Revista Mexicana de Ciencias Agrícolas

Culiacán-09: a new dual-purpose sorghum variety for the state of Sinaloa

Jesús Asunción López-Guzmán — 2025-10-07

The new sorghum variety Culiacán-09 was developed in 2009 at the Valle de Culiacán Experimental Field-National Institute of Forestry, Agricultural, and Livestock Research and registered in the National Catalog of Plant Varieties of the National Seed Inspection and Certification Service with number SOG-651-130423 and breeder’s title 3156. This variety adapts to the sorghum-producing areas for the state of Sinaloa; it showed higher yields and is tolerant to the main pests and diseases that affect the crop in the region. Culiacán-09 is an amber-grained variety; it is recommended for irrigation and rainfed conditions; the average yield is 3.92 t ha^-1 of grain and 29.6 t ha^-1 of fresh forage. Culiacán-09 has better bromatological quality than commercial hybrids in forage, with 7% protein and 77% digestibility, it exceeded commercial hybrids by 26% and 31% on average, respectively. It is tolerant of diseases that are present in the region, such as ergot, anthracnose, panicle blight, and carbonaceous rot of the stem.

Agro-industrial waste management: a circular bioeconomy approach

Víctor Manuel Molina-Morejón — 2025-10-07

This essay aimed to show how the management of agro-industrial waste can contribute not only to its valorization but also to the reduction of pollution, contributing to economic and environmental sustainability. The study was for the period from 2017 to 2024 in the region known as the Comarca Lagunera in north-central Mexico. At the beginning of this work, we present the results of a local process that, with its limitations, adds contextual value and regional applicability by treating waste, generating energy, and producing organic fertilizer and sustainably treated water. The improvement and updating of these local processes that started several years ago are compared to Ellen MacArthur’s butterfly diagram in a version adapted to the region’s dairy farms. The bibliographic review of experiences documented in scientific journals where the following is discussed: the extraction of valuable compounds before biodigestion, integrated anaerobic digestion and composting, the types of agro-industrial waste, the application for new generation biomass, and the analysis of the life cycle to evaluate the environmental impact. Finally, the valorization of waste for biorefinery and circular bioeconomy processes is highlighted. It was concluded that the bioeconomy offers benefits, although its adoption faces challenges, requiring complementation with economic studies, in particular, the design of efficient processes for the collection of valuable waste based on a supply chain that not only manages to make waste capture more agile but also efficient production and distribution processes.

Medicinal flora of Oaxaca, Mexico: a review

Gisela Virginia Campos-Ángeles — 2025-10-07

Medicinal plants are the first resource for global access to health. In Oaxaca, these resources have been used since pre-Hispanic times. The objective was to integrate the available information on the use of medicinal plants in the state of Oaxaca, including the region and ethnic group that uses them, the conditions they combat, the active compounds they contain, and their conservation status in NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010. A search was conducted for scientific articles and floristic reports that inform about the presence of medicinal plants in the state in the ScienceDirect, Springer, Google Scholar, and Mendeley databases. The references were sorted and analyzed in Excel. Spearman correlation tests were performed with the SAS statistical package. A total of 1 056 medicinal species were identified, 150 belonging to the family Asteraceae and 69 to the family Fagaceae. A total of 485 were found in the Sierra Norte, and 312 in the Valles Centrales. The Zapotecs are the ones who use them the most, followed by the Chinantecs and Mazatecs. There are 316 species that are used to treat gastrointestinal problems. The state of Oaxaca has a high biological and cultural diversity that is reflected in the number of medicinal species used and the knowledge kept by the communities in which they are located.

Evaluation of bioreactors with and without air injection for the micropropagation of Vanilla planifolia G. Jackson

Clara Anabel Arredondo-Ramírez — 2025-10-07

The species Vanilla planifolia G. Jackson has a high commercial value in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Temporary immersion systems or bioreactors allow for faster and more controlled in vitro propagation under laboratory conditions. Nonetheless, due to the high costs of commercial bioreactors, such as the Rita^® model, one of the most widely used for the micropropagation of several plant species, cheaper alternatives are sought. In vitro multiplication of vanilla was carried out in two types of temporary immersion bioreactors in order to evaluate the efficiency of a mechanical bioreactor without air injection compared to a Rita® bioreactor that uses air injection; the research was conducted between 2023 and 2024. The semi-solid culture system was used as a control. After 30 days of culture, the following physiological variables were analyzed: number of shoots, number of leaves, shoot length, and growth index; likewise, biochemical variables, such as total contents of chlorophylls α and β and phenol and carbohydrate contents, were quantified. The results obtained indicated that the BWA bioreactor was statistically equal (p≤ 0.05) to the Rita^® bioreactor in the variables of number and length of shoots. Both were statistically different (p≤ 0.05) from the semi-solid system in most of the variables assessed. This suggests that the use of a mechanical bioreactor without air injection can be used as an alternative for the micropropagation of various species due to its low cost.

Genetic variability and heritability in broad bean collections from central Mexico

María Teresa Oliveros-González — 2025-10-05

This work was conducted with the aim of estimating variance components and broad sense heritabilities (H²) in quantitative and qualitative traits in 25 cultivars of broad beans using an experimental design of randomized complete blocks with four replications in a series of trials. The differences between the two environments (A), the 25 genotypes (G), and their interaction were significant for most of the traits evaluated. The highest H² ranged from 51.73 to 96.68%. Principal component analysis accounted for 63.62% of the original total variation, yield was positively and significantly correlated with EFFI, NPP, PD, PL, WP, and YIE. The prediction with the GAM indicated that with NPP, PD, WP, and YIE, there would be greater genetic progress by selection. There was little phenotypic variability within each of the qualitative traits.

Water efficiency in polycultures for small-scale agriculture

Zurisaddai Drouaillet-Mejía — 2025-10-05

The adoption of irrigation technologies in small-scale crops faces economic barriers that hinder their implementation. This research developed, implemented and assessed an automated irrigation system for polyculture based on an open-source platform. In September 2023, the system was installed in the Orquiazul^® greenhouse, Veracruz, Mexico, being applied to orchids of the Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium and Vanda species. Equipped with substrate moisture, temperature and relative humidity sensors and controlled with an Arduino-R1^®, it automatically regulates the water supply according to the needs of each plant. Between September and December 2023, it reduced water consumption by 94%, going from 90 L biannually with manual irrigation to only 5 L with the automated system. In addition, it decreased weekly supervision from 10 to 2 h and achieved a 100% survival rate. Its modular design and low cost favor its adoption in rural communities without requiring advanced technical knowledge. Although the results are promising, it is recommended to evaluate its performance in different crops and climates to ensure its economic viability and long-term sustainability, reinforcing the potential of accessible technologies in small-scale agriculture.

Sustainability in prickly pear production in San Pablo Xúchil, Axapusco

Tania Rodríguez-Ramírez — 2025-10-04

The research aims to analyze the traditional and conventional production systems of prickly pear (Opuntia albicarpa) to identify their current sustainability, as well as the social, environmental, and economic relevance that this crop represents for the community. In the eastern region of the state of Mexico, several municipalities stand out for their deep-rooted tradition in the production of prickly pear. In the locality of San Pablo Xúchil, this activity has taken on a central relevance, not only economically, but also culturally. Nonetheless, production has been questioned in terms of its sustainability due to the adoption of practices that are harmful to the environment: monoculture and intensive use of agrochemicals. A questionnaire was applied to 44 prickly pear producers with the framework for the evaluation of natural resource management systems, incorporating sustainability indicators. Fifteen indicators were analyzed with the following dimensions: environmental, economic, and social. The results obtained show that both systems need to increase their sustainability, as a result of weak organization, low training, and high use of agrochemicals.

A protocol for the in vitro establishment of Psidium guajava L. using seeds, for the conservation of native germplasm

Lucila Perales-Aguilar — 2025-10-03

The guava Psidium guajava L. is a very important fruit tree for Aguascalientes. In the municipality of Calvillo, guava orchards were established with an area of more than 6 000 ha. The current problem is that it is being replaced with other crops, such as avocados, lemons, and vegetables. One solution for the conservation of these important genetic resources is germplasm banks, linked to in vitro propagation, which is a biotechnological tool that allows healthy guava plants to be reproduced in small spaces and controlled conditions. In view of this, a methodology for the in vitro establishment of guava seeds was standardized. Four treatments were evaluated in a first experiment to improve aseptic conditions, then a second experiment was conducted to determine the best in vitro culture proposal, including scarified and non-scarified seeds to define the complete protocol. In the first experiment, T3 with 0.1% Tween^® 20 (polysorbate), 6 ml L^-1 Fractal^® (citrus seed extract), 5% chlorine, and 70% ethanol showed 95% asepsis. In the second experiment, from the in vitro establishment stage, T4, with seed scarified with activated charcoal, obtained 90% germination with a length of 4.05 cm. Finally, it was found that, using scarified seed, the MS culture medium supplemented with 2 g L^-1 of activated charcoal, 0.5 mg L^-1 of BAP and 7.5 g L^-1 of agar-agar was the best to establish the in vitro reproduction protocol.

Culture media for seed germination and seedling growth of Laelia autumnalis

Marcela Cabañas-Rodríguez — 2025-10-01

The orchid Laelia autumnalis is endemic to Mexico and is under special protection. In vitro culture has contributed to improving the propagation of orchids from seeds. In order to micropropagate this species, an experiment was established in 2023 to evaluate eight culture media: Murashige and Skoog (MS at 100, 75, 50 and 25%), Knudson C, Dalla Rosa and Laneri, Vacint and Went, and Lindemann; all media were supplemented with 0.5 mg L^-1 thiamine HCl, 100 mg L^-1 myo-inositol and 3% sucrose to determine the best medium for germination of this species. Seeds were disinfected with 0.3% sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) and sown in the media in a completely randomized design with 10 replications per treatment. Germination start and percentage were recorded; seedling height, leaf length and number, root number and length, and pseudobulb diameter were evaluated at 90 days. The 25 and 50% MS media generated a higher percentage of germination (84.57 and 72.54%, respectively), which began 29 days after seeding. Growth in height (5.6 mm), leaf length (4.54 mm) and root length (5.2 mm) were higher in the MS medium at 50%, where seedlings were green. It was concluded that the best culture medium for germination and growth of L. autumnalis seedlings was the MS at 50% concentration.

Determinants of the competitiveness of Mexican export tomatoes

Ignacio Caamal-Cauich — 2025-09-30

Mexico is one of the largest producers and exporters of tomatoes, among other products; the dominant role of this Mexican horticultural product in the international market is due to its competitiveness. The research aimed to analyze the behavior of the competitiveness of the Mexican tomato and identify the main factors that establish the fluctuations in the 1994-2021 period based on a standardized linear regression model. The findings of the research suggest that Mexico has a relative advantage in tomato production and is superior to its closest competitors: Spain and the Netherlands, although with different fluctuations over time. It has presented significant falls in the periods of Mexico’s trade liberalization and the 2007-2008 financial crisis; it is from 2016 when a period of ascent begins, with rates of 4.1% per year. Regarding the determinants of competitiveness, the most important are international unit prices and the carry-over effect of its competitors; a change of one standard deviation, ceteris paribus, was reflected in changes in its export performance ratio of 0.6846 and 0.821, respectively.

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

Delfina de Jesús Pérez-López — 2025-09-27

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

Disraeli Eron Moreno-Guerrero — 2025-09-23

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

Juan Manuel García-Andrade — 2025-09-20

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

Dulce Karen Figueroa-Figueroa — 2025-09-18

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

José Eduardo De la Sancha-Coria — 2025-09-15

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

Verónica Delgado-Pacheco — 2025-09-13

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

Mario Alberto Miranda-Salcedo — 2025-09-10

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

Dolores Javier Sánchez-González — 2025-09-07

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

Mavel Marcelo-Salvador — 2025-09-04

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

Luis Felipe Rincón-Manrique — 2025-09-03

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.