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

The objective of this essay is to provide reflections on agricultural research with an agroecological approach as a tool for the development of sustainable agriculture in Nicaragua. In order to provide a general overview of the research, different points of view necessary for its operation are addressed, such as: the strengthening of the human talent that carries out the research activity, the participation of the producer in the research process, public-private investment and the strengthening of the Nicaraguan System of Agricultural Research and Innovation, which has the responsibility of proposing new research for the generation of technologies that contribute to the development of a sustainable agriculture that takes into account the interrelations between the physical, biological and socioeconomic components, and the environmental impact that arise within the productive systems.

Polycultures play an important role in the biodiversity of agroecosystems, they promote ecological services such as nutrient cycling, biological control of pests, diseases and weeds, increased biomass production, soil and water conservation, improvement physical-chemistry soil properties, reduced toxicity by avoiding the over use of pesticides. This study was conducted in the municipality of Tisma, Masaya in the farm “El Chagüite” in the months of September to November 2014, in order to compare two planting systems, monoculture and polyculture, on the population of pests and benefi cial arthropods; as well as the severity of the attack of broad mite in sweet pepper. For the development of this research, four experimental plots were arranged; one with the arrangement of sweet pepper, corn, cassava, quequisque, and tomato; the other three were established in monoculture of sweet pepper, corn and tomato respectively. The weekly evaluated variables were, the population incidence of pests and beneficial arthropods present in the culture of sweet pepper. Broad mites incidence and severity present in the cultivation of sweet pepper were also recorded. Additionally, the production of sweet pepper, corn, and tomato were harvested in order to calculate the land equivalent ratio (LER). A general trend of lower occurrence of pests, lower population density of white mite, higher population density of beneficial arthropods and better land use per unit area in polyculture planting system was observed.

An effective link between teaching, research, and extension is a necessity in the professional training of Universidad Nacional Agraria. In the period from July to November 2014, a study was carried out with the purpose of gather information about curricular and extracurricular practices and actions of research and extension present at the curriculum of Agronomy Faculty, Universidad Nacional Agraria. The research was quantitative, not experimental. The information was collected using documentary review and surveys. Questionnaire were applied to teachers and students of the last two years at the Faculty of Agronomy. The results show that at FAGRO the most widespread mechanisms to enhance capabilities in research and extension are scientific university journeys, emerging plans, and pre-professional practices. Students do not know about some of the practices that encourage research and extension, such as teaching assistant and entrepreneurs, however, they are identified with scientific conferences and pre-professional practices. The FAGRO curriculum should include formative research plans, movements of entrepreneurs, internships and scientific conferences, high-achieving students, and encouraging from the early years of the careers extracurricular practices that allow greater scope of research and extension. Curricular activities of greater impact in research training and extension are fi eld trips and crop establishment, and needs to emphasize in laboratory practice and direct coexistence with the farm family. The adjustment to the study plan of the agronomy faculty will allow research and extension permeate the curriculum, thereby achieving creative, analytical students, who become agents of change for Nicaraguan society

Nicaragua is a country with agricultural characteristics, highlighting livestock production. We studied 153 double-purpose livestock systems in the departments of Rivas (Belén, Rivas and Tola) and Carazo (Santa Teresa, Diriamba and La Conquista). The characteristics of the system were evaluated (areas and distribution of the system, ownership of the property and availability of water), Characteristics of the herd (Race, Number of animals, mortality among others), nutritional characteristics (type of feeding), sanitary management and infrastructure productive The objective of this study was to characterize livestock systems in the departments of Carazo and Rivas, Nicaragua. It was found that the owners predominated, over 50 years old, the level of education that prevails is primary, and followed by secondary education. With average areas between 20 and 50 hectares. During the year there are times with high production of pastures mainly in the rainy season accessible to livestock, however in the dry season there is scarcity so that minerals must be supplied to meet the nutritional demands. In the herd they predominated: Swiss Brown and Brahman. Annual mortality in off spring and adults was lower than 10%. The dominant grass species correspond to Hyparrhenia rufa Nees (38.11%), Andropogon gayanus kunth (23.42%). The presence of corrals and galleys constitute the main productive infrastructures. The epizootiological management is dewormed, vitamin and cattle vaccine against the main diseases present in the departments under study, being the aff ectations by spiders the most common, followed by the presence of internal and external parasites. We identifi ed the existence of producers (28 of 153) that have areas with established forage banks and some agroecological practices that favor productivity.

With the aim to determine the relation between diversity and distribution of edaphic macrofauna and soil properties, a study was performed at National Agrarian University farm. International Program for Biology and Fertility of Tropical Soil sampling methodology was used. A taxonomical classification was done at phylum, class, order and family level as well functional groups such as detritivores, soil engineers, herbivores and predators. A higest density of macrofauna was registered on agroecological consersion system (7424 ind/m2) in comparision with conventional management system (1984 ind/m2), with major individual concentration (7488 ind/ m2) on the first 20 centimeters of the soil; and population density of 56.2% in 0 to 10 centimeters strata. The number of taxas show dominance of Insecta at both management systems. About family taxa, the edaphic macrofauna distrubution was diferent between systems with influence of the funtionality in each soil strata. The soil engenier group was the dominan on agroecological consersion system; while detritivorous group was dominan in conventional system. Was determinate the infl uence of hábitat over physic and chemical soil properties, and the biological populations; founding efecto of management over the density, diversity and distribution of the edaphic macrofauna.

White grubs (Phyllophaga sp.) is the predominant soil pest in Central American crops, it affects cacao (Theobroma cacao), and a large number of crops from different botanical families. There is no record of varieties of cacao tolerant to white grubs attack and the management alternatives are focused on the application of synthetic chemicals, whose residual effects on soils and crops are not compatible with the phytosanitary requirements established by the certifying agencies. The objective of this paper is to document the problems caused by white grubs in cocoa plantations in the South Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAS), based on a fi eld study carried out for the recognition of species, incidence, severity, damage characterization, population distribution and design of a white grubs management strategy in the San Sebastian farm, located northwest of the Buena Vista community, in the municipality of Boca de Sabalo in the department of Río San Juan in December 2016. Some taxonomic and biological aspects are emphasized of the plague that makes it predictable to focus on an adequate management of it; recommendations about strategies for sustainable management of the pest are proposed and emphasis is placed on premises or basic technical aspects to be taken into account in order to design an efficient white grubs management strategy for the medium and long term.

The food importance and industrial relevance of cocoa agroecosystem and its sociocultural perspective have given rise to this document as a reflection on the validity of strengthen the farmer capacity whose for centuries has preserved this locally adapted ancestral production system. The Ethnobotany of cocoa shows the cultural inheritance transmitted by custom, graphics, symbols or phytomorphic representations related to the use, distribution among different ethnic groups, domestication, agricultural work and agronomic management that gradually has been done around this Mesoamerican crop. The ancient Mayas and Aztecs began cultivation, designed its agroforestry systems, created elaborated trade routes throughout Mesoamerican region, and processing cocoa almost two thousand years ago. If the production of cocoa in Nicaragua for this period was an attraction for the ethnic migrations of the north and the south, it is huge possible that the Ethnohistory of this productive system in this country had have its peculiarities. The quality of Nicaraguan cacao could be associated with this biocultural heritage, which currently supports the opportunity to redesign a biodiversity agroecosystem, environmentally friendly and with high potential to generate export commodities. It is urgent to establish the link between all those who produce, identify, adapt and apply knowledge in this productive system, and the state simultaneously must to lead policies and incentives that strengthen producers. With the goal that they must to answer with increased efficiency to the challenges of the modern world by diversifying their farms, opening up new market niches and identifying themselves with the adaptive capacity of traditional agriculture in the face of future needs.

Solid state fermentation (FES) of the mixture of shredded sugar cane and different levels (0, 5, 7.5 and 10% ) of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (HHMO) as protein source was studied in a completely randomized design, with four treatments and three replicates each one. During fermentative process, pH, environmental and fermentation temperature was recorded every four hours in each replicate by treatment during a 36 h period. Dry matter content (MS), Crude protein (PB), Neutral detergent fi ber (FDN) and In vitro digestibility of dry matter (DIVMS) were analyzed. No statistical signifi cance was observed for environmental temperature (28.85 0C ± 3.3), nor inclusion levels of HHMO over fermentation temperature (26.07 0C ± 1.94) nor pH of the fermentation product (5.75 ± 0.46). Signifi - cant increase of Crude protein content occurs (P<0.05) from 12.3 to 24.3% when inclusion of HHMO increased from 0% to 10% and no signifi cant diff erences exist between inclusion levels of 5% and 7.5% of HHMO with 20.8 and 21.4%, respectively. Inclusion of HHMO signifi cantly improves DIVMS even when no signifi cant diff erences were found in respect to FESCA with 0% of HHMO. It can be conclude that HHMO inclusion signifi cantly increase PB content and improves DIVMS on FES of sugar cane mixtures and 10% in the most adequate proportion of HHMO as additive to stimulate microbial growing and it protein content.

A research study was conducted to evaluate guinea pig (Cavia porcellus L.) supplementation with Moringa oleifera fresh foliage or Morus alba fresh foliage and the effect on productive behavior. A total of 18 creole guinea pigs with initial body weight of 175.8 g were used in a Completely Randomized Design and with three treatments: 1) Commercial concentrate (CC) ad libitum + CT-115, 2) 70% CC + Moringa oleifera fresh foliage and 3) 70% CC + Morus alba fresh foliage with six repetitions. No signifi cant eff ects (P>0.05%) were observed between T1, T2 and T3 related with productive parameters (Body weight, gain weight and feed conversion ratio). Guinea pigs feeding with 70% CC + Moringa oleifera fresh foliage or 70% CC + Morus alba fresh foliage reduced cost production and increase fi nancial benefi t compared with guinea pigs feeding with CC ad libitum + CT-115. However, T3: 70% CC + Moringa oleifera fresh foliage showed the best financial results.

The forests are important for rural communities and the country, so it is necessary to identify species and determine their status, rational, and establish conservation policies in their habitats. The information was collected through questionnaires during the period 2013-2015, identified forest species in 14 rural communities in Nicaragua in the municipalities of Las Sabanas, Nandaime, Somotillo, Villanueva and El Crucero. The sample consisted of 604 UFP (3677 records) and analysis were used (ANOVA, LSD) and multivariate (correspondence analysis, principal components and cluster) in the comparison of UFP integrating taxonomic classification and use of trees. Were used basic indices of floristic diversity (Margalef, Shannon- Wiener, Simpson and Berguer-Parker). According to the fi ndings, agriculture is subsistence and families benefit from species. Multivariate tools and diversity indices were useful for comparing plant communities and their wealth. They noted 84 species of trees, grouped in 66 genera and 38 families