Revista Mexicana de Ciencias Agrícolas

Formulas for series of experiments in a Latin square design in a split-plot arrangement

2025-09-23T18:17:06+00:00

Series of experiments in time, space, or combining both environments in a split-plot or split-split-plot arrangement in a Latin square design have not been frequently used. In this research, a statistical model and formulas are constructed to obtain degrees of freedom and sum of squares using quadratic or matrix forms and least squares, when the components of time and space are confused in environments, as a prerequisite to extend their analysis with balanced subsampling. In relation to the main plot, it is assumed that there is no interaction between rows, columns and levels of factor A, and rows and columns with the environments; this restriction also applies between rows and columns or both, with factors A, B and their interaction, but it is also indicated how to reach the same results by introducing the principle of crossing and nesting, particularly if a statistical package will be applied; emphasis is also placed on the formulas to directly calculate degrees of freedom and sum of squares for errors a and b, as well as for those corresponding to main plots and subplots.

Silver nanoparticles in strawberry quality

2025-02-07T17:06:39+00:00

Silver nanoparticles, being inorganic biostimulants in strawberry crops, can serve as food preservative compounds. The present research was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effect of applying silver nanoparticles via leaves and roots at increasing doses on the quality of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) cultivar Festival. The experiment was established in a greenhouse in the experimental agricultural field of the Chapingo Autonomous University, Texcoco, State of Mexico, in 2022 and 2023 (latitude 19.4661, longitude -98.8538). Strawberry plants of the Festival cultivar were used as plant material and placed in an open hydroponic system. The treatments of 0, 40, 80, 120, 160 and 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 mg L^-1 silver nanoparticles were applied via leaves and roots, respectively. At 70 days after the start of treatments, fresh weight, firmness, pH, degrees brix, colorimetry, vitamin C, total soluble proteins, total phenols and anthocyanins were determined. The results showed that the foliar application of silver nanoparticles increased fresh weight, firmness, pH, degrees brix, colorimetry, total phenols, and anthocyanins, and the root application of silver nanoparticles increased firmness, pH, degrees brix, colorimetry, vitamin C, total soluble proteins, total phenols, and anthocyanins. The applications of silver nanoparticles via leaves and roots conclusively increased the quality indicators of strawberry fruits of the Festival cultivar; this makes silver nanoparticles a viable alternative in Mexico’s food sovereignty.

Molecular characterization of wild and cultivated Chenopodium berlandieri (Chenopodiaceae) from central Mexico

2025-01-20T19:30:28+00:00

The genus Chenopodium contains two species of importance in the diet of Mesoamerica and South America, namely Chenopodium quinoa Willd. (Quinoa) and Chenopodium berlandieri subsp. nuttalliae, the genetic resources of which have not been characterized despite their great nutritional potential and adaptability. In order to molecularly characterize germplasm of red chia, huauzontle (Chenopodium berlandieri subsp. nuttalliae) and quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), we molecularly studied 48 genotypes from the Germplasm Banks of the National Institute of Nuclear Research and the Plant Genetic Resources Laboratory of Brigham Young University. To determine the genetic variability, 14 microsatellite markers (SSRs), specific for Chenopodium, were used. Genetic affinity was assessed using the Jaccard similarity coefficient and the analysis of results was performed using the UPGMA method. The results indicate that, within the studied genotypes of both species, 175 alleles were produced, ranging from 8 (KGA16, QCA88) to 16 (QCA37, QAAT74, QCA57), these being the ones that obtained the most alleles per locus. The dendrogram showed that, at a coefficient of 0.9, four main groups were formed, where groups 1 and 2 join advanced lines of quinoa and red chia, mutants of red chia and huauzontle, groups 3 and 4 joins chia and huauzontle, and group five includes all the germplasm of the Plant Genetic Resources Laboratory of BYU, mostly made up of subspecies of Chenopodium zsachei, boscianum and zinatum. It was concluded that there is a great genetic affinity between quinoa, huauzontle and red chia, which opens the possibility of inter- and intraspecific crosses for the genetic improvement of both species.

Spatial variability of Mycosphaerella coffeicola (Cooke) populations in coffee plantations, State of Mexico

2024-12-20T19:55:12+00:00

Coffee is an important crop in Mexico and the State of Mexico is a producing state affected by the iron spot disease caused by the fungus Mycosphaerella coffeicola; this disease reduces the synthetic area, causes defoliation and can affect the quality of beans. Its control is limited due to the lack of knowledge of its spatial distribution within the plots. This study determined the distribution of iron spot in coffee using geostatistical techniques. Semivariograms and distribution maps were made by ordinary kriging, estimating the infested area. The incidence varied and correlated with temperature and relative humidity. An aggregate distribution that fitted theoretical models (Gaussian and spherical) was observed. Infestation was not uniform in the plots, suggesting that targeted control can optimize costs and improve the sustainability of crop management.

Nutraceutical analysis of fig cv. Nezahualcóyotl dehydrated by osmo-convection

2024-12-20T19:51:22+00:00

This research aimed to analyze the nutraceutical properties of fig (Ficus Carica L.) cv. Nezahualcóyotl dehydrated by osmo-convection. Due to the limited information on this variety in Mexico, the impact of the dehydration method on the bioactive compounds of the fruit was evaluated. The study was conducted in Texcoco, State of Mexico in 2024, using 120 fig plants under organic production. Thirty-six fruits were randomly taken and subjected to osmotic dehydration with sucrose concentrations of 0, 40, 50 and 60%, followed by convective dehydration at temperatures of 50, 60 and 70 °C. A completely randomized design was established, where the data were analyzed through Anova, Duncan tests or Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric tests according to the nature of the variables. The results showed that figs osmotically dehydrated with sucrose concentrations of 40-50% and convective temperatures of 50-60 °C presented the highest retention of total phenols, reaching values of up to 1 652.96 mg tannins g^-1 fresh weight. In addition, antioxidant capacity increased by 54% compared to fresh figs, whereas vitamin C underwent significant degradation at temperatures above 60 °C. These findings provide information on the Nezahualcóyotl fig variety and suggest that the combination of osmotic and convective dehydration is an effective strategy to conserve and enhance nutraceutical properties that can have an agro-industrial and commercial impact.

Different colors of plastic mulch in the modification of the microclimate, yield and quality of onion

2024-12-20T19:44:56+00:00

In Sinaloa, one of the causes of the low yield of onion (Allium cepa L.) is that the minimum temperatures do not drop enough to stimulate bulb development. In view of this, looking for an alternative to reduce the temperature in the field, the influence of plastic mulch on the modification of the microclimate and on the quality and yield of this vegetable was evaluated. To this end, during the autumn-winter 2021-2022 cycle, an experiment was conducted under a randomized complete block design with four treatments and four replications. Three colors of plastic mulch were evaluated: black, gray/black, white/black, and the unmulched control. The response variables were soil temperature and moisture, plant development, including weight, bulb diameter, plant height, number of leaves, degrees Brix, and firmness. It was found that the lowest soil temperatures and the highest moisture retention occurred in the white/black plastic mulch, and it was also where the highest weight, bulb diameter, and yield were obtained. Considering the modifications to the microclimate, it was concluded that using white/black plastic mulch is suitable for the conditions of the autumn-winter cycle of the semi-arid and warm climate of the agricultural areas of Sinaloa.

Alternative insecticides for controlling Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Lividae) in lemon

2023-05-09T19:58:40+00:00

In Mexico, the management of Diaphorina citri in Mexican lime is mainly based on scheduled applications of synthetic pesticides, without prior sampling, or rotation of the different toxicological groups, which leads to an excessive growth of the populations of this insect due to the development of resistance because of the excessive application of these products. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of organosynthetic insecticides for the control of D. citri in Mexican lime and the effect of these new molecules on its main natural enemies. Sixteen new molecules were evaluated with ten replications and a completely randomized experimental design, and the variables studied were number of psyllids and natural enemies. Sampling was carried out on 2, 8, 15, 20 and 29 days after application. The following was performed using the SAS statistical program: normality and homoscedasticity test on the data of variances, Anova, and Duncan’s test (p< 0.05). Compared to the previous sampling, Tolfenpyrad^® had a mortality rate of 97.5, 92.6, 95.1 and 100% at 8, 15, 20 and 29 days after application, respectively. In contrast, Cyantraniliprole^® showed 93.9, 69.7, 81.81 and 100% at 8, 15, 20 and 29 days after application. However, some other products, such as Chlorantraniliprole^® and Neem plus oil can be an alternative at a low pest density.

Sustainable crops of wild agaves from Jalisco for the production of raicilla

2024-12-18T19:04:40+00:00

This study aimed to analyze the sustainable cultivation and conservation of raicillero agaves since 2022, highlighting their role in the preservation of biodiversity in the raicilla industry. The central problem lies in the pressure on local ecosystems due to the increase in international demand for the distillate, which threatens the genetic diversity of the agave species used. Through a census methodology based on interviews, exhaustive documentary analysis, and statistical data, sustainable agricultural practices, such as the reforestation of wild agaves, and micropropagation techniques were identified in the 17 municipalities with the raicilla designation of origin; 16 in Jalisco: Atengo, Chiquilistlán, Juchitlán, Tecolotlán, Tenamaxtlán, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo Corrientes, Tomatlán, Atenguillo, Ayutla, Cuautla, Guachinango, Mascota, Mixtlán, San Sebastián del Oeste, and Talpa de Allende and 1 in Nayarit: Bahía de Banderas. The results indicate that Agave maximiliana Baker continues to dominate the cultivation for raicilla, which represents 75.4% of the current plantations, whereas Agave angustifolia Haw. and A. inaequidens have significant increases in adoption, reaching shares of 31.6% and 7%, respectively. It was concluded that it is essential to continue with the reforestation of agaves, implement public policies, sustainable certifications, and technological innovation to strengthen their competitiveness in international markets and ensure their contribution to rural development and environmental conservation in Mexico.

Morphological characterization of the national cassava collection for conservation purposes at the NIAI, Peru

2024-12-20T18:15:33+00:00

The research aimed to morphologically characterize the national collection of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) of the National Institute of Agrarian Innovation (NIAI), Peru for conservation purposes. The study was conducted at the NIAI experimental station in Huaral (Lima); observation plots were installed with a systematic distribution of 741 accessions in the experimental field. Depending on the development of the crop, the evaluation and characterization were carried out using descriptors prepared by the curators of the National Institute of Agrarian Innovation. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used for the parameters used in the characterization and absolute and relative frequencies were calculated for the qualitative descriptors. Subsequently, a principal component analysis was performed to examine the association between the traits. The quantitative and qualitative parameters allowed discrimination between genotypes and establishing groups of accessions according to their similar characteristics using descriptors developed by the National Institute of Agrarian Innovation. Morphological variability was found among the conserved accessions of the cassava germplasm bank, and 12 promising accessions with potential for use for genetic improvement, suitable for human consumption and for food security, were identified.

Strengthening local seed production systems in the Andean-Amazonian Piedmont

2025-01-23T20:38:23+00:00

The use of quality seed in commercial crops is related to less damage from pests and diseases and increases in the productivity and profitability of the activity. Nevertheless, its availability and access are limited to a large segment of family producers. In response, the National Seed Plan project was implemented between 2020 and 2024, which was aimed at producer organizations to strengthen their local systems for obtaining quality seed that can contribute to improving agricultural productivity, diversifying sources of income, and empowering farmers in technical, associative, and commercial principles linked to seed production. The manuscript presents the experience Strengthening for the production of quality seed of the association of bean growers of Sibundoy-Asofris in technical, organizational, and commercial aspects through participatory work strategies and with a learning-by-doing approach, achieving the construction of a system of self-sufficiency, traceability, and business model for the organization.