Can I speak to the manager? The gender dynamics of decision-making in Kenyan maize plots

Rachel Voss Zachary Gitonga Jason Donovan Mariana Garcia-Medina Pauline Muindi (2023, [Artículo])

Gender and social inclusion efforts in agricultural development are focused on making uptake of agricultural technologies more equitable. Yet research looking at how gender relations influence technology uptake often assumes that men and women within a household make farm management decisions as individuals. Relatively little is understood about the dynamics of agricultural decision-making within dual-adult households where individuals’ management choices are likely influenced by others in the household. This study used vignettes to examine decision-making related to maize plot management in 698 dual-adult households in rural Kenya. The results indicated a high degree of joint management of maize plots (55%), although some management decisions—notably those related to purchased inputs—were slightly more likely to be controlled by men, while other decisions—including those related to hiring of labor and maize end uses—were more likely to be made by women. The prevalence of joint decision-making underscores the importance of ensuring that both men’s and women’s priorities and needs are reflected in design and marketing of interventions to support maize production, including those related to seed systems, farmer capacity building, and input delivery.

Intrahousehold Jointness CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA GENDER HOUSEHOLDS MAIZE SEED SYSTEMS DECISION MAKING

Editorial: Conservation agriculture: knowledge frontiers around the world

Stéphane Cordeau ML JAT Cameron Pittelkow Christian Thierfelder (2023, [Artículo])

No-Tillage Direct Seeding Cover Crops Crop Diversification CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA COVER PLANTS DIVERSIFICATION CROPPING SYSTEMS DIRECT SOWING ZERO TILLAGE

Genome-wide association study presents insights into the genetic architecture of drought tolerance in maize seedlings under field water-deficit conditions

Ao Zhang (2023, [Artículo])

Erratic Rainfall Adverse Impacts Traditional Breeding Genome-Wide Association Study Field Drought CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA DROUGHT TOLERANCE MAIZE SEEDLING STAGE SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISM

Seed systems in Sudan: an annotated bibliography

Hugo De Groote Paswel Marenya (2023, [Libro])

CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA SEED SYSTEMS SEED INDUSTRY BIBLIOGRAPHIES

EGS planning, production, maintenance of inbred lines and Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC)

Fidelis Owino Berhanu Tadesse Ertiro (2022, [Objeto de congreso])

CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA INBRED LINES SEED QUALITY QUALITY CONTROL GENETIC MARKERS

Market Intelligence insights for groundnut breeding and seed systems in Tanzania

Pieter Rutsaert Kauê De Sousa Jacob van Etten Chris Ojiewo (2023, [Objeto de congreso])

CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA MARKET INTELLIGENCE GROUNDNUTS SEED SYSTEMS BREEDING FORAGE SOCIAL STRUCTURE

Bundling subsurface drip irrigation with no-till provides a window to integrate mung bean with intensive cereal systems for improving resource use efficiency

Manish Kakraliya madhu choudhary Mahesh Gathala Parbodh Chander Sharma ML JAT (2024, [Artículo])

The future of South Asia’s major production system (rice–wheat rotation) is at stake due to continuously aggravating pressure on groundwater aquifers and other natural resources which will further intensify with climate change. Traditional practices, conventional tillage (CT) residue burning, and indiscriminate use of groundwater with flood irrigation are the major drivers of the non-sustainability of rice–wheat (RW) system in northwest (NW) India. For designing sustainable practices in intensive cereal systems, we conducted a study on bundled practices (zero tillage, residue mulch, precise irrigation, and mung bean integration) based on multi-indicator (system productivity, profitability, and efficiency of water, nitrogen, and energy) analysis in RW system. The study showed that bundling conservation agriculture (CA) practices with subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) saved ~70 and 45% (3-year mean) of irrigation water in rice and wheat, respectively, compared to farmers’ practice/CT practice (pooled data of Sc1 and Sc2; 1,035 and 318 mm ha−1). On a 3-year system basis, CA with SDI scenarios (mean of Sc5–Sc8) saved 35.4% irrigation water under RW systems compared to their respective CA with flood irrigation (FI) scenarios (mean of Sc3 and Sc4) during the investigation irrespective of residue management. CA with FI system increased the water productivity (WPi) and its use efficiency (WUE) by ~52 and 12.3% (3-year mean), whereas SDI improved by 221.2 and 39.2% compared to farmers practice (Sc1; 0.69 kg grain m−3 and 21.39 kg grain ha−1 cm−1), respectively. Based on the 3-year mean, CA with SDI (mean of Sc5–Sc8) recorded −2.5% rice yield, whereas wheat yield was +25% compared to farmers practice (Sc1; 5.44 and 3.79 Mg ha−1) and rice and wheat yield under CA with flood irrigation were increased by +7 and + 11%, compared to their respective CT practices. Mung bean integration in Sc7 and Sc8 contributed to ~26% in crop productivity and profitability compared to farmers’ practice (Sc1) as SDI facilitated advancing the sowing time by 1 week. On a system basis, CA with SDI improved energy use efficiency (EUE) by ~70% and partial factor productivity of N by 18.4% compared to CT practices. In the RW system of NW India, CA with SDI for precise water and N management proved to be a profitable solution to address the problems of groundwater, residue burning, sustainable intensification, and input (water and energy) use with the potential for replication in large areas in NW India.

Direct Seeded Rice Subsurface Drip Irrigation Economic Profitability Energy and Nitrogen Efficiency CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE RICE SUBSURFACE IRRIGATION IRRIGATION SYSTEMS WATER PRODUCTIVITY ECONOMIC VIABILITY ENERGY EFFICIENCY NITROGEN-USE EFFICIENCY

CARACTERIZACIÓN Y DISTRIBUCIÓN DE GERMOPLASMA SILVESTRE DE Jatropha curcas L. (EUPHORBIACEAE) EN EL NOROESTE DE MÉXICO

CHARACTERIZATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF WILD GERMPLASM Jatropha curcas L. (EUPHORBIACEAE) IN THE NORTHWEST OF MEXICO

NIDIA ARAIZA LIZARDE MIGUEL ANGEL ANGULO ESCALANTE TEODORO REYNOSO GRANADOS MARIA MAGDALENA ORTEGA NIEBLAS Lilia Alcaráz Meléndez Pedro Cruz Hernández (2016, [Artículo])

"Se estudiaron tres poblaciones silvestres de Jatropha curcas L. en la región sur y centro de Sinaloa en los sitios de Estación Dimas, La Campana y El Quelite. Los objetivos fueron caracterizar morfológicamente las plantas y semillas, evaluar la relación de las variables morfológicas con los factores ambientales y analizar el potencial de distribución de las especies en Sinaloa considerando los factores ambientales registrados en los sitios de estudio. En cada sitio de estudio se realizó el conteo del número de individuos/m2 y se midió la altura, el diámetro de copa, el diámetro basal y el número de ramas. De cada sitio se obtuvo también el número de semillas por kilogramo, color, peso, longitud y ancho de la semilla. La altura de las plantas estuvo en un intervalo de 2.25 a 4.59 m, el diámetro de la copa fue de 2.24 a 4.48 m, el diámetro basal de 18.75-24.81 cm y el número de ramificaciones de 2 a 4. No se observaron diferencias significativas entre las características morfológicas de las plantas de Estación Dimas y el Quelite pero sí con respecto a La Campana. En ambos sitios se observó que la altura de las plantas fue favorecida cuando la temperatura y velocidad del viento fueron menores, y cuando la precipitación y humedad relativa fueron mayores. Las dimensiones de las semillas fueron, ancho 7.41 a 7.9 mm y longitud de 15.1 a 15.9 mm. La humedad de las semillas fue de 3.57 a 4.21%, y el color de las semillas fue de 60.80 a 65.64°Hue. La mayor densidad de individuos se encontró en Estación Dimas (21 ind/ha), pero la utilización del campo con fines agrícolas que se encuentra cercana a este ecotipo amenaza al desarrollo de la vegetación silvestre de este sitio. Por lo que el germoplasma de las poblaciones en estudio puede ser útil para elaboración de planes y manejos de conservación de la especie, además constituye una alternativa para el establecimiento de cultivos en el estado con especies propias de la región y, posiblemente, para otras regiones del país. Por otro lado, se observó que la especie tiene un alto potencial de distribución en el estado de Sinaloa principalmente en los municipios de Sinaloa de Leyva, Guasave, Guamúchil, Culiacán, Elota, San Ignacio, Mazatlán, Villa Unión, Concordia y Escuinapa."

"Three wild populations of Jatropha curcas in the central and southern parts of Sinaloa were studied; Estación Dimas, La Campana, and El Quelite. The objectives were to characterize plants and seeds morphologically to assess the relationship between morphologica traits and environmental factors and the potential distribution of the species considering environmental factors from the study sites. All individuals/m2 and number of branches were counted, and height, diameter of cup, and basal diameter were measured. The number of seeds per kilogram was obtained, as well as color, weight, and seed length and width. Plant height ranged from 2.25 to 4.59 m; the crown diameter from 2.24 to 4.48 m; basal diameter from 18.75 to 24.81 cm; and branch number 2 to 4. No significant differences were found in morphological characteristics between plants from Estación Dimas and El Quelite but those from La Campana were significantly smaller. Plant height was favored in sites with lower temperature, altitude, and wind speed, and with higher precipitation and relative humidity. Seed length ranged from 7.41 to 7.9 mm and seed width from 15.1 to 15.9 mm. Seed moisture ranged from 3.57 to 4.21%. The seed color ranged from 60.80 to 65.54° Hue. The highest tree density was found in Estación Dimas (21 ind/ha), but agricultural practices threatens the vegetation in this site. The species has a high potential for distribution in the southern and central parts of the state. Germplasm from the studied populations may be useful for plans and management for species conservation; they also constitute an alternative to the establishment of crops in the state of Sinaloa with typical species of the region and possibly other regions of the country. Moreover, it was observed that the species has a high potential for distribution in the state mainly in the municipalities of Sinaloa de Leyva, Guasave, Guamuchil, Culiacan, Elota, San Ignacio, Mazatlan, Villa Union, Concordia, and Escuinapa."

densidad, distribución, semilla density, distribution, seed BIOLOGÍA Y QUÍMICA CIENCIAS DE LA VIDA BIOLOGÍA VEGETAL (BOTÁNICA) SEMILLAS SEMILLAS

Seed integrity, effect of temperature and storage time on germination of Populus luziarum and P. primaveralepensis, endangered subtropical species from Mexico

César Jacobo Pereira MIGUEL ANGEL MUÑIZ CASTRO JOSE ANTONIO VAZQUEZ GARCIA Joel David Flores Rivas ALEJANDRO MUÑOZ URIAS FRANCISCO MARTIN HUERTA MARTINEZ (2022, [Artículo])

"Background: Populus luziarum and P. primaveralepensis are endemic species of western Mexico; growing in riparian forests they are critically endangered. The best way to conserve their seeds is unknown, which could be limiting for their conservation.

Hypothesis: The germinability of both subtropical species is like that of boreal and template Salicaceae species that disperse seeds in spring and early summer, as they germinate quickly with high percentages, and rapidly lose their viability when stored at ambient temperature.

Studied species: Populus luziarum and P. primaveralepensis. Study site and dates: Western Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. Jalisco, Mexico. October 2019.

Methods: The physical integrity of the seeds was assessed by X-ray imaging and compared with germinability. In addition, the effect of storage time (nine weeks) under two temperatures (4 and 21 °C) on the percentage and mean germination rate was evaluated.

Results: No significant differences were found between physical integrity and germination in freshly collected seeds for both species. Germination in the first 24 hrs was 91 and 95 % for Populus luziarum and P. primaveralepensis, respectively (week 0). Germination percentages were lower when stored at 21 °C, but P. primaveralepensis was decreased more slowly.

Conclusions: Seeds of subtropical Populus respond similarly to those of species from temperate and boreal climates with early seed dispersal, a crucial condition for establishing ex situ reforestation and conservation programs."

Salicaceae Seed physical integrity Seed storage conditions Subtropical endemic species White poplars BIOLOGÍA Y QUÍMICA CIENCIAS DE LA VIDA BIOLOGÍA VEGETAL (BOTÁNICA) BIOLOGÍA VEGETAL (BOTÁNICA)

Effect of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium on regional organic substrates in Agave salmiana production in Huichapan, Hidalgo, Mexico

EMILIO RAYMUNDO MORALES MALDONADO MONICA GUTIERREZ ROJAS RAMON JAIME HOLGUIN PEÑA Daniel Ruiz-Juárez Jorge Luis Vega Chávez Ana Cristina Reyes Godoy (2022, [Artículo])

"Mexico has 159 species of Agave spp. In the agri-food industry stand out are Agave tequilana, A. angustifolia, and A. salmiana. A limitation to producing maguey seedlings is the low availability of organic substrates that favor plant adaptation in the field. The objective was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) found in substrates in response to vegetative and root growth of A. salmiana in agricultural areas of Huichapan, Hidalgo, Mexico. The treatment consisted of earthworm humus (EH) and leaf compost (LC) substrates with materials from the region with different percentages of EH (100, 75, 50%), LC (5, 10%), and sand (20, 40%). The treatments were applied with 14 random replications in two phases in seeds and 40-day-seedlings. The variables evaluated were NPK amount and pH in substrates. The physiological variables measured were plant height, leaf number, stem diameter, root length, and volume. Significant differences (P≤0.05) were observed in seedling physiology due to the effect of the treatment. The best agronomic responses (plant growth and root length/weight) of Agave seedlings were T5 (75% earthworm humus + 20% sand + 5% leaf-soil) and T6 (50% earthworm humus + 40% sand + 10% leaf-soil); in both treatments, the NPK percentages were different from the control (Haplic Phaeozem soil) group. The final concentration of NPK in T6 was N = 0.04%, P = 398.13 mg Kg-1 and K = 11.88 meq 100g-1 . The results infer that NPK availability in soil and progressive acidification (initial pH = 8.6, final pH = 7.4) of the substrate can favorably influence the plant response. The interactions between NPK availability in the substrate and their use for a better response in maguey seedling adaptability open up new lines of research on the productive systems in the región of Huichapan, Hidalgo, Mexico."

maguey, nutritional quality, plant physiology, productive soils, seedling BIOLOGÍA Y QUÍMICA CIENCIAS DE LA VIDA BIOLOGÍA VEGETAL (BOTÁNICA) FERTILIDAD DEL SUELO FERTILIDAD DEL SUELO