Revista Mexicana de Ciencias Agrícolas

Chitosan for controlling Lasiodiplodia and Rhizopus in Carica papaya L.

2025-03-04T19:34:16+00:00

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of chitosan on controlling L. theobromae and R. stolonifer, fungi associated with postharvest diseases in papaya. In vitro and in vivo tests were conducted using different concentrations of chitosan and reference fungicide. The variables evaluated included the percentage of mycelial growth inhibition, the lesion area, and the disease severity. Chitosan concentrations between 0.75% and 1% showed high efficacy against both pathogens, with inhibition levels comparable to those of the synthetic fungicide, with no statistically significant differences in most treatments.

Potential of cocoa husk waste for the paper industry

2025-03-04T21:05:16+00:00

The study evaluated the lignin and cellulose contents in the waste of three varieties of cocoa grown in the cantón of Francisco de Orellana (Ecuador)- Nacional, CCN-51, and Super Árbol- in order to explore their potential as an input for the production of kraft paper. The collection was carried out on farms of the Asopriabet association, and the chemical analyses were developed at the National Institute of Agricultural Research, applying standardized methodologies (TAPPI T-222 and Kürschner-Hoffer). The results showed that CCN-51 had the highest lignin content (45.13%), while Nacional showed the highest percentage of cellulose (28.57%). Nevertheless, the differences between varieties were not statistically significant. It was concluded that, despite this, the potential of this waste as an alternative raw material is supported, suggesting complementary studies that include crop variability, physical characterization of the pulp and production pilot tests to validate its industrial applicability.

Native corn in Sinaloa: agroclimatic and sociocultural factors that limit its productivity

2025-04-24T20:29:33+00:00

The state of Sinaloa is internationally recognized for its high production of corn from commercial hybrids and technified systems. Nevertheless, native corn is also grown by small producers, mainly in the mountain region. This practice has experienced a sharp reduction in its sowing area as well as variability in its production. The objective was i) to identify the main agroclimatic and sociocultural factors that have influenced the reduction of the area allocated to the cultivation of native corn varieties; and ii) to analyze the variability in the production volumes of these types of corn in the northern regions of the state of Sinaloa. The data were categorized into quantitative and qualitative; the former were analyzed using one-way Anova and Pearson’s correlation, while the qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis. Analysis of historical data from 1980 to 2023 indicates a substantial 88.6% reduction in the planting area allocated to native corn cultivation, whereas production is highly variable between harvests. This is a result of the decrease in rainfall and the increase in temperatures. Likewise, the lack of public policies, insecurity, and the migration of young people to urban areas have led small producers to consider abandoning traditional corn practices, reducing the production of rainfed native corn, and putting at risk the genetic diversity of corn, compromising the food security of communities.