El chile xcat´ik (Capsicum annuum L.) es el segundo más consumido en la península de Yucatán, después del habanero. Los biofertilizantes microbianos son una opción factible de integrarse a los sistemas de producción para disminuir el uso de fertilizantes químicos. El objetivo del trabajo se basó en la evaluación del efecto de la aplicación de Bacillus subtilis, Trichoderma harzanium y un consorcio microbiano en las características agronómicas de la planta y la calidad del fruto del chile xcat´ik. El experimento se realizó en condiciones de invernadero, a través de un diseño experimental de bloques completos al azar con cuatro repeticiones. De acuerdo a los resultados se encontró que la aplicación de B. subtilis incrementó significativamente la altura de plantas respecto al testigo, así mismo la aplicación de B. subtilis y T. harzanium incrementó el volumen de raíz. Se observó que existen diferencias estadísticas en los contenidos de lípidos y proteínas en el fruto de plantas biofertilizadas con T. harzanium, y que en los frutos de plantas tratadas particularmente con B. subtilis y T. harzanium se acumulan mayores cantidades de fósforo.

Intercropping constitutes the traditional farming system practice used in various forms for maize production in the Yucatan peninsula. Although practiced for centuries, problems persist with competition for water, nutrients and light between crop species in traditional farming systems. Furthermore, little is known about farmers’ perceptions regarding changes to traditional maize-legume intercropping systems and their interest in novel crop adoption to increase yields in the system while maintaining the practice. The objective of this study was to investigate the maize-based traditional cropping system by assessing the underlying motives and concepts of farmers to practice intercropping in the Yucatan Peninsula and to examine the association between farmers’ level of knowledge about legumes and decisions to adopt intercropping and related practices therein. Farmer surveys were conducted in nine different regions of the Yucatan Peninsula. We selected Xoy, Euan, Muna, Mama, Tahdziú (Yucatan), Becal, Hecelchacam, Dzitbalché and San Antonio Sahcabchén (Campeche) which are representative of agroecological small-scale farming systems. We used a mixed methods case study analysis involving key informant interviews in eight associations of farmers. A sample frame with 73 farmers was selected in total during February 2021 and April 2021. Basic information such as land use, labor inputs, agricultural production and farmer’s perceptions regarding their intercropping systems were collected. Our research shows that the primary motives for intercropping were due to the ability of intercropping to offer a more diversified range of food for human and animal consumption, as well as to take advantage of different harvest periods that this practice offers. The majority of respondents were likely to favor the idea of introducing new legume species in their maize-based cropping systems. Factors such as the type of cropping system (i.e., intercropping or monocropping), access to water and level of knowledge about legumes influenced their decision to adopt intercropping in their farming systems considerably. This paper contributes to the knowledge on the current state and farmers’ perceptions of intercropping systems in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Large quantities of seeds are generated and discarded during agro-industrial mango processing. However, mango seeds still contain valuable components such as starch, which has applications in various industries. This study aimed to obtain and characterize starches from the seeds of five mango cultivars (Ataulfo, Manililla, Piña, Tapana, and Tommy Atkins). The isolated starches were evaluated for their physicochemical, morphological, structural, thermal, and rheological characteristics. The starches showed creamy white colorations, and their granules had spherical and oval shapes. This starch source contains a high percentage of apparent amylose, greatly influencing its thermal, rheological, and functional properties. Structural and molecular studies showed that all starches presented an A-type X-ray diffraction pattern, impacting their water absorption and viscosity. The transition temperatures were relatively high, which could be influenced by the length of the amylopectin chains and their intermediate components, the apparent amylose content, and other components such as lipids and anomalous amylopectin. The starches evaluated behaved as pseudoplastic materials, while oscillatory tests revealed that the pastes formed with mango starches are more elastic than viscous. In conclusion, research on the seed starch properties of different mango cultivars provides interesting results for their potential application in foods. It could contribute to the value-added processing of mango seeds as a potential starch source.

Se evaluó en tomate verde el efecto de la adición de bocashi o estiércol de ovino mezclado con 50% de fertilizantes sintéticos. Se estudiaron variables fisiológicas, de producción de biomasa, rendimiento de fruto y contenido de minerales en el follaje, valor nutritivo y capacidad antioxidante del fruto. La biomasa y rendimiento de fruto no presentaron diferencias entre tratamientos, excepto la biomasa de raíz. La acumulación de N fue mayor en el follaje de plantas con estiércol de ovino + fertilización química 50% (EO-FQ 50%), la tasa de transpiración fue mayor y la conductancia estomática menor. La acumulación de P y K no varió entre tratamientos. Los contenidos de grasa, Ca, K, Fe y fenoles totales fueron mayores en frutos con EO-FQ 50%. La adición de abono orgánico con fertilización química al 50% iguala los rendimientos y mejora la calidad de fruto de tomate verde (P. ixocarpa). Palabras clave: bocashi, ovinasa, Physalis ixocarpa, calidad de fruto, antioxidantes.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of pruning on the agronomic variables and fruit quality of habanero peppers (Capsicum chinense Jacq.). Methodology: Habanero peppers were pruned with two intensities, two shoots and three shoots. The control plants were not pruned. The experiment had a randomized block design with four replications. The experimental plots consisted of 50 plants established in rows at a distance of 1.2 m and 0.3 m among plants within a row. The evaluated variables were fruit yield, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight, fruit length and fruit diameter. Data were obtained from 10 harvests. For the analysis, the fruit quality, ash content, moisture, protein and crude fiber were determined. Results: Plants with two and three shoots produced fruits of 4 and 3.99 cm in length. Plants with two and three shoots produced 42 and 48 % first quality fruits, whereas control plants produced only 10 % first quality fruits. The highest protein content in fruits at physiological ripeness (14 %) and commercial maturity (12 %) was observed in plants pruned to two shoots. Implications: These results show the importance of crop management on the fruit quality of habanero peppers. Further studies are needed to have more information on the effects of crop management on the nutritional content of fruits. Conclusion: The pruning of habanero pepper plants significantly influenced the fruit size, crude fiber and protein content in their fruits