AGROProductividad

Objective: To analyze the water market scheme for water rights transfer, which could enable the increase of the economic efficiency of water use in the Irrigation District 011 - Alto Río Lerma. Design/Methodology/Approach: Using linear programming, a first model was developed to determine shadow prices in three water scarcity scenarios (15, 30, and 50% water resources reduction) and to compare them with the irrigation fees currently paid in Irrigation District 011. The second model established a water market scheme, using the same water scarcity scenarios (15, 30, and 50%). This model was developed to compare the net profit of the producers within and outside the water right transfer market. Results: The average shadow price of water is MN$ 3.9 m-3; this amount is higher than the irrigation fee currently paid (MN$ 0.15 m-3). The water transfer percentages are 25.8, 29.1, and 36.1%, obtaining 7.6, 7.4 and 11.7% net profit, respectively, for each water scarcity scenario (15, 30, and 50%). Study Limitations/Implications: The research was carried out based on the data from two out of the 11 irrigation modules included in Irrigation District 011. These modules are the most representative, both in extension and crop variety. Findings/Conclusions: The existence of a water market confirms the advantages of an increase in the net profit of the producers under drought conditions, included within the area of Irrigation District 011.

L Objective: To assess the effect of different yeast levels and fermentation times on the chemical, fermentative, and microbiological composition of cassava in order to produce a cassava-based fermented food. Design/Methodology/Approach: We used a completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement, three yeast inoculum levels (0, 5, and 10%), and five fermentation times (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 days). Results: We found significant interaction of the studied factors with the pH and crude protein (CP) variables. The highest pH values were obtained adding 10% yeast inoculum (YI) (8.67). CP values of 16.55% were found. No differences caused by the studied inoculum levels and fermentation times were found in true protein (TP) and the in situ degradation of dry matter (IDDM). TP and IDDM had 8% and 80% values, respectively. Study Limitations/Implications: A behavior test with bovines must be conducted to demonstrate the potential of cassava-based fermented foods in meat and/or milk production. Findings/Conclusions: The yeast inoculum and the fermentation days did not increase the TP in the cassava-based fermented food.

Objective: To describe the dynamics of floral biology and fruit development until physiological maturity, by performing a qualitative and quantitative characterization in eight Mexican cacao clones (Theobroma cacao L.), called: Caehui, Chak, Canek, Chibolon, Supremo, Tabscoob, K'in and Olmeca. Design/methodology/approach: In the phenological study, five trees were taken into account and five flower buds per tree were randomly identified (n=225). Twenty-one (21) qualitative and quantitative morphological descriptors were evaluated in fruits and grains. Descriptive statistics were established and a principal component analysis was applied to the quantitative descriptors. Results: The Chak clone presented the highest value for length and diameter of flowers buds in reproductive phenology, with 7.4 mm and 4.2 mm; the K ́in clone stood out in fruits, with 252 mm length; and Supremo in fruit diameter, with 102 mm. Significant differences were found in the morphological variables evaluated, in addition to significant positive correlation (p<0.05 and p<0.001) between most of the variables. The first two main components described 62.5% of the total variation. Findings/conclusions: The differences in measurements (length and diameter) of the flower buds are attributable to the genetic constitution; however, knowing the opening times allows us to have an exact reference in production levels. The parameters that contributed most to the variability observed were weight and diameter of the fruit, length and width of the grain, thickness of the exocarp, and weight of grains per pod.

Objective: To determine the impact of the harvesting time of two coffee varieties on the physical quality and viability of seeds, using the tetrazolium testing. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research was carried out using a completely randomized design; the evaluation of the embryo viability was based on a five-color pattern staining design. The Garnica and Costa Rica 95 varieties and two harvesting times were used (December and January). An analysis of variance and a Tukey’s means comparison test (p ≤ 0.05) were carried out, using the SAS 902 software. Results: The study varieties showed significative differences in all the variables related to the physical quality of the seeds, including volumetric weight and weight of 1,000 beans. The best seed viability was obtained during the harvest carried out in January. Study Limitations/Implications: The results obtained are limited to the varieties in question, as well as the environmental conditions and period during which the said varieties were evaluated. Conclusions: The harvesting time of the two varieties of coffee has an influence on the physical characteristics of the seeds and on the viability, evaluation carried out using tetrazolium.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the seed yield variables in situ in Bouteloua gracilis, Bouteloua hirsuta, Bouteloua curtipendula, Mulhenbergia rigida and Schizachyrium scoparium in La Siberia, Chapingo, Mexico. The study was carried out on wild plants in which the following were recorded: total stems plant-1, number of branches plant-1, number and quantity of seed-1, stem-1 and plant- 1 to later evaluate the percentage of filling and viability. The data were analyzed with GLM of SAS in Completely Random Blocks design and Tukey’s test (α = 0.05). There was no grass species that exceeded 25 flower stems per plant (P<0.001). B. gracilis showed a lower number of inflorescences per plant compared to B. hirsuta (P<0.001), however, with a higher number of branches (P <0.001). Seed production per plant (mg) was higher in M. rigida (P <0.001; 12902), followed by B. curtipendula (2246) and S. scoparium (1465). In physical quality of B. curtipendula seed, it presented a higher percentage of filling (P<0.001; 17%) and S. scoparium greater viability (P<0.001; 78%) and weight of 1000 seeds (P<0.001; 1.52 mg). In La Siberia, B. curtipendula and S. scoparium were identified as potential grasses to collect seed and then be used for reclamation or rehabilitation.