Farmer Perceptions of Adopting Novel Legumes in Traditional Maize-Based Farming Systems in the Yucatan Peninsula

Intercropping constitutes the traditional farming system practice used in various forms for maize production in the Yucatan peninsula. Although practiced for centuries, problems persist with competition for water, nutrients and light between crop species in traditional farming systems. Furthermore, little is known about farmers’ perceptions regarding changes to traditional maize-legume intercropping systems and their interest in novel crop adoption to increase yields in the system while maintaining the practice. The objective of this study was to investigate the maize-based traditional cropping system by assessing the underlying motives and concepts of farmers to practice intercropping in the Yucatan Peninsula and to examine the association between farmers’ level of knowledge about legumes and decisions to adopt intercropping and related practices therein. Farmer surveys were conducted in nine different regions of the Yucatan Peninsula. We selected Xoy, Euan, Muna, Mama, Tahdziú (Yucatan), Becal, Hecelchacam, Dzitbalché and San Antonio Sahcabchén (Campeche) which are representative of agroecological small-scale farming systems. We used a mixed methods case study analysis involving key informant interviews in eight associations of farmers. A sample frame with 73 farmers was selected in total during February 2021 and April 2021. Basic information such as land use, labor inputs, agricultural production and farmer’s perceptions regarding their intercropping systems were collected. Our research shows that the primary motives for intercropping were due to the ability of intercropping to offer a more diversified range of food for human and animal consumption, as well as to take advantage of different harvest periods that this practice offers. The majority of respondents were likely to favor the idea of introducing new legume species in their maize-based cropping systems. Factors such as the type of cropping system (i.e., intercropping or monocropping), access to water and level of knowledge about legumes influenced their decision to adopt intercropping in their farming systems considerably. This paper contributes to the knowledge on the current state and farmers’ perceptions of intercropping systems in the Yucatan Peninsula

Recursos geneticos de la milpa y el sistema de semillas en Yucatán

El presente trabajo se desarrolló en tres comunidades (Sacaba, Ichmul y Yaxcabá) de la zona maicera de Yucatán de abril a agosto del 2005. Los objetivos del estudio fueron: Cuantificar la diversidad genética de los cultivos de la milpa (maíz, frijol y chile) e identificar los problemas para su conservación y aprovechamiento y valorar la importancia del sistema de semilla y sus estructuras en el abastecimiento de semillas dentro y entre comunidades. Para el estudio se partió del diagnóstico de las comunidades, de la ubicación geográfica de estas y que pertenecieran a la región maicera (que sembraran bajo el sistema milpa tradicional). Se aplicaron encuestas abiertas (en Español o en Maya dependiendo del agricultor) y recorridos de campos. Los entrevistados (tamaño de muestra) se definió con base en el número total de productores que se dedican a la milpa (lista de ejidatarios activos), así en Ichmul se entrevistaron 101 productores, en Sacaba 90 y en Yaxcabá solo 42 (se presentan datos preliminares para esta comunidad). Los resultados revelan que los productores conservan una gran diversidad de variedades tradicionales tanto de maíz como de frijol y chile. La conservación de esta diversidad esta en mano de los agricultores tradicionales que ante los embates de la naturaleza (huracanes, sequías, plagas, etc.) mantienen sus propias redes de intercambio de semillas que les permiten satisfacer sus necesidades. Donde más del 80% del material (maíz y frijol) se intercambian dentro de la comunidad y menos de un 20% entre comunidades, este movimiento de semillas se da principalmente vía informal de productor a productor o por medio de familiares. En general el aporte del sistema formal de semillas en la región es menor del 20% para maíz y esto llega a ser menor para frijol

Exploración de la diversidad morfológica de chiles regionales en Yaxcabá, Yucatán, México.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue conocer los tipos y usos del chile, los criterios de selección, y obtener muestras de las variantes o poblaciones criollas. El sistema estudiado fue el policultivo maíz, frijol, chile y calabaza (milpa) y se estableció en dos fases: a) una encuesta a 60 familias de la comunidad, a fin de obtener información del cultivo y de los sistemas de cultivo que manejan en la milpa, pach pakal (área apta para hortalizas) y solares. b) una exploración etnobotánica para colectar material genético, y realizar una valoración in situ de los caracteres morfológicos de planta, fruto y flor. En la comunidad, se siembran un total de ocho tipos regionales de chiles, siete pertenecen a Capsicum annuum (yaax ic, xcat’ic, cha’hua, chile dulce, sucurre, pico paloma y maax, este último C. annuum var. aviculares) y uno a Capsicum chinense (habanero). El chile yaax ic es el de mayor aceptación en la comunidad. Los agricultores basan la selección de su germoplasma en el tamaño del fruto, sabor, tolerancia a plagas y enfermedades, y usos culinarios. Los chiles regionales se siembran en asociación con otros cultivos tanto en la milpa como en los solares

Exploración de la diversidad morfológica de chiles regionales en Yaxcabá, Yucatán, México.

The main objective of this work was to know the types diversity and uses of the pepper, selection criteria and to get samples samples of the landraces. The studied system was a multi-cropping system with corn, beans, pepper and pumpkin (milpa), established in two stages: a) a survey on 60 land-owners from the community, in order to gather information of the crop and their croppin systems applied in the ‘milpa’, pach pakal (land useful for gardening) and back-yards. b) An etnobotanical exploration to collect genetic material and to conduct an in situ assessment of the morphological characters of the plant, fruit and flower. Eight regional pepper types are grown in the community, seven belong to the Capsicum annuum such (yaax ic, xcat’ic, cha’hua, chile dulce, sucurre, pico paloma and maax, the latter C. annuum var. aviculare and one C. chinense (habanero). The yaax ic pepper is the most widely accepted in the community. The farmers base their germplasm selection on the fruit size, taste, pests and disease tolerance and culinary uses. The regional peppers are planted in association with other crops in the “milpas” as well as in the back-yards.El objetivo de este trabajo fue conocer los tipos y usos del chile, los criterios de selección, y obtener muestras de las variantes o poblaciones criollas. El sistema estudiado fue el policultivo maíz, frijol, chile y calabaza (milpa) y se estableció en dos fases: a) una encuesta a 60 familias de la comunidad, a fin de obtener información del cultivo y de los sistemas de cultivo que manejan en la milpa, pach pakal (área apta para hortalizas) y solares. b) una exploración etnobotánica para colectar material genético, y realizar una valoración in situ de los caracteres morfológicos de planta, fruto y flor. En la comunidad, se siembran un total de ocho tipos regionales de chiles, siete pertenecen a Capsicum annuum (yaax ic, xcat’ic, cha’hua, chile dulce, sucurre, pico paloma y maax, este último C. annuum var. aviculares) y uno a Capsicum chinense (habanero). El chile yaax ic es el de mayor aceptación en la comunidad. Los agricultores basan la selección de su germoplasma en el tamaño del fruto, sabor, tolerancia a plagas y enfermedades, y usos culinarios. Los chiles regionales se siembran en asociación con otros cultivos tanto en la milpa como en los solares

Contenido de lisina y triptofano en genotipos de maíz de alta calidad proteica y normal

El objetivo de esta investigación fue medir la humedad, grasa, proteína, ceniza y carbohidratos totales en la semilla completa, y cuantificar la lisina y triptófano en la semilla entera, el endospermo y el germen en cuatro genotipos de maíz QPM (CMSQ993027, CMSQ993037, CMSQ983051, CMSQ983015) y dos testigos (Variedad Roque I, maíz blanco y SBS400, amarillo), además de estimar la digestibilidad in vitro de la proteína en la masa. Este trabajo se desarrollo en Celaya, Guanajuato, México, en 2005. El diseño experimental fue completamente al azar con seis tratamientos y tres repeticiones. Para grasa, ceniza y carbohidratos no existió diferencia significativa. La media de proteína en los cultivares de maíz QPM fue de 10.38 y 10.31, y para los cultivares testigos blanco y amarillo fue de 10.93. El contenido de lisina y triptófano en el endospermo del QPM V6 duplicó el de los maíces testigo. El QPM V6 presentó el mayor contenido de triptófano. La digestibilidad in vitro de la proteína en la masa de maíz testigo y del maíz QPM V6 fue de 68 y 70%, respectivamente, y de 78% en harina de maíz QPM V6 para ¿atole¿

Comparación molecular de poblaciones de Chile (capsicum spp.) de tabasco y chiapas, méxico

Molecular comparison of chili populations (Capsicum spp.) from Tabasco and Chiapas, Mexico Based on the importance of chile in the Southeast of Mexico, the objectives of this research were to characterize molecularly, and estimate the polymorphism and genetic structure of 21 populations of Capsicum spp. of Tabasco and Chiapas States, Mexico. After 40 days of germination of the seeds collected, two young leaves of each population were cut per each of 10 plants. The 20 leaves were mixed and three samples of 0.5 g were taken to extract the DNA. Four microsatellite markers (SSR) to determine the genetic diversity. A total of 229 alleles were detected, and 70 were polymorphics. The marker Hpms1-106 detected 38.8 % polymorphism, and HpmsCaSIG-19 the lowest polymorphism (20.55 %). The AMOVA explained 13.0 % of the variability among populations, and individuals within populations explained the remaining 87.0 %. The statistics FST = 0.176, showed a large differentiation between populations. The FIS = -0.448 showed an excess of heterozygous in populations, and the FIT = -0.193 showed that individuals in each population have moderate non-random mating effect between them. Cluster analysis grouped all evaluated chili populations into six clusters. The cluster I grouped 13 populations, some of these such as Amashito Cerro Blanco and Colmillo de Lagarto El Porvenir showed to be the most genetically similar. In the cluster VI, Pico de Paloma Miahuatlán showed to be different from the rest of populations. Microsatellite markers were useful to analyze the genetic diversity of these chili populationsDada la importancia que tiene el chile en el sureste de la república mexicana, los objetivos de la investigación fueron caracterizar molecularmente, estimar el polimorfismo y la estructura genética de 21 poblaciones de Capsicum spp. de los estados de Tabasco y Chiapas. Se sembraron semillas de las poblaciones y a los 40 días después de la germinación, se cortaron dos hojas jóvenes por planta de 10 individuos de cada población. Las 20 hojas de cada población se mezclaron y de ellas se tomaron tres muestras de 0,5 g de tejido vegetal para extraer el ADN. Se usaron cuatro marcadores microsatélites (SSR) para estimar la diversidad genética. Se detectaron 229 alelos, de ellos 70 fueron polimórficos. El marcador Hpms1-106 detectó 38,8 % de polimorfismo, y HpmsCaSIG-19 el menor polimorfismo (20,55 %). El AMOVA explicó 13,0 % de la variabilidad entre poblaciones, y los individuos dentro de las poblaciones el 87,0 % restante. El estadístico FST = 0,176 indicó que la diferenciación genética entre poblaciones es grande, el FIS = -0,448 que las poblaciones poseen exceso de heterocigotos, y el FIT = -0,193, que los individuos de cada población mostraron efecto moderado de apareamiento no aleatorio. El análisis cluster aglomeró a las poblaciones evaluadas en seis grupos. El cluster I agrupó 13 poblaciones, y dentro de éstas, Amashito Cerro Blanco y Colmillo de Lagarto El Porvenir mostraron ser las más parecidas genéticamente. En el cluster VI, Pico de Paloma Miahuatlán fue diferente al resto de las poblaciones. Los marcadores microsatélites fueron útiles para analizar la diversidad genética de las poblaciones de chile evaluadas

Effect of Maize–Legume Intercropping on Maize Physio-Agronomic Parameters and Beneficial Insect Abundance

In developing countries, intercropping is commonly used to boost land productivity and agricultural benefits. However, in the Yucatan region of Mexico, maize (Zea mays L.) yields remain low, despite consistent fertilizer and pesticide inputs in traditional intercropping systems. Furthermore, little is known about the photosynthetic mechanisms that occur when maize plants interact with legumes, and there is a lack of understanding of how intercropping systems affect other organisms in the system, such as beneficial and insect pest population dynamics. A field experiment was carried out on the Yucatan Peninsula in 2021 to assess the impact of maize–legume intercropping systems on maize yield, physiological characteristics as evaluated by gas exchange measurements, and the abundance of beneficial insects in traditional and novel maize intercropping systems. The experiment was carried out with a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Treatments included maize intercropped with a novel legume, crotalaria (Crotalaria juncea L.), maize intercropped with a traditional legume, cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.), and sole maize as a control. Significant differences in plant height were shown at growth stages V12 (45 days after sowing) and VT (60 days after sowing). No differences were observed in stem diameter, leaf area index, or chlorophyll content. The maize/cowpea intercrop increased the photosynthesis rate by 12.9% and 9.84% in the maize/crotalaria and sole maize, respectively (p p < 0.001), of maize plants. No significant effects on stomatal conductance or water use efficiency were observed, but the carbon intercellular rate was reduced by 9.74% and 9.15 when compared to the maize/crotalaria and the sole maize treatments, respectively. Overall, intercropping treatments attracted more beneficial insects than sole maize. For predators, the families that stood out were Coccinelidae, Formicidae, Araneidae, Thomisidae, Syrphidae, Chrysomelidae, Oxypidae, Vespidae, Reduviidae, Carabidae, Asilidae, Salthicidae, Dolichopodidae, while among parasitoids, the most frequent families were Eurytomydae, Braconidae, Tachinidae, Pteromalidae, Scelionidae, and Figitidae. In comparison to the maize/cowpea and maize/crotalaria treatments, the sole maize treatment resulted in a grain yield increase of 24.5% and 32%, respectively. However, sole maize was not statistically different to that of maize/cowpea intercropping. In conclusion, our findings suggest that maize/cowpea intercropping could be a viable alternative to sole maize cropping systems for enhancing maize yield and the abundance of beneficial insects, without increasing interspecific competition with the maize crop. Therefore, the maize/cowpea intercropping system represents a sustainable planting alternative for promoting maize grain yield and also promoting edible legume production within the system. Furthermore, the outcomes of this study can serve as a theoretical framework for increasing maize–legume intercropping profitability under growing conditions on the Yucatan Peninsula

Effect of Maize&ndash;Legume Intercropping on Maize Physio-Agronomic Parameters and Beneficial Insect Abundance

In developing countries, intercropping is commonly used to boost land productivity and agricultural benefits. However, in the Yucatan region of Mexico, maize (Zea mays L.) yields remain low, despite consistent fertilizer and pesticide inputs in traditional intercropping systems. Furthermore, little is known about the photosynthetic mechanisms that occur when maize plants interact with legumes, and there is a lack of understanding of how intercropping systems affect other organisms in the system, such as beneficial and insect pest population dynamics. A field experiment was carried out on the Yucatan Peninsula in 2021 to assess the impact of maize&ndash;legume intercropping systems on maize yield, physiological characteristics as evaluated by gas exchange measurements, and the abundance of beneficial insects in traditional and novel maize intercropping systems. The experiment was carried out with a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Treatments included maize intercropped with a novel legume, crotalaria (Crotalaria juncea L.), maize intercropped with a traditional legume, cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.), and sole maize as a control. Significant differences in plant height were shown at growth stages V12 (45 days after sowing) and VT (60 days after sowing). No differences were observed in stem diameter, leaf area index, or chlorophyll content. The maize/cowpea intercrop increased the photosynthesis rate by 12.9% and 9.84% in the maize/crotalaria and sole maize, respectively (p &lt; 0.001), and transpiration rate by 6.5% and 8.5% in the maize intercropped with crotalaria and sole maize treatments, respectively (p &lt; 0.001), of maize plants. No significant effects on stomatal conductance or water use efficiency were observed, but the carbon intercellular rate was reduced by 9.74% and 9.15 when compared to the maize/crotalaria and the sole maize treatments, respectively. Overall, intercropping treatments attracted more beneficial insects than sole maize. For predators, the families that stood out were Coccinelidae, Formicidae, Araneidae, Thomisidae, Syrphidae, Chrysomelidae, Oxypidae, Vespidae, Reduviidae, Carabidae, Asilidae, Salthicidae, Dolichopodidae, while among parasitoids, the most frequent families were Eurytomydae, Braconidae, Tachinidae, Pteromalidae, Scelionidae, and Figitidae. In comparison to the maize/cowpea and maize/crotalaria treatments, the sole maize treatment resulted in a grain yield increase of 24.5% and 32%, respectively. However, sole maize was not statistically different to that of maize/cowpea intercropping. In conclusion, our findings suggest that maize/cowpea intercropping could be a viable alternative to sole maize cropping systems for enhancing maize yield and the abundance of beneficial insects, without increasing interspecific competition with the maize crop. Therefore, the maize/cowpea intercropping system represents a sustainable planting alternative for promoting maize grain yield and also promoting edible legume production within the system. Furthermore, the outcomes of this study can serve as a theoretical framework for increasing maize&ndash;legume intercropping profitability under growing conditions on the Yucatan Peninsula

Farmer Perceptions of Adopting Novel Legumes in Traditional Maize-Based Farming Systems in the Yucatan Peninsula

Intercropping constitutes the traditional farming system practice used in various forms for maize production in the Yucatan peninsula. Although practiced for centuries, problems persist with competition for water, nutrients and light between crop species in traditional farming systems. Furthermore, little is known about farmers’ perceptions regarding changes to traditional maize-legume intercropping systems and their interest in novel crop adoption to increase yields in the system while maintaining the practice. The objective of this study was to investigate the maize-based traditional cropping system by assessing the underlying motives and concepts of farmers to practice intercropping in the Yucatan Peninsula and to examine the association between farmers’ level of knowledge about legumes and decisions to adopt intercropping and related practices therein. Farmer surveys were conducted in nine different regions of the Yucatan Peninsula. We selected Xoy, Euan, Muna, Mama, Tahdziú (Yucatan), Becal, Hecelchacam, Dzitbalché and San Antonio Sahcabchén (Campeche) which are representative of agroecological small-scale farming systems. We used a mixed methods case study analysis involving key informant interviews in eight associations of farmers. A sample frame with 73 farmers was selected in total during February 2021 and April 2021. Basic information such as land use, labor inputs, agricultural production and farmer’s perceptions regarding their intercropping systems were collected. Our research shows that the primary motives for intercropping were due to the ability of intercropping to offer a more diversified range of food for human and animal consumption, as well as to take advantage of different harvest periods that this practice offers. The majority of respondents were likely to favor the idea of introducing new legume species in their maize-based cropping systems. Factors such as the type of cropping system (i.e., intercropping or monocropping), access to water and level of knowledge about legumes influenced their decision to adopt intercropping in their farming systems considerably. This paper contributes to the knowledge on the current state and farmers’ perceptions of intercropping systems in the Yucatan Peninsula

EFFECT OF THE ESSENTIAL OIL OF Lippia origanoides Kunth AND TWO OF ITS VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS ON Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) AND Bemisia tabaci Genn (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) IN GREENHOUSE

Background. The use of plant-derived products is an environmentally friendly option to reduce the use of chemical pesticides for pest management. Objective. To evaluate the lethal toxic and repellent effect of the essential oil (EO) of the Mexican oregano (Lippia origanoides) and two of its main components, carvacrol and thymol, on the mortality and repellency of immature B. tabaci and T. urticae in the greenhouse. Methodology. The EO of L. origanoides, carvacrol and thymol at 0.2% and 0.01% were sprayed on eggplant leaves infested with the pests. The mortality of individuals was evaluated at 24 and 48 h and the repellency at 2 and 5 days after application in T. urticae and B. tabaci. Results. The EO and carvacrol at 0.2 % v/v caused 80-99 % mortality in T. urticae and B. tabaci, and EO was the one that caused more than 50 % repellency. The analysis of the L. origanoides EO by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry showed that the major compounds were thymol (41.14 %), p-cymene (14.06 %) and carvacrol (9.25 %). Implication. The essential oil of L. origanoides and of its main components, thymol and carvacrol, represent a viable alternative to manage B. tabaci and T. urticae. Conclusion. The EO of L. origanoides and carvacrol at 0.2 % v/v produce more that 80 % mortality and more that 50 % repellency in T. urticae and B. tabac