EVALUACIÓN AGRONÓMICA Y SENSORIAL DE OCHO GENOTIPOS DE MAÍZ (Zea mays L.) PARA LA PRODUCCIÓN DE ELOTE

In Chiapas, México, diverse maize varieties (Zea mays) are cultivated to produce corn on the cob, even when they were not formed for this purpose. Producers sow native or improved varieties, although studies have not yet been performed to determine whether the quality of the biological materials directed at grain production is appropriate for corncob; and whether there is acceptance by consumers. Eight maize materials were evaluated in agronomical terms, in order to identify the genotypes that fulfill the market characteristics to produce corncob with consumer satisfaction, applying a sensory evaluation. A completely random block design with four repetitions was used in Úrsulo Galván, Villaflores, Chiapas, sowing on May 2013 and performing the sensory evaluation in August of the same year. The samples were evaluated through a hedonic scale of nine points, recording highly significant differences (P ? 0.01). The V-526 variety showed the best agronomic characteristics in length (20.5 cm) and diameter (5.0 cm), while the Cristani Burkad variety showed the highest content of total soluble solids (12.5 °Bx). All the genotypes  were evaluated positively by the consumers, with a grade of +2 (like it); however, those of highest acceptance were H-520, A7573 and V-526, with 78.7, 73.7 and 72.3%.En Chiapas, México, se cultivan diversas variedades de maíz (Zea mays) para producir elote, aun cuando no fueron formadas para ese fin. Los productores siembran variedades nativas o mejoradas, sin embargo no se han realizado trabajos para determinar si la calidad de los materiales biológicos orientados a la producción de grano son apropiados para elote; y si existe aceptación por parte de los consumidores. Se evaluaron agronómicamente ocho materiales de maíz, para identificar los genotipos que reúnen las características de mercado para producir elote con satisfacción del consumidor, aplicando una evaluación sensorial. Se estableció un diseño en bloques completos al azar con cuatro repeticiones, sembrando en mayo 2013 en Úrsulo Galván, Villaflores, Chiapas, y su evaluación sensorial en agosto del mismo año. Las muestras se evaluaron mediante una escala hedónica de nueve puntos, registrando diferencias altamente significativas (P? 0.01). La variedad V-526 registró las mejores características agronómicas en longitud (20.5 cm) y diámetro (5.0 cm) mientras que la variedad Cristiani Burkad registró el mayor contenido de sólidos solubles totales (12.5 °Bx). Todos los genotipos fueron evaluados positivamente por los consumidores, con una calificación de +2 (me gusta), sin embargo, los de mayor aceptación fueron el H-520, A7573 y V-526, con 78.7, 73.7 y 72.3%

IMPORTANCIA ECONÓMICA DEL TRASPATIO Y SU RELACIÓN CON LA SEGURIDAD ALIMENTARIA EN COMUNIDADES DE ALTA MARGINACIÓN EN PUEBLA, MÉXICO

Backyard agriculture is of great importance for food security of rural families that practice family agriculture, because it generates foods, savings and income. This research has the objective of valuing the products generated in the backyard and their relation with food security. The data were obtained by monitoring a statistical sample of rural households. The interviews were carried out from August to November 2014. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, X2 (chi2), and a test of mean differences. The results indicated that the backyard generates 9.3 % of the family economicincome, and that it takes on higher importance in households where the main source of income are agricultural and livestock activities versus non-agricultural and livestock ones. A significant relation was found (p?0.05) between using the backyard productively and food insecurity and dietary poverty.La agricultura de traspatio es de gran importancia para la seguridad alimentaria de las familias rurales que practican la agricultura familiar, debido a que genera alimentos, ahorro, e ingresos. Esta investigación tiene el objetivo de valorar los productos que genera el traspatio y su relación con la seguridad alimentaria. Los datos se obtuvieron por seguimiento a una muestra estadística de hogares rurales. Las entrevistas se realizaron de agosto a noviembre del 2014. Los datos se analizaron con estadística descriptiva, X2 (chi2), y prueba de diferencias de la media. Los resultados indicaron queel traspatio genera 9.3% del ingreso económico familiar, y que cobra mayor importancia en hogares en los que su principal fuente de ingresos son las actividades agropecuarias contra las no agropecuarias. Se registró una relación significativa (p?0.05) entre utilizar productivamente el traspatio e inseguridad alimentaria y pobreza alimentaria

INNOVACIÓN Y RENTABILIDAD EN LA PRODUCCION DE ROSA (Rosa hybrida L.) DE CORTE EN INVERNADERO

Rose (Rosa hybrida) for cutting, grown under greenhouse conditions, is the ornamental species of greatest economic importance in the state of Puebla, México. The objective of this study was to estimate the economic profitability of the production of rose for cutting, and to determine the factors that explain the economic gain with an emphasis in the relationship: profitability, technological innovation, and size of the greenhouse. A survey was applied to producers using simple random sampling. The size of the sample was n=88 production units, with reliability of 95 % and precision of 7.5 %. To measure profitability of the production, the following indicators were used: Benefit-Cost Relationship and Economic Gain. It was determined that rose production has a Benefit-Cost Relationship of 2.5. There is a positive and significant (p?0.05) relationship between profitability and the use of innovations, as well as between profitability and size of the greenhouse. The producers with high values in investment for innovation obtain higher gain (40 %), in comparison to those that have low levels of investment.La rosa (Rosa hybrida) de corte bajo invernadero es la especie ornamental económicamente más importante en el estado de Puebla, México. El objetivo de esta investigación fue estimar la rentabilidad económica de la producción de rosa de corte y determinar los factores que explican la ganancia económica con énfasis en la relación: rentabilidad, innovación tecnológica y tamaño del invernadero. Se aplicó una encuesta a productores usando un muestreo aleatorio simple. El tamaño de muestra fue n=88 unidades de producción, con confiabilidad de 95% y precisión de 7.5%. Para la medición de la rentabilidad de la producción se utilizaron los indicadores: Relación Beneficio-Costo y Ganancia Económica. Se determinó que la producción de rosa tiene Relación beneficio/costo de 2.5. Existe una relación positiva y significativa (p?0.05) entre rentabilidad y uso de Innovaciones, así como entre rentabilidad y tamaño del Invernadero. Los productores con valores altos en inversión en innovación obtienen mayor ganancia (40%) en comparación con los que tienen bajos niveles de inversión

RENTABILIDAD ECONÓMICA Y AGREGACIÓN DE VALOR DEL CULTIVO DE AMARANTO (Amaranthus spp.) EN TOCHIMILCO, PUEBLA, MÉXICO

The production of amaranth (Amaranthus spp.), in Tochimilco, Puebla, Mexico, is the basis of the municipal economy. Although it is practiced under peasant agriculture conditions, it is market oriented. The above, because there is no culture of consumption among producers, despite the nutritional properties that this grain has. Two cultivation systems are practiced: conventional and organic. In both systems, the crop is financially profitable for the producer, when depreciation of equipment and family labor are not considered. In general, the income obtained is higher than the costs. However, the results of the VAN, TIR and RBC profitability indicators through an eight-year projection, with an update rate of 12%, indicate that the practice of the conventional system is not profitable with a NPV of -$22,818, an IRR of -11$2,765, IRR of 15% and RBC of 1.5. When value is added to production through trapping, the profitability of both systems increases; RBC of 1.5 for the traditional system with trapping, and RBC of 2.10 for the organic system with trapping.La producción de amaranto (Amaranthus spp.), en Tochimilco, Puebla, México, es la base de la economía municipal. A pesar de que se practica en condiciones de agricultura campesina, está orientada al mercado. Lo anterior, debido a que no existe la cultura de su consumo entre los productores, pese a las propiedades nutricionales que este grano posee. Se practican dos sistemas de cultivo: el convencional y el orgánico. En ambos sistemas, el cultivo es rentable financieramente para el productor, cuando no se consideran la depreciación de equipo y la mano de obra familiar. En general, los ingresos obtenidos son superiores a los costos. No obstante, los resultados de los indicadores de rentabilidad VAN, TIR y RBC a través de una proyección a ocho años, con una tasa de actualización de 12%, indican que la práctica del sistema convencional no es rentable con una VAN de -$22,818, una TIRde -11$2,765, TIR de 15% y RBC de 1.5. Cuando se agrega valor a la producción a través del reventado, la rentabilidad de ambos sistemas aumenta; RBC de 1.5 para el sistema tradicional con reventado, y a RBC de 2.10 para el sistema orgánico con reventado

Vertical and Spatial Price Transmissi n in the Mexican and International Milk Market

During the last two decades, the Mexican dairy sector experienced important structural changes, especially after the implementation of the NAFTA agreement. In 2016, the Bank of Mexico observed that in milk market, the final prices tend to rise when input prices increase, however, they do not decrease when imput prices decrease. In this context, this study examines the degree of spatial and vertical price transmission between farm milk prices and international milk prices as well as between farm milk prices and retail milk prices, in order to assess the ef?ciency level of the Mexican and International dairy market. The ?ndings of this research provide contributions to decision makers and industry stake-holders: a unidirectional transmission of international milk prices to domestic milk prices and from farm price to retail price along with the existence of asymmetric price transmission which depends on whether milk prices are increasing or decreasing. Acknowledgement : Colegio de Posgraduados-Campus Puebla and LGAC in Economics of Rural Developmen

Characterization of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) cropping system in the State of Jalisco, México [Caracterizacion de los sistemas de produccion de tomate (lycopersicum esculentum mill.) en el estado de jalisco, Mexico]

Cropping systems of tomatoes in the State of Jalisco, Mexico, were characterized variables useful to explain the technical and economic problems of these systems were prioritized. Five producing regions were identified: Sayula, La Cienega, Sierra de Amula, Costa Sur, and Zapotlan El Grande. A stratified random sampling was performed and face to face structured interviews with tomato producers were applied. The questionnaire included sections to record the sociodemographic characteristics, production performance, technology, food safety and production marketing system. The characterization of production systems was performed using the technological variables: Type of protection, cultivated surface, type of irrigation system, wadding (mulch), input use, yield, production costs, market and food safety. Systems were classified in three groups: open field, greenhouse and mesh shade production system, whit two subsystem organic production with mesh shade and greenhouse without mulch. 84% of producers use an open field system, 8% produce in greenhouse, 4% use the mesh shade system and the remaining 4% produce with any combination of the above systems. The main cultivated variety is Saladette. Productivity of each system is determined by the level and type of technology. All producers use drip irrigation systems and 96% use plastic mulching (wadding). 90% of producers allocate its production through a broker and 10% sell directly to wholesale markets; the main broker usually is the person who owns the warehouse. Weather conditions, pests and diseases are the main factors affecting negatively the productivity and yield of the crop, with negative economic impact on farmers

Characterization and functionality of greenhouses in Chignahuapan Puebla, Mexico

Greenhouses were characterized and evaluated for their functionality in the municipality of Chignahuapan, Puebla; in a census, 31 producers were interviewed representing 100 % of greenhouse during the 2011 season. Initially exploratory trips were made and a questionnaire was applied to producers and greenhouse owners. From the information obtained, five classifications of greenhouse were determined by cluster analysis, one corresponding to multitúnnel type and the rest are multitúnnel with fixed roof window, differentiated by their production technology as padded plastics, hydroponics, heating and irrigation. According to their classification, significant differences in tomato yield were found. Similarly, indicators of functionality: length, width, height, volume and surface square meters greenhouse window, showed a significant correlation with performance. From these results we can develop and implement strategies that lead to better management of greenhouses, as well as the implementation of new agricultural techniques to improve yields of crop systems

A randomized clinical trial of lipid metabolism modulation with fenofibrate for acute coronavirus disease 2019

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) cytotoxicity may involve inhibition of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha. Fenofibrate activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha and inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro. Whether fenofibrate can be used to treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in humans remains unknown. Here, we randomly assigned inpatients and outpatients with COVID-19 within 14 d of symptom onset to 145 mg of oral fenofibrate nanocrystal formulation versus placebo for 10 d, in a double-blinded fashion. The primary endpoint was a severity score whereby participants were ranked across hierarchical tiers incorporating time to death, mechanical ventilation duration, oxygenation, hospitalization and symptom severity and duration. In total, 701 participants were randomized to fenofibrate (n = 351) or placebo (n = 350). The mean age of participants was 49 ± 16 years, 330 (47%) were female, mean body mass index was 28 ± 6 kg/m2 and 102 (15%) had diabetes. Death occurred in 41 participants. Compared with placebo, fenofibrate had no effect on the primary endpoint. The median (interquartile range) rank in the placebo arm was 347 (172, 453) versus 345 (175, 453) in the fenofibrate arm (P = 0.819). There was no difference in secondary and exploratory endpoints, including all-cause death, across arms. There were 61 (17%) adverse events in the placebo arm compared with 46 (13%) in the fenofibrate arm, with slightly higher incidence of gastrointestinal side effects in the fenofibrate group. Overall, among patients with COVID-19, fenofibrate has no significant effect on various clinically relevant outcomes (NCT04517396). © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited

Multidimensional tropical forest recovery

Tropical forests disappear rapidly because of deforestation, yet they have the potential to regrow naturally on abandoned lands. We analyze how 12 forest attributes recover during secondary succession and how their recovery is interrelated using 77 sites across the tropics. Tropical forests are highly resilient to low-intensity land use; after 20 years, forest attributes attain 78% (33 to 100%) of their old-growth values. Recovery to 90% of old-growth values is fastest for soil (12 decades). Network analysis shows three independent clusters of attribute recovery, related to structure, species diversity, and species composition. Secondary forests should be embraced as a low-cost, natural solution for ecosystem restoration, climate change mitigation, and biodiversity conservation

Multidimensional tropical forest recovery

Tropical forests disappear rapidly because of deforestation, yet they have the potential to regrow naturally on abandoned lands. We analyze how 12 forest attributes recover during secondary succession and how their recovery is interrelated using 77 sites across the tropics. Tropical forests are highly resilient to low-intensity land use; after 20 years, forest attributes attain 78% (33 to 100%) of their old-growth values. Recovery to 90% of old-growth values is fastest for soil (12 decades). Network analysis shows three independent clusters of attribute recovery, related to structure, species diversity, and species composition. Secondary forests should be embraced as a low-cost, natural solution for ecosystem restoration, climate change mitigation, and biodiversity conservation