Susceptibility of Sphenarium purpurascens purpurascens (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae) instars to a commercial strain of Metarhizium acridum (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) in Michoacan, Mexico.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of a commercial strain of the entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium acridum, on the different instars of the grasshopper pest Sphenarium purpurascens purpurascens, as well as its sporulation via bioassays under laboratory conditions, in Michoacan, Mexico. The most susceptible instars were nymphs one, two and four, with an average survival time of less than 6.91 days. The least susceptible was the adult, with a survival time of 8.36 days. The instars with the highest post mortem sporulation were nymphs one, two and three. A moderate negative association was registered between S. p. purpurascens and the sporulation of M. acridum, in advanced instars (nymph 4 and adult), in which sporulation was lower compared to early instars. All instars showed survival rates below 5 %, so M. acridum can be considered to be a viable option for controlling this pest in the field

Primer registro de megaselia sp. (diptera: phoridae) como parasitoide de sphenarium purpurascens purpurascens (orthoptera: pyrgomorphidae)

The presence of a Megaselia species parasitizing Sphenarium purpurascens purpurascens is documented for the first time. Some data on its biology are included from specimens collected in maize agroecosystems in the municipality of Erongarícuaro, Michoacan, Mexico.RESUMEN. Se documenta por primera vez la presencia de especiesde Megaselia parasitando a Sphenarium purpurascens purpurascens. Se incluyen algunos datos de su biología desde especímenes colectados en agroecosistemas de maíz en la comunidad de Erongarícuaro, Michoacán, México.

TRY plant trait database – enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits - the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants - determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait‐based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits - almost complete coverage for ‘plant growth form’. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait–environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives

Cuidado y curación tradicional de los animales de trabajo en la primera obra de veterinaria mexicana (1575-1579)

El libro Albeitería, escrito por el mexicano Juan Suárez de Peralta en tre 1575 y 1579, es el primero en Ciencias Veterinarias escrito en América, aunque debido a su rareza ha sido prácticamente desaprovechado por los estudiosos del cuidado animal. El ser originario de la Nueva España le proporcionó al autor, según él mismo declara, la oportunidad de acceder a las fórmulas médicas a base de plantas, tanto exóticas como nativas, conforme a la medicina indígena; aprovechar al máximo el sa ber español y árabe de un "gran albéitar gitano", en el uso de plantas y emplastos, así como el "medir el pulso" y el "curar por la orina" como parte del procedimiento de atención medica al ganado equino, además de múltiples procedimientos de medicina veterinaria tradicional hispanoárabe. En dicho texto están las bases de los cuidados utilizados por los campesinos mexicanos en la atención y curación de sus animales de trabajo, ya que éstas son herederas directas de las prácticas curativas llegadas de la península Ibérica. La identificación de los cuidados y remedios tradicionales, así como también de la farmacopea utilizada por Suárez de Peralta en los animales de trabajo es el objetivo del presente escrito

Comparación entre aves (Gallus gallus) de tipo criollo con aves de líneas comerciales bajo condiciones de traspatio en sistemas de producción campesinos del altiplano mexicano

The productivity of criollo (indigenous) chickens versus commercial line chickens in a low zone and high zone in the municipally of San Felipe del Progreso, México, was compared. Live weight gains were estimated by linear regression analysis; the comparison between the two types of birds by zone and between zones by type of birds was carried out by comparison of regression analysis, Morbidity and mortality were analyzed by a Chi square test. In the low zone live weight gains (g/bird/week) were signiflcantly higher (P<0.05) in commercial line chickens (89.37) compared ta criollo chickens (75.16). In the high zone no significant difference was found (P>0.05) between types of birds (80.58 and 72.83). Between zones, by types of bird, the two growth fitted lines were parallel with common regression coefficients, but with higher intercept for the low zone (P<0.05).  Morbidity did not differ significantly between types of birds, but birds in the low zone were less disease susceptible (P<0.05) than birds in the high zone. Morbidity rates were 33.5% and 68.3% in the low and high zone respectively whereas mortality rates were 25.8% and 68%. The present study suggests that the two types of birds are different elements within the systems. Criollo birds are reared as a way of short term investment while commercial chidcens are purchased for long term specific purposes (self consumption and/or sale).  This determines different kinds of rearing by peasemts.

¿Es posible evaluar la dimensión social de la sustentabilidad? Aplicación de una metodología en dos comunidades campesinas del valle de Toluca, México

El artículo realiza una evaluación de los aspectos sociales de la sustentabilidad en dos comunidades campesinas del valle de Toluca, utilizando un esquema de atributos-criterios-indicadores. Una de las comunidades presentó mejores valores en atributos como estabilidad, resiliencia, equidad y autogestión; mientras que ambas comunidades obtuvieron niveles similares (de medios a al tos) en los atributos de productividad, adaptabilidad y confiabilidad. La organización so cial jugó un papel preponderante en la sustentabilidad económica y ambiental del manejo de recursos naturales por las comunidades

Separation of Coffee Pulp Bioactive Phenolic Compounds by MPLC Fractionation and Identification by HPLC-ESI-MS

Coffee pulp is the major by-product of the coffee industry, and its generation and accumulation is a big problem of contamination. Some strategies have been studied in order to reduce it. One of the most common strategies is turning waste into value-added products. In this study, the MPLC technique was successfully applied to the fractionation of the aqueous acetone extracts (AAE) from the coffee pulp. Seven fractions were obtained using MPLC. The fractions were characterized by reversed-phase HPLC-UV and ESI-MS. Four fractions were obtained as pure compounds according to the HPLC chromatogram. The ESI-MS showed that the main compound present in the acetone extract was caffeine. Additionally, some 218new masses observed (MW: 232, 357, and 532) had not been reported in the coffee pulp. The MS2 analysis allowed obtaining the main fragments of these new masses. Finally, these results provide new information about the characterization of some new compounds present in the coffee pulp

Ecosystem service trade-offs, perceived drivers, and sustainability in contrasting agroecosystems in central Mexico

The ability of agroecosystems to provide food ultimately depends on the regulating and supporting ecosystem services that underpin their functioning, such as the regulation of soil quality, water quality, soil erosion, pests, and pollinators. However, there are trade-offs between provisioning and regulating or supporting services, whose nature at the farm and plot scales is poorly understood. We analyzed data at the farm level for two agroecosystems with contrasting objectives in central Mexico: one aimed at staple crop production for self-subsistence and local markets, the other directed to a cash crop for export markets. Bivariate and multivariate trade-offs were analyzed for different crop management strategies (conventional, organic, traditional, crop rotation) and their underpinning socioeconomic drivers. There was a clear trade-off between crop yield and soil quality in self-subsistence systems. However, other expected trade-offs between yields and soil quality did not always occur, likely because of the overall good soils of the region and the low to medium input profile of most farms. Trade-offs were highly dependent on farm-specific agricultural practices; organic, traditional, and rotation management systems generally showed smaller trade-offs between yield and soil quality, pest control, and biodiversity than did conventional management systems. Perceived drivers reported by farmers included increasing prices for cash crops, rising costs of inputs, and extreme climatic events (e.g., drought, hail, frost). Farmers did not identify the regulation of soil quality, water quality, soil erosion, pests, or pollinators as important constraints. Although acceptable yields could be maintained irrespective of key regulating and supporting services according to these perceptions, current levels of soil erosion and nutrient runoff are likely to have important negative effects at the watershed scale. Sustainability in both agroecosystems could be increased substantially by promoting alternative practices aimed at maintaining biodiversity, soil quality, and soil retention

Sustainability of agroecological interventions in small scale farming systems in the Western Highlands of Guatemala

The Western Highlands of Guatemala are dominated by small-scale farming in indigenous communities. Mountain conditions and overpopulation have led to expansion of the agricultural frontier with consequent degradation, decreasing yields, poverty and malnutrition. Several non-government organizations (NGO) have carried out interventions to rescue the milpa system and diversify farming systems. We used the Framework for the Evaluation of Management Systems using Indicators (MESMIS) to evaluate farm sustainability after such interventions. We analysed data from four participating NGOs, interviewing 50 farmers with several years of collaboration as alternative systems, and 50 farmers of recent incorporation as reference systems. A trend towards moderate improvements was found in yields, food availability and reduced losses due to pests, diseases and climatic events. Given the environmental conditions and farm size it seems unlikely that most farms could achieve food self-sufficiency. In some cases, the increase in yields and food security correlate with a higher external input dependence. Even with agroecological interventions, external inputs might be needed. Direct indicators need to be measured in future studies for soil quality and erosion control. Even though the study cases showed regional differences, it was possible to develop a common, robust group of indicators, along with some case-specific ones