Revista Mexicana de Ciencias Agrícolas

The Otomi milpa (ra huähi hñähñu): agroecological biocultural heritage of the state of Mexico

Manuel Osornio-Aguilar — 2025-07-04

The industrial agrifood model has impacted on the peasant way of life and the traditional milpa system. For this reason, it was analyzed which elements currently make up the Otomi milpa and which remain in use; likewise, its social, ecological, and cultural perspectives in the field of food were discussed. The research was developed from a historical context, applying ethnographic techniques; two semi-structured interviews were designed and applied to twenty-eight peasant opinion leaders in seven municipalities of the High Valleys region of the state of Mexico. It is indicated that the milpa is a biocultural, sustainable, strategic, and broad construction that is integrated by traditional knowledge and practices, environmental complementarity, communality, and rituality. At present, it is still used and is vigorous and dynamic as a food source for indigenous and peasant families in the High Valleys; in addition, it safeguards the know-how that generates ecological balance and the reproduction of native corn, ya k’ani (native vegetables), and forage weeds. In perspective, the milpa is Otomis’s own alternative in the face of food, environmental, and health catastrophe; therefore, it can be revalued and strengthened by the new generations without violating its biocultural essence and putting its productive and ecological tradition first.

Morphological and physiological components determining yield in native and hybrid corn (Zea mays L.) cultivars in response to density and sowing date.

Gustavo García-Hernández — 2025-07-02

Grain yield in corn is a function of genotype, agronomic management and environmental conditions where it is grown. The objective of this investigation was to study the impact of planting date and stocking density on grain yield and its components in four maize genotypes for Valles Altos de México. The experiment was carried out in the Toluca Valley, Mexico, during the spring-summer cycle of 2022. Two trilineal cross hybrids: Faisán® and Cherokee® and two native cultivars: "Criollo Blanco and Amarillo Zanahoria", were evaluated under four population densities of 50,000, 60,000, 70,000 and 80,000 plants per ha^-1 on three planting dates in March, April and May. On each planting date, the treatments resulting from the possible combinations of genotypes and planting densities were established under a randomized complete block design with four replications. The results showed that the May planting obtained an average grain yield of 6.7 t ha^-1. The late planting date increased biomass, harvest index, number of grains per m², number of grains per ear, plant height and consequently grain yield per m². Of the 4 genotypes evaluated, the Faisán hybrid had the highest grain yield explained by a greater number of grains per m². The increase in population density increased grain yield with 80,000 plants ha^-1 explained by a higher number of ears per m². In 2022 the March and April plantings were affected by high temperature and low precipitation, while corn planted in May was not limited by precipitation. The date x cultivar x density interaction revealed the highest grain yield, 8.3 t ha^-1, in the May planting with the "Criollo Blanco" cultivar and a density of 80,000 plants ha^-1.

Morphometric characterization of mezcal agaves from the Northern Region of Guerrero

Venus Yadiralep Arroyo-Antúnez — 2025-06-25

The current knowledge of farmers in the Northern Region of Guerrero about the identification of agave species and varieties used in mezcal production is limited. By not knowing the scientific name of these species, they are prevented from accessing information on forms of reproduction, management and byproducts, as well as the certification processes of agave plantations for mezcal production. This research aimed to characterize the morphometry of mezcal agaves and identify traits that can be used for their identification. The research was conducted from 2016 to 2023, collecting 230 agave specimens in 31 localities in the Northern Region of Guerrero. Twenty-three morphometric traits were measured, which were entered into a database in Microsoft Excel^®. Principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis were performed in the R software version 4.0.3. The first five principal components explained 79.59% of the variation. Linear discriminant analysis required two discriminant functions to explain 89% of the variation. The traits that contributed the most in the principal component analysis were tooth uniformity, leaf margin, and length of tooth in the middle of the leaf. In linear discriminant analysis, the traits that contributed the most were wider leaf width, leaf length, and leaf base width. The identification of these species and varieties will make it easier for farmers to certify their agave plots and give added value to the mezcal.

Adjustment to optimal-economic fertilization doses when prices change: economic-mathematical analysis

Adrián González-Estrada — 2025-06-30

The current situation shows worrying trends that will hinder both food production and the production and use of fertilizers. By 2050, the world population will be 9 200 million; its demand for food will grow by 54% and for fertilizers by 45% compared to those of 2015. Fertilizer prices have grown considerably faster than agricultural product prices, especially since the first quarter of 2021. Price changes and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions modify the optimal-economic doses of fertilization, which is why it is necessary to adjust them. This research aimed to define the economic-mathematical bases for updating the optimal-economic doses of fertilization when the prices of fertilizers and agricultural products change. The method was mathematical-deductive. In addition, the theory of non-linear mathematical programming, the economic theory of profit optimization, the mathematical theorems of the envelope, and the Shephard-McKenzie lemma were applied. The ten propositions obtained constitute the results of this research, and they were obtained through a logical-mathematical process of a deductive nature. It was concluded that the response surfaces should be estimated for each crop and for each of the agricultural regions of Mexico, and it is necessary to create a computerized system that analyzes and updates the optimal-economic doses of fertilization as changes in the prices of outputs and fertilizers are observed.

Rheological variations and industrial quality of bread wheat in Sonora

Gilberto Rodríguez-Pérez — 2025-06-24

Wheat represents about 12% of the total value of agricultural imports in Mexico; it is mostly used to make bread, pasta, cookies, and flour tortillas. The research aimed to determine the rheological variation in dough and industrial quality of 12 advanced lines of bread wheat. The experiment was established in the Yaqui Valley under a randomized complete block design with three replications at an average temperature of 17.1 °C. The unit consisted of four rows 3 m long and 80 cm apart in double rows, on two sowing dates of the 2020-2021 agricultural cycle. The variables assessed were hectoliter weight and weight of one thousand grains, protein in flour, strength, tenacity/extensibility, grain hardness, and bread volume. The results show statistical differences between the main factors (dates, lines) and their interaction in all variables; the functional properties in flour and values in selection indices favored L-5, L-2, L-3, L-7, and Borlaug; a positive correlation was found between physical and chemical traits. In conclusion, sowing in November favored the concentration of protein in the grain and associated with strong and extensible dough, it showed higher volumes of bread.

Current economic analysis of corn in Mexico, period 1981-2022

Julio César Ayllon-Benítez — 2025-06-19

The research used an econometric model consisting of a system of simultaneous equations for the period from 1981 to 2022. This work aimed to develop an econometric model to determine the current conditions of commercialization and estimate the effect of the different prices that incur on producer and consumer prices, on demand, supply, and the foreign trade balance of the corn market in Mexico. The hypothesis tested was that the functioning of the corn market is determined by the current commercialization situation, the behavior of supply and demand and it is influenced by production and the related and international prices of this grain. In the results, the correct signs were obtained in the estimated functions of supply and demand, which had significantly expected positive effects on the quantity of corn produced and the normal behavior of the prices that incur in demand, reflected in direct relationships with respect to those related and adverse relationships regarding income variables and crops that compete for the same resources.

Yield stability and yellow rust infection levels in rainfed wheat in Mexico

Héctor Eduardo Villaseñor-Mir — 2025-06-15

Yellow rust is the biotic factor that most affects the yield of rainfed wheat in the High Valleys of Mexico, and currently, the most effective management strategy for this disease is the use of resistant varieties, which must also be stable in grain yield when exposed to this rust. In order to understand the correlation between yield stability and the severity of yellow rust, between 2017 and 2020, trials were established in 37 localities in the High Valleys of Mexico, where 14 wheat genotypes were evaluated. The correlation between yield and the incidence of yellow rust was analyzed and different stability parameters were determined. A moderate negative correlation was found between yield and disease incidence. The advanced lines Kone ‘s’, Nely ‘s’, Terre ‘s’, and the varieties Texcoco F2016 and Valles F2015 were the most stable in yield and the most resistant to rust, whereas the least stable and the most susceptible to the disease were Náhuatl F2000, Triunfo F2004, and Nana F2007, so they should no longer be recommended for sowing.

Variation in physical and physiological seed quality caused by the origin of the H-520 corn hybrid

Pablo Andres-Meza — 2025-06-18

The physical and physiological quality of seeds are parameters that directly influence during establishment in the field, impacting the viability and vigor of seeds and seedling. The objective was to assess the variation in physical and physiological quality caused by the origin in seed production of the H-520 white-grained tropical corn hybrid. Seed samples were obtained from different seed companies. Physical and physiological variables were recorded in seeds and seedlings. The data analyzed showed differences (p≥ 0.05) in most of the physical and physiological variables of seeds, except for the variables of percentage of anthocyanins in seedling and plumule length. The mean values obtained for the standard germination test were (95.2%), normal plants (90.5%), abnormal plants (4.6%), non-germinated seeds (4.9%), presence of anthocyanins (50.35%), plumule dry weight (36.4 g), plumule length (11.5 cm), radicle length (15.3 cm), radicle dry weight (24.7 g), seed width (8.7 mm), seed length (11.5 mm), seed thickness (4.1 mm), weight of 1 000 seeds (238.7 g), flotation index (27.3), and hectoliter weight (76.6 kg hl^-1). Although the tests carried out showed variations in the physical and physiological quality of seeds of the origins, the values are acceptable, suggesting that the management in seed production of the H-520 corn hybrid has been effective over time.

Analysis of technological packages for corn production in the state of Mexico

Damaris Barbara Amaya-Pérez — 2025-06-11

Corn is a staple food in the diet of Mexicans and while its consumption is increasing, its domestic production has decreased in the same years largely due to low yields in small-scale production. This paper analyzed two technological packages developed by a public research institute in order to find alternatives to increase agricultural productivity for food security in the state of Mexico; the results were compared with the current form of production and yield, analyzing the impact of the increase in production on the costs and income of small producers. According to the results, by using the medium-impact technological package, the producer obtains a yield of 5 t ha^-1, their production cost will increase by $7 739.50 pesos, and their income will be higher than the costs; nevertheless, the expected profit is lower than that obtained with the current form of production. If the high-potential package is applied, with a yield of 6.5 tons per hectare, the cost increases by $13 894.50, and their profit is higher considering a flexibility price of -0.12 and a guaranteed price. With both packages, their returns are positive; therefore, the change from the current form of production to the implementation of any of the technological packages presented is financially feasible; however, only by adopting the high-potential package do they obtain profits higher than those obtained with the current form of production.

Cold damage to fruits of mango variety Ataulfo

Jorge Alberto Osuna-García — 2025-06-08

Mangoes are one of the favorite fruits in the United States market, with annual imports of 120 million boxes. One of the challenges in delivering quality fruit is that shipping from countries of origin requires up to four weeks of transport, which causes overripeness and complications for distribution to wholesalers and retailers. Shipments are made in refrigerated sea containers, which slows down the ripening process. Nonetheless, mango fruits are susceptible to cold damage when stored at low temperatures. For all these reasons, the research aimed to quantify the effect of the degree of ripeness, temperature, and transport time on cold damage in Ataulfo mango fruits. The degree of ripeness (partially ripe and ripe), storage temperatures (7.5, 10 and 12.5 °C), and refrigerated transport (1, 2 or 3 weeks) were examined. The variables evaluated were external and internal damage, pulp firmness and color, and total soluble solids. It was found that the state of ripeness had no influence on the external and internal damage of the fruits. However, the temperature affected it significantly, the lower the temperature the greater the damage. Storage time significantly influenced external damage, pulp firmness and color, and total soluble solids. The longer the storage time, the greater the damage. In addition, it was observed that the combination of temperature and storage time was significant. The damage manifested itself from the first week of transport at 7.5 °C.

Enhancing trefoil germination under metal stress through Bradyrhizobium sp. (Lotus) inoculation

Hoceme Degaichia Degaichia — 2025-06-04

This study investigates the effect of inoculation with Bradyrhizobium sp. (Lotus), a symbiotic rhizobacterium, on the germination of trefoil under stress induced by copper, cadmium, and their combination. The goal is to highlight the role of Bradyrhizobium sp. (Lotus) in mitigating copper and cadmium stress and enhancing the germination of trefoil, a spontaneous fodder species. The research, conducted in Blida (Algeria) in 2024, focuses on the physiological aspects of germination, including Total Germination Count (TCG), Time to mean germination (TMG), and inhibition of germination reversibility. Statistical analysis was performed using Manova at a 5% threshold. Results indicate that Bradyrhizobium sp. (Lotus) inoculation increases TCG values and reduces the germination lag phase from +168 h to 48 h. Additionally, germination inhibition is decreased by 20 to 30% compared to non-inoculated seeds, and physiological germination parameters improve under metal stress conditions. The findings suggest that Bradyrhizobium sp. (Lotus) may mitigate copper and cadmium stress by detoxification or chelation, thereby enhancing trefoil tolerance to these metallic trace elements during the germination stage.

Influence of humic and fulvic substances on soil attributes

Marco Aurélio da Silva — 2025-06-03

Humic and fulvic substances are organic compounds originating from the decomposition of plant and animal residues in the environment, which can be used as alternative inputs for the management of various crops. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of humic and fulvic substances on the chemical and microbiological attributes of the soil in soybean crops. Soil samples were collected at a depth of 0-10 cm before planting and at the flowering stage (R2), and chemical attributes were evaluated, such as macronutrient content, pH and organic matter, and microbiological attributes such as Microbial Biomass Carbon (MBC), Basal Respiration (BR), microbial and metabolic quotient to determine microbial activity. In agronomic parameters, plant development and productivity were evaluated. In the results of chemical attributes, little change was observed between treatments in the concentration of macronutrients; however, an improvement was observed in the concentration of organic matter in areas that received humic and fulvic substances at a dose of 4 L ha^-1, a fact also observed in microbiological attributes, with an increase in the microbial community and significant improvement in biological activity of the soil. Data reflected the increase in productivity, with an increase of 10 to 14 bags per hectare, without and with association with Bacillus sp. respectively. It is concluded that humic and fulvic acids at a dose of 4 L ha^-1 with or without association with the bacteria Bacillus sp. promoted improvements in the microbiological attributes of the soil and consequently in the development of soybean cultivation.