample at regional or national level, the research would have a scope of representative analysis on the phenomenon of study. Findings/conclusions: Most of the young people surveyed seem to have a positive perception about the importance of the agricultural sector. However, more than half of the sample interviewed (57.9%) argues that it would not put an agribusiness in this sector.

Objective: The goal of the present research was to evaluate the infective propagules capacity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in sugarcane plantation at the Chontalpa, Tabasco region. Design/methodology/approach: Rhizosphere samples were carried out on Cambisol Fluvico soils, belonging to the C-28 and Endogleyic Cambisol soils, belonging to the C-20 settlement, at a depth of 0 to 30 cm to evaluate percentage of root colonization, number of spores in 100 g of soil and for the taxonomic classification of HMA. Results: The results of AM root colonization were 100% and the number of 2833 ± 2064 spores in the Fluvic cambisol soil and 2966 ± 873 spores in Endogleyic cambisol.  Four morphospecies of mycorrhizal fungi belonging to four genera were found. The Endogleyic cambisol soil showed the highest number of morphospecies. The highest colonization was found at the 4?² dilution with 100% of root colonization and the lowest colonization at 46 dilutions with 93 % of root colonization. Limitations on study/implications: For the period or stage evaluated it did not allow taxonomic classification, so the study should be done in more detail. Findings/conclusions: However, result showed that there was not presence of AM spores in all dilutions used in this study. The taxonomic classification was not performed at this stage. The HMAs evaluated have a high potential for use in a biofertilizer production program.