Chemical Soil Properties of Four Suburban Farms in Santiago de Cuba

Context: Soil is an important resource and it is the basis for agricultural forestry exploitation. The chemical properties are linked to nutrient availability. Proper research of the soil chemical nature indicators is needed to understand soil fertility. Aim: To evaluate the behavior of some chemical properties of the soil on four suburban farms in Santiago de Cuba. Methods: The soil was dug to collect samples from every soil horizon. After identification, the samples were taken to the laboratories of Oriente Geomining Company. The contents of calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), aluminum (Al3+), sodium (Na+), and potassium (K+) were determined, along with the cationic ratios, the pH, the effective cationic exchange capacity (CICe), base saturation percentage (V), the saturation associated with CICe, and the organic matter (M.O.) Results: The Ca2+, Na+, and K+ contents underwent a variable behavior, whereas Al3+ and Mg2+ behaved similarly, in all the cases above the soil permissibility limits. The pH was the least variable property, above 7, the V value in all the cases surpassed 85%, and CICe was above 50 cmol.Kg-1. The Ca2+/MG2+ showed a favorable balance, Na+ saturation was high, and the O.M. content was generally low. Conclusions: The chemical properties of the farm soils analyzed were a constraining factor to the development of production. Despite the potential fertility and proper nutrient contents, the ratios between the elements makes them so fixed in the soil in forms that cannot be assimilated by the crops

Composition and diversity of the existing flora in suburban farms of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

La biodiversidad es esencial en los ecosistemas cultivados. El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo evaluar la composición y diversidad de la flora existente en fincas suburbanas de Santiago de Cuba. Se realizaron muestreos en las fincas seleccionadas y se contabilizó el total de individuos, familia, géneros y especies. De diversidad alfa se evaluó la riqueza de especies, dominancia de Simpson, dominancia de Berger-Parker y diversidad de Shannon. Como medida de similitud se tuvo en cuenta la formación de grupos homogéneos mediante un análisis multivariado (CLUSTER). Se contabilizaron un total de 261.024 individuos, 74 familias botánicas, 201 géneros y 238 especies. Por período (poco lluvioso y lluvioso) se encontró una tendencia a la disminución en el número de especies en el periodo lluvioso. Las especies arvenses fueron el grupo más representado, y Leguminosae y Asteraceae las familias más representadas. Aunque la dominancia es variable, existe una distribución homogénea de las especies donde predominan las clasificadas como escasas. La similitud entre fincas es de baja a moderada y se evidencia la existencia de especies comunes con pocos individuos y de especies exclusivas adaptadas a las condiciones de cada finca.Biodiversity is essential in cultivated ecosystems. The objective of this work was to evaluate the composition and diversity of the existing flora in suburban farms in Santiago de Cuba. Samplings were carried out in the selected farms and the total number of individuals, family, genera and species was counted. Alpha diversity was evaluated for species richness, Simpson dominance, Berger-Parker dominance and Shannon diversity. As a measure of similarity, the formation of homogeneous groups was taken into account by means of a multivariate analysis (CLUSTER). A total of 261.024 individuals, 74 botanical families, 201 genera and 238 species were recorded. By period (little rainy and rainy) a tendency to decrease in the number of species was found in the rainy period. Weed species were the most represented group, and Leguminosae and Asteraceae the most represented families. Although dominance is variable, there is a homogeneous distribution of species where those classified as scarce predominate. The similarity between farms is low to moderate and the existence of common species with few individuals and exclusive species adapted to the conditions of each farm is evident

Nutritional Potential of Weeds on Suburban Farms in Santiago de Cuba

Context: Although weed species have traditionally been considered a problem, today, they are a resource in need of preservation. Objective: To determine the food potential of weed vegetation on suburban farms in Santiago de Cuba Methods: An ethnobotanical study was conducted in communities adjacent to various farms. The botanical composition, percentage of species with a food potential, and their most frequently used organs, food types, and most favored species for animal nutrition, were determined. Results: A total of 22 weed species with food potential were identified, family Poaceae being the most commonly found, and Bothriochloa pertusa (L.) A. Camus, was the most dominating species. Together with Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) Sim. & Jac., their reference percentage was 100%. The most commonly used organ of weed was the leaves (77.27%), especially in animal nutrition (63.63%). Eight species are used in human nutrition, of which Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth and Chrysophyllum oliviforme L. are consumed as scarce fruits. Conclusions: The grass studied has a potential for use as human and animal nutrition

Propiedades químicas del suelo en cuatro fincas de la agricultura suburbana en Santiago de Cuba

Context: Soil is an important resource and constitutes the basis for agricultural and forestry exploitation. Its chemical properties are related to the availability of nutrients. Without a proper study of the indicators of the chemical nature of soils, it is difficult to understand their fertility. Objective: To evaluate the behavior of some chemical properties of the soil in four farms of suburban agriculture in Santiago de Cuba. Methods: Pits were made to take samples in each of the soil horizons. Once the samples were identified, they were transferred to the Laboratories of Empresa Geominera Oriente. The content of calcium (Ca2 +), magnesium (Mg2 +), aluminum (Al3 +), sodium (Na +) and potassium (K +), cationic ratios, pH, Effective Cation Exchange Capacity (CICe), Percent of Saturation by Bases (V), Saturation with respect to CECe and Organic Matter (OM). Results: The content of Ca2 +, Na + and K + had a variable behavior while Al3 + and Mg2 + behaved in a similar way, exceeding the permissibility limits in the soil in all cases. The pH was the property that showed the least variation, being above 7, the V value in all cases was higher than 85% and the CECe was found above 50 cmol.Kg-1. The Ca2 + / Mg2 + ratio showed an unfavorable balance, the Na + saturation was high and the content of M.O. was generally low. Conclusions: The chemical properties of the soils in the studied farms are a limiting factor for the development of productive processes. Despite having potential fertility and good nutrient content, the relationship between the different elements means that these remain retained in the soil in ways that cannot be assimilated by crops.Contexto: El suelo es un recurso importante y constituye la base para la explotación agropecuaria y forestal. Sus propiedades químicas tienen relación con la disponibilidad de nutrientes. Sin un estudio adecuado de los indicadores de la naturaleza química de los suelos, es difícil comprender la fertilidad de estos. Objetivo: Evaluar el comportamiento de algunas propiedades químicas del suelo en cuatro fincas de la agricultura suburbana de Santiago de Cuba. Métodos: Se realizaron calicatas para tomar muestras en cada uno de los horizontes del suelo. Identificadas las muestras, fueron trasladas a los Laboratorios de la Empresa Geominera Oriente. Se determinó el contenido de calcio (Ca2+), magnesio (Mg2+), aluminio (Al3+), sodio (Na+) y potasio (K+), relaciones catiónicas, el pH, Capacidad de Intercambio Catiónico Efectiva (CICe), el Porciento de Saturación por Bases (V), Saturación respecto a la CICe y Materia Orgánica (M.O). Resultados: El contenido de Ca2+, Na+ y K+ tuvo un comportamiento variable mientras que el Al3+ y el Mg2+ se comportaron de manera similar, superando en todos los casos los límites de permisibilidad en el suelo. El pH fue la propiedad que menos variación mostró, encontrándose por encima de 7, el valor V en todos los casos fue superior al 85 % y la CICe se encontró por encima de 50 cmol.Kg-1. La relación Ca2+/Mg2+ mostró un balance desfavorable, la saturación por Na+ fue elevada y el contenido de M.O de manera general fue bajo. Conclusiones: Las propiedades químicas de los suelos en las fincas estudiadas son un factor limitante para el desarrollo de procesos productivos. A pesar de tener una fertilidad potencial y buen contenido de nutrientes, la relación entre los diferentes elementos hace que estos permanezcan retenidos en el suelo en formas que no pueden ser asimilados por los cultivos

Potencialidades de la vegetación arvense existente en fincas de la agricultura suburbana de Santiago de Cuba para la alimentación

Context: Although weeds species have traditionally been seen as a problem, in light of present day knowledge, they have become a valuable resource worthy of preserving. Objetive: To determine the nutritional potential of weed vegetation existing on suburban agriculture farms in Santiago de Cuba. Method: An etnobotanic study was done in communities near several farms. The botanical composition, percentage of species with a nutritional potential, and most commonly organs used, destination, and most benefitted animal species were determined. Results: A number of 22 weed species with a nutritional potential were identified. Family Poaceae was the kind with the highest variety of species, and Bothriochloa pertusa (L.) A. Camus was the most dominating species, which along with Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) Sim. & Jac. Showed 100% reference percentage. Out of 77.27% of the weed vegetation, the most commonly used organ was the leaves, and 63.63% was used for animal nutrition. Eight species were used for human nutrition, including Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth and Chrysophyllum oliviforme L., which are consumed as low presence fruit.Contexto: Si bien es cierto que las especies arvenses han sido vistas tradicionalmente como un problema, a la luz de los conocimientos actuales se han convertido en un recurso a conservar. Objetivo: Determinar las potencialidades de la vegetación arvense existente en fincas de la agricultura suburbana de Santiago de Cuba para la alimentación. Métodos: Se desarrolló un estudio etnobotánico en comunidades cercanas a diferentes fincas. Se determinó composición botánica, porcentajes de especies con potencialidades para la alimentación así como órganos más utilizados, tipo de alimentación a la que se destinan y para la alimentación animal las especies más favorecidas. Resultados: Se contabilizaron 22 especies arvenses con potencialidades para la alimentación siendo la familia Poaceae la de mayor riqueza de especies y Bothriochloa pertusa (L.) A. Camus la especie más dominante. Esta junto a Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) Sim. & Jac. tuvieron un porcentaje de referencia igual al 100 %. Del 77,27 % de la flora arvense el órgano más utilizado son las hojas y el 63,63 % se destinan a la alimentación animal. Ocho especies se destinan a la alimentación humana de las cuales Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth y Chrysophyllum oliviforme L. se consumen como frutales de baja presencia. Conclusiones: La flora arvense estudiada posee potencialidades para ser utilizada en la alimentación animal y humana