Aquaponics using saline groundwater: Effect of adding microelements to fish wastewater on the growth of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. spp. cicla)

Saline soil and saline groundwater reduce agricultural productivity on drylands. We are developing a new aquaponics system to improve food productivity on such lands while effectively utilizing saline groundwater. In this study, cultivation of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. spp. cicla cv. Seiyou Shirokuki) was carried out using fish wastewater with a high salt concentration (1150 mg L−1 NaCl). The levels of microelements (e.g., Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu) in the fish wastewater were very low, so we added microelements at 100% (W100), 50% (W50), 25% (W25), and 0% (W0) of the levels in the standard hydroponics solution to the fish wastewater and investigated the effects on growth of Swiss chard. At the first harvest, yields in all wastewater treatments were as high or higher than in the control. At the second harvest, yields in W100, W50, and W25 were not significantly different from the control, while in W0 the yield was significantly lower and chlorosis was evident. At the third harvest, the yield in all wastewater treatments was less than in the control, and chlorosis symptoms were observed in W25 and W0. Since leaf Mn and Zn concentrations in W25 and W0 had decreased to below the critical values for those microelements, Mn and Zn deficiency might have contributed to the observed chlorosis and yield loss. For the cultivation of Swiss chard with fish wastewater, sufficient yield (i.e., comparable to or better than the control) without chlorosis was obtained when microelements were added at 50% of the level of the control solution. In addition, since sufficient yield was obtained even in W0 at the first harvest, it is suggested that longer-term cultivation and higher yield could be achieved by applying 50% microelements after the first harvest

Seedling emergence and growth of basil varieties under saline conditions

La albahaca presenta variabilidad en la tolerancia al estrés salino y se considera una planta sensible a la salinidad al inicio del crecimiento. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar el efecto del NaCl en la emergencia y crecimiento de albahaca. Se utilizaron veinte variedades sometidas a 0; 50 y 100 mM de NaCl, en un diseño completamente al azar con cuatro repeticiones. Las variables medidas fueron porcentaje y tasa de emergencia, longitud de radícula, altura de plántula, biomasa fresca y seca de radícula y de parte aérea. Los resultados mostraron que la variedad con mayor porcentaje de emergencia fue Thai, mientras que Sweet Genovese y Napoletano exhibieron los menores porcentajes. La variedad Thai mostró la mayor tasa de emergencia y Sweet Genovese la menor. Sweet Dani, Thai, Italian Large Leaf y Red Rubin presentaron mayor longitud de radícula, mientras que Sweet Dani, Italian Large Leaf, Dolly y Emily mostraron mayor biomasa fresca y seca de radícula. Sweet Dani, Licorice, Genovese y Napoletano exhibieron mayor altura de plántula, mientras que Sweet Genovese, Thai y Dolly presentaron mayor biomasa fresca y seca de parte aérea. Se discute la respuesta diferencial de las variedades al NaCl en la emergencia de plántulas.The basil presents variability in the tolerance to salt stress and it is considered a sensitive plant to the salinity at the beginning of the growing period. In this study the effect of NaCl on basil emergence and growth was investigated by subjecting twenty varieties to 3 salinity levels: 0, 50 and 100 mm of NaCl, in a completely randomized design with 4 replications. The variables measured were emergence rate and percentage, radicle length, plantlet height, fresh and dry biomass of radical and of aerial part. Thai showed the greatest emergence percentage while Sweet Genovese and Napoletano exhibited the smallest ones. Thai also showed the highest emergency rate and Sweet Genovese the lowest rate. Sweet Dani, Thai, Italian Large Leaf and Net Rubin presented the maximum radicle length, while Sweet Dani, Italian Large Leaf, Dolly and Emily showed the largest fresh and dry biomass of radicle. Sweet Dani, Licorice, Genovese and Napoletano had the maximun plantlet height, while Sweet Genovese, Thai and Dolly had the largest fresh and dry biomass of aerial part. The different varieties response to NaCl in the plantlets emergency is discussed.Fil: Reyes-Pérez, Juan José. La Paz (Baja California Sur, México). Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste.Fil: Murillo-Amador, Bernardo. La Paz (Baja California Sur, México). Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste.Fil: Nieto-Garibay, Alejandra. La Paz (Baja California Sur, México). Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste.Fil: Troyo-Diéguez, Enrique. La Paz (Baja California Sur, México). Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste.Fil: Reynaldo-Escobar, Inés María. Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Agrícolas (Cuba)Fil: Rueda-Puente, Edgar O.. Universidad de Sonora

Potential Transference of CP4 EPSPS to Weed Species from Genetically Modified Gossypium hirsutum in Northern Mexico

The family of enzymes 5-enolpiruvil shikimato-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) is found in plants and microorganisms. The substrates of this enzyme are phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and 3-phospho-shikimate and their products are phosphate and 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate that is the biological target of the herbicide glyphosate, which is used in genetically modified crops. The interaction between cultivated genetically modified plants (GMP) and wild plant species could be a transference source of transgenes. Presence of transgenes could be cause and adverse environmental impact on non-target organisms. Gossypium hirsutum genotype Bollgard II® is a GMP with tolerance to herbicide glyphosate and it has been cultivated during 20 years in Mexico and the possibility to gene flow primary in congeners of the Malvaceae family is possible. The objective of this study was to quantify and identify weed species associated to genetically modified cotton fields and to detect the present of glyphosate-insensitive EPSP synthases (CP4 EPSPS) in these species. The results showed that plants of the families Amaranthaceae, Asteraceae, Boraginaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Convolvulaceae, Fabaceae, Malvaceae, Poaceae, Portulacaceae, Solanaceae and Zygophyllaceae are present in the study site. Twenty-five weed species belonging to these botanical families were collected and identified in the site. From these, two species of the Malvaceae family with potential risk of gene flow plants, Anoda cristata and Sida hederacea were identified in the site; however, the CP4 EPSPS protein was not detected in none of the collected weed species and only the GM genotype Bollgard II® was positive to the CP4 EPSPS protein in the study site

Bacterias promotoras de crecimiento de plantas autóctonas y su efecto en "Prosopis chilensis" (Molina) Stunz

Today in Mexico are being deforestated the species Prosopis spp. for use as firewood and charcoal, in various arid regions of the country. For its production a synthetic fertilizer is used, thus there is an increase in soil, groundwater and aquifers salinity. This research was conducted in Santa Ana, Sonora, Mexico in 2006. Were isolated and purified microorganisms associated with the root system of Prosopis glandulosa growing in craters of the volcanic area from El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar, Sonora Biosphere Reserve. The plant growth-promoting bacteria present the peculiarity of fixing atmospheric nitrogen; the effect of the isolates on germination and seedling development in P. chilensiswas measured. 19 colonies were isolated; of them, only one bacterial colony showed high acetylene reduction activity and ability to solubilize phosphate, was identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Our results suggest that B. amyloliquefaciens, has a particular affinity to grow from 0 to 0.75M of NaCl and develops at temperatures of 30 to 50 °C. The effects of inoculation of B. amyloliquefaciens, along with A. halopraeferens, showed favorable results in the increase of germination and seedling development of P. chilensis. This is the first report of B. amyloliquefaciensas a plant growth promoting bacteria associated with P. glandulosa.En la actualidad se está deforestando en México la especie de Prosopis spp. para utilizarse como leña y carbón, en diferentes zonas áridas de nuestro país. Para su producción se utiliza fertilizante sintético, con ello hay un incremento de salinidad del suelo, subsuelo y mantos acuíferos. La presente investigación se realizó en Santa Ana, Sonora, México en 2006. Se aislaron y purificaron microorganismos asociados al sistema radicular de Prosopis glandulosa que se desarrolla en cráteres de la zona volcánica de la reserva de la biosfera El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar Sonora. Las bacterias promotoras de crecimiento de plantas presentan la peculiaridad de fijar el nitrógeno atmosférico; se midió el efecto de las cepas aisladas en germinación y en el desarrollo en plántulas de P. chilensis. Fueron aisladas 19 colonias; de ellas, solamente una colonia bacteriana mostró alta actividad de reducción de acetileno y capacidad de solubilizar fosfatos, se identificó como Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Nuestros resultados sugieren que B. amyloliquefaciens, presenta una afinidad particular para crecer de 0 a 0.75 M de NaCl y desarrollarse en temperaturas de 30 a 50 °C. Los efectos de la inoculación de B. amyloliquefaciens, conjuntamente con A. halopraeferens, mostraron reultados favorables en el incremento de la germinación y el desarrollo de plántulas de P. chilensis. Éste es el primer reporte de B. amyloliquefaciens como bacteria promora de crecimiento de plantas asociada a P. glandulosa

Composición química y precursores de ácidos vaccénico y ruménico en especies forrajeras en Baja California Sur, México

Los rumiantes pequeños que pastorean la vegetación nativa seleccionan su dieta a partir de una amplia variedad de especies vegetales, que difieren en su contenido y disponibilidad de nutrientes durante el año, y son fuente importante de nutrientes. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar y comparar la composición bioquímica de especies forrajeras asociadas al agostadero de Baja California Sur. Las especies evaluadas fueron huizache, mezquite, palo fierro, palo verde y vinorama, así como alfalfa henificada. Se cuantificó el contenido de materia seca, proteína cruda, lípidos totales, fibra cruda, cenizas, extracto libre de nitrógeno y energía bruta, así como la concentración de ácido linoléico, ácido A-linolénico y ácidos grasos poliinsaturados ARA, EPA y DHA. Los resultados muestran que el palo verde y el mezquite presentaron un contenido mayor de proteína cruda. El huizache mostró la concentración mayor de lípidostotales, seguido de palo verde y mezquite. Huizache y alfalfa henificada presentaron las concentraciones mayores de ácido linoleico; mientras que palo verde alcanzó los niveles más altos de ácido alfa linolénico, seguido por palo fierro y alfalfa henificada. Palo verde, palo fierro y alfalfa henificada obtuvieron concentraciones mayores de ácidos grasos poliinsaturados. El uso de los forrajes de agostadero en la alimentación de los rumiantes es una alternativa que podrá modificar las proporciones de los ácidos grasos de la leche dado el contenido del ácido oleico, linoléico y linolénico, precursores del ácido vaccénico y ruménico y ácidos grasos poliinsaturados de la serie omega 3 como el EPA y el DHA

Inactivación de patógenos en residuos avícolas mediante el compostaje

The aim of the study was to inactivate pathogenic microorganisms through the composting process for 120 hours using residues of organic compounds in two proportions: C/N 25 composed of 25.31, 40.42 and 34.27% and C/N 35 for 44.61, 12.90 and 42.50% of bean straw, fresh sorghum forage and dry chicken manure, respectively. The variables analysed were temperature, microbial load (mesophilic aerobics, total and faecal coliforms) and reduction of Escherichia coli and Salmonella Typhimurium, artificially inoculated in three levels of the compost piles. The C/N 35 treatment reached the highest temperature and inactivation of the pathogenic microorganisms evaluated during the thermophilic phase of composting. The temperatures reached were not homogeneous between the levels of the piles, being lower in the upper level (p<0.000). This study suggests the implementation of composting as an efficient alternative for the disposal of poultry waste.El objetivo del estudio fue inactivar microorganismos patógenos mediante el proceso de compostaje durante 120 horas utilizando residuos de compuestos orgánicos en dos proporciones: C/N 25 compuesto por 25.31, 40.42 y 34.27% y C/N 35 por 44.61, 12.90 y 42.50% de paja de frijol, forraje fresco de sorgo y estiércol seco, respectivamente. Las variables analizadas fueron temperatura, carga microbiana (aeróbicos mesófilos, coliformes totales y fecales) y reducción de Escherichia coli y Salmonella Typhimurium inoculadas artificialmente en tres niveles de las pilas de compost. El tratamiento C/N 35 alcanzó la mayor temperatura e inactivación de los microorganismos patógenos evaluados durante la fase termofílica del compostaje. Las temperaturas alcanzadas no fueron homogéneas entre los niveles de las pilas siendo inferior en el nivel superior (p<0.000). Este estudio sugiere la implementación del compostaje como una alternativa eficiente para la disposición de residuos avícolas