LA APICULTURA EN CAMPECHE: IMPORTANCIA ECONÓMICA Y RETOS PARA INCREMENTAR SU PRODUCCIÓN

La apicultura es una de las principales actividades que se realizan en el sector agropecuario en México, debido a su producción de miel de alta calidad la cual es apreciada en diversos países de la Comunidad Europea. La apicultura es practicada por más de 40,000 productores, los cuales cuentan con alrededor de dos millones de colmenas en apiarios distribuidos en cinco regiones apícolas a nivel nacional (Norte, Centro y Altiplano, Pacífico, Golfo y Península de Yucatán). La península de Yucatán (conformada por los estados Campeche, Quintana Roo y Yucatán) es considerada como la región más importante de producción de miel ya que destina aproximadamente el 95 % al mercado internacional. Sin embargo, a pesar que la región concentra entre el 30 y 35 % del total de colonias a nivel nacional, la actividad apícola es considerada como una actividad secundaria. Con el objetivo de caracterizar la actividad apícola en Campeche, se realizó una encuesta a 120 productores entre julio a diciembre 2016. La edad promedio fue 57 años, con un promedio de 2.27 apiarios por productor y 20.6 colmenas por apiario. Los apicultores le dedican dos días a la semana a la actividad apícola y realizan en promedio 3.67 cosechas al año, coincidiendo con los estudios previos de que se trata de una actividad secundaria. Por tal motivo es importante un relevo generacional entre los apicultores y fomentar jóvenes productores con una visión empresarial dispuestos a incrementar la productividad de la miel mediante la implementación de innovaciones

El género Indigofera (Fabaceae) en la Península de Yucatán, México: plantas de valor tintóreo

Background and Aims: In the Mexican Yucatán Peninsula, up to seven species of the genus Indigofera have been reported: I. indica, I. jamaicensis, I. lespedezioides, I. suffruticosa, I. thibaudiana, I. tinctoria and I. trita subsp. scabra. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the diversity of the genus in the peninsula, Campeche, Quintana Roo, and Yucatán.Methods: Botanical collections were carried out in the states of Campeche, Quintana Roo, and Yucatán during 2016 and 2017. Material from the CICY and UCAM herbaria was reviewed and the plants were identified according to specialized literature.Key results: On the one hand, two new records are added for the Yucatán Peninsula: Indigofera microcarpa and I. miniata. On the other hand, I. indica, I. jamaicensis and I. tinctoria are excluded. Taxonomic and ecological comments on the species are made, and a diagnostic key, a general distribution map and images of some living plants are presented.Conclusions: With this study, the number of species of the genus Indigofera on the Yucatán Peninsula increases to six.Antecedentes y Objetivos: En la Península de Yucatán se han registrado hasta siete especies del género Indigofera: I. indica, I. jamaicensis, I. lespedezioides, I. suffruticosa, I. thibaudiana, I. tinctoria e I. trita ssp. scabra. El propósito de este estudio es evaluar la diversidad del género en los tres estados de la península, Campeche, Quintana Roo y Yucatán.Métodos: Se realizaron recolectas botánicas en los estados de Campeche, Quintana Roo y Yucatán durante 2016 y 2017. Se revisó material de los herbarios CICY y UCAM y se identificaron las plantas de acuerdo con literatura especializada.Resultados clave: Se adicionan dos nuevos registros para la Península de Yucatán: Indigofera microcarpa e I. miniata. Por otro lado se excluyen I. indica, I. jamaicensis e I. tinctoria. Se realizan comentarios taxonómicos y ecológicos sobre las especies, se incluye una clave diagnóstica, un mapa de distribución e imágenes de algunas especies en su medio natural.Conclusiones: Con este estudio se eleva el conocimiento del número de especies de Indigofera en la Península de Yucatán a seis

Update on the terrestrial orchid flora of the Tacana volcano and close area, Chiapas, Mexico

Objective: To assess the number of terrestrial orchid species on the Tacaná volcano, Chiapas, and to empirically observe distribution/elevation patterns and ecological conditions. Design/Methodology/Approach: Random line transect sampling, over two years, for a total of 8 sites, each starting from the vicinity of rural villages. Samples were deposited in the CICY herbarium and analysed using dichotomous keys and field photographs. New records were compared with the GBIF data distribution. Results: 52 different taxa have been identified. 24 species are new records for the Soconusco region, where the Tacaná volcano is located. In this way, the Soconusco region becomes the richest Mexican region for the number of orchid species, joining a total of 351 species. Study Limitations/Implications: Building an accurate prediction model based on environmental and topographic variables could suggest microsites within the Tacaná Park that we have not visited for practical and technical reasons. Findings/Conclusions: The total number of taxa in the Soconusco region increases to 351. Terrestrial orchids are not usually studied in depth in tropical places, but they are also important in the ecological balance of the natural site. A specific inventory could show more richness of tropical ecosystem

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.): An Important Medicinal and Aromatic Crop

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is an annual forage legume and a traditional spice and aromatic crop that has been grown for centuries across the Indian subcontinent. In addition to South Asia, the crop is also grown in some parts of North Africa, Middle East, Mediterranean Europe, China, South East (SE) Asia, Australia, the USA, Argentina and Canada. The plant has been used traditionally in Indian Ayurvedic medicines as well as in traditional Tibetan and Chinese medication for several centuries. Modern research has also demonstrated that fenugreek seed and leaves are useful in the treatment of a number of diseases including successfully reducing blood sugar and blood cholesterol levels in both animals and humans. The plant has recently attracted great interest in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and functional food industries due to its rich medicinal properties

Nuevos registros para la flora de Honduras y el Parque Nacional Montaña de Celaque.

Se registran 11 novedades para la flora de Honduras a partir de ejemplares recolectados en el Parque Nacional Montaña Celaque. Los nuevos registros son: Tillandsia mateoensis (Bromeliaceae), Diastema affine (Gesneriaceae), Scutellaria costaricana (Lamiaceae), Miconia contrerasii (Melastomataceae), Acianthera violacea, Dendrophylax porrectus, Epidendrum santaclarense, Lepanthes enca-barcenae, L. fratercula, L. isabelae y Sarcoglottis schaffneri (Orchidaceae). Por otra parte, Potosia guatemalensis es sinonimizado bajo S. schaffneri. Se incluyen fotos de todas las especies, hábitats y un mapa de distribución con sus localidades en Honduras.Eleven new records for the flora of Honduras from Celaque Mountain National Park are reported here. The new records are: Tillandsia mateoensis (Bromeliaceae), Diastema affine (Gesneriaceae), Scutellaria costaricana (Lamiaceae), Miconia contrerasii (Melastomataceae), Acianthera violacea, Dendrophylax porrectus, Epidendrum santaclarense, Lepanthes enca-barcenae, L. fratercula, L. isabelae, and Sarcoglottis schaffneri (Orchidaceae). Moreover, Potosia guatemalensis is synonimized under S. schaffneri. We include photos of all species, habitats, and a distributional map with their localities in Honduras

First record of Lepanthes appendiculata Ames (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae) from Nicaragua, with comments on the morphological variation, geographical distribution, and conservation status

Lepanthes appendiculata Ames, a new record for the orchid flora of Nicaragua is presented, with comments on its geographical distribution, floral variations, and analysis of conservation status following IUCN criteria. Additionally, we include iconography of its floral variations, habitats, and a detailed distribution map. Based on the herbarium records and iconography, we also accept and corroborate 10 species of Lepanthes Sw. in Nicaragua

Main technical-productive characteristics of meliponiculture in two locations of the municipality of Calkiní, Campeche

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.Objective: To identify the main technical-productive characteristics of two meliponiculture production systems—traditional and technical—in two locations of the municipality of Calkiní, Campeche. Design/Methodology/Approach: Semi-structured interviews of 60 items were applied to bee growers from Pucnanchen and Santa Cruz between August and December 2021. The population of meliponiculturists was established by using the snowball method. Results: We found a total of 43 bee colonies of the M. beecheii species (39 hobones and 14 technified boxes). The interviewed meliponiculturists are over 49 years old and have an average of 10.75 colonies per meliponary. In modern meliponaries, galvanized metal sheets have replaced huano (Sabal yapa) leaf roofing. Likewise, some hobones have been replaced by technified boxes to breed native bees. Study limitations/Implications: This study describes the technical-productive characteristics of the two production systems (traditional and technical) used in meliponiculture in two locations of the municipality of Calkiní, Campeche. Findings/Conclusions: There is a decline in the number of people practicing meliponiculture, an activity still rooted in rural communities and that retains its economic, cultural, and social importance. In rural communities, the use of melipona honey for health purposes persists, as well as the religious customs associated with this type of honey

Ecological and socioeconomic aspects of meliponiculture in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Objective: Describe the main economic and ecological characteristics in the production of crops of native stingless bees (NSB) in the Yucatan peninsula (YP), Mexico. Design/methodology/approach: Through the snowball method, an exhaustive search for references on meliponiculture was carried out, using keywords individually or in combination, such as meliponiculture, Melipona, native stingless bee, Mayan meliponiculture, Yucatan peninsula, etc. Results: In Campeche and Yucatán there are a total of 216 producers who have a total of 3362 jobones destined for meliponiculture. However, economic and ecological studies are scarce and do not allow to know in depth the benefits of NSB in the YP, that is, information on production costs and economic spillover that would be obtained with the preservation of the NSB. Limitations on study/implications: This study describes the socioeconomic and ecological aspects of native stingless bees in the Yucatán peninsula, México. Findings/conclusions: Meliponiculture is an important activity from the cultural aspect, therefore its rescue and conservation is urgent; on the other hand, the selling cost of Melipona honey is higher compared to honey from the bee Apis mellifera L., being an economic alternative for producers in rural communities.Objective: To describe the main economic and ecological characteristics in the production of native stingless bees (NSBs) in the Yucatan Peninsula (YP), Mexico. Design/Methodology/Approach: Through the snowball method, an exhaustive search for references about meliponiculture was conducted, using keywords individually or combined, such as meliponiculture, Melipona, native stingless bees, Mayan meliponiculture, Yucatan Peninsula, etc. Results: In Campeche and Yucatán there is a total of N=216 producers who own a total of 3,362 “jobones” destined to meliponiculture. However, economic and ecological studies are scarce and do not allow deeply understanding the benefits of NSBs in the YP; that is, information about production costs and economic benefits that would be obtained with the conservation of NSBs. Study Limitations/Implications: This study describes the socioeconomic and ecological aspects of native stingless bees in the Yucatan Peninsula. Findings/Conclusions: Meliponiculture is an important activity from the cultural aspect, therefore, its rescue and conservation is urgent; on the other hand, the sale cost of Melipona honey is higher compared to honey from the Apis melifera L. bee, representing an economic alternative for the producers of rural communities

Caracterización de la actividad apícola en los principales municipios productores de miel en Campeche, México

In Mexico, beekeeping is one of the main activities of the agricultural sector due to its production of high quality honeywhich is exported to several European countries. Beekeeping is practiced by more than 40,000 producers; with aroundtwo million hives in apiaries distributed in the five honey producing regions of Mexico (North, Central and Highlands,Pacific, Gulf and Yucatan Peninsula). The Yucatan Peninsula comprising of Campeche, Quintana Roo and Yucatan, isconsidered as one the most important honey producing region since it contributes to about 95 % of Mexican honeyproduction in the international markets. The region represents to 30 to 35 % of the total number of Mexican bee colonies,and beekeeping is considered as a secondary agricultural activity. With the purpose of characterizing the beekeepingactivity in Campeche (in municipalities of Campeche, Champoton and Hopelchen), Yucatan Peninsula a comprehensivesurvey was conducted on 120 producers from July to December, 2016. The average age of beekeepers was found to be57 years, with an average of 2.27 apiaries per producer and with 20.6 hives per apiary. The survey revealed that beekeepers devote two days a week to beekeeping and make on an average 3.67 harvests per year. Based on the survey results, itis recommended to promote generational change in the local beekeeping activity, with stronger emphasis on the youngbeekeepers of the region.En México, la apicultura es una de las principales actividades del sector agropecuario debido a su producción de miel dealta calidad la cual es apreciada en diversos países de Europa. Esta actividad es practicada por más de 40000 productores,que cuentan con alrededor de dos millones de colmenas en apiarios distribuidos en las cinco regiones apícolas a nivelnacional (Norte, Centro y Altiplano, Pacífico, Golfo y Península de Yucatán). La península de Yucatán incluye losestados de Campeche, Yucatán y Quintana Roo, considerada como la región más importante debido a que destina cercadel 95 % de la producción de miel al mercado internacional. La región concentra del 30 al 35 % del total de las coloniasde abejas a nivel nacional y es considerada como una actividad secundaria. Con la finalidad de caracterizar la actividadapícola en Campeche (en municipios de Campeche, Champotón y Hopelchén), se aplicaron encuestas a 120 productoresde julio a diciembre del 2016. La edad promedio de los apicultores fue de 57 años, con un promedio de 2.27 apiarios porproductor, con 20.6 colmenas por apiario. Los apicultores dedican dos días a la semana a esta actividad y realizan enpromedio 3.67 cosechas por año. Con base en lo anterior, se recomienda fomentar el relevo generacional en la actividadapícola, que se enfoque en jóvenes apicultores

Socioeconomic diagnosis of a group of meliponiculturists in the local-ity of San Antonio Cayal, Campeche, Mexico

Objective: To identify the economic, technical, and social characteristics of a group of meliponiculturists established in the locality of San Antonio Cayal, Campeche, Mexico. Design/methodology/approach: An interview card was applied to ten members of a group of meliponiculturists, and each card consisted of 20 open and closed questions distributed in the following sections: general data, technical aspects, characteristics of the meliponary, production, market, and perspectives of meliponiculture. An observation guide was also applied. Results: It was found that in the locality of San Antonio Cayal, meliponiculture is a recent activity (four years); the activity started with a total of ten people, with ages between 47 and 64, using modernized boxes and the honey extraction technique using syringes. However, currently the activity is only practiced by two people. Limitations on the study/implications: Meliponiculture is a scarcely practiced activity in the locality, and therefore, there are few records of this activity. Findings/conclusions: The study allowed us to understand the limitations of the group of meliponiculturists that caused the dispersion of the group, and allowed finding different areas of opportunity (management, production) to strengthen the activity