Fodder scarcity during lean periods in Pakistan is a major concern of the farmers to feed their animals which can be reduced by sowing the potential perennial grasses like mombasa grass. Therefore, an experiment was carried out at University of Agriculture, Faisalabad in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with spilt plot arrangement using sowing methods (ridge sowing, bed sowing and line sowing) in main plots while, plant spacing (30 cm, 60 cm and 90 cm) in sub-plots. Collected data was analyzed statistically and difference in treatment means was determined by using LSD test at 5 % probability level. The maximum fresh forage yield (43.2 t ha-1) and dry matter yield (12.85 t ha-1) were recorded when crop was planted at 30 cm plant-plant distance on ridges (S1P1). However, highest crude protein (19.0 %) were observed with ridge sowing method and plant spacing 90 cm (S1P3), while plant space 60 cm provided a balance of fresh weight and crude protein. It is recommended from the observations that mombasa grass should be planted on ridges rather than beds and flat surfaces. Plant space of 60 cm may be adopted as practical compromise between yield and forage quality.
In agricultural production systems, crops are often exposed to suboptimal environmental conditions. Plant biostimulants (PBs) are inputs designed to enhance crop adaptation, growth, stress tolerance, and/or quality. An extensive body of research on this topic reports yield increases between 15% and 20%. The present study aimed to evaluate crop responses to PBs in Entre R & iacute;os region through field trials conducted on wheat (41 trials), soybean (37 trials), and corn (16 trials) across multiple growing seasons. Combined data showed that soybean and wheat yields were significantly increased with PB application-by 5% and 3,4%, respectively. Yield gains and agronomic efficiency were more pronounced in less favorable environments, with single applications proving more effective than multiple ones. In contrast, no yield benefits were observed in corn.
The sustainable agricultural model proposes reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and promoting alternatives that preserve soil health, produce nutritious food, and contribute to climate change mitigation. In this context, the use of beneficial microorganisms, such as phosphate-solubilizing fungi, is considered a biological strategy to improve nutrient availability, distinguishing itself from chemical fertilizers by its origin and mode of action. This research aimed to evaluate the effect of inoculation with Penicillium sp. or Aspergillus sp. individually, and in combination with four doses of rock phosphate (100 %, 75 %, 50%, and 25 %) to improve tomato plants under greenhouse conditions. The fungal strains Penicillium sp. A56, Aspergillus sp. Mu42, and Penicillium sp. Mu73 were isolated from agricultural soils in the state of Coahuila. Plants without inoculation or fertilization with phosphate rock were used as controls. Four months after inoculation, the concentrations of P in leaves, root, and substrate were determined. Growth variables were also evaluated, including plant height, root length, stem diameter, fresh and dry weight, number of flowers, and clusters. The results indicated that the best response was obtained with 75% rock phosphate, followed by 50%, and finally 25% and 100%, which showed similar performance. Penicillium sp. Mu73+ 75 % rock phosphate (RP) presented, on average, 3.1 times more available phosphorus concentrations in the substrate, whereas Aspergillus sp. Mu42+ 50 % RP and Aspergillus sp. Mu42+ 75 % RP presented, on average, 6.2 and 8.1 times larger leaves and higher root phosphorus concentrations, respectively, than did the control and the treatments with different doses of rock phosphate. In addition to increasing the concentration of phosphorus, the fungi improved some of the growth variables of the tomato plants. On average, the height, stem diameter, fresh and dry weight, number of flowers, and number of bunches increased by 27 %, 15 %, 62 %, 43 %, 5 %, and 20 % respectively, compared with those of both the control treatment and the plants treated with different doses of rock phosphate. Inoculation with these fungi, which solubilize phosphate from organic sources and act as plant growth promoters should be considered a viable option to reduce production costs associated with chemical fertilization and increase the nutritional status of crops to ensure food for future generations.
The wild pollinator fauna in peri-urban vegetable gardens of Rosario (Santa Fe, Argentina) remains largely unknown, despite the fact that numerous crops, such as Solanum lycopersicum var. platense (tomato), benefit from the activity of these insects. Although tomatoes can produce fruits through self-pollination, insect-mediated pollination significantly enhances fruit production. This study had two main objectives: (i) to compile an inventory of wild pollinators in peri-urban tomato gardens, and (ii) to quantify pollen deposition on stigmas caused by insect visits. Observations were conducted on 600 tomato inflorescences in four gardens, recording the abundance, frequency, and behavior of floral visitors. The amount of pollen deposition on stigmas of flowers exposed to visitors was compared with that on stigmas of flowers excluded from visitors (n = 96). Nine morphospecies were identified, five of which corresponded to bees capable of performing buzz pollination, with the family Halictidae standing out for its abundance (107 visits). Bees that collect pollen through buzzing accounted for the majority of visits. The exposed stigmas showed more than twice as many pollen grains as the stigmas of excluded flowers. Peri-urban gardens may function as foraging sites for native pollinators, contributing to an increase in pollination.
The dry forest plays an important role in the conservation of the world's greatest biodiversity and in the understanding of its dynamics and structure. However, it is highly vulnerable to contemporary anthropogenic ecological threats. For this reason, analysis of its impact on the structural richness of the dry forest in the "La Tomatera" sector of the Portoviejo Valley was permitted. Twenty 20 x 25 m plots of were established at random in a 100-hectare forest fragment; individuals >= 1 cm DBH (1.30 m) and <= 4.99 m height were recorded. These were used to identify forest species, determine richness, horizontal and vertical structure, and estimate the ecological Importance Value Index, and Shannon-Weaver, Simpson, and Margalef's richness indices, using nonparametric estimators in Estimates 9.1. In the forest inventory, 11 woody species corresponding to 9 botanical families were identified; the vertical and horizontal structure through the ACE and Chao1 accumulation curve showed a representativeness of 92% and 76%, respectively. In addition, its inverted J shape, with individuals mostly in the first diameter and altimetric classes, reflected a forest undergoing a recovery process. The ecological Importance Value Index showed that the most representative species are Ceiba trichistandra (A. Gray) Bakh., Cochlospermum vitifolium (Willd.) Spreng. and Neltuma juliflora (Sw.) Raf. The Shannon-Weaver and Simpson index estimated a diversity between medium and high, and the Margalef index established a low diversity and specific richness of forest species in the dry forest of the "La Tomatera" sector.
The loss of ecosystem services can be offset by periurban agroforestry programs, which can restore a sustainable productive environment in these areas. Our objective was to determine the soil suitability for pecan (Carya illinoinensis) production, and its geolocation in periurban areas of the Ludue & ntilde;a and San Lorenzo streams basins. We compared land attributes and pecan requirements for the edaphic units (EU) present within the 500-m strips under phytosanitary application restrictions. The attributes considered were: effective depth, subsurface texture, sodium alkalinity, salinity, drainage and risk of waterlogging. The area was defined with the "buffer" algorithm in QGIS software. The periurban area covered 16,194 ha and comprised 24 cartographic units made up of one or more EUs. We found that 68% of periurban lands are suitable for pecan production, matching their suitability for general uses, whereas unsuitable lands have high sodium content and poor drainage. This evaluation will make it possible to relate biophysical and urban capabilities in periurban areas of southern Santa Fe, allowing the design of cropping systems and value chains for pecans, in harmony with the environment and the development of the region.
Vast areas of Argentina are covered by rangelands, which provide important ecosystem services. Traditionally, livestock farming has been the main productive activity in these environments, with the use of fire as a common management practice. Although burning stimulates the regrowth of grasses with better forage quality, it also poses environmental challenges due to the emission of CO2eq into the atmosphere. In response to the growing demand for renewable energy sources, rangelands under livestock production systems with frequent burning present a sustainable alternative for bioenergy production. In the province of Santa Fe, rangelands dominated by Spartina argentinensis in the Bajos Submeridionales region, which covers more than two million hectares, have high potential for bioenergy production without compromising the existing biodiversity. This work focuses on the development and evaluation of predictive models for S. argentinensis biomass using spectral images obtained by drones. Multiple linear regression and classification models were developed, considering spectral variables, site, and seasons, to predict total biomass and its green and senescent fractions. The models obtained to estimate the total biomass of Spartina explained up to 62% of its variability. The green and senescent biomass fractions were predicted with greater accuracy, showing an R-2 of 66% for both. These findings highlight the potential of remote sensing technology to optimize the planning and sustainable management of biomass resources in Argentine grasslands.
In view of the important growth of rapeseed (Brassica napus) in recent years in Uruguay, this paper describes and analyzes the rapeseed value chain in Uruguay for the 2021/2022 crop, with the aim of quantifying the Gross Value Added of the chain. Five phases and their respective interactions were defined, and costs and Gross Value of Production were estimated and analyzed for each of them. These values were used to create an input-output matrix, resulting in a Gross Value of Production of U$S 601,576,000 and costs amounting to U$S 381,162,000, which generated a Gross Value Added of U$S 220,414,000. From these values, it can be concluded that the agricultural phase was the one that added the greatest value to the chain (38%), followed by the agricultural services phase, which contributed 14%, and the input supply phase, with 10%. In addition, since 77% of the rapeseed crop was exported, involving minimal grain transformation processes, the storage and export phase only contributed 9% to Gross Value Added. The industrial phase represented 8% of the total Gross Value Added of the chain because only 23% of rapeseed production was industrialized. Regarding the Gross Value Added in relation to the Gross Value of Production, the agricultural phase accounted for 42%; industry for 24%; and the storage and export phase for 11%. Finally, the Gross Value Added of the rapeseed value chain in Uruguay for the 2021/2022 harvest was 37%.
A soil incubation with vinasse was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions (humidity and temperature) to study vinasse decomposition in five soils representative of the area cultivated with sugarcane in Uruguay. Three doses of vinasse, equivalent to 125, 250, and 375 m (3) ha (-1) , and a control without vinasse, were used to evaluate the evolution of the chemical parameters pH, EC, available P, and mineral N. Soil sampling was taken 14 and 180 days after the start of the experiment. In addition, the microbial respiration rate was determined by measuring CO (2) production for 140 days. The vinasse did not produce significant changes in pH or available P after 180 days of incubation. Significant differences were observed between soils in respiration rates, which increased with the application of vinasse, with no differences between soils from day 20 onward. Regarding N mineralization, its rate was variable in the experimental soils and in most cases, the vinasse was insufficient in its contribution of N as a substrate for microbial activity.
En Argentina, los pastizales naturales cubren vastas áreas, prestando importantes servicios ecosistémicos. Tradicionalmente, la ganadería ha sido la principal actividad productiva en estos ambientes, con el uso del fuego como práctica de manejo habitual. Aunque las quemas estimulan el rebrote de pastos con mejor calidad forrajera, también resultan en la emisión de CO2eq a la atmósfera, lo que plantea desafíos ambientales. Ante la creciente demanda de fuentes de energía renovable, los pastizales naturales, manejados en sistemas ganaderos con quemas frecuentes, se presentan como una alternativa sustentable para la producción de bioenergía. En la provincia de Santa Fe, los espartillares dominados por Spartina argentinensis en los Bajos Submeridionales, abarcando más de dos millones de hectáreas, tienen un elevado potencial para la producción de bioenergía sin comprometer la biodiversidad existente. Este trabajo se centra en el desarrollo y evaluación de modelos predictivos de biomasa de S. argentinensis utilizando imágenes espectrales obtenidas mediante drones. Se desarrollaron modelos de regresión lineal múltiple y de clasificación, considerando variables espectrales, sitio y estaciones del año, para predecir la biomasa total y sus fracciones verdes y senescentes. Los modelos obtenidos para estimar la biomasa total del espartillo permitieron explicar hasta el 62% de su variabilidad. Las fracciones de la biomasa verde y senescente pudieron ser predichas con mayor precisión, presentando un R2 de 66% para cada una de ellas. Estos hallazgos destacan el potencial de la tecnología de teledetección para optimizar la planificación y manejo sostenible de recursos biomásicos en los pastizales argentinos.
Se realizó una incubación de suelo con agregado de vinaza en condiciones controladas de laboratorio (humedad y temperatura), con el fin de estudiar la descomposición de la vinaza en cinco suelos representativos del área cultivada con caña de azúcar en el Uruguay. Se utilizaron tres dosis de vinaza, equivalentes a 125, 250 y 375 m3 ha-1 y un testigo sin vinaza, para evaluar la evolución de los parámetros químicos pH, CE, P disponible y N mineral. Los muestreos de suelo se realizaron a los 14 y 180 días de iniciado el experimento. Además, se determinó la tasa de respiración microbiana midiendo la producción de CO2 durante 140 días. La vinaza no produjo cambios significativos en el pH ni en el P disponible luego de 180 días de incubación. Se observaron diferencias significativas entre suelos en las tasas de respiración, las cuales se incrementaron con la aplicación de vinaza, no mostrando diferencias entre suelos del día 20 en adelante. En cuanto a la mineralización de N, su tasa fue variable en los suelos del experimento y en la mayoría de los casos, la vinaza fue insuficiente en su aporte de N como sustrato para la actividad microbiana.
Debido al marcado crecimiento del cultivo de colza en Uruguay en los últimos años, se describe y analiza la cadena de valor para la zafra 2021/2022, con el objetivo de cuantificar el Valor Agregado Bruto de la cadena. Se definen cinco fases y sus respectivas interacciones, y de estas se estiman y analizan costos y el Valor Bruto de Producción. Se utilizan estos valores para crear una matriz insumo-producto, y como resultado se obtiene un Valor Bruto de Producción de 601.576.000 de U$S, costos por 381.162.000 de U$S, lo que genera un Valor Agregado Bruto de 220.414.000 de U$S. De estos valores se concluye que la fase agrícola es la que mayor valor agrega a la cadena (38%), seguido de la fase de servicios agrícolas, aportando un 14%, y la fase de provisión de insumos con un 10%. Además, el 77% del grano de colza producido tiene como destino la exportación, en donde son mínimos los procesos de transformación del grano, de manera que la fase de almacenamiento y exportación solamente aporta 9% del Valor Agregado Bruto. La fase industrial representa un 8% del Valor Agregado Bruto total de la cadena debido a que solo el 23% de la producción de colza es industrializada. En cuanto al Valor Agregado Bruto en relación al Valor Bruto de Producción, se puede observar que la fase agrícola representa el 42%, la industria un 24% y la fase de acopio y exportación un 11%. Para finalizar, el Valor Agregado Bruto de la cadena de valor de la colza en Uruguay para la zafra 2021/2022 es del 37%.
La pérdida de servicios ecosistémicos puede contrarrestarse con programas agroforestales que recuperen un entorno productivo sostenible en los periurbanos (PU). Nuestro objetivo fue determinar el nivel de aptitud del suelo para pecán (Carya illinoinensis) y su geolocalización en los PU de las cuencas de los Arroyos Ludueña y San Lorenzo. Para ello se compararon atributos de las tierras con requisitos del cultivo para las unidades edáficas (UE) presentes en el área con restricciones fitosanitarias de 500 m. Los atributos considerados fueron: profundidad efectiva, textura subsuperficial, alcalinidad sódica, salinidad, drenaje y riesgo de anegamiento. Se utilizó el algoritmo “buffer” aplicado en entorno del software QGIS para recortar el área. El PU abarcó 16.194 ha y 24 unidades cartográficas integradas por una o más UE. Las tierras aptas para pecán ocuparon el 68% del PU y coinciden con las de mayor aptitud general, mientras que las no aptas presentan alto contenido de sodio y mal drenaje. Esta evaluación permitirá relacionar capacidades biofísicas y urbanas, posibilitando el diseño productivo y de cadenas de valor para pecán en los periurbanos del sur santafesino, en armonía con el ambiente y con el desarrollo de la región.
En Río Negro, el tizón bacteriano es la principal enfermedad del cultivo de nogal. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la incidencia de la enfermedad, sobre los frutos en diferentes estados de desarrollo y determinar el daño que produce sobre las nueces destinadas para la comercialización con cáscara, en dos cultivares en los valles Inferior y Medio. Los muestreos se realizaron durante dos temporadas (2018/19 y 2019/20). La incidencia de la enfermedad en fruto (IEF), se determinó desde noviembre a marzo, sobre muestras de los cultivares Chandler y Franquette. Para determinar el daño externo sobre la cáscara y el daño en cáscara y semilla, se observaron y clasificaron las muestras del último muestreo. En Valle Inferior en ambas temporadas, la IEF registró diferencias significativas entre los cultivares para cada fecha, siendo mayor en Chandler. Los resultados similares se observaron en el 2018/19, en Valle Medio y en el 2019/20, entre cultivares no se registró diferencias. En ambos valles en el 2018/19, Chandler presentó un mayor porcentaje de daño sobre la cáscara. Los valores registrados en Valle inferior, exceden los límites de tolerancia para la comercialización con cáscara en Chandler, para ambas temporadas. En 2018/19 y 2019/20 Franquette calificó como categoría extra, mientras que en Valle Medio ambos cultivares se ubicaron en distintas categorías. Los valores de daños en cáscara y semilla fueron similares, en los dos valles.
La autenticación de la miel de Apis mellifera L. es importante para proteger a los consumidores de la ingesta de miel adulterada. Las técnicas tradicionales de autenticación de la miel como la espectroscopía infrarroja (FTIR) y la espectroscopía UV-visible, solas o acompañadas de la espectroscopía infrarroja cercana (VIS-NIR) requieren de técnicas sofisticadas y especialistas altamente entrenados. Por esta razón, esta investigación propone una prueba simple, de bajo costo y eficaz para la autenticación de la miel. En este sentido, el objetivo de la presente investigación fue validar la “Prueba del Té” en la autenticación de 16 muestras de miel obtenidas de apiarios y tiendas comerciales de Trujillo, Perú. Cada muestra fue procesada por los métodos “Prueba del Té” y por espectroscopía UV visible en el rango de 190 - 850 nm. Los resultados de la “Prueba del Té” fueron comparados con los resultados de la espectroscopía UV-Visible. Ambas técnicas mostraron concordancia entre ellas en la autenticación de la miel natural y la miel adulterada. Por esta razón, la “Prueba del Té” es una técnica válida para la autenticación de la miel de abejas.
The objective of this research was to identify the tree species used in feeding cattle, as well as their density and nutritional value in Sinaloa, Mexico. The study was carried out through monthly samplings and a survey to producers. The variables evaluated were Dry Matter (DM), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), Cellular Content (CC), Potential Dry Matter intake (PDMI), Digestible Energy (DE), Net Energy for maintenance (NEm), Net Energy forgain (NEg), Net Energy for lactation (NEl), Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) and Growing Degree Days (GDD). The results showed the following order of tree consumption preference by cattle: (1) Lysiloma divaricatum, (2) Acacia farnesiana, (3) Ebenopsis ebony, (4) Tabebuia rosea, (5) Guazuma ulmifolia and (6) Chloroleucon mangense Jacq. The NDF content was the highest in Tabebuia rosea (54.4%) as well as in ADF (42.8%) and Ebenopsis ebano was the lowest (19.3%). The highest content was observed in Ebenopsis ebano (4.9%) and Acacia farnesiana (3.7%). The highest NEl content was observed in Tabebuia rosea (1.99 Mcal/kg DM), and the lowest in Guazuma ulmifolia (1.26 Mcal/kg DM). Ebenopsis ebano showed, the highest content was observed in NEl (1.86 Mcal/kg DM) and the lowest was observed in Tabebuia rosea (1.22 Mcal/kg DM). A significant difference (P<0.05) was observed in the accumulation of average GDD per day by forage species. Acacia farnesiana is the forage tree with the highest consumption by cattle and the one that presented the highest density in the sampled area. Chloroleucon mangense is the second most important species, despite its low density in the study area. GDD were higher in the summer season, while the lowest amount occurred in autumn, which was reflected in differences in the quality and quantity of the forage.
Authentication of Apis mellifera honey is important to protect consumers from adulterated honey ingestion. Traditional honey authentication techniques such as infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-Visible spectroscopy, alone or accompanied by near- infrared spectroscopy (VIS-NIR) require sophisticated techniques and highly trained specialists. For this reason, this research proposes a simple, low-cost, and effective test for honey authentication. Thus, the goal of this research was to validate the "Tea Test" to verify authenticity of 16 honey samples taken from apiaries and commercial stores from Trujillo, Per & uacute;. Each sample was processed by UV-visible Spectroscopy in the range of 190 - 850 nm and by the "Tea Test" method. "Tea Test" results were compared with UV-Visible spectroscopy results. Both techniques showed similar results for natural and adulterated honey identification. Thus, it was concluded that the"Tea Test" is a valid method for bee honey authentication.
The "chimarrao" is a typical drink in the south of Brazil made by the infusion of leaves and fine branches of yerba mate ( Ilex paraguariensis). In this work, we performed hydroalcoholic extraction (conventional method) to compare the constituents extracted in 30% ethanol with the constituents extracted from the aqueous medium, simulating the constituents ingested during the consumption of chimarr & atilde;o. The constituents extracted at temperatures close to 60 degrees C and 70 degrees C were investigated. The results from colorimetric identification indicated extraction of catechins and flavonols at both temperatures, depending on the region and origin of the yerba mate. The presence of free flavonols, flavonones, flavonols and xanthones and their heterosides occurs at 60 degrees C, also depending on the region and origin of the yerba mate. The total anthocyanin content of commercial yerba mate sold in the southwest region of Paran & aacute;, Brazil, was determined using ultraviolet visible spectroscopy. The values of the anthocyanin cyanidin-3-glucoside in the yerba mate samples analyzed were 4.09 +/- 0.26% and 4.10 +/- 0.37%. Since anthocyanins are flavonoids with antioxidant action, chimarr & atilde;o consumption enhances dietary intake of antioxidants. The phytochemical evaluation of yerba mate extracts by colorimetric identification and investigation of the anthocyanin content in commercial yerba mate performed in this study represent a contribution towards addressing Principle 7 of Green Chemistry (Use of Raw Materials from Renewable Sources) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals focused on zero hunger and sustainable agriculture (Goal 2); good health and well-being (Goal 3); quality education (Goal 4); sustainable cities and communities (Goal 11); and responsible consumption and production (Goal 12).
En la Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias (UNR) se dicta la carrera ingeniería agronómica, según lo establecido por las Actividades Reservadas al Título Profesional N°1254/2018, la Resolución Ministerial N°1537/2021 y la Ordenanza de Planes de Estudio UNR N°759/2022. Dentro de este marco normativo, se destaca el deber de formar graduados comprometidos con la higiene, la seguridad y el impacto ambiental en lo concerniente a la intervención profesional. La Enseñanza para la Comprensión (EpC) ofrece un enfoque pedagógico adecuado para lograr la construcción de conocimientos, habilidades y valores contextualizados en la compleja, incierta y riesgosa realidad agropecuaria, así como para alcanzar una comprensión profunda de la disciplina con relación a la práctica profesional. El objetivo de la investigación fue evaluar los beneficios de una innovación pedagógica-didáctica implementada en Anatomía y Fisiología Animal durante el año 2023, basada en la EpC y enfocada en fortalecer la formación profesional según lo dispuesto por la normativa. La metodología cualitativa, enmarcada en los paradigmas hermenéutico y socio-crítico, combinó dos técnicas: Análisis de contenido de documentos (producciones del estudiantado) y Encuesta cualitativa (cuestionario semiestructurado aplicado por Plataforma Comunidades UNR), y los datos fueron analizados e interpretados aplicando el método Teoría Fundamentada. Los resultados corroboran que la EpC no solo posibilitó mejorar los aspectos disciplinares y pedagógicos, sino que, además, fortaleció la formación con relación a la higiene, seguridad e impacto ambiental. No obstante, hubo evidencias que advierten sobre la necesidad de reforzar la formación general para la construcción de valores ciudadanos indispensables para habitar responsablemente el planeta.
