The concept of Agroecology is still not widely discussed in European countries. Therefore, the aim of this review is to present a qualitative and quantitative mixed analysis of this conceptualization based on research papers to provide initial answers to the following questions: How has the agroecology been used in terms of social movement, science and agricultural practice in the European countries? At which scales has it been applied? Which factors have influenced its application? Speech analysis and multivariable techniques are applied to systematized information. According to found results, the concept of agroecology is mainly conceived as science, then as practice and to a lesser degree as a social movement. There is a predominance of studies at plot level, with a tendency to include physical-biological factors; and at agroecosystem, regional and agri-food system levels, including designers, landscapes and consumers. There is a conceptual evolution in extensive quantitative and intensive qualitative standings when the agroecology incorporates more factors, such as economic, social, and, to a lesser extent, cultural and political, and becomes more transdisciplinary as a response to more complex phenomena that support the genesis and development of this concept. In this regard, a greater balance between its conceptions (science, practice and social movement) is recommended to achieve a better dialogue between abstract and empirical levels.

Undisturbed soils are essential ecosystems with high microbial diversity. Microorganisms present in the soil can regulate biogeochemical cycles, making available and transforming different minerals in the soil, such as nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur. In this study, the microbiota of undisturbed soils was characterized using an integrated approach of 16S rRNA ribosomal gene amplicon analysis and classical microbiology techniques. Phylum-level analyses revealed a high abundance of Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Verrucomicrobia and Actinobacteria, key groups in nutrient recycling, organic matter decomposition and plant-microorganism interaction. In the genus analysis, Nitrospira spp., Candidatus Koribacter spp., Burkholderia spp., Bacillus spp., Flavobacterium spp. and Pedomicrobium spp. were identified, with important functions in nitrification, plant growth promotion, organic matter degradation, and recovery of degraded soils. On the other hand, by using selective and differential media, it was possible to demonstrate the presence of microorganisms such as Enterobacter spp. and Hafnia spp., with the ability to solubilize phosphorus and potassium and produce siderophores, which are likely contributing to the biogeochemical cycles and plant growth within the soil studied.

Tropical dairy cattle farming is one the most relevant economic activities for food production; although, currently faces increasing scrutiny from society due to its potential harm to natural resources and the environment. Moreover, some factors are paramount for the evaluation of the sustainability and productive potential of any given tropical dairy farm: soil quality, profitability, and energy efficiency. This study carried out a sustainability analysis in four types of tropical dairy cattle ranches, through three key indicators (economic profitability, energy efficiency and soil quality) and with a comprehensive approach in the Costa region of Oaxaca, Mexico. Therefore, four farms of different sizes (i.e., small, medium, large, and very large) were selected in Costa de Oaxaca, Mexico. The data collection was carried out for daily milk production, the dynamics of farm inputs (introduction or removal) from the production system, alongside with collection of soil samples. The agroecosystems evaluated were economically profitable, and those with greater intensification of their pasture areas display higher profit margins and energy efficiency. In terms of soil quality, there is a regular potential for its rational utilization.

Background. Animal feeding and nutrition constitute the main limitation in livestock farming in arid and semi-arid zones, because it depends to a large extent on imported concentrated feed. Hydroponic green fodder (FVH) represents an efficient and economical alternative to obtain food with high nutritional value for domestic animals. However, little has been used due to ignorance of the method to produce it and its benefits. Objective. To analyze the scientific information available on the agronomic, productive and nutritional attributes of HGF, and its potential as a forage resource in animal feed. Methodology. A bibliographic review was carried out based in the following databases: Scopus, NCBI, Springer, Science direct, Google Scholar, Redalyc, ResearchGate and other digital repositories, using keywords in Spanish and English, such as hydroponic green fodder, hydroponic technology, hydroponic food and alternative fodder. Results. The HGF production cycle is basically carried out in six stages: i) seed selection, ii) seed washing and disinfection, iii) seed hydration, iv) sowing and germination, v) growth, and vi) harvest. Biomass production increases progressively in relation to a higher seed sowing density. The optimum harvest period for forage is from 12 to 14 days after sowing. However, the volume and yield of production must be assessed in terms of the nutritional quality of harvested fodder. In prolonged harvest periods, the crude protein content increases, while the dry matter content decreases. In cattle and goats, partial diet supplementation with HGF improves milk production and composition, as well as the weight gain rate and feed ratio, due to increased feed intake and nutrients digestibility. In monogastrics, the total replacement of conventional feed with HGF affects feed intake and growth rate. Implications. More research is required to determine the adequate portion of HGF in the supplementation of animal diets, without affecting their productive performance, especially in the case of monogastrics. Conclusion. The HGF technology represents a viable and economical alternative to counteract the scarcity of fresh and nutritious food, especially in dry seasons of arid and semi-arid areas; as well as in urban or suburban areas where there is limited land area for conventional fodder production.

La importancia de realizar estudios sobre el uso del forraje verde hidropónico de maíz (FVHM) es porque, se ha evaluado poco el impacto productivo y económico en la alimentación de los cerdos en la región de la Costa de Oaxaca. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el comportamiento productivo en cerdos en crecimiento con FVH como suplemento, con dietas a base de alimento comercial y con inclusión de FVHM. La investigación se realizó durante los meses de agosto a noviembre de 2017. Se evaluaron cuatro tratamientos [T1: testigo, T2: 85/15%; T3: 70/30% y T4: 55-45% de alimento comercia y FVHM respectivamente], bajo un diseño completamente al azar con cuatro repeticiones por tratamiento. Se utilizaron 16 cerdos desparasitados y vacunados, con peso inicial de 10.41 kg. Se evaluó consumo total de alimento (CTA), conversión alimenticia (CA), ganancia de peso total (GPT) y la relación costo-beneficio (RCB). Los datos obtenidos se analizaron mediante Proc. GLM de SAS. Las medias fueron comparadas con la prueba de Tukey. Se encontraron diferencias (p˂ 0.05) en el CTA, donde fue mayor a 110 kg. La GPT más alta fue de 42.67 kg. En cuanto a RCB se mejoran los parámetros productivos a medida que se incrementa el porcentaje FVHM (45%) en la dieta de los cerdos. Se concluye que con la inclusión de 30% de FVHM en la dieta de los cerdos en crecimiento se mejora su comportamiento productivo.