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

Background. Silvopastoral systems are viable agroforestry option to move toward sustainable livestock and rural development. Objective. to analyze the level of adoption of silvopastoral techniques by beneficiary producers of three converging projects in the Sierra Madre de Chiapas region (Mexico), during the 2008-2017 period. Methodology. Forty-two Cattle Production Units (UPP, for its acronym in Spanish) from the municipalities of Villaflores, La Concordia and Pijijiapan (Chiapas) were diagnosed by socioeconomic and technical variables. A Silvopastoral Systems Development Index (IDESSP, for its acronym in Spanish) was used to evaluate their level of adoption. Results. The global IDESSP of UPP was 52%. UPP in the “High” level of adoption reached an IDESSP of 74% (± 6.2), “Medium” an index of 56% (± 5.3) and located in the “Low” group was 42% (± 3.1). The socio-educational characteristics (age of the producer, years of experience in livestock activity, education level) and the productive variables (land area, herd size, milk production / day, annual income) were different (P <0.05) between the groups. The significant variables (P> 0.001) that allowed a greater adoption of silvopastoral practices were the average annual income of each family, the availability of total land, and the collaboration that the rancher had with other social sectors.  Implications. The low adoption of silvopastoral techniques encourages the continuation of conventional livestock practices with negative effects on natural resources, diminishes the capacities for strengthening and social organization, and limits the processes of scaling-up or massification of SSP. Conclusions. The level of adoption of silvopastoral techniques among the UPP was intermediate, which was subject to availability of land, years of experience, educational level and number of links for the production of each owner of the production units, the area under actions of conservation were greater than silvopastoral techniques.

Background: Dairy industry economics and public health are negatively impacted when udder health is compromised. Intramammary infection is the most important infectious problem generating economic losses to the milk production systems around the world. Affectations of animal generated diseases on public health are well known. Several categories of analysis have been studied to implement prevention and control strategies against intramammary disease. However, the control of these affectations has been considered a complex problem based on various factors. Objective: characterize the categories and subcategories of analysis used for the study of udder health published in research papers during the period comprehend between 1962 - 2019. Methodology: A systematic review with a broad approach in the research protocol was designed applying the identification phases, screening, choice, and inclusion criteria described in the PRISMA guide. A qualitative synthesis of year of publication, continent, focus, category of udder health analysis, and subcategories of udder health analysis was performed. Results: We found that more than half of the papers identified in this topic were published in the last decade of the studied period (1962 - 2019). New categories were incorporated into the timeline, evidencing an evolution in the way of understanding udder health problems. Implications: Many of the countries that publish most of the papers have implemented programs and policies on udder health management in recent years. Precisely in the last decade, cultural processes and political processes were incorporated into the study of udder health. This incorporation of new and relevant topics may have been very useful in the design and evaluation of public policies on udder health in those countries. Conclusions: These results show the interest in the academic, productive, and political sectors for udder health and its consequences on public health.

Background. The production of ruminants in the tropics is based on the grazing of grasses, which present variations in their nutrient content depending on the intensity and frequency of cutting. Objective. To determine the effect of cutting intensity and regrowth age of the morphological composition of three hybrids of the genus Urochloa sp on gas production and in vitro gas production kinetics. Methodology. The samples were formed by the interaction of three morphological-hybrids (Cobra, Cayman and Mulato II-leaf and stem), two cutting intensities (10 and 15 cm) and 5 regrowth ages (7, 21, 35, 49 and 63 d). Partial and accumulated gas production, maximum volume (V), gas production rate (S) and Lag time (λ) were determined for the samples. The statistical design was a 6 x 2 x 5 factorial arrangement within a completely randomized design. Results. The leaves and stems of Cobra and Cayman showed the highest partial and cumulative in vitro gas production (p<0.05). The evaluated variables were not affected by the cutting intensity and the behavior in the in vitro tests was greater at 21 and 35 days of regrowth of the pastures. Implications. The cut intensity variable did not modify the mean values of the variables evaluated in this research work, while age negatively affects it. Conclusions. The leaves and stems of Cobra and Cayman grasses showed the highest partial and cumulative in vitro gas production.

Background: The majority of terrestrial plants have evolved in symbiosis with beneficial microorganisms, which help them acquire minerals that are scarce in soil, such as phosphorus and in some cases nitrogen. Thus, the development and use of biofertilizers based on microorganisms is important for partial or total replacement of chemical fertilizers. The use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and Azospirillum brasilense helps to boost Mexican lime (Citrus aurantifolia) plant growth, making them more vigorous and productive. Objective: To evaluate the effect of beneficial microorganisms in Mexican lime plant growth in a greenhouse. Methodology: An experiment with Mexican lime was established under greenhouse conditions and a completely randomized bifactorial design: (A) beneficial microorganism with four levels: consortium HMA Cerro del Metate; Rhizophagus intraradices (Ri); Azospirillum brasilense (Ab); and without microbial inoculum (WI); (B) chemical fertilization N-P-K (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) with four levels: high (180-180-180 kg ha-1); intermediate (90-90-90 kg ha-1); low (45-45-45 kg ha-1) and without fertilization. In total, 16 treatments with seven replicates were performed; plant growth and microbiological response variables were evaluated with an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s multiple comparison of means tests. Results: Significant effects (Tukey, P≤0.05) of the mycorrhizal consortium Cerro del Metate were found, followed by R. intraradices and lastly A. brasilense, which proved that these microorganisms promoted plant growth. Mycorrhization significantly increased (P≤0.05) plant growth rate, as well as dry biomass, observing a mycorrhizal colonization from 16 to 30%. Fertilization only showed a significant interaction (Tukey, P≤0.05) with A. brasilense. Implications: The use of native microorganisms and preferably consortia may have better adaptability than commercial ones, which can be explained in part by the effects found in this study. Conclusion: Mexican lime plants showed a significantly positive (P≤0.05) response to inoculation with AMF, showing greater plant growth than the other treatments.

Background. Given the production conditions in the resulting dry tropics, supplementation and use of protein sources is necessary. Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate in vitro gas production, in vitro fermentation characteristics, productive response, ruminal characteristics, and apparent nutrient digestibility of a whole diet with sesame paste or soybean paste in calf feed. Methodology. In vitro total gas production was measured at 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours. In addition, Eight Simbrah calves of 229 ± 39 kg live weight (LW) were fed a whole diet containing 10% soybean paste (control) or sesame paste (experimental). The study lasted 40 days and productive variables, nutrient digestibility and ruminal characteristics were determined. The experimental design was completely randomized. Results. Total gas production at 3 hours was 39% higher (p <0.05). in the control treatment, while at 6, 9, 12, 24, 48, 72 h and accumulated it was not different (p> 0.05). The dry matter intake (DMI) and the daily weight gain (DWA) did not change (p> 0.05) between treatments. In feed conversion (FC) the calves of the control treatment were 2.04% more efficient. Neutral detergent fiber digestibility was 3.9% higher (p <0.05) in calves fed sesame paste; while the digestibility of dry matter (DDM), organic matter, (DOM), acid detergent fiber (DADF), crude protein (DCP) and ruminal characteristics did not change (p> 0.05) between treatments. Implications. The use of sesame paste as a protein source gives a favorable productive response like soybean paste. Conclusion. The inclusion of sesame paste in whole calf diets can replace soybean paste in the whole calf diet in the tropics.

Antecedentes. Trichoderma es un género de hongos cosmopolita y con especies benéficas que contribuyen a mejorar la rizosfera vegetal y a combatir patógenos en cultivos económicamente importantes. Debido a su importancia en el ámbito biotecnológico agrícola, es de interés la identificación morfológica y molecular de especies de Trichoderma; no obstante, actualmente la información sobre la identificación, biocontrol y sus aplicaciones en la agricultura se encuentra dispersa. Objetivo. El objetivo de esta revisión fue realizar un análisis exhaustivo sobre las publicaciones relacionadas con la identificación de Trichoderma spp. en México; así como un análisis sobre los estudios de biocontrol y aplicaciones de Trichoderma en la agricultura mexicana. Metodología. Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica de Trichoderma en las siguientes bases de datos: Scopus, Science Direct, NCBI, Google Académico, Pubmed y USDA. Se utilizaron las palabras clave: Trichoderma, identificación, morfología, molecular, antagonismo, biocontrol, uso agrícola, importancia agrícola y México. La recopilación de información sobre las especies de Trichoderma reportadas en México se contempló durante el periodo del año 2005 a 2022. Resultados. En México se encontraron 42 especies reportadas a la fecha de Trichoderma basadas en características morfológicas siendo las especies principales: T. harzianum, T. asperellum y T. viride; de acuerdo con el marcador molecular ITS y la región génica tef1α se han reportado a la fecha a nivel molecular 17 especies, las principales especies reportadas son T. asperellum y T. harzianum. Adicionalmente, las especies reportadas con mayor frecuencia como antagonistas son T. asperellum y T. harzianum, siendo esta última la que se comercializa principalmente en productos biológicos. Implicaciones. Actualmente las especies T. asperellum y T. harzianum sobresalen en el área de identificación, biocontrol y aplicación en la agricultura. Conclusiones. En Trichoderma, la identificación de especies basada solo en características morfológicas es difícil; en México, recientemente la identificación de especies de Trichoderma se realiza a nivel exhaustivo complementando la identificación morfológica con la identificación molecular. En la actualidad los reportes sobre la diversidad de especies de Trichoderma ha aumentado en el área de identificación, biocontrol y aplicaciones en el área agrícola.

Antecedentes. Los prebióticos estimulan el crecimiento y la actividad de la microbiota benéfica del tubo digestivo, mejoran el estado sanitario del hospedero y actúan como promotores del crecimiento. La inulina tiene potencial prebiótico en rumiantes, actúa como inmunomodulador, mejora la salud intestinal y el comportamiento productivo. Sin embargo, su efecto prebiótico sobre la microbiota ruminal aún no es claro, dada la poca investigación realizada a la fecha. Objetivo. Esta revisión se centra en el efecto prebiótico de la inulina y los beneficios en la salud y comportamiento productivo de rumiantes. Metodología. La búsqueda bibliográfica se realizó en publicaciones de revistas internacionales y nacionales indizadas, que cuentan con revisión estricta por pares, escritas en inglés y español, que incluyeran información relacionada con la inulina, su efecto prebiótico, así como la respuesta de su uso en la salud y productividad de rumiantes. Los resultados científicos de los artículos revisados se compararon y contrastaron. Principales hallazgos. Las investigaciones analizadas demuestran el potencial uso de la inulina como prebiótico en rumiantes durante la lactancia y el destete; se muestran beneficios sobre la salud intestinal y reducción en la incidencia de diarreas. Además, se observan mejoras en el comportamiento animal. La inulina mejora la producción de leche en ganado bovino. Sin embargo, la poca información disponible a la fecha, no permite determinar el efecto de este prebiótico sobre la microbiota ruminal. Implicaciones. La información que se presenta en este artículo permite evidenciar que el efecto de inulina como prebiótico depende de su grado de polimerización, de la edad o etapa de crecimiento del rumiante, las dosis empleadas y en su caso, la población probiótica implicada. Conclusiones. El uso de inulina como prebiótico potencializa la actividad probiótica de bacterias benéficas, mejorar la salud intestinal y la productividad en rumiantes. Sin embargo, se requiere de mayor investigación sobre el efecto de la inulina en rumen para conocer su potencial prebiótico sobre la microbiana ruminal.

Background. Propylene glycol has been used successfully since the 1950’s for him acute and prophylactic treatment of ketosis in dairy cows however; its use has been poorly evaluated in beef cattle and meat sheep. Objective. Evaluate the effects of different doses of propylene glycol on the productive parameters, blood metabolites and ruminal parameters in fattening lambs. Methodology. Twenty lambs 14.70 ±0.57 kg of weigh, 2 months old, males and Katahdin-Black Belly breed, were randomly assigned to one of four treatments, a control mixed ration and an experimental diet with three different levels of propylene glycol: 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 g/20 kg live weight/day. The effects of propylene glycol on blood metabolites, ruminal and productive parameters were assessed. Results. Propylene glycol supplementation did not affect (P>0.05) glucose, total lipids, triglycerides and cholesterol concentration as well as increased (P<0.05) the concentration of beta hydroxybutyrate. In addition, its inclusion resulted in an increase in pH and protozoa population and in a decrease of reductive activity (P<0.05). No effect was observed (P>0.05) on feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio of lambs but carcass yield was improved without increasing the feeding cost of production. Implications. Propylene glycol is a viable option as an energy source in fattening lambs. Conclusion. Inclusion of PPG increased the pH and the population of ruminal protozoa, reduced the formation of ketone bodies and improved the carcass yield of lambs without increasing the meat production cost.

Background. The effect of soil fertility and productivity depletion on the milpa system is, in most cases, compensated with the use of agrochemicals, which can be unsustainable on the long-term. Agroecological practices, such as the use of organic inputs, can contribute to sustainable production. Objective: To evaluate the effect of the application of the liquid fermented from native microorganisms (boil NM) and fertilization type (FT), on yield of corn and their components. Methodology: The corn var. "Santa Rosa" was established during the spring-summer cycle of 2018 in Xoy, Peto, Yucatan, Mexico. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with an arrangement in split plots; the large plot was the FT with three levels: control (CON), diammonium phosphate (DAP) and sheep manure (SM); the small plot was spraying of boil NM at two levels: 0 mL L-1 and 100 mL L-1. The dependent variables were: grain yield, number of cobs, kernel specific weight, and final height of the plant. The variables were analyzed with procedure PROC GLM statistical software SAS version 2013. Results: All variables were statistically similar (P>0.05), except the kernel specific weight in the treatment of NM spraying. Consecuently, the means comparison test was not undertaken. The variable means were: grain yield, 4750 kg ha-1; number of cobs 27992 ha-1; kernel specific weight, 314.16 mg grano-1; and height of the plant, 276.5 cm. The NM spraying increased the kernel weight by 24.5% (P<0.05). Implications: Although,the effect of sheep manure on grain yield was similar to that found with chemical fertilizers, it has the advantage that it is available at the farm. In adition, the use of MN increased the weight of kernel. Conclusions: The application of either TF or MN and the interactions between these factors resulted in similar responses on the studied variables, except the effect of MN on the specific weight of the grain. It is suggested to continue the evaluation of the application of MN and TF in the management of the milpa system in several crop cycles to evaluate this organic input in a long term.

Background. Mesquite is a shrubby legume that dominates the vegetation of arid regions with multiple benefits in controlling erosive process, improving micrometeorology, and as feed source for livestock species. In addition, mesquite pods contain secondary components that could represent an option to mitigate emissions of enteric methane in ruminants. Objective. To evaluate in vitro fermentation patterns and methane production of mesquite pods (Prosopis spp.) in the arid ecoregion of the State of Hidalgo. Methodology. Mesquite pod samples were obtained from four municipalities in the arid ecoregion of the state of Hidalgo: Actopan (ACT), Tula de Allende (TUL), San Salvador (SAL) and Zimapán (ZIM). In vitro fermentation of the mesquite pods was carried out during 72 h to 39 °C in a culture medium with ruminal bacteria and mineral solutions. The fractional gas volume (Vf), cumulated gas volume (Va), maximum volume (V), gas production rate (S) and lag time (L) were calculated. The volume of methane was quantified by displacement of a NaOH 2N solution. Results. Some chemical composition characteristics of the mesquite pods were different between municipalities. V showed significant differences between localities (p≤0.05), with mesquite pods collected in SAL showing the highest values (163.2 mL g-1 MS). A municipality x time interaction was observed for Vf (p≤0.05) and differences between municipalities were observed. The values of volume partial of CH4 observed at 24 hours were different between collection sites (p≤0.05), with higher emission values observed in mesquite pods collected in SAL (16.3 mL/g MS) and ACT (17.3 mL/g MS). Conclusion. The results of the current study provide evidence of differences of in vitro fermentation patterns and methane emissions from the mesquite pods regarding to origin place. Implications. These results should be considered in the design and implementation of future nutritional and greenhouse gas mitigation strategies.