ABSTRACT: China is the biggest muskmelon producing country across the world. Extreme application of fertilizer during planting of muskmelon poses a serious threat to the environment and food safety, so how to promote farmers to use organic fertilizer has become an important topic. This study creatively introduced green awareness into the extended framework of theory of planned behavior to explore the decisive factors of muskmelon farmers’ behavior intention to apply green organic fertilizer. The structural equation model is used for investigating behavior intention of 543 muskmelon farmers in Leting County, China. The results suggested that both subjective norm and green awareness can affect muskmelon farmers’ behavior intention positively and significantly. When the subjective norm increases by 1 standard deviation, the farmers’ intention increases by 1.028 standard deviation; for every 1 standard deviation increase in green awareness, the farmers’ intention increased by 0.703 standard deviation. ABSTRACT world safety topic 54 County significantly 1028 028 1.02 0703 0 703 0.70 5 102 02 1.0 070 70 0.7 10 1. 07 7 0.

RESUMO: A China é o maior país produtor de melão em todo o mundo. A aplicação extrema de fertilizantes durante o plantio de melão representa uma séria ameaça ao meio ambiente e à segurança alimentar, portanto, como promover os agricultores a usar fertilizante orgânico verde tornou-se um tópico importante. Este estudo introduziu criativamente a consciência verde no quadro estendido da teoria do comportamento, planejado para explorar os fatores decisivos da intenção dos agricultores de melão de aplicar fertilizante orgânico verde. O modelo de equações estruturais é usado para investigar a intenção de comportamento de 543 agricultores de melão no Condado de Leting, China. Os resultados sugerem que tanto a norma subjetiva quanto a consciência verde podem afetar positiva e significativamente o comportamento dos produtores de melão. Quando a norma subjetiva aumenta em 1, o desvio padrão, a intenção do agricultor aumenta em 1,028 desvio padrão. Para cada aumento de 1 desvio padrão na consciência verde, a intenção dos agricultores aumentou em 0,703 desvio padrão. RESUMO mundo alimentar portanto tornouse tornou se importante 54 Leting 1028 028 1,02 0703 0 703 0,70 5 102 02 1,0 070 70 0,7 10 07 7 0,

ABSTRACT Although faba-bean (Vicia faba L.) is not a major crop in China, many farmers like to cultivate faba-bean in autumn as a fresh food or animal feed for next spring. However, no herbicides are available to control weeds in the faba-bean fields. Although prosulfocarb is a candidate herbicide, some farmers have reported that prosulfocarb can often cause harm to faba-bean. Our laboratory experiment results revealed that Tongcanxian No. 6, a faba-bean cultivar with large seeds, showed the lowest level of growth inhibition and Qidou No. 2, a faba-bean cultivar with small seeds, showed the highest level of growth inhibition when treated with 3960 and 7920 g ai ha-1 prosulfocarb. The growth inhibition rate of faba-bean was 0% when 3960 and 7920 g ai ha-1 prosulfocarb was sprayed within 6 d after sowing, indicating that prosulfocarb treatment should be applied as soon as possible after sowing. When the temperature exceeded 20 °C and soil moisture content exceeded 20%, it might have aggravated the phytotoxicity of ‘Tongcanxian No. 6’ and ‘Qidou No. 2’ caused by prosulfocarb. Two round of field experiments showed visually that the control effect of 3960 g ai ha-1 prosulfocarb on the total weeds exceeded 90% and safe to faba-bean at the same time. This study indicated that prosulfocarb can be safely used in faba-bean fields by improving agronomic methods, which can also provide a reference for weed management in faba-bean fields worldwide.

ABSTRACT Traditional agroecosystems (TA) are considered more resilient to climatic extremes due to higher crop diversity and agroecological approach. The TA of Tének were studied to evaluate their drought tolerance. Open-ended questionnaire surveys, field visits, and botanical collections, with the participation of local farmers, were considered. Cultivated plant diversity was analyzed using the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H’), and the Morisita-Horn index (CMH) in ten different agroecosystems in April and August. Remote sensing methods included the triangular greenness index (TGI). Additionally, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and standardized precipitation index (SPI) were determined, covering the period from 2013 to 2022. The cultivated plant richness (P > 0.5382) and their abundance (P > 0.3622) did not change from April to August considering the total analyzed parcels. However, differences between types of agroecosystems were observed because higher diversity corresponded to managed jungle (teʼlom) (Hʼ = 1.5-1.7), and some parcels cultivated with maize (milpa) (Hʼ = 1.02-1.54). Nevertheless, in August, lower similarity was observed in milpa (CMH = 0.23-0.87) due to the absence of maize (Zea mays L.) and other herbaceous annual crops. Landscape interconnection can be affirmed with TGI correlations obtained by comparison of different TA. The negative SPI values were associated with a decrease of NDVI, but Tének polyculture agroecosystems maintained higher NDVI values compared to rainfed monocropping during the analyzed period. Tének polyculture agroecosystems exhibited higher drought tolerance, although maize and other herbaceous plants are susceptible to disappearing during prolonged drought events, thereby increasing food insecurity.

ABSTRACT Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic disease endemic to Latin American countries, with a high impact in terms of morbidity, mortality and costs for the health system if patients progress to advanced stages. This work aimed to collect data published in publications on autochthonous cases of PCM, from the first cases diagnosed in Paraguay, with a description of the historical context and identifying the pioneers in the diagnosis in Paraguay, following a chronological order, to the most recently reported cases. Methodology: search in national libraries and online databases of PCM cases in Paraguay, published in national historical scientific journals and other sources available in print format, and more recent scientific articles available in electronic format, respectively. Results: 479 cases of PCM were identified in publications between the years 1935 and 2023, corresponding to autochthonous cases and whose diagnoses were made in Paraguayan territory. Dr. Juan Boggino and collaborators were responsible for the first diagnoses in the country. The predominant clinical form was chronic. The average age was 45.78 years. The vast majority of patients diagnosed were from the Eastern Region of the country, predominantly male farmers. Conclusion: PCM is an endemic disease in Paraguay. Since the first cases were diagnosed and until today, patients with a severe and disabling course of the disease have been detected, which demonstrates the need to disseminate its knowledge and expand the early diagnostic capacity at the national level. Due to its clinical pleomorphism and its ability to simulate other diseases, it is important to include PCM as a differential diagnosis for patients who present risk factors for the development of the disease.

RESUMEN La Paracoccidioidomicosis (PCM), es una enfermedad sistémica endémica de países de América Latina, con alto impacto en términos de morbilidad, mortalidad y costos para el sistema de salud si los enfermos progresan a sus estadios avanzados. Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo recopilar datos divulgados en publicaciones sobre casos autóctonos de PCM, desde los primeros casos diagnosticados en Paraguay, con una descripción del contexto histórico e identificando a los pioneros en el diagnóstico en Paraguay, siguiendo un orden cronológico, hasta los casos más recientemente informados. Metodología: búsqueda en bibliotecas nacionales y bases de datos online de casos de PCM en Paraguay, publicados en revistas científicas históricas nacionales y otras fuentes disponibles en formato impreso, y artículos científicos más recientes disponibles en formato electrónico, respectivamente. Resultados: Se identificaron 479 casos de PCM en publicaciones entre los años 1935 y 2023, correspondientes a casos autóctonos y cuyos diagnósticos fueron realizados en territorio paraguayo. El Dr. Juan Boggino y colaboradores fueron los responsables de los primeros diagnósticos en el país. La forma clínica predominante fue la crónica. La media de edad de 45,78 años. La gran mayoría de los pacientes diagnosticados fueron oriundos de la Región Oriental del país, predominantemente hombres agricultores. Conclusión: La PCM es una enfermedad endémica del Paraguay, desde los primeros casos diagnosticados y hasta hoy en día, son detectados pacientes con una evolución grave y discapacitante de la enfermedad, lo que demuestra la necesidad de la difusión de su conocimiento y ampliación de la capacidad diagnóstica precoz a nivel nacional. Debido a su pleomorfismo clínico y su capacidad de simular otras enfermedades, es importante incluir a la PCM como diagnóstico diferencial de pacientes que presenten factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de la enfermedad.

Abstract Purpose: To analyze the contribution of the program "Sembrando Vida" in alleviating the poverty of male and female farmers using an Actor-Oriented Approach (AOA), to comprehend the program's impact on poverty reduction in Acayucan, Veracruz, Mexico. This analysis takes into consideration aspects such as employment, food self-sufficiency, the reconstruction of social fabric, forest recovery, the potential of territories, and overall well-being. Methodological design: This is an ethnographic study, using in-depth interviews and participant observation of ten farmers in the program over a period of seven months. The analysis of the information was carried out using NVivo software. Results: The program is partially fulfilling the objective to decrease poverty, because farmers still confront productive limitations, social vulnerability, higher investments, and technical-productive difficulties. Research limitations: The scope of the research only corresponds to the actors who participated in the research; therefore, the results cannot be generalized. Comparisons with more communities and with farmers not participating in the program would give a broader picture. Findings: This study contributes to the understanding of the impact of public interventions on development processes. The findings contribute to improving the implementation of the program and to developing future projects that consolidate the medium and long-term goals of the program.

Resumen Objetivo: analizar la contribución del programa Sembrando Vida en el alivio de la pobreza de campesinas y campesinos desde un Enfoque Orientado al Actor (EOA), para comprender el impacto del programa en la disminución de la pobreza en Acayucan, Veracruz, México; considerando aspectos como: el empleo, la autosuficiencia alimentaria, la reconstrucción del tejido social, la recuperación forestal, el potencial de territorios y el bienestar. Diseño metodológico: esta investigación cualitativa es de carácter etnográfico, realizando entrevistas a profundidad y observación participante a diez agricultores del programa durante un periodo de siete meses. El análisis de la información se realizó a través del software NVivo. Resultados: el programa está cumpliendo parcialmente con su objetivo de combate a la pobreza, puesto que los campesinos aún enfrentan limitaciones productivas, vulnerabilidad social, mayores inversiones y dificultad técnico-productiva. Limitaciones de la investigación: los alcances de la investigación solo corresponden a los actores que participaron en ella, por lo tanto, los resultados no pueden generalizarse. Comparar con más comunidades y con campesinos no participantes del programa daría una visión más amplia. Hallazgos: se aporta una mayor comprensión del impacto de las intervenciones públicas en los procesos de desarrollo. Lo encontrado suma para la mejora del programa en su aplicación y en el desarrollo de futuros proyectos que consoliden las metas a mediano y largo plazo del programa.

Abstract Introduction. Pesticides are used to control pests and diseases in agricultural activities. Improper management of these products poses a potential risk to human health and the environment. Objective. To evaluate the (eco)toxicological pressure exerted by synthetic pesticides on tobacco crops (Nicotiana tabacum) in the province of Sancti Spíritus, Cuba. Materials and methods. A database from the Provincial Directorate of Plant Health for the period 2016-2019 was used, where the pesticides assigned to the province for this crop were compared with those reported by interviewed farmers. The dual indicator POCER was used to obtain the results, determining the pressure exerted by different pesticides and their harmful reference on humans and the environment. Results. The trend in pesticide consumption (summarized in tables and graphs) showed 50 % decrease, corresponding to the country’s crop protection policy. Farmers mentioned the use of authorized and unauthorized active ingredients in the conducted surveys, and sixteen high-risk active ingredients were detected in the analyzed samples. Evaluating the POCER results and analyzed samples, a significant (eco)toxicological pressure was observed on both the environment and human health, exerted by a group of high-toxicity active ingredients used in tobacco cultivation in the province. Conclusion. Using the dual indicator POCER provides an evaluation of the (eco)toxicological pressure exerted by synthetic pesticides used in the tobacco cultivation (Nicotiana tabacum) in the province of Sancti Spíritus, Cuba, for the study period.

Resumen Introducción. Los plaguicidas son utilizados para controlar las plagas y enfermedades en las actividades agrícolas. El manejo inadecuado de estos productos constituye un riesgo potencial para la salud humana y el medio ambiente. Objetivo. Evaluar la presión toxicológica (eco) ejercida por los plaguicidas sintéticos en los cultivos de tabaco (Nicotiana tabacum) en la provincia de Sancti Spíritus, Cuba. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizó una base de datos de la Dirección Provincial de Sanidad Vegetal para el período 2016-2019, donde se tomaron los plaguicidas asignados a la provincia para este cultivo y se compararon con los declarados por los agricultores entrevistados. Para la obtención de los resultados se utilizó el indicador dual POCER, que determinó la presión ejercida por los diferentes plaguicidas y su referencia nociva sobre el ser humano y el medio ambiente. Resultados. La tendencia del consumo de plaguicidas (resumida en tablas y gráficos) mostró una disminución del 50 %, que corresponde a la política de protección de los cultivos del país. Los agricultores mencionaron el uso de ingredientes activos autorizados y no autorizados en las encuestas realizadas, y en las muestras analizadas se detectaron dieciséis ingredientes activos de alto riesgo. Al evaluar los resultados de POCER y muestras analizadas se observó que existe una gran presión (eco)toxicológica tanto para el medio ambiente como para la salud humana ejercida por un grupo de ingredientes activos de alta toxicidad utilizados en el cultivo de tabaco de la provincia. Conclusión. Con la utilización del indicador dual POCER, se obtiene una evaluación de la presión (eco)toxicológica ejercida por los plaguicidas sintéticos utilizados en el cultivo del tabaco (Nicotiana tabacum) en la provincia de Sancti Spíritus, Cuba para el período de estudio.

Abstract Introduction. Paraguay is the sixth largest producer and third largest exporter of soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) in the world and this crop is the most important socio-economic crop in the country. However, its productivity can be adversely affected by diseases caused by phytopathogenic fungi. In addition, phytosanitary information on soybean cultivation in Paraguay is limited. Objective. To understand farmers’ perceptions of the main soybean diseases and their management. Materials and methods. Between April and May 2022, a questionnaire in Google Forms format with open and closed-ended multiple-choice questions, was applied to 45 soybean producers aged between 30 and 50 years, who cultivate in areas between 200 to 1000 ha in the departments of Alto Paraná, Itapúa, and Caaguazú in Paraguay. Results. Among the respondents, 56% considered Asian soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) as the most significant phytosanitary problem associated with soybean cultivation, followed by late-season diseases (LSD) such as brown spot (Septoria glycines) and frogeye leaf spot (Cercospora kikuchii). Respondents indicated taht they use three to four fungicide applications as a disease control measure, with their choice based on the type of product formulation. A majority of respondents noted that both the cost and frequency of applications increased over time. Additionally, 53% mentioned that biological fungicides are a viable alternative for integrated disease management. Conclusion. The responses obtained in this research allowed obtaining the perception of disease management tactics of soybean producers in Paraguay, underscoring the significance of Asian soybean rust and late-season diseases. However, there is a need for further research that can explore all aspects of pathogen management.

Resumen Introducción. Paraguay es el sexto productor y tercer exportador mundial de soja (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), este cultivo es el de mayor importancia socioeconómica en el país. Sin embargo, su productividad puede verse afectada por enfermedades causadas por hongos fitopatógenos. Además, la información fitosanitaria sobre el cultivo de soja en Paraguay es limitada. Objetivo. Comprender la percepción de agricultores sobre las principales enfermedades de la soja y su manejo. Materiales y Métodos. Entre abril y mayo de 2022, se aplicó un cuestionario en formato de formularios de Google con preguntas abiertas y cerradas de selección múltiple a 45 productores de soja de entre 30 y 50 años, quienes cultivan en superficies de entre 200 y 1000 ha en los departamentos de Alto Paraná, Itapúa y Caaguazú en Paraguay. Resultados. El 56 % de los encuestados consideró que el mayor problema fitosanitario asociado al cultivo es la roya asiática de la soja (RAS) (Phakopsora pachyrhizi), seguida por las enfermedades de final de ciclo (EFC), como la mancha marrón (Septoria glycines) y mancha ojo de rana (Cercospora kikuchii). Los entrevistados indicaron que utilizan de tres a cuatro aplicaciones de fungicidas como medida de control de enfermedades, su elección fue basada en el tipo de formulación de los productos. En su mayoría, los entrevistados señalaron que el costo y la cantidad de aplicaciones aumentó con el transcurso del tiempo. El 53 % mencionó que los fungicidas biológicos son una buena alternativa para el manejo integrado de enfermedades. Conclusión. Las respuestas obtenidas en esta investigación permitieron obtener la percepción de las tácticas de manejo de enfermedades de los productores de soja en Paraguay, lo que resaltó la importancia de la RAS y las EFC. No obstante, resulta necesario que se realicen más investigaciones que puedan explorar todos los aspectos del manejo de los patógenos.

Resumen Los trabajadores agrícolas se exponen frecuentemente a los pesticidas, los cuales pueden afectar el sistema cardiovascular. El objetivo de la investigación fue revisar la asociación entre la exposición ocupacional a pesticidas, el desarrollo de enfermedades cardiovasculares y los biomarcadores utilizados en la vigilancia de la salud de los trabajadores. Para ello se realizó una revisión no sistemática de la literatura en tres bases de datos: Pubmed, Embase y Scopus, con ecuaciones de búsqueda elaboradas con los términos “agrochemicals”, “myocardial infarction”, “occupational exposure” y “farmers", y se incluyeron artículos publicados entre 2007 y 2022. Se encontró que los pesticidas causan elevación de las cifras de presión arterial en trabajadores expuestos y en mujeres embarazadas se relaciona con hipertensión gestacional y preeclampsia. Respecto al infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM), el contacto con los pesticidas clorpirifós, coumafós, carbofurano, pendimetalina, trifluralina y acilalanina aumentan el riesgo de IAM en mujeres, y entre los trabajadores masculinos la exposición a dibromuro de etileno, maneb/mancozeb y dimetil-ditiocarbamato de zinc se asoció con mayor mortalidad. La vigilancia epidemiológica se realiza principalmente con la medición de la actividad de la acetilcolinesterasa eritrocitaria (AChE). Se puede concluir que la exposición a pesticidas puede desencadenar enfermedades cardiovasculares agudas y crónicas, como elevación de las cifras de presión arterial, IAM fatal y no fatal. Los pesticidas dimetil ditiocarbamato de zinc, clorpirifós, coumafós, carbofurano, paratión y malatión son las sustancias que tienen mayor relación con el desarrollo de enfermedad cardiovascular.

Abstract Farmworkers are frequently exposed to pesticides, which can affect the cardiovascular system. The objective of the research was to review the association between occupational exposure to pesticides and the development of cardiovascular diseases, and the biomarkers used in monitoring the health of workers. For this, a non-systematic review of the literature was carried out in three databases: Pubmed, Embase and Scopus, with search equations prepared with the terms "agrochemicals", "myocardial infarction", "occupational exposure" and "farmers". Articles published between 2007 and 2022 were included. Pesticides were found to cause elevated blood pressure levels in exposed workers, and in pregnant women it is related to gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. Regarding acute myocardial infarction (AMI), contact the pesticides chlorpyrifos, coumaphos, carbofuran, pendimethalin, trifluralin, and acylalanine increased the risk of AMI in women, and among male workers exposure to ethylene dibromide, maneb/mancozeb, and zinc dimethyldithiocarbamate was associated with increased mortality. Epidemiological surveillance is mainly carried out by measuring erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. It can be concluded that exposure to pesticides can trigger acute and chronic cardiovascular diseases, such as elevated blood pressure, fatal and non-fatal AMI. Zinc dimethyl dithiocarbamate, chlorpyrifos, coumafos, carbofuran, parathion and malathion pesticides are the substances most closely related to the development of cardiovascular disease.

ABSTRACT This study was conducted under the qualitative paradigm, employing data collection techniques, description, analysis, and interpretation, with a participatory action and rural participatory diagnostic design. The general objective was to determine the impact of innovation on sustainable agri-food systems. The "working with people" model was followed to engage with farmers and diagnose the advantages, strengths, and challenges they face in implementing innovation policies, specifically in educational innovation, using training and capacity-building methodologies for farmers, support teams, and technical assistance. It was concluded that educational innovation is the central axis to be integrated for the transformation of sustainable and resilient food systems, ensuring food sovereignty. Such innovation enables the development of conservation family farming, with respect for nature, genetic resources, and the cultural identity of rural areas.

RESUMEN El presente trabajo se desarrolló bajo el paradigma cualitativo, con la aplicación de técnicas de recolección de datos, descripción, análisis e interpretación, con un diseño de acción-participativa y diagnostico rural participativo. El objetivo general se desarrolló en función de la determinación del impacto de la innovación en los sistemas agroalimentarios sostenibles. Se siguió el modelo de trabajo con la gente (working with people) para vincularse con los agricultores y de esa forma diagnosticar las ventajas, fortalezas y dificultades que presentan para implementar políticas de innovación, particularizada a la innovación educativa, con metodologías de formación y capacitación a los agricultores, equipos de apoyo y asistencia técnica. Se concluyó que la innovación educativa es el eje central a integrar para la transformación de los sistemas alimentarios sostenibles, resilientes, garantizando la soberanía alimentaria, ya que tal innovación permite el desarrollo de la agricultura familiar de conservación, con respeto a la naturaleza, recursos genéticos y la identidad cultural de las zonas rurales.

Livestock farms in Kenya face pressure to increase productivity amid rising global population. Cattle farming dominates, but small to medium-sized farms struggle with cattle insemination. Currently, visual observation is used for heat detection, with farmers maintaining farm journals. Modern methods utilizing sensors to improve estrus prediction are time-consuming, costly and need constant internet connection. This research proposes a novel approach-the use of an on-controller machine learning algorithm- for estrus prediction in cattle. Motion and temperature data was collected from two zero-grazed multiparous Holstein Friesian cows in Kiambu County, Kenya for 11 months. The data was cleaned and stored. Movement intensity profiles were derived by root-mean-squaring directional accelerometer values and averaging this over time. Validation was performed by observing cow behavior for indicators such as restlessness, mounting, and vulva swelling, with farmer predictions documented in their records. The collected data was then used to train a machine learning algorithm, with several models tested, and a neural network emerged as the best fit. The TensorFlow library facilitated the implementation of the algorithm on a microcontroller, allowing for the development of an animal tag featuring the ML algorithm. Results demonstrated 83.9% sensitivity, 89.0% specificity and 89.5% accuracy in detecting estrus, compared to farmer's visual observation, which had only 37% sensitivity. These findings underscore the potential to integrate machine learning into Precision Livestock Farming for estrus prediction, with prediction occurring directly on the animal tag offline. This integration holds promise for farmers, notably heightened insemination success rates, without necessitating significant financial investment.

RESUMEN El manejo inadecuado de los pastizales ha provocado la degradación de extensas áreas, la pérdida de productividad y sostenibilidad de muchas de ellas, reflejando una realidad común entre los ganaderos de Colombia. Por ello, en la Estación Agraria Paysandú de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia, ubicada en el corregimiento de Santa Elena de la ciudad de Medellín, se realizó una investigación para determinar un índice de calidad del suelo (SQI) mediante la evaluación de los indicadores físicos y químicos más relacionados con el deterioro y producción de materia seca del pasto kikuyo (Cenchrus clandestinus). Se estableció un conjunto mínimo de datos (MDS) para los indicadores más sensibles, elegidos mediante el análisis de componentes principales PCA, y se utilizó una función de puntuación no lineal para obtener el SQI. Se encontraron diferencias estadísticas entre todos los tratamientos y la producción de materia seca (P<0,05: 1,91x10-32). Los indicadores más sensibles fueron: densidad aparente DR > porosidad total TP > macroporos MAC > microporos MIC > resistencia a la penetración PR > capacidad de intercambio catiónico efectiva ECEC > pH. Como resultado, se obtuvo el siguiente SQI = (0,225×BD) + (0,224×TP) + (0,220×MAC) + (0,218×MIC) + (0,113×PR) + (0,0879×ECEC) + (0,0877×pH). Se sugiere probar el índice en praderas dominadas por pasto kikuyo ubicadas en el trópico alto colombiano. La línea de base es crítica a valores > 0,58 Mg m-3 para BD y > 2,25 MPa para PR. Además, el intervalo de pH óptimo para el desarrollo del pasto kikuyo se situó entre 5,4 y 6,4.

ABSTRACT Inadequate grassland management has resulted in the degradation of extensive areas, loss of productivity and sustainability of many of them, reflecting a common reality among livestock farmers in Colombia. Therefore, at the Paysandú Agricultural Station of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, located in the Santa Elena township of the city of Medellín, a study was carried out to determine a soil quality index (SQI) by evaluating the physical and chemical indicators that were most related to the deterioration and dry matter production of kikuyu grass (Cenchrus clandestinus). A minimum data set (MDS) was established for the most sensitive indicators, selected by principal component analysis (PCA), and a nonlinear scoring function was used to obtain the SQI. Statistical differences were found between all the treatments in relation to dry matter production (P<0.05: 1.91x10-32). The most sensitive indicators were bulk density BD > total porosity TP > macropores MAC > micropores MIC > penetration resistance PR > effective cation exchange capacity ECEC > pH. As a result, the following formula was obtained: SQI = (0.225×BD) + (0.224×TP) + (0.220×MAC) + (0.218×MIC) + (0.113×PR) + (0.0879×ECEC) + (0.0877×pH). This index should be tested in kikuyu grass-dominated pastures located in the Colombian high tropics. The baseline is critical at values > 0.58 Mg m-3 for BD and > 2.25 MPa for PR. In addition, the optimum pH range for kikuyu grass development was between 5.4 and 6.4.

ABSTRACT Crop damage-based control threshold of 12.5% has been used to reduce the excessive use of insecticides while controlling Spodoptera litura and Helicoverpa armigera in hot peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivation systems. However, it is necessary to develop an easy, practical, inexpensive control threshold to increase farmer eagerness in reducing pesticide use. The study aimed to evaluate a light trap captured based-control threshold for both hot pepper pests. The activity was conducted at Lembang (ca. 1250 m a.s.l.), West Java, Indonesia, from September 2022 to April 2023. Six treatments and four replicates were arranged in a randomized block design. The treatments included the use of four light trap captured based-control thresholds, i.e., ≥ 30, ≥ 25, ≥ 20, ≥ and 15 moth trap-1 wk-1; crop damage based-control threshold of 12.5%; and once per week insecticide application as a control treatment. The study found that the implementation of pests’ control threshold of ≥ 25 moth trap-1 wk-1 could reduce 75% insecticide use compared to the plant damage-based control threshold. The use of this approach could maintain high crop production and generate a return rate of 1.26. The findings will be beneficial for farmers in reducing insecticide use.

ABSTRACT. Using geotechnologies has become fundamental for planning the sustainable expansion of agricultural activities, especially fish farming. The objective of this work was to map and carry out the morphological characterization of the hydrographic micro-basins and their physical aspects, such as slope, altimetry, and land use and occupation, and also to quantify and locate the existing excavated ponds in the municipality of Pato Bragado, in Paraná State. Geotechnology tools and images generated by the free software QGIS and Google Earth were used to create maps of the excavated ponds' physical aspects, quantification, classification, and location. The predominant slope in the municipality is gently undulating, and soy plantation uses 42.99% of the municipality's entire area. The mapping located 190 excavated ponds. Depth measurement was not carried out, but rather mapping concerning water depths representing a total area of 47.86 ha of water blade and nine micro-basins within the municipality of Pato Bragado, with only the Arroio Fundo micro-basin covering 47.37% of all existing excavated ponds. The morphometric indicators concluded that the micro-basins present a minimum risk of flooding, which is ideal for use in fish farming. Making the results of this work available to public managers and fish farmers aims to demonstrate the importance of using geotechnologies for sustainable planning to expand aquaculture activities, which, in this case, are focused on fish farming.

Malawi's economy heavily depends on agriculture, including both commercial and subsistence farming. Smallholder and small-medium enterprises leading the production of tomatoes in Malawi cannot satisfy local demand due to problems such as pests, diseases, unstable markets, and high costs. Many farmers lack the expertise to effectively manage these threats. To address the problem of tomato leaf disease identification, this research aimed to develop an automated system for tomato leaf disease detection by utilizing data augmentation techniques, MobileNetV3, and Convolutional Neural Network algorithms. We trained models on secondary data collected from the public PlantVillage dataset and tested the resultant classifiers on primary data of local farm images. The experimental results demonstrate that both models tested better on the PlantVillage dataset. Additionally, with an accuracy of 92.59% and a loss of 0.2805, the pre-trained MobileNetV3 model conventionally performs better than a CNN model. However, when tested on the primary field dataset, the models did not meet expectations for generalization, with the pre-trained MobileNetV3 achieving an accuracy of 9.2%, and loss of 12.91 and the CNN achieving an accuracy of 10.14% and loss of 8.11. The experiments aided in showing that the models trained on the PlantVillage dataset are not as effective when applied in real-world scenarios. Further improvements are needed to enhance the models' generalization in real-world scenarios.

Resumen Antecedentes: Los sistemas agrícolas tradicionales en Mesoamérica son adaptaciones ancestrales a los diversos y complejos ambientes. La tezcalera representa uno de ellos. Preguntas: ¿En qué contexto ambiental se desarrolla la tezcalera? ¿Cuáles son las prácticas de manejo que se llevan a cabo en la tezcalera?¿Cómo afectan a la riqueza, composición y abundancia de las arvenses? ¿Cómo influyen en la resiliencia del sistema agrícola, de los bosques tropicales secos y al mantenimiento de los recursos para la subsitencia? Especies de estudio: Arvenses en tezcaleras con diferente manejo. Sitio y años de estudio: Zumpahuacán, Estado de México, 2020-2021 Métodos: Entrevistas sobre prácticas de manejo de la tezcalera. Registro de la riqueza, composición y abundancia de malezas en parcelas con diferente historia de manejo. Resultados: Las tezcaleras se originan de la roza-tumba-quema y siguen diferentes rutas: el tlacolol-milsol-regeneración o potrero, y recientemente, cultivo de Agave. Registramos 161 morfoespecies y 45 familias botánicas; 95 % nativas de la selva baja caducifolia. Veinticinco son endémicas de la región del Balsas y 34 están en alguna categoría de riesgo. La riqueza y abundancia de las arvenses varió entre tezcaleras. La composición florística fue similar; 65 % tuvieron valor tangible o intangible. Conclusiones: La tezcalera es una unidad biocultural y un agroecosistema resiliente. Las prácticas tradicionales favorecen la riqueza y composición de las especies nativas. Los herbicidas y la introducción del cultivo de Agave desplazan a los cultivos tradicionales, poniendo en riesgo la agrobiodiversidad local.

Abstract Background: Traditional agricultural systems in Mesoamerica are adaptations of ancient farmers to the complex and varied environments. Tezcalera represents one of them. Questions: How is the environmental context under which the tezcalera develop? Which management practices are followed in tezcalera? How do these management practices affect weeds' richness, composition, and abundance? How do these management practices contribute to the resilience of the agricultural system, the tropical dry forests, and to the maintenance of subsistence resources? Studied species: Weeds growing in tezcaleras with different management. Study site and dates: Zumpahuacán, Estado de México, 2020-2021. Methods: Twenty-four collaborators were interviewed about the environmental, technological, and cultural aspects of tezcalera. We recorded weeds' richness, composition, and abundance in seven plots with different management histories. Results: Tezcaleras originate from the slash-burn process and follow different paths: tlacolol-milsol-shallow plot, potrero, and recently, Agave crop. We recorded 161 morphospecies from 45 botanical families; 95 % were native to tropical dry forests. Twenty-five species are endemic to the Balsas region, and thirty-four are at risk. Richness and abundance varied between tezcaleras, where tlacolol plots exhibited the highest values. Plant composition was similar; 65 % had intangible or tangible values. Conclusions: Tezcalera is a biocultural unit and a resilient agroecosystem. Traditional practices remain and positively impact the richness and composition of native weeds. The uncontrolled use of herbicides and the introduction of Agave crop are displacing traditional crops and modifying traditional practices, risking local agrobiodiversity.