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Preamble of the Volume 10, Issue 1

Keynote paper presented at the International Leucaena Conference, 1‒3 November 2018, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. India is one of the major producers/consumers of paper and pulp products (3–4% of global share). Approximately one-fourth of industry raw material has come from wood-based plantations from the 1990s onwards. The greatest development challenge faced by the industry since that time is sourcing robust raw material from agroforestry on private lands. Following genetic improvement of leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) and realization of its potential as a multiple-use species, it was introduced into India in 1980 under an international cooperation effort with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). It has since spread across the country as a panacea for rural needs of fuel wood, small timber and cattle forage. The paper industry has found that it has potential as raw material for paper making. One of the largest Indian paper companies is JK Paper Ltd, which has an annual production capacity of 550,000 t/yr with 3 integrated pulp and paper plants located at Songadh (Gujarat), Rayagada (Orissa) and Kagaznagar (Telangana) producing writing and printing paper and virgin packaging boards. This case study describes the leucaena farm forestry plantation program initiated by JK Paper Ltd, Unit CPM (Central Pulp Mills). The unit, under its agroforestry and farm forestry plantation approach, planted leucaena plantations in 2009-2010 in parts of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh States. To motivate farmers in the mill’s catchment area, and to build confidence in on-farm plantations, exposure visits were arranged to Andhra Pradesh, where huge tracts of agricultural land were under leucaena plantations. As a result, to date, this unit has engaged >7,800 farmers who have established leucaena plantations covering an area of >18,400 ha. A robust plantation R&D network addressed issues such as seed treatment, seed germination, rhizobial inoculation, geometry of plantations, agro-forestry models, selection and development of high production clones, establishment of clonal seed orchards, genetic improvement through mutation techniques and hybridization programs for wood quality improvement.

O estudo visa levantar problemas prioritários e propor estratégias e acções que o sistema pecuário familiar pode desempenhar para redução da pobreza e melhoria da qualidade de vida das Comunidades Monte Macaco e Santa Margarida na Ilha de São Tomé. Não é conclusivo, mas aponta como principal causa das dificuldades a falta de dinheiro para fazer face a problemas sanitários, de alojamento e de alimentação para animais, situação agravada pelo roubo destes e mau funcionamento das Associações. A discussão sobre as causas levou à proposta de soluções tendentes a ultrapassar as dificuldades. Os agricultores-criadores propõem a elaboração de um projecto de intervenção para melhorar o sistema e a qualidade de vida. Nesse sentido, o estudo sugere realização de uma oficina comunitária, planeamento participativo e um inquérito formal concomitante.The study aimed to identify main problems and find out strategies and actions to be taken by livestock smallholders to reduce poverty and improve quality of life of Monte Macaco and Santa Margarida Comunities of São Tomé Island. Although it is inconclusive, the result shows that lack of fïnancing support to invest on animal health, housing and feeding is the main constraint for livestock smalholders production and it becomes worst due to animal robbery and weakness of Comunnity Associations. Discussion about causes led to the proposal of actions to overcome difficulties. Livestock smallholders suggested an intervention project to enhance the system and the quality of life. In this sense, there should be workshops, leading to the participative planning of Community and based on formal surveys.

Background. Chili is an important crop for Mexican culture. Objective. To identify the pathogen associated with the causal agent of root rot in a native chili pepper Apaxtleco in Guerrero, Mexico. Methodology. Root samples of diseased plants were taken from a chili plot in Apaxtla, Guerrero, and were taken to the Phytopathology Laboratory, at Colegio Superior Agropecuario del Estado de Guerrero (CSAEGRO), México. Subsequently, 1 cm root sections were made from healthy and diseased tissue, which were disinfected with 3% sodium hypochlorite for 1 min, and washed three times with sterile distilled water for 1 min, and dried with sterile absorbent paper, later, moistened sterilized paper was placed in the Petri dish and moistened with sterile distilled water and two slides were placed on it arranged in the shape of a cross and at each end of the slides and in the center of these, a piece of previously disinfected root was placed. The plates were kept at 28 °C ± 2 °C for 168 h. The purification of the pathogen was carried out using the hyphal tip and the identification was morpho-molecular. Results. The causal agent of root rot in Apaxtleco native chili plants was Macrophomina pseudophaseolina. Implications. Our result reveals the opportunity to improve the control of this pathogen at Guerrero, Mexico. Conclusion. M. pseudophaseolina causing root rot, in Apaxtleco native chili is reported for the first time.

Understanding plant resistance requires an interdisciplinary effort between biological and agricultural sciences. In this setting, phytopathology has experienced an upsurge of interest from researchers and scholars in the disciplines of ecology, evolution and molecular biology. This encounter did neither avoid misunderstandings among scholars nor the use of similar concepts with different meanings. The purpose of this paper is to offer a modern comprehensive view of plant resistance against pathogens using a classical phytopathology concept as framework: Van der Plank s concept of horizontal and vertical resistance. This concept is used in other agricultural science disciplines (plant breeding and genetics), supporting why it is a proper framework for explaining plant resistance. Within this frame, other classical phytopathologycal concepts are explained in combination with modern model descriptions of plant-pathogen interactions and how all these concepts are related with quantitative and field resistance. This review is written in Spanish because it serves an additional purpose. In the Spanish-speaking America, besides interdisciplinarity, phytopathology as an academic discipline faces another challenge: the students' low-English language proficiency. In this regard, this review intends to become a companion guide for plant-pathology teachers in the region interested in providing an insight into the modern concepts of plant resistance., (Copyright © 2020 Asociación Argentina de Microbiología. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

(Series Information) European Papers - A Journal on Law and Integration, 2018 3(1), 345-356 | European Forum Insight of 19 March 2018 | (Table of Contents) I. Introduction. - II. The context: normative framework and relevant precedents. - II.1. A focus on the EU normative framework on GMOs. - II.2. Setting the (high) standard of proof: the case Monsanto SAS. - III. The judgment. - III.1. Factual background. - III.2. AG Bobek's Opinion. - III.3. The findings of the Court of Justice. - IV. Comment. | (Abstract) This Insight comments on the preliminary ruling in the case Fidenato et al. (judgment of 13 September 2017, case C-111/16), in which the Court of Justice excluded that Member States may rely on the precautionary principle enshrined in Art. 7 of Regulation 178/2002 to adopt emergency measures against the cultivation of GMOs, pursuant to Art. 34 of Regulation 1829/2003. The judgment confirms the strict interpretation of the conditions to adopt such measures, already provided by the Court of Justice in the case Monsanto SAS (judgment of 8 September 2011, joined cases C-58/10 and C-68/10), and the will of the EU to maintain full control over the management of scientific risk related to GMOs. At the same time, the ruling calls for some reflections on GMOs regulation in the EU, which has recently undergone some major changes in the sense of leaving much more freedom to Member States to ban the cultivation of GMOs when non-scientific risks are at stake.

Native and exotic C4 grasses currently used in grazing systems in the subtropics have specific limitations with management, decline in feed quality as they mature and variable adaptation to soils and climates, providing opportunities to identify alternative species to complement or replace them. One option is Paspalum lepton (syn. P. nicorae), a sward- forming, rhizomatous grass native to subtropical South America with recognized forage value. An early maturing form of this species has become naturalized in Northern New South Wales since its introduction in the 1940s. More recent introductions with forage and amenity potential are being established vegetatively and by seed as it becomes available. This paper reviews published work on P. lepton and reports largely unpublished results and observations on its performance in research and development studies in subtropical Eastern Australia. The potential value of and threats posed by P. lepton in relation to its adaptation, productivity, competitiveness and role in limiting ingress of existing weedy species are discussed. APG 54281 and APG 54325 are palatable, productive and persistent lines of this grass that have proven to be adapted to livestock production systems in most of the humid lowland subtropics, and to a specific niche in the subtropical uplands of Southeast Queensland where there is a lack of adapted C4 grasses and C3 grasses are only marginally adapted.

Since the end of the 1990s, as in other Latin American countries, Uruguay has experienced an "agricultural boom," an advance in the agricultural sector and the introduction of new technologies as well as new ways of producing and working. In addition, since 2005, the country has seen a surge in rural unionization, associated with collective bargaining processes and the expansion of workers' rights at the national level. However, this process has not yet been able to consolidate significant changes in the historical working conditions of rural labor. This paper analyzes the social construction of the risk of rural wage labor from the perspective of rural leaders, based on a qualitative approach. In the workers' discourses appear elements of naturalization as well as persistent difficulties in their work to improve their working conditions, as a way of impacting their health and quality of life.

Pineapple is the third most-produced tropical fruit worldwide; however, it is a crop that, due to its management, can lead to the generation and intensification of processes such as soil erosion. This paper presents a bibliographic review about the factors that influence erosion in soils dedicated to pineapple cultivation, addressing papers reported in the international literature, subsequently positioning it in the context of the main producing municipalities presented in the Valle del Cauca region. The available research covers the last four decades, where losses are estimated between 35 and 178t ha-1year-1; the topography, the conditions of the access roads, some management practices, and edaphic properties related to erodibility stand out among the most critical factors. Finally, based on the climatic, edaphological, and topographic traits reported in the literature for the main pineapple producing region of Valle del Cauca, and considering current management practices, it is found that this area can present very high erosion values since the soils are susceptible, and the slopes are steep, some of them even higher than 70%. Therefore, it is suggested to carry out more research to determine the erodibility and erosivity of these areas to know the potential degradation index, which will function as a valuable tool for decision-making, the generation of management, and conservation recommendations of these soils.

The Caatinga biome is presented in the vegetation where the Brazilian semiarid region predominates, with a great variety of native species, and facheiro is one of the most important species because of its wide range in the semiarid region in northeastern Brazil. Therefore, the knowledge of the germinative behavior of the Caatinga species is essential to subsidize conservationist actions in this ecosystem. This study aimed to determine the effect of temperature and substrate on the germination and vigor of facheiro’s seeds. These seeds were obtained from ripe fruits collected in three localities of the Agreste of Paraíba: Arara, Bananeiras, and Boa Vista. After extraction, the seeds were placed to dry on paper for one week in a laboratory environment. Subsequently, the experiment was started by testing four temperatures: 20, 25, 30, and 20-30 °C. The germination test was conducted with four replications of 50 seeds distributed in “gerbox” boxes and placed in bio-oxygen demand (BOD) chambers using as a substrate the germitest paper, with a photoperiod of 12 hours. The statistical design was randomized in a 3 × 4 factorial arrangement (3 localities and 4 temperatures). A significant effect was observed for populations and substrates. The best substrate for germination was the germitest, while the substrate vermiculite presented a good performance, and the substrate soil presented low germination. Therefore, seeds presented the best vigor in the germitest paper, mainly with a temperature of 25 °C where the best performance for all localities was found. The vigor of seeds in the localities of Bananeiras and Boa Vista, temperatures of 25, 30, and 20-30 °C, and substrate germitest paper provided the highest vigor. The germitest substrate is the recommended substrate for the germination of the species, maximizing its physiological potential and being able to accelerate conservation projects for the species.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential allelopathic effects of isolated or intercropped aqueous forage extracts on the physiological performance of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and corn (Zea mays L.) seeds, as well as their phytotoxicity to the weed species Bidens pilosa L. Aqueous extracts were prepared at a concentration of 5%, and the tests with soy and corn were conducted by wetting the germination papers with different treatments and performing procedures within the standards of the Brazilian Rules of Seed Analysis. Tests with the cover plant extracts on the seeds of B. pilosa used BOD-type repetitions. Fifty weed seeds were placed in a gerbox with filter paper moistened with the different treatments with five repetitions. Distilled water was used as the control in all tests. Extracts of Avena strigosa Schreb and Raphanus sativus L. (radish), cultivated individually and in combination, increased the seed germination percentage (%G) and the length of soybean seedlings. Similarly, extracts of Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br and Crotalaria spectabilis Roth, in individual and combined cultivation, provided gains in corn %G. Furthermore, all tested extracts suppressed germination and decreased the speed of the germination index of the hairy beggarticks when compared to the control, with the radish extract showing the greater reduction effect on the %G of the weed plant B. pilosa. Highlights: • The use of Crotalaria as a cover crop has a positive effect on the initial growth of corn. • The use of black oat and forage radish intercropped had the potential to increase soybean yield. • The use of cover crops contributes to the integrated management of weeds. • The choice of cover plant is important for the success of crop rotation.

The economic crisis has had an asymmetric effect on Spanish and regional/local economies. This study aims to analyze the strategies developed by cooperative wineries in Castilla-La Mancha (CLM) and their impact on performance measurements. The paper opted for an exploratory study based on a compilation of financial statements consisting of the traditional economic-financial profitability ratios (ROA, ROI, ROS) plus a specific analysis, Return of Owner Cooperative (ROC). We have also used two financial measurements: Liquidity and Leverage. Trade dynamism is the hallmark of wine cooperatives in CLM in terms of strategic action in the face of a crisis. Their resilience is patent in the conquest of foreign markets via low unit costs, which have been transferred to sales prices. The paper has implications for the understanding of the resilience of the agricultural cooperatives during the crisis period in question. The consistency of the results provides a context to promote the cooperative model as an essential factor in the social economy. This paper fulfils an identified need to show the cooperative model as a resilient one in the agricultural field and in the context of rural development. Highlights: • Cooperative wineries contribute to economic and social development in Castilla La Mancha (Spain). • Social economy companies withstood the crisis better due to their objective function (maximizing cooperative owners’ income) and thanks to their flexibility in terms of grape payment policies. • The Return of Owner Cooperative (ROC) measures the transfer of income to farmers and is higher than the payment they would receive from other agents. • The cooperative wineries have reacted to the crisis with good financial indicators: liquidity and leverage. • The cooperative wineries have adopted a strategy based on exports that has allowed them to overcome the economic crisis.

Background: Dairy industry economics and public health are negatively impacted when udder health is compromised. Intramammary infection is the most important infectious problem generating economic losses to the milk production systems around the world. Affectations of animal generated diseases on public health are well known. Several categories of analysis have been studied to implement prevention and control strategies against intramammary disease. However, the control of these affectations has been considered a complex problem based on various factors. Objective: characterize the categories and subcategories of analysis used for the study of udder health published in research papers during the period comprehend between 1962 - 2019. Methodology: A systematic review with a broad approach in the research protocol was designed applying the identification phases, screening, choice, and inclusion criteria described in the PRISMA guide. A qualitative synthesis of year of publication, continent, focus, category of udder health analysis, and subcategories of udder health analysis was performed. Results: We found that more than half of the papers identified in this topic were published in the last decade of the studied period (1962 - 2019). New categories were incorporated into the timeline, evidencing an evolution in the way of understanding udder health problems. Implications: Many of the countries that publish most of the papers have implemented programs and policies on udder health management in recent years. Precisely in the last decade, cultural processes and political processes were incorporated into the study of udder health. This incorporation of new and relevant topics may have been very useful in the design and evaluation of public policies on udder health in those countries. Conclusions: These results show the interest in the academic, productive, and political sectors for udder health and its consequences on public health.

Syzygium cumini seeds are recalcitrant, thus cannot tolerate drying and storage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the longevity of these seeds under different storage conditions and to assess the effect of osmotic treatment with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and abscisic acid (ABA) on reducing sensitivity to desiccation and increasing the longevity of these seeds. Seeds were desiccated until they reached preestablished moisture contents (40, 35, 30, 25 and 15%) and allowed to germinate. With 25% moisture content, germination was approximately 40%, and, with 15%, germination did not occur anymore. In the treatments aimed at reducing sensitivity to desiccation, seeds were incubated for 15 days in a solution of PEG (-1.88 MPa) or PEG (-1.88 MPa) + ABA (10-4 M), desiccated until they reached the preestablished moisture contents mentioned above, and then allowed to germinate. Five conditions were tested for storage: plastic bag in a cold room (8-10 °C; 45% RH); plastic bag in an air-conditioned room (20 °C; 60% RH); paper bag at room temperature; PEG solution at -1.88 MPa at 20 °C; and PEG solution at -1.88 MPa + ABA 10-4 M at 20 °C. Germination tests were carried out after 15, 30 and 90 days of storage. The best storage condition was in a plastic bag in an air-conditioned room, which was capable to keep a germinate rate close to 100% for up to 90 days. Under the conditions tested, osmotic treatment with or without ABA did not reduce sensitivity to desiccation and did not prolong seed longevity.

The tons of organic waste that are annually generated by agro-industry, can be used as raw material for methane production. For this reason, it is important to previously perform biodegradability tests to organic wastes for their full scale methanization. This paper addresses biodegradability, methane production and the behavior of populations of eubacteria and archaeabacteria during anaerobic digestion of banana, mango and papaya agroindustrial wastes. Mango and banana wastes had higher organic matter content than papaya in terms of their volatile solids and total solid rate (94 and 75% respectively). After 63 days of treatment, the highest methane production was observed in banana waste anaerobic digestion: 63.89ml CH4/per gram of chemical oxygen demand of the waste. In the PCR-DGGE molecular analysis, different genomic footprints with oligonucleotides for eubacteria and archeobacteria were found. Biochemical methane potential results proved that banana wastes have the best potential to be used as raw material for methane production. The result of a PCR- DGGE analysis using specific oligonucleotides enabled to identify the behavior of populations of eubacteria and archaeabacteria present during the anaerobic digestion of agroindustrial wastes throughout the process., (Copyright © 2015 Asociación Argentina de Microbiología. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

This paper analyzes how decision-making, management capacity and technology adoption by beekeepers, affect the technical efficiency (TE) of Argentinean beekeeping through the case study of the province of La Pampa (Argentina). The assessment of TE is currently receiving ever-growing attention as an indicator of sustainability and usage of sufficient natural resources in beekeeping activities. This study aimed to identify the key factors affecting the technical efficiency of bee farms in the province of La Pampa. The study included a sample of 40 bee farms and estimated their TE score through an input-oriented Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model. In a second stage, Tobit regression was determined to evaluate the technical inefficiency determinants. This paper found that most beekeeping production units have low TE levels. Only 25 % of bee farms produce either at or close to the frontier. The Tobit model revealed that variables such as marital status, educational level, primary family income, source information usage, planning and health area, affect positively on pure technical efficiency. These results are considered to be of great interest for structured beekeeping systems on small-scale and family farms, as well as for political decision-makers, regarding a public program in apiculture. Highlights: Argentina is the leading country in America, exporting honey worldwide. DEA approach and Tobit model based on a two-stage analysis is a useful tool when evaluating livestock production systems. Bee farmers in La Pampa (Argentina) are operating below the production frontier, which indicates there is still scope for improvement. Variables such as marital status, educational level, primary family income, source information usage, planning and health area, affect positively on technical efficiency. Beekeepers should be encouraged by the government to improve their efficiency through training programs to ease decision-making and management, therefore enhancing productivity.

Contextualization: Lupinus bracteolaris is a heliophite species that vegetates low lands, open slopes and sandstone hills. Knowledge gap: Despite the high rusticity and potential for covering poor soils, there is still no information to assist in the analysis of its seeds. Purpose: To determine pre-germinative treatments, substrate, temperature, luminosity and water intake in the vigor of Lupinus bracteolaris seeds. Methodology: Fruits were collected from 20 matrix plants, then the seeds were processed and submitted to the following tests: pre-germinative methods (six treatments at 25°C); substrates and temperatures (sand and paper at 20, 25 and 30°C); photoblast test (white light, diffuse-green light and continuous dark under 20°C) and the imbibition curve (control and scarification between sandpaper under 20°C). Evaluations: percentage of germination and formed seedlings, germination speed index, average germination time and seedling formation, using a completely randomized design. Results and conclusions: According to the analyzed variables, the results showed superiority for the pre-germinative treatment between sandpapers for 20 seconds. In addition, the substrate paper germibox and the temperature of 20°C were the most suitable during seed germination. The seeds of Lupinus bracteolaris were classified as neutral-photoblastic and without dormancy.

Keynote paper presented at the International Leucaena Conference, 1‒3 November 2018, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. This paper presents the current status of Leucaena leucocephala (leucaena) feeding systems and proposes research priorities for leucaena development in Argentina. Although research on leucaena as forage for cattle production began in the late 1960s, it was not widely adopted until 2010 (5 decades later). The recent adoption is related to the incorporation of the ‘Australian technology package’, previously adapted for use by farmers in the neighboring region of the Paraguayan Chaco. In June 2018, we surveyed 8 properties with about 2,400 ha of leucaena in silvopastoral systems for beef cattle production in the Argentinean Chaco region, as well as 10 smallholder farms with about 10 ha of leucaena protein banks for dairy cattle in the northeast of Argentina. In the silvopastoral systems, leucaena condition was excellent on most properties in the 750‒1,350 mm/year rainfall zone and low/poor on only 1 farm due to low rainfall (600 mm/year). In protein banks, leucaena condition was excellent or good on 6 of the properties and low/poor on the remaining 4, attributed to ingress of weeds and/or overgrazing. Grass condition was good in most of the systems but was low/poor in 2 silvopastoral systems due to very high stocking rates imposed to restrict leucaena height. Although there is high potential for leucaena development in Argentina, expansion should take place carefully with leucaena planted only on areas suitable for successful establishment, and using appropriate management practices to reduce establishment failures and costs, restrict leucaena height, enhance grass persistence, improve grazing strategies and manage mimosine toxicity problems.

Keynote paper presented at the International Leucaena Conference, 1‒3 November 2018, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The demand for milk and dairy products globally is expected to grow in future decades, leading to an increase in the global dairy cattle population. Therefore it is important to identify production options that both improve efficiency and help reduce negative effects on the environment. Intensive silvopastoral systems have been proposed as a sustainable strategy in the tropics to increase the availability and quality of forage throughout the year for milk production from cattle. This paper reports the effects of silvopastoral systems that include leucaena at the farm level on milk production and on the environment in both Colombia and Mexico. Evaluation of different milk production systems has shown that the leucaena-based systems increased milk production both per cow and per hectare, increased the production of milk solids, improved the fatty acid profile in the milk and resulted in environmental benefits when compared with conventional systems.

Keynote paper presented at the International Leucaena Conference, 1‒3 November 2018, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The perennial legume leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) is grown across the subtropics for a variety of purposes including livestock fodder. Livestock in Australia emit a significant proportion of the methane produced by the agriculture sector and there is increasing pressure to decrease emissions from beef cattle production systems. In addition to direct productivity gains for livestock, leucaena has been shown to lower enteric methane production, suggesting an opportunity for emissions mitigation and Commonwealth Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) methodology development, where leucaena browse is adopted for high value beef production. Determining the proportion of leucaena in the diet may be one of the more challenging aspects in attributing mitigation. Current enteric emission relationships for cattle consuming mixed grass-leucaena diets are based on intensive respiration chamber work. Herd-scale methane flux has also been determined using open path laser methodologies and may be used to validate an on-farm herd-scale methodology for leucaena feeding systems. The methodology should also address increased potential for soil organic carbon storage by leucaena grazing systems, and changes in nitrous oxide production. This paper outlines the background, justification, eligibility requirements and potential gaps in research for an emissions quantification protocol that will lead to the adoption of a leucaena methodology by the Australian beef industry. Development of a methodology would be supported by research conducted in Australia.

Keynote paper presented at the International Leucaena Conference, 1‒3 November 2018, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Research and government agencies in eastern Indonesia have identified 2 systems with potential to increase productivity and incomes of small-holder cattle producers: improved cattle feeding practices through forage tree legumes (FTL); and the development of more efficient and specialized cattle-fattening systems. Extensive research has been conducted on production and technical aspects of FTL-fattening systems, but there is a gap in research on economic incentives for households to adopt the systems. This paper provides an economic analysis of a leucaena-fattening system in a village in West Timor. It draws on trial data from associated technical research projects and detailed semi-structured interviews with farmers and other stakeholders to populate a bio-economic model built for the research. Under all measures of profitability, leucaena-fattening systems in representative households are profitable in the wet season. Importantly, ’returns to person days’ are higher than off-farm incomes. The activity generates cash income, increasingly required to meet cash expenses in modern rural Indonesian society. However, returns vary considerably between households, are considerably lower in the dry season and, as would be expected, are sensitive to relative prices of feeder and finished cattle.

Climate change is a wicked problem, a framework not often used in sociolegal studies. The problem is complex, not readily named, and not limited to one jurisdiction. Therefore, the places of law are multiple: human rights instruments, supranational tribunals, regional courts, and local governments and NGOS. Litigation concerning responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions has largely not resulted in favorable judgments, and the papers in this collection turn to other ways of conceptualizing law and courts in responding to climate change. Relevant legal strategies include environmental legal enforcement, but also changes in investment, and response to the many disasters that are related to climate change. The papers in this collection travel across jurisdictions, actors and problems to assess legal strategies concerning climate change. El cambio climático es un problema perverso, un marco poco usado en los estudios sociojurídicos. El problema es complejo, de difícil denominación, y no está limitado a una sola jurisdicción. Por lo tanto, el derecho tiene muchos espacios: instrumentos de derechos humanos, tribunales supranacionales, juzgados regionales y gobiernos y ONG locales. Los litigios sobre responsabilidades por emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero no han solido acabar con veredictos favorables, y los artículos de esta colección miran hacia otras formas de conceptualizar el derecho y los tribunales como respuesta al cambio climático. Estrategias legales importantes incluyen la aplicación del derecho, pero también cambios en inversiones y respuestas a los múltiples desastres relacionados con el cambio climático. Los artículos de este número navegan por varias jurisdicciones, agentes y problemas para valorar las estrategias jurídicas sobre cambio climático. Available from: https://doi.org/10.35295/osls.iisl/0000-0000-0000-1059

Keynote paper presented at the International Leucaena Conference, 1‒3 November 2018, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. A research program to develop sterile leucaena has commenced to enhance red-meat production in additional regions of Australia including Western Australia, Northern Territory and New South Wales, where growing seeded leucaena is not currently permitted or encouraged. In this study we report on the development of methodology using a mutagenizing agent, EMS (ethyl methanesulfonate), to cause mutations in the self-fertile commercial leucaena cultivar, Redlands. Several experiments to determine the optimum rate of EMS have been completed and first generation mutagenized plants (M0) established in the field at Redlands Research Station, Cleveland, Queensland, Australia. An EMS concentration of 0.35% applied to germination paper proved the best method to achieve a target emergence percentage of 50%. To date, 27 of 179 mutagenized M0 seedless plants are considered to be putatively sterile. A further 1,200 M0 plants have been established in the field providing an even greater chance of identifying sterile leucaena plants with the desired forage quality and psyllid-resistance attributes.

Keynote paper presented at the International Leucaena Conference, 1‒3 November 2018, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. With increasing cattle production in East Nusa Tenggara Province there is an urgent need to increase plantings of high quality forage such as Tarramba leucaena. This requires knowledge and practical skills by the stakeholders to achieve reliable plant establishment. As part of a study of Tarramba leucaena adoption in East Nusa Tenggara, it became clear that the best method to establish leucaena was by transplanting 1‒2-month-old seedlings at the beginning of the rainy season that had been pre-prepared in poly-bags at a nursery. However, with varied conditions at the study locations, such as the absence of a dry season water source, farmers have used other methods, including: direct seeding; poly-bag seedlings planted later in the wet season; or older bare-root seedlings harvested from a high density nursery or from volunteer seedlings growing between rows of established leucaena. This paper elaborates on the different methods of establishment in farmer plantings in Kupang District (West Timor region of East Nusa Tenggara Province), Indonesia.

Background. Pedology is the study of soil genesis in its natural state. One way to assess the strength and productivity of a scientific field is to measure the number of publications over time. The number of soil papers published worldwide has almost doubled in the last ten years. However, that has not been the case in Eastern Africa, where this review is conducted. The scarcity of research in pedology motivates this study. Objectives. To review and analyze trends of publications in pedology/soil survey for the last ten years in (2010 - 2019) in Eastern Africa. Methodology. A search of scientific literature using Google and Google Scholar was conducted from 2010 - 2019. The search terms used were - soil survey, soil characterization, pedological characterization, and each of the Eastern African countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Sudan). We then scrutinized the abstracts to find quantitative data on geographical locations. Additional articles were reviewed by checking through the reference lists of relevant studies in the peer-reviewed articles. Results. 56 scientific articles, 3 MSc/PhD theses reports, and 4 project reports/ proceedings were included for the full review. Out of this, 39 journal papers were identified and reviewed based on the years they were published, and the countries where they were published. Most articles were published in 2018. The data was then split into two segments, from the years 2010 - 2014 and 2015 - 2019. Between the years 2015 to 2019, a total of 36 articles were published compared to the years 2010 to 2014 where a total of 15 articles were published. This shows a slight increase in publications for the years under study. From the 56 articles, Ethiopia records the highest number of published articles from various journals having a total of 25 papers constituting 45% closely followed by Tanzania, having 27% equivalent to 15 papers. Kenya comes third in the overall ranking at 13% with 7 papers. The last three countries are Sudan, Rwanda, and Uganda with 10%, 3%, and 2% respectively. Implications. The results suggest that pedology seems to be a disappearing skill in the Eastern Africa region. Though there has been a spike in publications from 2015-2018, the current situation must be improved as there are limited publications from 2010 - 2019. Conclusion. The study shows that there have been a low number of publications in Eastern African countries. Ethiopia which has the highest number of publications shows the most promise in soil pedology publications. There is a need for an increase in pedology research which is important for agricultural production and land use planning.

Background. Mangrove ecosystems in oil-producing areas in the south of Veracruz, Mexico are permanently threatened by oil spill contamination. In this context, Rhizophora mangle and the microbiota associated with its rhizosphere have adapted over time to processes of bioremediation and natural attenuation of petroleum hydrocarbons. Objective. To evaluate the hydrocarbonoclastic potential of filamentous fungi isolated from the rhizosphere of R. mangle present in a hydrocarbon-contaminated site in Veracruz. Methodology. A rhizosphere sample was characterized physicochemically and total petroleum hydrocarbons were quantified. Fungal strains with hydrocarbonoclastic capacity were isolated in Noble agar medium, salts, and paper impregnated with Maya crude oil. The strains were identified by cell morphology and rDNA ITS region sequencing, and the sequences were used to construct a phylogenetic tree using the maximum likelihood method. A liquid culture was developed in a mineral medium added with petroleum for 30 days and the saturated, polar, and aromatic fractions were quantified to determine the percentage of biodegradation. Results. Six strains of hydrocarbonoclastic fungi were isolated and identified in R. mangle rhizosphere contaminated with 109 916.5 mg kg-1 of TPHs. Of these strains, Aspergillus niger and A. flavus showed the highest hydrocarbon biodegradation with 30.5 and 26.1%, respectively. The highest biodegradation of the saturated fraction was observed with A. niger, A. flavus, and A. egyptiacus; Fusarium oxysporum and A. niger preferred the polar fraction, while A. niger and A. flavus assimilated more of the aromatic fraction. Implications. These hydrocarbonoclastic strains may be potentially used in restoration strategies for hydrocarbon-contaminated mangroves. Conclusion. The microorganisms associated with contaminated mangroves are part of the natural attenuation of the studied site and may be useful for the treatment of sites affected by petroleum spills. Antecedentes. Los ecosistemas de manglar presentes en zonas petroleras del sur de Veracruz, México, se encuentran permanentemente amenazados por la contaminación por derrames de hidrocarburos. En este sentido, Rhizophora mangle y su microbiota asociada a la rizosfera se han adaptado a través del tiempo a procesos de biorremediación y atenuación natural de hidrocarburos del petróleo. Objetivo. Evaluar el potencial hidrocarbonoclasta de hongos filamentosos aislados de la rizosfera de R. mangle presentes en un sitio contaminado con hidrocarburos de Veracruz. Metodología: Se caracterizó fisicoquímicamente una muestra compuesta de rizosfera y se cuantificaron los hidrocarburos totales del petróleo. Se aislaron cepas fúngicas con capacidad hidrocarbonoclasta en medio agar noble, sales y con papel impregnado de petróleo crudo Maya. Las cepas fueron identificadas por morfología celular y por secuenciación de la región ITS del ADNr, se realizó un árbol filogenético con las secuencias por el método de máxima verosimilitud. Se realizó cultivo líquido en medio mineral adicionado con petróleo durante 30 días, se cuantificaron la fracción saturada, polar y de aromáticos determinando los porcentajes de biodegradación. Resultados: Se aislaron e identificaron seis cepas de hongos hidrocarbonoclastas a partir de rizosfera de R. mangle contaminado con 109 916.5 mg kg-1 de HTP, de las cuales Aspergillus niger y A. flavus fueron los que presentaron una mayor biodegradación de hidrocarburos con un 30.5 y 26.1%, respectivamente. La mayor biodegradación de la fracción saturada fue con A. niger, A. flavus y A. egyptiacus; Fusarium oxysporum y A. niger prefirieron mejor la fracción polar; mientras que A. niger y A. flavus asimilaron más la fracción de aromáticos. Implicaciones Estas cepas hidrocarbonoclastas pueden tener un potencial para utilizarse en estrategias de restauración de manglares contaminados con hidrocarburos. Conclusión Los microorganismos asociados al manglar contaminado forman parte de la atenuación natural del sitio estudiado y podrían ser útiles en el tratamiento de sitios impactados por derrames de petróleo.

Background. Malnutrition is the biggest problem currently threatening human wellbeing across the world directly affecting one-third of people and occurring in many forms. In developing countries, it expresses itself via stunted growth in children, diseases occurrences and deficiency of vital nutrients required for normal physiological functions. In the perspective of animal production, addressing poor animal protein intake by increasing supply of meat for consumption is a viable option for fighting the menace of malnutrition. Main findings This paper identified malnutrition and hunger as major problems in developing countries and suggested rabbit production as cheaper alternative for increasing protein supply because rabbit production is cheap and can supply affordable meat, it has short gestation interval hence it has potential for high yield per production period, it has superior meat quality and require minimal capital investment for its production compared with other animal production units. Implications. Apart from its roles in food supply; rabbit has strong relevance in bioscience research as model animal in studying pathophysiology of diseases and metabolic dysfunctions of man because of its genetical and physiological closeness to humans. Conclusion. This paper summarized and made cases for re-introduction of rabbit as micro-livestock for meat production and it use as model animal in biological research investigations.

Analyzing time series data with remote sensing provides a better understanding of vegetation dynamics, since previous conditions and changes that have occurred over a given period are known. The objective of this paper was to analyze the current status and recent advances in the use of time series data obtained from remote sensors for vegetation monitoring. A systematic search of scientific papers was performed and 167 papers were found, published during the period 1996 to 2017. No significant difference in the amount of years analyzed was found between time series analyzed with a single sensor and those analyzed with a combination of several sensors (i.e. Landsat and SPOT, Landsat and Sentinel, among others). However, the combination of data from different sensors (fusion of images) can improve the quality of the results. Special attention must also be given to the fusion of optical and radar data, since this offers more unique spectral and structural information for land cover and land use assessments. Highlights Remote sensing provides a better understanding of vegetation dynamics. The number of vegetation monitoring papers published using time series data are becoming more frequent. The fusion of Landsat and Sentinel-2 satellite data shows great potential for timely monitoring of rapid changes. The fusion of optical and radar data points to a new trend in remote sensing, including the use of geospatial open data sources.

The germination performances of fresh seed lots were determined for 5 tropical forage species: Mulato II hybrid brachiaria [Urochloa ruziziensis (syn. Brachiaria ruziziensis) x U. decumbens (syn. B. decumbens) x U. brizantha (syn. B. brizantha)], Mombasa guinea [Megathyrsus maximus (syn. Panicum maximum)], Tanzania guinea [M. maximus (syn. P. maximum)], Ubon paspalum (Paspalum atratum) and Ubon stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis), stored under ambient conditions in Thailand (mean monthly temperatures 23‒34 ºC; mean monthly relative humidity 40‒92%) or in a cool room (18‒20 ºC and 50% relative humidity) for up to 6 years. The first paper of this study showed all seeds, except unscarified Ubon stylo seed, were dead after a single year of storage in ambient conditions. This second paper shows that cool-room storage extended seed viability, but performance varied considerably between species. Germination percentage under laboratory conditions declined to below 50%, after 3 years storage for Mombasa guinea seed and Tanzania guinea seed, 4 years for Ubon paspalum seed and 4‒5 years for Mulato II seed. Ubon stylo seed maintained high germination for 5 years, in both cool-room storage (96%) and ambient-room storage (84%). Apparent embryo dormancy in acid-scarified Mulato II seed steadily increased with time in cool-storage and this seed had to be acid-scarified again each year at the time of germination testing to overcome dormancy. Physical dormancy of Mulato II seeds, imposed by the tightly bound lemma and palea in unscarified seed, was not overcome by length of time in cool-storage and these seeds had to be acid-scarified to induce germination. Hardseeded percentage in Ubon stylo seed remained high throughout the study and could be overcome only by acid-scarification. The difficulties of maintaining acceptable seed germination percentages when storing forage seeds in the humid tropics are discussed.

Background. Moorlands are strategic ecosystems that provide regulation and provision of water, and that face serious effects due to agricultural activities. Productive reconversion (PR) is a mixed environmental, and economic strategy for managing change in agricultural systems towards sustainable agroecological models. Objective. To investigate the factors that favor and prevent the implementation of PR. Methodology. The paper analyzed 26 variables of the productive (14), socioeconomic (6) and environmental (6) dimensions of 172 producers of long onion and potato growers in the Tota lake basin, Tota-Bijagual-Mamapacha moorland, Colombia. Results. It was found that 44% of the variables are identified in favor and the remaining 56% against the PR, highlighting the advances in training, social organization, environmental awareness and disposition of the producers for the PR, but being forced to continue the activity due to the economic profitability. Implication. The economic profitability is against sustainability, it is related to the implementation of harmful practices such as the indiscriminate, inefficient, unplanned use of agro-inputs for fertilization and pest and disease management, with highly toxic pesticides, composting without maturity, which affect both human and ecosystem health. Conclusion. The main challenges are from the productive dimension, in which strategies are consolidated aimed at promoting: a) the adequate selection of quality seed, b) better soil management, c) the management of pests and diseases based on phytosanitary plans that integrate monitoring traps, preventive actions, and restrict the use of agro-inputs of chemical synthesis and d) promote the efficient use of water resources based on the strengthening of participatory agroclimatic monitoring networks.

Background. The coffee processing process generates polluting solid and liquid waste. It is possible to reduce its effects through treatments that allow its use. Objective. To analyze the alternatives for the management of the effluents and residues generated in the coffee processing process to reduce its effects and to show treatments that have had positive results. Methodology. To obtain the information, specialized search engines were used in databases such as: RESEARCHGATE, GOOGLE SCHOLAR, CIRAD, CATIE, IICA, ELSEVIER, SCIENCIE DIRECT, REDALYC, SCOPUS. An exploration and analysis of 100 documents related to the following topics was carried out: 1) history of the use of effluent treatment systems in coffee processing, 2) types of treatments for the management of liquid and solid waste, 3) operation of these technologies, capacity, place where the research was carried out, variables measured, as well as the capacity of these systems. The search period was planned from 1980 to 2023. The history of the beginning of the systems for the treatment of waste generated in coffee processing was also investigated. The key words used for the search were: wet processing, wastewater, solid and liquid waste, coffee by-products, treatment systems, chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand, total solids, turbidity, anaerobic treatments, and aerobic treatments. Approximately 100 documents were reviewed for the writing of the paper. Main findings. Research has been reported since 1980. Colombia and Mexico have focused on the development of machinery to mechanize processing operations to reduce water use, as well as anaerobic treatment systems, biodigesters and wetlands. Implications. It is necessary to know the main methods of wastewater treatment in the coffee processing process to determine the most suitable in coffee growing regions. Conclusions. Anaerobic biodigestion technology is the most used for the treatment of liquid effluents and with the best results. For the solid effluent, different alternatives are used for substrate such as the extraction of substances for industry, composting and biomaterials, among others.

This paper presents a review on hydrogels applied to agriculture emphasizing on the use of natural fibers. The objectives were to examine, trends in research addressed to identify natural fibers used in hydrogels development and methods for modifying natural fibers, understand factors which determine the water retention capacity of a hydrogel. Consequently, this paper shows some methodologies used to evaluate the hydrogels efficiency and to collect in tables, relevant information in relation to methods of natural fibers modification and hydrogel synthesis. It was found that previous research focused on hydrogels development processed with biodegradable polymers such as starch, chitosan and modified natural fibers, cross-linked with potassium acrylate and acrylamide, respectively. In addition, current researches aimed to obtaining hydrogels with improved properties, which have allowed a resistance to climatic variations and soil physicochemical changes, such as pH, presence of salts, temperature and composition. In fact, natural fibers such as sugarcane, agave fiber and kapok fiber, modified with maleic anhydride, are an alternative to obtain hydrogels due to an increasing of mechanical properties and chemically active sites. However, the use of natural nanofibers in hydrogels, has been a successful proposal to improve hydrogels mechanical and swelling properties, since they give to material an elasticity and rigidity properties. A hydrogel efficiency applied to soil, is measured throughout properties as swellability, mechanical strength, and soil water retention. It was concluded that hydrogels, are an alternative to the current needs for the agricultural sector.

The importance of researching and maintaining traditional knowledge is a concern within contemporary academic debates and public policies. Scientist of different disciplines have recognized this importance, indicating this is a broader interdisciplinary issue. Specifically, within the field of agroecological science, the concept of traditional knowledge is basic to the analysis of agroecosystems. This essay aims to analyze, within scientific papers, the approaches to traditional knowledge through agroecological studies. First, insights from traditional knowledge studies in socio-ecological systems are presented as a wider view. Secondly, papers that illustrate agroecological approach to traditional knowledge and the usage of participative research methodologies are systematically reviewed to the forward development of five propositions: 1) traditional knowledge dynamics, 2) importance of traditional knowledge and professional’s ethics, 3) methodologies used for traditional knowledge gathering, 4) subjects of study in agroecological and traditional knowledge studies and 5) the integration of traditional knowledge with scientific knowledge.

The aim of this paper is to develop a model of sustainable added value chain (SAVC). The model i) considers consumers expectations, ii) analyses the determinant producers´ factors to perform the SAVC and iii) ranks the agricultural subsectors according the SAVC. The value chain methodology was used to assess the sustainability of the agricultural value chain and develop the model. The model was tested in the Dominican Republic’s agricultural value chain. The results showed i) producers´ access to SAVC depends on the subsector, location and resources, ii) organic banana and avocado are the subsectors with the best potential SAVC while sweet potatoes and rice have the lowest potential and iii) producers are in an early stage to adopt the consumers´ expectations endangering SAVC. Using mixed methods to investigate the SAVC this paper provides an approach that reflects the complex and iterative nature of a real supply chains and can be used by researchers, policymakers and practitioners to better understand and describe decision making and to develop informed policies and interventions beyond SAVC. This research challenges the innate complexity of local supply chains and the presence of barriers for SAVC.

Leucaena is widely recognized as the most sustainable, and valuable multipurpose tree legume in the tropics. It is a productive and profitable source of protein for ruminant production. Its other uses include: land regeneration; carbon sequestration and methane reduction; and biomass for paper pulp and electricity generation. Over the past three decades, scientists and farmers have greatly increased their knowledge of this plant, resulting in new plantings that have increased almost exponentially over time. As a consequence, there is demand for improved knowledge of the latest varieties, recommended management practices and feeding systems. This Issue of the Journal contains papers presented at a very successful International Leucaena Conference (ILC2018) including a pre-conference field tour, organized by The University of Queensland, staged from 29 October to 3 November 2018. The last dedicated conference on leucaena was held in Vietnam in 1997. Approximately 120 conference delegates from 12 countries, comprising researchers, extension officers, consultants, producers and students, shared their research knowledge and practical experiences regarding leucaena. Many excellent speakers exchanged information regarding how to plant, manage and use leucaena around the world. Engagement and networking ensured there was enthusiastic and fruitful discussion on future priorities and collaborative opportunities. The Conference especially honored Professor James Brewbaker from the University of Hawaii, for his lifelong contribution to the understanding of the genetics and breeding of the Leucaena genus, to teaching and research supervision of students from around the world and for his support of ILC2018. We acknowledge the help of many people, including members of the ILC2018 Organizing and Steering Committees and the Editorial panel who performed an important role in ensuring that submitted papers were of an acceptable standard. We especially thank the Editors of the Journal Tropical Grasslands-Forrajes Tropicales for their huge efforts in final reviewing, polishing and refining of manuscripts and ultimately preparing them for publication in the two issues of the Journal. We also acknowledge Dr Nigel Tomkins and Mr Joe Rolfe for organizing the environmental and producer case studies sessions, respectively; and Meat and Livestock Australia, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and The University of Queensland for financial assistance. Finally, special thanks are due to Dr Scott Dalzell for coordinating the pre-conference tour and the producers who kindly shared their experience and made their facilities and properties available for the very informative and successful tour. Participants received an excellent overview of how leucaena is used on properties in southeast Queensland, and engaged in extensive debate on a wide range of topics. We are proud of all that was achieved during the conference, and that it will be available to all in these special issues. Assoc. Prof. Max Shelton and Dr Nahuel Pachas ILC2018 Organizing Committee The University of Queensland

Agricultural drought is a serious threat for those locations where one of the most important economic activities is crop production, which occurrence has been rising due to climate change. In addition, different kinds of phenomena could exacerbate agricultural drought frequency, duration, and severity. For example, El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which mostly occurs in the tropical western and central pacific, directly affects the Peruvian territory. This study aims to understand ENSO's influence on agricultural drought in the Mantaro Valley, Peru since it is one of the most important agricultural lands in the country without clear scientific information linked to drought and ENSO events. For drought assessment using the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration (SPEI) index and for ENSO events through a documentary and numerical analysis under Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) with information from several scientific recent papers to integrate information and formulate a clear event influence understanding. The results show that within Mantaro Valley along its four provinces and their six meteorological stations, 70% of agricultural drought events occurred when ENSO was present between 1990-2021. Also, the severity straight correlation percentage between both, ENSO and SPEI events is quite variable between 9.09%-70%. It is important to keep analyzing those stations with few data since it can provide a new scenario deportment and track new ENSO forecasting methods to rise adaptive capacity and guarantee national and international food security which has as an important supplier to the Mantaro Valley, Peru.

The cyanobacteria Nostoc commune contains bioactive compounds with antimicrobial activity and high potential to control of phytopathogens. The objective of this work was to determine the in vitro effect of sonicated biomass of these cyanobacteria on the growth of Fusarium oxysporum. The biomass of N.commune was dissolved in sterile distilled water and subjected to centrifugation processes and ultrasound-assisted cell rupture. The antifungal effect was evaluated using the disk diffusion technique (Kirby-Bauer) in a PDA (Potato Dextrose Agar) medium. In the center of the Petri dish, an agar disk (0.7 cm) with pure mycelium of the fungus was placed in the center of the Petri dish and, around it, four filter paper disk impregnateed with the algae extract (0.7 cm) were placed. The radial growth of the pathogen was measured in the presence and absence of N. commune, until the control covered the entire Petri dish to assess the Percentage of Radial Inhibition of the pathogen (PICR %). The growth rate of the fungus was lower in the initial stages of measurement and the PICR fluctuated between 33 and 58%. However, there were no inhibition halos in the growth of the fungus, it is assumed that the antifungal effect of the cyanobacteria was not permanent over the time, but it could be potentiated by improving the extraction process of the extract.

Ecuador is a small Andean country located in the western hemisphere of South America. The country has 361.747hm3 annual superficial water resources; As a result, Ecuador, in the last fifteen years (2005 to 2020), has been rapidly developing hydropower projects to triple the production in this renewable source. There were eight new hydroelectric plants constructed in Ecuador among 2007 and 2015 invested close to USD 6 billion the projects. Increased the energy response with renewables; for example, in 1985, the country produced 4 TWh, in 2005-registered 7 TWh, and to 2020, 24 TWh. According to the Electricity Corporation of Ecuador in 2020 reported that generated around 80% of all electricity through hydropower; thus, the article aims to critically analyze the development of hydropower in Ecuador in recent years and establish general energy projections to 2030 to expand the fields of knowledge and perspectives. The paper methodology is quantitative, according to scientific editorial sources, articles, investigative documents, and collects data from government agencies that regulate energy development in Ecuador. It is conclusive between a projection’s calculation, Ecuador will need for the year 2030 around 43 TWh, 47 TWh, or 52 TWh to supply the energy grid, according to the scenarios proposed (low, medium, high). Although hydropower will be essential to contribute to this requirement, the country has a barrier because hydropower is very sensitive to external factors of diverse nature, generating an uncertainly future directly associated with climatic effects.

Background: Practices such as the establishment of monocultures, the use of herbicides and overgrazing in tropical cattle ranching have led to deforestation and soil degradation in extensive areas of natural vegetation, causing local and global environmental consequences. In the state of Yucatán, different actors have created initiatives to avoid these consequences through the design, dissemination and implementation of sustainable practices among cattle producers. Objective: This paper seeks to understand how the structure of institutional networks affects the dissemination of sustainable livestock practices for the management of water, soil, biodiversity, forage and animals, which favor a transition to sustainability for the livestock sector in Yucatan. As a case study, the project coordinated by the Universidad de Yucatan for the establishment of intensive silvopastoral systems (ISPS) is analyzed, particularly the scope of the project to transform the practices of livestock farmers in the state of Yucatan and the role played by institutions linked to livestock issues to promote or obstruct this transformation. Methodology: The research was carried out by means of interviews with actors identified by their position in the different institutions linked to cattle raising. The multilevel perspective (MLP) was used to classify the different actors involved in the categories of landscape, regime or niche, according to their institutional powers in cattle ranching issues. An institutional network analysis was also carried out and a computer simulation was run using a random walker to identify the most frequent routes and connections between nodes. The nodes of the network represent the institutions mentioned during the interviews. Results: Secretaría de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural (SADER), Secretaría de Desarrollo Rural (SEDER), Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY), Unión Ganadera Regional General de Yucatán (UGRGY), Unión Ganadera Regional del Oriente de Yucatán (UGROY) as well as The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Implications: The statistical analysis shows little communication among nodes and the paths that allow the different actors to interact generally pass through a few of them with greater centrality. Conclusion: The faculties of each institution are designed for a vertical execution of public policies that leaves many actors without the possibility of participation particularly when existing programs have a short-term vision that hinders innovation and the achievement of a specific sustainability goal.

In the majority of developing countries the research on the cellulolytic microorganisms has been scarcely oriented to the transformation of organic solid waste into compost, ignoring their enormous industrial potential. The main objective of the present investigation was to generate information on the capacity and diversity of the cellulolytic bacteria isolated from three different habitats. The study included soil samples from native forests and cereal producing farms as well as from compost piles. From each sample, a serial dilution until 10-4 was prepared and from each dilution test tubes containing liquid mineral medium and a strip of filter paper as a source of cellulose were inoculated. After three weeks of incubation, the population density of the cellulolytic microorganisms was estimated and from the filter paper strips streaks were made on nutrient agar medium and then on solid mineral medium, supplemented with cellulose. The bacterial growths were submitted to the Congo Red test and the ones with the greater potential were identified. In comparison to the soils the compost piles harbor a higher population density of cellulolytic microorganisms. In respect to the cellulolytic bacteria, in total were obtained 20 isolates, 19 from the native forests and 1 from a compost pile. Isolates 1, 2, 6, 7 and 14 showed a higher cellulolytic capacity with halos of hydrolysis between 0.65 and 0.30 cm. Isolate 1 was identified as Bacillus sp, isolate 7 as Pseudomonas sp, and isolate 6 as Erwinia sp. This information is useful to explore with confidence the potential of the cellulolytic bacteria in the industry.

The European Union (EU) and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) have been negotiating a Regional Association Agreement (RAA) since the mid-nineties. This paper aims to identify products at the level of sub-headings of the Harmonized System which would benefit from the signing of the agreement. The methodology used trade indicators combined with trade statistics from 2010 to 2012. A total of 61 subheadings were identified with potential to increase its exports to the EU with the agreement. At first glance they reproduced the traditional pattern of exports from the MERCOSUR countries, a high concentration in agrifood products due to high exported value of one product. When this product was not considered an important number of manufactures were identified as having potential to increase their exports to the EU. This finding showed a potential to decrease the dependence on primary or raw material exports. The paper focused on tariffs; therefore further research on non-tariff measures for market access is a must.

This article examines interpretations regarding the relationship between means of support and fertility, taking into account views on social reproduction among peasants, with emphasis on the way they are expressed in terms of indicators. The author begins with a brief summary of theories put forth by Malthus, and then examines Neo-Malthusian models which use as an independent variable, the amount of land and as a dependent variable, the number of children. He notes the existence of a positive ratio between these variables, and then demonstrates that in Chayanov's model, the number of children is used as an independent variable, while the idea of a positive ratio with the amount of land is still maintained. He compares these assumptions with those of Palerm, who suggests the existence of an inverse ratio between the amount of land available and fertility; this leads to policy implications contrary to those arising from neo-Malthusian models. The paper ends with a discussion of assumptions about the rationality, motivations, and guiding values the different approaches attribute to economic and demographic behavior among peasants.

Modern agricultural extension services help as a source of information for farmer queries. One of its applications are local hot lines where expert agents in specific crops or fields assist in farmer agricultural practices and decisions. As an already established technology in the field of customer services, conversational agents can help this solution by covering for experts when users have difficulties contacting them. These artificial agents can answer general queries at any hour, increasing the extension service accessibility. The creation of a contextualized solution is possible with the advancements of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and its accessibility in cloud services. We write this paper to collect state-of-the-art research on agricultural conversational agents and tools used for its design and deployment. General knowledge on current applications is gather and can later be used to help in the design of a localized solution when agricultural services are difficult to access. Lastly, we describe and analyze a chatbot prototype in the specific field of banana farming using IBM Watson services and the messaging platform Telegram App.

In the culture of tilapia limited supply and high cost of fish meal have forced nutritionists to consider alternative sources of protein. Due to the importance of the products and by-products in fish feed, this paper aims to show the alternatives that have been used to partially or totally replace fish meal and soybean meal in tilapia growing. This paper showsthe maximum or optimal use of vegetable by-products for tilapia as cottonseed meal, sunflower, canola, soybean and Leucaena. It also deals with the inclusion with agro-industrial by-product such as corn, sorghum, coffee pulp, cocoa, wheat and citrus. The present study also deals with the use of aquatic plants such as Lemna and Azolla, single-celled plant protein source as antibiotics and probiotics. Finally, this paper also refers to animal by-products as silage, manure and earthworm usage. There is a high potential for using plant, livestock and agro-industrial by-products in fresh and processed food for the tilapia, but depending on the product, pretreatment to improve its balance of nutrients or eliminate anti-nutritional factors may be required.