ABSTRACT: Backyards are family settings adjacent to the house, characterized mainly by being small-scale and diversified productive spaces. The research typologically characterized the backyards and their contribution to family food security in La Concordia municipality, Chiapas, Mexico. The research was descriptive and mixed, quantitative, and qualitative, and semi-structured interviews were applied to 130 families. For the typification, 21 variables were used, and the statistical techniques of Factorial Analysis and Clusters were applied. The cases studied were classified, according to the relevance of their production and contribution to food security, into two general groups: a) a group of backyards that is more productive and contributes to food security, which in turn includes three subtypes of backyards that differ from each other by their profile towards vegetable or poultry production for subsistence, and/or pigs as a form of savings; b) a group of less productive backyards in which other management strategies for food security are assumed and differ from each other by the level of expulsion of labor force and types of families, nuclear or extended. Poultry and plant species for multiple uses was the most frequently characteristic, regardless of the type of backyard.

RESUMO: Os quintais são ambientes familiares adjacentes à casa, caracterizados principalmente por serem espaços produtivos de pequena escala e diversificados. A pesquisa teve como objetivo caracterizar tipologicamente os quintais e sua contribuição para a segurança alimentar familiar no município de La Concordia, Chiapas, México. A pesquisa foi descritiva e mista, quantitativa e qualitativa, na qual foram aplicadas entrevistas semiestruturadas a 130 famílias. Para a tipificação foram utilizadas 21 variáveis e aplicadas as técnicas estatísticas de Análise Fatorial e Clusters. Os casos estudados foram classificados, de acordo com a relevância de sua produção e contribuição para a segurança alimentar, em dois grupos gerais: a) um grupo de quintais mais produtivos e que contribuem para a segurança alimentar, que por sua vez inclui três subtipos de quintais que diferem entre si pelo seu perfil para a produção de hortaliças ou aves para subsistência, e/ou suínos como forma de poupança; b) conjunto de quintais menos produtivos em que se assumem outras estratégias de gestão da segurança alimentar e diferem entre si pelo nível de expulsão de mão de obra e tipos de famílias, nucleares ou extensas. Aves e espécies vegetais de uso múltiplo foi a característica mais encontrada, independente do tipo de quintal.

Summary: With the aim of characterizing the soil of the maize agroecosystem under conventional, agroecological and mixed production systems, in order to document and identify strategies that consider the environmental, social and economic aspects that lead to alternatives for sustainable production, the physico-chemical and biological properties of 35 samples obtained in 28 communa land areas of Frailesca region, interpreted with the Official Mexican Standard NOM-021-SEMARNAT-2000. The results indicate a generalized acidity for the three systems, with pH of 5.05, 5.25 and 5.24, respectively; the cation exchange capacity is low (13.96, 12.54 and 14.95 cmol (+) kg-1) and organic matter is at average levels (3.5, 2.58 and 3.45%). Likewise, macronutrients are found in high levels, for instance, phosphorous reached 75.36, 74.78, and 45.05 mg kg-1 and potassium was found in low levels (3.86, 3.12, and 2.66 mg kg-1); micronutrients are found in average levels, such as Iron (3.24, 2.03 and 2.62 mg kg-1) and Boron (1.58, 1.06 and 1.37 mg kg‑1). In regard to soil texture, loam-clay-sandy and loam-sandy soils were detected. According to the biological characteristics of the soil, the macro-fauna with the agroecological system reported the greatest biodiversity in terms of the Shannon and Weaver index (H’ = 1.121), where coleopterans, annelids, hymenoptera, isoptera and gastropods were the most outstanding groups. For microorganisms, the greatest biodiversity (H’ = 1.121) was detected in entomopathogens (Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae), nitrogen fixers (Rhizobium, Azotobacter and Azospirillum) and pathogenic fungi such as Rizhoctonia, Fusarium and Alternaria, while the system with smallest diversity was the conventional, with H’ = 0.789. Under these soil conditions, a strategy that allows to increase soil quality and perform sustainable agricultural practices is needed.

Resumen: Con el objetivo de caracterizar el suelo del agroecosistema maíz con los sistemas de producción convencional, agroecológico y mixto, para documentar e identificar estrategias que consideren los aspectos ambientales, sociales y económicos que conlleven a alternativas para la producción sostenible, se estudiaron las propiedades físico-químicas y biológicas de 35 muestras obtenidas en 28 ejidos de la región Frailesca, interpretadas con la Norma Oficial Mexicana NOM-021-RECNAT-2000. Los resultados indican una acidez generalizada para los tres sistemas con un pH de 5.05, 5.25 y 5.24, la capacidad intercambio catiónico es baja (13.96, 12.54, y 14.95 cmol(+) kg‑1) y niveles medios de materia orgánica (3.5, 2.58 y 3.45%). Así mismo, los macronutrientes, como el fósforo se encuentra en niveles altos (75.36, 74.78 y 45.05 mg kg‑1) y el potasio se encontró en niveles bajos (3.86, 3.12 y 2.66 mg kg‑1) y los micronutrientes se encuentran en niveles medios como el hierro (3.24, 2.03 y 2.62 mg kg‑1) y boro (1.58, 1.06 y 1.37 mg kg-1). Para el caso de la textura del suelo presentan suelos franco-arcillo-arenoso y franco-arenoso. Desde el punto de vista de las características biológicas del suelo, la macrofauna con el sistema agroecológico reportó mayor diversidad de seres vivos de acuerdo al índice de Shannon y Weaver (H’ = 1.121), destacan coleópteros, anélidos, himenópteros, isópteros y gasterópodos. En ese mismo sentido, para el caso de microorganismos sobresale en diversidad de microorganismos (H’ = 1.121) reportando entomopatógenos (Beauveria bassiana y Metarhizium anisopliae), fijadores de nitrógeno (Rhizobium, Azotobacter y Azospirillum) y hongos patógenos como Rizhoctonia, Fusarium y Alternaria y el sistema con menor diversidad fue el convencional con H’ = 0.789. Bajo estas condiciones el suelo, es necesario una estrategia que permita aumentar la calidad y las prácticas de agricultura puedan ser sostenibles.

Abstract Currently, the information on the maize agroecosystem in the Frailesca region of Chiapas, Mexico, and its forms of management, is insufficient to address it with sustainable development strategies. In the present investigation it was characterized; through a typification of corn producers and their relationship with energy efficiency and its management methods. It is a descriptive and exploratory research from a socio-agronomic approach in 300 cases of farmers, with the support of descriptive statistical techniques, as well as exploratory multivariate of main components and clusters. Six producer groups or typologies were identified based on 11 main components that explain 73% of the total variability. All producer groups are energy efficient, which is associated with the productive and economic efficiency of the agroecosystem. Regarding grain yield, in all producer groups, it ranges between 2.8 and 4 t ha-1. In addition, three large groups of management systems were identified (conventional, agroecological and mixed) carried out by maize producers in the Frailesca region, Chiapas.

Resumen Actualmente, la información sobre el agroecosistema maíz en la región Frailesca de Chiapas, México, y sus formas de manejo, es insuficiente para atenderlo con estrategias de desarrollo sustentable. En la presente investigación se caracterizó; a través, de una tipificación los productores de maíz y su relación con la eficiencia energética y las formas de manejo de este. Es una investigación descriptiva y exploratoria desde un enfoque socio-agronómico en 300 casos de agricultores, con el apoyo de técnicas estadísticas descriptivas, así como multivariadas exploratorias de componentes principales y conglomerados. Se identificaron seis grupos o tipologías de productores sobre la base de 11 componentes principales que explican 73% de la variabilidad total. Todos los grupos de productores son energéticamente eficientes, lo que se asocia con la eficiencia productiva y económica del agroecosistema. En cuanto al rendimiento de grano, en todos los grupos de productores, oscila entre 2.8 y 4 t ha-1. Además, se identificaron tres grandes grupos de sistemas de manejo (convencional, agroecológico y mixto) que realizan los productores de maíz en la región Frailesca, Chiapas.

Abstract This study conducted was to evaluate the effect of two types of biofertilizers (inoculated beneficial microorganisms) in the production of corn under two formulas of chemical fertilization. It was conducted under an experimental randomized block design with nine treatments and four repetitions, making 36 experimental units. The treatments were Azospirillum brasilense and Chromobactherium violaceum with different fertilization. The highest grain yield of maize was found with treatment Azospirillum brasilense + chemical fertilizer 160-46-30 with t ha-1; second Chromobacterium violaceum + chemical fertilizer 80-23-15 with 5.87 t ha-1 and the lowest yield was the absolute control with 4.30 t ha-1. Results showed that when used biofertilizers there is an increase in corn yield due to the application of beneficial microorganisms, so the hypothesis is not rejected. In the economic analysis the treatment with higher net profits were Azospirillum brasilense + Chromobacterium violaceum + chemical fertilizer 160-46-30 y Azospirillum brasilense + chemical fertilizer 160-46-30 with $ 15.576 and $ 15.226 respectively. It is concluded that the use of the fertilizer Azospirillum brasilense represented an increase in the grain yield of 27.98% (1.67 t ha-1) with respect to the absolute control and a greater net benefit.

Resumen El trabajo se realizó con el objetivo de evaluar el efecto de dos biofertilizantes en la producción de maíz, solos y combinados con dos fórmulas de fertilización química. El experimento se realizó bajo un diseño experimental de bloques al azar, con nueve tratamientos y cuatro repeticiones, conformando un total de 36 unidades experimentales. Los biofertilizantes evaluados fueron las especies Azospirillum brasilense y Chromobactherium violaceum, y las fórmulas de fertilización química 80-23-15 y 160-46-30 de N, P y K. El mejor rendimiento de grano de maíz se logró con el tratamiento Azospirillum brasilense + 160-46-30 de N-P-K, con 5.97 t ha-1, en segundo lugar Chromobacterium violaceum + 80-23-15 de N-P-K con 5.87 t ha-1. El menor rendimiento de 4.30 t ha-¹ se tuvo con el Testigo absoluto. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que cuando se utiliza biofertilizantes existe un incremento en el rendimiento de maíz por efecto de la aplicación de microorganismos benéficos. El análisis económico mostró que los mayores beneficios netos se tuvieron con los tratamientos Azospirillum brasilense + Chromobacterium violaceum + fertilización química 160-46-30 y Azospirillum brasilense + fertilización química 160-46-30. Se concluye que el uso del biofertilizante Azospirillum brasilense representó un incremento en el rendimiento de grano de 27.98% (1.67 t ha-1) con respecto al testigo absoluto, lográndose un mayor beneficio neto.

Abstract The research was carried out in Villaflores, Chiapas, Mexico, which is located between parallels 16° 15 ‘14’ ‘North latitude and the meridian 93º 15’ 22 ‘’ of West longitude, with an altitude of 557 meters above sea level and has a warm humid climate. The objective of this research was to assess the response of coffee plants in nursery stage, managed under an organic approach, by using three organic fertilizers (compost, bocashi and vermicomposting) employed at different proportions (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%). The experimental design was a completely randomized with an array of bifactorial treatments with 13 treatments and three repetitions, making a total of 39 experimental units, each of which was of 30 seedlings settled up in nursery bags of 13*20 cm. The results display that compost and bocashi showed the best benefits in the production of coffee plants in the nursery stage, under proportions of 25% and 50%. For the number of coffee leaves the proportion that accumulated the most was 50% of compost; this same proportion obtained the highest dry weight and green weight on root, stem and leaves, so it is considered as one of the most appropriate treatments for the production of coffee seedlings at the nursery stage.

Resumen La investigación se realizó en Villaflores, Chiapas, México, localizado entre los paralelos 16º 15’ 14’’ de latitud Norte y en el meridiano 93º 15’ 22’’ de longitud Oeste, con una altitud de 557 msnm y clima cálido subhúmedo. El objetivo fue evaluar la respuesta de las plantas de café en etapa de vivero, manejadas bajo el enfoque ecológico, a la utilización de tres abonos orgánicos (composta, bocashi y vermiabono) empleados bajo diferentes proporciones (25%, 50%, 75% y 100%). El diseño experimental utilizado fue completamente al azar con el arreglo de tratamientos bifactorial con 13 tratamientos y tres repeticiones, haciendo un total de 39 unidades experimentales, cada unidad experimental constó de 30 plántulas establecidas en bolsa de vivero de 13*20 cm. Los resultados indican que los abonos orgánicos composta y bocashi mostraron los mejores beneficios en la producción de plantas de café en la etapa de vivero, sobresaliendo las proporciones de 25% y 50%. Para el número de hojas la proporción que acumuló la mayor cantidad fue 50% de composta; para esta misma proporción se cuantificó el mayor peso seco y verde de raíz, tallo y hojas, por lo que se considera como uno de los tratamientos más pertinentes para la producción de plántulas de café en la etapa de vivero.