Typology of maize producers in the municipality of Villaflores, Chiapas: a perspective from their own visión

La producción de maíz es uno de los procesos más importantes de México y del estado de Chiapas. La región Frailesca basa su economía en las actividades primarias y los productores de maíz representan un eslabón fundamental para ello. La presente investigación tuvo como propósito fundamental caracterizar a los productores de maíz mediante la tipificación de productores de maíz en cuatro comunidades del municipio de Villaflores. El tipo de investigación fue descriptiva y exploratoria. Se aplicó una encuesta semiestructurada a 63 productores dispuestos a colaborar en el estudio; para la interpretación de datos se realizó un análisis factorial de componentes principales y de conglomerados jeráquicos. Se identificaron dos grupos principales o tipologías de productores sobre la base de ocho componentes principales que explica el 76.11 % de la variabilidad total. Se identificó que existe un grupo de productores que únicamente produce para el autoconsumo y son un grupo de pequeños propietarios, mientras que el otro grupo se dedica a la venta del grano básico, ya que tiene mayor rendimiento en su producción, al ser un grupo que usa mayor fertilización química y posee más años de experiencia.The maize production is one of the most important processes in Mexico, as well as in the state of Chiapas. The frailesca region relies its economy on the primary activities, therefore the maize producers represent a fundamental link for that purpose. The main purpose of this research was to classify maize producers by categorizing them into four communities within the municipality of Villaflores. This type of investigation was descriptive and exploratory. It was applied a semi structured survey to 63 producers who were willing to participate in this study; for the data interpretation a factorial analysis of main components and hierarchical clustering was done. There were identified two main groups or typology of producers; on the baseline of eight main components which explains the 76.11 % on the total variability. It was identified the existence of a group of producers who only produce for the self-consumption, they are also a group of small producers, while the other group focuses on the commercialization of this basic grain, due to their higher yield of maize production, being the group of individuals who uses higher amount of chemical fertilization, also to the fact of embracing more years of experience

Árboles útiles del bosque tropical caducifolio secundario en la Reserva Forestal Villa Allende, Chiapas, México

Background and Aims: The tropical deciduous forest (TDF) stands out for its utilitarian value, although the information related to the use of plants by mestizo communities is limited. This research describes the use value and the ecological importance of native TDF secondary tree species near peasant communities in Villa Allende Forest Reserve, Chiapas, Mexico.   Methods: The ethnobotanical information was obtained via the free list technique complemented with a floristic inventory through the method of plots. The use value index was calculated as a measure of cultural importance and it was related to the ecological importance value of each useful species, using relative values of frequency, density and dominance. Key results: one hundred three useful angiosperm species were found, 77% of them are of multiple use and correspond to 10 categories in use, being the most remarkable: fuel (73), poles (68) and construction (63). Eysenhardtia adenostylis (1.36) and Acacia pennatula (1.29) were the species with the highest use value, although the majority (84%) registered low use values (≤0.3). Likewise, the species with the highest use value have low values of ecological importance (IVI ≤0.69). The use value per species was not related to the ecological importance value, except the dominance associated with the forest of 19 years of abandonment that correlated positively with the use value (rs=0.30, P=0.04) and the significant correlation between density and value of ornamental use (rs=0.41, P=0.03). Based on use value, nine potential species were recommended for conservation and restoration of TDF in the study area.Conclusions: The secondary TDF in Villa Allende Forest Reserve, Chiapas, provides useful tree species to satisfy the basic needs of the communities, although the cultural importance of these does not depend on its ecological importance.Antecedentes y Objetivos: El bosque tropical caducifolio (BTC) destaca por su valor utilitario, pero la información sobre el uso de las plantas por la población mestiza es limitada. Este estudio describe el valor de uso e importancia ecológica de las especies arbóreas nativas del BTC secundario cercano a comunidades campesinas en la Reserva Forestal Villa Allende, Chiapas, México.Métodos: La información etnobotánica se obtuvo por la técnica de lista libre y se complementó con un inventario florístico a través del método de parcelas. Se calculó el índice de valor de uso como medida de la importancia cultural y se relacionó con la importancia ecológica de cada especie útil, usando valores relativos de frecuencia, densidad y dominancia.Resultados clave: Se registraron 103 especies útiles de angiospermas, 77% de ellas son de uso múltiple y corresponden a 10 categorías de uso, siendo los más destacados: combustible (73), postes (68) y construcción (63). Eysenhardtia adenostylis (1.36) y Acacia pennatula (1.29) fueron las especies con el valor de uso más alto, aunque la mayoría (84%) registró bajos valores de uso (≤0.3). Asimismo, las especies con mayor valor de uso poseen bajos valores de importancia ecológica (IVI ≤0.69). El valor de uso por especie no se relacionó con el valor de importancia ecológica, excepto porque la dominancia del bosque de 19 años de abandono se correlacionó positivamente con el valor de uso (rs=0.30, P=0.04) y la relación significativa entre la densidad con el valor de uso ornamental (rs=0.41, P=0.03). Con base en el valor de uso se recomendaron nueve especies potenciales para conservación y restauración del BTC en la zona estudiada.Conclusiones: El BTC secundario en la Reserva Forestal Villa Allende, Chiapas, provee de especies arbóreas útiles para satisfacer las necesidades básicas de las comunidades, aunque la importancia cultural de éstas no depende de su importancia ecológica

Factores epizootiológicos de las estrongilosis gastrointestinales en cabras Criollas Cubanas: bases para un manejo integrado

Parasitism caused by strongyles is one of the main limiting factors of the production of Creole goats in eastern Cuba. Through a descriptive and exploratory research carried out during the period between 2013 and 2018, the factors that regulate the epizootiological dynamics of gastrointestinal strongyloses were identified in 18 herds. The factors under control were: the population dynamics of larvae per month, the reproductive states and the growth process of the goats. The monthly dynamics of infective larvae in the pasture were recorded. Simple ANOVAS for linear models corresponding to each factor and the Newmankeuls test for multiple comparisons of means were applied. It was observed that the parasitic dynamics of gastrointestinal strongyloses, which affect Cuban Creole goats, are related to physiological and zootechnical processes. In these dynamics, two critical moments or peaks of infestation were identified: in growing animals during the weaning period (2,188 eggs per gram, EPG) and in breeding females in peripartum periods (972 EPG). The general infestation of the herds is conditioned by the combination of greater ingestion of infective larvae, processes of food stress and predisposing physiological states, which lead to seasonal infestation peaks between the months from December to February greater than 1,500 EPG. The dynamics of pasture infestation are related to rainy seasonality with infestation peaks between the months from July to September and an average maximum of 1,200 larvae per kilo of grass.El parasitismo causado por estrongilidos es uno de los principales factores limitantes de la producción de Cabras Criollas en el Este de Cuba. Mediante una investigación descriptiva y exploratoria realizada durante el periodo comprendido entre los años 2013 y 2018, fueron identificados los factores que regulan la dinámica epizootiológica de las estrongilosis gastrointestinales en 18 rebaños. Los factores bajo control fueron: la dinámica de población de larvas por mes, los estados reproductivos y el proceso de crecimiento de las cabras. Se registró la dinámica mensual de larvas infestivas en el pasto. Se aplicaron ANOVAS simples para modelos lineales correspondientes a cada factor y la prueba de Newmankeuls para comparaciones múltiples de media. Se observó que las dinámicas parasitarias de las estrongilosis gastrointestinales, que afectan a las cabras Criollas Cubanas, están relacionadas con procesos fisiológicos y zootécnicos. En estas dinámicas se identificaron dos momentos críticos o picos de infestación: en los animales en crecimiento durante el periodo de destete (2,188 huevos por gramo, HPG) y en las reproductoras en periodos de periparto (972 HPG). La infestación general de los rebaños está condicionada por la combinación de mayor ingestión de larvas infestivas, procesos de estrés alimentario y estados fisiológicos predisponentes, que conducen a picos de infestación estacionales entre los meses de diciembre a febrero superiores a 1,500 HPG. La dinámica de infestación del pasto está relacionada con la estacionalidad lluviosa con picos de infestación entre los meses de julio a septiembre y un máximo promedio de 1,200 larvas por kilo de pasto

Seed treatments with salicylic acid and Azospirillum brasilense enhance growth and yield of maize plants (Zea mays L.) under field conditions

Salicylic acid and Azospirillum brasilense stimulate plant growth and productivity. In some environments, plant physiology similarly responds to both bioactive products. Considering this, a field experiment was conducted to study the physiological effect of Salicilic acid and A. brasilense on growth and grain yield of maize plants. The experiment involved three treatments consisting of imbibed seeds in an aqueous solution of SA (0.01 mM), inoculated seeds with A. brasilense and a control treatment. Seed imbibition in SA and inoculation with A. brasilense improved vegetative growth in the early stages of crop ontogeny, increasing leaf growth, plant height, stem diameter and biomass accumulation. Spikelet length and weight were greater in plants first inoculated with A. brasilense and then treated with SA. Results indicated that SA stimulated biomass partitioning towards leaves, root and stem, while A. brasilense mainly affected leaf growth, plant height, ear dimensions and grain yield. Such results turn crucial for biological fertilization strategies aimed at reducing pollutant loads that accompany chemical fertilizers. Both products can be part of maize management practices given competitive economic advantages and sustainability. Highlights: Seed imbibition in SA and inoculation with brasilense improved vegetative growth in the early stages of crop ontogeny, increasing leaf growth, plant height, stem diameter and biomass accumulation. Salicylic Acid stimulated biomass partitioning towards leaves, root and stem in maize plants. Azospirillum brasilense stimulates leaf growth, plant height, as well as ear dimensions and grain yield in corn plants.Salicylic acid and Azospirillum brasilense stimulate plant growth and productivity. In some environments, plant physiology similarly responds to both bioactive products. Considering this, a field experiment was conducted to study the physiological effect of Salicilic acid and A. brasilense on growth and grain yield of maize plants. The experiment involved three treatments consisting of imbibed seeds in an aqueous solution of SA (0.01 mM), inoculated seeds with A. brasilense and a control treatment. Seed imbibition in SA and inoculation with A. brasilense improved vegetative growth in the early stages of crop ontogeny, increasing leaf growth, plant height, stem diameter and biomass accumulation. Spikelet length and weight were greater in plants first inoculated with A. brasilense and then treated with SA. Results indicated that SA stimulated biomass partitioning towards leaves, root and stem, while A. brasilense mainly affected leaf growth, plant height, ear dimensions and grain yield. Such results turn crucial for biological fertilization strategies aimed at reducing pollutant loads that accompany chemical fertilizers. Both products can be part of maize management practices given competitive economic advantages and sustainability. Highlights: Seed imbibition in SA and inoculation with brasilense improved vegetative growth in the early stages of crop ontogeny, increasing leaf growth, plant height, stem diameter and biomass accumulation. Salicylic Acid stimulated biomass partitioning towards leaves, root and stem in maize plants. Azospirillum brasilense stimulates leaf growth, plant height, as well as ear dimensions and grain yield in corn plants.

Oportunidades para la innovación de sistemas tradicionales de producción agropecuaria: un análisis socioantropológico retrospectivo

Se identifican los principales cambios históricos (1984-2015) en el manejo de los sistemas productivos de maíz (Zea mays L.), frijol (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) y ganadería bovina (Bos spp.) en la comunidad Francisco Villa I, aledaña a la Reserva de la Biosfera “La Sepultura” (REBISE), Chiapas, México, para encontrar puntos de entrada (oportunidades) a procesos de innovación local. Se utilizó el enfoque socioantropológico y de procesos de innovación social con la metodología de la investigación-acción. Mediante el análisis de discurso y los gráficos de tendencia de las variables estudiadas, se demostró que, con base en el análisis de cambios históricos, existen condiciones locales para emprender nuevos procesos de innovación social que pueden mejorar el desempeño de los sistemas de producción agropecuaria

Anatomía foliar relacionada con la ruta fotosintética en árboles de café (Coffea arabica L., var. Caturra Rojo) expuestos a diferentes niveles de radiación solar en la Sierra Maestra, Granma, Cuba

Se diseñó un experimento de campo con el objetivo de investigar el efecto de diferentes niveles de exposición solar (Pleno sol, Sombra regulada y Sombra no regulada) sobre la anatomía foliar de árboles de café (Coffea arabica L., var. Caturra Rojo) en una localidad de la Sierra Maestra, en la provincia Granma, Cuba. Se realizaron estudios histológicos y morfológicos foliares que incluyeron el área foliar de hojas individuales, el grosor de la lámina foliar, de los parénquimas en empalizada y esponjoso, de las epidermis abaxial y adaxial, la densidad y las dimensiones de los estomas. Los resultados demuestran que bajo condiciones de pleno sol, el cafeto muestra características de aclimatación determinadas por una disminución en el área foliar, incremento del grosor histológico foliar, del parénquima de empalizada, de la epidermis abaxial, así como de la frecuencia estomática. En todos los niveles de exposición solar se observó en las células del haz envolvente gran cantidad de cloroplastos. El crecimiento de hojas individuales independientemente del nivel de exposición solar estuvo relacionado con las precipitaciones, siendo las hojas de plantas crecidas a pleno sol de menor área foliar. Las hojas emitidas durante los meses más calientes del año y durante la fase de fructificación fueron más pequeñas

Maize stover in the relationship of maize-growing and cattle raising in the dry tropics of Chiapas, Mexico

An approximation study was conducted using a socio-agricultural approach to determine the current status of maize stover production and use in the Frailesca region of Chiapas. Field work conducted in 2012 consisted of semi-structured interviews to gather information from all stakeholders involved in the maize livestock farming relationship. Three classes of maize-livestock farmers by scale were identified in the region depending on the criteria of crop surface and maize yield. All three classes of farmers were found to be energy efficient, with balances above 9 Mcal produced per Mcal consumed. The primary form of using maize stover at all stages of cattle raising except fattening was direct grazing, due to low yields that make mechanical operations hardly feasible.An approximation study was conducted using a socio-agricultural approach to determine the current status of maize stover production and use in the Frailesca region of Chiapas. Field work conducted in 2012 consisted of semi-structured interviews to gather information from all stakeholders involved in the maizelivestock farming relationship. Three classes of maize-livestock farmers by scale were identified in the region depending on the criteria of crop surface and maize yield. All three classes of farmers were found to be energy efficient, with balances above 9 Mcal produced per Mcal consumed. The primary form of using maize stover at all stages of cattle raising except fattending was direct grazing, due to low yields that make mechanical operations hardly feasible

Ruling Frameworks and Fire Use‐Conflicts in Tropical Forests of Chiapas, Mexico: A Discourse Analysis

The use of fire within tropical forests to settle agriculture and livestock systems has long been causing a bottle-neck for governmental and environmental development agencies, especially in natural forested areas with local population. An international strategy followed since many years ago is the decree of special territories with vast forests as natural protected areas (NPA). In Mexico, environmental laws can run contrary to customs and practices of natural resource-dependent communities which still use fire to farm their lands as unique livelihood activity. The chapter examines two conflicting frameworks of resource management (forest and soil) and governance in a forest village’s efforts to comply with federal policies against fires in a NPA of Chiapas, Mexico. Forest and soil management is a key locus in California village, where governance structures come into conflict with hierarchical State power. Participatory workshops and semi-structured interviews were primary research instruments for data collection and discovery of community front and backstage. Ethnography and discourse analysis were used as main tools for the analysis of information. While the State leads the conservation efforts and limits cultural activities and local actions through coercive laws, the land use and resource-dependent communities defend their access rights, and they also determine how to individual or collectively manage fires in daily activities. Finding collective solutions with horizontal-dialogue strategies represent an important issue and a pending task for the development and preservation agencies focused on forested areas. Backstage dialogue is a tool for village self-preservation when livelihood strategies are at odds with protectionist conservation efforts

Biomass Accumulation and Carbon Storage in Pinus maximinoi, Quercus robur, Quercus rugosa, and Pinus patula from Village- Forests of Chiapas, Mexico

The Frailesca region (Chiapas, Mexico) presents a lack of forest studies and its environmental contribution. This chapter displays a first case study with preliminary research information regarding the identification of main forest trees and rural villages with best potential for biomass production and carbon storage management. Twenty two plots of 500 m2 were selected in 11 villages of the region, in order to identify the main and dominant forest trees species and then to estimate the biomass production and carbon storage in pine (Pinus maximinoi), oak (Quercus robur), holm oak (Quercus rugosa) and Mexican weeping pine (Pinus patula) species. This study shows that the largest accumulation of both biomass and carbon occurred in the pine forests and the lowest in the oak forests. Pine trees showed carbon storage of 516.75 Mg ha−1, followed by holm oaks, with 297.21 Mg ha−1; the species with the lowest value was oak, with 75.02 Mg ha−1. The forests of the 24 de Febrero villages had the highest potential for carbon storage. Deep studies are being conducted in relation to the aboveground biomass, carbon contents in trees stem, branches and leaves, and the relation to biomass dynamics and carbon stocks and other ecological aspects of village-forests

Leaf growth and biomass accumulation in radish inoculated with rhizosphere microorganisms: Leaf growth and biomass accumulation in radish

Seeds of Raphanus sativus L. var. Champion were inoculated with commercial strains of rhizospheric fungi+bacteria. A completely randomized experiment was designed with four treatments: Chromobacterium violaceum+Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (BiofosfoBuap®, T1), Azospirillum brasilense (AzoFer), Glomus intraradices (MicorrizaFer), and uninoculated control. Each treatment had 20 replicates. The objective was to evaluate the effect of the different treatments on leaf growth, taproot length and dry weight, dry weight of leaves and tubers, and fresh tuber weight. Net assimilation rate (NAR), absolute growth rate (AGR), and relative growth rate (RGR) were calculated. Thirty three days after sowing (das), plants inoculated with C. violaceum+A. calcoaceticus had 52.67% more leaf area than the control, and 42 das they had 72.30% more leaf area. Thirty three das, treatments with C. violaceum+A. calcoaceticus and A. brasilense had 49.66% and 45.52% more dry leaf weight than the control.  Fresh weight of tubers for the same two treatments was 65.03% and 63.11% higher than the control 33 das, respectively, and 80.70% and 74.56% higher 42 das. Co-inoculation with C. violaceum+A. calcoaceticus and inoculation with A. brasilense alone promoted growth of radish tubers as a consequence of increased leaf area and biomass as well as an increase in net assimilation rate. Highlights The effect of rhizosphere bacteria and fungi on the leaf area of radish plants depends more on the leaves size than on the leaves number produced by the plant. The better growth observed in plants inoculated with C. violaceum + A. calcoaceticus and A. brasilense might depend on the greater plant hormone synthesis. The effects of C. violaceum + A. calcoaceticus on plant growth are better than a single microorganism inoculation and such effects depend on the enhanced co-inoculation. Inoculating plants with C. violaceum + A. calcoaceticus promotes the tuber biomass increase over the taproot growth. Inoculation with C. violaceum + A. calcoaceticus induces transfer of photosynthates from above ground part of the plant to the tuber in order to produce biomass. Inoculation with C. violaceum + A. calcoaceticus favored accumulation of biomass in leaves and tubers, resulting in total plant biomass production, although not taproot length.Seeds of Raphanus sativus L. var. Champion were inoculated with commercial strains of rhizospheric fungi+bacteria. A completely randomized experiment was designed with four treatments: Chromobacterium violaceum+Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (BiofosfoBuap®, T1), Azospirillum brasilense (AzoFer), Glomus intraradices (MicorrizaFer), and uninoculated control. Each treatment had 20 replicates. The objective was to evaluate the effect of the different treatments on leaf growth, taproot length and dry weight, dry weight of leaves and tubers, and fresh tuber weight. Net assimilation rate (NAR), absolute growth rate (AGR), and relative growth rate (RGR) were calculated. Thirty three days after sowing (das), plants inoculated with C. violaceum+A. calcoaceticus had 52.67% more leaf area than the control, and 42 das they had 72.30% more leaf area. Thirty three das, treatments with C. violaceum+A. calcoaceticus and A. brasilense had 49.66% and 45.52% more dry leaf weight than the control.  Fresh weight of tubers for the same two treatments was 65.03% and 63.11% higher than the control 33 das, respectively, and 80.70% and 74.56% higher 42 das. Co-inoculation with C. violaceum+A. calcoaceticus and inoculation with A. brasilense alone promoted growth of radish tubers as a consequence of increased leaf area and biomass as well as an increase in net assimilation rate. Highlights The effect of rhizosphere bacteria and fungi on the leaf area of radish plants depends more on the leaves size than on the leaves number produced by the plant. The better growth observed in plants inoculated with C. violaceum + A. calcoaceticus and A. brasilense might depend on the greater plant hormone synthesis. The effects of C. violaceum + A. calcoaceticus on plant growth are better than a single microorganism inoculation and such effects depend on the enhanced co-inoculation. Inoculating plants with C. violaceum + A. calcoaceticus promotes the tuber biomass increase over the taproot growth. Inoculation with C. violaceum + A. calcoaceticus induces transfer of photosynthates from above ground part of the plant to the tuber in order to produce biomass. Inoculation with C. violaceum + A. calcoaceticus favored accumulation of biomass in leaves and tubers, resulting in total plant biomass production, although not taproot length