AGROProductividad

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 Likewise, some hobones have been replaced by technified boxes to breed native bees.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.

Objective: The growth, survival, and condition factor of Ambystoma mexicanum juveniles fed with three commercial feed-based diets coated with different animal oils as potential palatability enhancers were evaluated. Methodology: Three diets were prepared using commercial feed coated with fish, chicken, and krill oil. The experiment lasted 81 days, the food was provided to the axolotls (6 per experimental unit, in triplicate) every 48 h, at 4% of the total biomass. The total weight of each experimental unit was recorded every 15 days, at the end of the experiment individual weight and height and survival were recorded. The following variables were calculated: Fulton's K, specific growth rate, coefficient of variation of final weight and size heterogeneity. Results: All three treatments showed an increase in total biomass, with a trend towards better performance in chicken and fish oil treatments compared to krill oil. When performing the statistical analysis, it was found that there were no significant differences among the treatments for any of the variables recorded. Implications: The three oils used in the present study were good palatable agents in the food intake of A. mexicanum. Conclusions: It is recommended to use chicken oil as an attractant additive in the formulation of a specific diet due to its low cost.

Objective: Evaluate the nutrient concentration at the foliar level of chrysanthemums grown in tezontle sand using three concentrations of the Steiner Universal Nutrient Solution. Design/Methodology/Approach: A completely randomized design was used, each treatment represented a concentration of the nutrient solution and each concentration had 11 repetitions, the study variables were: foliar concentration of nutrients: N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S, plant height (AP), stem diameter (DT), number of leaves (NH), flower diameter (DF), fresh weight (PF) and dry weight (PS). Results: The results showed this order of extraction K>N>Ca>P>Mg>S, for all concentrations, the foliar N content was low in the three treatments (<3.35%), the P was found in high concentrations. (>0.63%), K was higher in the 100% concentration treatment, Mg (>0.44%) was in sufficient levels, in Ca the 100% concentration had greater absorption and finally the S content was only the adequate in the concentration of 100 %, in the morphological variables there were no significant differences. Limitations of the study/Implications: High temperatures helped the proliferation of pests; therefore, it would be good to have a better control of temperatures inside the greenhouse. Findings/Conclusions: Therefore, using different concentrations of the nutrient solution in chrysanthemums grown in tezontle sand affects the nutrient content at the foliar level but not necessarily its morphology.

Objective: To determine the effects of neoliberal policies (including the Green Revolution), the urban sprawl (as a consequence of population growth), and the reduction of agricultural areas on peri-urban agriculture; however, the main focus is the forms of resistance against these pressures from the dominant system. Design/Methodology/Approach: Through participant observation, surveys, collection, and botanization we identified plant species, their diversity, uses, and richness. Home gardens in San Felipe Ecatepec, Chiapas, Mexico are a system, which consists of subsystems, functions, composition, and management, as well as a high number of species, high to moderate richness, and a surface that oscillates between 600 m2 and 2500 m2. Growing products next to the house provides healthy and fresh food, creates a useful and productive space, and preserves agrobiodiversity. It is an agroecosystem where each family and sitio or home garden interact with other families and other home gardens, integrating local knowledge and offering a space for families to live together. They can be considered spaces of resistance based on traditional knowledge, which also help to control their resources and to bolster individual and collective food sovereignty. Results: Home gardens in San Felipe Ecatepec, Chiapas, Mexico are a system, which consists of subsystems, functions, composition, and management, as well as a high number of species, high to moderate richness, and established on surfaces that oscillates between 600 m2 and 2,500 m2. Study Limitations/Implications: The research was carried out during the two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, which posed an extra challenge to the field work. Findings/Conclusions: Growing products next to the house provides healthy and fresh food, creates a useful and productive space, and preserves agrobiodiversity. It is an agroecosystem where each family and sitio or home garden interact with other families and other home gardens, integrating local knowledge and offering a space for families to live together. They can be considered spaces of resistance based on traditional knowledge, which also help families to control their resources and to bolster individual and collective food sovereignty.

The objective was to estimate the production costs and profitability of maize silage and maize stubble as a feeding strategy for cattle in dry seasons in the southern region of Estado de México. Methodology:30 semi-structured surveys with non-probabilistic sampling were applied during the spring/summer 2020 cycle. Socioeconomic variables, the profitability threshold and the benefit/cost ratio were analyzed. The production units were characterized as small, the average age of producers did not exceed 45 years and nine years dedicated to production. Results: The average production of maize silage and maize stubble was 28 and 7.20 tons with a cost of 1,278.40 and 3,587.23 pesos per ton. Conclusions: The benefit/cost ratio in maize silage and stubble was 0.46 and 0.16. The conclusion is that both activities were profitable with a predominance of maize silage.