Saberes tradicionales y transición agroecológica en la Mixteca Poblana

This article contains results of a broad research conducted in the rural community of Ayoxuxtla de Zapata in the Mixteca Baja Poblana. The main objective of the research is to locate, describe and analyze agroecological processes from the close relationship between knowledge, practices and beliefs; considering that local traditional knowl-edge (culture) is in connection with the practical (productive) implications and the development of a cosmos in the reproduction of beliefs. It starts from the hypothesis that traditional knowledge is part of the local identity and are fundamental elements of the agroecological transition. Biotic and cultural processes related to traditional agroecosystems such as tlacolol are described and analyzed. Through the theoretical approach of ethnoecology and by means of a coarse ethnography, an integral reading of knowledge, practices and beliefs was made, which is systematized and presented in a biocultural matrix. In a table on epistemic plots of both agricultural activities is pre-sented the comparison with agroindustrial production systems such as monoculture greenhouses found in the region.

Alternative Crops for Adaptation to Climate Change: The Importance of Conserving the Diversity of Lathyrus cicera L. Landraces Adapted to the Morocco Mountains

A Global climate change has raised serious concerns about food security and the sustainability of agriculture, particularly in developing regions of the world. In response to these concerns, attention should be called to the global importance of conservation of some neglected and underutilized crops, such as Lathyrus species, which are nutrient-rich and already adapted to harsh environments and low-input agriculture. L. cicera L., known in Morocco as ‘ikiker’, ‘kiker’ or ‘ichicher’, is marginally cultivated in the region. Landraces of this crop species, which are maintained locally by traditional agricultural practices, correspond to ecotypes adapted to local agroclimatic conditions. We have surveyed the traditional cultivation sites of this crop to identify specific associated agroecosystems in the Middle and High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. We have evaluated the diversity of ecotypes of L. cicera L. by a set of characters associated with the socioeconomic and agromorphological aspects of their cultivation. The results confirmed that their cultivation is very old in the area, and that its maintenance until today is important as the local farmers have started to master the uses for human and animal food. In addition, from a biology point of view, we have demonstrated the existence of variability depending on the trait considered but which demonstrates a differentiation between the ecotypes. From adaptive potential of these ecotypes with respect to tolerance to aridity and increased temperatures, the ecotypes studied showed promising prospects for selection. Thus, despite the limitation of the territory and the regression of the culture, the studied ecotypes have a very interesting stand. This result can be explained by cultural practices. These ecotypes are maintained in traditional agroecosystems which play the role of conservatory of the neglected resources. Therefore, the conservation of these genetic resources depends on the conservation of the traditional agroecosystem and local knowledge.

Sustainability Assessment of Traditional Agroecosystems in the High Region of Yaonáhuac, Puebla, Mexico

A Sustainability Index for Traditional Agroecosystems (SITA) applied in Yaonáhuac, Puebla, Mexico was built. The index was composed of 16 indicators, with which the analysis of diversity-resilience, self-management-autonomy, integration, and self-sufficiency was carried out. To determine the type of sustainability, 62 in-depth interviews were applied to inhabitants of the municipality of Yaonáhuac. The results showed that the following indicators increased the sustainability of home gardens: soil fertility properties, agricultural heterogeneity, linking practices with the home garden, family participation, non-participation in government subsidies, agricultural local knowledges, uses of plants, material of the fence or boundary, productive diversity, and destination of crops. It was found that 29 home gardens showed super strong sustainability and 31 had strong sustainability. The SITA can be used to research small-scale traditional agroecosystems with similar characteristics to monitor their sustainability, as well as to assist in decision-making and promote agroecological management from the home. The shown data represent initial information to monitor and propose agroecological transitions in that region.

Genetic diversity and relationship between wild and cultivated cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] as assessed by allozyme markers

In Cameroon, cowpea plays an important role in traditional agroecosystems. Genetic variation in wild and cultivated cowpea in Cameroon has not yet been documented. Allozyme markers because of their codominance and polymorphism are useful tools for studying genetic variation and disparity in plant species. The present study was undertaken to elucidate the relationship between wild and cultivated cowpea from Cameroon. Ten enzyme systems encoding nineteen isozyme loci were used on 62 cowpea germplasm (45 wild and 17 cultivated). A total of thirty-two alleles were found. One allele was only found in cultivated samples (Enp98 ). Eight alleles were specific only to wild plant (Amp2 98 , Amp3a 103 , Amp4 96 , Fdh104 , Idh2 95 , Pgi3 92 , Pgm2 95 and Sdh95 ). Twenty-three alleles were common to both wild and cultivated accessions. Amp2 10 2 (z = −4.633, p < 0.001) and Fle3 96 (z = −2.858, p < 0.010) were significantly more represented in cultivated compared to wild cowpea forms. The mean number of alleles per locus in wild (1.632 alleles/locus) cowpea were significantly higher (t = 2.805, p < 0.010) compared to cultivated (1.263 alleles/locus) cowpea. Also, the proportion of polymorphic loci (P = 52.63%) and average Nei’s genetic diversity (He = 0.126) were important in wild, compared to the cultivated plants: P = 26.31% and He = 0.063, respectively. The low level of diversity found in domesticated accessions compared to wild can be attributed to a major genetic bottleneck that probably happened during the domestication process. Cluster analysis revealed by UPGMA dendrogram separated the 62 accessions into three clusters. Although an admixture of both wild and cultivated accessions within the same cluster were found, the dendogram, however, highlighted a visible separation between wild and cultivated cowpea. Wild cowpea with many more private alleles indicates an untouched resource available for future breeding.

Pontoscolex corethrurus:a Homeless Invasive Tropical Earthworm?

SummaryThe presence of earthworm species in crop fields is as old as agriculture itself. The earthwormsPontoscolex corethrurus(invasive) andBalanteodrilus pearsei(native) are associated with the emergence of agriculture and sedentism in the region Amazon and Maya, respectively. Both species have shifted their preference from their natural habitat to the cropland niche; however, they contrast in terms of intensification of agricultural land use (anthropic impact to the symbiotic soil microbiome).P. corethrurusinhabits conventional agroecosystems (pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers are applied to soil), whileB. pearseithrives in traditional agroecosystems (biological management of soil); that is,P. corethrurushas not yet been recorded in soils whereB. pearseidwells. The demographic behavior of these two earthworm species was assessed in the laboratory over 100 days, according to their origin (OE;P. corethrurusandB. pearsei) food quality (FQ; soil only, maize stubble, andMucuna pruriens), and soil moisture (SM; 25, 33, and 42%). The results showed that OE, FQ, SM, and the OE x FQ interaction were highly significant for the survival, growth, and reproduction of earthworms.P. corethrurusshowed a lower survival rate (> mortality).P. corethrurussurvivors fed a diet of low-to-intermediate nutritional quality (soil and corn stalks, respectively) showed a greater capacity to grow and reproduce; however, it was surpassed by the native earthworm when fed a high-quality diet (M. pruriens). Besides,P. corethrurusdisplayed a low cocoon hatching (emergence of juveniles). These results suggest that the presence of the invasive species was associated with the absence of natural mutualistic bacteria (gut, nephridia, and cocoons), and with a negative interaction with the soil microbiota where the native species dwells. These results are consistent with the absence ofP. corethrurusin milpa and pasture-type agricultural niches managed by peasants (agroecologists) to grow food regularly a biological management of soil. The results reported here and the published information jointly (e.g., designation of the neotype and ambiguity of the place of origin) jointly suggest thatP. corethrurusis an invasive species that is neither wild nor domesticated, that is, its eco-evolutionary phylogeny needs to be derived based on its symbionts.