ABSTRACT The objectives of this work were to use Sesuvium verrucosum to produce stable and mature compost and vermicompost and to evaluate their influence on the growth and production parameters of the Solanum lycopersicum L. crop. For the preparation of vermicompost, the earthworm Eisenia fetida (Savigny) was used. The proposed treatments were: T1 (negative control) [no organic fertilizer + urea], T2 (positive control) [bovine manure (100%) + urea], T3 (compost) [bovine manure (100%) + urea], T4 (compost) [S. verrucosum (25%) + bovine manure (75%) + urea], T5 (compost) [S. verrucosum (50%) + bovine manure (50%) + urea], T6 (compost) [S. verrucosum (75%) + bovine manure (25%) + urea], T7 (vermicompost) [bovine manure (100%) + urea], and T8 (vermicompost) [S. verrucosum (25%) + bovine manure (75%) + urea]. The results showed that all the treatments were stable, mature and rich in nutrients after 140 days. In general, treatments made from S. verrucosum showed a high pH (7.97–8.45) and electrical conductivity (3.83–8.85 dS m-1). Nonetheless, excluding T7, the treatments made from a proportion of 25% halophyte and 75% bovine manure (T8 and T4) achieved the highest morphological parameters in the different variables that were evaluated, as well as the highest yields compared to controls T1 and T2, followed by T3, T5 and T6, respectively. Therefore, it was concluded that S. verrucosum can serve as a stable and mature organic amendment, rich in nutrients, and that can be used to improve the growth and development of the S. lycopersicum crop.

Abstract Drought and salinity are conditions in some soils that limit agricultural production worldwide. To combat these effects, emphasis has been placed on a technique called phytodesalination, which consists of the use of halophyte species with the ability to extract significant amounts of sodium (Na+) from the affected environment. However, this is an agricultural practice that demands a large amount of plant material per hectare, which makes it difficult to implement in production systems with salinity problems. The objective of this work was to determine the rooting capacity of the cuttings of the halophytic species S. verrucosum and to analyze the magnitude changes in its biometric parameters, from different concentrations in the hormonal treatment, in a period of 90 days. For the development of the experiment, a completely randomized experimental design was used and two factors were considered: the concentrations of indole butyric acid (IBA) (0, 800, 1 200, 1 600, 2 000 and 4 000 mg L-1) and the position of the cuttings (basal-intermediate and intermediate-apical). The results obtained showed significant differences between the different treatments. The cuttings of the intermediate-apical portion were those that obtained the highest percentage of rooting, number of roots, fresh and dry weight, both of the root and the area of the plant, stem diameter and plant height, mainly at a concentration of 2 000 mg L-1. Through this method, it is possible to implement phytodesalination extensively.

Resumen La sequía y la salinidad son condiciones de algunos suelos que limitan la producción agrícola a nivel mundial. Para combatir estos efectos, se ha hecho énfasis en una técnica llamada fitodesalinización, la cual consiste en el uso de especies halófitas con la capacidad para extraer cantidades importantes de sodio (Na+) del medio afectado. Sin embargo, ésta es una práctica agrícola que demanda una gran cantidad de material vegetal por hectárea, lo cual dificulta su implementación en los sistemas productivos con problemas de salinidad. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la capacidad de enraizamiento de los esquejes de la especie halófita S. verrucosum y analizar los cambios de magnitud en sus parámetros biométricos, a partir de diferentes concentraciones en el tratamiento hormonal, en un periodo de 90 días. Para el desarrollo del experimento se utilizó un diseño experimental completamente al azar y se consideraron dos factores: las concentraciones del ácido indol butírico (AIB) (0, 800, 1 200, 1 600, 2 000 y 4 000 mg L-1) y la posición de los esquejes (basal-intermedia e intermedia-apical). Los resultados obtenidos demostraron diferencias significativas entre los diferentes tratamientos. Los esquejes de la porción intermedia-apical fueron los que obtuvieron el mayor porcentaje de enraizamiento, número de raíces, peso fresco y seco, tanto de la raíz como de la parte área de la planta, diámetro del tallo y altura de la planta, principalmente a una concentración de 2 000 mg L-1. A través de este método, es posible implementar la fitodesalinización de manera extensiva.

ABSTRACT The shortage of water and the increasing salinity are the main limiting environmental factors that directly affect the establishment and the development of crops. In this research, phytodesalination capacity of Sesuvium verrucosum was evaluated alone and in combination with agricultural gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) and Polisul-C, in order to remedy a moderately saline soil at greenhouse level and under nonleaching conditions. The treatments studied were the following: T1 (soil), T2 (soil + S. verrucosum), T3 (soil +S. verrucosum + Polisul-C), T4 (soil + S. verrucosum + CaSO4·2H2O). Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubes filled with 8 kg of clay soil with an electrical conductivity of the saturation paste extract (ECe) of6.21 dS.m-1 were used. Soil samples were analyzed to determine the ECe, and the soluble and interchangeable cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+) content. Then, the halophytic plants were divided into root and aerial parts and the content of Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ was determined. In summary, S. verrucosum showed potential to desalinate its rhizosphere. Moreover, S. verrucosum desalination capacity significantly increases when used in combination with either of the tested amendments. This increase occurred mainly in the upper layers of the clay soil (0-30 cm). CaSO4·2H2O was shown to be the most effective amendment, since a greater gain in biomass and a large accumulation of sodium (Na+) in the aerial part of S. verrucosum was observed as a consequence of the soil improved physico-chemical properties caused by this chemical.

Abstract In the Ciénega de Chapala región, portion of Michoacán most of the forage crops are the main sustenance of the traditional livestock systems. However, water scarcity and increasing salinity are the main limiting environmental factors that directly affect both its establishment and development. In this research, the ability of germination and emergence of seven forage species was evaluated in in vitro conditions, when exposed to different concentrations of NaCl. The evaluation was carried out in a period of 21 days, in which the seeds were placed in an incubator without light at a temperature of 25/17 °C (day/night) respectively. Acid digestion method was used for the removal of Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ cations from the germinated seedlings. Salinity treatments were 0.0 mM, 50 mM; 100 mM; 200 mM and 400 mM. In the imbibition stage a differential response was observed between species under conditions of saline stress, mainly at 200 and 400 mM, producing a drastic reduction in the absorption levels with respect to its own controls and later reflected in its germinative capacity. H. vulgare and L. perenne species showed a lower K+/Na+ ratio, confirming to be more tolerant to this level of salt concentration.

Resumen En la región de la Ciénega de Chapala porción Michoacán la mayor parte de los cultivos forrajeros son el sustento de los sistemas ganaderos tradicionales. Sin embargo, la escasez de agua y la creciente salinidad se presentan como los principales factores ambientales limitantes que afectan directamente a su establecimiento y desarrollo. En esta investigación, se evaluó la capacidad de germinación y emergencia de siete especies forrajeras en condiciones in vitro, al ser expuestas a diferentes concentraciones de NaCl, Se llevó a cabo en un período de 21 días, en el cual las semillas fueron colocadas en una incubadora sin luz a una temperatura de 25/17 °C (día/noche). Se utilizó el método de digestión con ácido para la extracción de los cationes Na+, K+, Ca2+ y Mg2+ a partir de las plántulas germinadas. Los tratamientos de salinidad fueron 0.0 mM, 50 mM; 100 mM; 200 mM y 400 mM. En la etapa de imbibición se observó una respuesta diferencial entre especies en condiciones de estrés salino, principalmente a 200 y 400 mM, al producir una reducción drástica en los niveles de absorción respecto a sus propios testigos y posteriormente se vio reflejado en su capacidad germinativa. Las especies H. vulgare y L. perenne mostraron menor relación K+/Na+, ratificando con ello, ser las más tolerantes ante este nivel de concentración salina.

Abstract Aquatic weeds, such as Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms (water hyacinth) can be used as raw material for vermicompost. Vermicompost is the product of microbial decomposition of organic waste through the digestive tracts of earthworms. The aim of this work was to use water hyacinth to obtain stable and mature vermicompost. Three treatments were performed for vermicomposting, treatment one with 100 % of water hyacinth, treatment two with 100 % of cow manure and treatment three with 50 % of water hyacinth and 50 % of cow manure. The earthworm used was Eisenia fetida Savigny. Vermicompost was characterized physically, chemically and microbiologically, and measured by indexes of stability and maturity, as well, metal concentrations were detemined. Germination index was obtained with four different seeds: radish (Raphanus sativus L.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), cucumber (Cucumis spp.) and zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.). The three different treatments for vermicompost were stable and mature after 110 days with 90 % of E. fetida survival in each treatment. The vermicompost with water hyacinth and water hyacinth plus cow manure had a high pH and electrical conductivity. Radish had the best performance in germination index and the three vermicompost were rich in metals. We conclude that vermicomposting is suitable for managing water hyacinth because it can produce a stable, mature, and rich in nutrients vermicompost, which is useful as organic fertilizer or soil improver.

Resumen Las malezas acuáticas como Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms (lirio acuático), pueden ser útiles en la elaboración de vermicompost. El vermicompost es el producto de la descomposición de desechos orgánicos por medio de los microorganismos del tracto digestivo de las lombrices. El objetivo de este trabajo fue utilizar el lirio acuático para obtener un vermicompost estable y maduro. Se realizaron tres tratamientos: uno con el 100 % de lirio acuático, el dos con 100 % de estiércol y el tres con 50 % lirio acuático y 50 % de estiércol, la lombriz utilizada fue Eisenia fetida Savigny. Los vermicompost se caracterizaron física, química y microbiológicamente, además se midieron índices de madurez y estabilidad, así como la concentración de metales. El índice de germinación se realizó con cuatro semillas diferentes: rábano (Raphanus sativus L.), lechuga (Lactuca sativa L.), pepino (Cucumis spp.) y calabacita (Cucurbita pepo L.). Los tres tratamientos resultaron ser estables y maduros después de 110 días de vermicompostaje con un índice de supervivencia de E. Fetida de 90 %, los vermicompost con lirio acuático y lirio acuático más estiércol tuvieron un pH y una conductividad eléctrica altos. El rábano mostró un buen desempeño en el índice de germinación, los tres vermicompost resultaron ricos en metales. Se concluye que el vermicompostaje es adecuado para el manejo del lirio acuático, debido a que se obtiene un vermicompost estable, maduro y rico en nutrientes, que puede utilizarse como fertilizante orgánico o mejorador de suelos.