Water scarcity in arid and semi-arid regions limits the sustainability of livestock systems, making it necessary to evaluate forage crops with greater water use efficiency. Lotus corniculatus L. has emerged as an alternative due to its nutritional value and tolerance to environmental stress conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic performance of five ecotypes and one variety of L. corniculatus grown under optimal soil moisture content (OSMC) and suboptimal soil moisture content (SSMC) conditions in open fields in Northern Mexico. During spring and under SSMC, ecotype 255301, and the Estanzuela Ganador (EG) variety showed significantly higher values in stem length and number; likewise, EG registered the highest leaf area index (LAI) under OSMC. In summer, ecotypes 255305 and 255301 showed the best performance in stem length and rhizome crown diameter (RCD) under OSMC, while EG stood out in LAI. Fresh biomass production per rhizome (FBPR) in spring showed slight variations among the genetic materials under OSMC, while under SSMC, EG, and ecotype 255301 recorded the highest FBPR values (577.3 and 547.6 g, respectively). In summer and under OSMC, ecotype 255301 and EG maintained the highest FBPR (321.6 and 303.5 g, respectively), while ecotype 255301 showed the highest productivity (333.6 g) under SSMC.

Nopal is a succulent plant with a crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) pathway that allows it to adapt to dry environments. The study aimed to evaluate plant growth, cladode development and fresh forage yield responses to zeolite application in three nopal (Opuntia spp.) morphotypes under water deficit conditions. A randomized complete block design in a split-plot arrangement with three replicates was used. The main plots consisted of zeolite doses applied to the soil: 10 and 20 t ha-1, and the control without application. The split plots were the nopal morphotypes identified as C-CH, C-NA and C-HE. Soil moisture content (SMC) was maintained at approximately 15.6 % above the permanent wilting point (PWP) (13 %) during the study period. Higher soil moisture contents were recorded in May, August and September 2024, associated with irrigation (May) and rainfall (August and September) with values of 15.4, 14.5 and 36.4%, respectively, compared to the control, where zeolite was not applied. Plant growth responses varied according to the zeolite dose and nopal morphotype. In the C-CH morphotype, plant height, width and thickness of cladode were larger in 15.3, 9.2 and 7.8 %, respectively, when applying 20 t ha-1 of zeolite at the first percentage value, and 10 t ha-1 in the second and third percentage values, and 15.3 % higher in fresh forage yield (FFY) when applying 20 t ha-1, all this compared to the control, whereas the C-HE morphotype had a 35.1 % increase in cladodes per plant at 20 t ha-1 dose of zeolite compared to the control; the FFY in the C-NA morphotype is enhanced by increasing the zeolite dose. In conclusion, Opuntia spp. is a viable option for fresh forage production, and productivity can be significantly improved by applying a soil moisture retainer and biostimulant agent, such as zeolite, to mitigate water stress in drought conditions.

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a strategic crop whose sustainable production depends on symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. However, the composition and functional potential of the nodule microbiome in varieties adapted to semi-arid regions, such as northern Mexico, remain poorly documented. Therefore, this study evaluated the influence of host genotype on nodule-associated bacterial communities in three improved varieties (Pinto Bravo, NOD1, and Jamapa) under conventional management, using high-throughput sequencing of the V3-V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene. Alpha and beta diversity analyses showed no significant differences among varieties, indicating a similar nodular microbiome regardless of genotype. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota predominated, suggesting a conserved microbial core. At the genus level, Rhizobium was the most abundant taxon, while non-rhizobial genera such as Acinetobacter and the JC017 lineage were also detected. Functional prediction using PICRUSt2 revealed conserved metabolic profiles, with dominant pathways associated with amino acid biosynthesis, carbon metabolism, aerobic respiration, and fatty acid biosynthesis, indicating metabolic redundancy linked to tolerance to osmotic, thermal, and oxidative stress. The results suggest that under semi-arid conditions, the symbiotic interaction is governed by mechanisms at the host species level (P. vulgaris), which ensure the recruitment of a functional core microbiome, whereas intraspecific variation among improved varieties may influence the recruitment of specific accessory taxa.

Nopal cladode mucilage is a product of great importance in fodder, agri-food, industry, and health areas. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of three soil moisture contents on some physiological and chemical variables associated with the mucilage yield and quality of three morphotypes of fodder nopal (Opuntia spp.). A randomized block experimental design in a split–split plot arrangement with three replicates was used. The large plots represented the following soil moisture contents (SMC): optimum soil moisture content (OSMC) from 22 to 27%; suboptimum soil moisture content (SSMC) from 16 to 21%; and deficient soil moisture content (DSMC) from 10 to 15%. The subplots consisted of three cactus pear genotypes identified by the following IDs: C-CH, -C-NA, and C-HE. The relative water content (RWC) was significantly higher in the C-HE morphotype across each soil moisture content, and the lowest value was recorded in C-NA with OSMC; -C-CH had the lowest values in SSMC and DSMC, with 71.3% and 44.3%, respectively. There were slight variations in chlorophyll with SSMC; the C-NA and C-CH morphotypes had significantly higher chlorophyll contents, with values of 10.3 mg g−1 100 FW of chlorophyll a. and 5.87 mg 100 g−1 FW of chlorophyll b. The C-CH morphotype had the best mucilage yield, with 800 mL kg−1 FW and 712.6 mL kg−1 FW in OSMC and SSMC, respectively; DSMC showed the lowest yield at 552.3 mL kg−1 FW. The quality of cladode mucilage by treatment did not vary by soil moisture content or among nopal morphotypes. Additionally, there was a positive correlation among the relative water content and the chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll contents with the yield of the nopal cladode mucilage, but not with the ash content or total solids as variables of mucilage quality vs. yield.

Aloe vera is well known for its high tolerance to adverse environmental conditions. However, the molecular pathways governing its adaptive response mechanisms to abiotic stress remain unclear. Thus, the expression of AOG, ABA2, and GMMT genes in Aloe vera plants subjected to saline-water stress was evaluated, with the expression of key genes significantly influenced by stress response. AOG and GMMT expression levels were higher under field capacity (FC) than under water deficit (PWP), with AOG reaching ~4.3% under 40 mM salinity at FC. In contrast, ABA2 was strongly upregulated under PWP, particularly at 40 mM salinity, with expression increasing up to fivefold compared to the control. However, salinity above 40 mM led to reduced ABA2 expression. GMMT was overexpressed (~6%) under severe stress, while mannose content increased significantly with salinity but remained unaffected by soil moisture. These findings highlight gene-specific responses to combined stress.

El cultivo de alfalfa Medicago sativa L. lo limita las pudriciones de la corona (Rhizoctonia solani) y texana (Phymatotrichopsis omnivora), la salinidad y la compactación del suelo. Para atenuar las pudriciones del cultivo, los objetivos fueron a nivel de laboratorio evaluar métodos de inoculación de Trichoderma spp., en semilla de alfalfa y en campo, evaluar parámetros agronómicos y pudriciones de la corona y texana, después de inocular la semilla con T. harzianum (T) cincelado profundo del suelo (C) y desinfestación reductiva del suelo (D), las combinaciones C+T, C+D, D+C+T y como testigo (Te) semilla sin inocular y suelo sin tratar. Placas (PDA) de T. harzianum de 1, 2, 4, 8 y 10 d de crecimiento se utilizaron para colocar semillas de alfalfa previamente germinadas (Sg) o sin germinar (Sng), después de 17 d, el tamaño y supervivencia de las plántulas de Sng fue mayor a sus correspondientes Sg (Tukey p< 0.05). En el campo, el peso y tamaño de plantas de D+C+T vs Te fueron entre (27-35) y (9-3)% mayor, respectivamente, pero sin significancia estadística. Únicamente en un primer muestreo, se detectó un 30% más rendimiento de D+C+T con respecto al Te (Tukey p= 0.05). La calidad, rendimiento y plantas por m2 de la alfalfa fue similar a lo previamente reportado.

Irrigation water salinity poses escalating threats to agricultural sustainability in degraded agroecosystems. This study has investigated the effects of magnetized versus non-magnetized saline water on the soil physicochemical properties and forage productivity of three Lotus corniculatus L. genotypes (salt-sensitive ecotype 232098, moderately salt-tolerant San Gabriel, and salt-tolerant Estanzuela Ganador) in arid northern Mexico. A split-plot randomized block design with three replicates assigned saline water treatments (magnetized [MWT] vs. non-magnetized [NMWT]) to main plots and genotypes to subplots. After one year of irrigation, MWT significantly attenuated soil salinization, evidenced by 23% lower electrical conductivity (5.8 vs. 7.2 dS·m⁻1), a 26% reduced sodium adsorption ratio (6.2 vs. 8.4), and a 41% decreased sodium concentration (20.7 vs. 35.4 meq·L⁻1) compared to NMWT (p < 0.05). Although agronomic traits (stem dimensions, leaf area index, and rhizome proliferation) exhibited salt sensitivity from the third season onward, fresh biomass yield remained unaffected by water treatment. Genotypic differences dominated productivity. Estanzuela Ganador achieved superior biomass in both seasons (288.9 g/rhizome in fall; 184.2 g in winter), outperforming San Gabriel by 15.8% and ecotype 232098 by 56.8% (p < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that magnetized saline water irrigation effectively mitigates soil salinity progression, while genotype selection critically determines forage productivity under arid conditions. Estanzuela Ganador emerges as the optimal cultivar for saline irrigation systems in water-scarce regions.

Drought and water scarcity are some of the most important challenges facing agricultural producers in dry environments. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of algae extract and zeolite in terms of their biostimulant action on water stress tolerance to obtain better growth and production of tomato Lycopersicum esculentum L. grown in an open field under suboptimum and deficient soil moisture content. Large plots had a suboptimum soil moisture content (SSMC) of 25% ± 2 [28% below field capacity (FC)] and deficient soil moisture content (DSMC) of 20% ± 2 [11% above permanent wilting point (PWP)]; both soil moisture ranges were based on field capacity FC (32%) and PWP (18%). Small plots had four treatments: algae extract (AE) 50 L ha−1 and zeolite (Z) 20 t ha−1, a combination of both products (AE + Z) 25 L ha−1 and 10 t h−1, and a control (without application of either product). By applying AE, Z, and AE + Z, plant height, plant vigor, and chlorophyll index were significantly higher compared to the control by 20.3%, 10.5%, and 22.3%, respectively. The effect on relative water content was moderate—only 2.6% higher than the control applying AE, while the best treatment for the photosynthesis variable was applying Z, with a value of 20.9 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1, which was 18% higher than the control. Consequently, tomato yield was also higher compared to the control by 333% and 425% when applying AE and Z, respectively, with suboptimum soil moisture content. The application of the biostimulants did not show any mitigating effect on water stress under soil water deficit conditions close to permanent wilting. These findings are relevant to water-scarce agricultural areas, where more efficient irrigation water use is imperative. Plant biostimulation through organic and inorganic extracts plays an important role in mitigating environmental stresses such as those caused by water shortages, leading to improved production in vulnerable agricultural areas with extreme climates.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a water limitation in different ecotypes and one variety of Lotus corniculatus L. on the production of secondary metabolites and their antioxidant activity in response to a water deficit (WD) through other seasonal times. A randomized block experimental design with three replicates was used. Two levels of soil water content and five genotypes were arranged in a factorial way (2 × 5) with ten treatments for replication. The 255301 ecotype showed significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) concentrations of total phenols, with a concentration of 86.6 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE)/gram of fresh weight (gFW); total flavonoids, with a concentration of 63.2 mg Quercetin Equivalent (QE)/gFW); total tannins (71.7 mg GAE/gFW); and radical scavenging activity, with an average of 200 mg Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC)/gFW) in winter under a WD. The 255305 ecotype showed an increase in radical scavenging activity of 230 mg (TEAC)/gFW) and a total tannin concentration of 65.3 mg GAE/gFW in winter and spring, respectively, under a WD. The 255301 ecotype showed an increase in the concentration of total saponins (254.8 mg saponins/gFW) in summer under a WD. All these responses were triggered to mitigate a water deficit and extreme temperatures.

This study aimed to evaluate the response to water deficit of different ecotypes and a variety of Lotus corniculatus on growth, productivity, and yield components, through seasonal times. A randomized block experimental design in a 2 × 5 factorial arrangement with three replicates was used. The first variation factor was soil moisture contents: field capacity (FC) was 26.5% ± 1.5, and water deficit (WD) was 85% of FC (22.5% ± 1.5); the second variation factor was the ecotypes identified with the codes 255301, 255305, 202700 and 226792 and of the variety Estanzuela Ganador. The best responses in plant cover and weight of accumulated fresh biomass were obtained in the ecotype 202700 under WD, with values of 1649.0 cm2 and 583.7 g plant−1, and 1661.2 cm2 and 740.1 g plant−1 in ecotype 255305 under FC. The leaf clover was the main component of yield during the summer and autumn seasons. Ecotype 226792 was tolerant to low temperatures during the winter season with better leaf development. Ecotype 202700 is the best option for forage clover production when water is limited, and ecotype 255305 when water is not resource-limited, but these preliminary conclusions need to be confirmed in field studies.

O Objective: To evaluate the leaf nutrient content of four accessions and one variety of Lotus corniculatus L. trefoil throughout the seasons of the year and under optimum and sub-optimal soil moisture content, established under a shade mesh in northern Mexico. Design/Methodology/Approach: During the 2021-2022 period, an experimental randomized block design, in a split-plot arrangement, with three replicates was established. The large plots had an optimum (26±1.5%) and sub-optimal (22±1.5%) soil moisture content. The small plots consisted of the trefoil accessions: 255301, 255305, 202700, 226792 origin code, and the Estanzuela Ganador variety. Results: At optimum soil moisture content, the 202700 accessions recorded a K deficiency throughout the year. Meanwhile, regardless of the soil moisture content, the 255301 accessions recorded a Mg and a Mn deficiency only in summer. N, P, Fe, and Mn recorded deficient contents: N and P throughout the year and Fe and Mn only in winter and spring. Study Limitations/Implications: These results could require a field validation, since the experiment was carried out in semi-controlled conditions, under shade mesh. Findings/Conclusions: Developing an adequate annual nutrition program for L. corniculatus L. that improves its forage productivity requires several key factors, including the behavior of the nutritional status (dependent on the type of nutrient), the growth stage of the plant, the season of the year, and the soil moisture content.

El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la respuesta del índice de área foliar y productividad forrajera de genotipos del trébol Lotus corniculatus bajo dos contenidos de humedad del suelo en condiciones de malla-sombra. Se usó un diseño experimental de bloques al azar en arreglo de parcelas divididas con tres repeticiones. Las parcelas grandes fueron los contenidos de humedad en el suelo: óptimo (COHS: 26 % ± 1.5) y subóptimo (CSHS: 22 % ± 1.5); y las parcelas chicas las accesiones de L. corniculatus: 255301, 255305, 202700, 226792 y la variedad Estanzuela Ganador. Las variables medidas fueron el índice de área foliar (IAF), producción de biomasa en materia seca (MS) (g planta-1), tasa de incremento de forraje seco (TIFS) (g planta-1 dia-1) y relación hoja/tallo (H/T), más las variables climáticas de temperatura (°C) y humedad relativa (%) en la malla sombra. La accesión 255305 fue la de mejor respuesta en IAF, MS y TIFS, con valores de 3.2, 94.9 g planta-1 y 0.30 g planta-1 d-1, respectivamente, en COHS; en tanto que Estanzuela Ganador tuvo la mejor respuesta en IAF en CSHS. No hubo diferencias (P≤0.05) entre los materiales genéticos evaluados en MS y TIFS con valores promedios de 82.4 g planta-1 y de 0.26 g planta-1 día-1, respectivamente. Las accesiones 255301 y 226792 fueron las de mejor relación H/T con valores de 2.9 y 2.5, respectivamente. En general, el mejor comportamiento productivo en términos de MS se tuvo en primavera, verano, y verano-otoño con valores de 17.5, 11.7 y 17.7 g planta-1, respectivamente.

La higuerilla (Ricinus communis L.) es una planta que tiene diferentes beneficios, como la producción de biodiesel y la biorremediación de suelo. Debido a lo anterior, se evaluó la capacidad de la higuerilla para extraer arsénico (As). Para ello, se realizó un diseño experimental de bloques al azar con cuatro repeticiones. Los tratamientos evaluados consistieron en dos tipos de biosólidos (biosólidos de lagunas de oxidación (BLO) y biosólidos de lodos activados (BLA) y cuatro dosis de As (0, 25, 50, 100 mg kg-1), bajo condiciones de invernadero. La concentración de As se determinó por espectrometría de masas por plasma acoplado inductivamente (ICP-MS). A partir de la cuantificación de As se estimó el factor de translocación (FT) y el factor de bioacumulación (FB). El contenido de nitrógeno (N) total se cuantifico por el método de combustión. El fósforo (P) se analizó por colorimetría por el método de metavanadato, y el contenido de potasio (K), calcio (Ca), magnesio (Mg), cobre (Cu), manganeso (Mn), hierro (Fe) y zinc (Zn) que se cuantificaron por absorción atómica. Para porcentaje de aceite en la semilla se utilizó el método Soxhlet. La altura de planta y el peso seco de biomasa no variaron por efecto de tratamiento (P ≤ 0.05). El Factor de translocación (FT) y el Factor de bioconcentración (FBC) registraron rangos de 0.20 - 0.63 y 0.28 - 0.75, respectivamente. Las dosis aplicadas de As no afectaron la biomasa y absorción de nutrientes en la planta de higuerilla, lo cual indica que esta especie vegetal es tolerante a la toxicidad con potencial productivo en suelos contaminados con este elemento, en concentraciones hasta de 100 mg kg-1.

The aim of this study was to explore some physiological and productivity responses of two chili pepper morphotypes (Capsicum annum L.) exposed to different soil moisture contents. A randomized block design in a split-plot arrangement with four replicates was used. The large plots (32 m long and 3.2 m width) were 25% ± 2 as the optimum soil moisture content (OSMC), and 20% ± 2 as the suboptimum soil moisture content (SSMC); the small plots (16 m long and 3.2 m width) were two chili pepper morphotypes: Jalapeño and Chilaca, respectively. Jalapeño plants showed more stability in relative water content (RWC), photosynthetic activity (µmol CO2/m2/s), and a relatively low transpiration (mmol H2O/m2/s) and stomatal conductance (µmol H2O/m2/s); therefore, it had a higher number of flowers per plant and number of fruits per plant, consequently recording a high fruit production of 3.94 and 2.99 kg/m2 in OSMC and SSMC, respectively. In contrast, the Chilaca chili showed low stability in water relative content (WRC), photosynthesis, and transpiration, going from OSMC to SSMC, as well as showed a lower yield in SSMC; however, all of that was compensated by its size and weight of the fruit per plant, with a yield of 4.95 kg/m2 in OSMC. Therefore, the Jalapeño chili pepper could be an option when the irrigation water is limited, and the Chilaca chili pepper when this resource is not limited.

This study aimed to evaluate different L. corniculatus L. ecotypes under water-deficit conditions to identify changes in relative water content and photosynthetic pigments as indicators of physiological responses during different years’ seasons. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with three replicates. Ten treatments were performed as a factorial of 2 × 5, where the first variation factor was the soil water content—no water deficit (NDW) with 100% field capacity (FC), and water deficit (DW) corresponding to 85.4% of the FC—and the second variation factor comprised four ecotypes and one variety of L. corniculatus. A significant effect was identified on the concentration of photosynthetic pigments, mainly total chlorophyll, with chlorophyll a in the 255301 ecotype with records of 187.8, 167.5, and 194.6 mg g−1 FW in WD, corresponding to an increase of 86.0%, 172.6%, and 16.6%, respectively, in relation the lower values obtained in the ecotype 202700 under NWD. In carotenoids, higher concentrations were observed in the 255301 and 202700 ecotypes and the Estanzuela Ganador variety under WD in most seasonal periods, except summer; a similar response was found in the 202700 ecotype and the Estanzuela Ganador variety during the winter season, also in WD. The results showed that the first two principal components accounted for 71.8% of the total variation, with PC1 representing chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll, and PC2 representing carotenoids, temperature, relative chlorophyll index, and relative water content. The observations were grouped based on soil moisture content, with the optimal moisture group exhibiting higher chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations. The findings suggest that soil moisture content significantly affects the performance of L. corniculatus ecotypes, and the plant shows seasonal variations in response to water-deficit conditions. This research contributes to understanding the physiological responses of L. corniculatus and its potential as a water-efficient forage crop for promoting sustainable agriculture and enhancing food security.

The castor plant (Ricinus communis L.) is a plant that has different benefits, such as the production of biodiesel and soil bioremediation. Due to the above, the castor plant's ability to extract arsenic (As) was evaluated. For this, a randomized block experimental design with four repetitions was carried out. The evaluated treatments consisted of two types of biosolids (oxidation lagoon biosolids (BLO) and activated sludge biosolids (BLA) and four doses of As (0, 25, 50, 100 mg kg(-1)), under greenhouse conditions. As concentration was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). From the quantification of As, the translocation factor (TF) and the bioaccumulation factor (FB) were estimated. The total nitrogen (N) content was quantified by the combustion method. Phosphorus (P) was analyzed by colorimetry using the metavanadate method, and the content of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) was quantified by atomic absorption. For percentage of oil The Soxhlet method was used in the seed. The plant height and the dry weight of biomass did not vary due to the treatment effect (P <= 0.05). The Translocation Factor (TF) and the Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) registered ranges of 0.20 - 0.63 and 0.28 - 0.75, respectively. The applied doses of As did not affect the biomass and nutrient absorption in the castor plant, which indicates that this plant species is tolerant to toxicity with productive potential in soils contaminated with this element, in concentrations up to 100 mg kg(-1).

This study investigates the impact of water and salinity stress on Aloe vera, focusing on the role of Aloe vera polysaccharides in mitigating these stresses. Pectins and acemannan were the most affected polymers. Low soil moisture and high salinity (NaCl 80 mM) increased pectic substances, altering rhamnogalacturonan type I in Aloe vera gel. Aloe vera pectins maintained a consistent 60 % methyl-esterification regardless of conditions. Interestingly, acemannan content rose with salinity, particularly under low moisture, accompanied by 90 to 150 % acetylation increase. These changes improved the functionality of Aloe vera polysaccharides: pectins increased cell wall reinforcement and interactions, while highly acetylated acemannan retained water for sustained plant functions. This study highlights the crucial role of Aloe vera polysaccharides in enhancing plant resilience to water and salinity stress, leading to improved functional properties.

Objective: To identify the socioeconomic factors which determine the adoption of soil erosion mitigation technologies in the Nazas-Aguanaval watershed region in the state of Durango, Mexico. Design/methodology/approach: During 2018, 61 semi-structured surveys were applied to farmers in the region. The variables associated with the willingness to adopt or not were analyzed with a maximum likelihood binomial Logit regression model. Results: Perception of the soil erosion problem, location of the watershed or agricultural unit, and economic activity were the most influential variables in the model. The main variable that conditions the willingness to adopt technologies to improve the soil is the perception of soil erosion in production areas, with a marginal effect of 45.03%. Limitations on study/implications: The results of this survey may only be applicable to the study area. Findings/conclusions: Training is necessary to promote and increase the perception, understanding and acceptance of soil erosion mitigation technologies

The Aloe vera plant is an important source of bioactive compounds. Its growing conditions may have a considerable effect on both its physiological and chemical characteristics. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of joint water and salinity stresses (water + salinity) on the main bioactive compounds of the Aloe vera gel, the colorless inner parenchymatous tissue (also known as inner leaf juice), and their related functional properties. Aloe vera plants were treated with two levels of available soil moisture (high and low) and five levels of salinity (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 mM NaCl). Plants grown at high available soil moisture without salt concentration were taken as a control (HASM-0). Total phenolic compounds, aloin, cell wall polysaccharides and water-soluble polymers were the bioactive compounds analyzed along with the antioxidant activity, radical scavenging, swelling, water retention and fat adsorption capacities. In general, the water + salinity stress negatively affected the development and growing process of the plants. However, it did cause a considerable increase in the total amount of dry matter, from 1.0 to 2.1 g/100 g of fresh Aloe vera gel. This increase was mainly due to the synthesis of new polysaccharides, and in particular of water-soluble mannose-rich polymers composed of mannose, galactose and glucose which increased from 194.4 to 345.8 mg/g of water-soluble material as water + salinity stress increased. Further, there was a significant increase in the aloin content, from 10.7 to 19.6 mg/g of total solid contents from Aloe vera gel. These changes in the bioactive compounds were reflected in the functional properties studied. Hydration properties of Aloe vera gel, such as swelling and water retention capacity, exhibited higher values for those plants treated with water deficit and salinity. The antioxidant capacity, determined by FRAP and DPPH methods, was also higher in the gel from stressed plants. Overall, these results show that water + salinity stress could be an agricultural strategy for increasing not only the content of bioactive compounds present in the Aloe vera gel but also for improving their related functional properties.

The research was carried out in Hydrological Region 36 (Nazas-Aguanaval rivers), arid land in northern Mexico. In 2017, part of the watershed was altered during the establishment of buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) with the land imprinter (AR). The objective of this research was to propose a methodological framework to integrate and analyze the experimental information of a watershed in arid lands. The impact of the AR was measured by using an in situ rainfall simulator in the watershed area. As a result, the use of AR caused a delay in the onset of runoff. The production of runoff was lower in the plot under conditions of passage in the soil of the AR, with an average production of 0.000004 m(3)s(-1), while the average production of runoff in the plots under natural conditions (control) was 0.000016 m(3)s(-1). Additionally, the production of sediments in the plot with AR passage was significantly higher in the production of sediments with an average value of 833 mgl(-1), while in the experimental plot under natural conditions, the average production of sediments was 470 mgl(-1). It is inferred that the microdepressions captured the rainwater exerting greater retention of the liquid in the soil, which reduced the runoff and increased the infiltration of water in the watershed. The results show that, due to its size, the watershed (158.87 ha) is very sensitive to changes in precipitation regimes and vegetation cover.