Revista Mexicana de Ciencias Agrícolas

Monserrat (D): an irrigated barley variety for El Bajío

2024-10-31T21:24:04+00:00

The Montserrat (D) variety has a high nutritional value due to its content of β-glucans (5.5%), protein (12.2%), and starch (67.2%) in grains, presents a potential yield of up to 7.5 t ha^-1 for sowing dates from November 15 to December 15, reaches the heading stage between days 65 and 72 and grain physiological maturity between days 110 to 120, has a plant height of 0.8 to 0.95 m, is tolerant of stripe yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. Hordei West) and leaf rust (Puccinia hordei Otth), and has a grain filling index of 581, a thousand grain weight of 40.38 g, and a hectoliter weight of 80 kg hl^-1, which decreases for planting dates on January 15 (77.6 kg hl^-1); in addition, it presents a high percentage of naked grain (85 to 95%), so it is suitable for consumption as food and fodder. It is recommended to use 100 kg ha^-1 of seed for double-row sowing and apply the 180-60-00 fertilizer formula of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, respectively. These characteristics make Monserrat (D) a good alternative for the production of barley grain in the region known as El Bajío in Mexico, at altitudes between 1 500 and 1 800 m, on Vertisol and Phaeozem soils.

Pesticide use in Mexico and the reverse logistics approach: a literature review

2025-05-21T18:13:31+00:00

A literature review on the use of pesticides in agriculture in Mexico and the reverse logistics approach was conducted to understand their current use and the potential for applying this approach in the sector. Content analysis was performed using academic search engines, artificial intelligence, and official statistics. The pesticide industry in Mexico represents a market of great economic importance; nevertheless, information on their use and usage characteristics is limited. Pesticides have contributed to agricultural productivity but have also generated negative externalities in health and the environment. Reverse logistics has few papers in agriculture, as most studies are simulations or specific cases, without applicable standardized methods, which represents an area of economic opportunity and academic research.

Grain yield stability of rainfed oat varieties in the High Valleys of Mexico

2025-05-29T20:58:40+00:00

The grain yield stability of 12 oat varieties was evaluated in 23 localities situated in rainfed environments of the High Valleys of Mexico. Two methodologies were used to assess grain yield stability: Eberhart and Russell parameters and AMMI analysis. The stability parameters allowed us to better discriminate the varieties through the interaction they had in the environments; these parameters showed similar results to each other, in which the Ágata variety stood out for its high yield, stability, and consistency; in second place were Turquesa and Menonita, while the Cuauhtémoc, Papigochi, and Avemex varieties were the least suitable genotypes. The results showed classifying the varieties with the highest qualities for recommendation and those that no longer have potential for commercial use.

Optimizing nitrogen ratios for blueberry cultivated under saline medium

2025-12-13T18:08:41+00:00

Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) production in Mexico is expanding rapidly, yet nitrogen management and salinity stress remain major challenges. This study evaluated the effects of ammonium (NH₄+) and nitrate (NO₃^-) fertilization, with or without sodium chloride (NaCl, 30 mM), on growth, yield, and fruit quality of ‘Biloxi’ blueberry grown in coconut fiber substrate. A completely randomized 3x3 factorial design plus control was applied, varying nitrogen source, concentration (75% and 100%), and salinity. NH₄⁺ significantly increased biomass (121.2%), flower production (316%), fruit number (231%) and yield (162.7%) compared with NO₃^-. A 100% N rate enhanced shoots (19.5%) and fruit count (43.4%) but reduced fruit size. Salinity reduced fruit number (-70.3%) and yield (-53.1%) without affecting vegetative growth. Significant interactions among nitrogen source, concentration and salinity influenced flowering, quality and agronomic traits. Results indicate NH₄⁺ based fertilization improves blueberry productivity under saline conditions, supporting more efficient nitrogen management strategies.

Example for the analysis of a series of experiments arranged in balanced complete blocks

2025-12-11T16:28:27+00:00

There is little published information in some series of experiments, such as in the randomized complete block design in a balanced complete block arrangement (RCBD-BCBA). This study presents a hypothetical example to apply the methodology published in González et al. (2024b), which is an extension of a case formulated by Gomez and Gomez (1984). The analysis of variance and the comparison of means between treatments using Fisher’s least significant difference test correspond to the analysis of the data combining the information of two trials, based on the statistical model that was chosen for the present research, the validation of the results generated can be done with other statistical packages, such as Info-Gen, SAS, OPSTAT, STAR, PBTools, or Agrobase, among others.

Loss of agricultural soil from 2009-2024 in Celaya, Guanajuato

2025-03-21T17:43:11+00:00

Urban and industrial growth, along with the abandonment of agricultural land, reduces the area to produce food, which compromises the food security of the population. Establishing the dynamics of land-use change allows actions to be applied to mitigate its negative impact. The research aimed to determine the change in land use to estimate the magnitude of the reduction in agricultural land area in the municipality of Celaya, Guanajuato. To this end, the outlines of the municipal agricultural area from 2009 were updated over high-resolution images from the Google Earth Geographic Information System of 2024; of the resulting polygons, their water use condition was determined, and based on this, the potential impact on corn and bean production was calculated. The results show that in 15 years, Celaya has lost 4 647 agricultural hectares; 41% were destined for urban use, 20% for industry, 7% for roads, and 32% remain unused. The loss of agricultural land use was confirmed by the decrease in the visible atmospherically resistant index from 0.05 to -0.02. Most of the change in land use from agricultural to urban and industrial originates from well-based irrigation, while the change to disuse originates from rainfed land. The impact on agricultural production is the loss of almost 8 000 t of beans. Nevertheless, corn has increased its area sown by nearly 4 000 ha at the expense of reductions in other crops.

Tomato response to reduced doses of mineral fertilization with microbial biostimulant in a high tunnel

2025-04-14T16:17:06+00:00

The tomato is one of the most important crops in Mexico, requiring considerable amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to achieve optimal yields. Mineral doses are increasingly overused, which is inefficient, and much of it is released into the environment, causing contamination of bodies of water and soil. The research aimed to evaluate the effect of low doses of mineral fertilization combined with a microbial biostimulant on the weight and dimensions of tomato fruits and production per plant. The work was conducted in Úrsulo Galván, Veracruz, in the autumn-winter-spring cycle (2023-2024) under protected conditions using a high tunnel. The study employed a biostimulant formulated with five bacterial strains (Bacillus subtilis FDMC1, Stenotrophomonas sp. JAG2, Bacillus wiedmannii JAG3, Priestia megaterium JAFV4, and P. megaterium AERM5) and a minimum chemical fertilization with NPK (165-120-90) at different percentages (100%, 75%, 50% and 25%) with and without biostimulant, except for 100%, which was a control without biostimulant. A randomized complete block design was used and 240 plants were established using a planting frame of one plant every 25 cm in a triangular pattern. The reduced doses of fertilization, without applications of biostimulants, significantly affected the yield and quality of tomato fruits. The applications of the biostimulant with small doses of chemical fertilization at 50% and 75% significantly increased the production and dimensions of tomato fruits. The applications of the biostimulant resulted in a saving of 25% in chemical fertilization, which achieved production and quality of tomato fruits equal to that achieved with 100% fertilization.

Marketing study of a natural sweetener derived from stevia

2025-04-24T18:48:55+00:00

The stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) plant is a natural non-nutritive non-caloric sweetener with various beneficial properties, among which its hypoglycemic, caloric and anxiolytic activities stand out. In Mexico, type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity are some of the main public health problems. The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of marketing an infusion made with dried and ground stevia leaves to people with type 2 diabetes mellitus and people with obesity in the locality of Córdoba, Veracruz, in 2022. To this end, a cross-tabulation was carried out with three variables (they would buy a stevia infusion, sex and age), and the market was segmented through a cluster analysis; likewise, the stevia infusion was made in the food science laboratory of the College of Postgraduates-Córdoba Campus and offered in 0.25 and 0.5 g filter bags for doses of 250 and 500 ml cups. As a result, 14% of both people with diabetes and people with obesity mentioned that they have knowledge about stevia and 6 and 3% of both groups have tried the plant. In conclusion, the general public had limited knowledge about the stevia plant; nevertheless, there is a potential demand for stevia infusion; therefore, the proposal to develop a stevia infusion for marketing to the target audience is viable.

Testing the effect of chipilín extract and pyrrolizidine alkaloid in liquid diets on Bactericera cockerelli

2025-04-24T19:13:14+00:00

Bactericera cockerelli is one of the most economically important and destructive pests in crops of the nightshade family, where chemical control has been the primary management strategy. The use of botanical extracts is a biorational alternative for managing this pest. The insecticidal activity of the genus Crotalaria is attributed to the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids and pyrrolizidine alkaloids. This study aimed to evaluate the insecticidal effect of C. longirostrata extract and the fraction of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid (1β,2β-Epoxy-1α-methoxymethyl-8α-pyrrolizidine) on B. cockerelli by supplying liquid diets. The feeding bioassays using liquid diets were conducted in the Toxicology Laboratory of the Antonio Narro Autonomous Agrarian University. A liquid diet supplemented with 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mg ml^-1 of the methanolic extract of C. longirostrata and the fractionate of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid was implemented in plastic feeding chambers, where mortality was evaluated under a completely randomized design. The LC₅₀ was determined for the 1β,2β-Epoxy-1α-methoxymethyl-8α-pyrrolizidine fraction and the methanolic extract of chipilín, obtaining a mortality in the methanolic extract between 42 and 78%, while the fraction of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid registered a mortality of 68-91%; the latter was the one that presented the lower LC₅₀. The methanolic extract of chipilín and the fraction of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid showed insecticidal activity in liquid diets, demonstrating efficiency for their use in controlling B. cockerelli.

Crop alternaves for forage producon in southern Sonora

2025-05-02T18:56:09+00:00

In southern Sonora, Mexico, the nutritional value of forage for herbivores has not been established for a long time, whereas technological options have diversified; therefore, there is a need to evaluate annual crops as an option for forage production in order to integrate them into the agrifood chain. This research aimed to evaluate the forage production and chemical properties of different annual species in the semiarid conditions of southern Sonora. Nine elite spring-habit triticale lines, five varieties of oats, and two varieties of colored corn -yellow and purple- were evaluated in the field and laboratory in the autumn-winter cycle of 2023-2024. The agronomic variables were green forage (GF), dry forage (DF), and plant height (PH), as well as their chemical properties. The results showed statistical differences between species for forage variables, where corn showed higher production of green (GF) and dry (DF) forage, whereas the triticale lines TCL3, TCL7, and TCL9 clustered as a second option in GF and DF production; for their part, the TCL5, TCL2 and TCL4 lines provided better chemical properties, followed by the corn varieties, experimental oats 3, and the Turquesa oat variety.

Effects of agricultural gypsum with micronutrients on the yield and quality of bread wheat

2025-04-03T18:07:42+00:00

Wheat is a crop that requires large amounts of fertilizer; nevertheless, its availability limits productivity. In alkaline soils, nutrients such as iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) are less available, which causes deficiencies that are reflected in the yield and quality of the grain. Faced with this problem, a study was conducted during the 2023-2024 autumn-winter agricultural cycle at the Norman E. Borlaug Experimental Field, located in the Yaqui Valley. Five treatments with different doses of agricultural gypsum (25 and 50 kg ha^-1) enriched with micronutrients (Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mn), with and without humic and fulvic acids, were evaluated to determine the effect of the optimal dose that contributes to improving the yield and quality of Borlaug 100 bread wheat. The experimental design consisted of randomized complete blocks with four replications. The variables evaluated included: soil pH at different depths, nutrient analysis of the flag leaf, yield components, and quality parameters (protein, sedimentation index, incidence of white belly, and partial bunt). The results showed that the treatments with the high dose of agricultural gypsum and micronutrients led to a temporary acidification of the soil until the stem elongation stage, no longer than 30 days, due to a cation exchange, generating an acid hydrolysis that releases hydrogen ions, which indirectly contributed to acidification, which suggests a greater availability of nutrients for the development of the crop. This resulted in a 17% increase in yield in treatments 1 and 3 compared to the control, with a 14% increase in the number of grains per spike. In addition, values of 11.6% of protein were obtained, with less than 0.5% incidence of white belly.

Humus and sand ratios on agave seedling growth

2025-05-21T19:04:54+00:00

Obtaining agave plants from seed promotes genetic diversity and resistance to biotic and abiotic factors; however, seed-propagated plants take longer to reach maturity than those propagated by suckers. It has been proven that substrate mixtures favor plant growth; nevertheless, there are still few studies that firmly support their specific effect on seedling development. The objective of the work was to evaluate substrates with different proportions of humus and sand on the growth of A. salmiana seedlings. The research was conducted at the Higher Technological Institute of Huichapan; 60 days after sowing the seeds, plants with homogeneous heights were selected. The treatments were substrates prepared by mixing humus (H) and sand (S): T1(90:10 H: S), T2(70:30 H: S), T3(60:40 H: S), T4 (40:60 H: S), T5 (30:70 H: S) and T6 (10:90 H: S), with 15 replications. Agronomic variables, chlorophyll (a, b and total), dry biomass, and nutrients in plant tissue were evaluated. The data were checked for normality and homogeneity of variances using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Bartlett tests; subsequently, an analysis of variance and Tukey’s multiple comparison of means (α≤ 0.05) were performed. The results showed that plants in T2 (70:30 H:S) excelled in agronomic variables, chlorophyll, dry biomass, and leaf elements. A substrate with this proportion of sand and humus is an alternative to promote the nursery growth of agave plants from seeds.

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.

Life cycle and population parameters of Aceria malherbae in field bindweed: a laboratory approach

2025-05-29T20:37:48+00:00

The weed Convolvulus arvensis L. (Solanales: Convolvulaceae) was introduced and is native to the Mediterranean region of Europe; it is currently widely distributed throughout the world. Eriophyid mites, in the case of weeds, are considered to have great potential as biological control agents; these attributes are due to their monophagous or oligophagous habit, which makes them highly specific. Within the mites associated with this plant, the species Aceria malherbae Nuzzaci (Acari: Eriophyidae) has been reported, a gall mite that inhabits the midribs of the leaves and causes their deformation. The high degree of specificity of the mite in feeding on C. arvensis makes it an optimal candidate for controlling this weed. The objective of this research was to determine the life cycle and population parameters (Ro, rm, TG, t2 and λ) of Aceria malherbae on plants of field bindweed, Convolvulus arvensis (Solanales: Convolvulaceae). The experiment was conducted from June 2023 to June 2024; the collection took place in agricultural fields where the weed had previously been infested by members of the Local Board of Plant Health of the Yaqui Valley in Ciudad Obregón, Sonora. The samples were transferred to the Department of Agricultural Parasitology of the Antonio Narro Autonomous Agrarian University, and a mother colony of A. malherbae was established under laboratory conditions. Aceria malherbae completed its cycle in 12.29 days. The fecundity rate was 23.83 eggs laid per female on average in 13 days (e/f/d); likewise, the population parameters Ro, rm, and λ were 18.87, 0.54, and 1.72, respectively. The development time of the second generation (TG) was 5.4, and the population doubling time (t2) was 1.27. The population parameters and life cycle determined in this study confirm the rapid growth of the populations of the mite A. malherbae; these metrics explain why it became an important biological control agent. The values obtained allowed us to understand the impact of its activity in the field when it encounters favorable conditions for its multiplication and development. This positions it as an important alternative for controlling weed C. arvensis and highlights the relevance of continuing research on its biology in order to promote its use.

Corn yield, interdependence and genotype-environment interaction in southeastern Mexico

2025-01-17T20:15:59+00:00

The Yucatán Peninsula presents high temperatures and soils where corn (Zea mays L.) crops have a yield of 2.4 to 3.2 t ha^-1 under rainfed conditions. One strategy to correct the reduced productivity of corn in the YP is to generate, evaluate, and disseminate the use of hybrids and varieties that adapt to various production environments, identify those that present a superior and predictable grain yield, as well as the possible interdependence of yield with agronomic variables. The experiments were established under rainfed conditions in five locations of the YP to evaluate nine commercial corn genotypes -six hybrids and three varieties- in random complete blocks with three replications. Grain yield, plant and ear height, diameter, length and number of grains per ear were quantified. To identify the most outstanding genotypes and their interaction with the environment (stability and adaptability), the following was performed: combined analysis of variance across localities, test of means, principal component analysis, environment-genotype interaction analysis and path analysis. The H-520 hybrid presented the highest yield in both the favorable (Quetzalcóatl) and unfavorable (Micaela) environments, both in Campeche, and was the most stable; H-391 was the best choice for grain yield in San Felipe II, Yucatán, and YZ-1 in Cafetalito and Chetumal, Quintana Roo. Plant height had a direct effect, and ear length had an indirect effect; both were the variables that had the biggest impact on yield. Thus, the lower the plant height, the higher the yield and the longer the ear.

Application of superabsorbent polymers in chayote under rainfed conditions

2025-03-20T16:24:20+00:00

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) provide an innovative alternative for soil moisture retention, improving water use efficiency and crop productivity. The study aimed to evaluate the application of SAPs in chayote cultivation under rainfed conditions, using four doses (0, 100, 150, 200 g plant^-1). The research was carried out on an agricultural plot in Chocamán, Veracruz, from October 2023 to April 2024. The experimental design employed a generalized randomized block design with two blocks, four treatments, and two replications per block. The variables evaluated were soil moisture content, growth, leaf area, and yield. The SAP treatments maintained higher moisture levels, with a maximum increase of 7.8%, particularly during periods of higher rainfall. The treatment with the highest dose (T4 200 g plant^-1) presented the highest vertical growth and yield (97.3 kg plant^-1). No significant differences in leaf area were found between some treatments. The application of SAPs improved soil moisture retention, favoring growth and yield. Their use is a viable strategy to improve water availability and chayote yield under rainfed conditions; nevertheless, the optimal dose could vary depending on soil properties and rainfall distribution.

Efficiency of fumigation with 100% methyl bromide in grapefruit infested by Anastrepha spp.

2025-06-13T19:54:06+00:00

The response of fruit fly (Anastrepha spp.) larvae to fumigation with 100% methyl bromide was evaluated in naturally infested grapefruits. The above was carried out at the end of the 2021 production cycle in the citrus-growing region of Nuevo León, Mexico; to this end, grapefruits (Citrus paradisi) infested with fruit flies were harvested. The collected fruits were divided into three batches; two were treated in a fumigation chamber with methyl bromide at 24 g m^-3 for a two-hour exposure and the other served as a control. After fumigation, one of the fumigated batches was refrigerated at 5 °C, while the other was kept at room temperature between 19 and 24 °C. The percentage of live larvae was evaluated 5, 24, 48 and 72 h after fumigation in 30 fruits from each batch. Eighty-nine to 94% of larvae stopped moving 72 h after fumigation. Using the exponential model fitted to the data, it was estimated that all larvae lose their ability to move 120-144 h after fumigation (5-6 days). Refrigeration increased the percentage of larvae with movement, but this effect was lost 48 h after fumigation. These results indicate that the effectiveness of fumigation on the host fruit of Anastrepha spp. with methyl bromide can be assessed with certainty 5-6 days after treatment.

Comparison of analytical methods for the determination of organic matter in soil with coffee waste

2025-06-30T19:12:14+00:00

Organic matter is an indicator of soil quality and fertility and directly influences its physical, chemical, and biological properties. Its analysis is fundamental for agricultural and forestry production. The Walkley-Black method is the standard established in Mexican regulations; nevertheless, it has environmental disadvantages as it uses toxic chemical reagents with handling characteristics. For this reason, the calcination method is proposed as an alternative, which directly quantifies the content of organic matter in the soil by determining the weight loss of a sample when subjected to high temperatures. In this study, both methods were compared in soil samples enriched with solid coffee waste and with compost made from scw/bovine manure. The data were statistically analyzed to assess equivalence between the methods. The results showed a high correlation (r= 0.951) and absence of significant differences (p= 0.94), which supports the feasibility of using the calcination method as an alternative to the Walkley-Black method, given the high correlation in the values of organic matter when analyzed by both analytical methods. The possibility of modifying the current regulations to incorporate the calcination method is suggested, providing a safe and ecological option for determining organic matter in the soil.