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

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the associativity in groups of vegetable producers from six municipalities of the Central Valleys of Oaxaca, through an analysis of the attributes that are established to measure whether or not there is associativity, under the assumption that associativity is high in the analyzed communities. -zes. Economic globalization transforms the behavior of people and their values, devaluing the national identity of associative work. Design/methodology/approach: The study was carried out in the region of the Central Valleys of Oaxaca, with a qualitative and quantitative approach, in two phases; the first, a documentary research on the theoretical approaches of associativity, the second with field questionnaires, six municipalities were selected to represent vegetable producers Results: The results show the absence of associativity in the production of vegetables. Limitations on study/implications: Within the limitations is the number of the sample, so by expanding the number of municipalities the probability of association would be greater. Findings/conclusions: Where it is concluded that the increase in productivity and income and the reduction of production costs would favor the continuity of vegetable production and with it the presence of association. Keywords: associativity, development, collective work.

Objective: Identify the role of women in the family patio agroecosystem and their relationship in the process of their empowerment, in two groups of women in the municipality of Medellín de Bravo, Veracruz. Design/methodology/approach: The research carried out is qualitative-quantitative, of a constructionist nature and is based on the Research-Action-Participatory process, through the adaptation of the management model for the management of natural resources of family farming. Results: The psychometric results obtained in the Rossemberg Self-esteem Scale indicate that the average response is 26.3, which indicates a normal self-esteem of women who work in the family patio agroecosystem, and positively impacts their human development, empowerment, and personal identity. Implications: The work of rural women in the family patio agroecosystem is not recognized, so it is important that it be made visible, mainly before themselves, and that they be empowered in their being, through their actions. Findings/conclusions: A total of 52 species were found, distributed among 15 fruit trees, 13 ornamental plants, 9 seasoning plants, 9 medicinal plants, 4 timber trees and only 2 vegetables. In the breeding of small species, 3 animal species are reported: 41 chickens, 2 pigs and 3 sheep.

Objective: During this work, the links of the taro (Colocasia esculenta) value chain were identified and analyzed in the Municipality of Actopan, Veracruz, its deficiencies, its areas of opportunity were identified and simulations of the income generated by this crop were carried out Design/methodology/approach: The research was carried out in the municipality of Actopan, Veracruz, Mexico, in the town of Santa Rosa, with producers and industrializers from this area. The research carried out is exploratory and random descriptive with a qualitative and quantitative approach. The research instruments used were: direct observation, interviews with key informants, and reflection and analysis workshops to learn what the links of the value chain are and how they operate within the taro agroecosystem in the study region. Results: Six links in the value chain of the taro agroecosystem in the study region were identified and characterized, which are: Suppliers of inputs, production, harvest and post-harvest, collection and distribution, transformation-packaging-packaging and marketing. The main problems are: Half of the producers we worked with are small-scale, they only plant between 0.5 and 3.0 hectares with average annual yields of 50 tons per hectare. There are high prices of agricultural inputs; low market prices of the product; pests and diseases, the commercialization of the product is carried out through retail and wholesale collectors in the region and the agreements between the producers and them are mostly informal. It was detected that the main market for taro that is produced in the Municipality of Actopan and its destination is international, 90% of the market for fresh taro is for the United States. The best-organized packinghouse in the region has monthly yields that range from 126% the lowest to 169% the highest. Limitations on study/implications: Regarding the yield simulations, it is necessary to apply them to medium and small packers to present a general comparison of the area. Findings/conclusions: The production and commercialization of taro in the study area has a great economic and social impact, generating economic income and temporary jobs throughout the year due to the characteristics of this crop; it has low production costs compared to other crops and a high return on investment. In general, it benefits the economic agents of the value chain. However, the lack of organization of the actors that make up the value chain does not allow them to use economies of scale, access preferential markets and as a consequence the economic benefits are not distributed equally among all the links.

Objective: Evaluate the physical indicators of the quality of soils subjected to four different uses in Lixisols from La Sabana in Huimanguillo, Tabasco, Mexico. Design/methodology/approach: Nine variables were evaluated in soil samples from Lixisols located in La Sabana, Huimanguillo: infiltration rate, resistance to penetration, bulk density, total porosity, aggregate stability, thinning, depth of the horizon, volume and weight of soil loss. We used a completely randomized sample design, with a factor with four levels (each land use: pasture, rubber tree, rubber-cocoa and rubber-mahogany tree), and five treatment repetitions, each sampling point of the plot with the five-of-golds method, with the exception of the use with pasture, which was linear. Results: The reference soil group (RSG) corresponds to a Ferric Lixisol (Cutanic, Endoloamic, Epiarenic, Humic, Profondic), whose RSG has not been reported for the study area. The quality indicators are within acceptable limits. In soil loss, the pasture has conserved more over time, storing greater volume and weight of soil per hectare; the use with rubber (monoculture) has lost a greater amount of soil from the A horizon, evidenced by the decrease in its depth, volume and weight per hectare. Limitations on study/implications: Until a few years ago, in the study area within La Sabana in Huimanguillo, Acrisol had been described as the dominant RSG. Findings/conclusions: The presence of Acrisol in the study area is ruled out. Soil quality for all uses is acceptable.

Objective: To evaluate the residual effect of gypsum in corn crops 2 years after application, in a previously limed soil, as well as the result of a new addition of gypsum combined with potassium in La Frailesca, Chiapas. Design/methodology/approach: Composite factorial: initial arrangement (2017) with four levels of gypsum (0, 1.25, 2.5 and 5 t ha-1) and four levels of potassium (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg K2O ha-1). In 2019, the plots treated with gypsum were divided into two, adding the same amount of gypsum applied in 2017 to half of each of them, and leaving the other half to evaluate the residual effect to the initial treatment. The potassium doses were the same as the original ones. Corn kernel yield, pH, exchangeable bases, and percentage of aluminium saturation were measured at depths of 0 to 7 and 7 to 14 cm from groun level. Results: The greatest effect on yield was obtained with 2.5 t ha-1 of gypsum applied in 2017 without significant increases with higher gypsum doses. The exchangeable calcium content and pH increased, but the magnesium, potassium and aluminum in the soil decreased. Limitations on study/implications: The assumed of Asphalt Stain Complex was diagnosed. Findings/conclusions: The authors point out the need to be careful when recommending gypsum as an amendment; an excessive application generates an imbalance in the exchangeable potassium and magnesium of the soil, so the incorporation of these should be considered in the fertilization plan.

Objective: To know the spatial variability of landforms and their relationship in the soil geography of the state of Campeche, Mexico. Design/methodology/approach: Two transects were made under the geopedological approach, where soil cartographic material and geomorphology at the landscape level were used, which were corrected using geomatics techniques, generating a mapping of the landforms at scale 1:100,000. Soil profiles were made from west to east, taking priority the diversity of landforms, consequently generating the geopedological transects. Results: The results indicate that in plains landscapes such as P and Lf hydromorphic processes occur, the soil is deep and rich in organic sediments, the soil units were classified within the Histosol and Gleysol groups. The transitional EBDe landscape with no apparent dissection presents relatively convex landforms with little inclination and moderately deep and well-developed soils, classified within the Cambisol group. On the other hand, the EBPD landscape presents higher elevation and dissection, the soil is mainly shallow with little or no pedon development and is related to convex landforms, the soil units belong to the Leptosol group. For the elevated plains landforms, a relation with the Luvisol group was obtained. Limitations on study/implications: The understanding of the geomorphology-soil relationships of a certain region provide the basis for establishing soil distribution models, which will facilitate work on soil mapping and spatial planning. Findings/conclusions: Campeche has a great complexity of reliefs at the level of landforms, generating and keeping the terrain cartography updated will help to improve the planning of productive and conservation projects.

Objective: To determine the extent to which the use of the Theory of Change (ToC) as a methodological approach is appropriate to assess the medium and long term effects generated by the Maradol Papaya Program in the Mixteca Poblana region (Puebla, Mexico). Design/methodology/approximation: A case study was conducted with qualitative approach with a phenomenological approximation directed at the validation of the ToC as methodological tool for the assessment of programs, through Documental Research methods, observation and interviews with producers and key informants for the study. Results: The design of the route or pathway of change allowed a punctual definition of the key variables for its operation and measurement as part of the assessment exercise. The use of qualitative methods (in-depth interviews) allowed an appropriate valuation of qualitative variables, such as learning, identificaiton of quantitative variables (production volumes, production costs, etc.) that can be made with conventional methods (questionnaires) without this representing any methodological conflict. Limitations on the study/implications: Since it is a case study, its generalization is not appropriate. However, there are elements that can be suggested as a general premise, such as the recommendation of the use of mixed methods in the assessment of programs and projects. Findings/conclusions: The Theory of Change (ToC) is a valuable tool in identifying change variables through the design of the route or pathway change; however, this exercise has great validity and wealth if it is constructed in a participative way. The use of mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) is suggested for this type of assessment.

Apples cultivated in Mexico generally are smaller and softer than those produced in other geographical latitudes considered as optimal for apple production. The aim of this evaluation was determine the effect of applications with calcium, nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, sulfur and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), as well as the harvest date on the quality of apple fruits. ‘Golden Smoothie’ apple trees were treated foliarly with CaCl2 with and without NAA, and with a mixture of N, K, Mg and S or gypsum applied to soil for two years. Apples were harvested at 141 (regular harvest date), 161 (mid-late harvest) and 171 days (late harvest) after full bloom (DAFB) and evaluated for quality at harvest time and during their storage at 0°C for up to 179 days. Foliar applications of CaCl2 significantly increased the calcium content in fruit and leaves, but fruit quality, including firmness, was not influenced. Fertilization of soil with the mixture of nutrients, including CaSO4, did not influence the fruit quality. Lately harvested fruit was 14.9% heavier but 17.1% softer than fruit picked at the commercial harvest date. Delaying of fruit harvest reduced about 43 d the storability of fruit. Based in these results, the relative softness of apples grown in Mexico is not related with its calcium content, hence unlikely to be overcome with the application of this mineral. Even in the control fruits, both seasons, the stored fruits do not show some physiological disorder as bitter pit.  

Objective: The growth, survival and condition factor of Ambystoma mexicanum juveniles fed with three commercial feed-based diets coated with different animal oils as potential palatability enhancers were evaluated. Methodology: Three diets were prepared using commercial feed coated with fish, chicken and krill oil. The experiment lasted 81 days, the food was provided to the axolotls (6 per experimental unit, in triplicate) every 48 h, at 4% of the total biomass. The total weight of each experimental unit was recorded every 15 days, at the end of the experiment individual weight and height and survival were recorded. The following variables were calculated: Fulton's K, specific growth rate, coefficient of variation of final weight and size heterogeneity. Results: All three treatments showed an increase in total biomass, with a trend towards better performance in chicken and fish oil treatments compared to krill oil. When performing the statistical analysis, it was found that there were no significant differences among the treatments for any of the variables recorded. Implications: The three oils used in the present study were good palatable agents in the food intake of A. mexicanum. Conclusions: It is recommended to use chicken oil as an attractant additive in the formulation of a specific diet due to its low cost.

Objective: to identify the main technical-productive characteristics of two production systems (traditional and technified) dedicated to meliponiculture in two locations in the municipality of Calkiní, Campeche. Design/methodology/approach: From August to December 2021, applications of semi-structured interviews of 60 reagents were carried out to the meliponiculturists of Pucnanchen and Santa Cruz. Where by means of the snowball method the population of meliponiculturists was found. Results: A total of 43 colonies of bees of the species M. beecheii (39 hobones and 14 technified boxes) were found. The meliponiculturists interviewed are over 49 years old and have an average of 10.75 colonies per meliponary. Likewise, the modern meli-ponarios have replaced the roofing with huano, by the use of galvanized sheet and the hobones have been replaced by the use of technified boxes for the breeding of native bees. Limitations of the study/implications: this study describes the technical-productive characteristics of the two production systems used in meliponiculture (traditional and technical) in two locations in the municipality of Calkiní, Campeche. Findings/conclusions: there is a reduction in the number of people who practice meliponiculture, which is an activity that is still rooted in rural communities and that still retains importance from the economic, cultural and cultural point of view. Social. The uses of melipona honey in the health of people belonging to rural communities, is an activity that still persists, as well as the customs associated with the religious context.