ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the erosion rates generated by two types of hand tools for small-scale tillage on a hillslope, using experimental tests and the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE). The hand tools evaluated were a conventional hoe and a redesigned furrowing hoe. The experimental work was conducted in a 145 m2 plot with an average slope of 45% in Colombia. Three treatments were evaluated: a) Zero tillage and no herbicide (control); b) tillage with a conventional hoe plus herbicide; c) tillage with a furrowing hoe plus herbicide. Each treatment was represented by a sedimentation plot, using three repetitions in blocks (lower, middle, and upper parts of each plot), according to the maximum slope gradient. Both hand tillage tools generated high to extremely high erosion rates with differences of up to 8.1 times between them. Both types of tools accelerated soil erosion rates, being higher in furrowing hoe tillage. The USLE method showed no differences in erosion rates between the tillage methods, while differences were found in the experimental tests. This is explained by the lower sensitivity of the USLE to detect small-scale changes in factors such as soil type, cover, and slope.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relative importance of Aedes aegyti breeding sites for potential targeted dengue control interventions in Morelos. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional entomological surveys were conducted and collection of Ae. aegypti pupae was taken from all water-holding containers in Cuautla, Jojutla and Tlaquiltenango during dry (1 713 households) and rainy (1 677) seasons in 2008. Relative importance of different types of breeding sites was determined by the contribution (%) to total pupae production within each locality. RESULTS: In Cuautla most pupae during the dry season were found in wash basins (48.5%), tanks and buckets/pots (15% each); during the rainy season, diverse small items (21.3%), buckets/pots (19.3%) and plant pots (12.9%) were more productive. In Jojutla and Tlaquiltenango, 97% of all pupae was found in plant pots during the dry season; during the rainy season diverse small items (26.3%), washing/cooking utensils (13.9%), buckets/pots (12.9%) and plant pots (12.7%) were significant. CONCLUSION: Prevention and control of the dengue vector should be based on this kind of evidence to target the most productive breeding-sites.

OBJETIVO: Determinar la importancia relativa de los tipos de criadero de Aedes aegypti para proponer intervenciones de control enfocadas en Morelos. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizaron muestreos transversales con colecta de pupas en Cuautla, Jojutla y Tlaquiltenango en temporada de sequía (1713 casas) y lluvias (1677) del año 2008. La importancia relativa de cada tipo de criadero se determinó por su contribución (%) a la producción pupal total por localidad. RESULTADOS: En Cuautla, la mayoría de pupas se recolectaron en temporada de sequía de tanques/pilas (48.5%), tambos y botes/cubetas (15% c/u); en lluvias, los diversos chicos (21.3%), botes/cubetas (19.3%) y macetas/macetones (12.9%) fueron más productivos. En Jojutla y Tlaquiltenango, 97% de las pupas se colectaron de macetas/macetones en secas; durante las lluvias la mayoría de pupas se recolectaron de diversos chicos (26.3%), trastes de cocina/lavado (13.9%), botes/cubetas (12.9%) y macetas/macetones (12.7%), respectivamente. CONCLUSIÓN: La prevención y control del vector del dengue deben basarse en este tipo de evidencias para focalizar las acciones sobre los criaderos más productivos.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relative importance of Aedes aegyti breeding sites for potential targeted dengue control interventions in Morelos. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional entomological surveys were conducted and collection of Ae. aegypti pupae was taken from all water-holding containers in Cuautla, Jojutla and Tlaquiltenango during dry (1 713 households) and rainy (1 677) seasons in 2008. Relative importance of different types of breeding sites was determined by the contribution (%) to total pupae production within each locality. RESULTS: In Cuautla most pupae during the dry season were found in wash basins (48.5%), tanks and buckets/pots (15% each); during the rainy season, diverse small items (21.3%), buckets/pots (19.3%) and plant pots (12.9%) were more productive. In Jojutla and Tlaquiltenango, 97% of all pupae was found in plant pots during the dry season; during the rainy season diverse small items (26.3%), washing/cooking utensils (13.9%), buckets/pots (12.9%) and plant pots (12.7%) were significant. CONCLUSION: Prevention and control of the dengue vector should be based on this kind of evidence to target the most productive breeding-sites.

OBJETIVO: Determinar la importancia relativa de los tipos de criadero de Aedes aegypti para proponer intervenciones de control enfocadas en Morelos. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizaron muestreos transversales con colecta de pupas en Cuautla, Jojutla y Tlaquiltenango en temporada de sequía (1713 casas) y lluvias (1677) del año 2008. La importancia relativa de cada tipo de criadero se determinó por su contribución (%) a la producción pupal total por localidad. RESULTADOS: En Cuautla, la mayoría de pupas se recolectaron en temporada de sequía de tanques/pilas (48.5%), tambos y botes/cubetas (15% c/u); en lluvias, los diversos chicos (21.3%), botes/cubetas (19.3%) y macetas/macetones (12.9%) fueron más productivos. En Jojutla y Tlaquiltenango, 97% de las pupas se colectaron de macetas/macetones en secas; durante las lluvias la mayoría de pupas se recolectaron de diversos chicos (26.3%), trastes de cocina/lavado (13.9%), botes/cubetas (12.9%) y macetas/macetones (12.7%), respectivamente. CONCLUSIÓN: La prevención y control del vector del dengue deben basarse en este tipo de evidencias para focalizar las acciones sobre los criaderos más productivos.