Acarofauna associated to papaya orchards in Veracruz, Mexico

Productores agrícolas en México recientemente notaron un fuerte incremento en las infestaciones de ácaros en las huertas de papayo (Carica papaya L. 1753). Se elaboró una lista de las especies de ácaros asociados con hojas de papayo para determinar las especies responsables de las altas infestaciones y para identificar a los ácaros depredadores. Los ácaros fueron colectados de tres estratos (alto, medio y bajo) en siete muncipios del centro del estado de Veracruz. Las hojas fueron procesadas por lavado y tamizado. Las especies identificadas incluyeron cuatro tetraníquidos: Eotetranychus lewisi (McGregor 1943), Eutetranychus banksi (McGregor 1914), Tetranychus merganser Boudreaux 1954 y Tetranychus urticae Koch 1836; tres fitoseidos: Euseius hibisci (Chant 1959), Galendromus helveolus (Chant 1959) y Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks 1904), donde las dos primeras especies fueron las más abundantes. El ácaro eriófido errante Calacarus citrifolii Keifer 1955 fue colectado en tres municipios, en el estrato bajo. El ácaro blanco, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks 1904), y el ácaro carmín, Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval 1867), no fueron colectados, aunque estas dos especies fueron registradas previamente en esta área. Ninguno de los fitoseidos encontrados puede ser considerado de reciente establecimiento en el área; se discute su potencial como agentes de control biológico

Sociocultural aspects of nourishment and the use of the plot in the rural community of Bandera de Juárez

Objective: To analyze sociocultural aspects related to human nourishment and the use of family plots in the community of Bandera de Juárez, Veracruz, México. Methodology: A literature review, together with open interviews and on-field participative observations, knowledge exchange workshops and life storytelling were made. Results: The celebration of the feasts of San Isidro Labrador and All Saints Day were identified as moments for the re-creation of identities and strengthening of links that constitute social networks. They represent major occasions for understanding different productive and sociocultural uses of plots. In these phenomena nourishment is an essential factor. The family plot agroecosystem as a space of social importance sets a socialization and identity development process. Implication: The process players generate awareness on the value of traditional nourishment, the nutritional quality thereof and the rescue of their cultural identity. Findings: The importance of how nourishment “feeds” cultural processes is outlined. Some useful concepts, both for understanding sociocultural aspects of nourishment, the handling and uses of the plot, as well as the justification for the choice of the research method are discussed

Agricultural credit use in papaya agroecosystems in the central region of Veracruz, Mexico

Objective: To analyze the use of agricultural credit and the profitability of their papaya agroecosystem. Design/methodology/approach: A survey was applied using a questionnaire to 114 producers in seven municipalities in the central area of Veracruz, Mexico. Results: 75% of papaya growers do not know about formal sources of credit that support their productive activity. Only 22.8% have used some type of financing, and only 2.6% came from formal credit sources, even though, 97.4% used semi-formal and informal financing options. 77.2 % of growers use their own economic resources for papaya production. This generates a great heterogeneity on production costs and crop management (level of technology) that reflects the final yield. Even under these conditions the crop is profitable. Limitations of the study/implications: Information from public or private credit institutions, does not reach potential users. The few farmers who have accessed a formal credit, have had bad experiences, such as embargoes and legal actions due to special situations that made them not paying on time, that discourage growers from using this type of credit. Findings/Conclusions: Lack of knowledge of the growers about financing sources. Low use of agricultural or other formal private credits, as 77.2% of growers used their own economic resources, which generates great heterogeneity in production costs associated with the level of technology, that is reflected in the crop yield, even so the papaya crop still is profitable