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

Objective: Identify the vegetable fibers and activities carried out in the production of basketry, in particular the chita, as the most significant craft of the community of San Miguel Tenango (SMT), in Zacatlán, Puebla. Disign/methodology/approach: A phenomenological study oriented to the artisan production of San Miguel Tenango was carried out, through documentary research, observation and interviews with artisans and key informants. The value chain approach was used to understand the process, the inputs and the actors involved in the elaboration of the chita, the main handicraft in vegetable fibers in the study site. Results: The vegetable fibers used in the elaboration of traditional crafts were identified, the "chita" was distinguished as the most significant. The links of the value chain in production were recognized, as well as the perception that artisans have about their work. Study limitations/implications: Most of the people dedicated to basketry do not recognize themselves as artisans, moreover, they are not organized or adequately account for the cost of their work. Findings/conclusions: The plant species used in the elaboration of handicrafts are easily accessible for their use; although discrimination against native (ethnic) peoples and the use of traditional materials persists. They are biodegradable, highly resistant, flexible and can be an ecological option in the face of the indiscriminate use of synthetic materials.

Objective: To determine in vitro the biogas production and fermentative characteristics of diets for fattening lambs containing 20% chipile or crotalaria with 30 or 40 d of regrowth. Methodology: The treatments were whole diets containing 20% crotalaria with 30 d (T1) or 40 d of regrowth (T2), as well as 20% chipile with 30 d (T3) or 40 d of regrowth (T4). In vitro gas production was measured at 2, 4, 6, 8, 8, 10, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h; kinetic estimators (A, b, k), dry matter (DMD), organic matter (OMD), neutral detergent fiber (NDFD) and acid detergent fiber (ADFD) degradation, metabolizable energy (ME) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). The experimental design was completely randomized. Results: In the accumulated biogas production, T4 presented higher production from 2 to 24 h; T3 and T4 higher at 48 h and T1 higher at 72 h. The kinetic estimators showed that T1 was higher in A and k and T4 was higher in b. T2 presented the lowest DMD, OMD, NDFD, ADFD, ME and SCFA. Limitations of the study: Chipile scale production is limited to produce more biomass, as it is not yet domesticated Conclusions: Sheep diets containing 20% chipile or crotalaria with 30 d of regrowth were shown to be an alternative in the elaboration of whole-grain diets for intensive fattening of lambs in the tropics.

Macrophytes in natural wetlands are the plants responsible for nutrient uptake and seem to be an efficient option in phytoremediation systems. a) Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the adaptation process of ornamental macrophytes fed with university wastewater, through physiological measurements before and after planting in a HC (constructed wetland) in a tropical climate. b) The study was divided into two stages. 0.5 x 2. 0 m, three fractions were evaluated at 50%, 75%, 100% from university wastewater and natural water (white), where the following species were placed: Strelitzia reginae, Alpinia purpurata, Canna indica, Xanthosoma robustum, Cyperus papyrus, Pistia stratiotes, Iris germánica, Spathiphyllum wallisii, Ruellia brittoniana, Pennisetum purpureum and Heliconia psittacorum, remaining for a period of 40 days.  Subsequently, the individuals were seeded and evaluated in an HC to finalise the adaptation period. The physiological variables measured were % survival, stem thickness, number of flowers and indirect chlorophyll. Biomass was included as a growth variable for the second stage. c) The results showed that during the first stage in the containers of the 14 initial species, a total of 11 species survived, i.e. 78.5% of the total, which made it possible to observe the type of plants with the greatest capacity to survive in high concentrations of contaminants, thus obtaining the priority in which these would be planted. d) They also indicated that there were significant differences (p=0.005) regarding physiology for all the HC species, showing better adaptation for Canna indica, Xanthosoma robustum, Ruellia brittoniana, Alpinia purpurata, Cyperus papyrus and Heliconia psittacorum. e) These results demonstrate the macrophytes with greater adaptation as phytoremediation plants in HC systems in tropical climates, resulting from the feeding of university wastewater

Objective: Determine the response of Castor oil seeds and seedlings to six different substrata: regional soil (sandy-clay-loam), sand, spent mushroom compost (CAC), and mixes of CAC with sand in 50% (A1:CAC1), 66 % (A1:CAC2) and 33 % (A2:CAC1). Design/methodology/approach: The experimental design consisted of two completely random blocks with 24 experimental units by substrate, monitored from their germination until 50 days later. Seed weights were correlated with final seedling biomass. Results: The substratum CAC1:A2 and CAC1:A1C allowed the best germination (P<0.05), while regional soil had the lowest germination. CAC produced the highest growth and mass development in 50-day-old plants (P<0.05), followed by CAC2:A1, CAC1:A1, and CAC1:A2m, while regional soil and sand had the lowest development. Seed weight was statistically positively correlated (P<0.05) with seed biomass only in the sandy substratum. Limitations on study/implications: The experimental period and pod size limited the achievements of this research. Findings/conclusions: CAC and mixes with sand provide suitable texture and nutrient contents to germinate and grow Castor oil seedlings independently of seed weight.

Diseases, pests and low prices issues have put coffee agroecosystem in a critical situation, thus damaging the producer economy and the growing area with coffee in Veracruz state. The aim of this research was to carry out a systematic review of the studies of sustainability assessment in coffee agroecosystems in the scientific literature during the last ten years. A search was conducted in bibliographic database such us Google Scholar, Scopus and Elsevier Science Direct Freedom using search engines. The concepts used were "assessment" "sustainability" and "coffee" used in English and Spanish, together with the use of Boolean indicators.  We found 12 scientific articles published in South America (Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Brazil) and in Uganda Africa. Most of the evaluated areas are economic, social and environmental. Regarding the evaluation methods, 35.71% used sustainability indices and made comparisons between agroecosystems and tried to monitor progress or setbacks, 28.57% relied on the Framework for the Evaluation of Management Systems incorporating Sustainability Indicators (MESMIS), the rest of the works with 7.14% each, it proposes methodologies that have been validated and adapted to the context and its objective. It is concluded that there are few studies reported to evaluate the sustainability of coffee agroecosystems as confirmed by the 14 investigations analyzed in this work. On the other hand, the analysis of the information allows us to emphasize that the sustainability of the coffee agroecosystem is not merely related to the type of coffee system (Conventional, organic or agroecological) since the interactions that occur within each system are many and very diverse. Personal perceptions, such as society or culture, are also factors that reduce or promote the search for sustainability.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the application of doses of a biostimulant on the development, absorption and efficiency of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium utilization by cocoa seedlings. Design / methodology / approach. In a completely randomized design, 4 doses of Enerplant® (0; 1; 2; 3 and 4 mL ha-1.) applied to cocoa seedlings grown under saran mesh were studied. The biostimulant was applied monthly via foliar. To determine the absorption of nutrients, 3 plants of each treatment were divided into leaves, stems and roots, dried for 72 hours at 65 ° C; they were ground, packaged, labeled, and sent to the laboratory, where the macronutrients of each component were determined. Results. The cocoa seedlings responded positively to the application of the biostimulant. As an average of the two years of study, Enerplant® in doses of 1 mL ha-1 significantly increased height (24%), dry mass (30%); the quality index (58%) and the foliar area (56%) of the cocoa seedlings. Doses higher than 1 - 2 mL ha-1 decreased plant growth. The pattern of nutrient absorption by cocoa in the nursery phase behaved in the order potassium> nitrogen> phosphorus Conclusions. The efficiency of nutrient utilization, regardless of the Enerplant® dose applied, was higher for phosphorus followed by nitrogen and finally potassium The application of the biostimulant in doses of 2 ml ha-1 guaranteed the highest absorption and efficiency values of utilization of macronutrients by cocoa seedlings

Objective: To evaluate the behavior of yield with different varieties of oat under monoculture and association conditions, applying different sources of nutrition. Design/Methodology/Approach: Oat varieties were sown under monoculture conditions and 50% association, applying three sources of plant nutrition and a control, in the autumn-winter cycle. A completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement (3×3×4) was used, with the factors being the varieties of oats (chihuahua, turquesa, karma), the associations (monoculture, triticale and vetch) and the sources of nutrition (Glomus fasciculatum mycorrhiza, liquid bat guano, combination and control). Results: Chihuahua stood out in dry matter (DM) yield, productivity index, leaf: stem ratio, harvest index and leaf area index, the karma variety stood out in botanical composition, Land Equivalent Ratio (LER), height and number of leaves. The association with triticale stood out in DM yield, productivity index and botanical composition. The vetch stood out in LER, leaf: stem ratio, harvest index and leaf area index. The monoculture stood out in the height of plants and number of leaves. The guano highlighted the harvest index, maintaining statistical equality with the mycorrhiza in LER. Study Limitations/Implications: The results are based on the interaction of the factors with an irrigation regime in the temperate climate of the Valles Centrales of Oaxaca, Mexico. Findings/Conclusions: The variety that stood out the most was the karma variety; however, the quality of the chihuahua variety can be discussed when comparing the relationships of the variables. The crop association that generated the best results was vetch, while triticale generated higher yields. The nutrition that generated the best results was guano, and there were a large number of statistical equalities with the control

Objective: The purpose of the study was to compare the profitability, efficiency, and productivity indexes of water in forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) and maize (Zea mays L.) production in the Comarca Lagunera in 2019. Design/methodology/approach: Mathematical models were used to estimate the efficiency and productivity indexes of water used in sorghum and maize production. Data used in the mathematical models was obtained from official statistical sources. Results: The water efficiency and physical productivity results were 226 L kg-1 and 4.42 kg m-3 and 221 L kg-1 and 4.52 kg m-3 for sorghum and maize, respectively. The efficiency and economic productivity indexes of water were 82.87 and 49.96 m3 per USD profit and $12,067 and $20,018 USD profit per hm3. Nevertheless, social efficiency was higher in maize (7.7 employments hm-3) than sorghum (7.1 employments hm-3), which required 8% more water to produce an employment unit. Study Limitations/Implications: Models should be used to compare different productivity indexes of sorghum and maize in the Comarca Lagunera which has a shortage of water resources. Findings/Conclusions: In the case of the Comarca Lagunera, maize was more productive and efficient than sorghum in physical, economic and social terms (employment creation); however, further research must take into consideration dynamic models.

Objective: To analyze a coffee agroecosystem in agroecological transition, as an alternative for the use and conservation of resources. For this, an agroecological design was carried out associated with three legumes and one cucurbit in coffee cultivation. Design/methodology/approach: Collection and identification of genetic resources present in the agroecosystem, agroecological design associated with three legumes and one cucurbit in coffee cultivation; zig-zag soil sampling for physical, chemical, and biological analyses, data analysis using JASP version 0.16.2. Results: Identification of 42 species of weeds with various uses, as well as the criteria for association of species according to use, the soil analyzes showed that there is a significant connection between micronutrients and nitrogen-fixing bacteria, the variable Boron has influence in the development of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Limitations on study/implications: The results are applicable to the agroecological model in transition that is presented. Findings/conclusions: Coffee agroecosystems in agroecological transition are slow processes, but they contribute to improving soil conditions. They allow the reappearance of weed species with some use. There is a significant correlation between Boron and the development of nitrogen-fixing bacteria, likewise the physical properties have a direct relationship with their development. Keywords: agroecology, transition, agroecosystem

Objective. To determine the presence of microlithiasis in cattle males from the Costa Chica region of Guerrero, México and to evaluate seminal quality of males affected with this pathology. Materials and methods. 77 males were evaluated in four municipalities of the state of Guerrero, Mexico. Testes of the males were evaluated by ultrasonography, if microlithiasis was found, males were classified according to the number of observed points. In addition, semen samples were obtained by electroejaculation. For these samples, sperm concentration (x106 sperm ml-1) and individual motility (%) were estimated. Microlithiasis results are shown as percentage with respect to the total number of evaluated animals. Seminal traits were analyzed by ANOVA. Means where compared by Tukey test. Results. In the studied population, about 25% of the individuals evaluated showed microlithiasis. From identified cases, about 60% were classified as grade 2 (>5 <25 points). In Brown Swiss males the 3 grades of microlithiasis were identified, while in Gyr males none were identified. Regarding the seminal traits, general average for sperm concentration and individual motility was 992.5 x106 sperms ml-1 and 75.5%, respectively. Male breed did not generate statistical differences in seminal quality traits. Conclusion. The presence of microlithiasis was identified in cattle male from the Costa Chica region of Guerrero, however, sperm concentration and individual motility were not affected.