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

Background. The chili is a cornerstone of Mexican culture and cuisine, deeply embedded in the country's history and identity. Objective. To identify genetically and phylogenetically the virus that affects the native Apaxtleco chili pepper in Guerrero, Mexico, and to recognize symptoms of virosis in plants. Methodology. Young leaves of native Apaxtleco chili pepper plants with typical virosis symptoms were collected. The alignment of 13 sequences of DNA nucleotides was carried out, 11 of which belong to the fragment of region that codifies for the gene of “capsid protein / nuclear exportation factor BR1” of PepGMV two of these were obtained in this study, Aymedi-02 (KX641201.1) and Aymedi-01 (KX641200.1), and the nine remaining sequences were obtained from the GenBank database. Two more sequences were included for the purpose of tree rooting; one corresponds to the chlorotic leaf curl virus (AF325497.1) and another to the mosaic virus of African cassava (J02057.1), obtained from GenBank. The alignment of 13 sequences consisted of a total extension of 541 bases. To obtain descriptive information about the PepGMV sequences, only the sequences corresponding to it (11 sequences) were used, with a total of 326 conserved sites and 211 variable sites; of these, 89 are parsimony informative sites and 120 Singleton. Results. The sequence analysis showed 99% of identity with sequences of the PepGMV and the phylogenetic analysis confirmed the identification. Implications. Our results highlight a significant opportunity to enhance the control of this pathogen in this crop. Conclusion. Pepper Golden Mosaic Virus (PepGMV) was identified in Guerrero, Mexico, the symptoms presented in plants infected by this pathogen were: chlorosis, deformation, and mosaics. 

Background. Agroecological practices (AP) for managing agricultural waste (AW) available in agroecosystems represent an opportunity to mitigate the negative effects caused by conventional agricultural practices. However, knowledge gaps persist regarding the options for their management and the territorial context of application. Objective.  To identify APs with potential for AW management. Methodology. The first phase, a bibliometric analysis was realized with a query in the Web of Science (WoS) search engine with the phrase "Agroecological practices for the management of agricultural waste". The search database was analyzed with the VOSviewer software to delimit thematic groups and identify AP for managing AW. The second phase involved a technological surveillance (TS), which consisted of the description, analysis, and selection of the territorial environment where its development is possible, with the aim of identifying the AP with the highest potential for recycling AW into agroecosystems. Results. It was found that 71% of the scientific publications are from the last four years. Six keyword clusters were identified, which based on node size and proximity to each other are located: 1) management, 2) nitrogen, 3) manure, 4) carbon, 5) compost and 6) soil. Implications. The analysis allowed to identify the techniques of anaerobic digestion (AD), composting and biochar with potential for the reintegration of AR. Conclusion. The reintegration of AW presents an opportunity to promote the sustainability of agroecosystems through agroecological principles such as nutrient recycling into the soil and energy recovery. This study highlights that the recycling of AW is essential for initiating an agroecological transition, with composting being a key technology for direct implementation and improving the sustainability of food systems.

Background. The most commonly used raw materials for ethanol production are maize (Zea mays L.) and sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). A specie that is gaining importance because of its comparative advantages over other energy crops is sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). The seasonality of production, which limits the continuous supply of sweet sorghum to the industry for ethanol production, is one of the limitations of this crop. Objective. To evaluate the biomass and sugar production of sweet sorghum genotypes for different sowing dates in Veracruz, Mexico conditions. Methodology. The development of ten genotypes was determined during the autumn-winter (October 2013), winter-spring (February 2014) and spring-summer (April 2014) cycles. Three genotypes were also tested on five planting dates: June 19th, July 1st, August 1st, September 1st, and October 2nd, at the Cotaxtla Experimental Station of the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP), located in the municipality of Medellín de Bravo, Veracruz, México. Results. Sweet sorghum developed in all cropping seasons, but the highest productivity was obtained in the spring-summer. Stem biomass, sugar concentration, juice volume, and sugar production were highest in June, July, and August, following planting. As the planting date was later, the values decreased. Implications. The optimal planting date for sweet sorghum cultivation in the state of Veracruz was identified. This information will be helpful for producers to obtain higher biomass yields and for the ethanol industry to plan sweet sorghum production as a complementary raw material to sugarcane. Conclusions. The optimum sweet sorghum planting period for producing biomass and sugars under Veracruz, Mexico, conditions is during June, July, and August.

Antecedentes: El algodón es un cultivo de gran interés socioeconómico en la industria textil en Perú, sin embargo, se siembra directamente en campo donde presenta una germinación heterogénea. Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto de cuatro dosis de peróxido de hidrógeno y dos tiempos de imbibición, en la germinación y desarrollo inicial de algodón. Metodología: Se usó el peróxido de hidrógeno comercial PC (H2O2 a concentración 3 g 100 mL-1) en los tratamientos: T0 (testigo-agua destilada), T1 (10% PC), T2 (30% PC), T3 (50% PC), T4 (100% PC) sometidos a 6 y 12 h de imbibición. Se hicieron evaluaciones de germinación: porcentaje de germinación (PG), velocidad de germinación (VG), índice de germinación (IG), Biometría: peso de semilla (PS), longitud del tallo (LT), número de hojas (NH) y longitud de raíz (LR). Biomasa de tallo: peso fresco (PFT) y seco (PST), y biomasa de raíz: peso fresco (PFR) y seco (PSR). Resultados: El T3-6 h mejoró las variables de germinación. El T1-6 h mejoró las variables de biometría y biomasa. El PS presentó una correlación negativa con NH. EL NH presentó correlación positiva con PST. El PST con PFT. Así también, PFT con LR, PSR y PFR. La LR con PSR. EL PSR con PFR y LT. El PFR con LT. Implicaciones: El uso de H2O2 incrementa la germinación y biomasa de plántulas de algodón. Conclusión: El T3-6 h mejoró las variables de germinación. Sin embargo, el T1-6 h mejoró las variables de biometría y biomasa.  

Background: Crop yields has been declining in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) of Kenya due to low soil fertility and low soil water availability that is caused by low and unreliable rainfall and poor water harvesting techniques. Therefore, there is need for better management of available water. Objective: To simulate sorghum and sweet potato yields under different tillage practices. Methodology: The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with split-split plot arrangement, replicated three times. The experimental factors were: tillage practices, cropping systems and organic inputs. The tested crops were sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.lam) rotated and/or intercropped with dolichos (Lablab purpureus) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum). The CropSyst model was calibrated using the observed final above ground biomass and yield of sorghum and sweet potato in the experimental site. Validation of the model was done using Wilmott index (WI) of agreement. Results: CropSyst model was accurately validated due to the low RMSE (0.629) and PD (less than ±3) values that were obtained and the WI index which was close to 1. In the sorghum based cropping systems, yield of 1,611 kg ha-1 obtained was significantly (p≤ 0.05) high in the tied ridges, compared to furrows and ridges at 1,559 kg and 1,383 kg ha-1 in the oxen plough in season I. In season II, simulated sorghum yield of 2,072 kg was high in the tied ridges (p ≤ 0.05), followed by furrows and ridges at 2,005 kg and least at 1,779 kg ha-1) in the oxen plough. In the first season; simulated sorghum yield (1,595 kg ha-1) was significantly high in the RP +FYM and least (1,436 kg ha-1) in the control. In the sweet potato based cropping systems, sweet potato yield (13,127 kg ha-1) was significantly higher in the tied ridges and least (10,127 kg ha-1) in the oxen plough in the first season. In both seasons, sweet potato yield was significantly higher in the tied ridges and least in the oxen plough. Implication: Water harvesting technologies and cropping systems improved yields in the research site. Conclusion: CropSyst model simulated sorghum and sweet potato yield reasonably well due to the good agreement between observed and simulated yield values.

Background. There was a widespread conversion of species-diverse traditional agroforestry to monoculture land uses in Aleta Chuko, Ethiopia, particularly since 1990. However, the effect of such land use change on plant species diversity and soil microbial biomass in agroecosystems was not investigated. Objective. To investigate the effect of land use (LU) on plant species diversity and soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), determine association between plant species diversity and MBC in Aleta Chuko district. Methodology. Three LU systems, namely, Coffee-Enset Agroforestry (CEA), Eucalyptus Woodlot (EW), and Chat Mono-cropping (CM), were aligned in three transect lines based on a spatial analog design; four (4) plots were used for each LU from individual transects, for a total of 36 plots (12 plot per LU), and then 108 soil samples were taken from three diagonal pits within 20 × 20 m, which was also used for species diversity assessment. The soil MBC was extracted via chloroform fumigation extraction and analyzed at plot level. Results. A total of 37, 16, and 8 plant species were recorded in the CEA, EW, and CM treatments, respectively. The Shannon diversity indices were 2.40, 0.40, and 0.03 for CEA, EW, and CM, respectively. Jaccard’s index indicated negligible similarity (0.15) among the three LUs. However, consistent similarity was observed between transects within each LU, with higher similarity (0.75) recorded for CEA among transects. MBC was 586.3, 298.2 and 313.8 µg g-1 soil in the CEA, CM and EW soils, respectively. MBC in CEA was significantly greater than that in the other two LUs, but there was no significant difference between CM and EW (p < 0.05). There was a strong positive correlation (r = 0.854) between MBC and plant richness. Implication. The strong positive association between MBC and plant diversity implies that decline in plant diversity result in associated degradation of MBC that impede the sustainability of agroecosystems. Conclusion. The expansion of monoculture has weakened plant diversity and soil microbial biomass carbon in agroecosystems. Further study on the plant species-specific association of microbial biomass is needed.   

Background. Chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius ) is a perennial leafy vegetable that is widely known for its year-round harvest potential. Several studies have also shown that it has distinct canopy and root morphology, making chaya an ideal candidate for intercropping with short-duration leafy vegetables for enhancing crop diversity and intensifying production. Objective. To examine the growth of short-duration leafy vegetables in an intercropping pattern with chaya using different canopy sizes. Methodology. The experimental design was a split-plot design with 2 main factors (planting patterns), 3 sub-plots (leafy vegetable crops), and 3 replications. Planting patterns monoculture (conventional) and intercropping with chaya having 80 cm (DC 80) or 120 cm (DC 120) canopy diameters. Leafy vegetables were water spinach, mustard greens, and lettuce. Results. Chaya canopy restricted sunlight intensity, leading to temperature changes in the cultivation area. This situation was proven by observing that cultivated land under chaya canopy (DC 80 and DC 120) had a lower air temperature than without chaya canopy (monoculture).  Short-duration leafy vegetables grown through intercropping showed suboptimal growth under intercropping because of limited sunlight availability, causing lower yields compared to monoculture systems. Chaya canopy with a diameter of 120 cm reduced the leaf number and the fresh weight of intercropped leafy vegetables. Conclusion. Even though intercropping reduced leafy vegetable plant growth, intercropping is a viable option for using vacant spaces in chaya cultivation. Optimal growth could be achieved by pruning chaya leaves, allowing sunlight to reach the intercropped plants, when chaya diameter canopy is ≤ 80 cm.

Antecedentes. La alimentación de bovinos en los sistemas de producción de leche en pequeña escala basada en ensilados, puede mejorar su eficiencia productiva, al tiempo que puede reducir las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero. Objetivo. Determinar el efecto de la sustitución parcial de ensilado de maíz con ensilado sorgo sobre la concentración de metabolitos secundarios en términos de Fenoles Totales (FT), Taninos Totales (TT), y Taninos Condensados (TC), así como estimar emisiones de metano (CH4) y dióxido de carbono (CO2). Metodología. Los tratamientos se analizaron con un diseño experimental de parcelas divididas donde los tratamientos (parcela principal) fueron; T1 = 50 % ensilado de sorgo cv Top Green + 50% ensilado de maíz, T2 = 50 % ensilado de sorgo cv Caña Dulce + 50% ensilado de maíz, T3 = 100% ensilado de maíz cv Cenzontle (testigo), y los periodos de medición fueron las parcelas menores. Resultados. La inclusión del ensilado de sorgo disminuyó las emisiones entéricas de metano y dióxido de carbono (P<0.05), aun cuando la concentración de compuestos fitoquímicos entre cultivares no fue variable (P>0.05). Implicaciones. Conocer el impacto del cambio de la composición química de los forrajes en la reducción de las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero (GEI) en los sistemas lecheros es una cuestión importante para mitigar el cambio climático. Conclusiones. La inclusión del ensilado de sorgo en este estudio disminuyó ligeramente las emisiones de metano entérico y dióxido de carbono. Bajo estas condiciones, se sugiere ampliar la información sobre los factores de emisión y estrategias de mitigación de gases de efecto invernadero en los sistemas de producción en pequeña escala. 

Background. The southern region of Nariño in Colombia has a strong agricultural vocation. However, it has been identified that the technology associated with the recommendation of fertilization especially in microelements in the soil is limited, which generates conflicts in production. This situation demands a different and innovative approach to address these challenges. That is why this research uses the predictive capacity of the machine learning (ML) approach. Objective. To explore the application of ML tools for the prediction of Boron levels in Andisols soils of Nariño has been explored and identifying the most efficient algorithm. Methodology. A total of 1,067 soil samples collected in various fields of five municipalities in the southern subregion of the department were used, where the supervised learning models, Random Forest (RF), K-Nearest Neighbors (K-NN), Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Naive Bayes (NB) were evaluated. Results. The results were analyzed using precision tests, kappa coefficient and confusion matrix. Conclusion. The RF algorithm demonstrated the best performance in estimating Boron levels, achieving 78% accuracy, outperforming SVM (75%), K-NN (69%) and NB (35%). Implications. These results allow for improved decision-making regarding fertilization and micronutrient management in the soil, in order to improve soil quality and therefore crop yield.

Antecedentes: En Guerrero Agave angustifolia es una especie que se encuentra de manera silvestre y cultivada, representa el 80% de la materia prima en la elaboración del mezcal que se produce en el estado. Los residuos generados durante la elaboración de mezcal son esquilmos agrícolas desaprovechados que pudieran utilizarse para la elaboración de productos con valor comercial. Objetivo: El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar la composición bromatológica y nutrimental del A. angustifolia Haw. Metodología: Se recolectaron plantas silvestres de maguey en seis localidades de Guerrero, México. Se realizaron análisis físicos y químicos de la hoja y tallo para los siguientes parámetros: pH, acidez (Ac), carbono orgánico total (COT), azúcares reductores totales (ART), humedad (H), materia seca (Ms), extracto etéreo (Ee), proteína cruda (Pc), fibra cruda (Fc), cenizas (Cz) y concentraciones de macronutrimentos (N, P, K, Ca, Mg), micronutrimentos (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn y Mo) y Na. Los datos se analizaron con el Software R versión 4.1.3 utilizando las pruebas de Tukey, Mann-Whitney, análisis de componentes principales y una correlación de Pearson, todas se realizaron con un nivel de significancia de p = 0.05. Resultados: El tallo tuvo una concentración alta de ART (7.45%) y COT (96.3%); en la hoja se obtuvo una mayor concentración en Fc (99.8%), Cz (36.2%), Pc (8.86%) y Ee (3.61%). En cuanto a lo nutrimental en promedio el Ca (49.960 g kg-1), K (8.35 g kg-1) y N (8.642 g kg-1), fueron las concentraciones más altas en toda la planta; la hoja fue el órgano que tuvo las mayores concentraciones de Ca (71 g kg-1), K (14.567 g kg-1), N (14.250 g kg-1) y Mg (4.800 g kg-1). Implicaciones: El mezcal es el principal producto elaborado del A. angustifolia, sin embargo, se pueden aprovechar los derivados de la hoja, jugo, bagazo y fibra para la elaboración de productos que sean de interés en la industria alimentaria, agropecuaria y medicinal. Conclusión: Con base en los resultados bromatológicos y nutrimentales, A. angustifolia es una especie para explorar usos alternativos que serían de importancia sociocultural, económico y ecológico.